Innovative financial strategies for higher education institutions are considered in three articles based on presentations to a national conference at the University of Arizona. In "Innovations in State Level Formulas: Established and Emerging Trends," Dennis P. Jones discusses both the general (multi-purpose) and the special purpose components of…

The Tennessee School Finance Equity Study was begun in 1978 to review the equity and adequacy of Tennessee's Public School Finance Program. Changes in the structure of the Tennessee Foundation Program (TFP) did achieve greater equity in the amount of funds local districts obtained from the foundation program even though the residence of the…

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission's performance-funding policy rewards public institutions for undertaking comprehensive assessment programs. New policy guidelines that emphasize quantitative indicators such as test scores and alumni ratings are discussed. (Author/MLW)

This paper reports on the development of a grant support unit in the Community College League of California's (CCLC) Ad Hoc Task Force on Grants and Development. A survey was developed and mailed during December, 1998, and again in January, 1999. In total, 92% of the 71 districts responded to the survey, 89% of the 106 campuses responded, and 100%…

The Commission initiated a funding to review national funding models for higher education led by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). Each institution contributed to the cost of the study and participated in the effort. NCHEMS' key recommendation is to move the funding discussions for higher education away from a…

Projections in this document form the basis of the site-based budget planning process for schools in the Seattle (Washington) School District. These projections are based on the Weighted Student Formula approved by the School Board in February 1997. The Weighted Student Formula is based on three principles: (1) resources follow the student; (2)…

This document contains papers from the Annual State Data Conference and includes the following: (1) "Does Money Matter for Minority and Disadvantaged Students? Assessing the New Empirical Evidence" (David Grissmer, Ann Flanagan, and Stephanie Williamson), which demonstrates that additional money matters for minority and disadvantaged…

Annual elementary school surveys have tracked the effects of funding and policy changes on Ontario's publicly funded education system since the funding formula was introduced in 1997. In 2002-03, surveys were received from 886 public, Catholic, and French-language schools, representing 22 percent of Ontario's elementary schools and 71 of 72…

This final report discusses the findings of a study that investigated the extent to which severe and/or high cost disabilities are evenly or unevenly distributed among the population of special education local plan areas (SELPAs) in California, and if the population-based special education funding formula should be adjusted. Results of the study…

This paper summarizes results of a legislatively mandated study of the incidence of students with "severe and/or high cost" disabilities across California within the context of the new census-based funding approach (which distributes funds based on the overall census of school-aged children rather than a count of children receiving…

State funding mechanisms are seen as coming under scrutiny because they don't accurately reflect enrollment decline effects on overall costs. Ohio has worked out a method of relating funding formula to actual costs and Florida reduces funding by half the average cost for enrollment declines. (Author/MLW)

Argues that standards-based education reform has shifted the focus of school finance from equity to adequacy. Requires an explicit connection between the funding provided to schools and the results produced in terms of student learning. (Contains 19 references.) (MLF)

Cites the daunting need for school construction and repair funds. Explains how the federal Qualified Zone Academy Bonds and the America's Better Classrooms Act allow certain schools to finance the renovating and/or equipping of school facilities on an interest-free basis through the allocation of federal tax credits. Tables list the state…

Reviews the unique financial problems of small schools. Explains the necessarily higher cost per pupil of quality rural education programs. Summarizes survey results concerning 48 states' use of weighted funding formulas, categorical aid for transportation, and excess levy authority to provide supplemental funds to small schools or districts.…

Discusses the use of formula allocations for book and serial funds in academic libraries' collection development and proposes a matrix formula based on disciplinary needs and publishing patterns. Variables in the formula that are used to represent institutional goals at the University of Texas at Arlington are explained. (16 references) (LRW)