The three papers in this volume describe exploratory efforts to adjust state aid to local school districts so as to reflect differences in local costs unrelated to school program content. Each study is limited to an analysis of relevant data for one of the three states considered--Michigan, California, and Florida. The underlying assumption is…

The database of school district budget information developed by Educational Research Service provides a means for comparing local school budgets nationwide. The data, classified by per pupil expenditure, show average percent of budget allocated to various categories, personnel budget allocations, and regional variation in the pattern of funding…

This paper quantitatively analyzes the incidence of public education spending on the poor in developing countries by using the results of standard benefit-incidence studies and additional national data. Although there is considerable variation across studies, it is found that public education spending generally does not favor the poor, but it does…

This study examines the fiscal impact of a proposal to create a personal tax credit for educational expenses and a tax-credit scholarship program in Kentucky. It finds that the actual fiscal impact of the program would be much less than its nominal dollar size, due to the reduced public school costs resulting from migration of students from public…

"ARL Statistics 2003-04" is the latest in a series of annual publications that describe collections, staffing, expenditures, and service activities for the 123 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Of these, 113 are university libraries and 10 are public, governmental, and nonprofit research libraries. Data reported by…

This paper is part of a collection of 54 papers from the 48th annual conference of the Education Law Association held in November 2002. It addresses education finance litigation generated by "Serrano v. Priest." (Considered a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of California, "Serrano" resulted in victory for funding-equity…

This annual report details the activities and accomplishments of the Library of Virginia for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2001. Following messages from the Board Chairman and the Librarian of Virginia, the document reports on: acquisitions; "All Virginia Reads: An Evening with William Styron"; conservation and preservation; volunteers; the…

This audit report addresses the issue of state funds for community college training courses that should be recovered from several California community colleges. These colleges did not meet the minimum conditions necessary to qualify their training courses for apportionment funding. The report reveals that the Chancellor's Office has only partially…

Two papers in this report document that as the percentage of African American students and students of color has risen in the Milwaukee Public Schools, funding per pupil has plummeted compared to funding in predominantly white suburban districts. It underscores that school funding reform is not only an educational necessity, but also a matter of…

Public schools can be considered a form of workforce development, and thus it is important to measure the "work product" of the schools. The Public Policy Forum's annual analysis of public schools in the 50 districts serving southeastern Wisconsin measured absenteeism as educational opportunities lost because children were not in class.…

This statewide public opinion survey highlights new information about the priorities of Californians, their attitudes about spending on education, their opinions about key issues such as teacher qualifications, and priorities for the steps the state should take to improve its system of public education. The survey shows Californians believe that…

"ARL Statistics 2004-05" is the latest in a series of annual publications that describe collections, staffing, expenditures, and service activities for the 123 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Of these, 113 are university libraries and 10 are public, governmental, and nonprofit research libraries. Data reported by…

In 1994 and 1995, most school-finance legislation at the state level dealt with state aid--36 out of 127 bills introduced in 1994 and 31 out of 212 bills introduced in 1995. This report presents 13 tables that summarize the content of state legislation and identify bills that addressed the formation of study committees, the use of lottery funds to…

This report reviews trends affecting rising costs and prices in higher education and proposes an action agenda for colleges, government at all levels, families and students, and other patrons. The recommendations emphasize shared responsibility to (1) strengthen institutional cost control; (2) improve market information and public accountability;…

This final performance report describes Project FLASH (Family Learning Action Starts Here), a literacy project of the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Public Library designed to provide opportunities for parents to improve their own basic skills while at the same time enhancing their ability to provide literacy-based activities to their children. The…