The State of Minnesota funds its public schools primarily through a funding formula that provides school districts the same amount of revenue per pupil regardless of the size of their enrollment. An earlier study demonstrated that larger school districts incur less cost per pupil due to increased efficiency derived from economies of scale. This…

This document presents state-level data on Pennsylvania's K-college education, including demographic distribution across each educational level, participation and success in Advanced Placement, percentage of students taking high-level courses, school funding gaps, and high school and college graduation rates. In 2002, 57 percent of all 5th graders…

This book analyzes the financing of U.S. higher education. Chapter 1, "Introduction," discusses education's response to the labor market, causes of the financing crisis and constraints, and justifying change. Chapter 2, "How We Pay for College," examines components of the financing system; determining expected family…

People live in a fast-paced world in which, as the saying goes, the only constant is change. Like the rest of society, the American higher education system is grappling with changes that are significantly altering the landscape. This report surveys the higher education landscape and highlights a number of facts about the various converging trends.…

This bulletin describes existing educational conditions in Arkansas. The chapters herein not only point out the defects, but have suggested remedies. They also explain at considerable length the reasons for these recommendations and present estimates of the moneys required to carry out many of the recommendations. Contents include: (1) The present…

This report describes how California is providing direct intervention to improve structures and processes in districts, which is intended over time to improve curriculum, instruction, and student achievement at the school level. For districts subject to federal Corrective Action under NCLB, California's approach is "top down" in that…

The Division of Policy, Planning, and Research has assembled the Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book which is a compilation of statistical information pertaining to higher education in Tennessee. This Fact Book contains tables and charts with data relevant to enrollment and transfers, persistence and attainment, and fiscal information about…

This report presents case studies from seven states showing how state governments are: (1) responding to demands for more efficient and effective delivery of children's services; (2) taking on additional responsibilities formerly handled at the federal level; and (3) passing on added responsibilities to the local level (school districts, local…

Using data from a 1994 national survey of student charges (tuition and fees) at state colleges and universities, this document looks at increases, their impacts, paying for college, and the benefits of college education. In a question and answer format the opening section provides information on recent college cost figures for 4-year institutions,…

This report depicts the status of telecommunications network development and usage by K-12 educational institutions in April and May of 1996, as described by the heads of educational technology initiatives in each of the 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These data are reproduced in this report as 51 "State Profiles."…

This report provides information about special education costs in Vermont and the effects of recent policy changes implemented through Vermont's Act 230 and special education reform efforts. The report begins by describing Vermont's funding formula for special education and explains how the formula is flexible, more equitable, and better able to…

This publication presents excerpts from a literature review on the process of budgeting and assessing financial need requirements for public colleges and universities. Excerpts highlight funding formula approaches used by some states and higher education institutions, linking funding with educational quality, funding formula development and…

To examine the accuracy of myths of state higher education finance trends, this study used data from 50 states to explore recent patterns in funding allocation, state policies, and system characteristics. Data were gathered through development of a database on state system characteristics and trends and through two surveys sent to state higher…

This report provides an overview of the latest available racial and ethnic data on high school completion rates, college participation and enrollment trends, and degrees conferred. Major data sources are reports of the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the National Center for Educational Statistics. The report also includes a special focus on state…

This document is the state-wide strategic plan for public and private higher education in the 1990s in South Carolina. The plan was developed in response to the State Legislative Act 629, "The Cutting Edge." The plan rests on three principles: (1) ensuring access to education to all South Carolinians at whatever levels of student…