Results of state-by-state study of unmet school infrastructure needs using multiple data sources. Found that aggregate unmet infrastructure needs of $266.1 billion were significantly larger than found in earlier studies and varied substantially among states. Suggests different short- and long-term funding strategies to address problem. Includes…

Examines the nature and extent of principal involvement in school renovation, assesses costs and benefits thereof, and reviews principal training in school renovation. (PKP)

Examines detailed school spending and achievement data for over 2,800 Texas elementary schools for 1992-93. A school's student poverty rate is the most important factor influencing student performance. Results emphasize the importance of spending for exemplary teaching, basic supplies, and maintenance. Certain expenditures correlate with lower…

Uses school-level data to measure distribution of educational resources within districts, between districts, and among schools within the states, focusing on quantity (but not quality) of teachers allocated to students. Results confirm that school-level teacher-distribution inequalities exist both within and across districts. Implications are…

Uses ordinary least-squares multivariate regression analysis to determine if jurisdictional types vary in their willingness to increase taxation for schools, employing 892 education fund referenda conducted in Illinois from 1981 to 1989. Outcomes do differ by jurisdiction type. The strongest predictor is willingness to pay for higher taxes. (29…

A statistical analysis tested the relationship of class size, expenditures per student, and socioeconomic status on student achievement test scores in three south Florida counties. Poverty is a primary determinant of student achievement. There is modest support for targeted expenditures for smaller classes above 20 students. (Contains 62…

Statistical sources demonstrate negative effects on educational spending in Canada in the 1990s, due to policies adopted in response to a severe recession and ballooning federal and provincial deficits. Massive restructuring (centralization and district consolidation) is occurring to increase efficiency. Retrenchment will probably be completed by…

Reviews the school-level resource-allocation literature and presents findings of a study of school-district expenditures in Chicago, Forth Worth, New York, and Rochester. Horizontal equity results show that in Chicago, New York, and Fort Worth, most coefficients of variation are below 0.15. Rochester's system is slightly less equitable. For…

In a 1991 article, Jerry Paquette argued that private rates of return to schooling in Canada during early to mid-1980s were small or negative, except for those completing bachelor's degree or higher. This paper shows Paquette's (Canadian census) data indicate quite different results; surveys recent studies; and provides recent data to show private…

Uses Texas data to explore using an indirect measure of local wealth as the basis for calculating indexes of wealth neutrality. The proposed measure, the percentage of school district revenues derived from local sources, can easily be calculated from data contained within the U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data. The measure…

Differing methodologies and varied conclusions in research about equity trends in school finance make it impossible to assess national status in school finance reform by using existing studies. Evidence suggests, however, that although horizontal equity has not been achieved, the situation improved from 1940 to 1960 and worsened from 1960 to 1977.…

Using three determinants of equity--disparity, wealth neutrality, and sufficiency--this study examines public school financing in four Canadian provinces (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick) to find whether equity as defined in the United States has been achieved and what the state role has been. (JW)

Employed various statistical techniques to measure fiscal equity in Virginia. The new state aid system for financing education was unable to mitigate large and increasing disparities in education revenues between more and less affluent localities and a strong and growing linkage between revenue and wealth. Includes 34 footnotes. (MLH)

Examines supplantation and redistribution effects of lottery allocations to the 28-member Florida community college system. Florida community colleges incurred four adverse consequences from being earmarked for lottery profits. Receiving lottery profits was accompanied by a drop in college expenditures, fewer spending dollars, supplanted general…

Analyzes public school funding patterns across the 50 states to help address continuing fiscal inequity problems. Findings support other investigations showing substantial variations in the distribution of public education revenues within states, even after years of ameliorative litigation and legislation. Equalization is costly and requires…