Public school finance programs in the southern region of the United States: 1986-87

Abstract

This study describes the current status of the state aid programs in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) membership: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. The financing of educational programs in the SREB states in 1986-87 was compared to the financing of educational programs in 1978-79.

When making decisions concerning funding and program design for public elementary and secondary education systems, state legislators and education interest groups often compare the information available from other states to the proposals for their particular state. If other states have enacted similar proposals or have considered them and not implemented them, the inquiring state will use this information to guide the decision-making process.

American Education Finance Association (AEFA) members physically located in the states were recruited to provide a detailed description of their respective public school finance programs. When AEFA members were not available, the chief school officer was asked to provide the description. The information in the descriptions was verified by each state’s school finance office.

A portion of the funds supporting change efforts flowed through traditional school finance formulae. Many of the states expanded basic funding and categorical programs. Much of the funding for new efforts was allocated outside of the equalization formulae used to provide the bulk of school support.