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Clearinghouse on Educational Policy and Management
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| College of Education · University of Oregon |
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Trends and Issues: School Choice
FundingJournal ArticlesEJ570117 EA534850Are Charter Schools Sufficiently Public To Receive Public Funds?: An Analysis of "Council of Organizations about Parochiaid v. Governor." Author: Green, Preston C., III; McCall, Darryl Availability: Journal Citation: International Journal of Educational Reform, v7 n3 p232-42 Jul 1998 Publication Date: 1998 ISSN: 1056-7879 Language: English Document Type: Journal articles (080); Legal/Legislative/Regulatory materials (090); Reports--Evaluative (142) Journal Announcement: CIJAPR1999 Abstract: If a charter-school act permits too much freedom from state regulations, it may create private schools ineligible for state funding. In "Council of Organizations about Parochiaid v. Governor," the Michigan courts ruled on levels of state control necessary for charter schools to be considered public. At least 13 states would fail the Michigan trial court's test. (40 references) (MLH) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Court Litigation; Elementary Secondary Education; *Eligibility; *State Aid; *State Legislation; *State School District Relationship Identifiers: *Michigan EJ547249 EA533441 Funding Charter Schools in Arizona: A National Model. Author: Essigs, Chuck Availability: Journal Citation: School Business Affairs v63 n5 p59-61 May 1997 Publication Date: 1997-00-00 ISSN: ISSN-0036-651X Language: English Document Type: Journal Articles (080); Reports (142) Journal Announcement: CIJDEC1997 Abstract: During the 1995-96 school year, Arizona charter schools served over 7,117 students and received over $30 million in funding. An estimated 17,000 students will be served next year. The funding formula is similar to the basic state formula for K-12 education, with similar counting methods and revenue availability. However, charter schools have more available revenue per pupil and own their own capital assets. (MLH) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Expenditure per Student; *Models; *State Aid; Student Transportation Identifiers: *Arizona; *Funding Formulas DocumentsED460588 EF005296Paying for the Charter Schoolhouse: Policy Options for Charter School Facilities Financing. Author: Hassel, Bryan Institutional Author: Charter Friends National Network, St. Paul, MN.(BBB35316) Availability: Maryland Department of Education, 200 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201.Tel: 410-767-0098; Tel: 410-767-0324. Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. (EDD00036)@; North Central Regional Educational Lab., Naperville, IL. (BBB36590) Publication Date: February 1999 Language: English Document Type: Guides--Non-classroom (055); Reports--Descriptive (141) Journal Announcement: RIEJUN2002 Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Financial Support; *Fund Raising; Money Management; Planning; Public Schools; *School Funds; Contract Number: RJ96006301 Geographic Source: U.S.; Minnesota ED449657 EF005850 Charter Schools: Limited Access to Facility Financing. Report to Congressional Requesters. Author: Shaul, Marnie S. Institutional Author: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div.(BBB31516) Availability: U.S.General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 37050, Washington, DC 20013 (first copy, free; additional copies, $2 each). Tel: 202-512-6000. For full text: http://www.gao.gov. Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: September 2000 Report Number: GAO/HEHS-00-163 Language: English Pages: 31 Document Type: Reports--Research (143) Journal Announcement: RIEJUL2001 Abstract: This report determines the degree to which charter schools have access to traditional public school facility financing, and whether alternative sources of facility financing are available to charter schools. Further discussed are potential options generally available to the federal government if it were to assume a larger role in charter school facility financing. It reports that charter schools generally do not have access to municipal bonds, the most common source of facility financing, and that charter schools that are part of local school districts might not share in local or state school construction funds. State charter school laws vary, and few of them address facility financing or provide funding for school construction or improvements, purchasing, or leasing buildings for use by charter schools. Sources of charter school financing include allocation of education funds from state, loans, and private donations; however, such funding may not adequately cover costs or are not widely available to charter schools. The federal government can broaden its role in financing charter school facilities through grants, direct loans, loan guarantees, loan pools, tax-exempt bonds, and tax credits. Appendices provide a comparison of state legislation on charter school independence, a summary of state legislation on how charter schools obtain facilities, and comments from the Department of Education. (GR) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Facilities Improvement; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Federal Government; *Government Role; *Government School Relationship; Public Schools Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia ED448514 EA030787 Venturesome Capital: State Charter School Finance Systems. National Charter School Finance Study. Author: Nelson, F. Howard; Muir, Edward; Drown, Rachel Institutional Author: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.(EDD00036) Availability: ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 207994-1398. Tel: 877-433-7827 (Toll Free). For full text: http://www.ed.gov. Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: December 2000 Report Number: GFI-2001-9501 Language: English Pages: 190 Document Type: Reports--Research (143) Journal Announcement: RIEJUN2001 Abstract: This report examines the laws, regulations, and practices governing charter-school finance during the 1998-99 school year. The 23 states and 2 cities surveyed here had operative charter schools during 1997-98, and thus had a least one year of experience in implementing laws and developing financial practices. The report includes an estimation of the actual dollar amounts that states allocate to charter schools based on the types of students enrolled, and discusses numerous other factors central to charter-school funding. The analysis outlines the range of per-pupil funding that charter schools can expect to receive in each state. Issues regarding school-district fidelity to state law are not addressed in the report. After an introduction, a review of previous research on charter-school finance is provided. This is followed by a description of the methodology used to collect data, including the procedures used to create the hypothetical charter schools that underlie the funding comparisons in the report. The next chapter gives an overview of funding and includes sections on base per-pupil funding and funding linked to student characteristics or geographic location. The report also discusses startup funding, facilities funding, and transportation funding. The last chapter examines the comparability of charter school and school-district funding. (RJM) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Finance; *Educational Legislation; Educational Policy; Elementary Secondary Education; *Financial Policy; Financial Support; Nontraditional Education; *State Aid Contract Number: ED98-CO-0029 Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia ED447672 EF005796 Charter School Facilities: A Resource Guide on Development and Financing. Author: Jakubowski, Lara Institutional Author: Charter Friends National Network, St. Paul, MN.(BBB35316); NCB Development Corporation, Washington, DC.(BBB36321) Availability: For full text: http://www.ncbdc.org/ncbdc/ncbdc.nsf/charter.htm. Publication Date: April 2000 Language: English Pages: 67 Document Type: Guides--Non-classroom (055) Journal Announcement: RIEMAY2001 Abstract: This manual provides information to help charter schools navigate the facility development process, including worksheets that can be customized to suit a particular school's needs. Sections cover how facility planning fits into business planning for charter schools, review a process for assessing a school's facility needs, and summarize how to select a site and compare those found. Additionally, the manual includes an overview of construction and budgeting issues for a facility project, reviews sources of financing a project, provides a project timeline, and offers a glossary of terms to clarify technical issues in the facility development process. Appendices contain model forms for developing operating and capital budgets, balance sheets, cash flow projections, and a sample application for a National Cooperative Bank (NCB) Development Corporation charter school loan. (GR) Descriptors: *Budgeting; *Charter Schools; *Educational Facilities Planning; Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Guidelines; *School Construction; *Site Selection; Worksheets Identifiers: Business Plans Target Audience: Administrators; Practitioners Geographic Source: U.S.; Minnesota ED447583 EA030742 Colorado Charter Schools Capital Finance Study: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future. Author: Caldwell, Russell B.; Arrington, Barry Institutional Author: Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver.(DUN16650) Availability: EDRS Price MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. Governmental Status: State Publication Date: January 2000 Language: English Pages: 71 Document Type: Guides--Non-classroom (055) Journal Announcement: RIEMAY2001 Abstract: This report discusses strategies that will help charter schools finance their facilities needs. It outlines the history of the Colorado Charter Schools Act, focusing on the contracting process, on dispute resolution and appeals, on renewal, on employee options, and on revenue allocation. The document also examines issues surrounding school operations under the Charter Schools Act. It looks at financing guidelines, types of facilities in use by Colorado charter schools, the quality of charter-school facilities, how schools acquired their facilities, and tax-exempt bond financing. Some of the roadblocks to successful charter-school capital finance involve revenue streams, limited access to tax-exempt financing, uncertainty regarding public school status, perceptions of risk, and a scarcity of resources. The document provides a general overview of the finance mechanisms used by public schools to obtain capital for their facilities needs, as well as the potential availability of these mechanisms for charter school use, such as conduit financing, loan pools, and credit enhancement. The report closes by making 15 policy recommendations that policymakers should consider as they deal with charter schools' facilities concerns. Three appendices reproduce the Colorado Charter Schools Act and the names and addresses of the 64 charter schools operating in the 1999-2000 school year. (RJM) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; Educational Administration; Educational Economics; Educational Facilities; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Financial Needs; Nontraditional Education; Program Implementation; School Policy Identifiers: *Colorado Geographic Source: U.S.; Colorado ED438304 TM030613 Statistical Profile: Public Schools of North Carolina, 1999. Institutional Author: North Carolina State Dept. of Public Instruction, Raleigh.(QXM63750) Availability: EDRS Price MF01/PC15 Plus Postage. Governmental Status: State Publication Date: 1999 Language: English Pages: 355 Document Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data (110); Reports--Descriptive (141) Journal Announcement: RIEJUL2000 Abstract: This statistical profile is a collection of statistical information about North Carolina's elementary and secondary schools. This is the 25th edition of the publication. The purpose is to provide general statistical data to the public, professional educators, and the General Assembly. The profile includes information on public school students, personnel, and finances. Tables with statewide data are presented in Part 1 for : (1) pupil accounting; (2) non-promotion rates by grade; (3) projected final average daily membership; (4) exceptional pupils; (5) pupil membership by race/ethnic origin; (6) high school graduates' intentions; (7) projections of high school graduates; (8) public school dropout and retention data; (9) public school personnel summary; (10) experience status of instructional personnel; (11) highest degree held by instructional personnel; (12) selected characteristics of classroom teachers; and (13) selected statistics of local salary supplements. Part 2 contains data on pupil accounting, high school graduate intentions, public school personnel, and current expense expenditures for each local school system. Part 3 provides pupil accounting and financial data for the 57 charter schools operating in North Carolina in the school year. (Contains 42 tables.) (SLD) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Enrollment; High School Graduates; Profiles; *Public Schools; School Personnel; *School Statistics; *Student Characteristics; Tables (Data) Identifiers: *North Carolina Geographic Source: U.S.; North Carolina ED436942 EF005627 Out of the Box: Facilities Financing Ideas for Charter Schools. Author: Hassel, Bryan Institutional Author: Charter Friends National Network, St. Paul, MN.(BBB35316) Availability: Charter Friends National Network, 1745 University Ave., #110, St. Paul, MN 55104. Tel: 651-649-5479; Fax: 651-649-5472. For full text: http:www.charterfriends.org ; E-mail: info@charterfriends.org Publication Date: July 1999 Language: English Pages: 41 Document Type: Guides--Non-classroom (055) Journal Announcement: RIEJUN2000 Abstract: This guidebook provides charter schools with ideas when seeking financing, and touches on the issues they often face regarding appropriate site, managing the construction and renovation process, and facility operation that is safe and economical. Ideas presented are based on experiences of real charter schools. The document is organized around four major means by which charter schools can meet the facility's financing challenge. The first section addresses financing preparation and provides tools that can help facilities in crafting business, accountability, and facility-development plans. The second section addresses creative ways to accumulate the amount charter schools need to finance. The third section explains how aggressive shopping, exploring low-cost forms of financing, looking for ways to make their deals less risky, and pursuing other strategies can help these schools reduce the interest rates they pay for financing. The fourth section explains how charter schools can improve public policies regarding these facilities, obtain per-pupil revenue for charter schools, and bring about other helpful changes. Appendices provide sources for additional information. (GR) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; Educational Facilities Improvement; *Educational Finance; *Guidelines; *Money Management; Public Schools; School Community Relationship; School Construction; *School Funds Identifiers: Project Management Descriptive Terms: Assistance provided by Meredith Miller and Joanne Scharer. With financial support from the Kinship Foundation. Target Audience: Administrators; Practitioners Geographic Source: U.S.; Minnesota ED429432 EF005340 Charter School Facility Financing: Constraints and Options. A Study for the Massachusetts Charter School Resource Center. Author: Dolan, John V.; Murray, Douglas P.; Walsh, Gregory J. Institutional Author: Pioneer Inst. for Public Policy Research, Boston, MA.(BBB28552) Availability: EDRS Price MF01/PC02 Plus Postage. Publication Date: February 1998 Language: English Pages: 27 Document Type: Guides--Non-classroom (055) Journal Announcement: RIESEP1999 Abstract: In 1991, the charter school movement began in Minnesota and since then, 28 more states and the District of Columbia have passed similar versions of charter school law. This paper examines a facility planning model designed to help charter schools maximize their chances of succeeding in the effort to secure permanent facilities. The model includes a facility feasibility element that sets the scale and quality towards which project charter schools can, and should, realistically aim to accomplish; an occupancy cost element that determines the level of total facility cost charter schools can, and should, bear; and a credit standards element that determines key financing and operating criteria that charter schools must be willing and able to meet to acquire permanent facilities through either leases or mortgages. The paper also includes a summary of leading facility financing arrangements currently in use by charter schools, and presents recommendations for enhancing charter school facility financing alternatives to benefit more charter schools and to advise prospective facility financing providers. (GR) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; Educational Legislation; Elementary Secondary Education; *Financial Support; *Money Management; Public Schools; School Administration; *School Funds Target Audience: Practitioners Geographic Source: U.S.; Massachusetts ED426449 EA029268 Charter Schools: Federal Funding Available but Barriers Exist. Report to Congressional Requesters. Institutional Author: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div.(BBB31516) Availability: U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 37050, Washington, DC 20013 (first copy free; $2, each additional copy). Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: April 1998 Report Number: GAO-HEHS-98-84 Language: English Pages: 52 Document Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data (110); Reports--Evaluative (142) Journal Announcement: RIEJUN1999 Abstract: Although the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are designed to help public schools, concerns were raised during 1997 congressional hearings about whether public charter schools receive their proper share of these funds. This report examines how selected states allocate Title I and IDEA funds to charter and other public schools and identifies factors helping and hindering charter schools' access to funds in various states. Researchers conducted case studies in 7 states that collectively included 91 percent of the 480 charter schools reportedly operating during 1996-97. The final sample had 41 schools. Generally, states allocate funds for charter schools either directly or indirectly via a parent school district. About two-fifths of the charter schools surveyed received Title I funds; slightly over half received IDEA funds or IDEA-funded special education services. Most charter schools did not receive funds or did not apply for them. Access barriers included lack of enrollment and student eligibility data to submit to states and the application time and costs considerations. Charter school operators most often cited training, technical assistance, and notification of their eligibility as factors helping them access funds. Several states and the Department of Education have begun initiatives, such as alternative allocation policies, to help charter schools access federal funds. Included are five appendices, several figures and tables, and a summary of results. (MLH) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Eligibility; *Federal Programs; Program Implementation; Tables (Data) Identifiers: *Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I; *Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia ED423592 EA029267 Charter School Start-Up Grant Funds. Institutional Author: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div.(BBB31516) Availability: U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 37050, Washington, DC 20013 (first copy free; each additional copy, $2); Tel: 202-512-6000; Fax: 202-512-6061; Web site: http://www.gao.gov Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: April 1998 Report Number: GAO/HEHS-98-150R Language: English Pages: 10 Document Type: Reports--Descriptive (141) Journal Announcement: RIEMAR1999 Abstract: As part of the 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Congress approved a new startup grant program to promote creation and development of charter schools. This report describes how a sample of 41 charter schools used the startup funds they received for the 1996-1997 school year. From fiscal years 1995 through 1997, the Department of Education awarded over $68 million in startup grants to 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The amount states received ranged from about $240,000 to over $6 million. In turn, states have provided these funds to charter schools. Over half the schools surveyed received startup funds ranging from $7,000 to $84,000. A majority used funds for curriculum materials and school equipment, facility leases and renovation, and technology. Charter schools not receiving grants were ineligible for grants under their state guidelines, were unsuccessful in competing for a grant, did not know about the program, or chose not to apply. The Department uses a peer-review process and judges applicants on the basis of several criteria, such as the contribution of a state's program toward serving disadvantaged students, degree of flexibility offered schools, and likelihood that a state's program will improve students' educational results. (MLH) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; Elementary Secondary Education; *Federal Aid; *Federal Legislation; *Federal State Relationship; *State Action Identifiers: *Elementary Secondary Education Act; *Resource Utilization Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia ED420908 EA029110 Charter Schools: Recent Experiences in Accessing Federal Funds. Statement of Cornelia M. Blanchette, Associate Director, Education and Employment Issues. Testimony before the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, U.S. Senate. Institutional Author: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div. Availability: U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 37050, Washington, DC 20013 (first copy free; $2 each additional copy). Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: 1998-03-00 Copy Availibility: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. Report Number: GAO/T-HEHS-98-129 Language: English Pages: 19 Document Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Material (090); Reports (143) Journal Announcement: RIEDEC1998 Abstract: This report presents a study of charter schools' use of startup grants and grants under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For this research, case studies were conducted in 7 states that accounted for 91 percent of charter schools operating in the 1996-97 school year. The results indicate that these schools used federal startup funds for a variety of purposes, including school equipment and curriculum materials, technology, and facilities renovation or leasing. The findings suggest that charter schools have not been systematically denied access to Title I and IDEA funds and that the barriers charter schools face in accessing these funds appear to have no relation to charter schools' treatment as school districts or as members of school districts. Rather, it is barriers such as state systems that base funding allocations on the prior year's enrollment that have affected charter schools' access to these funds. However, most charter-school operators still believed that Title I and IDEA funds are fairly allocated to charter schools. (RJM) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; *Federal Aid; Financial Support; Grants; *School Funds Level: 1 Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia ED418181 UD032241 Allocations to Public Charter Schools Under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Nonregulatory Guidance. Institutional Author: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (ED), Washington, DC. Availability: Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: 1998-03-00 Copy Availibility: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. Language: English Pages: 12 Document Type: Guides (055) Journal Announcement: RIEAUG1998 Abstract: Question-and-answer format is used to provide guidance about the eligibility of public charter schools to receive funds, and the allocation of such funds, under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Part A provides federal financial assistance, through state education agencies (SEAs) to local education agencies (LEAs) to meet the educational needs of children who are failing or at risk of failing to meet a state's content and student performance standards in schools with high concentrations of children from low-income families. In general, SEAs and LEAs must treat public charter schools in a manner consistent with the Title I statute and must take all reasonable steps to ensure that charter schools receive their full allocations. A public charter school LEA must meet the same eligibility requirements that apply to other LEAs in the state, and allocations are made on the basis of formula children as defined for other schools. Adjustments that may be made in the absence of complete data from the charter school are discussed for situations when the charter school is an LEA in itself or within an LEA. (Contains two tables.) (SLD) Descriptors: *Charter Schools; *Compensatory Education; *Disadvantaged Youth; Educational Finance; Elementary Secondary Education; Eligibility; *Federal Aid; Nontraditional Education; *Public Schools; *Resource Allocation; School Choice; School Districts; State Departments of Education; Urban Schools; Urban Youth Identifiers: *Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I Level: 1 Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia ED414620 EA028791 Charter Schools: Issues Affecting Access to Federal Funds. Testimony before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families, Committee on Education and the Workforce. House of Representatives. Author: Blanchette, Cornelia M. Institutional Author: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div. Availability: Governmental Status: Federal Publication Date: 1997-09-16 Copy Availibility: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. Report Number: GAO/T-HEHS-97-216 Language: English Pages: 22 Document Type: Reports (142) Journal Announcement: RIEMAY1998 Abstract: Although all public schools could be eligible for federal funds under Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) programs, concerns have been raised about whether charter schools are receiving an equitable share of these federal funds. This report describes: (1) how federal Title I and IDEA funds are distributed to charter schools, and the opinions of charter-school operators on whether the distribution is equitable; and (2) which factors appear to be facilitating and impeding charter schools in accessing these funds. The report presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing research project involving case studies in seven states and a telephone survey of a representative sample of charter schools in those states. At the time of publication, 30 out of 50 telephone surveys had been completed. The preliminary results suggest that states are allocating federal funds in much the same manner as they allocate funds to traditional public schools. Most charter-school operators believed that they received an equitable share of federal Title I and IDEA funds. Barriers to accessing Title I and IDEA funds include a lack of enrollment and student-eligibility data, the time and cost involved in applying for funding, and the need for training and technical assistance. Appendices contain data on charter schools operating in school year 1996-97 in selected states, and on charter-school states and the number of schools operating in school year 1996-97. Four tables are included. (LMI) Descriptors: Categorical Aid; *Charter Schools; Disabilities; Elementary Secondary Education; *Eligibility; Enrollment; Federal Legislation; *Federal Programs; Federal Regulation; *Resource Allocation; Special Needs Students; *State Federal Aid Identifiers: *Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I; *Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Level: 1 Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia |