Finance

The latest coverage of school funding, finance, and budget news on the local, state, and national levels.

Changes Urged in Rules for Federal Innovation Aid

Philanthropies question a draft plan to require matching funds from applicants for the Education Department’s $650 million “i3” program. November 19, 2009

Lawsuit: Florida Failed to Provide 'High-Quality' Schools

A lawsuit filed today charges that the state has failed to adequately fund education or to provide for a system of "high quality" public schools. November 19, 2009, MCT

Detroit Schools Seek to Force Board Member to Talk

November 19, 2009, AP

Winners Named for Gates Teacher Grants

Three districts and a charter school consortium will receive a share of $500 million to improve teacher effectiveness. November 19, 2009

Michael Scott's Use of Board Credit Card Probed

In recent weeks, the Chicago school board president was facing scrutiny for using his board credit card to pay for a trip to Copenhagen to lobby for the city's Olympics bid. November 19, 2009, MCT

News Briefs

Project Offers Teacher Scholarships

Math and science teachers in Michigan will be eligible for stipends to pay for their master's-degree training if they commit to working in high-need schools. November 17, 2009

Gates Foundation to Help Charters With Bond Guarantees for Facilities

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation last week announced plans to help expand the Houston charter school sector. November 17, 2009

Washington State Supreme Court Overturns Ruling on Salary Money

Variation in the way Washington state teachers are paid does not pose a constitutional problem, the Washington Supreme Court ruled last week. November 17, 2009

Gifted Education

November 17, 2009

States' Fiscal View: Gloomy, Gloomier

Ouch! That may be the simplest way to describe the latest (preliminary) national data on states' financial pictures, issued last week. November 16, 2009

Rules Issued for State Fiscal Stabilization Aid, Round 2

States will have to meet 35 detailed reporting requirements to qualify for this pot of $11.5 billion in economic-stimulus money. November 16, 2009

More News Briefs

Idaho Schools Face Cuts, Agencies Face Elimination

November 19, 2009, AP

Texas Gov. Likely to Face School Finance Problems

November 18, 2009, AP

N.J. Governor-Elect's Education Agenda Eyed

The Republican's support for charters and vouchers draws praise, though some worry other pledges may affect school funding. November 17, 2009

Pay for Interim Schools Chiefs Questioned in N.J.

Some taxpayers have bristled at the cost of administrators — especially in small districts — but interims and school board members who hire them say they're worth every penny. November 17, 2009, MCT

Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

Labor leaders and analysts warn that costs would be passed on to workers in the form of higher premiums—or curtailed benefits. November 17, 2009

Hawaii Leaders Working to Reopen Schools

November 17, 2009, AP

Games Evolve as Tools for Teaching Financial Literacy

Many educators are turning to digital games to teach students about personal finance and investing. November 16, 2009

Rules Set for $4 Billion Race to Top Contest

State-level reform, local buy-in, and teacher quality will count heavily in determining which states get the federal stimulus grants. November 16, 2009

Education Department to Demand School Pay Data

The goal of the plan is to find out how salary spending differs between schools receiving Title I funds and lower-poverty ones. November 16, 2009

Lingle Unveils Plan to End Teacher Furlough Days

November 16, 2009, AP

Investigation: Ariz. Tuition Aid Not Just for Needy

November 16, 2009, AP

Neb. High School Going Digital With Yearbook

November 16, 2009, AP

Tucson Students Won't Get Promised Scholarships

November 16, 2009, AP

Funding for Common Assessments Poses Challenge

Updated: November 16, 2009