Allocation of Public Finance to Education

Question 1

What are the different types of government grants?

Answer 1

1. Lump sum / matching grants
2. Categorical / non-categorical
3. Formula / bid allocation

Question 2

What are four key features of funding?

Answer 2

1. Allocation (matching/nidding/according to a formulae)
2. Proportion (some centrally/some locally)
3. Source (local authority/central govt.)
4. Conditionality (teaching according to approved methods or curriculum)

Question 3

What do Brown and Lauder (1997) note regarding problems in public funding?

Answer 3

1. Differing practice e.g. if funding is on a 1:30 ration, some schools may not stick to the ratio exactly.
2. Some schools may benefit from social advantage e.g. donations.
3. Usage of elements may vary from school to school e.g. if there is a teacher shortage in one area.
4. Funamental elements differ from country to country e.g. skilled vs unskilled teachers.

Question 4

Who said the following standards are desirable for national life?

1. liberty (offering similar opportunities for all in access to educational resources)
2. equality (offering similar opportunities for all in access to education resources)
3. fraternity (offering social cohesiveness despite the context of a school or college)
4. efficiency (the achievement of the highest outputs for a given set of inputs)
5. economic growth (through the application of educational standards)

Answer 4

Swanson and King (1997)

Question 5

Who entioned these three factors as the need for universal free education?

1. Globalisation - interdependence is so great that a lack of education in one area has a knock-on effect on others.
2. Post-modernism
3. Income disparity

Answer 5

Brown and Lauder (1997)

Question 6

Who said that formula allocated funds can encourage efficiency and equity?

Answer 6

Ros and Levacic (1999)

Question 7

Who noted the following as problems with public funding?

1. Differing practice e.g. if funding is on a 1:30 ration, some schools may not stick to the ratio exactly.
2. Some schools may benefit from social advantage e.g. donations.
3. Usage of elements may vary from school to school e.g. if there is a teacher shortage in one area.
4. Funamental elements differ from country to country e.g. skilled vs unskilled teachers.

Answer 7

Brown and Lauder (1997)

Question 8

How can a lump sum grant be allocated?

Answer 8

Based on a per capita formula

May be weighted depending on age, currculum provision etc.

Question 9

Swanson and King (1997) offered the following values which are desirable for national life:

Answer 9

1. liberty (offering similar opportunities for all in access to educational resources)
2. equality (offering similar opportunities for all in access to education resources)
3. fraternity (offering social cohesiveness despite the context of a school or college)
4. efficiency (the achievement of the highest outputs for a given set of inputs)
5. economic growth (through the application of educational standards)

Question 10

Brown and Lauder (1997) state three factors which show the need for universal free education.

Answer 10

1. Globalisation - interdependence is so great that a lack of education in one area has a knock-on effect on others.
2. Post-modernism
3. Income disparity

Question 11

What do Ros and Levacic (1999) say is the advantage of formula allocation of funds?

Answer 11

Can encourage efficiency and equity.

Question 12

How do matched funds work?

Answer 12

Central government can matched funds raised locally.

Question 13

What are the advantages of central funding?

Answer 13

Means uniformity - same system for all

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of local funding?

Answer 14

There is a possibility of inequality for those who are nearer the source of funding.