Arkansas' search for public school funding; a survey of superintendents

Public school funding in Arkansas has had many difficulties. Legislative reforms have been commonplace in the state, since the 1960's, and continue to today. In January of 1996, the two most recent Acts, 916 and 917, were enacted by the state. This action created a new funding formula for all of Arkansas Public Schools. This study investigated the perceptions of superintendents throughout the state concerning the "new funding formula" in comparison to the "old funding formula." The topics of interest to this study were: millage; equity; understandability; and complexity between the old and new formulas. From 312 surveys sent to all superintendents in the state, 160 surveys were returned. This study presents the methods, the results, and conclusions regarding the superintendents' negative views toward the newest funding reforms.