What's fueling federal interest? Public education finance in the United States, 1995--2003

This thesis investigates public education finance in the United States between 1995 and 2003. It expands upon the 1995 study by Odden and Monk which predicted federal revenues would not increase. The historical basis for the division of revenue share among federal, state and local sources is explored, as well as how an evolving economy may influence change. This thesis utilizes human capital theory, and corporatism and corporate elite theory to explain why an increased federal role in the financing of public education is expected to have emerged.;Research shows that federal level funding between 1995 and 2003 did increase. Human capital theory substantiates the intervention of government in education, while corporatism and corporate elite theory discuss the relationship between corporations and government, and how corporations influence public education. The research indicates that while a federal-level concern over an adequately educated workforce isn't new, the global economic framework is.