Kristof De Witte is professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven and holds the chair in Effectiveness and Efficiency of Educational Innovations at United Nations University (UNU-MERIT) at Maastricht University. Vitezslav Titl is doctoral researcher in political economy at KU Leuven. Prior to his doctoral studies, he finished traineeships at the European Parliament and the German Development Institute. Oliver Holz is assistant professor at KU Leuven, where he works in the teacher training programme. He is affiliated with the research group Leuven Economics of Education Research. Mike Smet is assistant professor of Research Methods at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven. He is affiliated with the research group Leuven Economics of Education Research.

• List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The choice of countries and regions2.1 British Columbia2.2 Estonia2.3 Finland2.4 Flanders2.5 MassachusettsChapter 3. Overview of education systems3.1 British Columbia Expenditure on educationApproach to special needs students and language minorities The autonomy and providers of education3.2 Estonia Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minoritiesThe autonomy and providers of education3.3 Finland Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities The autonomy and providers of education 3.4 FlandersExpenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities Autonomy and providers of education 3.5 MassachusettsExpenditure on educationApproach to special needs students and language minorities Autonomy and providers of education Chapter 4. Funding formulas4.1 British Columbia Primary schools An example a primary school budget in the district of Mission Secondary schools An example of a secondary school budget in the district of Mission Support for special needs studentsA case study on special needs funding in the district of Mission A case-study of the funding formula in the district of Mission Summary of the education funding system in British Columbia and the district of Mission 4.2 Estonia Primary schools An example of a primary school budget in Estonia Secondary schoolsAn example of a secondary school budget in Estonia Special needs schools An example of a an additional funding calculation for special needs students in Estonia Summary of the Estonian education funding system 4.3 Finland Primary schools An example of a primary school in a municipality in Finland Secondary schools An example of a secondary school in a municipality in Finland Special needs schools The case of the municipality of Hanko An example of a school in a municipality in Finland Summary of the Finnish education funding system 4.4 Flanders Primary schools An example of a primary school board budget in Flanders Secondary schools An example of a secondary school board budget in Flanders Special needs education An example of the budget of a school with special needs students in Flanders Summary of the Flemish education funding system 4.5 Massachusetts The mechanism behind the formula The calculation of allocations An example of a primary school district budget in Massachusetts Required local contribution calculation Filling the gap with Chapter 70 education aid An example of a secondary school district budget in Mas­sachusetts Effective funding per student Funding outside the main formula Summary of the education funding in Massachusetts Chapter 5. Conclusions Summary of the funding formulas in the selected regions and countries Discussion Appendix List of primary sources British ColumbiaEstonia Finland Flanders Massachusetts References

Discusses the funding formulas for compulsory and special needs education in countries and regions that have performed well on international tests, focusing specifically on Estonia, Finland, the state of Massachusetts, the province of British Columbia, and the Flemish Community of Belgium. Highlights specific features of the selected countries and regions. Describes the education systems in these regions and their approaches to special needs students. Explains how the funding system in each region works by comprehensively looking at its funding formulas for primary, secondary, and special needs education.2021. "Annotated Listing of New Books." Journal of Economic Literature, 59 (1): 297-371. DOI: 10.1257/jel.59.1.297