Although there has been significant progress in the long term, achievement gaps among the nation's students persist.Many factors have contributed to the disparities in outcomes, and societal changes can explain progress, or lack thereof, over the past few decades.This is well documented in the 2010 Educational Testing Service (ETS) report…

A weak stock market has resulted in lowered returns on college endowment investments. Many institutions had funds tied up in American stocks and bonds, which performed poorly. Although most institutions say their endowed programs or scholarships are not adversely affected, some programs are being reduced or eliminated as a result. (MSE)

A survey of 411 institutions of higher education is analyzed in terms of the short-term and long-term financial pressures on colleges experiencing cuts in operating budgets. Noted are the heavy impact of budget cuts on public institutions and the increased numbers of traditional first-year students. (DB)

The dramatic increase in poverty during the first half of the 1980s hit women and children the hardest. Regarding this fact, the following are discussed: (1) economic changes since 1960; (2) the extent of the problem; (3) reasons for the economic vulnerability of women and children; (4) curtailment of social services; and (5) probable future…

Senators' votes are charted for these issues: reductions in higher education program spending and work-study programs; draft registration; 1984 appropriations; spending ceiling legislation; 1985 appropriations; and an amendment to nullify the Supreme Court's Grove City College ruling. (MSE)

Data are presented on the number of people with developmental disabilities who are projected to lose long-term Medicaid health care services in the year 2002 under the 104th Congress' Medicaid spending reduction proposals. A table illustrates by state the number of people with developmental disabilities receiving services in 1992 and the number…

Shrinking financial resources are affecting school districts across the country, but salaries and staffing patterns in large and medium-sized districts are being affected disproportionately. Whereas the average teacher salary increased 19.1 percent over the past 6 years, the average salary increased just 13.2 percent in large districts and 15.4…

Potential negative effects that cuts in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program might have on the financial stability of colleges and universities are addressed. The recent rapid growth of the GSL program results from the fact that it is included in that part of the credit control system excluded from appropriation limitation. Media reports…

Statistical sources demonstrate negative effects on educational spending in Canada in the 1990s, due to policies adopted in response to a severe recession and ballooning federal and provincial deficits. Massive restructuring (centralization and district consolidation) is occurring to increase efficiency. Retrenchment will probably be completed by…

The prosperous 1980s will be followed by an economic slowdown challenging to higher education. Faced with slower public, private, and endowment revenue growth and increasing operating costs, institutions will have to make tough choices. Data on government contributions, private gifts, endowments, expenditures, and shifting allocations are offered…

Shrinking state funding and pressure for accountability are forcing institutions of higher education to overhaul their missions, take stock of their spending, and inevitably, reorganize themselves as they prepare for an increasingly competitive college market. Data on average state tuition increase, and appropriations to higher education are…

An annual study on higher education trends finds that as institutions limit enrollment, hire less faculty, and downsize programs, minority faculty and students are hurt most. Data on trends in enrollment (by college type and student demographics), faculty hiring (by region), and budgets (by institution type) are charted. (MSE)