This report is divided into four sections. Section 1 is a short discussion of the economic theory underlying the construction of the cost of education index and an example of how the index is calculated. Also presented are descriptions of the factors included in the statistical analysis to control for quality, quantity, and cost differences and…

This paper explains the education price index formulated in 1979 for Canada. It defines a price index as a statistical measure designed to show changes in the price of a commodity or a set of commodities with respect to time. The index calculated for the project covers salaries and wages, instructional supplies, school facilities, supplies and…

Encompassing the years between 1969 and 1979, this study of 18 standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) attempted to determine if changes in selected economic indicators were correlated with changes in teacher salaries. Researchers looked at changes in consumer price indices, per capita personal income, and average beginning teachers'…

There are several ways to construct an education price index (EPI). This report represents an attempt to identify methods and procedures for producing an accurate measure of educational resource input price indices. The methods are largely mathematical equations that link student achievement to the unique social, political, and economic costs of…

This document presents the results of a Forum study of local financial support of schools. The primary objective was to devise a yardstick to measure the local effort in a way useful to both citizens and policymakers. Data on property wealth for each of the 140 local school systems in North Carolina were developed. School systems making the…

An education price index for elementary and secondary education in Canada was needed to determine what portion of expenditure growth was caused by changing prices, as opposed to the quantity and/or quality of inputs purchased. The primary objective was to construct a statistical measure that would permit expenditures on education to be deflated.…

Updated information is provided on teacher salaries for 1995-96 and estimated increases for the 1996-97 school year in the 15 states belonging to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Pay raises for 1996-97 are estimated as ranging from 1.75 percent in Virginia to 6 percent in Georgia. Especially noted are South Carolina's continuing…

The Composite Indicator of Changes (CIC) in average salaries and wages paid by public school systems is a statistical measure prepared by the Educational Research Service, Inc., to gauge and compare salary changes and analyze salary trends in individual school systems, groups of school systems, and nationally. This report describes the…

Reports the results of a national survey concerning 1982-83 school salaries to show how increases in elementary school principals' salaries compare with those of other administrators or teachers or with increases in the cost of living. Briefly reports on a survey of fringe benefits. (JM)

This paper discusses the need for a school price index for Canadian schools rather than use of the current government expenditure index to measure price effects on school costs. It discusses four effects on the amount of money spent by school boards, namely, enrollment, quality of schooling, efficiency of use of resources, and current market…

This report presents both a methodology for educational cost index computation and empirical evidence for determining the extent to which Missouri school district expenditures are beyond the control of local decision-makers. The author demonstrates considerable stability in the teachers' salary index from 1974-75 to 1975-76. The report extends…

The Composite Indicator of Changes (CIC) in average salaries and wages paid by public school systems is a statistical measure based on data collected and reported annually for 28 of 32 public employee positions that gauges and compares salary changes and analyzes salary trends in individual school systems, groups of school systems, and nationally.…

This report updates a 1985 research study prepared for the New York State Regents Task Force on Education and Economic Development. Average per pupil expenditures in 1984-85 were analyzed for 13 expense categories among 3 groups of school districts in New York State: (1) the New York City suburban counties; (2) the "Big Five" cities (New…

Includes seven articles that discuss research on libraries; numbers of libraries in the United States and Canada; library acquisition expenditures; price indexes for academic and school libraries; expenditures in school library media centers; state rankings of public library data; and library building construction. (LRW)

In 1998, the demand for educators in Alaska reached an all-time high. The shortage was most critical for music, math, and special education teachers, as well as for counselors. Filling positions in rural areas is especially difficult. An early retirement incentive program has caused a drain on Alaska's pool of teachers. Factors that inhibit…