This report represents the latest State Governance Action Report (SGAR) covering current or just recently completed legislative sessions. Among the most important issues being considered are management autonomy, such as relaxed rules for purchasing, procurement, and human resources, and greater fiscal autonomy measures such as carry-over budgeting…

A discussion of the relationship between the Scottish funding agency for higher education and universities focuses on expectations of the council for lay members of the governing bodies and the appropriateness of those expectations. Whether the state can continue to respect institutional autonomy while seeking greater accountability for public…

In response to widespread demands for better public education and for more choice among public schools, a number of state legislatures in the early 1990s permitted educators and local communities to develop "charter" schools. This report presents the first-year findings of the National Study of Charter Schools, sponsored by the U.S. Department of…

The latest educational reform is that of charter schools. This article surveys the perceived benefits of charter schools and their organizational characteristics. Describes fiscal and policy issues and outlines seven critical components necessary for passing successful charter legislation. One figure is included. (Five references) (LMI)

This booklet contains information designed to familiarize personnel at charter schools in North Carolina with the financial services offered by the Division of School Business and the reporting requirements of the division. The division seeks to ensure fair and equitable distribution of and accountability for the optimal use of state and federal…

This report examines the extent to which proposals to decentralize public education can be implemented by individuals, groups, or institutions prepared to operate charter schools. Charter schools must be able to balance autonomy for decisions relating to educational programs and accountability with academic standards and market forces.…

This document highlights the special challenges that Canada's higher education system faces due to its organizational structure that is, the relationship between the federal government and the provincial governments. Virtually all Canadian universities are publicly supported, but because the constitution clearly assigns responsibility for…

This longitudinal multi-method study assessed changes in institutional autonomy at 30 community colleges in one state. Six years after legislated changes intended to increase autonomy and create a uniform fiscal operation system had been implemented, the study found that changes in autonomy in selected fiscal, personnel, and operational matters…

Since 1997, the Canadian federal government has introduced a variety of new incentives to enhance significantly the funding of university research in this country. While these funding initiatives have been welcomed by Canadian universities, they are accompanied by a heightened emphasis on accountability which dictates new eligibility conditions…