The cost reduction options available to public colleges and universities during a period of funding cutbacks are examined, and policy considerations in institutional and personnel management are examined. The experiences of Virginia Commonwealth University in deciding where and how to cut back expenditures are described briefly. (MSE)

Court and legislative challenges and financial crisis have hampered the first years of implementation of the Chicago (Illinois) School Reform Act of 1988. At the local level, school councils performed variously. Overall, evaluation of the act's success or failure will be conducted at the local level in individual schools. (JB)

This document contains findings of a study conducted in response to a proposal that would merge the current Departments of Education and Labor. The proposal would also merge the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) with the two departments. Fiscal year 1995 budget data were used to analyze the congressmen's draft proposal and to…

In fall 1994, the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) undertook a survey of the total workload of all full-time instructional faculty employed during the semester. In the survey, faculty were asked to report the average amount of time per week they devoted to teaching, research, and service activities. Survey findings, based…

Canadian education has traditionally been financed by two major sources: (1) transfer payments from the federal government to the provinces; and (2) residential and business property tax revenues levied by municipalities. The Canadian federal government has recently announced a planned cut of 750 million dollars a year for 3 years in transfer…

This document describes a crisis in enrollment, funding, and governance that occurred in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) between 1981 and 1987. Following introductory materials, chapter 1 reviews the history of the LACCD and the effect of funding reductions caused by 1978's Proposition 13. The next two chapters review the…

In the 70s and 80s, Ohio relaxed its balanced-budget laws to give school districts more options for borrowing over the end of the fiscal year. Two provisions that permit districts to borrow against next year's revenues in order to balance the current year's budget include the Emergency School Advancement program and the Spending Reserve. This…

In response to problems with the cyclical model of program review and reduced state and county funding, Burlington County College (BCC), in New Jersey, implemented a comprehensive analysis process to holistically assess program performance and resource allocation. First, program review goals were established and the major programs/services at BCC…

Since 1947, public community colleges have grown faster than any other sector of higher education. Despite the dynamism of the community college movement, the early 1980's saw the beginning of a period of financial retrenchment, fear of declining enrollments, and skepticism about the future. From 1983 through 1987, the number of associate degrees…

In times of budget constraints and cutbacks, it is especially important to promote staff and faculty development activities since they may not be viewed as college priorities and employee morale and motivation can suffer during such times. Department chairs must engage in a "treasure hunt" to search for hidden resources to meet professional…

This volume contains 14 papers on productivity, incentives, and financing in U.S. higher education, issues of particular urgency in light of revenue shortfalls, expenditure pressures, and controversies that have shaken public confidence in higher education. Part 1 contains two background papers: "Introduction" (Michael S. McPherson, Morton O.…

This "Legal Memorandum" reviews administrator employment rights in each state. In 19 jurisdictions principals and other administrators are granted some kind of substantive tenure protection in their administrative positions. However, even in states providing tenure protection for administrators, there are situations in which a school board may…

Provides historical and theoretical context for this theme issue on education in Latin America. Discusses reorganization in state models and state-society relationships since the 1930s, the systematic withdrawal of public resources from education due to neoliberalism and internationally imposed "structural adjustment" policies, effects…

Addresses one way in which spending less on public schools might actually improve school performance. The article focuses on bringing together those who have the greatest stake in school performance (the parents and the community) as planners and caretakers of their children's education. Such collaboration is viewed as strengthening understanding…

Examines court cases involving financial exigency as a cause for terminating college faculty appointments, confirming the role of institutional data on judges' and juries' decisions. Institutions are encouraged to have some type of retrenchment policy in place, be prepared to supply analysis relevant to the specifics of the policy, and to provide…