In 1991 West Virginia's governor announced a 10-year statewide plan that would close 245 schools, primarily in poor, small, and rural communities, and replace them with larger, more "efficient," more urban facilities. The controversy surrounding West Virginia school closings stems from the clash of two sets of beliefs and values. The…

In response to findings that 50-80% of handicapped adults nationwide are unemployed, the state of South Dakota has mandated transition planning for handicapped secondary students. A statewide mail survey examined the awareness and attitudes of special education teachers about the need for transition services, the extent of current teacher training…

A study investigated the relationship between sex and reading achievement at the high school level. In addition, it examined the amount of variance in reading achievement accounted for by certain demographic variables, such as type of school, location of school, and socioeconomic status of students. Data for the study came from the High School and…

This ERIC digest presents an overview of small-scale schooling in an international context; examines demographic data, staffing problems, and incentives used in other nations; and points out the distinctive characteristics and unique value and potential of small schools in both industrialized and developing nations. Rural school populations remain…

There are many advantages of small schools: community acceptance, innovative teachers, faculty input in school administration, and a family atmosphere; however, smaller schools also have problems such as fewer staff members, little choice of teachers by students, fewer approaches to teaching, little use of specialists, and fewer books and…

Conclusions reached by the Illinois State Board of Education Study, released in May 1985, that small schools are inferior and inefficient, that Illinois has too many schools, and that over half its schools should be closed seem to be an educational step backward. Without linking the two concepts, the study implies that school consolidation will…

The decision to create Great Britain's Open University and stages in the preparation of higher education reforms are considered. The current position of the Open University in relation to its original goals is also addressed, and the policy implementation process is examined to determine why the Open University achieved some of its original goals…

Conducted in 45 secondary schools having an enrollment of 200 or fewer in grades 7-12, the survey examined the singular problems and issues of concern as seen by teachers and administrators. The schools, located within 300 miles of Lubbock, Texas, did not represent underprivileged areas; and though they were often located in geographically…

This monograph is a report of the findings of a comprehensive survey to identify the functions, organizational structures, and numerical adequacies of central-office staffs, by size of school systems, in Virginia and to determine the relationships between certain characteristics of school systems and the numerical adequacies of central-office…

The main purpose of this study is to provide those concerned with planning and administration of education in Saudi Arabia with a deeper insight into the elementary education system by analyzing the growth patterns observed in the past, presenting a more vivid picture of the present situation, and projecting the probable quantitative expansion in…

A study was conducted to isolate academic, financial, and social policy areas on which there was agreement/disagreement on the appropriate division of authority between college trustees and college presidents. Additional objectives were to examine the views of trustees and presidents concerning the policy and administrative aspects of these…

Administrative and empirical factors affecting the relationship between changing workloads and concomitant budget adjustments are examined in this analysis of the funding structure by which state aid to each California community college is adjusted for increases or decreases in average daily attendance (ADA). The report first describes current…

Wyoming's funding programs for public education that relate to the issues of sparsity and the state's attempt to provide equal educational opportunity are reviewed. School district problems that relate to the issue of sparsity are also discussed. School district size in Wyoming ranges from the smallest district, by area, of 186 square miles to the…

The problems and promises of very small colleges, those with fewer than 750 students, are examined systematically in this pilot study. Such colleges represent an estimated four or five percent of the nation's undergraduate enrollment. This report is based on preliminary studies of three small colleges. Focus is on what this kind of institution has…

The report is intended to follow up a May 1977 survey of anticipated fall enrollment. A stratified sample of 135 institutions represents a universe of l157 institutions, or all of the independent sector except autonomous professional schools. Two-year colleges are included. The response rate was 94 percent. Among the findings were that: (1) the…