A study involving 28 new Local Education Authorities in England and Wales investigated the impact of the creation of smaller unitary authorities. Results found a new wave of enthusiasm to tackle special needs issues, collaboration taking place between the new authorities, and closer contact with the clients. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey completed by 161 Ohio school board presidents examined superintendent selection practices and how they related to district size and rurality-urbanicity. Overall, board presidents preferred recommended practices (such as use of professional consultants and uniform selection criteria) over traditional ones. However, board presidents from…

This study addressed the perceptions of isolation among high school principals in Georgia. The data collection process, in which interviews were conducted, provided insight into the lived experiences of 10 principals. One of the findings was that high school principals were relieved, in a sense, to discuss their perceptions of the…

A synthesis of research findings addressing effects of population and economic changes on education supply and demand in rural communities also presents policy implications, to help with local decision making. Principal research findings listed include: lack of a statistical relationship between per pupil expenditures and achievement on…

Teachers and parents of students at the elementary and secondary levels of schooling and students at the secondary level were given a list of school-related problems and asked to indicate whether each was "not a problem," a "minor problem," or a "major problem" at their particular school. Thirteen schools at each level (elementary, junior high,…

A 1978 statewide survey of Florida's licensed drivers 18 years or older was used to ascertain: (1) if significant differences in assessment of 23 community attributes exist by size of place and ecological milieu (community location relative to a metropolitan core county) and (2) if these differences persist when personal characteristics of…

This report defines what is meant by quality basic education in Georgia and makes numerous recommendations for achieving it for all Georgians. The recommendations are that: (1) basic skills and general job skills be emphasized in vocational education; (2) the salary base for teachers be increased; (3) a five plateau teacher career ladder be…

Rural education trends and issues confronting state legislatures are examined in this handbook of narrative as well as statistical tables. Designed to provide state legislators with information they need to better understand rural implications of statewide education reforms, the handbook presents a range of legislative alternatives in key areas.…

This report describes an evaluation study of the Houston Annenberg Challenge, which was a school reform initiative designed to improve the quality of Houston's diverse urban schools by promoting an academically rich and purposeful education for all students. The study examined academic achievement, comparing Annenberg schools with other schools in…

One of the primary essentials to an intelligent appraisement of the success of higher education is an analysis of college student mortality. By student mortality is meant the failure of students to remain in college until graduation. Moreover, the first step in determining the advisability of reforms in higher education is the discovery,…

A number of common and essentially economic issues facing British universities are identified, and economic theory is applied to understanding and resolving them. They include demand for university education; foreign students; cost-effective operation; efficiency; optimum institutional size; academic and administrative staff utilization; school…

This report set out to profile the Missouri Career Ladder program by delving beneath the surface and comparing how the program works in practice (based on stakeholder accounts) with how it works in theory (based on published statutes and regulations). The authors found that in many respects the program operates as one might expect. Districts…

The "National Survey of Salaries and Wages in Public Schools," produced annually since 1973, is an authoritative source of salary and wage data in education. The current survey collected data from more than 1,000 responding school districts for 32 selected positions in which personnel are employed in public school districts. This report contains…

Despite their autonomy in school governance, school districts are creatures of state legislatures, and changes in school district organization are necessary to keep pace with changing needs. Accordingly, the types of Wisconsin school districts are described, and state statutes governing each type of district are provided. The first type--common…

The different approaches taken by New York City and Puerto Rico to their common problem of large school systems are described, and the two superintendents' views on their situations are presented in interview form. (MSE)