Presents summaries of 1996 budget reports from public libraries, divided by nine geographic regions of the United States. Data indicates that gains in total budgets are 6%; materials 7.1%; salaries 5.6%; and that fundraising has become a crucial activity to support libraries, especially in funding increasing technology costs. (JKP)

Viewing equity as paramount, child advocates attempt to secure a just proportion of resources for children. Children need parents as individual advocates, given the lack of institutions to promote children's well-being. Parents are natural advocates, due to special knowledge about their children's needs, strong commitment to their success, and…

Compared cultural differences in perceptions of allocators of resources through a study of 190 United States and 138 German college students. Findings show that subjects did evaluate allocators differently depending on what distribution norm they followed, and that the pattern of differences varied by culture and, for some of the evaluative…

Claims that agencies serving children and families will need to use managed care concepts to reorganize and fund their activities, and that agencies will need an effectiveness-oriented administration to survive in this managed care environment. Claims that good managed care can result in consistent, yet flexible, long-term caring relationships…

This review of the past 20 years in child abuse and neglect prevention discusses the effectiveness of both general and targeted prevention services, especially home visiting; 9 ingredients of a successful home visiting program; the need for additional resources to cover home visiting services; and cautions against overselling or underselling…

Some experts characterize the "digital divide" (the gap between technology haves and have-nots) as the civil rights issue of the new millennium. Policymakers may need to rethink the concept of equity when applied to technology resources in schools. A California program is developing some yardsticks. (Contains 17 references.) (MLH)

School technology departments bridge the gap between the technology industry and the classroom. Integrating technology means both teaching and supporting faculty. The technology department's roles and responsibilities must be constantly redefined and reevaluated. Financial resources should be allocated to allow ongoing training and incremental…

Examines the relationship between special educational needs and resource levels, drawing on two local education authorities as case studies. One LEA uses a professional-audit approach to allocate resources; the other uses educational tests. A critical examination disclosed benefits and drawbacks for each accountability system. (Contains 18…

The analysis by R. Greenwald, L. Hedges, and R. Laine (1996) suffers because of its statistical methods and because it is based on a sample that biases the study toward their conclusions. Econometric evidence and the aggregate performance of U.S. schools points toward serious problems with inefficient use of resources. (SLD)

Supports the findings of a meta-analysis that demonstrates that student achievement is related to the availability of resources, disagreeing with criticisms of method and sample selection made by E. Hanushek (1996). (SLD)

Key requirements for a successful music program include a supportive environment, constructive communication, an effective floor plan, and quality equipment.Unless music education's value is recognized, adequate resources, funding, and equipment will not be committed. Music programs require substantially more space and soundproofing than regular…

Examines trends in Pentagon support of campus-based military research and reports that lawmakers gave the Defense Department a science budget 11 percent higher in 2000 than in 1999. Notes critics' concerns about Pentagon priorities versus the nation's science needs and lobbying by university and industry groups in the Coalition for National…

Highlights some of the excuses library trustees give for not doing advocacy. Presents points to keep in mind when planning and conducting advocacy programs, including: long-term goals, short-term goals, and follow-up activities. Sidebars include a "Trustee Association Health Quiz" and quotes from the field about advocacy. (AEF)

To meet ambitious goals, districts and schools must redefine priorities, decide how to meet them, and allocate resources appropriately. This means restructuring salaries to attract and retain superior teachers, redirecting spending from compliance to supporting performance goals, investing strategically in professional development, and reducing…

During the last few decades, the concept of equivalence has assumed an increasingly important role in Swedish educational policy, and at the same time the actual meaning of equivalence has been given different authoritative interpretations. The shift in significance which the concept has undergone seems to be not only an aspect of the social power…