Shrinking resources were a primary reason for the development of systematic program evaluation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, beginning in 1971. The first three programs in the evaluation cycle were also scheduled for accreditation visits by their respective professional associations. Although the three programs are generally…

This study is an attempt to obtain a national assessment that could help inform federal policy. The study looks at all the states in order to obtain an assessment on a consistent basis, is based solely on results of reform--disparities in the distribution of education funds, and examines not only the state's status in a recent time period but also…

The State Planning System (SPS) is a policy-oriented management tool intended to help analyze the interrelated effects of alternative policies and their relationships to state goals. Two pilot-test case studies are described--the SPS tuition policy evaluation conducted in Colorado, and New York's SPS evaluation of the applicability of large scale…

Current approaches to need assessment belong to one of three theoretical orientations: the rationalistic perspective in which need is predicated on the existence of some pathology or deviance from the rational ideal; (2) the empirical position where need is conceived as deviance from a normative or observed state of good health and well-being; and…

Initially undertaken as a review of the achievements of the National Library of Canada during its first 25 years of existence, this study submitted to the Canadian government by the National Librarian includes a set of 11 recommendations for the future development of National Library functions, resources, and services. A brief description of the…

This report addresses current concerns in public education defined as being important to American Jews. Issues discussed include strategies for improving educational quality; the effects of funding disparities, tax credits and vouchers on public education; and the importance of integration and bilingual education in the public schools. Also…

Based on a definition of equity that includes both equality in expenditure per pupil and fiscal neutrality, this paper examines equity in Illinois school finance and makes recommendations for its improvement. Following a brief introduction outlining deterioration of equity since 1977, part 2 describes further reasons for this deterioration. The…

This staff development module is part of one of three groups of career guidance modules developed, field-tested, and revised by a six-state consortium coordinated by the American Institutes for Research. This module is designed for guidance personnel who work in counseling and guidance with students at the elementary and secondary level. The goal…

Causes contributing to academic program audit and review becoming a means of resource reallocation in higher education are considered, along with principles relevant to its management, and major issues surrounding its development and implementation. The current interest in the audit and review of established academic programs is linked to…

Forces that affect relationships between colleges or universities and state government are considered. It is suggested that the role of the state agency is perceived differently by the various constituencies of the agency. It follows that the definition of effectiveness becomes a changing concept depending on the perspective from which it is…

The human service functions of community colleges are extremely diverse, and few are common to all institutions; however, community colleges share certain characteristics which distinguish them from other organizations providing human services. Among these is the degree to which colleges must interact with and be influenced by the laws and…

Product-market planning is an inherently difficult practice. It aims at a match between consumer preference and institutional behavior. Unfortunately, consumer reactions to changes in institutional behavior are often highly uncertain. This paper assumes that institutional planners should neither ignore uncertainty nor seek to avoid all actions…

This publication attempts to provide a non-technical overview of energy sources. Its purpose is to inform citizens so that they can more wisely shape their future. This publication is a companion to SE 025 935 which provides information on the social, political and economic aspects of the energy crisis. An inventory of present energy sources,…

The aim of this research was to examine the response of large public organizations to financial resource reduction not accompanied by decline in the demand for services. The focus was 94 New York City public high schools that received substantial budget cuts in 1975-76 and 1976-77. Effects on mix of services and class structures were studied. All…

The theme of this seminar was the exploration of techniques and strategies for improving the funding of elementary and secondary education. The proceedings of the seminar included welcoming remarks by Michael Heron followed by the presentation "Problems and Prospects in Education Finance: Who Is Getting All the Money?" by Dr. Wilfred…