Analyzed states' spending for hospitals and suicide rates in 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1984. Found spending was not directly related to suicide rates until 1984 when it accounted for 5 percent increase in variance. Considered effects of divorce rates, and change, density, economic level, and racial composition of population. Discusses implications of…

Results of a national survey of state commissioners of higher education concerning the crucial issues facing higher education is reported. Major issues facing all of higher education, principal issues for large and small institutions, and the distribution of issues by geographic region are outlined. (MSE)

The interaction between state educational reform and curricular services for special needs students, mainly the economically disadvantaged, is discussed in the context of state and federal compensatory education services. Data from eight schools in California suggest that such services can succeed and that excellence and equity can be compatible.…

School finance is the focus of battles for equity in funding. Issues in equitable finance that focus on the impact on Latinos are discussed. Some reform strategies are considered. As long as funding inequities can be related to achievement gaps, per-pupil expenditures will remain an important focus of discussion. (SLD)

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…

Describes the origins, development, and significant characteristics of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. Discusses the importance of outcome-based assessment in the program and presents eight "valued outcomes" that will be assessed in social studies. (CFR)

Presents excerpts of interviews of leading trendwatchers who have studied or participated in early childhood and prekindergarten efforts in public schools. Provides an excerpt from the National Child Care Association's position statement on publicly funded pre-k child care programs in public schools. (BB)

The Manitoba Government Support to Education (GSE) Program of public school funding was implemented in 1985 to enhance equity in Manitoba schools. Analysis of financial data from all 47 school divisions prior to and during the first 3 years of GSE implementation reveals that GSE reduced financial equity, particularly for rural school divisions.…

Describes a national study of community college funding conditions at the state level, which ascertained whether individual institutions had implemented or were considering enrollment limitations resulting from budget shortfalls. Although a majority of states reported declining state support and increasing enrollments, few college leaders reported…

Discusses a 1994 General Accounting Office report showing the United States will have to spend approximately $111 billion to repair or upgrade its public schools to "good" condition. Discussed are areas seen as problems with the condition of U.S. schools and what is needed to improve them. The costs of maintenance deferment in colleges…

The Pope called upon Roman Catholic institutions of higher learning to "make known their Catholic identity" by integrating Catholic teaching and discipline in all university activities. Religious institutions find themselves facing precarious legal challenges, where the constitutionality of government appropriations could be challenged,…

Nearly 30 years after the official end of de jure segregation, Alabama is struggling to level educational opportunities for both black and white citizens. Critics say this goal will be difficult to reach unless the state hires and retains more black faculty. Only recently, because of a court decree, are state black institutions getting equal…

This chapter describes the evolution of the workforce development mission and its current crisis in the face of changing training demands, shriveling government support, and rising competition. Two alternative future paths are outlined: a baccalaureate degree-oriented new vocationalism and a renewed emphasis on serving the training needs of…

A growing phenomenon in the United States is state-funded pre-kindergarten. This article deals with the status of pre-K programs in the United States. In this article, the authors discuss a major study of 240 state-funded pre-K programs in six states initiated by the National Center for Early Development and Learning (NCEDL) to provide a base of…

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act or ARRA) into law on February 17, 2009. This federal stimulus package provided an unprecedented infusion of new education aid for the nation's schools--more than $100 billion. To determine how the unprecedented federal infusion of education funding was…