Based on estimates of differences in costs for school personnel and transportation in Missouri school districts, a cost-of-education index is computed, patterns of cost variation examined, and the impact of state aid allocations determined. Some conclusions are drawn as to implementing a cost index as part of school finance policy. (MF)

Explores the impact of increasing outside controls on the decision-making process and the operating prerogatives of presidents and local boards in areas such as accounting requirements, increasing data requests, contractual controls, contract enrollment procedures, dependence on advice of legal counsel, performance audits, program controls, and…

Centralization of curriculum and a return to basics would hurt those children who stood to gain the most from innovative approaches possible under a decentralized local curriculum situation. (MB)

Describes a survey of California community college trustees and chief executive officers to determine the extent to which college administrators agreed with the provisions of Assembly Bill 1725 pertaining to state and local governance issues and operations. Finds both groups opposed to increasing state control over community colleges. (DMM)

This article evaluates the educational voucher system and how it may solve effectiveness and efficiency problems of the educational system through market accountability. Educational goals and state and community roles in reaching these goals are discussed. Comments by Richard J. Murnane and Edwin G. West are given. (DF)

Discusses the power that local school districts and schools exert over the eventual success or failure of state government initiatives. Analyzes three major hurdles that reform efforts must surmount at the district and school levels: affecting classroom instruction; eliciting a commitment of local resources; and becoming integrated into other…

Evaluates estimates of full-value-equalization rates, using a study of 20 New York cities and their school districts to (1) show that these estimates contain significant errors, (2) discuss how these errors affect intergovernmental relations, and (3) analyze how they affect equity in financing local schools. (MCG)

The details of Tennessee's Master Teacher Program are described. Teacher evaluation focuses on four areas: classroom planning, teaching strategies, class management, and student evaluation. (TE)

The increasing dependency of community colleges on state funding has led to a parallel increase in state intrusion into institutional decision making. If trustees are to head off this intrusion, they must carefully develop sound institutional goals and priorities and must become active lobbyists on their behalf. (DC)

Record budget cuts--more than 10 percent of state appropriations in some cases--and explosive enrollments have coincided with tough times for many state institutions. Staffs have been pared, faculty members are teaching more than ever, courses have been reduced to the minimum, and long-delayed maintenance continues to be set aside. These budget…

This report raises questions for policymakers to consider in designing and funding professional development activities. The study used 1995-1996 data to examine how much money states and districts spent on professional development and what that money bought, investigating connections between state and district expenditures on teacher professional…

This document is intended to present guidelines to help districts and colleges successfully implement state laws and regulations that call for effective participation by the larger college body. The document was prepared for use by trustees, CEOs, academic senate leaders, administrators, classified staff and students so that they can participate…

The Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority has been legislatively directed to assist the state's school districts in the issuance of general obligation bonds and to develop guidelines for two voluntary methods relating to the issuance of these bonds. The program offered provides credit enhancement and helps achieve the lowest…

A survey of school districts was conducted to determine the initial progress and problems associated with the 1997 Class Size Reduction (CSR) Initiative. Data reveal that most school districts had enough space for smaller classes for at least two grade levels; small school districts were much less likely to report space constraints. The CSR did…

Author explored several aspects of school finance and offered some concepts for consideration. (Author/RK)