Suggests a few ways in which civic entrepreneurs can foster charter schools. Civic entrepreneurs, who need not be extremely wealthy, can help meet four critical needs of charter schools: (1) start-up capital, (2) technical assistance, (3) safeguarding freedom, and (4) fostering accountability. (SLD)

Discusses the transferring of Medicaid recipients to managed care in Oregon and the effects on physical therapy and occupational therapy services for children with disabilities. Describes a process that balances fiscally responsible utilization of therapy resources with advocacy for appropriate therapy services. Guidelines for services are…

This article discusses Ontario's new Special Education Grant that provides funding on the school board's total enrollment and on an identified student basis. This new approach to funding was designed to minimize administration, in that only the highest-need students are identified for funding purposes. Implementation issues are examined. (CR)

A case study of the efforts at Mount Pleasant School in Vancouver to create a more equitable educational experience for children of poverty, illustrates the potential of schooling to contribute positively to social justice. Successful conditions included: availability of funding, clarity of focus, facilitation of leadership, and openness to…

Provides an overview of the Wisconsin child support system. Explores policy and program implications of the child support revision process and makes recommendations for improving revision. Advocates expressing child support orders as a percentage of the noncustodial parents' income to keep the orders updated automatically and replace the need for…

This article argues that college pricing policies can be developed to encourage more efficient use of college facilities and reduce the need for capital and operating funding from state or private sources. A survey of 403 students at 1 institution indicates that students would be responsive to discounts in ways that would make such discounts…

Describes the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board (OTAB), of which the goals are to improve labor force training and adjustment services to English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners. The Board's programs include needs assessment, funding for literacy programs, on-the-job and in-school training, vocational counseling, and funding for child…

Discussion of the changes in the university research administrator's role resulting from changes in university research funding patterns looks at how and why universities enter into research with industry, federal funding and defense conversion funding, and the experience of the University of South Florida with this process. The research…

In the context of rapid change in European higher education, particularly in the fiscal relationship between states and institutions and institutional demand for more autonomy, the situations of Sweden and Scotland are considered more closely. The paper concludes that the emerging search for nonstate funding and the handling of those revenues pose…

Until recently, the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other organizations stressed assistance to primary education in their aid to developing nations. Now, the important role of higher education in economic development is more widely acknowledged, deterioration of postsecondary systems is increasing, and assistance to…

Describes an educational foundation that offers financial support to those wishing to institute a San Miguel/Nativity or Cristo Rey model school. Reports that these schools must strive to reduce dropout rates, increase number of students prepared for college, and increase number of students receiving Catholic education. (NB)

Four essays by policy analysts approach programs for school-age children from differing perspectives, each identifying the key forces that influence the policy climate and directions for the future. (Author/SLD)

Examined whether preschool quality could be enhanced through competence development in teaching staff simultaneous to organizational changes and financial cutbacks. Tested a model for competence development with an intervention group that took part in a competence development program. Found that the development work led to a higher quality in…

Discusses past and present uses of technology in the music classroom focusing on tools such as videotapes and MIDI software. Considers the future of technology in music education, training alternatives for teachers, and the importance of practicing and keeping abreast of technological advances. Addresses funding issues involved in using…

This article explores the way one youth leadership development organization has used youth-adult partnerships (Y-APs) as a practice to support youth participation in community-change efforts in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. The authors describe how Y-APs are used in two principal areas of the Youth Leadership Institute's…