Describes the procedures followed by Louisiana public libraries in establishing and operating that state's award winning summer reading program. The cooperative efforts of the state library, state library association, and committees of public librarians are discussed, as is the incorporation of performing artists funded by grants from the state's…

A federal appeals court decision suggests that public colleges may not be covered by the Constitution's 11th amendment prohibiting state governments from being sued in federal court. By the ruling, the institution loses immunity by having funds other than state appropriations with which to pay damages in the lawsuits. (MSE)

Introduces a statewide child care resource-and-referral network that links programs together at the state level while linking parents and providers at the local level as a model for meeting child care needs in rural areas. Suggests that the collaboration and creativity of rural community members and state-level leaders can ensure the best services…

Successful college endowment fund raising requires getting more gifts from high-level donors and bringing more donors into the fold. Institutions use a variety of approaches, including greater emphasis on general giving, endowment campaigns, state matching grants, and special programs to introduce endowment giving to a larger audience. (MSE)

According to cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the impact of state characteristics on participation in adult literacy education (1970-87), structural features such as program availability and state support have a demonstrated effect on the rate of participation. (SK)

Explores several questions facing policymakers addressing adequacy and equity issues. Do traditional equity issues disappear if equitable outcomes are achieved? What should adequacy standards look like? How does one design an equity-based school finance system? Can we define the production functions that will yield desired outcomes? Is the…

State case studies of resource management for higher education are examined to develop a framework for use at all levels in analyzing current state finance policy. A resource management approach that can be used in several ways in the review and planning process is outlined. (MSE)

As states begin mandating induction-year programs as part of teacher preparation and certification, three issues have surfaced: the lack of consistency in definitions of mentoring among stakeholders, both between and within states; the need for the development of appropriate and effective models of mentoring; and the need for adequate funding to…

Documents and explores three facts about the role of private schools and considers the implications of various approaches to the issue of accountability of private schools for the use of public funds. Describes difficulties posed by the probable regulation of private schools receiving public funds. (SLD)

Reports on trends to extend state student financial aid to students attending for-profit colleges. State legislatures are following the lead of Congress in treating proprietary institutions like traditional colleges. Examples from Colorado, Indiana, and Ohio are offered, as are data on the 10 states and territories that provide the largest share…

Provides data on the financial gains accruing to government, both federal and state, from increased support of dental education, especially in private schools. Tables and calculations are offered to show that the net present value for government averages $292,103 per graduate from private dental schools and $116,1888 per graduate from public…

State aid programs for local schools have not kept pace with New York State's ambitious, revamped Regents examination program. This paper explains a method for developing a comprehensive education cost index and shows how to incorporate it into a performance-based foundation aid system. (Contains 36 references.) (MLH)

Examines the impact of state welfare reform policies on the parental involvement of low-income single African American fathers participating in a community-based parenting program (N=40). Results show that welfare policies gave precedence to child support /providing and dismissed fathers' in-kind caregiving. (Author/MKA)

Discusses the court-ordered, multibillion-dollar infusion of funds to New Jersey cities for improving their school facilities and whether these additional funds will cause an urban renaissance. Some examples of New Jersey urban school facility needs are highlighted. (GR)

Many state legislatures are authorizing the largest bond issues for campus facilities in years, in part for deferred maintenance and repairs. The robust national economy appears to be the main force driving the spending trend. Ironically, some of the states best positioned to give colleges large construction windfalls are those limited…