This document contains the proceedings of presentations made by the Fiscal Issues, Policy and Education Finance Special Interest Group of the American Education Research Association (AERA). Ten articles focus on equitable funding systems for K-12 education and examine school financing in the following states: Florida, Illinois, New York,…

This serial issue summarizes findings from a survey of 20 state mental retardation and developmental disabilities agencies and 93 community based providers on developing and financing community services. The survey queried respondents concerning: (1) which models or strategies for financing community services have been most effective; (2) what…

The cost of providing an educational program is higher for rural, small schools and districts than for others. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that small schools and districts may be a more efficient investment than large schools because the "learning value per unit of expenditure" seems to be greater there. This new idea expands…

County school districts in West Virginia are facing a funding crisis. Significant outmigration resulting in decreased school enrollment has caused the state legislature to change the state school aid formula, forcing school districts to lay off large numbers of low-seniority employees. The state legislature's perception that public schools are…

This publication provides detailed guidelines on how libraries and library associations can begin the process of lobbying in the state capital for funding or legislation. The first of three major sections covers how to use the legislative process, how to develop a government relations program, and how to select public relations tools. The second…

A second review of the core student affirmative action program at the California State University is presented. The review was conducted to assess: (1) progress in implementing the program on each of the campuses; (2) the impact of the expanded outreach efforts; and (3) the success of the program in coordinating existing outreach services,…

Trends affecting higher education and prospects based on these facts are considered, with attention to enrollment, inflation, ability to pay for college, state and local support, basic research, and employment in higher education. It is claimed that the most serious problem higher education has faced in the last decade has been inflation, not…

Completed in partial fulfillment of Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 347, Laws of 1979, this Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) report makes recommendations for developing multitype library systems in Wisconsin to facilitate resource sharing between public, school, academic, and special libraries. It is noted that the recommendations…

Prompted by the expiration of existing funding mechanisms for California's community colleges in June 1983, this report presents the results of the California Postsecondary Education Commission's (CPEC's) review and revision of its principles for community college funding. First, background material is presented on the financial principles adopted…

This article discusses the possible effects on community colleges of the increasing inclination of governments to channel aid to higher education through students, rather than to institutions directly, as exemplified by the Federal Basic Educational Opportunity Grant Program. A study of state grant recipients in five states indicates that student…

This report analyzes both the trends in college tuition paid by students, and the trends in higher education costs paid by institutions, and offers insights into the relationships between them. Data are presented to show that the annual rate of increase in college tuition has dropped significantly since the early 1980s. A four-factor model is…

Much of Indiana is sparsely populated and is concerned with agricultural activity; 70 percent of the state's population lives in its 13 metro areas. Partly because residents have done well without high levels of education, a small proportion of adults possess college degrees. Currently, many new jobs in Indiana are at the low end of services that…

This book consists of 15 chapters on understanding and helping the homeless. The first seven chapters present the "new" homeless in historical context and describe this population and its situation. The remaining eight chapters discuss policy and program options of the government and other organizations in attempting to alleviate the problems of…

This ERIC digest examines recent research about the use of manipulatives to teach mathematics. "Manipulatives" refers to objects that can be touched and moved by students to introduce or reinforce a mathematical concept. The digest also speculates on some of the challenges affecting future use of manipulatives. Since the 19th century,…

Noting the State Library and Adult Education Office's (SLAEO) goals of providing leadership in the adult education and library communities and developing, promoting, and delivering lifelong learning opportunities and library services for the people of Colorado, this annual report highlights the agency's activities in four areas: (1) programs…