Vermont is the only state that does not require a balanced budget every fiscal year. Facing state budget shortfalls, many states were left with no choice but to examine possible cuts or at least flat levels of funding for schools. States are also facing costs with implementing new federal mandates under the No Child Left Behind Act. Additional…

The "support not supplant" theory of family support services is explained, and results of a national study of trends in family support are analyzed. Current efforts, state legislation, funding levels, respite services, financial assistance, and emerging issues are discussed. A directory of state family support programs is appended. (PB)

Increasingly, state officials are dealing with the financial needs of the fastest-growing segment of the higher education market by expanding their financial aid programs to working people, parents, and students with disabilities who must attend college part time. (MLW)

A table that shows most of the money that states spend on student aid is presented. Need-based assistance and non-need-based assistance for both undergraduate and graduate and professional education are identified. (MLW)

Outlines 10 reasons why rural education does not receive appropriate levels of federal and state funding. Discusses strategies to remedy the problem, including creating a cohesive rural vision and organizing a rural constituency. (SV)

After raising tuition for a number of years, some states are trying to freeze or reduce public college tuition. These changes arise from concern about reduced enrollments and image, and it is hoped that legislatures will respond with increased appropriations. Some critics fear a compromise in educational quality. (MSE)

Presents a dissenting view on the question of racial separation in higher education. It argues that the decision in Brown v. Board of Education was racist and that integration does not guarantee equality. The author states that all-black colleges are not inherently unequal and that separatism is a free and conscious choice in the context of…

Saint Mary's College (Maryland) is a small state liberal arts institution that has extensive control over its budget, property and assets, and decisions about borrowing money. These conditions, in effect since 1992, affords it substantial freedom from regulation, efficient spending, and greater opportunity to fulfill its mission as an honors…

Describes a study of two-year college presidents' perceptions of the adequacy of funding support for community colleges and top funding priorities. Top priorities seen as educational opportunity/access and service to local businesses or to individuals as workers. Lowest priority seen as community service/continuing education. (DMM)

Since 1983, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton has made education the central focus of his administration, raising teacher salaries and qualification requirements, encouraging participation in higher education, and raising taxes to fund reform despite resistance. Continuing problems include limited resources and low esteem for state colleges among the…

Critics say federal rules for welfare programs have built-in biases against higher education, and financially pinched states also discourage postsecondary education by welfare recipients for political and economic reasons. Issue revolves around use of the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Training Program. States differ in their approaches…

Definitions of equal educational opportunity have evolved from access to schooling, to equal spending per pupil, to variable spending per pupil depending on individual need. Although the quest for funding equity has dominated recent legal and political actions, funding adequacy deserves great attention. A single-minded pursuit of equity may lead…

In 1994-95, States will increase spending on public colleges and student aid by 7.6% over 1992-93, the largest increase since the recession began. Forty states have raised appropriations. Data are presented for each state university, state college, two-year colleges, other institutions, and student aid, by state. States are also ranked by…

A recent report indicates state spending on student financial aid will be about 8% higher than in 1991-92, the largest one-year increase since 1989-90, in contrast to decreased overall spending on higher education. However, of 48 states anticipating spending increases, only 10 will have increases enough to cover student cost increases. (MSE)

Reviews the literature on trends in community college finance, focusing on trends in support patterns, expenditures, state funding, tuition, student loans and default rates, adult education funding, federal support, and comparable practices in other nations. (DMM)