Two public hearings on the implementation of the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant in California are summarized. Over 200 testimonies were either received by the state's Child Development Programs Advisory Committee or presented during the hearings. In spite of the diverse demographic representation, the variety of viewpoints and…

The effects of Chapter 2 block grants on fund distribution, programs, and school district spending, and the role played in Chapter 2 implementation by parents and citizens were investigated. Interim findings include the following: (1) there has been a massive redistribution of Federal funds away from States serving large numbers of poor nonwhite…

Examines state revenue sources. Discusses the economic, demographic, and political factors affecting state spending over the past two decades. Predicts that the 1990s will be characterized by annual increases in educational spending that are far less than the expected rate of inflation. (FMW)

The 1996 welfare reform legislation replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program with a new Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. This new program has a fixed funding level that is not altered by inflation or economic cycles or caseload size. Individual states' shares are based on the amount they…

This catalog provides information on innovative financing strategies, primarily state and community strategies, being used to successfully fund child care in the United States. Four chapters of the catalog are devoted to profiles of 78 programs using the following categories of strategies: (1) "Generating Public Revenue for Child Care,"…

This study examines higher education reforms in the 15 European Union member states and 3 European Free Trade Association countries between 1980-98, identifying trends, convergences, and divergences between the countries and changes in the management and control of higher education institutions, particularly as they relate to financing and quality…

Presents opposing viewpoints on federalism and state sovereignty. Charles J. Cooper argues for states powers based on a constructionist interpretation of the constitution. Herman Schwartz maintains that the national economy is so tightly intertwined, and the protection of civil liberties is too great to leave these functions to the states. (MJP)

Encapsulates a series of brief essays exploring different aspects of modern federalism. Issues include further protection of individual rights extended through state constitutions and federalism and the world economy. Authors include Robert F. Williams, Earl H. Fry, and Daniel J. Elazar. (MJP)

This paper examines the federal and state constitutional and statutory issues that affect the capacity of governments to raise revenue for education and other children's services, including mandates and key legislation that limit revenues, expenditures, and borrowing. The paper is divided into three major sections: (1) legal issues affecting…

Fifteen papers commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education's School Finance Project are contained in this volume. The papers examine the changing dimensions of the federal-state partnership in education. The volume is organized into four sections. The first section is devoted to state educational policy concerns, including various state…

"A Nation at Risk" and other recent reports have focused public attention on excellence in education. During the same period, the federal government has cut aid to education by almost 20 percent and consolidated federal funding into block grant programs, which some critics have claimed are less efficient than programs before…

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 consolidated numerous federal programs into the education block grant and shifted primary administrative responsibility to states. States have to develop a formula to distribute 80 percent of their block grant funds to local education agencies, which have virtually complete discretion in deciding the…

Policymakers must review the accomplishments of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), problems associated with suggestions for its reform, and incremental reforms to the program that are required and possible. Despite the fact that research generally attests to CETA's success, the system suffers from a poor public image.…

This document, which is intended to assist aspiring entrepreneurs wishing to establish a microenterprise, describes the federal programs that are available to assist entrepreneurs. The introduction provides an overview of the Interagency Workgroup on Microenterprise Development, which was formed by seven federal agencies to encourage continued…

Examines several recent decisions of the more conservative and constructionist Rehnquist Supreme Court. Discusses those judgements that challenge the regulatory power of the federal government. In separate cases concerning mandatory retirement of state judges and regulating toxic waste clean-up, the high court ruled in favor of state control. (MJP)