Massachusetts' Board of Higher Education is moving to develop one state higher education institution as an elite campus to draw the state's best students, as Commonwealth College of Massachusetts. Ten institutions are competing for approval of their institutions and models, which include elements such as enhanced curricula and honors programs,…

Interviews with school board members and administrators produced a list of suggestions for balancing a budget in hard times. Among these are changing calendars and schedules to reduce heating and cooling costs; sharing personnel; rescheduling some extracurricular activities; and forming cooperative agreements with other districts. (MLF)

According to a continuing survey of higher education leaders, the greatest external challenges for 1991 include negative public opinion, shrinking state and federal support, tax policy and disclosure issues, and changing faculty and student demographics. Some solutions and opportunities are outlined. (Author/MSE)

A review of case law on the constitutionality of state school finance provisions on equal protection and equal adequacy grounds is provided. Protracted rounds of litigation over the years in several states and a rash of recent suits reveal that this issue remains lively and contentious. (TJH)

Congress will consider reauthorization of the Higher Education Act this summer. From our changing population will emerge the leaders of tomorrow. They are too important a resource to relegate to second-class citizenship because of a lack of access to education caused by inadequate federal support for financial aid. (MLW)

Describes California's 10-year struggle over state defunding of non-credit, recreational and avocational courses. Explains the criteria used to develop a list of courses to be defunded. Considers effects on community college finances, image, governance, mission, and access of the $30 million reduction in state support. (DMM)

Traces how state departments of education have evolved because of external pressures; how this is related to the responsibility of departments of education with local school systems in facility planning; how this varies by state; and how issues of educational equity, maintenance needs, and capital projects may increase departments' involvement.…

Strategies include cutting costs to make college more attractive, building financial aid by raising tuition, seeking more government assistance, raising the perceived value of higher education, and raising the actual value of higher education. (MSE)

A survey of 50 state-supported schools for students with deafness found that 41 were engaged in statewide outreach. Twelve states were authorized by statute, 13 by interagency agreement or memoranda of understanding, and 16 under less formal arrangements or independently. Some received state or federal funds, whereas others included such services…

Shrinking state funding and pressure for accountability are forcing institutions of higher education to overhaul their missions, take stock of their spending, and inevitably, reorganize themselves as they prepare for an increasingly competitive college market. Data on average state tuition increase, and appropriations to higher education are…

The Public Health Service has issued regulations giving universities the primary responsibility for preventing financial conflicts of interest by government-supported researchers. The regulations, which require scientists to report to the university any financial interest relating to their research, are much less stringent than those proposed in…

Discusses Missouri v. Jenkins and the U.S. Supreme Court decision that the state of Missouri had no obligation to endlessly fund remedies to correct specific past school discriminations. An appendix discusses educational remedies for school segregation and what social science research says about their development and effectiveness. (GR)

Describes a 50-state study of the regulatory environment of 2-year colleges, focusing on patterns in budgeting flexibility, budget form, expenditure oversight, tuition and revenue control, local authority, and personnel administration. The highest degree of state control was over budgeting form and local autonomy, while the lowest was over…

The use and impact of a $256 monthly cash subsidy by 1,283 Michigan families with children with severe disabilities were examined. Families reported such uses as the purchase of clothing, toys, sitters, special foods, adaptive equipment, and professional services. Families indicated that the subsidy had improved family life, eased financial…

The experience of British Columbia in deprivatizing private schools by requiring their registration and providing financial support is reviewed. It is argued that family choice and state control have grown dialectically. Government funding has created higher enrollments and new schools, but resultant public oversight ultimately constrains choice.…