The system of school finance equity in Texas is described as it existed before the court case Edgewood Independent School District (ISD) v. Kirby, and the overhaul mandated by legal rulings in the evolving Edgewood case is reviewed. In Texas, as elsewhere, the system of school finance has historically been based on the local property taxes…

This document reports on a range of issues, tasks, and accomplishments of the Committee on Higher Education of the 72nd Texas Legislature of the State of Texas. The report opens by listing charges to the committee in the following areas: (1) tuition and fees and causes and effects of recent increases; (2) need for student financial aid; (3) role,…

This paper examines recent school district consolidation in Illinois. A literature review summarizes: (1) evidence that led the state of Illinois to offer financial incentives for school and school district consolidation; (2) research on strengths and weaknesses of large and small schools and large and small school districts; and (3) attitudes…

For the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, financing schemes of vocational education and training (VET) of other industrialized countries are possible prototypes. These "Partner Countries of the European Training Foundation (ETF)" should focus on the balance of responsibilities between central and local bodies and…

This speech discusses the importance of higher education, the challenges facing higher education in America today, and the role of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education in helping to make higher education more accessible and affordable. It further discusses initiatives in North Carolina to improve elementary, secondary, and…

This report results from the 1996 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Hopwood v. Texas, which declared that race may not be taken into account for the purpose of creating a diverse student body. The report offers recommendations to Texas policymakers and educators concerning creative approaches to encourage more representative student bodies in light of…

This analysis of the California Governor's proposed 1990-91 budget for the State contains: (1) a discussion of the major budget issues facing the Governor and the Legislature in constructing the 1990-91 State budget; (2) a brief overview of the Governor's proposed funding priorities; and (3) a summary of the proposed budgets for grades K-12, the…

This report examines the role of private higher education in meeting public purposes, considers how state policies affect this role, and presents actual and potential trends. Also, the report warns of serious causes for concern and presents recommendations that include preventive measures deserving early consideration. Sections of the report…

This report summarizes Colorado student aid program expenditures for 1992-93. The report reveals that: (1) the Colorado General Assembly provided $37.2 million for Colorado student aid programs for the 1992-93 fiscal year; (2) the total number of state aid awards and the average award increased in 1992-93 to an average of $908; (3) financial aid…

This briefing paper examines Washington State's higher education tuition and fee policies for its public institutions. It discusses the state's current structure for determining tuition and fees; and compares tuition and fees to economic indicators, including state appropriations and other states' policies. The paper also briefly highlights the…

After summarizing the philosophy behind the financing of public schools, this document reviews the division of legal responsibility for education between the state and federal governments; outlines the state's responsibility for providing an equal educational opportunity for its residents; and summarizes the use of federal revenues, state…

A national survey gathered information from 47 states concerning small-scale community living options of 15 or fewer placements for older individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. The survey collected data on long-term funding, support services, mandates and regulations, efforts of interagency task force planning, and…

Local Early Childhood Advisory Committees in Iowa studied early childhood education programs and the need for additional programs in local communities. By August, 1990, committees in 351 of Iowa's 430 school districts had made recommendations to local school boards, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Iowa General Assembly. Types of programs…

A study was undertaken to document the impact of reductions in state appropriations on the libraries of Texas public institutions of higher education from Fiscal Year 1986 through Fiscal Year 1990 and to make recommendations for improving these libraries. Data were collected through a letter requesting information from each of the public general…

This report provides statistical data for 1982-83 on enrollments, finances, personnel, and services within Mississippi's 15 public junior college districts. After brief introductory material providing an overview of the state's junior college system, the schedule of the meetings of the Mississippi Public Junior Colleges Board of Trustees for…