The emergence of Federal aid to schools is probably the most important single development in Federal education policy since World War 11. Examines the reasons for Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies' longstanding opposition to Federal aid to schools and the factors which contributed to the politically astute policy reversal. (Author/RK)

Reviews ERIC literature on the development of participatory governance structures in community colleges that secure the participation of students, faculty, staff, and other campus constituencies and the growth of state authority at the expense of local autonomy. (DMM)

To understand state-local ties involved in state education politics, policy effects and linking mechanisms in the reform-minded Public School Approval mandate in Vermont were studied using semistructured interviews. Results showed minimal involvement from board members, superintendents, principals, and teachers regarding policy formation. All…

Outlines California's major educational reform legislation during 1980's and describes a Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) study of policy implementations. Results show that nearly all schools correctly implemented key provisions of S.B. 813, that state level reform can be effective when accompanied by cohesive local strategizing,…

Describes current practices in Illinois where a personnel reimbursement formula is used to finance special education. Summarizes the basic components of the Resource Cost Model (RCM), a complex school finance formula, and compares and contrasts RCM with Illinois' current method of financing special education. (MLF)

This article discusses the possibility of a state achieving a high standard of equality of fiscal neutrality while remaining committed to local district autonomy. Wealth and taste related determinants of school district behavior in providing educational opportunities are explored. Comments by Hugh G. Petrie are given. (DF)

Discusses various educational reforms undertaken by states and ways of financing such reforms. Discusses state-local relations in curricular policy, state versus local roles in bringing about school effectiveness, and the need for educators to move now, while education is the number one state issue. (CMG)

States should take an active and direct role in education reform: supporting school reform efforts, providing technical assistance, defining and controlling educational content, and assessing the outcomes of education. (MLF)

In Florida, a legislatively mandated funding program supports statewide staff development efforts, which are primarily school-based. (Author)

If community colleges are to gain the respect of the state, and thereby to free themselves from its debilitating and stultifying bureaucracy, the students, faculty, administrators, and trustees of each college must band together and demonstrate their strength by living in accord, planning carefully and intelligently, and by showing that they know…

This issue focuses attention on research-based tools and professional development, illustrating how they come together in ways that support better teaching and improved learning. In the feature article, "Bringing the Picture of Classroom Instruction into Focus," author Jessica Johnson introduces a new classroom survey tool developed in…

This study assesses the funding efforts of New York State's Building Aid program, and it shows that financial support for school district equipment and capital outlays has been less, over the last 7 years, for the state's "big five" school districts than for the average district in New York, and far less than for other districts of…

Currently, state aid for education in New York State is distributed through over 50 separate and unnecessarily complex formulas and grants-in-aid. The approach recommended in this proposal consolidates 39 of these current categories into a single foundation allocation, while increasing the percentage of the state share and providing districts with…

This report summarizes survey findings on Connecticut high school designs meeting future educational demands as well as state funding issues that are creating reimbursement difficulties, and presents an overview of specific problems and solutions the survey identified. Problem areas within the curriculum are highlighted and include scheduling;…