A federal judge's specifications for desegregating Mississippi's state colleges are excerpted from a recent court ruling. Issues addressed include the state's formula for financing colleges, whether the case should focus on students or institutions, the missions of historically black colleges and predominantly white institutions, and campus…

Drawing on results of a Florida project, it is argued that statewide evaluation of college student financial aid programs, involving institutional aid officers, system-level administrators, and others may promote change beneficial to students and administrators. Emphasis is on the role institutional aid administrators can play in such a…

The Texas legislature has mandated assessment of research programs in the state that receive separate line-item appropriations. The two-phase process involves institutional self-studies and site visits resulting in a final report with recommendations. The first two cycles of the assessment have indicated that process is more critical than result.…

Pennsylvania's 10-year-old system of 14 state-owned universities has focused on increasing the stature and character of individual institutions, limited centralization, and fostered cohesion and cooperation rather than competition, particularly in difficult economic conditions. (MSE)

States that peer-group meetings for Virginia Community College System classified employees are promising avenues for professional development in the VCCS. Describes the development and successful outcomes of four "drive-in" conferences held for secretaries to division chairs and academic directors. Emphasizes the need for continuing…

Examines the subtle and not-so-subtle factors underlying private/public partnership formation in university settings and proposes a framework of "institutional readiness" for engaging in such efforts. The experience of the California State University in its innovative technology infrastructure initiative is discussed as an example. (MSE)

Reports on current efforts in many states to develop new long-range plans for their higher education systems. Finds that at least two dozen states are using strategic or "master" plans in an effort to deal with rapid technological and economic change. Specific efforts in West Virginia, California, Virginia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and…

Discussion of statewide planning for higher education in South Dakota begins with background information on South Dakota's political and educational environment, then reviews the roundtable process that led to specific changes over the last five years, including increased efficiencies, change from formula to base-plus budgeting, and enhanced…

Explains the importance of grants to libraries and describes the evolution of a grant in Washington State that was written to develop and fund early childhood programs. Discusses the role of public and tribal libraries; training for library staff; steering committee; statewide partnerships; community partnerships; and planning workshops. (LRW)

This article discusses the recent progress made by three states--Indiana, Kentucky, and New Jersey--toward statewide goals to improve transfer and articulation. Legislation and/or policies that prompted the initiative in each state are presented, along with any additional policies and organizational structures that were implemented to promote…

U.S. schools today must adapt to life in the global age. In this article, the authors offer an overview of actions that some schools and states have already taken, along with their suggestions for federal action. Sections include: (1) The International Knowledge Gap; (2) Addressing the Need for Global Knowledge; (3) Goals for International…

In response to the growing concern of the marginalization of social studies education, members of the North Carolina Professors of Social Studies Education (NCPSSE) organization began a longitudinal study in 2003 to examine elementary social studies education. This study is part of a statewide initiative among six universities in the North…

The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network (OSAM) is designed to provide accurate, timely, qualitatively-oriented epidemiologic descriptions of substance abuse trends and emerging problems in the state's major urban and rural areas. Use of qualitative methods in identifying and assessing substance abuse practices in local communities is one of…

Locally governed Iowa Community Colleges are very effective at meeting the needs of local constituencies. However, this focus on local needs can hinder collaborative efforts. The Iowa Associations of Community College Trustees and Presidents determined there was a need for a single point of contact for the development and purchase of training…

This handbook contains eight sections and thirty-five short chapters on topics related to being a member of a California community college governing board. The eight sections are: (1) California Community Colleges; (2) The Governing Board; (3) Toward An Effective Board; (4) Policy, Planning and Monitoring; (5) The Board and the CEO; (6)…