A study piloted a new approach to assessing the effects of changes in funding for state grant programs on college assistance. Analysis of Washington's state grant program indicates that an increase in state funds for need-based grants in 1993-1994 resulted in improved within-year persistence in public four-year universities. It is concluded that…

A discussion of the use of performance indicators and performance-based funding in state colleges and universities looks at the types of mechanisms used for measuring institutional performance, state experiences with performance indicators, their pitfalls and limitations, the current status of performance-based funding applications, difficulties…

Louisiana's program of state merit scholarships, inspired by Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program, is over budget in its first year because lawmakers pushed to expand eligibility and data for estimating costs was inadequate. Critics find such programs often provide aid to families with little financial need. The program pays full tuition at state…

Brent's examination of the nonresidential expanded tax base (ETB) approach seriously understates the potential equity gains from a carefully designed nonresidential ETB. Practical and political hurdles to adoption of a nonresidential ETB are discussed. An algebraic implementation of a redistribution system is presented that generates significant…

In at least ten states, often those with the lowest public-college faculty salaries, higher-education leaders have made more-competitive faculty salaries a top legislative priority this year. Many of the proposals have encountered resistance from governors and state legislators who have other budgetary priorities or who feel that public-college…

Discusses the fiscal condition of Florida, highlighting its school-funding system and comparisons with other states. Analyzes five issues identified in interviews with state policy analysts: adequate funding for growing demand, applied educational-equity/adequacy considerations, tax-base adequacy, alternative revenue sources, and accountability…

A survey of 98 institutions in six states compared how doctoral and non-doctoral public campuses reacted to reduced state funding in the early 1990s. Univariate and multivariate analysis found both types of campuses coped incrementally rather than fundamentally. Few adopted long- range plans, and most relied on raising tuition and fees and…

A discussion of program review at the multicampus University of Maryland focuses on the role of the central system administration in providing a framework that encourages integration of program review into institutional planning and budgeting activities. Systemwide program review procedures are outlined, and the complicating factor of…

In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court declared the state's educational finance system unconstitutional, allowing 1 year to enact a systemic overhaul. After 3 years of public controversy, plaintiffs and the state are contesting the sufficiency of the state's response. A court-supervised remedial process may be necessary. (86 footnotes) (MLH)

In contrast to business, higher education tuition doesn't come close to covering costs. Taking a business approach leads educators to focus on rising costs, obscuring the larger issue of falling subsidies. As economic data clarify the relationship of prices, costs, and subsidies, politicians may see that unless increased enrollments are…

An annual survey finds that states, overall, allocated about 7 percent, or $3.7 billion, more money for college operations and student aid this year than last. Two-year colleges, historically black public universities, and student aid received particularly large increases. The good economy and legislators' willingness to invest in higher education…

Examines early childhood education policies and programs in Sweden. Describes national social and political values that form foundation for Swedish early childhood education system. Discusses shortcomings of U.S. early childhood education programs. Draws implications of Swedish early childhood education experience for the United States. (Contains…

Affordability--the ability of students and other funders to contribute to the support of colleges and universities--is a topic of increasing salience. In this Resource Review, we examine the affordability of college from two perspectives: from that of students and their families, and from that of the state. We also identify many references to…

As more and more states begin funding pre-kindergarten programs, four-year-olds are becoming an increasingly common sight in the nation's public schools. Since 1965, when fewer than two in 10 four-year-olds attended preschool, the number of such programs has risen to the point where seven in 10 now receive some sort of education before…

The process of retooling schools to prepare students for the Twenty-First Century requires that schools invest in technology resources and ongoing professional development for teachers to support the transformation of teaching and learning practices through technology integration. Technology resources are still considered to be educational…