Even as they struggle to climb out of deep financial holes, states are facing lawsuits that contend they do not meet their constitutions' requirements to provide sufficient funding to districts and fail to provide resources for disadvantaged schools and student populations. This article reports on legal battles in Texas, Colorado, and elsewhere…

Kansas school districts reduced employment by 327 full-time equivalent positions this school year, the smallest reduction in three years of cuts to district operating budgets. Districts reduced positions by 561 in FY 2010 and 1,626 in FY 2011. Districts eliminated nearly 400 "regular" teaching positions this year, but added 114 special…

Over the past several decades, Kentucky's efforts to build equity, adequacy, and excellence in public education have produced substantial results. The state has moved closer to delivering for all children, but it has not completed the effort. Instead, having set itself a 2014 deadline to deliver proficiency for all, despite progress, Kentucky is…

The analysis of in-depth interviews with 40 divorced women provides some insight into these women's experiences of the bargaining and negotiating process, both in the divorce and with child support and alimony payments after the divorce. One study has shown that the average woman's standard of living declines by 72 percent 1 year after divorce,…

Describes how state budget cuts may pose a greater threat to minority access to higher education than would a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in the Michigan cases. (EV)

Summarizes and critiques West Virginia educational reforms during the past decade, highlighting the state's rural character, a brief history of the reform catalyst (Pauley v. Bailey), recent reform activity, and some cautiously optimistic predictions. The state's 1982 Master Plan for education has been replaced by Policy 2000, whose six goals…

An overview of recent court cases concerning dismissal of tenured college faculty for reasons of financial exigency focuses on court definitions of exigency, criteria for "just cause" for termination, due process requirements, reemployment, compensation for wrongful termination, and legal requirements that constitute "good…

The Los Alamos schools obtain support from a combination of local, state, and Department of Energy funds mandated by the Atomic Energy Commission Community Act. Each year the Los Alamos schools prepare three budgets, and during any week the schools may work directly with all three levels of government concerning funding. In 1974 the state of New…

Unlike other universities, the University of Arizona is ending a policy of direct commercialization of faculty research, citing new federal rules governing conflict of interest and institutional budget constraints as the reasons. The decision also follows a suit against the university concerning spinoff rights. Critics argue that the university…

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)

Financial pressures and the possibility of a major desegregation suit have dominated the 1980-81 academic year for Tennessee's public colleges and universities. The higher education community is moving toward managing the decline with limitations on enrollment and by eliminating unnecessary duplicated academic programs. (MLW)

Growing frustration with educational finance in Illinois prompted school districts to file, in 1990, a lawsuit that demands adequate funding, equitable distribution of funds, and increased economic efficiency in public education. This document includes a description of events leading up to the suit. Early attempts to improve educational equity…

The major legal issues pertaining to academic employment are examined. Four areas affecting higher education are analyzed in depth: employment practices, equal pay, developing issues under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and financial exigency. In addition, guidelines for evaluating current institutional academic employment practices…

Notes on the association's annual meeting are presented, including data charts on membership and membership changes. Other contents and issues addressed include: dues schedule, bargaining election problems, income and expenditures, membership problems, elections, state conferences, the Yeshiva decision, the United States Department of Education;…

The attempted closing of Wilson College in Pennsylvania, a 110-year-old liberal arts college for women, is recounted. In 1978 the board of trustees voted to close the college and preserve remaining assets for other educational purposes. A movement evolved to save the college, and subsequent litigation resulted in rulings in May 1979 that: (1) two…