To determine how state and institutional officials perceive their own state programs for student financial aid, what legislation exists or is proposed in the field, and what alternative steps should be recommended, 350 questionnaires were distributed to selected state officials, and to the largest public and private institutions of higher…

The problems confronting the public community colleges of Alabama are discussed, and alternatives are suggested. Following a brief discussion of the history and growth of Alabama's state junior colleges, the following major problems are identified, and solutions are proposed: (1) There must be a master plan to insure that the junior colleges are…

This report provides information on the degree to which states in the area served by the Southern Region Education Board (SREB) support independent colleges and universities. Most SREB states support independent institutions through student grants that may or may not be based on the student's financial need. In the year of the report, 11 SREB…

The care and education of the youngest children in the United States has become a critical public policy issue affecting millions of families. This guide closely examines the issues and tradeoffs in key child care policy decisions that face state legislators. The guide provides a discussion of state efforts to build supply, improve quality, and…

This report on Idaho's grant programs for reading improvement pinpoints two programs, the General Reading Improvement Program and the Reading Improvement with Phonics Program. The report states that the first program makes funds available to support kindergarten through sixth grade "reading recovery" or other locally developed methods…

This Massachusetts Long-Range Plan was developed to set broad strategic direction for the use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, to inform Massachusetts libraries of these directions, and to meet the statutory requirement. This plan details specific goals and objectives that support the stated mission: to provide every resident…

This plan is intended to: summarize for the Board of Regents, the State Education Department, New York State libraries, agencies and organizations with an interest in library services, and interested citizens of the State, the goals, priorities, activities, and evaluation methodology of the programs undertaken for the improvement of library…

This report provides an overview of selected state strategies for addressing personnel shortages in the area of visual impairments. Innovative or alternative routes to certification in six states (Texas, Hawaii, Iowa, North Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia) are profiled to give specific examples of state approaches to personnel preparation and…

The Student Health Initiative is a joint initiative of the Canadian provincial government partners of Education, Health, Family, and Social Services; the Alberta Mental Health Board; the Child and Family Services Secretariat; and Community Development. The initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity to deliver health and related support…

This report traces the movement for school funding reform in Colorado. The study analyzes how court-mandated remedies were implemented and seeks to determine what role public engagement played in these reforms. Some have suggested that a general skepticism and lack of confidence in reform in Colorado have delayed funding reform, coupled with such…

In recent years, several states have offered financial incentives to encourage child care centers and homes to become accredited by a reputable national organization to improve child care quality. This report examines whether it is good policy to offer higher reimbursement rates to accredited child care facilities and assesses the relative merits…

New York State's attempt to reduce welfare expenditures by collecting the child support payments of defaulting parents reinforces federal incentives containing penalties for localities operating ineffective collection programs. The state's program may serve as a model for the more effective implementation of legislation in other jurisdictions.…

Various ways of financing career change are discussed: student financial aid through state and federal programs, college and university programs, alumni groups, minority programs, religious groups, etc. A list of sources of aid for women, organizations that aid minorities, and a list of publications on financial aid are also included. (CT)

Describes the events that led to legislation in New Jersey authorizing the establishment of a statewide multitype library network. The discussion covers the two levels of service provided by the network (statewide and regional), specific services available at the regional level, state funding of network services, public response, and plans for…

Briefly reviews the concept of multitype library networking and past attempts at large scale library cooperation, and describes the events that led to the establishment of the California Library Networking Task Force. The three stages anticipated in network development--services, structure, and funding and transition--are outlined, and the current…