The federal government pays for a wide range of goods and services that are expected to contribute to the economy for some years in the future. Those purchases, called investment, fall into three categories: physical capital, research and development (R&D), and education and training. There are several economic rationales for federal…

The landscape of K-12 education funding in the United States is exceptionally complex. When it comes to funding an equitable, high-quality education for English Learners (ELs), discussions often focus on federal funds under Title III of the "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA)--an important source of funding for many aspects of ELs'…

This dissertation systematically explores the origins and evolution of the charter school movement in the United States from 1985 to 2015. I begin by analyzing the role of governors in K-12 education policymaking and find that while governors have generally placed greater emphasis on K-12 education policy over time, Republican governors have…

This report argues that this is a promising time for entrepreneurs and developers to enter the adult learning market. Economic and labor trends are applying unprecedented pressure on policymakers to think differently. Federal, and in turn state, policies are shifting. The adaptation of K-12 and postsecondary education technologies (ed-tech) to the…

American public higher education is in trouble. Besieged by declining state and Federal support for more than 30 years, public colleges and universities are facing a "game-changing" set of challenges that threaten to alter the very nature of the institutions. As two recessions withered state budgets in the first decade of the 21st…

This dissertation addresses the consequences of political influence on state higher education funding at the committee level. The State of South Carolina has a long history of using a formula to determine the appropriate amount of funding that is to be allocated to its colleges and universities. I use the funding level implied by the South…

Council for American Private Education (CAPE) is a coalition of national associations serving private schools K-12. Outlook is published monthly by CAPE. This issue contains the following articles: (1) CAPE Joins Brief in Arizona School Choice Case; (2) Vouchers Bring Higher Graduation Rates; (3) Students Safer in Private Schools; (4) CAPE on…

As president of Miami University of Ohio from 1996 until 2006, James C. Garland redefined the public institution as a "semi-private" university by implementing the same tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students. Students from Ohio with need received large scholarships--but those who could afford to pay more did so. The reform,…

America's current adult education and workforce skills training programs were designed for a different time and different challenges. They must be fundamentally transformed to meet the nation's pressing 21st Century adult education and workforce needs. The National Commission on Adult Literacy calls for a new "Adult Education and Workforce…

The relationships between state government and private higher education are considered with emphasis on Ohio. It is noted that state colleges have received land and financial support from private sources and that there have been reciprocal arrangements of public support given to private colleges. These arrangements include different types of tax…

Plants that bear less familiar names such as switch grass, "Miscanthus," and kenaf, are not much to look at, having weathered Iowa's winter snows. But Iowa State researchers see these crops as seeds of change in alternative fuels. Rows of experimental crops line the test plots at Iowa State University's research farm. Although corn is…

Presentations include: the origins of student aid in the United States (Frederick Rudolph); measuring the economic effects of education (Burton A. Weisbrod); the social and political arguments for extending the reach of education (Robert J. Havighurst); our worldwide stake in developing talent (Dael Wolfe); what part the states should play in…

Interrelations between the states and higher education are examined, and a generally optimistic outlook is presented. Two major sections are given, one commentary, the other descriptive. The commentary has these major themes: (1) American higher education, with federal, state, and private funding, has been comparatively effective; (2) some surplus…

This publication is intended as a useful summary of available basic information on educational research and development (R&D). It was planned for several audiences: the staff of the National Institute of Education; other personnel in federal, state, and local governments; members of Congress; researchers and developers; trainers; administrators of…

This paper examines the government's role in financing human capital investments. It first examines why private investments in education, training, and other forms of human capital are likely to fall short of socially desirable levels. It then reviews past trends in public support for human resource investments. Finally, it discusses current…