President George W. Bush submitted his eighth and final budget request to the Congress on Monday. Under the proposal, fiscal year 2009 discretionary spending--spending subject to annual appropriations--would be at the same level as in the prior year for domestic programs and agencies not involved in homeland security efforts. The budget request…

The White House's FY 2005 budget request released February 2nd includes severe cuts to career and technical education (CTE) programs that, if enacted, would prove devastating to education and training programs in American high schools and postsecondary institutions. In the $2.4 trillion federal budget request for FY 2005 (school year 2005-2006),…

Begins with a general discussion of downsizing and its outcomes, then offers an analysis of downsizing in higher education with an emphasis on three points: the factors causing universities to consider downsizing, the special nature of universities that makes downsizing particularly difficult, and the downsizing methods used by universities. (EV)

Emphasizes the need for music teachers to defend school music programs. Suggests developing advocacy objectives in the areas of communication, visibility, and classroom follow-through. Argues that children's cultural heritage and musical future are at risk if further cutbacks in music education programs are not avoided. (SG)

One of the greatest challenges to comprehensive school reform (CSR) is sustaining reform over a period long enough to produce substantial effects. This article highlights the importance of studying sustainability as well as the importance of being clear about what is being sustained, distinguishing between a sustained reform relationship and…

Within the Illinois Community College System (ICCS), each of the 49 member colleges reports to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) on their improvements in productivity. This report summarizes the productivity reports on the ICCS colleges, examines the results of a series of analyses of productivity conducted by the ICCB from a statewide…

Within the Illinois Community College System (ICCS), each of the 50 member colleges reports to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) on their productivity improvements. This report summarizes the productivity reports of the ICCS colleges, examines the results of a series of analyses of productivity conducted by the ICCB from a statewide…

It is argued that, when a university's resources are insufficient to undertake serious, responsible change in education, the institution should close its school of education and put its resources into high-quality programs elsewhere. Perpetuating low-quality education programs is seen as an insupportable alternative. (MSE)

The Program Status Research Study examined the status of local programs for students with high abilities and reasons given by key personnel for program status. A mail survey to 2,900 local personnel in 19 states (divided into four groups according to economic health and the existence or non-existence of a state mandate to provide services) yielded…

A plan for reducing or consolidating institutions and programs of the University of Wisconsin (UW) is presented, based on a request by Wisconsin Governor Patrick J. Lucey in 1975. The Governor's basic fiscal and enrollment assumptions are identified, and the findings and recommendations of the UW system President John Weaver are presented. Part 1…

A survey of 69 faculty members from 32 universities offering preparation programs for teachers, orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation teachers, and doctoral-level leadership personnel serving people with visual impairments raises concerns about the future viability of such programs, in light of state budget cuts, faculty recruitment…