Analyzes the effects of changes in school spending on student performance in Finland. Finds changes in expenditures for instruction had no significant effect on matriculation examination scores of senior secondary-school students. Strongest explanations for student achievement appear to be grade-point average in comprehensive school and parents'…

Describes how Eugene M. Lang, a philanthropist known for tackling large problems in education, is financing Project Pericles to encourage colleges to promote civic-mindedness among their students. (EV)

States there is unease among university historians about the impact of research assessment exercises (that is a regular determinant of university funding) on their subject. Argues that such concern reflects characteristics of the discipline, making selective funding of university history departments awkward. (CMK)

Describes how many school districts are dealing with the problem of funding high school athletics and extracurricular activities in times of declining state and local budget revenues. Solutions involve program cuts, "pay for play" fees, fund raisers, and tax referenda. (PKP)

Reviews the roles of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank from 1980 to the present, distinguishing between two types of impacts they exert in the education sector of borrowing countries (the World Bank's direct involvement in education and economic reform and Structural Adjustment Programs financed by the IMF and World Bank). The…

Summarizes information about public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year 2000. Also contains information about service measures, including Internet access, and collections and library finance. (SLD)

Describes how public colleges in some states have levied their biggest tuition increases in decades, while others are tightening residency requirements and charging new students more than their returning peers. (EV)

Many colleges and universities are faced with the problems of aging residence hall facilities. Traditional funding options are no longer viable for some institutions, and additional options are needed to address the gaps between what is required of university housing facilities, what is desired by students, and what is affordable for the…

This article summarizes mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD) spending since 1977, with emphasis on spending from 1995-2000. The change in state economic conditions, from strong growth in recent years to fiscal constraints in 2002, is addressed. Tables provide data trends in MR spending by type of placement and state and changes in…

The survey of state Medicaid programs concerning reimbursement policies and per diem rates for private Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded for 1978-86 focused on: reimbursement methods; trends in reimbursement rates; and factors affecting reimbursement, including economic factors, reimbursement policies, eligibility policy, bed…

Oberlin College's alumni association group for gay and lesbian alumni provides a case study in setting up new affiliates. Comprehensive and practical guidelines that any interested alumni group can follow are needed. Groups that develop around sensitive issues raise the toughest questions for alumni administrators. (MLW)

Reviews the options currently available to school districts involved in capital improvement financing and examines new directions in such financing. (JOW)

Currently the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is reaffirming its commitment in supporting projects dealing with foreign language and linguistics. Advice is given on how to better acquire NEH funding, and contact information to the Division of Education Programs of NEH is provided. (GLR)

Describes organization and outcomes of an activity that raised funds for the Green Bay Day Nursery in Wisconsin. (RJC)

The best approach to initiating a facility renewal and replacement program is to: identify the nature and scope of the institution's facility needs; justify them in terms of programs, operations, and priorities; develop an action plan and communicate it to constituencies and funders; and identify a funding source or sources. (MSE)