At a time when increasing numbers of minority youth might desire a college education in science and engineering, negative trends regarding financial resources and institutional priorities (especially the research emphasis) have created unintended barriers. Minority underrepresentation in both fields is likely to continue. Includes 32 references.…

Provided is information that may enable minority students and land grant faculties and administrators to more effectively deal with the academic, financial, and emotional needs of minority students who are making the transition to graduate school. Highlighted are networking, mentoring, financial aid, and increasing sensitivity to the adjustment…

Studies exposure to life stress as an explanation for gender differences in older adults' utilization of social support. Results suggest that, as stressful events increase, elderly men and women are equally likely to become more involved in their social network, while gender differences emerge in response to chronic financial strain. (JS)

Outlines 10 reasons why rural education does not receive appropriate levels of federal and state funding. Discusses strategies to remedy the problem, including creating a cohesive rural vision and organizing a rural constituency. (SV)

Six years ago, the Emery Unified School District (Emeryville, CA) teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. Hard work and frugal management by teachers, administrators, and the community saved the school district from financial ruin. (SI)

In one Missouri farming community, school district consolidation threatens the existence of the town's only school and the town itself. The school is the area's largest employer, and it carries the town's history. Though consolidation is not being forced, the financial burden of supporting the school is overwhelming. (SM)

Describes a study of two-year college presidents' perceptions of the adequacy of funding support for community colleges and top funding priorities. Top priorities seen as educational opportunity/access and service to local businesses or to individuals as workers. Lowest priority seen as community service/continuing education. (DMM)

Critics say federal rules for welfare programs have built-in biases against higher education, and financially pinched states also discourage postsecondary education by welfare recipients for political and economic reasons. Issue revolves around use of the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Training Program. States differ in their approaches…

The California Department of Education recently sponsored two studies on the needs of chronically ill children and their families. The most serious problem these children faced was feeling different. Parents were also concerned by inadequate funding, services, staffing, and staff awareness. Educators should increase their sensitivity, change…

Sound educational planning is essential in an era faced with declining resources, increasing accountability demands, and reluctance to fund higher taxation requests. Planners are seriously challenged by shift from an industrial to a paperless, technological society. This article compares long-range and strategic planning approaches, describes…

Discusses the impact of decreases in revenues on the resource-sharing activities of ILLINET Online and the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO). Strategies for successfully coping with fiscal crises are suggested, including reducing levels of service and initiating user fees for interlibrary loans and faxing photocopied journal…

Excerpts from an architect's return to Virginia school almost 12 years after completion of the design and construction project. Originally designed for open-space education in 1975, the school was subsequently partitioned to form traditional classroom spaces. (MLF)

Describes the financial crises of higher education institutions in French-speaking Sub-Saharan African nations. Suggests that higher education is still overfunded in relation to other levels of education. Recommends more efficient spending and fewer, but better, students to improve the image of education in these nations. (CFR)

A strong economic recovery offers higher education only some relief. Educators must respond in new ways to economic problems. Higher education offers the best chance for finding regional and national solutions, but, ironically, it must reshape itself to do so. (MSE)

The Venezuelan higher education system is described, and the principal efficiency, equity, and management issues are examined, especially for public universities. A pattern of explosive growth followed by recurrent funding crises has been a recent development. Strong resistance to change despite evident current shortcomings is characteristic.…