The author addresses three questions: (1) How did states get into the education business in the first place? (2) How significant is the states' role? (3) What are the problems that are most critical--at the state level--and what can be done about them? The author traces the slow evolution of the state role in education up to the present where that…

This booklet is designed to provide school board members, school district voters, and other interested individuals with a basic understanding of New York's system for the distribution of state aid to school districts. Although the booklet provides a fairly complete outline of New York's school finance plan, it is not a detailed technical guide to…

The Connecticut statewide plan to facilitate the implementation of career education programs at the local level is discussed. Various forms of assistance offered by the State for this purpose are presented. (EC)

Intergovernmental influences do not impact in a uniform fashion on local decisions to innovate. Such influences are often attenuated or minimized by local circumstances. (Author/IRT)

Aspects of providing such services are described, including (1) published standards; (2) outreach programs to meet specific needs of the deaf, elderly, and disadvantaged; (3) adaptation of equipment to meet special needs of the elderly; and (4) examples of programs integrated into the structure of public libraries of varying size. (MBR)

The independents have performed a historic function in establishing institutional independence, suggests this university president, and they will continue, under their independent boards, to guard the principle. They save taxpayer money and will continue to do so even though a margin of state aid is necessary. (Author/LBH)

The idea of setting aside part of the cost of public buildings for "decoration" took form in the 1930s. Discusses the current policy of commissioning decorative works as a way of building an artistic heritage for the future. (Author/RK)

Argues against John's suggestion that state equalization aid to local school districts should be based on measures of per-capita income and assessed property valuation per capita, rather than on measures of local tax revenue and assessed property valuation per pupil. (JG)

These two notes offer a couple of refinements to existing equalization plans--one deals with cost indexes, the other with fiscal incentive for dollar equalization. (Author/IRT)

Results of a nationwide study of public mental retardation/developmental disabilities spending in the states during Fiscal Years 1977 through 1986 were analyzed and identified trends such as continuing growth in spending for community services, contraction of total spending for institutional operations, and predominance of support for intermediate…

Between 1982-83 and 1986-87 states boosted aid for public elementary and secondary schools by 41 percent. Variation among the states is due to enrollment changes, fiscal conditions, and priorities. A chart shows percents of revenue increases (state, local, and federal) and enrollment changes by state. (MLF)

Fund raising for private colleges has been successful in New Jersey because it no longer focuses on unrestricted corporate gifts as many do but seeks support from a broader variety of sources. State aid gained in this way is a radical and possibly life-saving innovation. (MSE)

Recounts how careful planning and coordination, hard work, and a bit of theatrics helped secure line item funding in the Vermont state budget for parent child centers. (Author/BB)

Levels of and 2-year changes in state appropriations for higher education are presented for each state and its major institutions, junior colleges as a whole, student aid, and other related appropriations, and the states are ranked, with 2- and 10-year changes and adjustments for inflation indicated. (MSE)