Since 1977, school budgetary problems have been created by a decline in state and federal tax revenues combined with a greater demand for services and declining student enrollment. The serious erosion in the fiscal health of the 50 states over the last few years means that competition for tax dollars will increase, leaving government with the…

This study was undertaken to assess the condition of school facilities in rural and small school districts in the 50 states and analyze the mechanisms used by rural and small school districts to finance capital outlay. The study is part of an ongoing effort to address concerns specific to rural and small schools in the United States. The focus of…

A statistical profile of higher education, a general review of developments during 1986-1987, and policy statements and activities of the National Education Association (NEA) are presented in this 1988 NEA Almanac. The statistical profile covers enrollment trends, degrees, faculty salaries, endowments, appropriations to community colleges, scores…

This technical manual describes the School Assessment Survey (SAS), a multidimensional questionnaire that uses teachers' perceptions to measure key organizational characteristics of a school. Developed to take advantage of recent developments in organizational theory and school effectiveness research, the SAS instrument can be used to identify…

A review of higher education in Alaska during 1975-1976 that was submitted to the Alaska Legislative Subcommittee on Higher Education is presented. Information is given on: developments at private institutions (Alaska Methodist University and Sheldon Jackson College); the University of Alaska System; consortium arrangements; postsecondary needs…

Results of an evaluation of the 1981-82 Public Law 89-313 program, "Supplementary Services for Previously Non-Public-School Institutionalized Students," are presented in this report. The program was operated by the Division of Special Education of the New York City public schools and served 527 students (6-21 years old) in 227 schools,…

Uses of assessment in postsecondary education and policy issues are considered. In higher education, assessment is used to refer to at least six separate but overlapping activities: (1) multiple measures to track students' intellectual and personal growth over an extended period of time; (2) state-mandated requirements for evaluating students…

Offered in response to a request for background information from the Congressional Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Technology, the document presents a report of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) support for social and psychological sciences research. Major objectives of the report are to review the origins of NSF support programs;…

Budget recommendations for operations and grants for the State of Illinois Board of Higher Education are presented, with policy considerations and statistical tables supporting the recommendations included. The recommendations include: a total increase in state appropriated funds of $133 million, state general revenue fund support increase of $108…

Cultural biases about rural schools and people have influenced rural education, public policies, and distribution of funds away from areas where they are most needed. Policymakers have regarded the rural school's condition (sparsity, isolation, smallness, limited economic base) in negative terms, resulting in public policies that ignored,…

Proceedings of the 1979 Financial Measures Conference which assess "Progress in Measuring Financial Conditions of Colleges and Universities" are presented. Focus is the prospective uses of financial indicators and the results of attempts to employ indicators at the institutional, state, regional, and federal levels for management, and…

A number of recommendations regarding federal educational legislation are made in this 1982 edition of a New York State publication that discusses key statutory, budget, and regulatory issues of concern to the state. The document begins with a general examination of the federal role in education and then suggests guidelines for federal education…

The question of what American colleges and universities should spend to educate their students is addressed. Both societal and institutional factors that determine the costs of colleges' educating their students and longitudinal changes in the unit cost of higher education are examined. The following issues are considered: long-term trends in unit…

Key trends in higher education in the 1970s are summarized, and the current condition of higher education in terms of its human, physical, and financial resources is reviewed. Attention is directed to progress to broaden access to higher education, to preserve quality programs and services, and to maintain fiscal health. Data are presented to…

The role of advanced programs in urban universities and the relationship between large public urban universities and comprehensive state universities in less-populated areas are addressed. An overview of the issues, case studies in three states, a study comparing students in two doctoral programs, and information on the characteristics of large…