For over three decades, government subsidies have been a major source of funds for private schools in Australia. Private schools now enrol more than one-third of all students. Analysing administrative and participation data, we find that Australian private schools have used government subsidies to increase the quality of their services (that is,…

This publication reports on the activities of the Oregon State Scholarship Commission (OSSC) and the status of the programs it oversees during the two-year period from July 1, 1993 through June 30, 1995. A brief report from the executive director reviews the period's substantial reductions in state funds and rapid growth in private award programs.…

Ohio, like other states, will soon begin implementing parts of a sweeping new federal welfare reform law. These seven 1- and 2-page reports, issued under the general heading of "Ohio Children: Together We Can Help Them Grow," describe various Ohio welfare programs, providing statistics on their costs and usage rates, as well as changes…

This volume reports on the fifth nationwide survey of trends in mental retardation (MR) and developmental disabilities (DD). It begins with four chapters summarizing trends in the nation as a whole. The first chapter is "Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives" (David Braddock). This…

Preliminary recommendations of the state superintendent's office are presented in part I of this report on Illinois school finance reform. The recommendations are grouped under four areas: (1) distribution of state funds (with eight recommendations), (2) generation of revenues (with six recommendations), (3) management resources (with six…

This handbook of sources of financial aid for postsecondary education provides information on the following topics: (1) introduction (general information for the student, planning for the future, and a "do list" for parents and students); (2) American Legion educational aids (a detailed table of data on financial assistance offered by…

The development, current status, and future prospects of community colleges are examined in this study with special emphasis on finance and funding concerns. Introductory material outlines study objectives, methodology, and purposes; defines key terms; and emphasizes the importance of college planning. Chapter 1 presents a history of the community…

In an effort to improve the effectiveness of the state's two-year colleges and universities, the Ohio Board of Regents has proposed the establishment of a three-part funding system. The first element would be a foundation of state support based on campus enrollments and costs to provide basic budgetary stability. The second element would link a…

Less than half of the challenges to unequal state school financing laws have succeeded. And among those challenges that were successful, funding equity has eroded over time and the litigation has been costly and protracted. However, judicial remedy is still a possible means for restoring equity in school financing and improving education. Most of…

This collection of essays analyzes the history, philosophy, and politics of the forms of early childhood provision outside the home for young children in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In particular, the essays examine the extent to which that provision is considered educational and intended to…

Maryland's Challenge Grant Program was designed to bring systemic change to schools with relatively low performance levels. This paper presents findings of an ethnographic study that examined the workings of an educational reform effort across several levels of administration. Specifically, the study explored conditions that facilitated and…

This report summarizes special item funding for public universities, health-related institutions, technical colleges, and community colleges in Texas for fiscal years (FYs) 1996 and 1997, as provided by House Bill 1, 74th Legislature (General Appropriations Act). "Special items" are defined as appropriations made to selected institutions…

Since the establishment of a two-year college system in Kansas in 1917, funding has been a source of consternation, with governance issues often exacerbating financial problems. The colleges received no state financial support until 1961, when an expenditure of $3 per credit hour was authorized, increased as of 1996 to $28.40 per credit hour. The…

A Children's Defense Fund (CDF) survey indicates that many AFDC families are being forced to place their children in low-quality and potentially dangerous child care. Family Support Act (FSA) childcare typically lacks basic health and safety and precautions, fails to provide sufficient assistance to support quality childcare and preschool…

In 1994, Michigan voters amended the state constitution to reduce schools' reliance on local property taxes for financial support. School districts were also divided into three funding tiers that were determined by their 1993-94 state and local revenues. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the impact of Michigan's finance reform…