In 1984 the Texas legislature passed an educational reform bill, House Bill 72 (HB 72). The prime objective of HB 72 was to achieve greater equalization of the state's school finance system; it was intended to affirm vertical and horizontal equity and equal opportunity/wealth neutrality as goals of the state system. This study analyzes the results…

To provoke public discussion about the role state aid should play in Vermont public education and to make a case for a state aid system structured on the broad principles of equal opportunity, fair tax burdens, and adequate funding levels, this booklet examines Vermont's system of school finance, attempting to highlight its history and its present…

Three components of the teacher shortage are the recruitment challenge, the retention problem, and the demand for teacher quality. Although the teacher shortage problem involves many factors, any solution must address salaries. Rural districts face a threefold disadvantage: teachers are not compensated as well as other rural professionals; rural…

This booklet presents information on the achievement gaps in education between white, Asian, and economically advantaged students and their African American, Hispanic, Native American, and economically disadvantaged peers. It provides examples from higher education, district, and school levels and summarizes available resources and tools to help…

This analysis is organized by decades, 1950s-1990s. In each decade, a context is presented for summarizing general information on broad education events that also affected rural areas and schools. Next, policies are outlined that were directed at or had a significant impact on rural education at the federal and then the state level. State-level…

The Southern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ) is a consortium of ministries of education in southern Africa. This bound report--one of seven--presents the research results and policy suggestions that emerged from implementation of SACMEQ's initial educational policy research project. The report looks broadly at five…

Ontario's funding formula fails to recognize the unique needs of northern school boards, which cover immense geographic areas, have many small schools, and enroll a high proportion of Aboriginal students. This report examines school size, enrollment, and staffing in northern Ontario schools, drawing on 2002-03 tracking reports of provincial…

A study of three London local education authorities explored the dynamics of British education markets. Findings showed that the market is a middle-class mode of social engagement; parental choice is class- and race-informed; schools are increasingly oriented toward meeting middle-class parents' perceived needs; and secondary schooling is becoming…

Presents three hypotheses about education: (1) equal opportunity in education is largely a myth; (2) students are often exploited for noneducational ends; and (3) ability is often discriminated against in schooling and life. Discusses each hypothesis and presents supportive arguments. (CFR)

Business should participate in school reform but has too narrow a perspective to guide it. Nationalizing education through comparative testing is a move to cut spending for social services, to increase accountability and efficiency without increasing financial responsibility or equity. Imposing private-sector rules on public education undermines…

Since 1994, South Africa's pivotal concern has been access to educational resources for its diverse population. Supply is not meeting demand for either schools or housing. Problems with integrating curricula with salable skill; improving school- university linkages, and improving teacher qualifications are discussed. (MLH)

The factors responsible for the atypical success experienced by some English further education (FE) colleges were examined through case studies of eight FE colleges that have managed to extend their high-quality vocational education and training (VET) provision in recent years. The 8 colleges were selected from only 56 identified as having…

In September 1998, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) established a 1-year task force to review the NCES's role concerning lifelong learning. The eight-member task force established a working definition of lifelong learning ("a process or system through which individuals are able and willing to learn at all stages of life,…

This book, which is intended for individuals involved in developing, delivering, and supporting human resource development (HRD) programs, discusses worldwide HRD trends that were identified in a study of the HRD practices in 35 countries. Chapter 1 discusses the importance of the HRD trends identified and explains how they were identified.…

This document traces the development of Australia's technical and further education (TAFE) system, which offers a wide range of courses providing education and training for employment at the operative, trade, and paraprofessional levels, as well as general education and literacy programs. The following are among the topics discussed: (1) general…