A survey of 76 agricultural economics departments received 57 replies indicating that 25 departments teach 35 courses in rural economics/development; 10 years ago, 31 departments taught 44 courses. Slow enrollment growth and emphasis shifts were possible causes. More attention is now paid to community economics and less to social issues and…

This institutional audit examines the interactions between African American and Hispanic students and their host university. Lacking a supportive environment, many nonpersisting minority students quietly fail. Without more active institutional efforts to achieve full social integration of minorities into this university community, the…

New York City has the nation's largest public-school system (with 1,066,473 students in fall 1999), followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, and 2 Florida counties (Dade and Broward). Enrollments increased in 44 urban areas between 1989 and 1999. In 21 areas, enrollments declined slightly between 1998 and 1999. (MLH)

In an ideal world, review and changes to computing curricula should be driven solely by academic concerns for the needs of students. The process should be informed by industry accreditation processes and international best practice (Hurst et al., 2001). However, Australian computing curricular review is often driven by the need for financial…

There has been a disturbing decline in the take-up of physics within second-level education in Ireland since the early nineties. Here, an analysis is presented of the main factors influencing the take-up of physics from the perspective of secondary school teachers. The database underpinning the analysis is based on a comprehensive survey of…

The most critical problems relating to school closings are people problems. Superintendents who have met and conquered such crises as the need to build schools, the problems of integration, attacks from the extremes of political left and right, and teacher militancy will have developed the competencies, expertise, and confidence to deal with…

Enrollment decline raises questions about decision-making in school systems and about the kinds of solutions to problems that arise. According to this paper, one of two related documents, policymakers, educators, and community members need to be aware of the hidden costs and concerns resulting from different solutions. It addresses questions of…

This paper, one of two related documents, examines the impact of declining enrollments on educational expenditures. It highlights population and social changes that have contributed to the decline and discusses the general financing of schools. Finally, the paper discusses strategies state policymakers can use to manage decline, including…

Implementing an enrollment projection methodology and a planning methodology in a school district is often a complex problem because many possibilities exist. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that successful research techniques used by some school districts can instruct other districts about methods and aims to pursue or avoid in…

This paper is a brief report on the impact of school closings on purchasing departments. It opens with a discussion of the trend of declining enrollments in public schools nationwide. The paper notes, however, that demographers expect the total number of children to begin to rise slightly in the mid-80's. Closing schools now is not the answer, it…

One practical suggestion for recycling old school buildings is to use them for housing. (MJB)

A six-month publicity and advertising campaign by Winona State University in Minnesota is considered a major factor in the enrollment increase despite a general decline in the state system as a whole. (Author/MLF)

Although school enrollments are on the rise generally, some schools with declining enrollments must contend with staff reductions. Suggests six actions in the event of a reduction in force: (1) Keep the board informed, (2) discuss plans with the union, (3) respond to people's concerns, (4) inform the community, (5) get community leadership…

Investigated the respective influence of a Catholic home and distance from school on attitudes of pupils in Roman Catholic secondary schools towards Christianity. Findings showed no effect for distance traveled, but significant impact due to Catholic home background. Policy implications for Catholic schools faced with enrollment declines are…

The rationales and experience of the Roseville, Michigan, school system in putting all of its school buildings up for sale in an effort to resolve a school closure impasse. (JW)