Development software has been on the market for 15 to 20 years. Vendors offer outstanding software, but the software must be right for the environment and needs of each office. Software should be able to be used by the entire staff including the manager, not just the technical staff. (MLW)

School systems with a rating of "A" or lower can save money by insuring their bonds because, in almost every instance, the reduced borrowing cost more than offsets the bond insurance premium. Included is a list compiled by Donna Harrington-Lueker of the four major players in the bond insurance field and elements to consider in choosing…

Faculty members must understand the actual finances of educational institutions in order to achieve less biased allocations. Increased faculty awareness of total resources can help shift allocation patterns, making institutional resources more effective in accomplishing the mission of higher education. (MLW)

A discussion of costing methods for colleges and universities, common in the United States, looks at their first use in a major Latin American institution, the University of Monterrey (Mexico). Differences in costing methods for the university's seven colleges and potential for savings emerging from the analysis are examined. (MSE)

A public education foundation is a third-party, nonprofit entity whose agenda consists of developing supportive community and private-sector relationships with a public school system. Outlines steps in creating an educational foundation. (MLF)

Findings of a survey of 300 financial officers at public and independent 4-year and 2-year institutions of higher education concerning budget allocation trends since 1987 are presented in narrative and 24 charts. The survey documents changes in growth rates in allocations by various categories and distribution of expenditures by institution type.…

Discusses some of the current problems facing Quebec and the debate over news coverage of those problems. Reports that Quebec's schools will receive increased funding and undergo a three-year reform. Describes local school boards' continuing financial problems and controversies surrounding the handling of school funds. Examines young Anglos'…

Analysis of forces affecting reform in Papua New Guinea's higher education financing looks at reasons reform has not succeeded. Research on cost effectiveness of higher education expenditures is examined, policy implementation is discussed, and it is concluded that more emphasis should be placed on investment financing and student contributions.…

In Canada, a local school system's budget is financed from provincial grants, a local school tax, and miscellaneous revenues. The bulk of provincial grant revenue is allocated to counteract inequalities in the wealth base. Two tables and one figure display information by province. (seven references) (MLF)

Presents tips on how teachers can find and obtain technology grants from local, state, and federal sources and from foundations and corporations. Technology grants can help teachers stretch school budgets with a variety of alternative electronic teaching tools. The article offers 10 steps for successful grantwriting. (SM)

A 1989-90 report based on statistics from 531 public community and junior colleges in 36 states is summarized, including information on expenditures, revenues, and staffing. Tables provide (1) a summary by region; (2) a ranked list of states by revenues; and (3) a ranked list of states by total expenditures. (DB)

Institutional researchers are often called on to compare financial performance across institutions as part of comprehensive institutional management teams. Several types and sources of national data, including databases and publications, are appropriate for this, each with particular strengths and limitations. Three sources also provide…

The purpose of an unreserved fund balance is to provide funds for expenditures not included in a district's budget or to make up for revenues anticipated but not received. A model developed to determine the appropriate size of the unreserved fund balance for school districts was tested with simulations in 498 Pennsylvania school districts. (MLF)

Many school districts are becoming aggressively entrepreneurial in their efforts to raise money. One district serves as the Internet service provider for their area, another rents buses and drivers to community groups. A sidebar describes a controversial deal between Coca-Cola and the Colorado Springs School District. (MLF)

A discussion of the relationship between the Scottish funding agency for higher education and universities focuses on expectations of the council for lay members of the governing bodies and the appropriateness of those expectations. Whether the state can continue to respect institutional autonomy while seeking greater accountability for public…