Presents the author's view of changes to come in the eighties and their effects on how, who, where, and how long the schools educate. (Author/JM)

In the United States, services (such as education, health care, housing, and transportation) are provided for citizens by a bewildering array of agencies at many government levels. Service organizations must learn to communicate across functional lines, and educators must become familiar with other service providers at various levels. This means…

This paper draws on demographic data on children spotlighted in the 2000 Census (called the Childrens Class of 2000) to examine how forces like poverty and family instability work to prevent equality of opportunity in school and in life. The paper describes some programs and techniques that effectively reduce the effects of these forces and…

Hispanic Americans are diverse, but researchers are often limited by available data that do not highlight their diversity. This report presents information about the total Hispanic American population, along with data on the largest subgroups that make up that total. Good and bad news about Hispanics is presented using data from the U.S. Bureau of…

Connecticut is small, densely populated, and very urban; its residents are typically well educated and wealthy. The state's diverse economy allows it to ride through recessions with ease. Housing costs are so high, though, that some of the benefits of the high income levels are negated. The state's population is the fourth oldest in the nation…

It is easy to perceive Pennsylvania as a state in decline, but that would be a big mistake. While its population total has dropped from fourth largest in 1980 to fifth largest in 1987, Pennsylvania is still one of the 10 states in the nation that contain half of the country's residents. The state's two major metropolitan areas, Pittsburgh and…

In Minnesota, democracy really works. A higher percentage of voters go to the polls, the business leaders genuinely care about the community, and the legislature works harder than most to provide for the people's welfare. Behind all of this is an energetic, well-educated citizenry who pay fairly high taxes and receive excellent services in return.…

Delaware is a good example of the falsity of the old notion that small is simple. Although a small state in terms of population, its social systems and bureaucracies can be complex indeed. Delaware has been unusually popular with American businesses, leading to more Fortune 500 companies being incorporated there than in any other state. The…

The more diversified the economy, the greater Texas's possibilities for security and stability. The state cannot diversify the job and business structure unless there is an educational system prepared to develop Texas's human resources to their fullest. The state's population will be over 40 percent minority by the end of the century, and student…

Reflects on the declining quality of higher education today, the increasing inability of higher education to meet student needs, and the ways in which demographic influences will affect higher education in the next 16 years. Offers seven suggestions for leaders of higher education in dealing with these concerns. (IW)

Ohio is both very large and very urban. Like other midwestern states, it has been undergoing a number of major changes simultaneously, including: (1) a white population decline and an increase in minorities; (2) severe economic disruption and increased unemployment due to the downturn in manufacturing; (3) a lack of "high end" service…

Michigan's "rust bowl" days are over. Although the work force is still too dependent on auto manufacturing, the economy is diversifying into trade, distribution, and financial and business services. The new jobs created are mostly in small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The state's population is very stable with few migrations…

Information concerning characteristics of California and its educational system are presented, with attention to population trends, the proportion of ethnic residents, the age distribution, median family income, the economy, school enrollments and completion rates, and college attendance and graduation. Notable findings/conclusions include: 15% of…

Demographic influences on the makeup of urban university student populations are discussed, focusing on how demographic trends can shed light on some current debates in higher education. Issues discussed include welfare and education, ethnicity and poverty, migration patterns, the aging population, and children of Baby Boomers. (MSE)

Kentucky is a state of extreme contrasts in virtually every area of human endeavor. Although it is a southern state, its black population is small and growing very slowly. The rich and the poor people are unequally distributed throughout the state. Because only half of the adults possess a high school diploma, one can assume that many Kentuckians…