This publication presents 18 papers from the 1990 institute on facilities finance in higher education. An introduction is by Walter W. Schaw. Papers are: (1) "Facilities as a Capital Asset" by Sean C. Rush; (2) "State Issues in Capital Management" by Brenda N. Albright; (3) "Policy-making Issues" by Frederick R. Ford;…

The use of funding/allocation formulas in public higher education and the efficacy of Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) taxonomies as the basis for discipline cost differentials in Tennessee are examined. Major criteria on which funding/allocation formulas should be based and weaknesses in existing formulas are also identified.…

As a response to the concerns associated with the allocation of state resources to institutions of higher education, several states have developed budget formulas to derive estimates of the institutional financial requirements. Formulas, however, were developed during a period of rapid growth, and might be unresponsive to institutional needs…

With a view toward improving allocation of funds, this study analyzed the ordering of agricultural extension publications during 1965-67 by the 95 agricultural Extension staffs in Tennessee. Ten variables in ordering behavior, and four relating to programs, were considered. Data from 1,559 order forms were reported in numbers, percentages,…

This two-part report focuses on progress made by the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) during the first year of a 5-year contract. AEL's mandate is to work with educators in ongoing research and development-based efforts to improve education and educational opportunities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Part I:…

The Education Improvement Act instigated funding allocation reform, equalization and equity, system accountability, systemwide report cards, value-added assessment, and governance reform. The most dissatisfied educators are those in large, wealthier urban systems. Horizontal equity, accountability, and test results have improved throughout the…

The effects of class size on academic achievement have been studied for decades. Although the results of small-scale, randomized experiments and large-scale, econometric studies point to positive effects of small classes, some scholars see the evidence as ambiguous. Recent analyses from a 4-year, large-scale, randomized experiment on the effects…

Tennessee data were analyzed longitudinally from 1979-80 to 1987-88 to compare statewide special education practice associated with two student-based formulas for funding disbursement: "flat" versus "weighted.""Flat" grants, used from 1979-80 to 1982-83, provided a fixed amount of funds per child, teacher, or…

Policy changes in state higher education since the early 1980s are described. For each innovation, the problem and impetus for change are described, as well as the results. Contact persons and some publications are identified. While two states addressed both quality and flexibility in fiscal reform, 13 states had incremental reforms addressing…

In view of increasing financial pressures, this paper argues that a new approach to fiscal policy and to the structure of the financial relationship between state government and institutions of higher education is needed. A proposed three-part budget would include the following: (1) a base or core lump-sum budget managed by higher education…

The public school funding lawsuits that have been filed over the last two decades indicate that many people are not satisfied with the existing levels of school funding. After several years of trying to bring about changes through different avenues, a group called Tennessee Small School Systems filed suit in 1988 to have the system of financing…

The relationship between school system financial and demographic data and student achievement on the science subsection of the Tennessee statewide standardized test was studied to determine if systems that served large numbers of low income students had been as successful as more affluent systems in improving student achievement. System-level data…

A pilot project in performance funding at Tennessee Tech University is described. The pilot project was part of a statewide "Performance Funding Project" sponsored by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). The Performance Funding Project was designed to improve the formula appropriations process by determining the feasibility…

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission's (THEC) use of a performance criterion in funding higher education is discussed, along with the results of evaluating this initiative. Information on program quality and improvement efforts is a factor in determining the budgetary allocation for each state institution. With funding from the Kellogg…

Public Schools for Cooperative Research (PSCR) is a school study council located in East Tennessee. The PSCR Institute is a two-year program devoted to the theme "Educational Planning, Communication and Community Decision Making." Materials included in this publication represent the views expressed by some of the consultants who…