In education policy, as in many other policy fields, well-designed policy reforms may fail to get enacted because policymakers may suddenly become confronted with a public backlash against their reform agenda. Thus, understanding the dynamics of public opinion is important in order to be able to assess the chances of successful reform. There is a…

In this article Pat Bacon, President of the Association of Colleges, discusses the estimated 200 million British Pounds cut to colleges' adult course budgets. With no flexibility to transfer money from one budget to another, colleges are having to face up to course closures and the threat of redundancies. Bacon contends that it's time ministers…

"National CrossTalk" is a publication of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The National Center promotes public policies that enhance opportunities for quality education and training beyond high school. The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher…

At the heart of progressivism is the belief that government--not big government, or small government, but effective government--has a critical role to play in ensuring the well being of its citizens. Public spending serves an important function in pursuing economic growth objectives while ensuring that gains are widely distributed to promote…

These self-instructional resources have their origins in a workshop on the Costs and Financing of Open & Distance Learning which took place from 6-10 August 2007 in Gabarone, Botswana. The workshop was sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) with the overall aim of building capacity to plan, negotiate and manage appropriate financial…

Reports results of a 1990 survey of 33 British university libraries regarding current funding patterns. Following a discussion of recent political and funding trends in higher education and major issues facing university libraries, data are provided on student enrollment, number of academic staff, payroll and nonpayroll budgets, and acquisitions…

Patterns of government financing of universities and institutional finance in the United Kingdom were studied. Formulas used in allocating resources for administration, services, salaries, maintenance, facilities, and equipment are reported in some detail, and funding patterns are illustrated in charts. (MSE)