Enrichment programs make up a small but significant part of a community college's offerings. In some cases, their impact can be enormous--especially in rural areas where a community college might be the only source of enrichment for residents. Community enrichment programs also can be challenging to administer. For instance, it can be hard to find…

The U.S. Department of Education made recent technical changes reducing eligibility for the Rural and Low-Income School Program. Given smaller budgets and lower economies of scale, rural districts may be less able to absorb short-term funding cuts and experience stronger negative achievement effects. Kansas implemented a state-level finance change…

This article focuses on the application of "Savage Inequalities"-based analyses of data from the state of Idaho with a focus on equitable rural school funding. While Kozol's famous 1991 book-length work examining school inequalities was focused on urban centers and completed several decades ago, this article offers an updated examination…

A recent survey of 41 different state boards of education revealed that officials from 28 states indicate that they are experiencing teacher shortages. The shortages in some states are significant. While the teacher shortage in many states is tied to different factors, one frequently cited reason for leaving the teaching profession is low pay.…

This study examined student access to school counselors and the link between school counselor-to-student (SC-S) ratios and student outcomes in six states in the United States. Access to school counselors was often greater for White students, but less for Asian students, English learners, or those in larger schools. In the two states with the…

The continuing shortage of agricultural education instructors has been documented across the state and nation. Secondary instructor retention may help reduce the shortage and position changes each year. Identifying the challenges facing beginning teachers as perceived by beginning teachers, veteran teachers, and building administrators can help…

On an Election Day filled with dozens of state races and ballot measures with big implications for the nation's public schools, state teachers' unions and charter school champions had plenty to cheer in the aftermath, even as tax measures that would help pay for schools suffered setbacks in some places. Union efforts were instrumental in…

To give students an incentive to work hard--and save education dollars along the way--some states are encouraging early high school graduation by ramping up curricula or giving college scholarships. As a money-saving measure for families and states, lawmakers are allowing early high school exits and providing tuition aid. The policies emphasize…

As the nation works through a lingering recession, community colleges are pulled in two very different directions. On one hand is opportunity, as skyrocketing numbers of students--some right out of high school, others eager to retool old skills or immerse themselves in new job-enhancement training--beat a path to their doors. On the other is…

As Internet technology encroached on the public school classroom about a decade ago, Kim Ross, superintendent of the Houston School District in Houston, Minnesota, saw an opportunity. At first, he and his administrative team simply wanted to offer students in the district of 1,300 access to more classes via the web than what a district that size…

One lesson to be learned from the turmoil in Idaho that resulted from the passage of a Proposition 13-like tax limitation measure is that the electorate doesn't understand the tax system. Voters seemed to want to reduce property taxes while preserving school programs. (Author/IRT)

Technology is a funding priority among federal education programs, which provide schools with networking capabilities and students with Internet access. Other programs include Star Schools (targeting underserved students), the Technology Literacy Challenge, and the 1997 Telecommunications Act providing E-Rate discounts. State technology funding…

State higher education-related referenda and 1986 voter response are listed concerning compensation of state employees, facility improvement, bond issues, English as the official state language, taxes and tax policy, lotteries for financing education, state trust funds for education funding, and governing boards. (MSE)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This June 25, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "It's OK to Say No" (Fant, Gene C., Jr.); (2) "On Your Marks"…

Idaho's patchwork-quilt way of financing schools does not provide enough stable financial resources for many rural schools. Tax levies are sometimes unsuccessful. Some rural districts have depended on forest revenues, but this source dwindled following new environmental policies. Federal legislation may return a portion of forest revenues, but…