With all the economic pain and consternation--surging unemployment, enormous corporate bankruptcy, trillions becoming the new billions--it's easy to overlook the fact that tens of thousands of families have suddenly lost a great deal of the money they socked away to pay for college. They lost it because public officials told them to risk their…

The Morrill Act of 1862, signed by Abraham Lincoln, established the land grant university with a Solomon-like simplicity: the federal government would deed large tracts of land to establish public colleges in each state. These institutions would then train young citizens in agriculture, forestry, mining and the mechanical arts--fields tied…

The United States has begun a $75-million program to promote democracy by supporting Iranian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). That program, coupled with loose talk about regime change from members of Congress, commentators close to the administration, and individuals within the administration, has fed a sense of vulnerability and paranoia…

New federal spending on student aid is unlikely to improve college access. The increase in access in higher education in America largely came before massive federal involvement in student financial aid programs. Evidence suggests that federal subsidies for student aid may be counterproductive. Modest provision of financial assistance serves to…

The "lifeline" concept proposes subsidizing access to the information superhighway for economically disadvantaged persons. Government intervention is necessary to prevent gaps, but right of access at an affordable price is no solution; lifelines should not be tied to a specific technology; and incentives to telecommunications providers…

A history is given of actions leading to the award of a differentiation grant to Trent University (Ontario). Advantages and disadvantages of this type of grant are discussed, and the grant's effect on institutional autonomy is investigated. (CJB)

Discusses how President Clinton's view of citizenship is flawed, leading to his attempt to recast big-government programs, such as AmeriCorps, as instruments of individual and community empowerment. The debate over school lunch funding is offered as an example of Clinton's refusal to turn over power, responsibility, and resources to local control.…

This article examines the question of whether arguments can be made for government support of the arts in a democracy in the absence of massive popular approval for such a policy. It is concluded that although some grounds for government funding in the absence of popular approval exist, they entail negative consequences for the arts. (JDH)

The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act seeks to expand access to postsecondary education by recognizing the changing demographics of the campus community and by increasing potential funding for crucial programs. Other major changes enacted during the reauthorization process are discussed. (MLW)

The article examines issues in inservice teacher training in special education in the United Kingdom in light of the implementation of "Grant Related Inservice Training" (Grist). It also looks at recent inservice innovations including the trend toward modular courses to gain qualifications at varying levels. (DB)

Argues that the economic trends of the past decade have led to the entrepreneurial nonprofit organization, with strengthened management, redesigned financial systems, revenue-producing ventures, and partnerships with the corporate world. Successful strategies used to meet the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations, including libraries, are…

This paper recommends that the federal government take steps to reassert the sense of partnership and common purpose that undergirds college finance in the United States by enacting an old idea that never had become a reality. The original authorizing legislation for the Pell grant program envisioned direct institutional grants to colleges that…

This paper discusses the role of child care providers, child care resource and referral (CCRR) agencies, community-based organizations, and other advocates in responding to market rate surveys of the cost of child care in their community. It focuses on how these groups can increase reimbursement rates and rate ceilings that are set by state and…

In an analysis of the National Endowment for the Arts, which represents the national government's direct involvement in support of the arts, the author considers that agency's impact, its policy changes, its funding priorities, and its politicization since 1965. (SJL)

Financing higher education is a four-way collaboration between the government, state and federal; the students and their families; the private sector; and the higher education institutions. Placing the entire burden of higher education on one of these parties is unreasonable. (MLW)