Presents a study analyzing school costs under conditions of declining enrollment. Examines separating the effects of changing school size and capacity underutilization on school operating costs for secondary schools and, separately, for elementary schools. Finds that the efficient operation of secondary schools may require a larger pool of…

Reports findings of a 12-school district study examining differences in local perceptions about influences on their systems: Federal policies; State legislation; demographic trends; the local community; central offices. Presents case studies of three districts and recommendations for strengthening local capacity and sense of priorities. (KH)

Highlights data on the elementary school principal from 1999-2000 National Center for Education Statistics Schools and Staffing Survey. Includes demographics, education and experience, discipline policies, school goals, and salaries. Also comments on statistics for elementary school enrollment, minority children enrollment, history achievement…

In Britain, as in America, major birth rate fluctuations have increased the complexity of providing schooling. Declining birth rates and migration limitations since the 1960s have forced widespread school closures. This paper examines the financial aspects of school closure history and projects the future situation under the newly decentralized…

High-growth school districts can learn from Park City, Utah, about the adoption of school facility impact fees. These fees are levied against new residential units to offset the additional costs to a school district. A sidebar summarizes variation in state laws pertaining to impact fees and cites some legal challenges to their imposition. (MLF)

Survey forms sent to a random sample of 5,271 school board members elicited responses from 1,096 (21 percent) board members. Lists the demographics of school board service, the specific budget cuts board members made last year, and choices they would make if further cuts were needed in the current budget. (MLF)

Last July, the New Initiatives Division of Sandia National Laboratory, a nuclear research center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, presented its findings on U.S. education to the U.S. Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education. Current dropout rates, test scores, college attendance, educational expenditures, educator status, work…

Public education and the preservation of American civilization is keyed to the well-being of the nation's 50 largest school districts. Large urban districts are difficult to operate, serve largely nonwhite and needy populations, and are undergoing badly eroding property tax bases essential for their funding. We desperately need informed,…

High-growth school districts can learn from Park City, Utah, about the adoption of school facility impact fees. These fees are levied against new residential units to offset the additional costs to a school district. A sidebar summarizes variation in state laws pertaining to impact fees and cites some legal challenges to their imposition. (MLF)

Each year, "Education Vital Signs" takes a look at how demographics, finance, test scores, and other important school-related trends are changing across the United States. Information is presented in state-by-state charts broken down into three areas-achievement, finances, and school and classroom characteristics-across the nation's six regions.…

The Annual Condition of Education Report provides a wide range of state-level data, including shifts in student populations and demographics, teacher salaries and characteristics, student achievement results, and school financial information. A few examples of the categories presented in this 22nd edition report include: (1) Enrollment; (2) Early…

This fact sheet provides information and references on U.S. high school students and high school requirements. Statistical data covers: demographic distribution (2003-2004); number of high schools and average high school size; high school student achievement; SAT scores, 2004-2005; school funding; high school graduation rate; and high school to…

This overview of higher education in the United States is organized into two main sections, respectively headed "The Nation" and "The States." The section on national issues opens with summary statistics on higher education enrollment, expenditures, attainment, and demographics, followed by key data displayed in map form. It…

This booklet presents findings of a study that gathered information about charter schools. Representatives of more than 170 public charter schools were surveyed by mail, telephone or at national and regional meetings. Approximately 120 surveys were returned by representatives of 110 charter public schools in seven states--California, Colorado,…

From the mid-1960s to 1992, Catholic school enrollment in kindergarten through 12th grade showed consistent declines. The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) reported a 3.3 percent cumulative increase in enrollment for the years 1992-95. Although many factors affect changes in enrollment, one emerging trend is the opening of new…