The author raises questions in analyses of educational policy issues and suggests possible answers to them. The questions concern the nature of changes in the educational system from a given proposed policy change, the magnitude of such change, and the length of time needed to secure the anticipated magnitude of change. Competency-based education…

This volume is one of a series of NIE sponsored studies, intended to inform the forthcoming congressional debate over the renewal of ESEA Title I. This study reassesses current compensatory education policies as well as alternative Federal strategies. The body of the report has three sections. The first describes the need for and the limits of…

Two witnesses presented testimony: Dr. Michael Kirst, School of Education and Business Administration, Stanford University; and Dr. Stephen Bailey, chairman, Policy Institute, Syracuse University Research Corporation, and Regent of the State of New York. An article by Dr. Kirst, "Delivery System for Federal Aid to Disadvantaged Children:…

State policymakers have the following options in attempting to ameliorate the high school dropout problem: (1) additional money; (2) general aid or targeted aid; (3) incentives or mandates. Research findings on the effect of each of those options are summarized and suggestions for state policies are made. (PS)

The president of the American Council on Education accused the Reagan Administration of encouraging unregulated pursuit of self-interest and diminishing the commitment to the overall social good by excessive support of national defense and decreased support of education. (MSE)

This guide was developed to encourage community organizations to employ public engagement strategies in the context of school finance litigation taking place in their states. While litigation may at times seem daunting and complex to non-lawyers, there is much that community-based organizations concerned with education reform can do to become…

Every Year, thousands of American children enter school already behind. Although most Americans are aware of that fact, what they often don't know, is that instead of organizing our educational systems to make things better for these children, we organize systems of public education in ways that make things worse. This report is unique among…

Despite wide publicity and common usage, the concept of skills shortage has different meaning to different people depending on their perspective. Understanding the different concepts of skills shortages, their measurement and the causes of skill shortages is important if sound policies are to be developed in the areas of employment, education,…

This report examines shifts in the amount and composition of school spending growth over the 1991-96 period by analyzing expenditures in nine representative urban and suburban school districts. Major findings are: (1) the share of spending on regular education is shrinking; (2) special education funding grew to 19.0% of all school spending; (3)…

Examines Kenya's policy concerning growth and development of higher education over the last 20 years. Concludes that Kenya has problems of infrastructure quality and physical plant similar to those of other Sub-Saharan African countries, that resource allocation policies are inconsistent, and that expansion should be guided by popular demand for…

A qualitative evaluation of the system for appraisal of headteachers in the United Kingdom identifies strengths and weaknesses of the approach taken and directions for future policy development. Data came from interviews with 15 headteachers. Inadequate resources, appraisal criteria, and performance standards hamper the evaluation system. (SLD)

Four forms of funding universities (capitation, categorical, initiative, inventive) in Australia are examined for their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. The option of using these funding mechanisms for allocating resources within individual universities, based on performance, is explored. Finally, use of the four kinds of funding…

The Dutch binary system of higher education and trends toward increased vocationalism are discussed. The article notes the governmental policy to encourage the technical and natural sciences and explores new relationships between the university and higher vocational education sectors. A policy of parity in resources with clear distinction of the…

Financially, the 1990s will probably not be as good for higher education as the 1980s were. All those who set policies affecting higher education--federal government, states, and institutions--must change their policies and attitudes about spending in response to the slowdown in revenue growth. (MSE)

Gwent Education Authority (Wales) evaluated its policies, procedures, administration, and financial arrangements for students with special educational needs. The evaluation found a lack of a clear policy statement on pupils with special educational needs, inconsistencies in criteria for starting formal assessments of special educational needs, and…