This paper presents a discussion of strategic planning within social institutions and provides a planning agenda that focuses on modern trends, forecasts, and projections. First, the background of the strategic planning process is reviewed, and historical changes in the nature of modern technology are delineated, including a transformation in…

Discusses these changes in mental health care: patient needs and service utilization; purchasers of care; changing attitudes toward health care; relief or palliation of symptoms; performing life tasks and meeting role requirements; security, protection, and sustenance; and personal potential, satisfaction, and happiness. Concludes changes will…

An approach is proposed whereby all institutions in a state higher education system may proceed to plan for the year 1990. The approach incorporates two major planning tools--Delphi and Multiple Scenario Analysis--and shows how a structured process can help an institution to generate alternative views of the future. (MLW)

This report provides a comprehensive look at the external environment impacting Los Rios Community College District (LRCCD) (California). It summarizes the social, economic, and political changes at the state and national levels, in general, and in the Sacramento-Yolo Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA) served by LRCCD, more…

Understanding the link between futures research and strategic planning is crucial to effective long-range planning and administration. Current trends and the latest developments in the methodology of futures research are discussed. (MLW)

Concerning the nature, longevity, and quality of vocational agriculture programs during the next 10 years, teachers should consider these four questions: (1) Whom will we serve?, (2) how will we serve?, (3) how well will we serve?, and (4) how will we be led? (LRA)

This brief article introduces several papers originally presented at a symposium responding to the Institute of Medicine's 1995 report on the current status and future needs of dental education in the United States. It notes the range of reactions to the original report ranging from mostly positive support to caution and disagreement on some…

Discussion of statewide planning for higher education in South Dakota begins with background information on South Dakota's political and educational environment, then reviews the roundtable process that led to specific changes over the last five years, including increased efficiencies, change from formula to base-plus budgeting, and enhanced…

In November 1996, the voters of Montgomery County approved by referendum an amendment to the County Charter that changed the County Council's review and approval cycle of the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) from an annual to biennial cycle. The referendum specified that in odd-numbered fiscal years (on-years) the County Council would…

The concept of fuzzy time series is introduced and used to forecast the enrollment of a university. Fuzzy time series, an aspect of fuzzy set theory, forecasts enrollment using a first-order time-invariant model. To evaluate the model, the conventional linear regression technique is applied and the predicted values obtained are compared to the…

This issue of Capital Ideas reproduces, in an abridged form, the first chapter of a new book titled, "Financial Planning Under Economic Uncertainty", in the series, "New Directions for Higher Education." The chapter reviews the macroeconomic environment at the start of the 1990s, with particular focus on the problems facing…

School districts must analyze demographic data carefully if they hope to deal effectively with changing enrollment patterns. Sources of relevant data include local planning boards, utility companies, government records of vital statistics, carefully conducted school censuses, and municipal records of housing construction and property transfers.…

The author reports findings of his study, "The Strategic Context of Education in America--1985 to 1995," which forcasts trends and developments that will effect American education. He recommends innovations in public education to support the transition to knowledge-based production. (Author/CH)

Increasing demands for accurate forecasts in such areas as student enrollment, energy expenditures, and facility capacity are placing new demands on the institutional researcher. A variety of forecasting models and methods are available, all to be used with caution in long-range forecasting. (Author/MSE)

Discusses these trends in mental health services: cost control and financial retrenchment, policy influence and funding, shift of long-term care responsibility, expansion of private health care market interest, and change in characteristics of mentally ill. Recommends information enhancements, market potentials, alternative organizational…