This document contains the 11 issues of the newsletter "Rural Policy Matters" published in 2001. Issues examine recent educational research on small and rural schools; report on court litigation related to rural school finance, local advocacy efforts in support of rural schools, and the condition of rural school facilities; outline policy issues…

This booklet aims to help concerned citizens change laws and school funding systems to improve equity and adequacy for rural education programs. It will help readers gather the information they need, evaluate its meaning, put it in context, establish networks with others, and work with their legislatures and courts to solve the problems. Chapter 1…

This report describes Austin, Texas' Austin Interfaith, which connects community institutions that can support families (e.g., schools, congregations, and civic organization) and builds the capacity of family members to participate fully in the economic system. Viewing schools as key neighborhood institutions, Austin Interfaith works directly with…

With federal funds accounting for only 7% of public elementary and secondary education revenue, funding responsibility for K-12 education is split primarily between state and local governments. Since the 1980s, state governments have generally assumed primary fiscal responsibility, with local governments supplying the rest of the necessary…

Vermont's Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1997, "Act 60," was designed to rectify inequities in the state's funding of public education, as determined by the Vermont Supreme Court. This report examines the degree to which Act 60 has improved conditions over the last 5 years, focusing on the 3 main equity goals of Act 60 and the…

This chapter examines the main challenges that rural school districts face in school facilities funding and illustrates these problems with a case study of Arkansas. Most rural school districts serve only a small number of students, which tends to limit the funds available for construction or renovation. In addition, rural districts are likely to…

The 1992 Tennessee Education Improvement Act resulted from a successful law suit by smaller and poorer school systems in Tennessee concerning equity of funding. The Act established the Basic Education Program (BEP), which increased the state sales tax rate, shifted state funds from better funded to poorer school systems, and required systematic…

The degree of inequality of selected fiscal variables between a big city school district (the school district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), and the top spending school districts in the same state was studied across time. Comparisons were made on the basis of size and location of districts and the following variables: expenditures, wealth, local…

A teacher who has taught in two Chicago high schools chronicled in Jonathan Kozol's "Savage Inequalities"--an alternative Westside high school and an affluent, suburban Eastside school--ponders benefits of teaching on both sides of the economic chasm. Although inner-city problems often stem from parents lacking power and expectations,…

Explores 1990s educational equity issues and implementation challenges, including outcome measurement, the accountability-governance relationship, resource implications, the need for integrated children's services, and necessary role changes for teachers, administrators, and parents. Summarizes recommendations of a New York State Equity Study…

Summarizes recent developments in educational adequacy and finance-equity court cases around the country, highlighting the differences and the relationship between traditional finance-equity claims and more recent educational adequacy claims. The most sweeping decision occurred in Alabama; a state trial court will monitor mandated reforms in…

According to the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997), education of disabled children should produce outcomes akin to those expected of "regular" students, and disabled students should be educated with other kids. Implementing inclusive programs will require visionary leadership, educator collaboration,…

A study of resource distribution in California's public schools found that average class size differs little across schools; however, teacher preparation and high-school curricula (particularly advanced-placement coursework) vary considerably. Schools serving more disadvantaged student populations receive fewer resources, including highly…

This book, which is based on several first-hand studies, provides an overview of professional and continuing education in Hong Kong and examines selected issues in the field. The following chapters are included: "Preface" (Lee Ngok, Agnes Lam); "Introduction" (Lee Ngok, Agnes Lam); "The Role of Government in Human Resource…

This is a statistical report for the fiscal year 1993 for Texas public and independent institutions of higher education. Listed first are all institutions of higher education in the state including universities, health-related institutions, community colleges, senior colleges, and junior colleges. A section on enrollment offers data on 5-year…