The U.S. states' expenditures to nearly $31 billion in tax money mark a continuing recovery in support for higher education. Shaping this year's appropriations levels were concerns about tuition and efforts to promote economic development. (MLW)

The Southern Regional Education Board found, after examining the transcripts of 6,000 college graduates, that strengthening the general education curriculum is the key to improving teacher training, and that the states must show greater leadership in specific areas in this reform effort. (MSE)

The new requirement that Florida state college sophomores pass a four-part academic skills test before qualifying for an associate's degree or continuing as juniors is outlined, the recent history of the new regulation is discussed, and the skills tested in the program are listed. (MSE)

A national board to certify teachers is expected to be chartered by late this summer and begin issuing certificates within five years. The objective is to establish high standards for teacher competence with voluntary certification, not replacement of state licensing. The plan has received widespread support. (MSE)

Arguments between factions advocating more or less teacher education could slow down the reform process enough to allow gains in the trend toward licensing teachers lacking teacher training. (MSE)

College tuition fees have risen an average annual rate of 1% above that of inflation over a 16-year period--from 1970-86. The debate over why college costs are skyrocketing is discussed, and disagreement with Education Secretary William J. Bennett's criticisms of rising tuition are described. (MLW)

Although college finance officers are worried about the consequences of a drop in the value of their endowments because of Wall Street fluctuations, most have expressed concern about the effects on the general economy. If the nation has sluggish economic growth, the financial impact on higher education could be severe. (MLW)

The annual meeting of the College Board focused on some of the most controversial issues facing higher education including: productivity, accountability, prepaid tuition plans, Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program, and one alternative to the G.S.L.--students could borrow from the government and then pay a higher Social Security tax. (MLW)

While minority groups achieved higher scores on standardized college admissions tests, overall the average scores changed little. Both major testing services reported administering more scores than last year, suggesting a possible increase in college enrollments. These results have been both praised and criticized. (MSE)

The annual survey of college costs by the College Board is described. Students at four-year public institutions will pay 5 percent more than last year while students at four-year private institutions will pay 9 percent more. (MLW)

The state and federal trend toward encouraging parents to save for college education is praised for putting responsibility back on parents, but there is concern about the effectiveness of national or state programs to stimulate savings and about neglect of the poor in the rush to help middle-income families. (MSE)

Business schools, rich in resources and flooded with applicants, are doing little planning and are ignoring important trends. A three-year study that included visits to 60 business schools, interviews with 200 corporate executives, and surveys of 9,000 educators, executives, and business-school students and alumni is described. (MLW)

While the United States and European nations share similar goals for higher education, a recent study of student financial assistance shows they have chosen strikingly different ways to pay student college expenses. Cost arrangements are found to reflect the country's cultural roots and educational and economic objectives. (MSE)

The rapid and substantial rise in college student indebtedness has raised concern about young people's ability to repay loans and the impact on the national economy, the borrowers' economic well-being, equality of access to higher education, and even the educational process itself. (MSE)

A national telephone opinion poll has found increased popular support for federal aid to college students, especially in the form of continued federal spending on grants, low-interest loans, and aid to institutions enrolling many low-income students. Concern about the rise in college costs was also found. (MSE)