A comparative case analysis of four urban school districts--Baltimore (Maryland), Dade County (Florida), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), and San Diego (California)--studied the effects of fiscal capacity and local interest group organization and influence on district program compliance and the degree of integration of federal categorical aid programs into…

Outlines sources of fiscal strain on state and local governments (including tax base deterioration, services demand, unemployment, laws and regulations, unionization, and fiscal limitations) and sketches ways to balance their budgets. Discusses implications of fiscal problems and Reagan Administration programs for education and the overall federal…

Reviews the history of federal involvement in education before 1870, using recent research and methodology and a model of "crescive" (growing by increments) versus "enacted" (rationally created) institutions. Notes federal decisions regarding financial aid, land grants, military training, American Indian education, federal education agencies, and…

Contrasts the earlier federal emphasis on fiscal and regulatory aspects of federal aid with the focus of the "new federalism" on educational excellence and greater state and local control. Profiles several programs initiated by the Houston (Texas) Independent School District to improve educational quality. (RW)

A survey of 70 universities in 15 countries concerning the use of performance indicators is reported. The indicators being used are classified, their use in internal and external decision making is analyzed, and some of the most frequently used indicators are examined in detail for their construction and problems of use. (MSE)

West German use of performance indicators in higher education administration was studied in terms of differences between politically expressed intentions and actual application of the measures in institutional planning. Resource allocations was examined as one area of divergent developments. (MSE)

Problems and failures in the use of performance indicators are examined, and it is concluded that problems of organization and reluctance to use the measures will not be solved by introduction of new indicators, but by construction of appropriate management and organizational structures. British and German experiences are discussed. (MSE)

Finland has developed a national computerized database containing information on the performance and costs of universities for use in internal and Ministry of Education decision making. National evaluation of different research fields is also part of the performance evaluation system. (MSE)

A discussion of performance indicators and their use in the United Kingdom examines the basic data from which performance indicators can be assembled, distinguishing input and process variables controllable by management from uncontrollable background variables. Problems in application of performance indicators and the potential for their future…

Performance indicators can be significant tools for the Dutch government to focus attention on institutional output, define shared goals more exactly, and improve accountability while allowing for increased institutional autonomy. (MSE)

Ohio has begun statewide use of performance indicators in higher education to strengthen selected university programs, attract better faculty and students, leverage additional federal and private financial support, increase Ohio's visibility, and help higher education resolve state and broader social problems. (MSE)

The potential contributions of computers to college instruction, academic support services, and administration are examined, hardware needs and options are discussed, and a solution involving the integration of campus communications and computing functions using both mainframe and microcomputers is illustrated in one institution's system. (MSE)

Understanding the issues involved in the diversifications of missions and functions in higher education requires (1) distinguishing between vertical and horizontal diversification, either between or within institutions and (2) identifying the agents and mechanisms causing diversification within different higher education systems, including both…

While institutions and systems of higher education in different countries have much to learn from each others' experiences in this period of substantial educational change, each must also be careful to examine its own conditions, needs, and mission before adapting further to competitive pressures. (MSE)

The author describes the 1987 exchange program "Women and Appropriate Technology." The program concentrated on appropriate technology in relation to rural women. She also describes a pilot appropriate technology project carried out in Kenya that involved the construction of three community buildings (a laundry and two bathrooms). (CH)