Thesis (Ph. D.)--Johns Hopkins University, 1912. / Vita. Published also as Johns Hopkins University studies in historical amd political science, ser. xxxiii, no. 2. Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-90).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Johns Hopkins University, 1912. / Vita. Published also as Johns Hopkins University studies in historical amd political science, ser. xxxiii, no. 2. Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-90).

Master of Science

Providing services to handicapped children is more expensive than educating nonhandicapped children. Previous studies have estimated the cost of special education to be approximately twice that of regular education. However, these studies have produced a number of problems in providing accurate cost data including a lack of data at the local level to make meaningful determinations, difficulties in treating shared and indirect costs, problems in making cost comparisons across districts, and variances in the cost of resources over time. This study evaluated the Larson (1985) model, a new methodology for calculating special education program costs, by comparing it to the Rossmiller (1970) model, a widely used method for calculating special education program costs. Judgments were made by comparing the efficiency and effectiveness of each model to the other. Efficiency was appraised byl comparing input and process considerations in computing special education program costs in a select school district in Virginia. Effectiveness was appraised by comparing each model’s ability to produce comprehensive and accurate special education program costs from the sample school district. Findings indicated that the Larson model had several advantages over the Rossmiller model. First, the Larson model was more efficient as less information from the regular budget was needed to complete indirect cost calculations. Second, the Larson model was more efficient in dealing with shared costs as they could be prorated through the use of a multiplier. Third, the Larson model was considered more accurate in its treatment of related services costs. However, several qualifications needed to be made in Judging the Larson model as a better product over the Rossmiller model. Conducting a cost determination was a lengthy process no matter which model was used and is more dependent upon the availability of data in a school district than the model used. Also, both models tended to produce similar cost figures when related services costs were taken into account. / Ed. D. / incomplete_metadata

This study compared the perceptions of members of the Virginia Senate to those of Virginia community college presidents concerning the importance of state funding of 14 community college goal areas clustered from 31 activity statements. The study sought to determine what differences existed between the two groups concerning these goals and the priorities of the two groups for funding the goals. The study also examined the effects of the urban/rural nature of a respondent’s district or service region, the length of time as a legislator or president, the geographic location of a senator’s district, political affiliation of a senator, and the size of a president’s institution on the degree of importance for funding the goals. The study found that presidents rated all goal areas higher than did senators. Both senators and presidents agreed that 13 of the 14 goal areas were important for funding. Of these 13, however, there were statistically significant differences for 7 goal areas. Senators and presidents both disagreed that the remaining goal area was important for state funding; the difference was statistically significant. Only 2 of the goal areas showed significant differences between urban and rural respondents. Of the 31 activity statements, presidents and senators both agreed that 24 were important for state funding. On 5 of the activities senators disagreed with the importance for state funding while presidents agreed. Both senators and presidents disagreed with the importance of funding two activities. Other variables showed little effect on the responses. The rankings of goal areas and activity statements by senators and presidents showed a high positive correlation indicating congruence between the priorities for funding of the two groups. The study concluded that there is much agreement and congruence between senators and presidents concerning goals for Virginia’s community colleges, with greatest support for occupational/technical, developmental studies, and transfer programs. / Ed. D.