Abstract
The Problem. This study dealt with how selected Southern California school districts expended funds in the pre-1982 categorical programs and how they expended the funds after the implementation of block funding. The study was further concerned with what plan school districts had for categorical programs with the enactment of the federal and state block grant legislation. Research Methodology. The research methodology was the use of structured interview with a pre-interview guide sent to project managers and school site principals. The sample included 10 districts and 18 individual schools. Additionally, 90 questionnaires were sent to determine how districts and schools utilized instructional aides in their classrooms. Findings. (1) Project managers and principals, with only two exceptions, would employ more aides or increase their hours at the elementary level if they had the money. (2) Project managers and principals would keep Chapter I and II separate in the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act and would keep requirements and restrictions. (3) Project managers and principals had few specific changes in expenditures of funds if restrictions were lifted. (4) Suggested changes if restrictions were relaxed: (a) Eliminate paper work and reviews of programs. (b) Increase capital outlay expenditures. (c) Institute computer assisted instruction laboratories. (d) Allow project personnel to work with all students; no restrictions. (e) Structured, released time programs of teacher in-service. Conclusions. (1) The expenditure, under Chapter I of ECIA, for salaries and benefits for classrooms aides was the largest item and appears it will remain the largest, in support of the hypothesis. (2) The idea of block granting of funds under Chapter II of ECIA and the State of California SBIP appear to have little affect on changes in expenditures of categorical funds. Recommendations. (1) A formalized study of the value of instructional aides, in the elementary classrooms, and their affect on student learning should be undertaken. (2) Regulations should be relaxed to allow latitude in the areas of salaries, hours and hiring or dismissal of instructional aides, the largest expenditure category in projects funding.