An expansive study shows how politics can work for, not just against, efforts to improve America's schools. The education reform project has always been about making America's schools more effective for the children who attend them. In "Making Politics Work," authors Paul T. Hill and Ashley E. Jochim show that this project cannot succeed…

In the post-Apartheid era South Africa's universities have faced serious questions about the quality of their student learning in the face of near impossible challenges. The University of Cape Town, widely seen as the country's leading higher education institution, has shown remarkable resilience, however, in the range of initiatives it has…

With the pool of high school graduates decreasing, national and global competition increasing, and the need to invest in new technologies and approaches growing, many universities and small colleges alike are struggling--not just to thrive, but to survive. In this challenging environment, mergers and consolidations are often viewed as options of…

Student mobility to and among higher education systems in Asia has reached unprecedented levels. In particular, inbound and outbound student mobility creates twin challenges--growing diversity in host countries and brain drain and circulation for sending countries--that have significant implications for growing intra-regional mobility,…

In spite of soaring tuition costs, more and more students go to college every year. A bachelor's degree is now required for entry into a growing number of professions. And some parents begin planning for the expense of sending their kids to college when they're born. Almost everyone strives to go, but almost no one asks the fundamental question…

Outlines the problems of students with dyslexia and the history of the recognition of the problem. Includes a detailed list of symptoms that may indicate dyslexia is a problem for a student. (MD)

Reviews the history of grade repetition as a remedy for inadequate student achievement, examines recent trends in grade repetition policies, cites research findings relating to the effectiveness of grade repetition, clarifies the responsibilities of school personnel in making grade repetition decisions, and discusses alternatives to simple…

For the 3 school years beginning in 1983 and ending in 1986 an average of 57,000 students in grades 1 through 8 of the public schools of Louisiana was not promoted annually to the next grade. The annual rate of failure ranged between 11.37 and 12.24 percent of the student enrollment. This study, which provides a look at the nature and scope of…

The stakes for California's schools and students have never been higher. More than 1,600 California schools are now on a statewide "watch list" for failing to meet new federal standards, a number that is expected to triple in less than 5 years. Many of these schools face federal sanctions or even takeover by the state. This year's high school…

Four case studies of failed efforts to increase diversity on college campuses are explored. Examples demonstrate the need to gain commitment of faculty and staff, the need for administrative leadership to take risks, the need to find constructive ways to resolve differences, and the need to anticipate consequences of minority recruitment policies.…

Reports on an eight-year longitudinal study of Dutch children on the relationship of the development of reading ability in primary schools with general academic success. Finds that young children with reading problems in primary school keep them throughout their educational career. (CFR)

The main reasons that students drop out of high school are poor grades, family problems, and financial problems. The school reform movement may compound marginal students' difficulties and cause more students to drop out. (MD)

Merit pay plans for administrators do not work in school systems in which the governing board is elected from among lay people. In 1979, the Brewster (New York) Central School District developed an administrator merit pay plan. The goal of the plan was to implement changes and programs which would reflect the needs of the community as interpreted…

Education is an investment in human potential which effects economic prosperity. The high rate of failure for students in public elementary schools from eight large school districts in Louisiana is alarming. Averaged over the school years 1983-1984 to 1985-1986, the percentage of failures in grades 1 through 8 ranges from 6.65% to 17.6%. The state…

This book on the topic of flunking and grade retention comprises the following articles: (1) "Introduction and Overview" (Lorrie A. Shepard and Mary Lee Smith); (2) "Grade Level Retention Effects: A Meta-Analysis of Research Studies" (C. Thomas Holmes); (3) "Repeating and Dropping Out of School" (James B. Grissom and Lorrie A. Shepard); (4) "A…