This monograph describes the system of higher education in the United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The preface points out that despite perestroika, two features of Soviet education persist, a high degree of unity and centralization and a close link between higher education and employers. Chapter 1, "Historical Overview," begins…

Reviews literature in political economics that analyzes schools' organizational performance problems and the current decline in public school support. Discusses schools' institutional frameworks, public (or collective) choice theories of political economy, citizen decisions to voice grievances concerning school system expenditures or exit the…

In England, teachers' salary structures and promotional opportunities are determined by a complex system of national law and local discretion involving formulas for school size and weightings favoring older pupils. The author traces the development of this system and considers its impact on school organization and teachers' career opportunities.…

School legislation is often designed to alter the fundamental structure of the public education system. Article describes elements of charter-school legislation and provides examples of strong and weak laws. Discusses California's experience to date with charter schools, issues to consider when assessing the implications of charter-reform…

The current condition of educational finance in Ontario and the factors influencing efforts at finance reform are examined in this report. Five key issues confronting school finance in Ontario are reviewed first: inequities caused by variations in district wealth; the failure of provincial support to keep pace with expenditures; the loss of…

This monograph on higher education in the German Federal Republic aims to describe the contemporary scene through a detailed look at structure, finance, research, studies and teaching, students, faculty, and international relations. Organized into nine chapters, the first, "Historical Development and Current Responsibilities," describes…

This paper discusses the work of the Education Trust and other teams of researchers and school leaders. If focuses on one symposium on and five research studies of high-performing, high-poverty schools. The six studies provided information about best practices in school leadership, organization, and instruction. Building on scholarship from the…

American schools, after two decades of expansion, are now in the midst of an enrollment decline and inflation. The impact of the shift from growth to retrenchment and streamlining has been severe. An effective approach to this situation requires an understanding of the new conditions and of available alternatives for action. An overview of the…

This paper examines secondary schools in countries other than the United States to show the diversity of secondary school systems that operate within the industrialized world. The six countries are Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Sweden, and Great Britain. The descriptions are organized according to country and area of focus--learner outcomes,…