The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) -- often called "The Nation's Report Card" -- is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in public and private schools in the United States know and can do in various subjects and has provided policy makers and the public with invaluable…

This article presents the results of the 2nd-year evaluation of an after-school program designed for an extended school day program serving African American middle school students in the city of Baltimore, Maryland (ACCESS-West). This study describes the effects of schoolwide reform especially as it relates to single-gender schools, educating…

This article discusses reasons why a number of colleges and universities are privatizing (having outside sources take over) some administrative and support functions such as publications as well as reasons why other institutions have rejected this growing trend. In each case, true costs of the change are a central consideration. (MSE)

The trend toward decentralization of academic computing is described. Causes for the trend are examined and the best approaches to management and support of computing activities in this environment are explored. The future roles of the central computing center, departments or discipline areas, and individual users are outlined. (Author/MSE)

Four major trends in corporate funding that may be seen as problems for higher education are outlined. Trends include corporate downsizing, decreased corporate giving, fewer one-time gifts, and increased emphasis on elementary secondary education. Specific examples are given of institutions turning these potentially negative trends into…

A discussion of distance education as the fastest-growing instructional pattern in the world looks at enrollment trends and the immediate concerns of the institutions, including student attrition, the need to maintain strong communication links with students, and administrative and logistical problems. (MSE)

Current issues in selecting, structuring, and implementing microcomputer database management systems in research administration offices are discussed, and their capabilities are illustrated with the system used by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Trends in microcomputer technology and their likely impact on research administration…

Thirteen trends in university computer system development are identified, system user requirements are analyzed, critical system qualities are outlined, and three options for organizing a computer system are presented. The three systems include a centralized network, local network, and federation of local networks. (MSE)

The practice of "franchising" higher education programs, or provision of educational programs through vendors, is examined as it occurs in the United Kingdom as a result of recent educational policy changes. A set of principles for assuring the quality of such programs is proposed. (MSE)

This study examined satisfaction of approximately 2,200 institutions of higher education that participated in the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs during the 1995-96 academic year. Among major findings were: (1) both Direct Loan and FFEL institutions were satisfied with their programs, although Direct Loan…

As part of a 5-year evaluation of the Direct Loan and the Federal Family Education Loan programs, 19 institutions of higher education participating in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program were visited to examine the diversity of approaches used by schools in planning for and implementing the Direct Loan program. The schools included…

This study examined satisfaction of approximately 2,200 institutions of higher education that participated in the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs during the 1996-97 academic year. Among major findings were: (1) both Direct Loan and FFEL institutions were satisfied with their loan programs, although FFEL…

As part of a 5-year evaluation of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, 12 participating institutions of higher education were visited to examine the diversity of approaches used by schools in planning for and implementing the program. The schools included public and private two- and four-year institutions and proprietary schools. Major…

A Brown University (Rhode Island) case study illustrates how colleges and universities can view Title IX, which mandates gender equity in intercollegiate athletics, not as a threat but as a means for providing opportunities to advance women student athletes; debate the meaning of equal opportunity; encourage presidents and boards to greater…

This report to the U.S. Congress reviews monitoring activities of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in regard to formula grant programs. The study looked at dates of the most recent monitoring visits to the state education agencies and calculated key steps in the monitoring process, such as the time from visit to issuance of the…