David Blunkett's "Review of Education Structures" for the Labour Party recognises that there is a chaotic and unsatisfactory situation in the English education system but its response is ambiguous and self-contradictory. Its proposals seek to normalise and regulate rather than remedy a system in which lack of democratic accountability,…

A healthy registrar's office will continue to evolve as it considers student, faculty, and institutional needs; staff talents and expectations; technological opportunities; economic realities; space issues; work environments; and where the strategic plan is taking the institution in support of the mission. Several recognized leaders in the field…

The author gives a personal account of campaigning on fair admissions and the importance of Admission Forums and some of the responses it has generated along with the ConDem Coalition response--or lack of it. (Contains 3 notes.)

This article points out that, in the United Kingdom, parents have a right to state a preference for a particular school which is not the same as a right to choose. (Contains 1 note.)

It might seem axiomatic that the character of a university's academic experience would be reflected in the character of its admissions processes. Unfortunately, it is not--at least, not in the world of continuing and adult education. Universities that offer rich academic programs, high-quality student/faculty relationships, and top-quality…

England's new School Admissions Code endorses the use of lotteries to admit students to oversubscribed schools. Is this endorsement wise? This article argues that lotteries make decision-making without regard to reasons possible. This sanitizing effect is desirable in order to protect against bad reasons. This effect could make at least four…

There is no problem with colleges and universities trying to raise enrollment through encouraging student participation in athletics. However, the author questions the integrity of the recruiting and admissions process if institutions do not openly share their strategies with prospective students and parents. That includes being truthful regarding…

States that the process for college admissions has become stressful for students, families, and counselors. Discusses the process from different perspectives to determine if there are better ways to accomplish the steps involved. Examines issues of early decision, use of college rankings, making admission policies available on the web, helping…

Discusses Georgia's problems regarding admission criteria for postsecondary vocational programs. Describes the process used to select an admissions test--the Career Planning Program. (JOW)

Argues that the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an irrelevant concern because colleges, as a result of declining enrollments, are admitting a very high percentage of their applicants. Questions the predictive ability of the test and urges that other methods of evaluating and defining ability be found. (IRT)

College admissions officers rely heavily on recommendation letters in order to distinguish among qualified students. Advises high school advisors to view themselves as anthropologists in the field, observing and carefully documenting seniors' participation and personality from an objective rather than subjective standpoint. (JPS)

Defends the exam school concept. Using Boston Tech as an example, argues that clearing the admittance-exam hurdle motivates students. Views the magnet school concept as an idealistic vision that Boston has not accepted. (LHW)

Federal court intervention to make Boston Latin School a magnet school rather than an exam school was beneficial to the life of the school. Academic elitism cannot be reconciled with the imperative to eliminate racial dualism. (LHW)

Given the difficulty of admissions decisions, admissions officers must use all of the information they can secure to evaluate a student's potential for graduate study. The various admissions procedures and uses of standardized tests in the 10 schools of the University of Virginia are described. (Author/CM)

Notes the importance for independent schools of recruiting minority students, points out barriers (including school inaccessibility and expense and parents' fear of rejection), and recommends that schools decide their goals in recruiting minorities. Lists recruitment resources, including associations and sources, and discusses recruitment methods,…