In response to changing government philosophy concerning higher education, including increased institutional autonomy alongside greater pressure for accountability and internal renewal, Dutch universities have developed a system for external quality assessment under the aegis of the Association of Dutch Universities. Its evolution and results to…

The quality assessment process for Australian universities is examined, including its impact on quality improvement, whether judging quality at the institutional level is too coarse a measure to give accurate results, some alternatives, and whether the whole institution approach may lead to greater external interference in institutional affairs.…

Examines issues in institutional autonomy of universities, including necessary limitations on autonomy and alternatives to government-controlled constraints. Notes five forces (competition, public opinion concerning educational quality, consumer power, the need to serve multiple constituencies, and multiple-source funding) that may exert…

Suggests that increases in state control necessitate new governance skills of community college leaders. Examines various state organizational structures and the nature of state control, emphasizing legislative intervention, state involvement in operational matters, and state-level governing boards. Feels that state coordination can enhance…

Concerns arising from the substantial changes in Australian higher education in recent years are discussed, including system centralization, elimination of the binary system, institutional stability, underfunding, and system size. A new fee-based funding system is proposed as a means of raising revenue, improving quality, promoting efficiency, and…

This document presents policies and guidelines adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education for the registration and voluntary recognition of nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. The policies and guidelines are advisory and request what is considered to be desirable action. The document first provides definitions of nonpublic school,…

In the next century, universities must remain or become the forums for reflection. Major aims are to achieve true democratization, promote access to higher education, and preserve and strengthen quality. The university must continue to adapt to and introduce change as it has in its long history, but without neglecting all the elements that make it…

Institutional, foundation, and professional association administrators and state and federal policymakers outline potential improvements in public higher education and research policy. They include adjustments in research emphases, improved educational opportunity, upgraded academic standards, more consistent research and general support, and more…

This collection of articles addresses ways in which community colleges can maintain institutional integrity while at the same time adapting the colleges' mission to a changing environment. The following articles are included: (1) "The Search for Mission and Integrity: A Retrospective View," by Jennings L. Wagoner, Jr.; (2) "Maintaining Open Access…

This report provides an overview of Singapore's strategy for human resource development and the country's concerted effort to successfully orchestrate the many separate initiatives between 1960s to 1980s into an effective market-driven, three-tiered higher education system emphasizing technology and modernization. The study highlights the…

The papers in this book reflect current debates on academic standards and quality assurance, and speak from the perspective of institutional leaders and national quality bodies and higher education researchers. Included are reports on the progress of several international quality initiatives and studies on the impact of external quality assurance…

This report of Virginia's Commission on the University of the 21st Century first examines the changes occurring within Virginia in its transition from an agricultural/industrial state into one heavily involved in information and technology. Next, the need to increase literacy in mathematics, science, and technology is discussed, as is the need to…