Gives historical background of basic writing. Contends that elite language instruction has included some and excluded others. Discusses "tracking." States that formal education offers a top-down, business-oriented agenda: basic skills, vocationalism, work discipline, and citizenship. Considers basic writing a containment track below…

Examines the long and conflicted history of the writing center. Argues that it is paradoxically the very marginality of the writing center that offers its workers the chance to serve not simply in a regulatory or supplemental fashion, but also to begin to form alternative and perhaps even liberatory modes of teaching. (SR)

The evolution of the college open admissions policy since 1870 is described. In 1870 the University of Michigan faculty were authorized to inspect feeder secondary schools and waive entrance examinations for qualified candidates. This led to a liberalization of the subjects acceptable to major institutions as college preparatory courses. Another…

New York City's public high school was born in the City of Brooklyn and carried to the merged City of Greater New York in 1898 by William H. Maxwell, first City Superintendent of Schools in New York City and former head of Brooklyn's schools. Under his direction, high school enrollments grew ten-fold between 1898 and 1914 to nearly 63,000…

This book is intended to be both a biography of an extraordinary woman and a historical account of events leading to Open Admissions within the City University of New York (CUNY) in 1970, wherein every graduate of a New York City high school was guaranteed a place within the CUNY system. The book profiles Mina Shaugnessy, who devoted her…

The founders of General College, at the University of Minnesota, established the school in 1932 out of a belief in democratic access to higher education, the need to simplify the academic bureaucracy, and the desire for a liberalized curriculum. During its first 13 years, the college assumed and maintained three basic priorities: open admissions,…

The history of the first public co-educational liberal arts college in New York City, from 1930 to the present is examined as a reflection of American higher education during this period. Part 1, "The Early Years," discusses how free education came to Brooklyn, life in the Borough Hall district, the academic scene, student movements, and…

Outlines the historical roots and purposes of the community college, from its development in the United States to the present system in Canada. Describes briefly each purpose of the community college: preparation for advanced study, occupational education, general education, guidance services, continuing education, and community services. (MF)

A personal account of the years 1970 to 1979 at The City College of New York is presented in the form of memoirs of the eighth president of City College, Robert E. Marshak. Topics discussed include: the history of City College, urban higher education, open admissions, the liberal arts, ethnic studies, professional training, biomedical education,…

Describes the background of Nevada's university and community college system, relating its struggles with the community, politics, and funding. Discusses the founding of Great Basin College in Elko County. Describes the development of college governance policies and institutional missions, touching on vocational programs, distance education, and…

The paper is a supplement to an earlier paper in the same series which reviews Danish higher education until 1977. Expansion in higher education in the last 20 years, approaching the scale of mass higher education, culminated in a crisis in 1977. At that time, a trend toward self-government and participatory governing boards was seen as the end of…

An unofficial history is given of the Open University in England. Its intent is to recreate the atmosphere in which the institution was conceived and organized. First the main events of 1963-1969 are summarized. Separate sections are then devoted to events in 1970 and each subsequent calendar year through 1975. Milestones are noted, and the…

The political dynamics surrounding the adoption of an open admissions policy at the City University of New York (CUNY) are discussed. Analysis of the case of CUNY also provides a basis for considering the politics of structural change in American higher education. It is suggested that when Chancellor Albert Bowker took office in 1963, he followed…