Western Europe's demand for quality higher education at lower cost is discussed. It is argued that the criteria for quality are determined by external interests, including governments looking for economic development through an improved labor market. The situations in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are considered.…

The most effective colleges and universities in the next few decades will be those able to adapt to a changing workforce and shifting demands of business, political, and other environments. Effective institutions will build effective management teams, create new change strategies, focus on quality, and demonstrate learning from history. (MSE)

Survey of 233 Missouri trade/industrial and health occupations teachers (72%) and interviews with teachers and administrators showed serious concern for delivering employability and basic skills. Many directors may be unaware of teachers' concern for broader perspectives in vocational education. Dissonance between personal convictions and ability…

There have been fundamental changes in demand for and supply of teachers in Western Australia in recent years. Influences include increased high school retention, parent preference for private schools, falling teacher salaries, fewer students attracted to teaching careers. Attention to increasing the teacher supply is needed. (MSE)

Urban-biased perspectives have distorted debates concerning agriculture in rural schools of less developed countries (LDCs). Pervasive measurement biases have rendered women's household labor invisible in LDCs and treated their vocational preparation as inconsequential. Early American land-grant college research, education, and extension services…

Describes a study of the interorganizational arrangements involving community colleges that result in exemplary job training and job creation outcomes. Applies a case study approach and a hypothesized model of the linkages between population, industry, and occupational characteristics; and workplace and marketplace conditions to analyze five…

Reports on a study of data from the March 1980 Current Population Survey about the impact of the number of high school diplomas and their value in the labor market. Finds that, although traditional economic models suggest that a large number of diplomas diminishes their value, the queuing model shows that it could be an asset. (CFR)

Describes the development of the educational system in the landlocked African nation of Botswana from its independence to the present. Contends that the nation's economic progress is tied closely to the educational system. Concludes that, although still facing many problems, Botswana has been able to create an effective educational system from the…

Compares student reactions to a videoconferencing-based course with reactions to a traditionally delivered course in training and human resource development. Overall, responses were similar; however, students in the traditional classroom were more likely to agree that the instructor used class time effectively and that the instructor allocated…

A response to an article on multiculturalism and the status of community languages in Australia looks at the situation in Singapore, in which the government created policy supporting development of selected languages, and examines the positive economic consequences of the policy. Effects on educational and manpower policy are also considered. (MSE)

Describes how education and training providers can use organizational assessments to pinpoint a company's performance problems and deliver training services to help solve them. Assessments also help instructors understand the business context in which their company customers are operating, and to learn and use that business' particular "language."…

Presents an annotated bibliography directing readers to additional publications about urban education, addressing four issues of particular importance to today's urban community colleges and their nontraditional, underprepared student body: workforce preparation, institutional assessment, English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and remedial education,…

Highlights findings from the literature on management development experiences that influence women's advancement. Discusses results of a study of 27 female managers about their participation in management development. Describes four human resource development (HRD) initiatives with the potential to enhance women's management development: training,…

The Rural Community College Initiative challenges colleges in economically distressed regions to become catalysts for economic and community development and improved access to education. Led by college-community teams, the 24 sites have experimented with strategic approaches that include leadership development, entrepreneurship education, small…

This study fills a gap in the current HRD [human resource development] literature of return on investment (ROI) analysis of technology-based learning interventions. Using a Type IV control group method as defined by Wang (2002), the study empirically analyzed and measured the learning effectiveness and the business impact of an e-learning system…