Drawing on the recent intersection of political, literary, and feminist work provides commentary and analysis of state forms of discourse about education. Argues that the discourses of the state, as they position language, knowledge, education, identity, and gender within texts, wreak havok on people's lives. (DMM)

Lists the recommendations and rationales by eight teachers for books they use in their English classes dealing with politics, government, or public language. (KEH)

Explores policy formation in school councils and its implications for the future of educational decision making in Victoria, Australia. Focuses on the importance of agenda construction, utilizing theoretical works of Giddens, Bachrach, and others. Results suggest that human beings produce, reproduce, and transform the social realities enveloping…

Challenges the focus of the second wave of educational reform on improving teaching and teacher education as a solution to economic and social problems. Argues that urban teacher education should prepare teachers to confront the bureaucratic conditions that limit student and teacher success and encourage mutual respect. (FMW)

Contrasts the purposes and methods of government-sponsored literacy programs in Latin America, which seek to improve the lot of the poor by developing better skills, with those of popular education movements, which attempt to empower people to change social structures. (SK)

Describes how Robert M. Hutchins became the president of the University of Chicago while still in his early 30s. Points out that Hutchins subsequently became a leader in educational reform. Observes how the conflict between tradition and change manifests itself when new leadership is chosen, stating this offers an opportunity to define the…

The November 1989 amendments to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 earmarked $173 million directed primarily toward school Districts in disadvantaged areas. Attempts by some Congressional representatives and the President to interfere in sensitive local school issues (drug testing and mandated curricula) were dampened by education…

Examines the impact of "Thatcherism" on education. Evaluates both pre and post 1980s British public education. Discusses the philosophy underlying the Baker Act. Concludes that these policies fail to tackle the limits of British education, slow the modernization of curriculum, and lead to limited access to education for specific groups.…

An examination of the extent to which Peruvian universities have addressed gender issues finds (1) student politics have been male-dominated and not made women's issues primary concerns, (2) faculty are predominantly male, and (3) the education field has not adopted a feminist agenda despite greater participation by women. (Author/MSE)

Compares Australia's and Britains' higher education "binary system," consisting of university and non-university (colleges of advanced education or polytechnics) sectors. Examines problems, politics, and processes involved when institutions attempt to bridge sectors. Reviews examples of cross-sectorial amalgamation in both countries and…

The gradual shift to state control of schools has spawned unintentional results, including a negative impact on teacher autonomy and professionalism. Although states' major role should be establishing a core curriculum, local flexibility is essential for adapting school policies to varied needs and utilizing staff abilities. Local school boards…

The University of Washington has addressed its deferred maintenance needs through a strategy that includes building an externally reinforced consensus, internal monitoring, a review and priority-setting system, and a conscious budget strategy that separates needs for deferred maintenance from projects that serve teaching and research directly.…

The ways in which the University of Colorado helped to fight a statewide tax limitation measure are presented. The initiative would have severely inhibited the state's economic development and have mired the government in extensive litigation while trying to clarify conflicting interpretations of the proposal. (MLW)

Comments on the selective nature of the Thatcher government's interest in and enthusiasm for features of the West German education system. Compares Great Britain's and West Germany's systems with regard to student assessment, compulsory curriculum, school-leaving qualifications, vocational education, and centralization of authority. Contains 32…

Fundamental pedagogics, the Afrikaans philosophy of education, is an integral component of apartheid's ideological foundation, functioning both to justify and to legitimate separate educational systems. This article discusses this philosophy and the manner in which it manifests itself in teacher education and in the relationship between teacher…