Draws on the work of James A. Banks and adds the perspective of a cultural outsider to consider the future of the discipline of multicultural education, considering politics, technology, educational context, cultural capital, and the nature of culture. Transformative knowledge that makes its values explicit is a necessity for the development of…

Briefly discusses some of the recent developments in the on-going controversy concerning pornography and the arts. Argues that much of the mainstream press coverage merely sensationalizes incidents (e.g., "Time" magazine's cover story on cyberporn and the furor over Calvin Klein advertisements) and encourages polarized opinions. (MJP)

Discusses some problems associated with curricular matters in communication departments. Offers suggestions for dealing with the problems. Discusses departmental philosophical decisions (theory versus skills, developing curriculum, internal politics and curriculum, and curriculum overexpansion); understanding upper-level administration…

Proposes a set of questions to help educational planners develop clear, coherent concepts in policy proposals. Guidelines must be used discerningly, depending on the degree of lucidity politically feasible for particular policy situations. Planners might want to formulate deliberately ambiguous policy concepts and let precise meanings evolve out…

During the early colonial period in Cyprus, British officials ignored Cyprus's distinctive characteristics (widespread Christianity and "European" character) and pursued the universal British colonial policy of education "adapted to the (perceived inferior) capabilities and conditions of clients." By 1930, however, political…

Shows how encounters with unresponsive local school districts can lead parents to affiliate with conservative movements, describing cultural assumptions and fears underpinning the cultural and religious right, examining a textbook controversy that led to the formation of rightist sentiments, and discussing attempts at countering the growth of…

Three principles underlying Chinese academic freedom and university autonomy are discussed: (1) given the socialist nature of Chinese education, education must provide support for socialist modernization, with all activities undertaken in society's interest; (2) universities have legal status to manage their internal affairs; (3) faculty can…

Reviews the history of two-year colleges in Arkansas, discussing their beginnings in the late 1800s, enabling legislation as public junior colleges in the 1960s, expansion in the 1970s, and major changes in the 1990s. Describes current issues of concern, such as institutional mergers, local college governance structures, and state funding. (AJL)

Increasingly, African American academics are appointed to political positions in the federal government. This career path can be both beneficial and difficult, dependent on high-level political support and the party in power. Most are short-term jobs, may slow the tenure process, and can adversely affect the faculty-college relationship. Several…

Questions the validity of much current educational research in Great Britain, suggesting that researchers lose sight of the "educational" in search of the "fundable." Offers examples of how education is missing from the purposes and language of research into "effective schools" and into the "learning…

Argues that politics and ideology have clouded the debate over education policy and hindered efforts to create the quality schools need most. Questions whether scientific research can help in creating students with "higher-order thinking." Discusses the consensus of research on pedagogy, classroom environment, pace, clarity, managing and…

Details the history of California's experience with large-scale writing assessment. Describes the introduction, development, and scoring of the California Assessment Program, later renamed the California Learning Assessment System (CLAS). Discusses controversies over removal of certain writing prompts and objections to CLAS. Notes that funding for…

Summarizes recent judicial and legislative action regarding school choice programs and explains the connection between school choice and the increased discussion of federal education tax credit initiatives. A tax credit would allow beneficiaries to apply the credit amount toward yearly federal tax liability and, if the credit is refundable,…

Explores issues of academic freedom and autonomy in various systems of higher education in Latin America, with emphasis on the Brazilian case. Analyzes the issues of financial and administrative autonomy and tensions between the universities and the state during three historical periods: 1920s-50s, 1960s-70s, and 1980s-90s. (Contains 28…

Describes the present adult education landscape in Hong Kong. Explores four scenarios for Hong Kong's future arising from positive and negative outcomes in the economy and human rights. Suggests that, ironically, returning Hong Kong to a Marxist state will jeopardize neo-Marxist (critical, emancipatory) approaches to adult education because of…