Characterizes the whole language movement in terms of its philosophical, political, and curriculum assumptions and consequences. Also, praises the movement for the good it has done; points out problematic features of the movement; and evaluates the likely legacy of the movement.(BB)

Interview highlights with board members who are also teachers indicate that, although teachers are demanding a greater say in school operations, they are not necessarily using access to school board seats to attain it. (MLF)

Discusses historical and legal analyses, as well as work in organizational theory and decision-process research, about church-state controversies within school districts. Discusses the political systems model and the decision-process model as pathways to problem analysis. Considers the institutional response of five California school districts.…

Reports on a month-long visit to South African alternative educational programs which are filling the gap between the official computer curriculum and the potential power of computers for writing and publishing. Describes how progressive South African educators use the computer as a tool for empowerment and to subvert the established curriculum.…

Appraises community education as an approach to reforming local educational politics. The bureaucratic system of school governance is unresponsive to the multifaceted educational needs of contemporary communities. As parents regain a meaningful role in determining school practice, the community education process will restore their lost sense of…

Contrasts New York City community school boards with other New York State school boards. Discusses the special relationship and shared responsibilities between the community boards and the New York City Board of Education and the Chancellor of the New York City school system, and the rules governing board members. (FMW)

The American Association of University Professors' collective bargaining office and Collective Bargaining Congress are described. Their program includes services designed to prepare collective bargaining chapters to effectively address resource allocation issues that will be determined in contract negotiations. (MLW)

Presents a historical overview of selection mechanisms determining admission to higher education in Hungary. Discusses traditional centralized control of society and education, shifts in university admission criteria from family background and financial position to political reliability to knowledge and competence, and current trends. Contains 30…

Results of a comparative case study of four states (Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas) revealed the existence of identifiable sociopolitical systems (policy domains), at the state level, for determining teacher education standards. State systems for the governance of teacher education are described with regard to participants and how…

Most school systems can cut the costs of many of their programs and operations and thereby save an imperiled program or uncover funding for new or expanded programs. Presents examples of creative cost-cutting in plant operations and maintenance, administration, employee benefits, transportation, and teacher employment. (MLF)

A 52-item survey sent to 2,197 school board presidents was responded to by 1,217 (55 percent) of the executives. The results suggest that the longer they serve on school boards, the more inclined the presidents are to follow their superintendents' lead and the less inclined they are to support school reform. (MLF)

Assesses the role of the composition director in writing programs. Argues that the composition director should be a tenured professor and should possess full administrative control over all aspects of the writing program. (RAE)

Describes a collaborative qualitative evaluation of a school-based curriculum project in an Australian elementary school that combined ethnographic, illuminative, and naturalistic methods. Examines the political processes that facilitated and impeded the evaluation process. (FMW)

Summarizes the topics covered at a seminar for rural librarians in Australia that focused on practical solutions to the problems inherent in being physically and professionally isolated. Areas discussed included education and training, communication and networking, and library management and services. (10 references) (CLB)

Describes a university-sponsored school improvement project and how it is influenced by school community relations. Suggests an alternative model of schooling that conceives of the school as a community institution, accepts conflict between school and the larger society, and acknowledges communities' efforts in devising their own political…