Describes an outcomes accreditation study of 27 schools, undertaken after the 1985 North Central Association Commission on Schools' (NCA COS) two-year development pilot project on the same subject. Predicts that NCA COS will keep governance of the outcomes process at the local level, with peer review by visiting teams remaining an integral part of…

Reviews contemporary theorizing on school leadership, highlighting transformational styles, and overviews (British) governmental policies for school leadership and improvement. Reviews current research on primary heads' views of the headship. Although the primary headship is being transformed, it is not becoming transformational. Policymakers have…

Reviews developments in technical and vocational education in South Africa: National Qualifications Framework, Curriculum 2005,and enterprise development. Addresses issues of articulation, funding, and market responsiveness. Concludes that practices might be imposed from above and government agencies do not yet have the capacity to develop and…

Compares the concepts and goals of affirmative action in the U.S. and South Africa. Examines positions on equity and affirmative action expressed by various South African educational-policy documents and government officials. Presents case-study data on affirmative action and institutional change at four South African universities. Contains 25…

Reviews and discusses the process that the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) engaged in to develop their current policy on accented or dialect inflected speech to educate and assist its members and others with such speech who may be subject to discrimination in educational programs, employment, or delivery of services. (Author/DB)

Explores the nature of a synthetic review of research. A review is "gatekeeping, policing, and productive rather than merely mirroring." A review can inform analyses of policy areas as it recognizes and fosters quality published work. The critical review can provide a basis from which new work can spring. (SLD)

In 1992, the Further and Higher Education Act unified higher education in England, Wales, and Scotland, ending the "binary policy" that sustained two separate sectors with different missions, funding arrangements, and institutional titles. This article explores factors leading to this outcome and some consequences. There was no grand…

Based on interviews with state-level policy makers in six states, examines the policies of charter-school reform, arguing that the bipartisan support for these schools masks often-opposing viewpoints regarding the purpose of the reform. Identifies three salient and conflicting themes that emerge from the policy makers' explanations of their…

Educational philosophy can contribute only modestly to educational policymaking. However, educational policymakers must acknowledge the extent that the content and context of their work is saturated with philosophically oriented assumptions, concepts, beliefs, values, and commitments. Philosophical illumination is needed, but how much? (Contains…

Reviews existing legal guidance and precedents for governing boards of colleges and universities considering extending or denying domestic-partner (both homosexual and heterosexual) benefits. Considers work force demographics, legal issues, examples of policy implementation, and long- term financial impact of such policies. (DB)

Redesigned five displays for communicating results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1994 reading assessment using principles developed by H. Wainer (1997). Responses from 10 educators show more accurate and faster responses to questions asked after the redesign. Discusses implications for information communication in…

This overview of the Irish educational system examines vocational education and training, the role of the European Union, legislative measures, and institutional reforms. The following challenges are discussed: economic infrastructure, skill shortages, and the inclusiveness of the educational system. (SK)

Argues for what activist technical writing research might look like, lays out an understanding of institutions that is helpful for influencing public policy, and illustrates promises and problems of both positions by using a case study focused on local HIV/AIDS policy making. Suggests that professional writing researchers can impact policy by…

As principals become more accountable for student achievement, evaluation policies and procedures should be carefully crafted. Evaluation should focus on school improvement, be performance-based and aligned with job junctions, define performance expectations, promote buy-in and collaboration among administrators, promote growth and improved…

Discusses efforts to enhance connections among schools, homes, and communities and suggests some major implications for the changing role of school counselors. Emphasizes the role of policy in successful collaborations and urges policymakers to support the development of appropriately comprehensive and multifaceted school-community collaborations.…