Contributions to this volume present background material about the characteristics of education in Hong Kong as well as social and organizational perspectives that explore key educational issues facing Hong Kong educators. The first part of the book introduces the Hong Kong education system, while the second part deals with the organizational and…

This collection of essays draws upon research in political, feminist, theological, literary, and racial theory to examine research methodologies relating to curriculum studies. The essays are: (1) "Storying the Self: Life Politics and the Study of the Teacher's Life and Work" (Ivor F. Goodson); (2) "Curriculum, Transcendence, and Zen/Taoism:…

This paper discusses the outcomes of a study that examined local response to the implementation of the least restrictive environment (LRE) provision for preschool children with disabilities within two counties in New York State during the 1994-97 school years. Open-ended interviews were conducted with four groups in each county: Committee on…

This paper describes the environmental scan that the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office initiated in preparation for its development of a strategic plan. In this scanning effort, environment is defined as "a search for information about the system's external setting." The trends are roughly grouped into five areas:…

This report starts with a quick review of the beginning of standardized testing in U.S. schools and the reasons for growing reliance on testing. It summarizes the recent promising trends and suggests how testing for accountability could be less intrusive and provide better information about achievement in schools. The proposal for a voluntary…

Criticizes school boards as unresponsive to and unrepresentative of the communities they are expected to serve. Analyzes community demand for and board responses to school desegregation in Berkeley, California and Boston, Massachusetts. Suggests that school boards have not met parents' demands for quality education through school desegregation.…

Studies the role of mass media in the national development process. Proposes the use of metric multidimensional scaling, including economic, political, educational and media factors, between mass media and other cultural components, such as the nation-state, institutions of society (economic, educational, religious), individual self-conception,…

Thirteen evaluation methods are analyzed by orientation. Typically, clients want politically advantageous studies; evaluators prefer questions-oriented studies; audiences favor a values orientation. Evaluators must recognize the narrow scope of question-oriented studies and the perspectives of client and audience. (CP)

States that 99 percent of India's education budget is spent on formal education, which is not relevant to the needs of most Indians whose many languages and socioeconomic conditions require the traditional nonformal methods. Sharply criticizes others' emphasis on "elitist" imposition of uneconomic, one-language, formal educational…

The current troubles and complications that affect higher education are reflected in the presidential search process. Students, faculty, trustees, and other members of search committees differ on priorities. Three searches are described and suggestions are provided for creating a more effective search. (MLW)

Presents a case study of a village in highland South America to show how different segments of a society view literacy education. Topics discussed include collapse of traditional society as a result of education, values, changing economic and social conditions, the school role in creating an active citizenry, and school drop-out rates. (Author/DB)

Statistics showing that the U.S. Hispanic population is getting larger and wealthier have altered perceptions that this is a community in need. College officials, particularly in states with large Hispanic populations, are courting Hispanic business owners and establishing networks through Hispanic alumni groups. However, some fear that…

Argues that educators should provide black youth with the history of Black and Standard English and encourage them to examine these two forms critically, along with the social and political situations that created them. Young black people who know the value of language and culture will not have to surrender one of these languages. (SLD)

Argues that educational research does not support the effects of transitional bilingual education as a superior instructional practice for improving the English-language achievement of limited-English-proficient students. Real studies are needed of the effectiveness of intensive English language instruction. (SLD)

Reviews political science literature on changing state politics. A statistical analysis focuses on the relationship between changing legislative structures and higher education for all 50 states. Presents a case study of Pennsylvania that suggests a possible causal relationship between changing political structure and limitation of public…