Investigates educational interest group use of courts to force educational decision makers to implement policy changes in Canada. Results show that all five preconditions for establishing a new third judicial level of educational policymaking have been met. Many interest groups excluded from the policymaking process have the political will and…

Attempts to characterize broadly the two conflicting visions that appear to dominate U.S. society today: the "Traditional America" vision that has evolved from the Judeo-Christian culture; and the "New America" vision shared by groups of people who believe themselves oppressed. Comments on the conflict of these visions on U.S.…

Suggests using political fiction in teaching government or politics. Observes that many political novels reflect their authors' political philosophies and that good fiction about the U.S. political system is not easy to find. Provides an annotated bibliography of leading works of political fiction. (SG)

This special issue on international perspectives on educational restructuring focuses on cross-national analyses of the experiences of Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, and the United States in seeking appropriate allocations of authority over education given their current circumstances. (MLF)

Compares the Chicago School Reform Act of 1988 with the English Education Reform Act of 1988. Explains the source of authority for school-based management in each setting and examines six common themes. Emphasizes the conflict between the concepts of the professionalism of teachers and client empowerment through enrollment choice or…

Presents five articles (by administrators, faculty, graduate students, and writing center personnel) written in response to the "Progress Report from the CCCC Committee on Professional Standards" as well as the "Statement of Principles and Standards for the Postsecondary Teaching of Writing." (SR)

Examines decentralization of the development function in research universities and the impact decentralization has on the balance of power among university academic leaders; the ability of universities to set their own priorities; the communication between academic units and the central development office; and the relationship between faculty and…

Responses from a survey of university sociology departments in 1979 (n=111, 93 percent) and 1984 (n=134, 91 percent) identified predictors of higher representation of women faculty: institutional prestige, research orientation, large size, public sponsorship, nonurban setting, and faculty growth. The political economy of a department is a…

Argues that U.S. schools are much better than they used to be. Lower SAT scores are because of more minorities taking test, and minorities have historically scored lower. More people are receiving an education than ever before. Contends that school choice is simplistic response to education problems, and solution is collaborative intervention by…

Charles Sykes' book "The Hollow Men: Politics and Corruption in Higher Education" is criticized as overreacting to trends in higher education and the college curriculum but also seen as potentially prompting educators to ask questions about the dominant politics on their campuses. (MSE)

A review of Charles Sykes' book "The Hollow Men: Politics and Corruption in Higher Education" focuses on the portion that chronicles the political history of Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) from 1769. It is found to be a comprehensive analysis of the college's decline resulting from a "radically politicized and…

The North American Free Trade Agreement and internal changes in Mexico will promote change in Mexican higher education. Higher education in the United States can and should play a supportive role in helping enrich Mexico's intellectual life and research, which would in turn benefit U.S. interests as well. (MSE)

Highlights ideas of Paulo Freire that are relevant to the meaning of democratic teaching. Freire believes that the traditional curriculum leads teachers and students to conform, and he advocates "conscientization" or a democratic approach to teaching in which the learner actively participates in understanding and defining the personal…

Religious fundamentalists are joining forces with taxpayers, senior citizens, and other conservatives to win seats on local and state school boards and reshape educational policy. School board elections offer an easy entry to politics. Christian fundamentalists target multicultural curricula, independent thinking activities, sex and AIDS…

Problems in the financing of higher education in India, particularly in the large proportion of costs borne by the government, are examined. Several policy proposals to remedy the problems, including privatization, are critically reviewed. It is concluded that there is a need for experimentation with a number of alternatives. (MSE)