Since a new federal policy for higher education may be formulated soon, the author notes that federal policy is necessarily political with the government having to weigh competing claims for its limited resources. Higher education, therefore, has a responsibility to unite in formulating its own policy that will be in the best interests of society.…

Introduction of experimental programs in higher education confronts faculty with problems and possibilities attendant with programmatic change. This article attempts to describe the position faculty has been placed in, as well as the kind of questions they should ask regarding the introduction of alternative study patterns. (Author)

The author contends that the prime danger posed by the trend toward greater accountability is that the responsibility for the outcome of social service intervention may have come to be seen almost exclusively in terms of worker accountability to agency management. (Author)

Campuses across the country have adopted an amazing variety of processes for resolving student discipline cases. This article compares and contrasts some of those processes and highlights strengths and weaknesses of different approaches. (Author/KW)

The current context of policy issues and limits of current state education data systems underscore the need to create new, detailed, and comprehensive school-level data systems. Such data could be used to illuminate policy issues relating to governance, resource utilization, accountability, equity, and adequacy. In this special issue, authors…

The recent examination of the curriculum and examination systems of France and the Netherlands overlooks the real process of creating a national consensus around standards in the Netherlands, balancing local autonomy and national standards. A comment by the original authors acknowledges the implications of the Dutch approach for U.S. standards.…

Discusses teachers' views on state-mandated testing. Data from a literature review and teacher surveys indicate that high stakes, state-mandated testing can lead to instruction that contradicts teachers' views of sound educational practice. Teachers feel that pressure to raise test scores encourages them to emphasize instructional and assessment…

The performance types, concerns, policy values, and models of excellence implied in higher education performance reporting indicators are identified, and the use of performance measures by two- and four-year campuses are compared. (EV)

Explores parental participation in school governance utilizing data obtained from field research in Uganda. Argues that parent perceptions of the accountability of the school affect the way they participate in education. Indicates that accountability is one of the crucial factors for realizing local democracy through decentralization. (CAJ)

Discusses decentralization as a key concern in educational planning and management in Malawi. Outlines key dimensions to decentralization: work culture, accountability, accurate and well disseminated information, provision of levels of resources, and sustainability. Concludes that two overarching issues have emerged from this study: (1) policy…

The complexities surrounding the relationship between state content standards and improvements in student reading achievement are examined. A case study of one California elementary school reveals that its ideal outcomes--use of standards in curriculum planning and improved test scores--were complex, involving district initiatives, curriculum…

Explored a teacher's perspective of the implementation of cooperative learning in elementary physical education and students' responses to the implementation into their physical education classes. Data from interviews, observations, field notes, and a teacher journal indicated that the teacher and students held similar perceptions of cooperative…

Examines changes that occurred in the governance and management of the Baltimore City Public School System following implementation of Maryland State Senate Bill 795, focusing on: the new Board of School Commissioners and key leadership staff; the master plan guiding reform; use of additional funds; supports provided by the Office of Research,…

Describes the U.S. Department of Education's Strategic Plan for 2002-2007, outlining its five objectives: (1) improving access and academic outcomes; (2) strengthening accountability; (3) finding effective funding sources; (4) strengthening minority serving institutions; and (5) enhancing the literacy and employment skills of adults. Presents…

Displays findings from a fall 2002 survey of all states to determine how they were progressing in meeting No Child Left Behind Act's list of requirements. Generally, states and local districts are stronger developing accountability systems but a significant gap remains between the federal law's demands and the capacity to meet them. (Author/MLF)