The centralized, federally controlled, public educational systems of New Zealand and Australia are in a state of disequilibrium and change. While the federal departments of education still remain the one institution in the education system capable of an informed, overall view of the entire scene, the pressures toward decentralization (including…

The last decade of educational accountability has not ushered in a millennium of professional optimism or achievement. The negative outcomes have been professional defensiveness and apathy toward systemwide efforts to make the schools more businesslike. Positive outcomes are an understanding of the professional self-discipline required in an…

This Educational Testing Service conference provided an opportunity to clarify many of the issues and problems involved with educational accountability. Among these issues were assessment, evaluation, auditing, and performance contracting. The papers included in these proceedings are: The Means and Ends of Accountability (Terrel H. Bell); Issues…

Representatives from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas discuss the issues surrounding teacher and student competency and accountability. For each state, they review legislative policies and actions and the programs of the state education department regarding the use of competency and accountability standards. The…

The ways that historical factors, public policies, and changes in higher education have influenced quality evaluation, accreditation, and ethical practices in higher education are considered. It is suggested that during the last two decades relationships between government and voluntary accrediting agencies have become alienated. Regulatory and…

The functions and structure of postsecondary education at the state level, and goals and problems confronting statewide agencies are considered. Among the state-level functions are the following: short-range and long-range planning, establishing statewide management and information systems, review and approval of programs/centers of all state…

Approaches to student financial aid that are used in Illinois are described. Illinois tries to respond to the separate priorities of guaranteeing both access and reasonable choice. Over 60 percent of students at public four-year colleges, and about 18 percent of students attending community colleges receive need-based aid. The need-based student…

While program evaluations at most community colleges provide decision-makers with tactical data relating to past or current budget and enrollment statistics, there is an increased need to evaluate programs on the basis of long-term strategic information relating to projected market forces such as the future economic health of the community or…

In the context of a high school teacher's dismissal for refusing to participate in hall supervision on ethical grounds, the author discusses the authority structure of public schools and the role and responsibilities of professional educators. Past contract conditions that regimented the private and professional lives of teachers are reviewed, as…

Federal research grant activities at the University of Rochester for the year ending June 30, 1977, during which the university received $38.6 million in grants and contracts, are reviewed. The report includes: (1) a review of the university's system for administering and accounting for these funds; (2) an analysis of selected major grants awarded…

Rates of return to state investments for two of Maine's post-secondary vocational technical institutes are presented. Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute showed a rate of return to the state economy of 12 percent; Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, 2 percent. The usefulness of rate of return analysis as a planning tool or as…

The history of Harvard Law School, a modern critique, and a proposed new model for American legal education are covered in this book by a Harvard Law graduate. Harvard Law School is called the "high citadel" of American legal education. Its admissions procedures, faculty selection, curriculum, teaching methods, and placement practices…

The State of Alaska Department of Education, through management consultants, conducted a study in eight selected school districts to ascertain the following: (1) effectiveness of vocational education programs offered at the secondary level, (2) adequacy of special education services provided to exceptional children at all levels, and (3)…

The proceedings include conference welcomes by Leon R. McCarrey and Peter J. Krueger, six papers, a list of conference participants, and proceedings of previous meetings. "Higher Education: Beacon or Mirror," by Keith Goldhammer, traces the history of higher education and its purposes, calling for renewed efforts to increase its quality…

The nature and common uses of standardized achievement tests are described and placed in context in order to evaluate claims and criticisms that are commonly made. Tests are described as samples of behavior and hence subject to sampling errors. Much of the debate is dominated by emotion and prejudices. There is very little empirical evidence about…