Teachers' unions are formidable foes of meaningful education reforms. Their control of education results from nearly four decades of political power during which they have pressured lawmakers and school board members to shape education policies, laws, and contracts in their favor. The resulting frustration of long-ignored parents is manifesting…

Analyzes whether giving up studies in higher education is considered a pivotal point wherein an educational career may change course. Reveals that in Finland the status-oriented inheritors of the societal elite do best on the higher education internal and external transfer market. Raises questions about equality between educational units. (CMK)

Describes the efforts of Iowa's community colleges to meet the need for highly skilled, well-educated workers who can help the state sustain growth, retain companies, and fend off stagnation. Programs developed include partnerships, the establishment of the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program, and the Accelerated Career Education Program.…

Asserts the need for a universal system of credentialing across the nation's community and technical colleges. Suggests that professionally recognized skill certifications are being demanded by employers, and that community colleges will do well to respond. Proposes the development of a national/state credentialing system based upon industry…

Examines the role of transnational institutions (particularly the European Commission and committees of the European Parliament) in facilitating the mutual recognition of professional qualifications among members of the European Economic Community (EEC). Discusses relevant EEC directives, varying compliance among nations, and six cases of citizen…

Discusses community college involvement in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS) as an example of how federal and state workforce policy impacts publicly controlled institutions of higher education. Discusses the challenges faced by JOBS in an era of devolved responsibility for funding from federal government to states.…

Discusses the role of labor markets, markets of degrees and qualifications, and the market of educational services in relation to higher education reforms in central and east European countries as well as Russia. Finds that the markets' pressure on higher education limits access to quality higher education while enrollment is growing. (CMK)

Provides an overview of the inequalities of access to higher education in Greece at the national level showing patterns of differentiation between the scientific disciplines and between occupations in the labor market. Offers the "Indices of Educational Opportunities" to show the patterns of student distribution in universities and other…

American higher education continues to expect college presidents to take on an extraordinarily broad array of responsibilities, although the complexity of each responsibility has grown considerably. Many institutions give up on their presidents too quickly, never gaining the benefits that accrue from a longer tenure; most presidents serve less…

Compares and analyzes job advertisements for catalogers and reference librarians in academic libraries from 1971 to 1990 to trace the impact of automation on job requirements and qualifications. Findings indicate that computer skills are needed, and there are more entry-level jobs being posted for both groups. (Author/JMV)

Suggests that changes in employment brought on by the information age will force a reevaluation of the nature of education. Argues that the nonprofit civil sector, or the "Third Sector," will become crucial in providing employment. Proposes that community college service-learning programs will be crucial to future job-training efforts. (MAB)

Responsibilities and relationships of professional and paraprofessional library staff are changing as a consequence of societal, educational, and technological forces. These changes are having lasting impact on organizational structure, particularly in the face of increasing service expectations and higher costs. This article contains suggestions…

Considers how school library media specialists can help students develop the knowledge and skills to help find success and satisfaction in the workforce. Discusses attending school beyond high school; the relationship between level of education and salary; high school students who work part time; and the role of the humanities. (LRW)

In 1999, the percentage of low-wage workers in rural areas was higher than in urban areas or in 1979. The share of women and minorities in low-wage work stabilized, but the share of White men increased. Low-wage work increased in higher-skilled occupations, and the share of college educated low-wage workers increased significantly since 1979. (TD)

Analysis of longitudinal data on the employment histories of 1,386 women from age 16 to 28 found that mature women's labor force attachment was influenced by the timing, amount, and volatility of their early work experience, as well as by educational attainment, race, and giving birth. (Contains 58 references.) (SV)