Higher education should respond to the accreditation crisis by making evaluation/accreditation sector-specific, developing a common sense of mission and standards for each sector, working with the federal government to define a supportive federal role, structuring the evaluation/accreditation process to stimulate institutional change, focusing on…

A Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) professor comments on the value of study abroad programs, not only for students but also for faculty. Issues for the institution to consider in designing an overseas program are discussed, including academic purpose, costs, unique administrative problems, implications for tenure-track faculty, compensation…

In an interview, Mernoy Harrison, the chairman of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) board of directors, discusses the issues he will address, the association's role in professional development, association image, the need to achieve more efficiency and productivity in college administration, and…

Asserts that school violence is a major educational problem and reflects the increased violence in society. Examines responses by administrators and boards of education to school violence. Categorizes school policies regarding violence into deterrence, prevention, and treatment and discusses their effectiveness. (CFR)

Reviews strategies used in the Columbus (Ohio) public schools to ensure that central office staff would be effective and supportive in implementing systemic reform. The implementation of the Effective Schools Process in the schools created a shift in the decision-making locus from the central office to local school sites. (SM)

A discussion of the performance indicator system used at the University of Wisconsin to provide feedback to stakeholders and encourage continuous improvement of services includes background on the system's context and development, legislative and governing board involvement, resulting recommendations, and three examples of specific accountability…

The process of reengineering the administrative information system at the University of Idaho required careful planning, development of a set of philosophies, and several strategies for ensuring success. The latter included a humorous symbol (a jitter bug) to express concern, improved institutional communications, and a focus on logistical issues.…

This study surveyed 201 teachers in schools belonging to the American Association of Christian Schools to identify the greatest problems within the conservative Christian school movement. Teachers cited salaries as the most pressing problem, followed by difficulties in school administration/operation and concerns about spirituality. (SM)

Reports on the results of a study of business undergraduates in Australia that was conducted to determine whether or not perceived knowledge of software, microcomputer experience, overall knowledge of computers, programming experience, and gender were predictors of computer anxiety. Use of the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale is discussed.…

This article argues that the concept of the college student as consumer, and adoption of quality assurance approaches embraced by business, are alien to the nature of higher education. Academic peer review is seen as more appropriate to the university culture and more comprehensible to teachers and researchers. (MSE)

Discusses changes in academic libraries shifting from collection-based to access-based measures of effectiveness and considers the role of library administrators as change agents. A competing values framework of organizational and managerial leadership performance is presented, and a user-centered model of organization is discussed. (Contains 13…

Examines issues of leadership as they relate to the new organizational structure in the University of Arizona library precipitated by the current economic crisis, changing information technology and automation opportunities, and changing user needs and expectations. Implications for user services are discussed, including needs assessment and…

Asserts that the Russian educational system is facing a crisis of confidence among its teachers and students regarding employment opportunities after leaving secondary education. Calls for educational reform in curriculum and instructional methods that can provide periodic retraining as economic changes occur. (CFR)

Maintains that, over the past 25 years, Native Americans in Canada have managed to gain control of their own educational systems. Contends that, with the current political structure, achieving and maintaining continuity and stability is difficult but not impossible. (CFR)

Reviews educational reform efforts in Israel. Identifies mechanisms that constrain reform in a centralized educational system. Contends that successful reform implementation requires responding to client needs and efforts to unite both political interest groups in support of reform policies. (CFR)