Discusses the conventional theory of free riding as discussed in economic textbooks. Argues the theory is empirically invalid, and reviews various scholarly viewpoints on this issue. Suggests alternatives to teaching current economic theory and argues that the concept of self-interest neglects the ethical issues in behavior. (NL)

Script analysis was used to identify common scenarios for administrators and teachers, demonstrating that women's undervaluation in educational administration derives partially from the dominance of the type of masculinity that is competitive, overconfident, and status conscious. Gender culture of school administration reflects the struggle for…

Schools are currently being asked to collaborate and compete with each other. Britain's 1988 Education Reform Act and the Technical and Vocational Initiative (TVEI) seem to promote conflicting school development models. This paper explores these policies' background and investigates how one TVEI cluster is responding to this challenge. Conclusions…

Research and other projects for which Congress has directed federal agencies to provide support in fiscal 1992 are listed for over 200 colleges and universities. In each case, the agencies did not request money for the projects and did not sponsor merit-based competitions to determine which institutions should get the awards. (MSE)

Israel's Sciempiad is an annual nationwide science competition for students ages 14 to 15, designed to stimulate interest in science and identify students with potential to become leading researchers. This article discusses how the selection procedure was determined and outlines steps in the selection process. (JDD)

A competitive mathematics program for deaf and hard of hearing junior high students is described. Rules for the competition were developed and a "Math Bowl" was implemented among six schools for the deaf. Sample problems are included. (DB)

This article reports on the process of developing a proficiency-oriented writing contest, as well as a system of assessment of that writing based on a set of rubrics for each level of writing. (Contains six references.) (VWL)

It is argued that colleges and universities need to understand the importance of customer service in student retention, particularly in a competitive marketplace. Customer service concepts that work in the private sector are seen as useful in higher education, and a model is proposed. (MSE)

The Australian government has formulated policies for welding the country's higher education into a unified national system as an efficiency measure. Actually, the system will not be unified; institutions will achieve standing through intense competition over scarce resources. The sectoral rivalry and institutional imitation rampant under the…

Four principles for improving the U.S. work force are (1) commitment to developing the skills of all; (2) understanding of the knowledge and skills required today and tomorrow; (3) guaranteed access to a wide range of education and training opportunities; and (4) belief in the economic importance and inherent dignity of all kinds of work and…

Professionalism and leadership are contradictory concepts. Because Maslow and Herzberg studied mostly males, they espoused motivational theories stressing achievement and competitiveness, not caring and nurturing relationships. Although women are underrepresented in principalships, they are overrepresented in successful ones. Professionalism,…

Commends journalist William Raspberry for urging less testing and sorting, more cooperation, and less competition in schools. Congress, under pressure to force schools to produce results and get rewards, should heed this columnist's advice. Although school boards are resisting an AASA measure (H.R. 3320) to reform local and state education…

Team tennis programs offer campers an equal chance to share the responsibilities and excitement of team competition, fostering feelings of self-esteem that can lead to remarkable changes in behavior. Recommendations cover organization of a team tennis program, conducting matches, and program adaptations for special circumstances. (LP)

Under a new cost-management plan at the National Institutes of Health, overhead rates charged on research grants, as part of the total project cost, could be a determining factor on "marginal" proposals. Some feel universities will learn to be more economical; others feel the policy penalizes one group of universities. (MSE)

Presents three exercises that deal with issues in communication: (1) icebreaking techniques for seminar groups, including individual, pair, and small group formats; (2) a workshop that stresses cooperative groupwork, including competitive teams; and (3) a workshop that encourages assertiveness in learning situations and discusses submissiveness,…