Since 1988, the University of Amsterdam's Center for Professional Development in Education has collaborated with 20 schools to create the Upper Secondary Education School Network. This paper discusses network development and participants' efforts to interpret and influence government policies, learn from others' experiences, tap into expertise,…

An intercultural culture needs to be established in South Africa's public schools to achieve balance between cultural integration, differentiation, equity, and development in the post-apartheid period. Critical awareness of interculturalism and informed commitment by educators and learners is needed to implement these educational changes. (MMU)

Californians have identified the health of public education as top priority. The legislature's search for accountability (focused on student assessment) has not been based on a cohesive school-improvement model. Legislators must work with educators to reexamine the entire education system. Educators must push for rational policy. (MLH)

After developing independently of each other for centuries, European higher-education systems are beginning serious efforts to "harmonize" their systems. The goal is to promote European integration and economic growth by making academic standards and degrees compatible across national boundaries. The Bologna Declaration of May 1999…

Investigated mathematics practices of 25 elementary and middle school teachers in the context of national and state efforts to reform mathematics education. Identified distinctly different patterns of practice in response to the reforms and dimensions of practice that appear more responsive to reforms than others. Considers issues for policy…

Examines current micropolitics literature in the context of educational reform leadership. Discusses implications of disassociated research and policymaking for systemic change, particularly when macro directions meet micro realities. Conceptual pluralism in organizational research has enriched and limited our micropolitical understanding. School…

Discussion of electronic publishing and scholarly communication provides an analytical approach for evaluating disciplinary conventions and for proposing policies about scholarly electronic publishing. Considers Internet posting as prior publication; examines publicity, access, and trustworthiness; and considers the value of peer reviewing.…

Discusses the merger of FARNET (Federation of American Research Networks), a clearinghouse for tracking the development state-by-state of an information infrastructure, and NTTF (Networking and Telecommunications Task Force), which helped colleges and universities identify strategic networking and telecommunications policy issues, into a new…

Enrollment management has become an increasingly important function for colleges. Article focuses on the roles federal student aid legislation, changing student demographics, and research on college impact have played in shaping the concept of enrollment management. Colleges and public policymakers should not forget the original goal of student…

Analyzes interest groups' role within current Spanish educational policy, highlighting historical and structural factors. The historical educational dualism and political opposition between public and private education explains the emergence and political position of each education actor, and the interactional dynamics involved in influencing…

This article describes the variety and complexities of the problems facing the People's Republic of China in relation to people with disabilities. It discusses ways China is trying to deal with the problems and gives a realistic appraisal of the difficulties faced by academic, clinical, and social welfare authorities. (Contains references.)…

Explores policy development in the area of youth violence prevention, using the experience of the California Violence Prevention Initiative, a five-year effort of community action programs, policy, and research, and leadership development. The interests that were served, and the interests that should be served, are discussed. (SLD)

Rigorous evaluations of welfare-to-work programs have had a major impact on the formation of policy in the area of welfare reform, but it is not clear whether the high level of evaluation, especially with regard to randomized experiments, and impact can continue. Evaluators must strive for research methodologies that provide results for policy…

Describes how Youth for Oakland United is working for positive alternatives to crime and incarceration. It argues for a critical need for safe common spaces for teens and cites preventive measures in cities across America. It documents how research on Oakland recreation centers resulted in a successful citizen ballot initiative for youth…

Reform policy adoption and implementation is examined in the states of Colorado and Maryland. The cases illustrate how three theoretical perspectives (institutional, rational/technical, and interpretive) facilitate an understanding of policy sustainability and adequacy. (MMU)