This volume focuses on school finance challenges in large urban school districts, fiscal accountability in these schools, and the fiscal dimensions of urban school reform. The 12 papers are (1) "School Finance and Urban Education Reform" (Christopher Roellke and Jennifer King Rice); (2) "Can Whole-School Reform Improve the…

This book presents 15 papers on charters, vouchers, and public education: (1) "Introduction: A New Direction in Public Education?" (Paul E. Peterson and David E. Campbell); (2) "Charter Schools: Taking Stock" (Chester E. Finn, Jr, Bruno V. Manno, and Gregg Vanourek); (3) "School Choice in Michigan" (Michael Mintrom…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of competition on learning motivation among Chinese students in a classroom setting. The participants (N=52) were 7th-grade students from 2 Hong Kong secondary schools in a middle-lower class neighborhood. The students were randomly assigned to either competitive or non-competitive…

This monograph on charter schools and reform contains four chapters. The first chapter ("The Unfinished Goal and the Role of Interest Groups") discusses the history of the charter movement, its role, benefits, shortcomings, and the opposition to the movement from teacher unions. Charter schools have attracted support across the political spectrum…

In this paper we draw on data from a large mathematics competition, for the years 1987 to 2000 and use two different but closely related measures to investigate possible gender differences in performance. Our analyses revealed that small gender differences in favour of males persisted but had decreased over time. Consistent with reports from…

This monograph suggests that many of the fundamental aspects of the design and delivery of education are changing radically. At the same time, three forces are converging to destabilize educational institutions: a new generation of learners is rewriting the rules of service, technology is opening new frontiers, and a new breed of competitors is…

Four resegregation processes (norm-referenced testing, classroom grouping, classroom competition, busing rates) reinforce in student status relationships the stratifying effects of an Anglo-dominated school environment. These processes were studied using data gathered from case studies of 10 desegregated elementary schools in California in…

A study is described that shows how three different social theories might explain the growth of vocational interests among undergraduate students during the 1970s. Changes in undergraduate degree choices between the years 1970-71 and 1977-78 are described for all students and for men and women considered separately. (Author/MLW)

An alternative view to a 1979 study on institutional quality done by Astin and Solomon is presented. The study indicates significant changes in rank have occurred among the 25 most selective four-year undergraduate institutions. Kuh proposes naturalistic inquiry research. A rebuttal by Astin is appended. (MLW)

The constriction in career opportunities has increased competition in academe. Strategies, moves, and maneuvers toward advancement and promotion are offered. Included is information on relating institutional goals to personal goals, career planning, and dossier building. (Author/JMD)

Employee assistance programs at colleges and universities are increasingly called on to mediate in department politics and faculty disputes. Issues treated include competition among faculty, elitism, alcohol and drug abuse, favoritism, and work-related stress. Defusing personnel problems before they escalate has proven to be a good institutional…

Examines the various coping strategies that competitive adolescent athletes use to deal with errors, penalties, and unpleasant comments from spectators. Identifies and discusses four coping strategies: avoidance, approach, task-focused, and emotion-focused. Briefly reviews the literature on coping and the results of a survey of Australian…

Discusses the use of microcomputers in the construction and operation of business and management games and proposes changes in the conceptual framework within which games are designed. Topics discussed include the dynamics of business games; the use of graphical displays; simulation of competitor strategies; networking; and software integration.…

There is a strong potential role for land-grant institutions, to provide technology education programs and outreach to industry. There is also a role for the federal government in stimulating, assisting, and coordinating a nationwide network of regional, state, and local programs for technology development and industrial extension. (MLW)

Eleven articles discuss informational and educational programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Some of the areas discussed include scientific and technical information management, the new Space and Earth Science Information Systems, transfer of technology to other industries, intellectual property issues, and the…