Survival of predeominantly Black colleges in the higher education system is advocated in arguments for an educational balance. The goals of Black colleges are cited, and the encouragement of non-Black students to attend is seen as an attempt to teach other institutions how to become pluralistic. (JMF)

Since World War II, US higher education has enjoyed a broad public consensus about its basic goals, values, and methods. That consensus is breaking down; and to preserve the best of higher education's heritage, the central tenet of the old consensus, that college opportunity should be as widely available as possible to those who could benefit,…

Describes socioeconomic conditions in Ecuador challenging optimal child development. Describes operation of a preschool in a poor neighborhood and discusses visits to an orphanage and to a special education facility during collaboration with the parochial leadership, medical personnel, and educators in the town of Quito. Reflects on successful…

Argues that five decades of international development assistance have prevented the people of Africa from achieving post-colonial self-reliance. Stresses that cuts in economic, social, and educational opportunity are reducing the quality of life. Concludes that aid inspired capacity building initiatives have undermined essential routines and…

This paper challenges British proposals to concentrate research funding in select universities. Such a policy would reinforce social inequalities of opportunity thus frustrating the purpose of widening student access. Quality teaching, especially in the social sciences, requires teacher engagement in research. Universities should reappraise the…

Reports on two studies about vocational training in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Finds that there is no uniform system of vocational training, but there are distinct segments with different objectives and different quality. Predicts that the West German system of vocational training will experience a loss of effectiveness unless it…

Examines history and nature of U.S. educational reforms and restructuring. Discusses implications for rural schools of restructuring, changing educational policy, and funding policies. Suggests restructuring can imply values of local control, community involvement, limited bureaucracy, and educational innovation toward raising school…

Describes the structural changes in the adolescent phase of young people in the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Analyzes the change in the transition process from adolescence to adulthood over the past 60 years. Discusses the implications and results of these changes. (RW)

Building on previous data, researchers used West Virginia school district data to investigate the value of examining structurally determined opportunities and costs to explain high school students' dropping out. The study interpreted dropping out as a rational consequence of students' assessments of the opportunities and costs associated with…

The affirmative action efforts of the College of Engineering at the University of California Davis campus demonstrate affirmative action at its best. Eight programs are described that represent positive and constructive affirmative action that gives women and minorities the opportunity to advance through hard work. (SLD)

Presents an analysis of research findings on the long-term benefits of desegregated schooling on the educational and career advancement and adult social roles of African Americans. Evidence points to the continuing importance of desegregation as a crucial link for African Americans and others to the processes that lead to greater participation in…

In two rural isolated communities in Appalachia and northern New England, differences in local economic opportunities and social capital have produced different social contexts, which vary in extent of social stratification and stigmatization and isolation of the poor. Interviews with low-income women reveal community differences in opportunities…

Controlled choice is a student assignment plan that divides a city into zones within which students may select a school to attend as long as balanced racial ratios are maintained. It is seen as an equitable way of deploying common community educational resources to guarantee student diversity and school improvement. (AF)

Argues that adult education in Scotland is increasingly subject to a marketplace model that treats people as individual consumers who make rational choices about education on the basis of quality and price. Claims that this model is flawed from the perspectives of learners, educational providers, and professionals and results in policies that…

Includes 19 requirements prepared by the National Coordinating Committee for Technology in Education (NCC-TET) to ensure that the national information infrastructure (NII) provides expanded opportunities for education and training. The requirements, which cover access, education and training applications, and technical needs, are intended as…