Explores critics' challenges to orthodox social science inquiry in educational finance, arguing that the Brimelow-Hickrod debates may inadvertently be more focused on tactical means and short-term risk shifting than strategic ends and long-term commonweal. The field's analytical tools may lack a sophisticated understanding of uncertainty,…

Five articles critique various aspects of the information policies and practices of the Reagan administration. Areas discussed include management of the Freedom of Information Act, the use of national security arguments to restrict access to information, Congressional access to Executive Branch information in the Iran-Contra affair, and policies…

The reasons for Canada's declining foreign student enrollment and the problems encountered by the students who do come to study in Canada are outlined, and the research needed to better inform policy-making are discussed. A University of Alberta survey of international students illustrates the usefulness of such research. (MSE)

A report entitled "Meeting the National Need for Minority Scholars and Scholarship" is discussed. The report found the federal government had been "ineffective" in helping to solve the problems faced by minority scholars. Recommendations include: faculty members should reach out to minority scholars and serve as mentors, etc.…

Discusses educational development in China, examining two divergent educational systems: education for the disabled and education that promotes athleticism. Examines social and political context within which educational policy is formed and enacted. Analyzes new boundaries of educational specialization and diversification. Observes trend toward…

Describes and comments on rationale for moral education under socialism in Soviet Union. Discusses current Soviet children's literature as attempt to systematize and coordinate moral education and political socialization in elementary and secondary schools. Cites evidence of reconstructionist ideology in curriculum and planned educational…

Presents ideas concerning the art-as-center and art-as-means dichotomy, European heritage, the art and humanities relationship, and the economic context. Synthesizes some of these ideas and makes recommendations about priorities for policy work. Suggests that both the graduate research establishment and the professional organization need to look…

The history and impact of the University of New Brunswick's 1983 French Language Policy, calling for courses to be offered in French in a number of disciplines, are discussed. Despite unanimous support by the deans and a large population of eligible students, courses continue to have low enrollment. (Author/MSE)

Two decades of research into educational production function have revealed that variations in school expenditures are not systematically related to educational background, teaching experience, or class size; nor are better teachers paid more than lesser ones. School decision-making must move away from input directed policies to ones providing…

In forming local or regional consortia, campus libraries will face not only some compromises with respect to campus policies but also a multitude of decisions relating to broader consortium issues. The Oakland Library Consortium in Pittsburgh is discussed. (MLW)

Discusses the importance of competitiveness to the American economy and examines three areas where federal information policies affect American competitiveness: providing the private sector with technical information; making federal information resources available to industry; and restricting foreign access to those resources. For each area,…

African university research is rarely used by policy-makers in the development planning process because there is mutual suspicion between the university and government, there is a dichotomy between university-based researchers and the rural populations intended as the beneficiaries of development, and research is seriously underfunded. (Author/MSE)

An update on legal aspects of drug testing in the workplace looks at pre-employment screening, reasonable suspicion testing, routine testing in periodic physical examinations, random testing, and unionized employers. Practical guidelines are given for minimizing obtrusiveness, confirmatory tests, laboratory selection, notification of policy,…

Discusses how to shape the policies, launch the programs, and harness the resources for convincing ordinary people throughout the world to change in response to environmental crisis. Provides many political examples. Lists three references for further reading. (YP)

Describes the process by which librarians at the Chevron and Gulf Oil Corporations managed the merger of corporation libraries and developed a framework for a company-wide library network. The discussion covers corporate policies for information exchange, shared resources, and cost control, and examines factors that led to the success of the…