Adoption of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1992 formalized a significant shift in federal financial aid policy from grants to loans. A case study of the federal policy-making process and the effects of incremental and fragmented decision making, this legislation illustrates how shifts in the power of actors and constraints in the…

The origins, function, and projects of the Executive Advisory Board on Higher Education (EAB) in Baltimore County (Maryland) are described. The board brings together local government leaders, business executives, and higher education administrators to address issues of mutual concern. Lessons learned in this experiment in regional cooperation are…

A discussion of secondary education curriculum reform, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe, examines potentially conflicting concerns characterizing the current reform debate: stronger national policies alongside calls for curricula responsive to local needs; broad versus core curricula; central versus decentralized control of assessment;…

Reviews ethical implications of administrative decisions. Presents several cases to illustrate the potential conflict between the political (doing things right) and the ethical (doing the right thing). Presents a model that helps the administrator identify the extent to which administrative dilemmas impinge on moral considerations. (KW)

This article discusses England's national strategy to improve the quality of gifted and talented education. The strategy includes: intensive area-based programs through localized excellence initiatives; a regional dimension through "GATE A", the new gifted and talented education arm of the London Challenge; and resources for student,…

This article argues that by making the general curriculum the reference point for all considerations, the proposals set forth by the President's Commission in "The New Era: Revitalizing Special Education for Children and Their Families," are devoid of all considerations of individual differences. It questions the validity of scientifically based…

Considers the relationship between knowledge production and primary education policy making in Bangladish. Investigates the discussions and dialogues between policymakers and researchers. Assesses the implications of the relationship between policy and knowledge production for strategies to introduce university primary education. Argues there has…

A case study of a state advocacy group identifies four advocacy phases: educating all about the legislative process, building relationships, getting technical help, and setting goals; gaining recognition and learning to compromise; following a victory by publicizing the benefits and developing regulations; and maintaining relationships and…

A review of 2001 state policies on gifted education found that states varied on their definitions of giftedness. Twenty-seven mandate full or partial gifted education, 9 require an individualized education program for gifted students, but only 4 require gifted students and children with disabilities to be identified, located, and evaluated…

A study analyzed characteristics of 392 University of Dayton (Ohio) students borrowing through the Perkins Loan Program to discover their relative impact on loan default behavior, and developed a model to help predict individual potential defaulters. Financial aid policy recommendations aimed at reducing default costs at the institution are…

Discusses violence in the workplace and suggests a three-tier approach to dealing with violence in libraries that focuses on personnel issues: (1) preventive measures, including applicant screening, supervisory training, and employee assistance programs; (2) threat management, including policy formation and legal action; and (3) crisis/post-trauma…

A qualitative evaluation of the system for appraisal of headteachers in the United Kingdom identifies strengths and weaknesses of the approach taken and directions for future policy development. Data came from interviews with 15 headteachers. Inadequate resources, appraisal criteria, and performance standards hamper the evaluation system. (SLD)

Presents a conceptual framework considered necessary for social scientists and policymakers in designing and implementing fair and effective affirmative action programs. It defines and contrasts affirmative action with equal opportunity and argues why affirmative action is necessary if organizations are to be fair. Supportive empirical literature…

Applying item response theory, and the Rasch model in particular, to measure trends and examine policy coherence in state education reform shows a change in the picture of state leadership and a generalized pattern of policy making among the states. Using item response theory in policy analysis is explored. (SLD)

Alongside increasing demand for faculty to do more teaching, research, and community service, there is increasing pressure to improve the quality of academic work. The relationship between quantity and quality of academic work is complex, and achieving higher quality requires that academics, administrators, and funding bodies have a better…