Declining academic standards will not improve unless institutions of higher education reject the new form of relativism, which continues to be the prevailing educational philosophy. Examples of declining standards are reported, and educational philosophies and the phenomena which encourage the persistence of the current ideology are examined. (JMD)

The Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) is a private profit-making corporation chartered by Congress in 1972 to create a secondary market for Guaranteed Student Loans (a program established by Title IV-B of the 1965 Higher Education Act). Sallie Mae's job is to help lending institutions thaw frozen cash and make more loans. (BM)

Open University students, adults in working life, are given several opportunities to mark stages in their progress during each course by graded assignments and final examination. One course teams' introduction of two-stage assignments is reported that includes an optional non-graded first stage. (Author/LBH)

Comment is offered on John Silber's proposed Tuition Advance Fund, under which a student could borrow to meet college costs and repay over a working lifetime in installments geared to income. This and the tuition tax credit approach are discussed in terms of the federal role in financing higher education and student access and choice. (LB H)

Examines the challenge faced by Australian Universities and Colleges of Advanced Education following publication of the Report of the Committee on Open University to the Universities Commission in 1974. Considers existing external studies programs, the importance of independence as a learning "mode", an experiment in community education,…

Proceedings of AACRAO's 63rd annual meeting cover: admissions criteria for impacted programs; transfer credits; financial aid issues; federal aid; nontraditional credit from external degree programs or noninstructional institutions; and a status report on the CAEL consortium. (LBH)

Describes a 1975 impact study designed to assess credit by examination as a vehicle for the professional development of a sample of 730 Florida teachers who took part in a 1972 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) to determine the suitability of CLEP as an admission battery to undergraduate and graduate study in vocational education. (SH)

After reviewing the practice of granting college credit in vocational teacher education programs for trade work experience, the authors discuss the growing trend toward allowing academic credit for nonacademic learning experience. It is noted that a nationally acceptable system of evaluating work experience for college credit will have to be…

Discusses background, rationale, and current trends in school choice. Where implemented carefully with parent participation, choice plans have increased public support and student achievement and provided curriculum differentiation, cohesiveness, autonomy, and small size as benefits. However, school choice raises some equity problems, including…

Problem farm debts may translate into slow growth for rural communities, with local banks unable to offer credit even to credit worthy borrowers. Communities served by branches of large banking organizations are probably better off than communities served only by small independent banks. (Author)

Raises questions about and poses creative solutions for curriculum options fostering student development. Describes work by student affairs professionals attempting to implement developmental theory in credit courses. Examines skill development courses, career development courses, and courses which apply human development theory. Discusses issues…

Proceedings of a meeting on the application of the European Convention concerning international recognition of studies and diplomas include national reports of the contracting countries and summaries of discussions concerning the role of governmental and nongovernmental organizations, inter-regional cooperation, resources for program…

Following a literature review, this article analyzes the financial impact of credits for experiential learning on a major midwestern university. Both students and the institution appear to have benefited economically. Questions are raised concerning who should benefit from publicly supported education--students, society, or all three. Includes 28…

An examination of the comparability of existing pharmacy home study courses and coursework required for the master's degrees in pharmacy administration and hospital pharmacy and the doctor of pharmacy degree revealed that about 70 percent of those studied covered material similar to some covered in 16 of the 75 degree courses. (MSE)

The use of data from the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System to analyze curricula is described, and the results of studies of courses in seven disciplines at 37 public postsecondary institutions are reported. The various kinds of curriculum analysis possible with the three principal files--taxonomy, course inventory, and course detail--are…