Constant attention by all Americans is needed to preserve what little local control in education remains. Chief among dangerous federal legislation moving the country toward a federal education system is the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. The paper examines Goals 2000 and other federal legislation that seeks to remove parental control, noting…

If higher education creates universities that only adapt to circumstances, they will not shape the future. A universal university must have universal access; universal delivery; a vocation to educate, not just train; a watchtower function; a universal ethical role; solidarity with sister institutions and society; autonomy with accountability;…

Two questions must accompany educational reform: Who will make decisions regarding curriculum? and What kind of curriculum is most desired for students? This paper suggests that teachers and students, guided by other interested parties, should make curriculum decisions, and a highly personalized curriculum is most desirable. These changes require…

In response to legislation eliminating race and gender as factors in admissions decisions, the University of California instituted a series of short- and long-range outreach strategies to recruit disadvantaged students, increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the eligibility pool, change the culture of secondary schools to promote…

Robert B. Sloan, Jr., president of Baylor University (Texas), has encountered controversy over issues of faith, governance, and his style of leadership. Mr. Sloan wants to heighten both the university's Christian identity and its academic stature. (MSE)

Discussion of educational reforms being implemented in New York state focuses on concerns of special-education professionals concerning the impact of the reforms on students with special needs. Discusses strategies for increasing student success and recommends programs in technology with real-world certification as well as connections to community…

By 1997, the New York State Board of Regents had required that all students take rigorous Regents exams to graduate from public high schools. A research symposium was called to examine financial system changes necessary for implementing standards and high-stakes tests. Other states' approaches are summarized. (MLH)

This article discusses how Georgia Southern University redesigned its special education teacher curriculum to reflect the core competencies identified by the Council for Exceptional Children, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the National Collegiate Accreditation for Teacher Education. Portfolio assessment procedures were…

Middle schools can be developmentally responsive and meet requirements for high-stakes accountability. School cultures must change. The hope for highly implemented, successful programs lies in the principal's facilitation of comprehensive restructuring with broad-based involvement in establishing new visions of teaching and learning and…

This article describes the new National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate for teachers of students with disabilities. The certification process, the required Exceptional Needs portfolio, the assessment center, and the application fee are discussed, along with answers to frequently asked questions about the NBPTS.…

Review of national (United Kingdom) and international university league tables published in 1998 in major British newspapers finds that these efforts to rank institutions by using weighted combinations of performance indicators do not provide most potential students with the critical information needed to choose a school. (DB)

Curriculum consortia composed of small, rural school districts can overcome professional isolation, better meet state accreditation standards, improve decision making, better attract external funding, and strengthen sense of community through the development of professional relationships. Describes how consortia are organized and developed and…

Presents advice for parents to ensure their child's natural interest in science is nurtured and developed during crucial early years. Recommends that parents: (1) observe and volunteer in the classroom; (2) compare their child's education to published guidelines; (3) network for their child's school; (4) tap into opportunities for informal science…

Discusses the current state of environmental science and studies. Argues against critics who claim that the increasing diversity of environmental studies faculties is eroding the curricular coherence and academic integrity of the programs. (Contains 24 references.) (WRM)

Offers a critical discussion on the issue of educational standards by (1) clarifying issues surrounding educational standards, (2) critically examining the assumptions underlying popular discourse about standards, and (3) offering and arguing for an alternate perspective based on democratic ideals. Discusses the impact of this on classroom…