Explores ways in which predominantly female voluntary organizations are empowered to take on roles and responsibilities. Considers significance of volunteerism under a shift from state to free-market social services, through the eighteenth-century "civil society" concept, and an emerging "third-way" alternative. (SK)

A survey of the 50 state personnel directors found that (1) their attitudes and actions reflect a concern for social equity issues; (2) 21 were women and 6 African American; (3) they experience similar role conflicts and tensions as federal civil servants; and (4) state personnel systems are addressing equity issues and benefit flexibility. (SK)

A major in-depth study reveals major weaknesses in the links between schools and the careers service. Career officers are often so marginalized that the quality of career guidance offered to pupils is undermined. The British government's plans to place the career service under Training and Enterprise Councils control might hinder awareness of the…

Explores ways in which libraries can enter into partnerships with other libraries, businesses, community agencies, government, and patrons to improve library service. Values and attitudes that are inherent in partnerships are examined, and ways to apply these values to improve partnerships with patrons are suggested. (three references) (LRW)

Agencies in at least a dozen states are seeking information about college faculty workload, including number of student contact hours, reflecting concern about faculty productivity and quality of undergraduate teaching. The issue is considered delicate, but both internal and external pressure to account for faculty time and salaries are mounting.…

Reports on the development and implementation of a self-study process at the California University of Pennsylvania library. Use of the results by the State System of Higher Education as well as other accrediting organizations is described, academic library standards are discussed, and benefits of a program review are considered. (four references)…

A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa's College of Education fears that his education and that of future graduates have been devalued by four university presidents' decision to withdraw from NCATE (the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education). The rationale (high expense and low standards) is unsatisfactory. Without NCATE…

It is noted that Native American tribal colleges are as diverse as the tribes themselves but do have common concerns and interests. A tribally controlled accreditation agency is proposed as a way of acknowledging the unique circumstances and services of these institutions as well as their commitment to tribal ownership and promotion of standards…

Examines the role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the development of the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Highlights include the standards process; voluntary standards; Open Systems Interconnection problems; Internet Protocol Suite; consortia; government's role; and network security. (16 references) (LRW)

Workplace and demographic changes will require educational institutions to adapt and provide services enabling transition from schooling to work. Emphasis should be placed on individual career development and the needs of the job market. (SK)

Effectiveness of training for public agency employees demands on adapting methods to individual learning styles. Trainers should assess employees' learning styles and create training environments that are affectively, perceptually, symbolically, or behaviorally complex, as appropriate. (SK)

Summarizes the role, actions and positions of the California Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL), the second largest affiliate of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The importance of the development of professionalism and of working to improve the education of linguistic minority students is…

With the proposed dissolution of the binary system of higher education in the United Kingdom, the central issue facing faculty unions with diverse memberships and interests is how their future relationships will be structured. Greater cooperation is seen as necessary for protection of the higher education teaching profession. (MSE)

Describes the development of the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS) for Public Library Data, a system that combines the annual collection of data from public libraries by state agencies with the reporting of national public library statistics by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Future plans are also discussed. (six…

Asserts that a large part of the labor pool from which businesses draw employees is poorly educated. Suggests that a good way to get help is to create strategic alliances with government agencies and private organizations. Presents examples of an alliance that was formed to address labor deficiencies in South Carolina. (JOW)