There is an interesting contrast to be found between President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Whereas Obama regularly refers to the current economic situation as the "Great Recession," Duncan instead labels it as "The New Normal." Only one of these can be correct--and the implications for educators are profound. The author…

People around the country--students and families, government officials, legislators, public-policy experts, and others--are increasingly questioning higher education's quality, cost, and relevance to the nation's future. Colleges and universities are also grappling with issues of access, diversity, and student retention and completion. How can…

Education reformers have long questioned whether school boards have become an anachronism. Pointing to promising efforts in Boston and New York City, some have argued for handing over control of school districts to mayors. A review of the research suggests that advocates overstate the evidence and underestimate the pitfalls, but, on balance,…

Big-city school systems face many problems, including high dropout rates, low academic achievement, and achievement gaps between middle-class and low-income children. Many big-city systems are also losing enrollment and facing financial deficits. These problems inevitably lead to criticism of the boards that govern urban school districts, and…

The college career and intellectual development of James Madison are reviewed, and their influence on his views of republican governance and the social value of higher education are examined. (MSE)

The multiplicity of ills facing the nation's public schools can depress even the most optimistic. In this article, the author presents her views about the school system and the negative effects that labor agreements have had on it. Her views on how to solve some seemingly intractable education problems have been informed by two experiences: her…

This report addresses the challenges posed to the college presidency in the current and near-future higher education environments, and presents its conclusions concerning the president's leadership role. Among the challenges anticipated for higher education are: diminishing resources; dwindling research funds; advancing information technology; the…