Thirty years ago, charter schools embodied possibility. They were envisioned as nimble, innovative, community-driven alternatives to traditional public schools -- laboratories of experimentation led by teachers and grounded in equity. The grand bargain was clear: more freedom from regulations and bureaucracy in exchange for heightened…

Skepticism about the power of education challenges the educational administrator to (1) attain a better understanding of the sources of dissatisfaction and their implications for change, (2) learn to cope with adversity and make constructive use of it, and (3) define the leadership requirements needed to address education's problems. (MB)

Discusses five issues affecting education in the United Kingdom--financial constraints, reduction in the number of students, accountability and participation, concern for standards, and changes in social patterns. (Author/IRT)

Foresees a period of adversity for higher education, characterized by declining enrollments and financial resources. Urges colleges to look for ways to improve the quality of and expand their services, especially with regard to an increasingly part-time, adult student population. (AYC)

Discusses the need for educators to respond positively to changing enrollments and financial conditions by demonstrating fiscal responsibility, planning and developing relevant academic programs, and understanding the types of students being served. Attitudinal and managerial factors in the achievement of these goals are explored. (JP)

Pressures facing higher education institutions regarding accountability and the implications of their responses for accreditation agencies and state governments are discussed. Much of the response of institutions to current or anticipated declines in enrollments or financial resources is defensive and/or negative. Some institutions plan against…

In the fall of 1977, students enrolled in an elementary school administration and supervision class at Indiana State University attempted to separate the "threats" from the "thorns" in elementary school administration. "Thorns" were defined as everlasting or recurrent problems, and "threats" were defined as relatively new problems perceived as…

Perspectives on the context and results of the investigation conducted by the National Commission on Excellence in Education are presented. It is noted that the Commission's analysis sought to determine the extent to which colleges fail to set and maintain high standards, and the extent to which they fail to make their measures and benchmarks of…

The recent dramatic growth of postsecondary education is reviewed, and the context in which the state legislature and the higher education community will probably interact in the future is described. The era of rapid economic growth following World War II was accompanied by even more rapid increases in demand for college educated workers.…

Changes that higher education is experiencing and forecasting and approaches to improve higher education management are considered. In addition to declining enrollment, rising costs, and diminishing financial resources, colleges are faced with the task of managing these changes under the pressures of new constraints and new constituencies.…

Proceedings are provided of a seminar on state leadership that focused on: (1) the process of state planning in public, private, and proprietary postsecondary educational institutions; (2) the process of resource allocation in a changing educational environment; (3) the emerging conflicts flowing from the legislated rise in accountability; and (4)…