Difficulties in the Federal Republic of Germany illustrate the problems of transferring educational policy-making from national state authorities to local communities. Important initiatives in equalization of teacher pay and standardization of teacher training were attempted during 1970-1980, but did not achieve success. Political competition was…

The Spanish university system has grown substantially in numbers of students, faculty, and facilities in recent decades, but no firm policies have been developed for teacher training, and the departmental structure, schedules, financial support, and employment practices have not been modernized despite legislative efforts since 1970. (MSE)

A former senior government education official traces the emergence of Britain's National Advisory Board for local authority in higher education and discusses political issues in the policy formation and resource allocation processes during its first few years. (MSE)

The intent of the study was to investigate recent developments pertaining to the position of dean of students to determine what impact, if any, the recent tumultuous history and dramatic growth of higher education has had. The research was carried out in three large, urban, state-supported universities: California State University, Long Beach;…

This book remaps theories and practices for teaching creative writing at university and college level. This collection critiques well-established approaches for teaching creative writing in all genres and builds a comprehensive and adaptable pedagogy based on issues of authority, power, and identity. A long-needed reflection, this book shapes…

The systemic reform exemplified by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 (KERA) requires the coupling of top-down state mandates with bottom-up advocacy and leadership. This research on an Eastern Kentucky school district details the dynamics at the district's main high school, as people struggle to build both a community of learners within…

Since 1994, at least three children of migrant workers have been maimed in Georgia packing houses while waiting for their parents to finish work. In this personal narrative, a former migrant educational outreach worker describes one such incident in May 1996, in which a 2-year-old lost his hand to the machinery of a Georgia onion packing shed. The…

Issues in organizing and staffing research administration offices are outlined. Four models are presented for small, medium, and large centralized offices, and for a large decentralized office. Standard job descriptions are given for director, budget specialist, proposal development officer, information specialist, preaward grants specialist, and…

Obstacles to the reform of British higher education include central government ineffectiveness, internal institutional policies, the tradition of institutional autonomy, diffusion of power, strong conservative political ties within the faculty, and economic recession. Reform of higher education is impossible without reform of the entire…

A school board's responsibility is to formulate wise educational policy in response to the will of the people. The superintendent should develop and lead a team with high morale toward the achievement of educational objectives that are jointly forged by the board, community representatives, administration, and faculty. (Author/MLF)

Since each situation is unique, no general statement can be validated about which partner in the board-superintendent relationship is dominant. The opportunity now exists for boards and superintendents to work together with mutual respect to improve public education for everyone. (Author/MLF)

Describes a Wellesley (Massachusetts) study concerning why parents are moving their children from public to private schools. The reasons--school closings, discipline problems, unresponsive schools, and lack of teacher and administrator concern for the individual child--point to the importance of the principal. (Author/JM)

The legislative process and legislative drafting should be taught in law school as a counterpoint to case analysis and appellate decision making. Practical drafting experience with a lobbyist, legislator, or committee should be required, and rule-making and adjudicating should be included. (MSE)

In order to understand working-class education, it is necessary to study ruling-class education. A study of private girls' schools in Australia shows the interrelated forces that result in practices constructed mainly within the schools. (JN)

Presents an analysis of faculty dynamics in nursing curriculum situations based on the social theories of conflict, community power, and interest-group to form a political model representing stages in policy development. These stages are applied to curriculum change examples to show how social conflict and power plays cause problems. (MF)