This paper discusses the relevance of the neo-Marxist perspective (critical theory) to educational theory and practice, with partictular emphasis on the implications of this perspective for educational researchers and educators involved in teacher education programs. For purposes of comparative analysis, it also provides a brief overview of basic…

In an attempt to gain a better perspective on the relationship between education and the modern state, this paper reopens the theoretical debate on the key role of formal rationality in Max Weber's interpretation of the capitalist economy and the modern bureaucratic state. Against the background of an extensive review of the development and the…

American education is distinctive in the decentralization of its funding and control. Despite recent expansion, the role of the federal government is still restricted to funding and authority in special programs and situations, while both states and localities have authority to define educational purposes, programs, and policies. At all levels of…

In the context of a high school teacher's dismissal for refusing to participate in hall supervision on ethical grounds, the author discusses the authority structure of public schools and the role and responsibilities of professional educators. Past contract conditions that regimented the private and professional lives of teachers are reviewed, as…

Several targets, tools and strategies can help the novice director of programs for preschool handicapped children in rural isolated areas work with advocates and volunteers who may offer valuable help, but who need information and direction. The fragility of intercommunity relationships in rural areas often requires the sensitive use of talents…

The history of the Swedish universities and their roots in various traditions are traced. Attention is directed to the historico-sociological theory concerning the development and transformation of the Swedish universities from a traditional cultural institution to a rational educational institution. Six themes are covered: a general historical…

Intended to serve as a practical guide for principals, this book analyzes the implications of recent court interpretations of constitutional and statutory law as it applies to the disciplinary policies and practices of schools. Emphasis is placed on the effects of the law on the actions of school administrators in Illinois, and several sections of…

In contrast to a teacher-dominated literature classroom where authority rests with the one who has the power to grade, a classroom dedicated to cultivating the creative process breaks down the traditional hierarchies (such as theory and practice, text and reader, and organization and improvisation) and concentrates on the needs of the individual…

Studies on the identification of power bases within five Canadian universities were designed to develop a utility function for each sub-unit that will generate a series of power rankings. The unit of study is the faculty, and the tool is designed to identify the relative power of separate faculties and various combinations of faculties. Two power…

During the twentieth century a movement may be seen toward the delegation of control in college and university governance by governing boards to faculties. By the 1960's, joint effort or shared authority had been achieved on a limited number of campuses, and sought increasingly on others. However, several concomitant developments occurred. The…

Another in the Contemporary Legal Education Series, this book questions how the law and the legal system have contributed to the support or destruction of separatist tendencies "in a context where there has been a rather formal debate on the precise issues of assimilation and preservation of cultural identity". The book is designed (1)…

Four papers are presented in this research report. Cooke and Tannenbaum present the theoretical background, methodology, and results of a study exploring the relation of formal and informal participation to the distribution of control in community colleges. Data, collected from students, faculty, and administrators of five "formally participative"…

Social processes in desegregated schools are much more complicated than is generally thought. Data from three desegregated schools are used to highlight the operation of two social processes which have an impact on the interracial behavior of students. One process stems from an academic status ordering, the other comes from power relations in the…

The relationship between the authoritarian state and higher education in Mexico is examined in this case study. Focus is on the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) since it receives 40 percent of the federal budget for higher education, which makes it a prime example of autonomy within an authoritarian political system. Using three…

FROM AN ANALYSIS OF OVER 2,000 RECONSTRUCTED CONVERSATIONS HELD BY 50 ADULTS IN EACH OF FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE DATA WERE OBTAINED TO MEASURE FLOWS OF INFORMATION AND INFLUENCE FROM THE SCHOOL TO THE COMMUNITY FOR OBTAINING PUBLIC SUPPORT. THE STUDY ATTEMPTED TO DESCRIBE (1) PERSONS WHO TALK ABOUT SCHOOLS, (2) THE KINDS OF…