Academic competitions are discussed as a means of motivating underachieving gifted students. Particularly recommended is the U.S. Academic Decathlon which forms teams based on grade point averages. Two case studies illustrate the program's value. The paper also considers the program's benefits for high achieving students and the role of team…

Discussed is a study called "Gaining New Ground--Technology Priorities for America's Future" produced by the Council on Competitiveness. Highlights of the report are presented. Potential influence on federal technology policy is assessed. (CW)

Competition and government regulation in the Netherlands' and U.S. higher education systems are compared, and policy options to inject competitive dynamics into a highly regulated system are discussed. Policy options include demand-oriented policies (e.g., price changes, enrollment limits) and supply-oriented policies (e.g., institutional autonomy…

Winning essays written for the "Winning Words" international science competition are presented. A description of the competition, a summary of subjects chosen by grade level, a summary of entries, schools participating, and prizes are included. (KR)

Reconstructs a picture of aggressive behavior in one tribe's prereservation days and relates it to tribal members' current behavior. Presents a Freudian analysis of the roles of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and casual child-rearing practices in the development of aggression, and discusses behavioral manifestations of suppressed aggression. (SV)

Michael Kirst's article "Strengths and Weaknesses of American Education" in the April 1993 "Kappan" applauds U.S. efforts to become globally competitive. However, assembling cars in Mexico or exporting jobs to Korea blurs the distinction between national/corporate "teams." The issue is not talent but cheap talent.…

It is proposed that one external force, consumerism, is determining what happens in colleges and universities. The new market for higher education is dominated by students who make choices in a very different way from traditional students. Current students seek credentials and want practical knowledge in an easily consumed package. (MSE)

Theater participation aids students in several areas, including self-expression, self-development, self-understanding, self-esteem, self-discipline, analytical skills, empathy, human understanding, and competition. Balance between academics and the arts is essential if students are to be prepared to live well-rounded, meaningful lives in the…

Discusses potential challenges that community colleges will face from for-profit educational providers. Argues that college educators must accept that they are involved in the business of higher education and should carefully plan the development of both personnel and institutional infrastructure accordingly. (JDI)

Presents strategies for increasing the enrollment in child care programs in a competitive market. Discusses ways to investigate the market, including examining the competition, parents' expectations, and the industry; and ways to differentiate a center from its competitors. (KB)

This paper uses the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Management in the 1990s Research Framework as a basis for examining the challenges of managing information technology in higher education, with particular reference to open and distance education. Budgeting, technology trends, centralization, prototyping, staff, and competition versus…

A college or university works best when society's leaders acknowledge the social value of respecting and honoring both its functions preparing young people for their roles in society as it exists, and preparing the ground for a new and potentially better society. This perspective is important in balancing the university's response to market…

Some superintendents successfully exploit competitive intentions of the charter-school movement to improve district schools. A 1997 study of randomly selected districts found that half had experienced little financial effects from charters. Districts often lose certain ethnic groups and disgruntled parents. Ripple effects and policy…

A new national survey, developed by professionals in higher education assessment, seeks to measure the extent to which colleges use "good practices" that encourage learning. Creators of the National Survey of Student Engagement will study undergraduates at 750 colleges over three years to establish benchmarks for different institution…

A voucher system enabling parents to choose freely the schools their children attend is the most feasible way to improve education. Vouchers will encourage privatization. That will unleash the drive, imagination, and energy of competitive free enterprise to revolutionize the education process. Government schools will be forced to improve to retain…