This case study of the Early Childhood Education Program (California) focuses on the political meaning of evaluation. It shows how analysis of evaluation politics reveals who controls education policy, which values are prevailing and dominant, and which definitions of policy goals constitute the assumptive world. (RDN)

The National Education Association questions the effectiveness and presents the negative aspects of state programs to test the minimum competency of practicing teachers. Teacher competency should be ensured through high standards for entering teachers and annual evaluation and professional development opportunities at the district level for…

In the last 40 years the Canadian North has changed socially and culturally as a result of economic pressures and federal government policy decisions. Environmental and cultural conditions of the Canadian North are discussed, and the past, present, and future roles of the North in Canada are examined. (RM)

There is a growing unacknowledged reality to the oneness of America. Latin America is increasingly sharing not only the blessings of U.S.-style modernization, but its demons as well. Also, many problems that have long plagued Latin America, e.g., indebtedness and militarism, are becoming more apparent in the United States. (RM)

Higher education must recognize and express its concern about a growing trend for the federal government to award funds for projects but bypass the peer review process, favoring established scholars or elite institutions and undermining the competitive process. Self-restraint within higher education and adequate funding for peer review projects…

A study of the personalities and values of students in four classes during their dental school careers revealed changes in the political, economic, and social scales over time and differences between males and females on some of the scales. Similarities were found between these and 1960s dental students. (MSE)

Reviews a Minnesota study of tax concessions to private school parents and provides an analysis of the strategy of constituency mobilization. The Minnesota experience shows that a mobilized, powerful issue constituency can enforce political accountability on the bargaining process and influence educational policy. Such single issue linkages…

Considers enrollment, financial, and staffing trends affecting reduction in force in education; analyzes political, legal, and management issues involved; and explores alternatives to reduction in force from the school business administrator's viewpoint. (PGD)

Widely divergent interpretations are being made of the implementing regulations to the Hatch Amendment, which gives parents the right to inspect instructional materials and to limit their children's participation in some federally supported school programs and activities. This article briefly explains the Hatch Amendment and suggests a source of…

At a conference sponsored by the Oklahoma governor and state legislature, educators and politicians met to define goals for the college system. Colleges were urged to: meet the needs of nontraditional, older students, increase involvement with the public schools, recruit minority faculty, and better educate those involved in governance. (MLW)

The environments that seem to have the most impact on higher education are identified: demographic, economic, political, organizational, social, and technological. Insights from studies of institutions that were not successful in coping are presented. The part strategic planning can play in enabling institutions to cope with pressures is…

Describes how ideas that grew out of Ron Edmonds's research were translated into educational policy in New York. Focuses on the three primary components in Edmonds's broad attempt to redefine and implement educational equity: desegregation, school effects, and effective schools. Also details Edmonds's innovative attempt to end social promotion in…

Investigates administrative metaphors and the school principalship in the current literature. Three metaphors--maintenance, survival, and vision--are explored through participant observation of the behavior of five principals. (MLF)

By focusing on the entire community as stakeholders in the public schools, the school board, the superintendent, and principals are forced to identify and cultivate the diverse groups in the community. Eight essential steps to developing an effective stakeholder management strategy are listed. (Author/DCS)

Analysis of a school district where merit pay has existed for 30 years and a more general review of other merit pay proposals led to the disclosure of eight critical issues to be considered before the actual implementation of merit pay programs. (MLF)