Universities can effectively employ regional accreditation processes in striving to find legitimate means and credible mechanisms for more equitably evaluating faculty teaching and professional work. Examples from accreditation show how institutions can ensure compliance while establishing strong evaluation procedures for faculty service and…

The University of Houston's master's degree program in social work with concentration in political social work is described. The debates surrounding political social work education, which is a social-change-oriented curriculum, the importance of political actors and context in development of the program, and the nature of the program's integrated…

Examines opportunity-to-learn (OTL) standards, which define conditions that schools, districts, and states must meet to ensure students an equal education. Offers an explanation of the states' historical inability to influence equal education, and proposes principles for designing new state policies. Includes recommendations to the states for…

Educators from five states describe how state department initiatives and state legislation have affected staff development, noting how staff developers have influenced and responded to those efforts. (Author/SM)

The proliferation in intelligence tests brings with it several problems of misuse. It is proposed that the use of intelligence testing devices be restricted to persons who can demonstrate competence in administration and interpretation. Legislation is required to provide control of test distribution and requirements for licensing test…

Explores ways in which the current governance structure of U.S. schools detracts from their ability to solve educational problems. Self-managed leadership is proposed as an alternative that does not restrict the problem-solving capabilities of teachers. Implications for teacher and principal behavior are examined. (SLD)

Ohio's Commission on the Future of Gifted Education was created to establish a consensus of realistic priorities for the future of gifted education. The commission was initiated by advocates within the gifted education community and includes legislators, members of professional education organizations and parent organizations, and concerned…

The "Year 2000" document, a comprehensive statement of policies and objectives for education in British Columbia issued by the Ministry of Education, is reviewed. This analysis reveals a subtext that contradicts the stated objectives of the document itself. The agenda of the subtext would maintain social stability. (SLD)

Reviews actions of the 102nd Congress of particular interest to African Americans, including the (1) Domestic Marshall Plan House Resolution; (2) Unemployment Benefits extension; (3) Job Training Partnership Act; (4) Workplace Fairness Act; (5) Family and Medical Leave Act; and (6) Civil Rights Act of 1991. (SLD)

Examines the interplay of political and educational factors influencing current U.S. and British school reform. The dominant characteristic of educational policymaking in both countries is "hyperpoliticalization." Britain's 1988 Education Reform Act, motivated by conservative political considerations, represents a setback to secondary…

Provides background on the adoption of standards for reference service in public, special, academic, and high school libraries by the Suburban Library System (Illinois) and discusses their implementation and plans for evaluation. Highlights of the standards for written policies, staff, and resources are given; and the problem of noncompliance is…

The social context of school reform efforts is examined. It is argued that the intended modern school curriculum, designed to produce self-motivated, active learners, is undermined by classroom policies that emphasize simple obedience. Alignment of curriculum and a revised management scheme that serves as an instructional scaffold are recommended.…

The evolution of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC); and changes in its mission and operating policies at its creation, the redesign of 1987, and during the present planning for a second quarter century are discussed. Eight program improvement initiatives are discussed. (SLD)

The Dutch government's national policy on equal educational opportunities combines equal opportunities and difference/equivalence approaches and overlooks necessary changes to the gender inequality-producing educational system. The Inner London (England) Education Authority's (ILEA's) local policy combines egalitarian and radical terminologies,…

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the leading health problems among American Indian communities. Public policy options that address these problems include controlling the supply of alcoholic beverages; shaping drinking practices directly; or reducing physical and social environmental risks. Discusses alcohol-related death rates and community…