Examines teachers' political orientations to students, and discusses how teachers communicate power, how students perceive power, and how using power impacts learning, noting that teachers use power to influence students and to protect themselves from students and parents. Four ideas to heighten preservice teachers' political awareness are…

The article describes a large, middle class suburban high school's controversial efforts to make improvements, noting its difficulty in convincing parents, teachers, and school board members that a school with a fine reputation did not really provide students with the education they needed for the future. (SM)

Although the benefits of student-centered or collaborative learning are real, the arguments made for them often appear ideological rather than pedagogical and rather than encouraging diversity, require revision of fundamental aspects of cognitive personality. What is needed is a broad view of the variety in teachers' and students' intellectual…

This story of the University of Massachusetts at Boston during the 1988-91 downturn in the state's economy looks at the preceding growth period, state and higher education response to economic conditions, the university's leadership situation at the time of first cuts, the strategic planning approach adopted, and lessons learned during the…

The status of higher education as a field of study in Canada is examined and compared with the United States. The factor seen as most limiting the field's development is not low demand or limited employment opportunities, but reluctance to allocate resources because of low prestige and support outside academe. (Author/MSE)

A recent study compared hands-on scientific inquiry assessment to assessments involving lab notebooks, computer simulations, short-answer paper-and-pencil problems, and multiple-choice questions. Creating high quality performance assessments is a costly, time-consuming process requiring considerable scientific and technological know-how. Improved…

Reviews the continuing legal and political battles against corporal punishment and discusses the legal future of corporal punishment in view of social and legislative changes since "Ingraham." (81 footnotes) (MLF)

To gain others' consistent and active cooperation, administrators should convince faculty and staff that a task should be done. An administrator who uses persuasion communicates a degree of respect that strengthens the supervisor-subordinate relationship. Compliance-gaining strategies may be classified according to expectancies and consequences,…

Lack of privacy, personal attack, and community controversies are among the job-related problems cited by a number of board members. Suggested survival strategies include the following: do your homework, make no promises, learn to deal with the news media, maintain your equilibrium, and do what is best for the children in the long run. (MLF)

Discussion of social cognitive theory and the role of television focuses on a study that investigated the influences of ethnic group membership and family communication environment variables on adolescents' knowledge, efficacy, and values related to politics. Highlights include the nature of family influences via the media and effects of media…

Discusses new teacher unionism, exploring the impact of significant forces of change on U.S. education in programs, structure, and functions of teacher unions; examines Kerchner and Mitchell's "The Changing Idea of a Teachers' Union" and notes the importance of political and historical context. (SM)

If college planning is to work, planners need to accept, understand, facilitate, and use the political processes within their institutions. Rather than try to inhibit or bypass political discussions about change, planners must learn new skills to marshal support for their strategic ideas. (MSE)

Discusses results of studies comparing standards and student performance in Great Britain's comprehensive and secondary modern schools. Reports findings of higher examination results in fully selective schools than in a fully comprehensive system. Criticizes government and teacher training programs for failing to serve either teachers or students…

Discusses the United Kingdom's current situation with teacher education, focusing on the teacher supply and demand crisis and responses from governmental and other quarters. The paper suggests that responses fail seriously to consider quality in teaching. It outlines principles and structure for ensuring continued maintenance and development of…

Discusses the relationship between learning and governing, suggesting that systems of social organization reflect prevailing theories of mind and are presuppositional in higher education. Using philosophy, history, and politics, the paper suggests ways of designing higher education systems that reflect a comprehensive view and enhance democratic…