The crisis of postapartheid black education in South Africa during a period of political change is examined. It is argued that, to date, focus has been on maintaining control rather than meeting demands for change and that the challenge now is to develop equity policies to redress historical racial imbalances. (Author/MSE)

Attempting to grade Lamar Alexander's first year in office, this article assigns a "D" for the U.S. Education Secretary's seeming ignorance of funding cuts, teacher layoffs, inappropriate materials and resources, inadequate or unsafe school buildings comprising the "real world of education." Lamar also fares dismally for…

A discussion of university autonomy and institutional image is presented with reference to politics at the newly established University of New England (Australia). Elements of institutional image or identity are examined, including (1) symbolic issues such as logo and location of administration; (2) leadership and management structures; (3)…

Presents ideas for class and research activities focusing on the 1992 presidential campaign and election, and the structure of the executive branch of the U.S. government. The activities use an across-the-curriculum, cooperative learning approach. (SM)

Addresses the identity politics of modern communication and information technologies. These technologies embody social relations of domination and dependence, especially in their construction of specific forms of human subjectivity. The political implications of these construction systems are explored. Six recommendations for political work in…

Discusses the impact of the lack of autonomous boards of trustees on Quebec's public libraries and the political factors that influence decision making about the libraries. Organizational structure, public support, and financial support are covered. The author concludes that municipal governments do not give public libraries enough status.…

Identifies issues related to educational reform in the former East Germany. Compares changes in the educational systems of the states of Berlin and Brandenburg and points out that the two entities are growing closer together. (CFR)

The extent to which Australian youth's participation in higher education improved in the 1980s is examined, drawing on data from longitudinal studies. It is concluded that participation did become more equitable under the labor government's initiatives, although differential participation rates persisted among population subgroups. (Author/MSE)

To illuminate the debate between the conservative Christian movement and the public education sector, this essay chronicles the development of the Christian Right over the course of this century, identifying the real and imagined challenges it presents to educators. The strength of the conservative movement is highlighted noting its current…

Examines some of the ways in which young children learn about aspects of economics and industry, and discusses some of the reasons that have been advanced in the United Kingdom for the encouragement of this learning. (MDM)

Examines communication training aimed at women, such as assertiveness training, as an example of linguistics applied to real-world problems and argues that both the problem and the proposed solution are sociolinguistically and politically misconstrued. Such training often makes overgeneralizations regarding women's communication skills and assumes…

Weak states such as India and Kenya may seek to maintain or enhance their legitimacy by expanding access to higher education regardless of manpower needs or scarcity of financial resources. Three common strategies are increasing higher education enrollments, maintaining low fees and high subsidies for postsecondary students, and supporting a…

Court-imposed school finance equalization and tax limitation measures in California have created a centralized system of school finance. Political tensions and conflict that have arisen from this centralized control are discussed, with reference to the Serrano mandate and categorical funding. (SLD)

The durability of positive personal changes observed in 47 women's studies students 9 months after the last week of class was studied. Positive effects, including changes in interactions and the willingness to adopt new roles and behaviors, lasted through the follow-up, suggesting the usefulness of womens' studies for personal change. (SLD)

Changing times, public attitudes, and political strategies have shifted the approach to leadership in higher education from an academic to a business perspective. Colleges and universities are being asked to restructure, reinvent themselves, and rightsize, but none of these will work unless more attention is paid to the problem of revenue. (MSE)