Discusses teacher education reform and development during the Chinese Reform Era since 1978, and explains why it is so difficult to implement reforms in China. The author focuses on preservice teacher education provided at teachers' colleges or normal universities and the shift of China's resources and attention away from teacher preparation. (GR)

Reviews "Howie Report" on secondary education in Scotland. Examines nationalism (expressed as desire for Scottish educational identity) and vocationalism (linking education and economic development). Focuses on report's treatment of vocational tracking. Concludes "Howie" holds contradictory ideas regarding educational…

Discusses multicultural education and critiques some approaches to multiculturalism taken by the political Left. Argues for the "human values" that underpin democracy and their presence in all cultures. Examines the cultural and political history of the Chinese and the legacy of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, and his thought. (JB)

Offers a critique of contemporary American Shakespeare criticism in higher education. Argues that the current movement, called New Historicism, pursues its political analysis of Shakespeare within the context of a narrow political agenda including issues of race, class, gender, culture, and power determined by specific contemporary concerns. (JB)

This study investigated sources of resistance to development of integrated preschool programs, expressed in interviews with 30 parents, teachers, and administrators and in observations of planning meetings. Findings suggest that perceived loss of political control over aspects of programs that have been informally negotiated among parents,…

Survey of physical education chairpersons at historically black colleges examined the characteristics of physical education faculty, policies, practices, and procedures. Results indicated faculty members were highly educated and experienced. A significant number maintained dual teaching and coaching roles. There were inconsistencies in policies…

Describes developments in the fields of learning theory, assessment, and politics of national and state assessments. Shows how use of these developments and modern assessment and evaluation methodologies can address some long-standing problems in Chapter 1 evaluation. Focuses on linking classroom and school improvement with Chapter 1 program…

Presents a sampling of responses from 12 students, parents, teachers, and education professionals on 3 questions about who should decide issues of curriculum, programing, and school leadership in the area of multicultural education. (JB)

It is suggested that health professional schools are often dominated by the politics of the medical school, as has been the case in the health sciences at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Experiences of the fields of optometry, podiatry, and dentistry are offered as illustrations. (MSE)

Many two-year colleges assume that an alumni program is not feasible and that transfer students will take their loyalties to the four-year institution. However, alumni are important to two-year colleges for their voting power, activism, and financial support. Careful, thorough planning can make a successful two-year college alumni association.…

Structural problems and political issues that must be overcome for the Texas A&M University Japanese branch campus to be successful are explored. It is concluded that the university must have clear priorities and attainable goals and garner the support and expertise of regional and national authorities in Japan. (MSE)

Examines educational reform efforts and other variables that result in increased demand on teachers' task time and energy. Advocates the use of a teacher work-year model that acknowledges the limited time of teachers and that encourages teacher input about the resources required for new programs and priorities. (LP)

America 2000 is the first serious policy initiative in U.S. history to consider enlargement of the federal education role. The program is vigorous, upbeat, and demands hard work, private initiative, self-reliance, and freedom from bureaucratic intrusion. The U.S. public supports underlying concepts: choice, higher standards, radical reform, and…

This article examines the issue of "political correctness" on U.S. campuses and suggests that much of the controversy is a creation of the press, has little factual basis, and may be partially a reaction by the press establishment to increased numbers of women and minorities in journalism. (DB)

Upheaval in Australia's university system in recent years can be attributed in large part to two influences dating to 1987: accession of John Dawkins to the Ministry of Employment, Education, and Training and the advent of federal regulation of industrial relations in education, which has undermined the collegial decision-making tradition. (MSE)