The 1988 Education Reform Act greatly impacted equal opportunities in recruitment and selection of black teachers in the United Kingdom. A case study examines recruitment and selection in London, noting that ad hoc practices (encouraged by the 1988 Act) perpetuates the poor position of black teachers. (SM)

Discusses recommendations for the change of social studies curricula made by the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools (NCSSS). Suggests that classroom impact of the report will depend on who likes, who opposes, and who is apathetic to the recommendations. Argues that tradition, state control of public education, and the textbook…

Discusses educational conditions resulting from South African apartheid and its sociopolitical manifestations through a synopsis of case studies, emphasizing the pivotal role of the principal in relation to characteristics of effective schools. Analyzes the challenges to local schools posed by apartheid and provides suggestions for new…

Contends that the current condition of higher education in the Arab world is gloomy. Argues that international and domestic politics are the primary reason for this assessment. Predicts that improvement will not come until the political issues within the region are settled. (CFR)

Examines the role of higher education as the European Community moves toward economic, monetary, and political union. Reviews several programs designed to bring more uniformity and equality to educational opportunities in all member nations. Concludes that higher education has assumed a leadership role in bringing about political and economic…

It is argued that policies decentralizing the governance of educational systems, although appealing in the abstract, tend to be fundamentally ambivalent and in conflict with powerful forces favoring centralization. Tensions surrounding the issue of decentralization are discussed, with emphasis on the relationship between decentralization and…

This series of roundtable papers explores the attempt of writing instructors to empower students by teaching them both to write within the discourse of the academic community and to write critically against it, resisting its accepted forms of thought and discourse. (CJS)

Key developments affecting higher education worldwide are examined, including post-World War II expansion in the Third World, broadened access to education, autonomy, and accountability. Reforms driven by societal demands, changing patterns of funding and access, and the political role of students. Issues for the near future are discussed.…

A literature-based model of the legislative politics of policy innovation is examined in light of Minnesota's experiences with the school choice issue. A revised model, reflecting case-study findings, is presented. The leadership area is identified as the arena where lawmakers can exert leverage on restructuring public education. (SLD)

Two periods in British higher education are compared for the approaches taken to widening educational access. It is concluded that government policy in the postwar period emphasized expansion for the purposes of labor force development, whereas more recent expansion policy reflects a government commitment to greater accountability and social…

Reviews federal legislation and court decisions of the past 30 years that have influenced policies related to special education of limited-English-speaking students. Discusses the right of handicapped children to a public education, overrepresentation of minorities in special education, challenges to the validity of IQ tests, and changing…

Reports on a study by 20 Chinese higher education institutions about educational finance. Compares the relationship between educational investment and per capita national income in 38 market economies and 3 centrally planned economies. Provides a formula that indicates the rate of increased funding necessary for educational reform in China. (CFR)

Asserts that divergent views about the level of educational funding in China exist among policymakers. Discusses the difficulty of measuring the Gross National Product and comparing it with other nations. Concludes that educational funding in China is much lower than other nations with comparable levels of economic development. (CFR)

Discusses the role of educational research in preservice and inservice teacher education in Poland. The paper notes that, after 40 years of Communist rule, it is important to overcome the shortage of well-established local communities and of strong organizations of individuals interested in developing Poland's education. (SM)

Discusses the long history of social and political constructions of differences in United States society and public schools, including the social constructions of diversity, educators' policies for handling diversity, the influence of white ethnic groups, and racial and sex discrimination. (SM)