The results of recent restructuring of Australia's higher education system, particularly through university mergers with other institutions, are examined. Analysis of the La Trobe University-Lincoln Institute of the Health Sciences merger focuses on goals and academic rationale, the first three years, and likely future trends. (Author/MSE)

Bill Clinton's first hundred days in the presidency of the United States are reviewed, focusing on his stated objectives for public education and social change and on his actions in those areas. The educational and social situation and recent events in New York City (New York) are used for illustration. (MSE)

Issues in sexual harassment are discussed, including definitions, the experience of harassment, related behavior patterns, prevalence, beliefs, tolerance, and current research. The efforts and impact of a group of female faculty, staff, and graduate students (Women against Sexual Harassment) at the University of Rhode Island are described. (MSE)

Mothers of children with developmental disabilities were reevaluated two years after participating in a life skills training program utilizing a cognitive behavior approach to reduce stress and depression and improve communication and problem-solving skills. Participants (n=153) reported lower stress, lower depression levels, and improved coping…

Syracuse University (New York) has found that the focused, collaborative approach to institutional administration embodied in Total Quality Management is beneficial. It requires allocation of adequate time and resources, observation of others, communication, addressing high-need areas first, and willingness to adapt, but it may bring resistance…

Activities at Delaware County Community College (Pennsylvania) in implementing Total Quality Management are examined and compared with criteria used by the United States Chamber of Commerce for making quality awards to businesses. Assessed areas include management leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, employee development, teamwork,…

Describes a case study focusing on the first year of a three-year change initiative in which holistic curriculum was implemented in a kindergarten through grade-eight school (Simcoe Street School) in Ontario (Canada). Documents the success of the implementation and its continued use as part of school philosophy. (SLD)

Areas of proposed reform in medical education are discussed, with attention to implementation, financing, obstacles, needed resources, and pedagogy. The trade-off between students' need for time off and perceived need for instruction time is noted. It is argued that costs of reform in time and resources are often ignored. (Author/MSE)

A discussion of the ways that college faculty roles and rewards are changing looks at documents from four institutions that delineate institutional change from different perspectives. A change process initiated by a 7-campus group is also outlined, and initiatives under way at 10 additional colleges are described briefly. (MSE)

It is argued that, despite the special character of higher education and its institutions, the principles of the Total Quality Management approach (continuous improvement, consistent quality, staff/student participation, meeting customer needs, coordination, management procedures that detect poor quality and encourage good quality) can contribute…

The evolution of a Total Quality Management approach at Aston University (England) is chronicled, especially as it relates to changes in British higher education and the university in the 1980s. Focus is on the organizational context of the institution, steps taken to become informed about quality management, and refinement of objectives. (MSE)

The process and aims of university evaluation are discussed from the perspectives of the evaluation commission, university vice-chancellor, and dean of faculty of forestry at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, evaluated by the ministry of agriculture. Focus on the link between quality assessment and educational improvement is…

Presents the first in a series of profiles on teachers who have attempted educational change, describing how a New Jersey elementary teacher eased the transition process for a burgeoning population of immigrant children. Her multicultural strategy involved in-class learning centers and immigrant parent mentors for new arrivals and their families.…

Women's studies courses were found to have a positive impact on 156 female students' feminist identity development, as defined by Downing and Roush. Results suggest validity for the feminist identity development scale used as well as a new approach to evaluating women's studies courses. (CJS)

Professionals frequently are least able to learn because they have rarely experienced learning-related failure and are prone to defensive reasoning. Companies can become learning organizations by helping managers and employees learn to analyze their behavior and learn productively. (SK)