Describes parent-teacher action research, a format for developing stronger parent participation and parent-teacher collaboration. Relates an actual example of action research to improve parent participation in student reading. Discusses the possible benefits of initiating action research, and details 10 steps involved in this type of action. (JB)

Syracuse University (New York) is working to change the publish-or-perish ethos in higher education through better organized courses, more vigorous teaching evaluation policies, and merit raises and grants for strong teachers. More ambitious changes may follow. The modest plan has become the most comprehensive such effort to date. (MSE)

The impacts of legislated changes in both program recipients and federal costs of the Pell Grant Program are analyzed, such as the resulting numbers of dependent and independent recipients. These include the changes in award amounts received by students and the effects of particular new provisions of the grant program on its costs. (Author/MSE)

This article describes the evolution of a project pairing graduate students (at Duke University) with faculty in a liberal arts college (Guilford College) to improve preparation of future college teachers. Implications for general reform of college faculty preparation are also outlined. (MSE)

A study investigated the response of faculty and administrators at four United Kingdom universities to implementation of faculty performance appraisal. Overall, staff felt the appraisal had little tangible benefit. Ambiguity over the objective of performance appraisal, as a management tool or for faculty development purposes, is seen as a concern.…

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin was created as an upper-division and graduate institution for community college transfer students. It instituted many innovations, including elimination of departments, integration of undergraduate/graduate education, year-round enrollment, contract study, modular classrooms, a faculty trained at…

Describes a British oil company's implementation of a document image processing system emphasizing the business and organizational issues. The project's objectives, perceived benefits, and issues of system ownership, planning, and implementation are described. An appendix includes documentation tables. (EAM)

Predictions are made, based on emerging policy and evidence of trends, about likely changes in the German higher education system including changes in funding sources, scope, and timing; faculty incentives to increase workload; changes in program length and graduates' salary levels; promotion of teaching as an occupation; increased labor market…

Western Europe's demand for quality higher education at lower cost is discussed. It is argued that the criteria for quality are determined by external interests, including governments looking for economic development through an improved labor market. The situations in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are considered.…

Describes the changes scientific abstracting and indexing services are making to develop new production systems for a marketplace which is influenced by the information superhighway and the demand for information in an electronic format. Descriptions are included of computer system and data input changes implemented by several database producers…

Since 1984, a dynamic headmaster has transformed economically disadvantaged Bhekuzulu High School into the best Black school in South Africa, using educational strategies that raise academic standards, emphasize pride in Zulu identity, teach about apartheid and students' role in its destruction, and adapt educational technology to Zulu…

Presents an interview with Richard Kunkel, Executive Director of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) from 1984-90 (a time when NCATE was undergoing a major change). Kunkel discusses the impact of accreditation and the NCATE redesign on the improvement of the teaching profession. (SM)

State comprehensive universities are caught between the research university model and the liberal arts and community college models, unsure of their identity. The quest for status has resulted in faculty dissatisfaction, loss of institutional self-esteem, and disparagement of scholarship. Five approaches to developing distinct and appropriate…

A description of France's new network of about 30 university-based teacher training institutes looks at the organization of teacher education at each level before 1989, the aims and resources of the new institutes, and problems of implementation and unresolved issues, including organizational difficulties and controversy over curriculum content.…

This paper examines progress made in educating adolescents with mild handicaps since implementation of Public Law 94-142, based on graduation rates of these students and their postschool outcomes. The paper then presents a model for restructuring special education programs to prepare youth for utilitarian, social, and personal roles. (JDD)