The role of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in defining the field and the curriculum content for graduate study is examined on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. Stressed is the organization's potential future role as the field confronts changing political, social, economic, and technological…

It is argued that changes in the biomedical research environment and health care system call for reexamination of the mission and value of research and graduate education programs in basic sciences in pharmacy schools. Trends in research funding and graduate-level basic sciences are noted though contributions of these efforts to the field are…

Two documents analyzing the current international situation of higher education are discussed. One, by the World Bank, presents universities, especially public universities, as part of the current problem; the other, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, views them as providing solutions. Political and…

Common faculty concerns about implementing student-centered learning are discussed, and useful techniques for addressing them are offered. Issues include budgeting in-class activity time, losing control of the class, uncompleted assignments, student understanding of open-ended problems, student dislike or abuse of group work, and helping at-risk…

A survey of 1,331 business administration school faculty, department heads, and deans investigated attitudes concerning tenure. Results indicated most faculty believe tenure is necessary for academic freedom, but only half of department heads and deans agree. A majority of all three groups agree tenure is overapplied. Most also agree that tenure…

The origins, changes, and trends in institutional structures within secondary education in Central and Eastern Europe are examined and compared for 14 countries. Issues discussed include formulation of government policies, compulsory school attendance, articulation with elementary and lower secondary education, transition from compulsory education…

Worldwide data reveal that child mortality (ages 1-5) accounts for about 10-15% of all deaths in developing countries, and less than 1% of all deaths in developed countries. Strategies for reducing child mortality include improving health services, improving environmental conditions, enhancing the social conditions of children, and protecting and…

Argues that educators must reform interscholastic sports programs at the middle school level for age appropriateness. Discusses several areas of concern, including physical injuries, psychological considerations, sports burnout, coaches, families, and liability. Proposes ten considerations for program design covering inclusiveness, risk…

Accelerated schools strive to bring at-risk students into the educational mainstream and perform at grade level through acceleration rather than remediation. Describes four steps to initiate the accelerated process and how a Texas middle school involved all members of the school community in implementing the first two steps, taking stock and…

An administrator of an academic health center discusses effects of increased competition for funds including the necessity of segregating the three funding streams (service, education, and research) and the short-term increased costs of implementing educational technology solutions. He urges a broader health science vision and greater…

Examines the design features of interactive multimedia packages for second language learning. Focuses on the possible components of a design model and highlights the implications for program design. Concludes that to realize the high potential for interactive language learning multimedia, designers must develop a more learner-based orientation.…

Dominant social, economic, and political philosophies manifested in the recent debate over the University of Costa Rica general studies curriculum reforms are discussed. It is concluded that the debate is really about the university's role in an environment that values privatization, individual (contrasted with social) benefits of higher…

The evolution of the programs and curriculum at Palo Alto College (Texas), a community college in which minorities form the majority and nontraditional students are the norm, is described from the perspective of a teacher. Focus is on strategies for acculturating nontraditional students to the culture of the academic classroom. (MSE)

Suggests that education leaders are currently faced with changing bases of social cohesion, changing instruments of economic control, and changing forms of organization. Democratic leaders are seen as those that enable the formulation of social, learning, and culturally responsive public educational institutions. (Contains 2 notes and 49…

Discussion of the controversy over freshman composition course requirements looks at the origins and evolution of such courses in American higher education, philosophy underlying rhetoric instruction, criticisms of freshman English courses, the writing-across-the-curriculum movement, attitudes about mechanical correctness in writing instruction,…