Traditionally Sweden's educational system has been highly centralized; physical characteristics, administrative factors, and teacher qualifications have been generally standardized as have curriculums, though local implementation has been afforded considerable freedom. In 1971 the upper secondary school (9-12) consolidated three previously…

Professionals engaged in the field of migrant education need a strong central information network to provide information about various new developments in the field. Some of the functions of such a central network would be to (1) establish a clearinghouse and information center on programs, materials, personnel, events and other activities that…

Institutions of higher education are faced with difficult decisions on the allocation of funds between decentralized minicomputers and computer centers. The Computer Policy Committee at the University of Michigan provides a useful example of policy formation and decision-making regarding the acquisition and utilization of computers. Acquisition…

The development and implementation of centralized information systems in the public sector are addressed. Focus is on such systems where a central government agency is collecting information from a number of similar institutions, such as hospitals and colleges. The approach of the Ontario College Information System is described. (Author/LBH)

Suggests two approaches to using computers: (1) to institute centralized facilities for an entire school district to which students are bussed when necessary, and (2) to use moveable minicomputers within schools for those applications which absolutely require "in-class" computer use. (VT)

A plan for all of the state of Maryland's 13 public colleges and universities to be included in the University of Maryland System is discussed. The system would be governed by a board of regents, and each college would have a board of trustees to monitor campus issues. (MLW)

The trend in Australian university research policy is toward cost effectiveness and centralization, but this is likely to compromise established standards of excellence and diversity in basic research and lead to an overall reduction in the scale of research. Further study is needed before policy changes are implemented. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the background and salient characteristics of Japan's educational reform movement. Until recently, Japan's formal education system was uniform, centrally controlled, and geared to developing character and cultural sensitivity. To counter uniformity, inflexibility, and an overly competitive examination system, schools are moving toward…

This review of the positive and negative impact of centralization of library collections and services on library staff and quality of services focuses on reference services. The move from decentralized to centralized library services at Louisiana State University is discussed as well as the effect of automation on that configuration. (Author/CLB)

Describes a study of the nature of the changing authority relationship between community colleges and their statewide administration. Focuses on statewide mandates and community college compliance in California. Indicates strong state influence on processes for goal achievement and a trend toward increasingly centralized decision making. (LAL)

This study examines culture-free and culture-bound hypotheses used to explain organizational structures. A survey of Hong Kong Chinese managerial employees in 20 multinational banks examined work satisfaction with relation to organizational structure, controlling for job structure and individual attributes. Findings generally supported the…

University administrative data processing is moving toward a more distributed environment. An architecture must be established that incorporates central sites, campus centers, and end users in a networked pool of computer systems, with applications located at appropriate nodes in the network. (Author/MLW)

The history and demise of the following two educational agencies are discussed: the Schools Council for Curriculum and Examinations of England and Wales and the National Council for Innovation in Education of Norway. (RM)

The implications of the recently authorized regionalization of university administration in Spain, with the possibility of autonomous communities taking on wide responsibility for higher education and scientific and technical research, are explored. Concern is expressed for potential loss of efficiency and effectiveness. (MSE)

Academic decisionmakers must be helped to use the right kind of information so that the implications of the difficult alternative choice decisions are fully spelled out. The great overriding benefit of an integrated management information approach is that it can further the institutional view and can show a broad overall picture. (Author)