The top institutional priorities in higher education for 1993, as revealed in a survey of college trustees, presidents, and other educators, are tuition policy and financing; productivity and cost control; capital renewal and replacement; planning and budgeting; and funding of research and indirect-cost issues. (MSE)

Describes a two-year, collaborative, university-school district teacher induction program in which beginning teachers' classroom performance was assessed using a behavioral observation instrument. Participants made significant gains, with first-year gains resulting from improvements in classroom organization and second-year gains related to…

In 1987, National Science Teachers Association commissioned the Search for Excellence in Biology Teaching Task Force. This article is a distillation of the task force report, highlighting the criteria for excellence in biology teaching, grades 7-12. The criteria for excellence are in five subsections: Goals, Criteria for Curriculum, Criteria for…

Examines changes in children's health insurance status and utilization of health services in the past decade, using 1977 National Medical Care Expenditure Survey data and 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey data. Policies that could reduce the number of uninsured children (mandated employment-related coverage and incremental Medicaid…

States that China's educational planning must address pressing economic development needs. Outlines a structure for reform of vocational education to produce a skilled work force. Describes the physical characteristics and work-force economy of the Haicheng area and discusses the area's multiple economic and education problems. Argues that…

To improve urban schools, we must create a culture of success for African-American students. A multicultural education that infuses African and African-American history and culture throughout the curriculum is appropriate at this time because problems have reached such critical proportions. (SLD)

Involving undergraduate teacher education students in structured research experiences is one strategy for strengthening their reflective and critical thinking skills. This article identifies several universities that have student-teacher-as-researcher programs, outlines characteristics of successful programs, and points out problems and obstacles…

Contends that, although educational improvement policies in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s achieved quantitative goals, structural deficiencies blocked efforts to make education equitably available throughout society. Concludes that cumulative partial innovations seem to be more successful than attempts at massive change. (CFR)

Describes the Integrated Special Education-English Project (ISEP) which facilitated the gradual integration of special education and English teacher preparation programs. A description of the ISEP model and a case study are included. The case study indicated student teachers who participated in the ISEP improved special education and English…

The nine-factor productivity model of science achievement of H. J. Walberg (1981) was tested through structural equation modeling using national longitudinal data on middle-school seventh grade students' science achievement (n=3,116). The better fit provided by a revised model with eight factors is discussed, and implications for educational…

A review of the literature on school effectiveness identifies elements at the system level and the building level that contribute to effectiveness. The literature also provides diagnostic tools for evaluating one of the most important components of school effectiveness, school culture and climate. (SLD)

Traces the three-year period (beginning in 1988) leading to the takeover of the Jersey City (New Jersey) public schools by the State Department of Education. Questions the wisdom of New Jersey's approach regarding failing school districts. The confrontation in New Jersey ended poorly for both the state and district. (SLD)

Three years after the passage of the Chicago Public Schools Reform Act, Stephen K. Hayt School in Chicago (Illinois) has shown some successes, but neighborhood politics have hampered progress as ethnic groups and others dispute issues. In addition, cuts in the citywide school budget left teachers scrambling for supplies. (JB)

Although it is true that today's education needs improvement, schools today are not all bad. The opinions of the following five experts, whose views are worth hearing are introduced: (1) Thomas Hopkins; (2) Ralph Tyler; (3) E. F. Lindquist; (4) Walter Cook; and (5) Harold Benjamin. (SLD)

Explores the relationship between educational theory and practice by describing the following three categories in an expanded view of scholarly activity in education: (1) studying school improvement programs; (2) creating new ways of taking action on new knowledge; and (3) building new collaborative structures between schools and universities.…