Applying item response theory, and the Rasch model in particular, to measure trends and examine policy coherence in state education reform shows a change in the picture of state leadership and a generalized pattern of policy making among the states. Using item response theory in policy analysis is explored. (SLD)

Alongside increasing demand for faculty to do more teaching, research, and community service, there is increasing pressure to improve the quality of academic work. The relationship between quantity and quality of academic work is complex, and achieving higher quality requires that academics, administrators, and funding bodies have a better…

This article discusses the Institute for Academic Access, created to study general education access for adolescents with disabilities, and the results of an accessibility study of nine high schools. Results found eight schools had no policy related to inclusion and seven had no designated services for providing student support. (Contains…

Describes the integration of personal digital assistants into a medical center library's services in Illinois. Discusses training for users; hardware selection; software selection and content; technical support; the role of libraries, including the creation of policies and procedures; and future challenges. (LRW)

Discusses concerns over the increase in computer-aided plagiarism among secondary and higher education students. Considers technological factors; cultural reasons and background, including time constraints; possible responses and deterrents, including clear policies regarding plagiarism and designing assignments that are more creative; and the…

Discusses online learning in higher education, including online bullies who try to control and intimidate other students; developing an ethics policy; course evaluations; faculty development of online courses and curriculum; student needs and differences in learning styles; Web-based course design; and competition from commercial ventures. (LRW)

A discussion of the issues addressed in a conference on the new eleventh and twelfth grade curriculum for Victoria (Australia) focuses on political aspects of curricular and educational change and policy formation. Implications for research on the social context within which educational policy is made are examined. (MSE)

Discusses past weaknesses of evaluation research on the organizational effects of workplace family policies, recent methodological improvements, and conceptual refinements and research findings about important characteristics of work/family policies, varying organizational outcomes, and relationships between the two. (Author/ABL)

A policy proscribing the formation of intimate faculty-student relationships within the instructional context--namely, when the faculty member supervises the student's academic work--would maintain the integrity of the institution's academic mission while safeguarding the privacy interests of faculty members and students. (MLW)

Describes a survey of public libraries that addressed the presence of latchkey children in libraries, library policies regarding this population, and services that are or should be offered. In-depth interviews with 10 librarians explored ideal responses to latchkey children, advice on library services, and community services for children. (14…

Compares the restructuring of educational governance using school-based management/shared decision making (SBM/SDM) to restructuring of Soviet government under the "perestroika" program. Reviews the other six articles in the theme issue. (FMW)

Provides guidelines for young adult librarians developing nonprint media collections. The discussion covers the formation of collection development policies, the need to involve the community in policies, and material selection criteria. Bibliographies of guides and reviewing sources are included. (CLB)

The responsibility of the college president is to hear all voices, solicit opinion broadly, and help formulate policies that benefit the entire campus. A comprehensive review should be undertaken to help the board decide on campus priorities. (MSE)

Presents excerpts from a symposium in Charlottesville (VA) at which researchers, policymakers, and journalists discussed educational issues and the relationship of research to reform. Discusses issues concerning communication problems between groups and why it is important to keep talking with each other. Explores ways of improving the…

Discusses problems with reform issues that focus specifically on changing the system of educational policymaking to achieve excellence but lack safeguards against compromising equality of educational opportunity in the public school system. Explores the conflicting political views of reform policy, which include economic issues and democratic…