Argues that Marxism is as much an ethical position that resists the foreclosure of identity as it is a political position. Claims a Marxist standpoint could facilitate the political and ethical accountability that the current politicized composition pedagogies seek while also constructing the classroom as a site for active participation in the…

Analyzes Portuguese educational policy as it is developing after the 1974 end to a long dictatorship. Uses educational system indicators proposed by L. D'Hainaut (198). (SLD)

Examines four conceptual features of decent work essential to its achievement in a context of globalization: (1) an inclusive approach, (2) rights-based thinking, (3) placing work within a broad economic, political, and social context, and (4) extension of thinking from international to truly global. Contains 17 references. (JOW)

Arguing that empowering research techniques cannot, in and of themselves, inform and support the political aspirations of emancipatory intervention, this article outlines a critical approach to evaluation more consistent with the principles of empowering intervention. The Canadian Treasury Board's guide to program evaluation is used as an example.…

A Canadian involved in trade union education reflects on the application of Freire's ideas in his work and the ways in which the labor movement has diverged from these ideas. (SK)

Despite the Soviet emphasis on character education, communist "vospitanie" had little lasting influence once political enforcement was removed. Between 1988-92, the juvenile crime rate rose 50 percent. American educators should be cautious about promoting lists of virtues that serve a political agenda or are justified primarily on…

Using data for 428 individual campuses in 50 states, this article shows that state government funding and tuition and fees at state universities depend on both political and economic factors. State aid varies according to interest group size and universities' ability to confront state government. (Contains 36 references.) (MLH)

The phasing out of the Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument (TPAI) in Georgia is described, with particular attention to litigation involving a teacher who lost her certificate after failing the TPAI. Other reasons for phasing out the TPAI are discussed. (SLD)

Reviews major methods, and their theoretical underpinnings, for the definition and measurement of sexual orientations, highlighting their limitations and pitfalls, both practical and conceptual. Cautions against increasing politicization of this area. Makes recommendations toward measurement concerns with adolescent populations. Details a specific…

Traces the genesis of the systems paradigm in organizational study in the United States to 19th-century engineering practices, based on primary data from three professional journals. The systems paradigm evolved from three forces: the professionalization of mechanical engineering, the political culture of Progressivism, and the politics of labor…

Explores legislative conditions that promote charter-school autonomy, applying a conceptual framework of autonomy to assess variations among state charter-school policies. Results suggest that state policies offer different self-governance levels and thereby influence charter schools' innovative ability and performance potential. Variations are…

Discussion of higher education reform in Central and Eastern Europe since 1989 draws on writings in previous issues of this journal and extends the discussion to develop a conceptual framework for examining the reform process and identify key forces that either initiated and facilitated reform or hindered it. Attention is given to the unusual…

Discusses sources of criticism of progressive middle school curriculum reforms that emphasize democratic learning communities, egalitarian methods and attention to emerging learning theory. Notes attempts by political conservatives and religious fundamentalists to undo progressive educational reform, and resistance based on academic success,…

Discusses political and cultural forms of globalization, suggesting that the economic dimension of globalization has dominated the policy agenda of western governments as they have attempted to position themselves favorably in competitive global markets. This analysis seeks to determine how globalization might produce dynamic new opportunities…

Discusses the problematic future of program evaluation, especially in the field of education, in the context of testing and politics and with regard to epistemology. Evaluators must learn to focus on the complex knowledge of program coping and merit, rather than merely tracking simplistic indicator variables. (SLD)