The lack of satisfaction with the political process as the means of reaching informed public policy judgments about higher education is seen to be manifested in the intermediate agencies created by every state. Important choices remain between the concentration of authority in centralized governance systems and the decentralization of authority.…

College faculty leaders, presidents, and board members must affirm their obligations to the public trust, in part by taking more responsibility for creating accountability through accreditation rather than serving political interests. Institutional integrity is built by cultivating innovation, self-scrutiny, and ongoing public discourse. (MSE)

In the context of pressure for higher education reform in South Africa, this article argues that the policy debate frequently dichotomizes issues in a way that makes dealing with changing forms of state and changing state-higher education relationships more difficult. A distinction is made between administrative and political forms of control and…

Analyzes the political discontent of western Canada towards the Canadian federal government. Argues that the federal government favors the more populous eastern regions (especially Quebec and Ontario) and rewards these areas with greater federal spending. Briefly discusses several projects and proposals that reflect this bias. (MJP)

The Trenton (New Jersey) Office of Policy Studies was established in conjunction with Thomas Edison State College to analyze emerging issues in urban public policy. The program is active in the internal life of the city's government while maintaining an independent academic orientation that shields it from political and practical pressures.…

Addresses the issue of language planning in pluralist Ethiopia. Offers an evaluative appraisal of the new policy that considers a number of obstacles to implementation of the policy and questions the move towards the preference of the roman alphabet to the Ethiopic syllabic writing system. (33 references) (Author/CK)

Explores the historical, political and socioeconomic contexts within which African children acquire their education in a major international language. Maintains that while such languages assist in the transfer of science and technology, compared to native languages, they are limited in their capacity to serve indigenous educational objectives.…

Examines relationship between family support and health of children. Reviews the impact of the decline in structural support for child rearing, examines the health effects of support provided in home visitation programs, and considers the health and welfare effects of the provision of day care services for children. Emphasizes results of…

As Texas' elite public colleges and universities experience enrollment declines, the state is requesting clarification of the legal decision in "Hopwood v. Texas," in which the court rejected affirmative action and mandated race-neutral admissions policies. The Texas attorney general disagrees with federal officials and critics on…

Presents 11 recommendations related to improving child health that are based on a synthesis of 58 research reports published 1988-92. Suggests that the development of policies that reduce inadequate health care for women and children, unintended pregnancy, deficient education, and poor nutrition will ultimately improve the life circumstances, and…

Describes an innovative instructional technique for teaching the economic analysis of public policies. Teams of four to six students with different skills and different tasks work together as economic decision making units in a series of instructional simulations. Discusses implementation, activities, and assessment. (MJP)

Reviews "Dismantling Desegregation: The Quiet Reversal of Brown v. Board of Education" (Gary Orfield, Susan E. Eaton), a book that describes the return of segregated schooling in U.S. cities and its relationship to segregated neighborhoods. Suggests that the book focuses on public policies while overlooking the importance of moral considerations…

Victims of child abuse are at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, not only directly through sexual abuse, but also because they engage in more high-risk behaviors. Because American Indian youth experience higher rates of sexual abuse and have less access to treatment and counseling, they are especially at risk.…

Development of Somali literacy through romanization and a government campaign is described, as well as the parts played by educational reforms, Somali language modernization and expansion, government involvement, use of the mass media, use of poetry as artistic expression, and recognition of orthography as a key element in learning. (Author/MSE)

Considers policy and practice issues concerning public school-based and school-operated prekindergarten programs. Issues discussed include developmentally appropriate programs, teacher qualifications, turnover and retention, parent involvement, ethnic and racial representation among staff, and comprehensive and competing services. (BB)