H. A. L. Fisher came from an influential family, studied at Oxford and in France and Germany, and became an Oxford academic with a strong interest in public affairs. In 1912 he became Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield University and four years later was recruited by the new British Prime Minister to become his Minister of Education. In that office he…

Since the abolishment of the imperial examination system (the IES) in 1905, the system has been the target of severe criticism by most Chinese people. This paper is intended to clear up the misunderstanding of the IES in seven respects based on some ideas of rehabilitation of the IES over the past 100 years. In the author's opinion, the IES is…

Typically, program evaluation agencies in the legislative branch of state government examine programs that have already been implemented. These evaluations often consider whether a program achieved the legislature's original goals or complied with statutory requirements. Program evaluations frequently determine whether executive branch agencies…

The mere word "bureaucracy" brings to mind images of endless lines, piles of paperwork, and frustrating battles over rules and red tape. But some bureaucracies are clearly more efficient and responsive than others. Why? In "Teaching, Tasks, and Trust", distinguished political scientists John Brehm and Scott Gates show that a good part of the…

Considerable controversy surrounds discussion of a mayor's role in public education. From a policy perspective, however, it is essential that every mayor help improve schools. This issue of the quarterly newsletter of the Center for Mental Health in Schools includes the following features and regular segments: (1) Open letter to the Mayor--A…

State higher education officers agree that reforms of higher education have budgetary effects their supporters fail to consider, and they are in the position of having to explain the real costs of new programs and policies. (MSE)

Discusses the difficulties encountered by public affairs reporting students in Kenya when trying to obtain information from public officials. Describes the alternative investigative methods devised in individual tutorial sessions with the students and instructor and the results. (HTH)

Address delivered by the former chief, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education and Welfare to the School Desegregation Seminar, Emory University, 1970. Anecdotes in a personal style are used to recount the efforts made to convince Secretary Robert Finch that he continue the desegregation effort. (DM)

This article focuses on opposition to a new law that orders Maryland's state-supported schools to bare intimate facts about their financial status to an ethics commission which makes all of the reports available to the general public. (Author/SA)

A guide to assist library/media specialists in developing a campaign for the improvement of learning opportunities for students through increased public support and commitment for school library/media programs. (Author)

Interviews with 485 local officials in Poland showed that both elected and appointed officials strongly preferred principled reasoning for ethical decision making. Gender and attitude toward the change from Communism made a difference in preferred modes of ethical reasoning. (SK)

A local government administrator used her work experiences to create simulation exercises for public administration students. Advantages that such practitioners bring to the classroom include "inside" information, organizational management skills, budget knowledge, and the ability to provide networking opportunities for students. (JOW)

Examines the challenges of senior public service in the executive office of the president of the United States. The memoirs used demonstrate the high cumulative cost that public service exacts on the health and private lives of senior officials. Reveals themes regarding how officials navigate dilemmas and challenges of public service. (Contains 24…

Tests thesis that degree of media influence is contingent on audience receptivity. Audience receptivity to suicide stories assumed high during Great Depression. Developed taxonomy of stories using classic imitation, social learning, and differential identification theories. Analysis of monthly data on suicides and publicized stories revealed…