The editorial board of Forum states that, with few exceptions (immediately after the two world wars; in the period 1955-1965), the birth rate has shown a long-term decline since the late nineteenth century. This represents an unprecedented opportunity to bring about improvement in the quality of education. (KC)

This response to criticisms of open admissions programs in U.S. postsecondary education addresses the following issues: that there are not enough jobs for graduates; that enrollments will decline anyway; and that expanding access to education is a myth that promises social mobility but only maintains social inequalities. (JMD)

Chapman College has returned from near financial collapse by renovating the campus, repaying a $4-million debt, raising its endowment from $700,000 to $25 million, recruiting new faculty, linking salaries to performance, initiating other personnel changes, and developing new programs and facilities. (MSE)

The hypothesis that the demand for dental education has affected or will negatively affect the availability of dental care is tested by examining a series of questions relating to students, faculty, schools of dentistry and their parent universities, and manpower. (MSE)

This article explores the realities of community financing of state and private schools in Zimbabwe. It reviews the implications of historical influences and lists present efforts to redress past injustices. (JDH)

Bradford College's experience with curriculum and administrative development in a period of extreme adversity is an example of how a new concept of mission can invigorate an institution while a survival mentality can weaken it. (MSE)

This research study examined 25 economic, demographic and social, financial, governance, and geographic variables in 39 large urban school districts in order to measure the variables' ability to (1) distinguish between school districts that were fiscally stressed and those which were not and (2) predict bond ratings of large urban school…

Academic and student services officers from the largest 61 state university users of American College Testing (ACT) data systems were surveyed. The study revealed a high degree of role ambiguity and organizational resistance to enrollment management strategies. A need for clarity and coordination in organizational performance is demonstrated.…

Evaluates the progress of Southern institutions toward enhancing equality of higher educational opportunities for Black students. Also assesses how Black Southern colleges and universities fared relative to predominantly White institutions with reference to student enrollment and matriculation, 1976-78. Concludes that future policy should focus on…

The Italian university system is currently characterized by lack of institutional diversity, enrollment contraction, an increasing dropout rate and part-time student population, tenured-in faculty at all levels, and declining faculty productivity. Although both students and faculty recognize these problems, neither is moving to solve them. (MSE)

Many rural areas have seen declining populations and school enrollments, which are expected to continue. Rural schools with declining enrollment face the threat of consolidation, loss of per-pupil funding, fewer instructional resources, teacher and administrator quality issues, and deteriorating school buildings. These problems are particularly…

Discusses the current crisis in science education, focusing on declining physics enrollments and physics teacher shortages. Indicates that the present situation is the culmination of a long trend, interrupted only weakly in the sputnik era, and that the state of the economy may provide a new context for examining the issues. (JN)

Discusses the background and implications of a court decision resulting in the resegregation of public schools in metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee, because of declining enrollment. Speculates whether the events indicate a trend back to the concept of neighborhood schools and an end to busing to achieve desegregation. (AOS)

Suggests that college administrators redirect their attention from studying attrition rates to enacting retention strategies based on responding to student needs and providing a more meaningful educational experience. Several studies dealing with the development of retention programs are reviewed. (JAC)

A British report recommending widespread compulsory retirement of mathematics faculty based on current enrollment trends and predictions is analyzed and criticized for both its statistics and its assumptions. It is argued that social influences in enrollment and social considerations in public policy toward education are largely being ignored.…