Examines forces which are undermining the principal's leadership role and ability to effectively administer the school: teachers and unions; the competency movement; political and community interest groups; and media pundits. (SJL)

The multidimensionality of the power concept has been more systematically explicated, but research efforts continue to be primarily concerned with decision-making outcome. Perhaps the documented patterns of slightly husband-dominant, though increasingly shared or equalitarian, decision making reflect a change in normative expectations rather than…

The importance of a comparison of national systems of higher education is argued. Examples of how cross-national comparison can be instructive are presented. The importance of studying academic power or authority comparatively is discussed and several guides for future research are offered. (Author/MLW)

Examines potential effects of teacher activities in professional negotiations and suggests some possible reactions by management. (JD)

The author describes and analyzes general administration and control of the learning environment in one Cameroonian lycee, arguing that conflict occurred due to the fact that the administrators and faculty members were from several different cultures and they, therefore, held strikingly different opinions about legitimate authority relationships.…

This study uses power-dependence theory as a framework for examining whether and how parties use information on each other's dependence to estimate the utility of an influence attempt. The effect of dependence in expected utilities is investigated (by role playing) in bargaining between employer and employee for a pay raise. (MF)

Examines the role of English worldwide and introduces paradigms: a "diffusion-of-English paradigm" and an "ecology-of-language paradigm." Discussion of the two paradigms in light of recent tendencies within the European Union, the postcommunist states, and the international arena emphasizes the alliance between language…

A discussion of educational reform in Central and Eastern Europe in general, and Romania in particular, suggests four distinct reform stages: destructuring (1990); stabilization (1991-92); restructuring (1993-95); and counterreform (after 1993). Political, social, and economic attitudes and actions characterizing these stages are examined. (MSE)

Provides a brief but concise overview of the historical development of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece. Originally conceived as a one day, single-race event, the Games grew to the point where they represented an apotheosis of Greek culture. Discusses the role played by conflict within the city-states. (MJP)

Discusses activism among college and university trustees, characterized by assertion of authority in administrative matters, often in direct conflict with academic leaders. Suggests a parallel with investor capitalism, in which corporate owners may become active in organizational governance, and warns that constituent passivity in these…

Suggests that be sharing power in the classroom teachers allow the development of participatory classrooms in which all students can thrive. Examines participatory teaching and critical pedagogy, components of the participatory learning experience, manifestations of participatory teaching, an application of the language experience approach,…

A teacher realized she had been using language in a way that alienated the minority students in her eighth-grade English class. Discusses the language of power, indirect commands, the need to know a variety of speech types, the importance of validating students' language and culture, and the teacher's responsibility to explicitly give students…

Investigated outcomes of a medical course addressing social and cultural issues on students' awareness and understanding. Found that students failed to recognize, or even denied, the effects of race, class, gender, culture, and sexual orientation. Those who acknowledged the effect of social differences tended to deny social inequality, or at best…

Summarizes John Wilson's account of authority in educational relationships by reconstructing his views on different types of authority. Explores the topic of parental authority arguing that parental authority differs from the authority of teachers. Comments on whether authoritative parental supervision is essential. Includes references. (CMK)

Reviews "Education and Democratic Theory: Finding a Place for Community Participation in Public School Reform" (A. Belden Fields and Walter Feinberg) and "The Color of School Reform: Race, Politics, and the Challenge of Urban Education" (J. Henig, R. Hula, M. Orr, and D. Pedescleaux). Both books examine the political aspects of…