In education, there is ample evidence that some schools far outperform others at raising student achievement even when accounting for differences in the students they serve and the resources at their disposal. Differences in the human capital stock of teachers across schools cannot fully account for the differential productivity across schools. In…

Urban Teacher Residencies (UTRs) are an emerging innovation designed to embody best practices in recruitment, screening, preparation, placement, induction, and teacher leadership for urban school districts. UTRs can be a key element of urban districts' portfolio of pathways into teaching and a lynchpin of a larger strategy to strengthen the…

If productivity and earnings are not found to result from education, then an alternative theory could be that employers use education as a screening device to select employees. Employing the decomposition technique to compare income for self-employed and private sector employees, evidence is presented that rejects the screenist theory. (Author/MD)

Maximizing allocations of all human capital investments (in children's schooling, health, nutrition, and general development) may hinder the identification of education's actual effects. Relative price variations across individuals are difficult to measure even if nonschooling investments are observed. Therefore, schooling's impact is usually…

This volume examines conceptual frameworks and models that flow from scholars' definitions and operationalizations of social class: status attainment theory, human capital theory, the financial nexus model, Bourdieuian theory, and critical race theory. Since students often have multiple social locations that affect their educational process, the…

The cost of education to a country consists of total public education expenditures, total direct private cost, and total indirect private cost measured in terms of foregone earnings; improperly estimated educational costs focus only on government education expenditures. Considerable progress has been made in conceptual understanding of educational…

Suggests that the most acute problem in educational planning is the confusion about the nature, purpose, and relevance of education. Argues that education should be viewed as a field of hypothesis about the future. Includes the importance of knowledge and know-how, education versus educational systems, and social versus educational planning. (DK)

Applies economic theory to questions concerning the public financing of two-year colleges. Highlights two analytical constructs used in recommending educational policy: the principle of externalities and the theory of human capital. Considers the effect of academic/vocational program mix on educational financing and issues of equity and access.…

This report describes the importance of redesigned high schools to engage full high school communities in the deliberate rethinking of virtually everything, ranging from how time is used, to how adults are deployed, even to the "places"where learning occurs. Essentially, redesigned high schools: (1) have high expectations for all…

Discusses the state of education in Africa. Argues that programs must be modified according to the political, social, and economic conditions of each country. States that school enrollments have stagnated, and quality of education has declined, resulting in increased school failure and a low level of cognitive achievement. Discusses collaborative…

Discusses the nature of the mind and education. Suggests that society learns more from mistakes than from simply replicating the mind of the teacher in the students. Expresses hope that the next century will be one of maturity in which society is able to see that old knowledge no longer applies to a changing world. (DK)

Educational reform depends more on clearly defined missions and operational efficiency than on improved teacher quality. This article defines adequacy, equality, equity, and efficiency; examines numerous production function studies of teacher characteristics and policy and administrative structures; and summarizes seven policy implications.…

Discusses options for the financing of postcompulsory education. Describes developing and developed nations where a funding crisis has resulted from an increased demand for education when new technologies require ever more highly trained workers. Includes discussion of public versus private funding, business contributions, international…

If competitiors of the United States are making superior products and distributing them more effectively throughout the world, it may be because they are educating workers and managers in ways that create superior skills and discipline. Some U.S. educators agree with businessmen who point to Japan as a model that the United States should strive to…

The use of computer technology brings profound changes that demand a need for rethinking the role of public education. This report's purpose is to assist educators in shaping the future role and nature of the public schools. The report centers on two aspects of the change: the economic context and the evolving educational process. The work world…