Although educational assessment has played a pivotal role in American education for well more then 50 years, it remained in the background of our nation's policy debated and was considered a technical, if not esoteric, field. This chapter explores what events and trends led to the transformation of educational assessment into nightly "table talk",…

This booklet contains two statements from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). The "Statement on Institutional Governance" encourages all governing boards and chief executives to examine the clarity, coherence, and appropriateness of their institutions' governance structures, policies, and practices. It presents…

Shifts in attitudes toward the academy is a product of changes in the American political economy, especially the rapid expansion of the white-collar sector and corporate takeover, and social movements of the post-war era in which people previously without power began to assert themselves. (MSE)

The assumption that higher education has begun a postexpansion decline is challenged, and the accumulation of new demands on higher education is examined from three perspectives: political, socioeconomic, and intellectual/cultural. It is proposed that higher education's role in modern society will intensify and change. (MSE)

A conference held in Lebanon to discuss and solidify the role of French as the country's second language is reported. Factors endangering the status of French, the political and cultural role of the language, and French-Lebanese cooperative efforts in support of French language and culture are outlined. (MSE)

Contemporary South Korean student activism, characterized by complicated ideology, highly developed organization, and connections with other social powers, is examined. Despite its national influence, student activism is being criticized by the public and students alike because of underlying revolutionary ideologies and episodes of violence.…

A discussion of reform in Australian higher education in the current context of rapid social, economic, and administrative change looks at several areas of concern: the direction of the institutions; an imbalance of management and substance; and a new conformism that encourages generic institutions based on an international model and inhibits…

This report presents a panel discussion at which participants discussed the question of political correctness and what the debate shows about what is happening to higher education in the United States and what it suggests about the relationship of higher education to current events in this country, to the world, and to the students who attend.…

This book explores three major imperatives of American higher education in the decades ahead. First, colleges and universities must respond to six critical challenges: minority participation; financing quality education; replacing quality faculty; affordability; institutional ethics; and national competitiveness. Second, strong leadership is…

Upheaval in Australia's university system in recent years can be attributed in large part to two influences dating to 1987: accession of John Dawkins to the Ministry of Employment, Education, and Training and the advent of federal regulation of industrial relations in education, which has undermined the collegial decision-making tradition. (MSE)

The American Association of University Professors' government relations committee report on distance learning addresses issues and makes recommendations concerning the political context of the growth of distance learning; definitions, descriptions, and claims of distance learning; academic freedom; intellectual property rights; faculty workload…

The integration of issues management into the institutional strategic planning process at Pennsylvania State University is discussed. The significance of issues management as an organizational process is also considered. Stages of the issues management process are: (1) scanning the external environment to identify strategic issues; (2) analyzing…

Concerns about cuts in federal student loan and grant programs are outlined, and ways in which institutions can act to influence policy are examined. Basic facts about potential cuts, their effects, federal spending on student aid, aid recipients, public opinion, and aid policy's effects on tuition are discussed. (MSE)

This book offers a comprehensive examination of the importance of educating professionals for practice in the 21st century and why and how that education needs to differ from the curricula of today. The book contains 13 chapters divided among 3 main parts: part I explores the broad social trends and political forces affecting professionals and…

China's plans for higher education change include awarding scholarships for merit and charging tuition, increased local government responsibility for providing education, increased institutional autonomy in hiring, greater student curriculum choices, university training for industrial workers, and practical courses for humanities students. (MSE)