What does it mean to provide an appropriate program to toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? As the number of children with ASD continues to increase, this opening question is one that parents, providers, researchers, advocates, and taxpayers struggle with on a daily basis. Boyd and colleagues (2010 [this issue]), in their thoughtful…

College officials worry that too many of their peers use merit aid to "buy" students whose test scores will burnish their institutions' rankings in "U.S. News & World Report." In fact, the debate about financial aid on today's campuses has led to the near vilification of merit aid. The lament is that money is often diverted…

This article explores the extent to which funding is used to steer the public higher education sector towards meeting the social, political and economic imperatives of post-1994 South Africa. It argues that the design of the funding framework influenced the direction of higher education after 1994, and that funding mechanisms explicitly or…

Discusses the inherent inequalities of the child-care and education system in the United States, in which the middle and upper classes have access to well-funded private and community institutions, while the lower class has to make do with substandard and compensatory programs, such as Head Start, which are often poorly funded. (MDM)

In this article, the author discusses the issues concerning selection of educational policy that leans towards educational efficiency or educational equity. The author examines whether it would be necessary to choose between the two and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these policy orientations. The author believes that equity is part…

This discussion of kindergarten education is intended to provide information that educators can use in their efforts to provide equal access to an excellent education for all children. Current and past approaches to kindergarten are delineated in discussions of changes in the nature of schooling, in society, and in the understanding of how…

Discusses access to information technology and technological change; examines the culture that has grown up around computers; discusses previous military funding of academic computing and the need to change focus; describes the use of computers to promote equity and access; and considers the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for Electronic…

Examines level at which gender issues are addressed in middle school science classes. Argues that in the crucial area of science education, particularly for girls at the middle school level, "equal" rather than "equitable" as a dominant teacher attitude may be inadequate to ensure that gender imbalances are rectified. (SD)

Addresses the hypothesis that girls must receive advantaged treatment to achieve a level playing field in the area of science education. Expresses concern that: (1) the result of advantaged treatment is unknown; (2) too much emphasis is placed on the power of textbooks; and (3) too much emphasis is placed on sexism in science versus science in…

Argues that Chattin's criticism in fact illustrates the authors' stand that people are extremely uncomfortable with the idea of a proactive stance toward equity for groups that have traditionally held less than equal status. Addresses each concern, and reiterates that disadvantaged groups must now receive advantaged treatment to catch up. (SD)

Introduces this issue of Middle School Journal. Highlights articles presenting theories concerning how male and female adolescents face the development of self-concept, the dilemma of ensuring gender equity, as well as divergent perspectives on helping both genders develop positive self images about themselves as learners. (SD)

May 17, 2004 marked the fifty years that have passed since the United States Supreme Court handed down one of its most famous, compelling and iconic decisions, "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas." Certainly the decision itself, labeling the practice of "separate but equal" as unconstitutional, deserves the fanfare…