Evidence is accumulating around the world that greatly increased access to higher education over the past two decades has come at a tremendous price--a severe decline in academic quality. Brief reports on the quality-quantity question and other major issues facing higher education in the world are presented. (MLW)

The paper reviews research that describes good teaching in several cultures, focusing on teachers and teaching in China, England, Israel, Norway, and the United States. A root metaphor is used to describe good teaching in each culture. In China, good teacher are described as virtuosos because their art is teaching, and there is very little…