The quality of U.S. higher education as described in three early nineteenth century reports are reviewed and compared with similar recent reports in substance and approach. (MSE)

Recent books presenting the neoconservative criticism of higher education are reviewed including books by Allan Bloom, Charles Sykes, Jacques Barzun, Peter Shaw, Roger Kimball, and Thomas Short. Common assumptions include the worsening of American education resulting from warped curriculum reform and distorted performance standards. Agreement with…

The traditional relationship between a bachelor's degree and the preferred occupational slots in the nation's labor markets is seen as having weakened or collapsed in numerous fields. The general trend in this decade has been away from disciplinary majors toward "vocational" ones. (MLW)