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…

Against the background of recent concern for and proposals for the survival and improvement of higher education, it is suggested that each institution must find its own place in the system based on its history, traditions, strengths, weaknesses, creativity, financial viability, leadership, and collaboration. (MSE)

A skeptic about the good reputation achieved by Miami-Dade Community College in recent years undertook a critical study of what the college was doing and how it has changed since 1960. (MSE)

Themes, impacts, and major recommendations are outlined for eight recent reports on educational quality: "Action for Excellence,""Academic Preparation for College,""A Nation at Risk,""The Paideia Proposal,""America's Competitive Challenge,""Meeting the Needs for Quality in the…

Two recent reports (Boyer's "High School" and Goodlad's "A Place Called School") on the current state of U.S. education and the goals and means of improving it are discussed. It is concluded that public policy must match the needs expressed in these and other reports on education, and that it is critical to support the teacher and humanize…