Discusses basic writing pioneer Mina Shaughnessy, who advocated for a humanistic approach to writing instruction for disadvantaged students, within the context of the City University of New York's policy of open admissions. (EV)

African Americans were largely absent from a college that was emblematic of democratic opportunity. Established as the Free Academy in 1847, City College had given thousands of poor and working-class students and recent immigrants the chance for a college education they couldn't otherwise afford. But even during the 1960s, the student body of City…

Minnesota has several types of school choice options available to its 750,000 students: open enrollment, second-chance programs, postsecondary enrollment options, and charter schools. Survey data show that the families of special-needs students are increasingly using the open-enrollment option and are satisfied with their choices. Students with…

A survey of 365 entrants to an Australian university's Open Foundation Course belied some assumptions about adults returning to education: they were not at the social margins of the community; their families were mostly supportive; only 3.3 percent had non-English-speaking backgrounds; and despite a low level of formal education, a large number…

Describes charter-school law in Texas, including sections authorizing open-enrollment charter schools. Reports on results of third-year evaluation of 89 open-enrollment charter schools. Evaluation includes student demographics and performance, parents, teachers, directors, revenue and expenditures, and the effects of charter schools on traditional…

The introduction of market-oriented practices in the English education system was accompanied by promises of greater equality and democracy. However, the compatibility of the latter with the market has been contested on moral, theoretical and methodological grounds. This study will explore the relevant debate focusing on two seminal points of the…

Analyzes the problems of providing mass higher education in Sweden, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany. Describes selective admissions mechanisms introduced into each country's open system of higher education, and offers social, economic, and political explanations for their failure. Includes 13 references. (SV)

Community colleges have substantially different testing needs from four-year colleges. Since almost all community colleges are open-door institutions, tests are used less for admissions purposes than for placement, guidance, and awarding of credit. (Author)

Discusses applying psychological principles to modify behavior of open enrollment students in introductory psychology courses. Open enrollment students frequently are inadequately socialized in the requirements of the student role, lacking in study skills, and poorly motivated to achieve academically. Procedures are integrated into the formal…

In the United Kingdom the number of parents appealing rejection of their preference for their child's school has risen considerably. Suggests dissatisfaction with the new market-based system. Possible causes are discussed. (Contains 2 tables, 7 figures, and 23 references.) (MLF)

Notes difficulties encountered teaching history in an open university. Describes methodology used in a twentieth-century history course, combining current events with the course content. Using a major continuing news story as the basis for a semester project, students are asked to consider multiple scenarios and to predict outcomes of current…

Choice can potentially transform schooling if it is properly understood, carefully thought through, and implemented in stages. Genuine diversity means offering parents and students a range of educational options from preschool through high school. However, the U.S. currently spends more on one Stealth bomber than on all magnet school programs.…

Responding to Joe Nathan's praise of Minnesota's school choice programs in the same "Kappan" issue, this article cites teacher opinion poll deficiencies; mistaken correlations involving open enrollment, rural district cooperation, and enabling state legislation; and insufficient program implementation and evaluation data. The hidden…

Arguments for and against school choice are presented. Claims on both sides often obscure the complexities, dilemmas, and tradeoffs involved. If diversity and choice become ends in themselves, if choice is not coupled with fundamental reform and the quest for excellence, the choices may be empty ones. (Author/VM)

Discusses prospects for City University of New York in light of its recent decision to end both open admissions and remedial programs. Quotes the school's chancellor who wants to restore the school's earlier reputation for high quality general education, professional schools, and Ph.D. programs. Also notes administrative and funding concerns. (DB)