The mechanisms, objectives, and uses of performance assessment in public service occupations in the United Kingdom and other countries are examined and their implications for use in higher education are discussed. It is suggested that politically, the relationship of professional providers and consumers will increase in significance. (MSE)

This study reports results of a survey of university presidents concerning their priorities among programs of continuing education, applied research, and technical assistance or consulting to assist state and local public officials. Comparisons of priorities are made between land grant and non-land grant universities. (Author/CT)

Three law students at New York University (NYU) detail components and implementation of NYU's loan assistance program for graduates with low earnings (usually employed by public interest firms, the government, or small firms). NYU's program is intended to preserve student body diversity and minimize debt concerns as a factor in career choice.…

The cultural tradition of public service and "technocratic mindedness" have influenced and shaped the teacher's role. Interviews with teachers illustrate aspects of the nature of limits and role boundaries. Instances and meanings of contrary teacher actions are discussed. (DF)

The Director of Institutional Research and Systems Planning at Broward Community College (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) describes examples of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) projects. Also noted are some negative aspects of the CETA process (e.g., reporting requirements, hiring elegibility regulations, etc.) and tips on seeking…

Studied is the bureaucracy in Thailand, and access to an promotion within the system--or the "degree of openness" in the Thai public service. The key dependent variable is occupational attainment. Some key intervening variables include educational attainment, total job experience, sex, and regional remoteness of early schooling. (KC)

Public policy programs at universities are continuing to define and defend their institutional niche, influenced by new quantitative approaches of cost-benefit analysis and more analytic decision making. At least 50 institutions offer master's programs in public policy leading to jobs in government and industry. (DB)

This paper analyzes the distribution of power in street-level bureaucracies that deliver public services and critically examines the sources of this power. The mechanisms and political environment which allow street-level bureaucrats to make public policy are discussed in detail. (EB)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe how Engestrom's "third generation" activity theory, with its emphasis on developing conceptual tools to understand dialogues, multiple perspectives and networks of interacting activity systems, has informed research into professional learning in multiagency service settings in England.…

This study surveys directors of organized university programs designed to assist public officials and two groups of practitioners--state government officials and local government managers. The study examines the extent to which these practitioner groups use these university services and their judgment of the quality as compared with services from…

McClung has written several articles on the legal aspects of minimal competency testing. In this article he states that Getz and Glass ("High School Journal," January, 1979) seriously distorted his earlier works. He attempts to set the facts straight regarding avoiding litigation by practicing preventive law. (KC)

The National Commission for Manpower Policy assesses the effectiveness of public service employment (PSE) programs. Reports on numbers of jobs created, types of PSE workers, and the amount and effects of job displacement caused by the policy of "fiscal substitution" in local jurisdictions. Recommendations include strengthening PSE…

Outlines planning strategies and reports findings from an interview program comprising the second phase of Project INISS, which investigates information needs and services in local authority social service departments. Data gathered are organized under three headings: the context of information needs, organizational communication, and information…

In 1998, foreign economic crises lowered the demand for U.S. goods and reduced U.S. manufacturing jobs. Hiring increased in construction, finance, and government. Unemployment was low throughout the year. (Author)

Reports a study of the effect of variables at the personal, school, and district/division level on these aspects of the attitudinal professionalism of 1,205 Manitoba teachers: use of professional organization as major referent, belief in public service, belief in self-regulation, sense of calling to the field, and autonomy. (SB)