Traces policy trends in Scottish vocational education and training (VET) over the past 20 years. Describes the current institutional framework for VET, which focuses on employer-oriented "local enterprise companies." Suggests that the complexity and decentralization of the VET system impedes evolution of a coherent VET strategy and that…

Discusses the argument for private-sector involvement in the distribution of government information, using U.S. patents as an example. Highlights include industry competitiveness; jobs creation; public access; identifying users; costs; user fees; existing systems of information dissemination; and implications of the Internet and NREN (National…

Introduces a collection of articles that critically examines the assumption that privatization is an effective means to increase competition, improve educational achievement, and provide a cure for the national decline in the American standard of living. The historical and political backgrounds of privatization are discussed, along with a summary…

Argues that private providers of services for handicapped children have to deal with due process under the color of state law and, since federal funds are involved, due process under the Fifth Amendment. Such laws involve parental approval of their child's education and allow use of the federal courts to settle grievances. A legal analysis is…

The Edison Project will reconfigure time, deploy truly professional teachers, and utilize technologies in powerful new ways. Other Edison design highlights include its research basis; clear, defining values; high universal standards; five-domain curriculum; proven, individualized instructional methods; creative organization; true accountability;…

Interview with a computer scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey focuses on CD-ROM as a medium for publishing, disseminating, and archiving government data; the private sector's role in producing value-added CD-ROM products; and SIGCAT (Special Interest Group for CD-ROM Applications and Technology), a free CD-ROM user group. (NRP)

Examines the process of desegregation in historically white schools in South Africa. Argues that reforms within these schools can be understood as an example of the marketization of education. Considers the relevance and scope of such an approach in the creation of a more equitable and efficient education system. (50 citations) (VWC)

Educators have long recognized the negative pedagogical effects of the strong centralization, curricular uniformity, and fragmentation that characterizes Israel's equity-driven education system. A recent experiment with site-based management at nine elementary schools may increase teacher and parental involvement, improve school climate, and…

This 18th annual administrative compensation survey is designed to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date salary data available for college and university administrators. The benchmarking resource provides comparison salary data for 168 administrative positions found in colleges and universities nationwide, based on responses from over…

This paper examines the forces that are shaping the current move toward privatization of teacher renewal, focusing on what forces may precipitate a very different structure for schools, colleges, and departments of education (SCDEs), and the possible options SCDEs have to shape their own future. Today, teacher renewal has metamorphosized from…

Examines the trend toward outsourcing in libraries and presents views from information professionals in various work environments. Discussion covers privatization activities of government agencies and libraries as well as corporate libraries, particularly law firm libraries. The need for good library-vendor communication, the effect on public…

Describes a Russian exhibit of scientific and technological applications for education. Discusses how the nation's transition to a market economy is dramatically changing technical and professional education. Concludes that the most important result of the conference was that people began to rethink their activities. (CFR)

Attributes the growth of private education to excess and differentiated demand for higher education. Argues that evidence shows that the higher quality of private education is exaggerated and that private school attendance does not result in higher salaries for graduates. Criticizes private education as not wholly self-financing, elitist, and…

Proposes an alternative analytical framework for studying cultural pluralism and multicultural education in Latin America. Outlines a model of socio-institutional pluralism in education based on two axes of the human condition: (1) the axis of communicative action; and (2) the axis of symbolic control. (CFR)

Rapid growth of non-state colleges and universities in Eastern Europe has been fueled by strong demand for education and a limited number of student places at state universities, which, until recently, had a monopoly on higher education in the region. While some institutions are shoddy profit-making ventures, others are models of innovation. (MSE)