Prepared for presentation at the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, in Edinburgh, Scotland, this report describes a proposal, created by the Commonwealth of Learning at the request by the Commonwealth Ministers of Education, to explore the creation of a virtual university to support higher education in small states. A Technical…

In November 1996, the voters of Montgomery County (Maryland) approved by referendum an amendment to the County Charter that changed the County Council's review and approval cycle of the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) from an annual to biennial cycle. The referendum specified that in odd-numbered fiscal years (on years) the County…

This report evaluates the Fox Valley Consortium for Job Training and Placement of the Homeless which involves five educational, social service, and community organizations in activities to facilitate the educational development and financial independence of homeless participants. The consortium consists of: the Community Crisis Center (area…

The Center for Women's Business Research reports that, "As of 2002, there are an estimated 10.1 million privately-held majority or 50% women-owned businesses in the U.S., accounting for 46% of all privately-held firms. These firms generate $2.3 trillion in sales and employ 18.2 million workers." Further it states, "In North…

Three Florida counties (Broward, Orange, and Pinellas) formed a consortium for demonstrating the most effective methods and techniques in career education at the secondary level. A career education model was developed which was designed to provide (1) career awareness and exploration experiences for all students, 9-12; (2) alternative salable…

Discusses the rationale, methodology, capabilities and problems of a local area network created for the Library Consortium of Health Institutions in Buffalo, using a multi-user microcomputer. The rationale and design of a new network, designed to better meet information and compatibility requirements, are described and suggestions to network…

International university co-operation is in a constant state of metamorphosis. Its future rests upon extraneous forces such as globalization and internationalization and also upon those who make policy decisions. Many international university organizations are auditing their programs and initiatives to such a degree that the cost effectiveness of…

This paper explores methods of collaboration among countries in order to promote successful development, exchange, and dissemination of international education materials. The discussion emphasizes activities of the Pacific Circle Consortium, which was founded in 1977 and includes Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. Its…

A study examined how five colleges and universities with stated commitments to public service incorporate volunteerism and service-learning into organizational structures. Results suggest that institutions that make centralized decisions and share governance are more apt to institutionalize service-learning than are more loosely coupled systems.…

The Seattle (Washington) Tech Prep Demonstration Project involves the following consortium partners: North Seattle, Seattle Central, and South Seattle community colleges; 13 secondary schools of the Seattle School District; 8 businesses; an industrial association; and a labor union. The demonstration project was subjected to a comprehensive…

A review of higher education in Alaska during 1975-1976 that was submitted to the Alaska Legislative Subcommittee on Higher Education is presented. Information is given on: developments at private institutions (Alaska Methodist University and Sheldon Jackson College); the University of Alaska System; consortium arrangements; postsecondary needs…

This paper addresses the role of distance education as a means for increasing curricular offerings of small and rural secondary schools. Treating distance education as a "technology" risks repeating the same cycle of false hopes and expectations that has historically accompanied the introduction of technology into education. Instead,…

The Mt. Hood Tech Prep Demonstration Project provides technical education to students in grades 9-14 plus opportunities to continue into apprenticeship or four-year college programs. The consortium includes seven Oregon local school districts, Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), and active business and industry partners. An estimated 1,500 students…

The Columbia-Willamette Skill Builders Consortium was formed in early 1988 in response to a growing awareness of the need for improved workplace literacy training and coordinated service delivery in Northwest Oregon. In June 1990, the consortium received a National Workplace Literacy Program grant to develop and demonstrate such training. The…

This report summarizes the comprehensive, written self-assessments comleted by seven Minnesota tech prep consortia. The 1993-94 cohort of consortia was the first group to use the self-assessment. Within each tech prep consortium, the evaluation was completed by cross-district teams of teachers, administrators, and others who had been trained by…