One of America's distinguished social observers describes the impact of meritocratic standards on Harvard University over the past 4 decades. (Editor)

Professional termpaper writing agencies are contributing to a society of functional illiterates. (HS)

Just a few years ago, almost no one saw accreditation as a major force for change in higher education. It was generally regarded as something of an anachronism, a ritual institutions had to go through periodically just to stay legit. But accreditation is back. Anyone who doesn't think so should try Googling "accreditation": even with…

Experimental college deals with the problem of maintaining academic standards with an open admissions policy. (HS)

Presents arguments for and against open admissions policies. (HS)

It is time for national scrutiny of the quality of higher education. Some indictments of higher education include: unqualified students; diluted standards, coddled faculty, little scholarly research, no quality control, inadequate measures of performance, declining academic freedom, and self-righteousness. (MLW)

Describes the current debate going on in Chinese political and educational circles regarding the quality of university education since the Cultural Revolution. Those being singled out for their bourgeois line are critical of such practices as nonacademic selection criteria and the weight given to practical experience in the shortened courses. (JT)

By modulating course requirements, effective classroom management is able to sustain respectable academic standards while making flexible concessions to student petitions. The author's name is a pseudonynm. (MLW)

The policies and high standards of Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela are related to the general state of higher education in South America. (LBH)

The case of a Saudi Arabian student admitted to Princeton illustrates practices of using the admissions process as a means of soliciting gifts for the university. Issues of academic standards, special admissions, and confidentiality are discussed. (LBH)

Article describes what it was like to be a faculty member at New York University in the middle 1950's. (Editor/IR)

A study of countercultural communities and those who sustain radically new ways of life. (Editor/IR)

Tested academic achievement can no longer be the sole means of advancement or privilege. (IR)

American society and culture is seen as being in an educational reform movement. Fresh ideas, renewed commitment to educational standards, rising expectations for teacher competence and student performance, impatience with trendy innovations and flabby practices, and a faith in the importance of high quality education are discussed. (MLW)

The issue of readability vs academic standards in college textbooks is addressed. Problems in balancing both needs and other problems involving textbooks and the publishing industry, including textbook resales and routine revisions of texts, are discussed. (JMD)