Three summary judgments are rendered including many students are emerging from higher education without satisfactory intellectual skills and knowledge; higher education institutions aren't as efficient or productive as they should be; and the leaders of higher education have either misdiagnosed what its problems are or are trying to mislead…

Graduate schools require federal support if they are to produce the new knowledge and trained intelligence necessary to the security, prosperity, and cultural life of the nation. Recommendations of the National Commission on Student Financial Assistance are discussed. (MLW)

In a study conducted by the American Council on Education, it was determined that social background, student ability and college quality determine the impact that college will have on students. (HS)

Differences of view and controversy about whether the disciplinary department is the best organizing principle for the university are discussed. The values of a metadepartmental structure can be obtained without losing the important values of disciplinary departments. (MLW)

Three articles on accreditation by Richard M. Millard, Robert A. Scott, and David E. Sumler cover ensuring the quality of programs and institutions, the accreditation process and what accreditation is needed by higher education institutions, and the cooperation between the Maryland state agency and a regional accreditation body. (MLW)

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)

Describes how the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) has played a central role in sponsoring innovations in the medical and health sciences, including landmark medical projects to integrate women's health issues into the medical curriculum and to use lay people in the teaching and evaluating of medical students. (EV)

Describes how the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) has helped institutions reach out to groups they have historically neglected, including funding a project to formulate a global strategy for making computers accessible to disabled students. Includes a list of other projects. (EV)

The complex assessment movement in higher education is examined from the perspectives of how it is being implemented on four university campuses (University of Virginia, University of Connecticut, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and King's College, Pennsylvania) and what its prospects are for a lasting effect on undergraduate study. (MSE)

The increasing use of nonaccredited educational contractors by accredited colleges is addressed. Some of the issues discussed include consumer complaints, the quality of services provided, awarding of credits, and accredition concerns. (JMD)

Assessment is intended to raise in value what the public gets for the dollars it invests in education, not to raise new dollars for educational institutions. To many people within universities, assessment is perceived as a threat. Ways to reduce anxiety that comes with assessment are discussed. (MLW)

Quality rankings of undergraduate institutions and programs do exist although they are hard to find and often ignored. The accuracy of these ratings and how they can be improved are discussed. (MLW)

The success of the entire academic enterprise depends directly on the contributions of the junior faculty members. The quality of the junior faculty, the diversity of talent, the promotion/appointment process, and the incentives to value teaching and university citizenship as well as scholarship are discussed. (MLW)

Economic factors in education are among the important causes of poor student performance. The time that students must work to support themselves has increased greatly to the extent that students are stretched thin between their desire to graduate as rapidly as possible and their need to have an income. (MLW)

Spurred to action by Governor Thomas H. Kean, New Jersey recently instituted a system of financial incentives for colleges and universities that propose innovative improvements in undergraduate education. An interview with the governor conducted by Frank Newman, the president of the Education Commission of the States, is presented. (MLW)