Analyzes the changing nature of accountability in Australian and English higher education within the context of global knowledge-based economic principles. Finds similarities in accountability policy objectives and discourse, but differences in structures and processes. Discusses three themes that emerge from analysis: Complexity of changing power…

Discusses the increasing use of assessment as a market signal and as an index of educational accountability. It is argued that, through a failure to state clearly the purpose of assessment, educational reform in this area is overly concerned with the means rather than the ends of education. (47 references) (MLF)

Considers the impact of recent legislation on local inspectorates' role in monitoring educational quality and fostering school improvement in Britain. Compares and contrasts approaches of successive Labour and Conservative governments, explores inconsistent demands on inspectors, analyzes accountability/improvement tensions, and suggests a…

Briefly examines trends and changes in Latin American education policies in 1990s and provides overview of related articles. Examines various education reforms seeking to advance system accountability and promotion of school autonomy; identifies strategies used to implement these goals. Concludes reforms had "very limited positive…

The DfESs "Five-year strategy for children and learners" sets out the intentions of the Labour Government for its third term. Where necessary, its provisions will be subject to legislation in 2005. This article argues that the "Five-year strategy", like much education policy since 1997, ignores important reasons for inequality of educational…

One major obstacle to collaboration is perception of value--especially in urban areas where resources are shrinking and social problems are increasing. Sharing of resources is weighted by considerations of proximal benefit and proximal concern. This article shows how a New Orleans full-services school pilot project successfully garnered funding…

Ties the emergence of turbo-capitalism to concerns about governments' legitimacy and the wholesale auditing of public institutions. Criticizes hastily contrived auditing procedures for their irrelevance, narrowly focused financial criteria, and a blame-oriented view of accountability. Traditional policy values are being eclipsed by consumer…

Recent legal judgments have compelled the British government to redefine the meaning of free education. This paper examines how school governors formulated policies to charge for certain educational activities. The governing board's arbitrary decision-making practices depart significantly from the rational model espoused by the 1988 Education…

Investigates educational interest group use of courts to force educational decision makers to implement policy changes in Canada. Results show that all five preconditions for establishing a new third judicial level of educational policymaking have been met. Many interest groups excluded from the policymaking process have the political will and…

Opportunistic attempts have been made by successive governments to establish--some would say impose--sets of criteria against which the effectiveness of not-for-profit organizations like schools can be gauged. Most have been subjective: the extent of staff involvement in decision-making, the appropriateness of the leadership shown by senior…

Describes the Norwegian government's "barns oppvekskstar," a closely intertwined set of laws and value systems overseeing children's education, health, and social well-being. Although delivery of local services cannot be adequately evaluated since decentralization, the Norwegian case illustrates how parents, teachers, government…

Indepth interviews with senior managers in six Australian universities revealed messy policy processes and considerable variation in quality policy practices. Quality policy's "big-picture" effect was to enhance national government control of higher education from a distance. A further effect was to increase inequalities among and within…

Analyzes the 1990s conservative reform agenda in Australia. Examines the relationship between education, the economy, and the state, particularly the marketplace analogy and the concept of quality schooling. Current policies emphasize a return to managerialism and a direct education-work connection. Discusses implications of the conservative…

Combines a global, national, and local perspective to study the effects of educational changes over the last 20 years on the relationships among head teachers, teachers, and parents in France. Examines the impact of five kinds of transformations--decentralization, marketization, accountability, managerialism, and professionalism--on definitions of…

Addresses the political and policy environment that has shaped the educational agenda for rising U.S. state accountability systems, highlighting these policies' effects on the limited-English-proficient learner. The hope for language-minority students lies in pressures on school officials to narrow the white/minority achievement gap. (Contains 64…