Four themes appear consistently in discussions of college and university institutional research in the twenty-first century: accelerating change, need for information access, need for better comparative data, and the dilemma that occurs when institutional research offices are required to provide both policy analysis and technological competence.…

Develops scenarios for the future of schooling in American society, focusing on two mythical secondary schools. After considering needs and concerns of schools in future years, the article examines characteristics of good schools, teacher quality, educational technology, social and civic factors, aesthetics, school community cooperation, and…

This essay, set in the future, reflects on the national accomplishments in social studies of the past 20 years. Among the educational highlights noted include: (1) the implementation of national standards assessments with results showing that curriculum reform worked; (2) the successful change of social studies courses to an issues-focused…

This discussion paper explores issues facing undergraduate education in British Columbia as community colleges there achieve degree-granting status and the needs of students become increasingly diverse. The paper opens by considering the undergraduate student and examining the goals of undergraduate education. The central three chapters discuss…

This report presents a plan for improving higher education within Virginia focusing on controlling costs, improving educational quality, and increasing productivity. The report's three sections: (1) review the price higher education has paid in absorbing massive budgetary reductions and discuss Virginia's current standing among the states in…

The Second Annual Federal Forecasters Conference, "Forecasting and Public Policy", provided a forum where forecasters from various Federal agencies could meet and discuss aspects of forecasting in the U.S. Government. A total of 140 forecasters from 42 Federal agencies and other organizations attended the conference. Opening remarks by…

This report from the California State Legislature's Joint Committee for Review of the Master Plan for Higher Education presents proposals and recommendations regarding the future of the state's community colleges. Section I introduces the major demographic, social, and economic challenges facing the California community colleges over the next two…

The usefulness of futures research data to reform the general education curriculum was assessed in 1984, using the Delphi method. Expert opinion was identified concerning changes in the general education curriculum that should be made in light of conclusions provided in "The Global 2000 Report" and "Megatrends." In addition to…

This is the last in a series of four policy briefs to be published by The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement in 2005. The briefs are intended to provide fresh insights and useful advice to policymakers and school assistance providers. The first part of this policy brief breaks down the process of sustaining improvement and…

This paper proposes approaches for both strategic and operational reform and restructuring of higher education. An approach to strategic decision making requires a detailed examination of mission, clientele, programs, competitiveness, and strategic objectives. There are operational efficiencies that institutions can obtain with the proper…

This speech discusses the role of community colleges in meeting three huge challenges to North Carolina in the immediate future: (1) responding to demand for dramatic improvements in the public schools; (2) finding effective, affordable ways to educate the echo boomers; and (3) helping create a workforce that can cope with the continuing reality…

Issues of the university's role in social and economic progress, educational demand, employment needs and patterns, changes in instructional methods, research, and managing change without growth are discussed. The need to extract long-term policy needs from the multiplicity of short-term administrative demands is examined. (MSE)

Societal changes will continue to have profound effects on postsecondary education in the twenty-first century. Advances in information technology will require institutional researchers to balance quantity and quality of information, data on multiculturalism must be better used, the political context will make international exchange of information…

As I look back at K-12 science education in post-World War II America, it strikes me that surprisingly little progress has been made. This disappointing outcome cannot be due to a lack of effort, for in the last half-century our investment in science education reform--human and financial--has been substantial. In this essay, I focus first on some…

This book offers an opportunity to look in depth at the nature of changes in further education (FE) in Britain and how change has been managed: the drivers, the challenges, the constraints, the costs, and the meaning for all those involved in FE. "Introduction: Themes in the Management of Change in Further Education" (Rosalind Levacic)…