This document is a summary of presentations and strategies offered at the 1986 National Invitational Conference on Rural Adult Postsecondary Education. The conference, organized by the Action Agenda Project and co-sponsored by the National University Continuing Education Association, explored the educational needs of rural adults and designed…

This study adds to the effective schools debate a criticism of existing criteria--based on standardized achievement test profiles--for targeting schools for intervention programs. Qualitative and quantitative methods of gathering data result in conflicting assessments of the magnet elementary school studied as needing or not needing intervention.…

The major theses of this paper state that the concept of educational change is different from the concept of educational innovation and the effectiveness and broad scale applicability of educational change is limited by influences often overlooked by planners and implementors of change. The minor theses state that (1) the fate of most educational…

This paper is based on two premises. The first is that there are five conditions of readiness which determine the success or failure of educational innovations such as that of mastery learning. These are: (1) The desire to change the status quo, (2) a systematic management process, (3) effective leadership, (4) a receptive teaching staff, and (5)…

Assuming that education will continue to need governance at the state level by agencies responsible for planning, organizing, maintaining, and improving a statewide public system of education and that wide departmental variations will remain nationwide, the author makes several predictions concerning new roles to be played by state education…

Hungary's plans and objectives for higher education development are summarized regarding the function of higher education, the length of training programs, the educational process, scientific research, teacher and student characteristics, institutional cooperation, financial conditions, and institutional management. (MSE)

The international trend toward the devolution of many decisions and responsibilities for managing schools to the schools themselves is a powerful influence changing the understanding of educational leadership. This trend is also apparent in Australia, where there has been substantial change in the way schools are structured, financed, and managed.…

This policy analysis presents the "new-school" finance, one that, in contrast to most discussions about funding that have concentrated on spending patterns only, asks how resources are used within schools and classrooms, and whether they are used in ways that can enhance educational outcomes. The analysis, directed toward policymakers…

This report summarizes findings and recommendations from the Road Ahead Program (1995-1997) of the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE), a nonprofit foundation of the National Education Association and funded by Bill Gates, cofounder and CEO of Microsoft Corporation. Twenty-two sites in 15 states were selected by the NFIE.…

It is noted that financial problems of Latin American economies are leading to reconceptualization of the state's role in higher education governance and financing, particularly in the context of public and corporate demands for wider access, better quality, and market logic enabling better allocation of meager resources. Changes in financing…

Reports findings from a Shanghai (China) region survey assessing college faculty views on conditions and trends in Chinese education. Identifies professors' chief concerns: financial support, governmental action rather than propaganda, and sound policy formation. Related professors' understanding that educational reform is linked to national…

A survey of 67 Canadian university vice presidents and 66 deans concerning reform in recent years found that the many changes reported were modest and reactive rather than bold and proactive. Most common changes involved strategic planning, retrenchment, curriculum expansion, response to enrollment changes, administrative restructuring, and more…

In response to ongoing court battles regarding the adequacy and equity of Arkansas' education system, the state's lawmakers have effected school reforms in many areas over the past few years, including nearly a 30 percent increase in educational expenditures from 2003-04 to 2004-05. The authors distributed a confidential survey to all 254 school…

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, as China's society and economy continue to develop and higher education undergoes further reform, higher education teacher training, which is crucial to building a teacher base in institutions of higher education and an effective means of tapping human resources, finds itself at an historic turning point.…

This paper outlines the history of Czech higher education, changes after the 1989 "Velvet Revolution," and possible future directions as the society as a whole adjusts to non-Soviet, democratic government. An early section describes the early development of higher education beginning with the founding of Charles University in 1348. The…