This Third Edition of the 1985 report, "Dialogue for Change," discusses options and examples of educational choice and teacher empowerment and summarizes developments between 1985 and 1987. The following key options are discussed in Chapter 1, "Proposed Options for Change": (1) magnet schools; (2) open enrollment; (3) purchase…

Advocates of school choice reform in education believe that when parents are granted the right to choose their child's school, they will act rationally, in a goal-oriented fashion, to maximize their educational utility by finding the "best" school for their children. The current qualitative study aims to examine these basic assumptions…

It was recognized during the early 1970's that colleges had a responsibility to the communities in which they existed and that more and more people who were not white, middle class, or 18 were demanding a college education. The career Opportunities Program (COP) was involved in getting colleges and universities to make several kinds of changes in…

The chancellor of the California community college system has begun a controversial effort to achieve higher academic standards through governance reform. (MSE)

Discusses the modalities of access to public universities and private Fachhochschulen (technical colleges) in Austria in light of the 1993 University Organization Act, which gave universities greater autonomy and allowed them to take market conditions of supply and demand into account in regard to admissions and programs. (MDM)

The controversy generated by the CUNY open admissions policy is described by its former president. The combination of tuition charges and the modified open admissions policy lowered student enrollment and the retrenchment of younger faculty lowered the morale of the faculty. (MLW)

First-cycle university courses in France have a special function, both providing education and serving as an adjustment variable, guaranteeing a place in higher education for any student with the "baccalaureat" degree. Suggests criticism of the system for poor completion rates in undergraduate courses is partially unfounded because the…

Different models of integrated education in the United States, Sweden, and Germany, including open admissions systems, are discussed in 16 conference papers. Titles include the following: "Opportunity and Achievement: An Analysis of Labor Market Experiences among Recent Graduates from the City University of New York" (James Murtha, Barry…

Educational reform by Miami-Dade Community College is discussed by its president, Robert H. McCabe. In an action that is considered unusual for two-year schools, it has tightened controls on its curriculum, faculty, and students. A commitment to achieving higher levels of literacy is advocated. (MLW)

This report examines the issue of educational choice in detail, beginning with a historical review and concluding with a look at the future of choice in the United States. Focusing on both opposing and supporting sides of the debate, this report examines equity issues, including access to information, adequate and appropriate transportation, fair…

A personal account of the years 1970 to 1979 at The City College of New York is presented in the form of memoirs of the eighth president of City College, Robert E. Marshak. Topics discussed include: the history of City College, urban higher education, open admissions, the liberal arts, ethnic studies, professional training, biomedical education,…

This paper discusses implications of open enrollment polices for students with disabilities and for districts that gain or lose students with disabilities through transfer. An introductory section examines how open enrollment differs from other "choice" options and offers general arguments for and against open enrollment. The remainder of the…

Explains and analyzes open-enrollment plans, current open-enrollment legislation, and the Omaha (Nebraska) School District's attempt to balance goals of integration and open enrollment. Provides recommendations for educational and legislative reform in the area of public school choice. (198 references) (MLF)

Five aspects of higher education policy (the impact of goals, the role of underlying assumptions, evaluation, group support and resistance, and environmental changes) are examined in light of specific strategic changes made in the higher education systems of Norway, Sweden, Britain, France, Italy, West Germany, and Poland. (MSE)

Gives a brief historical background of education in England and describes the effects of the Education Reform Act of 1988 to undermine the powers of local education authorities. Cites open enrollment, local management of schools, grant-maintained schools and city technology schools, teacher performance appraisals, and the national curriculum as…