Noting that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what back to basics advocates really mean by "basics," this paper suggests three interpretations: one dealing with skills, one with subject matter, and one with values. The first section of the paper places each of these interpretations in historical perspective, demonstrates how each…

The birth and evolution of the Normal School that capped the extensive public school system in Newark in 1855 and became Kean College of New Jersey is described. Needed to supply the rapidly expanding schools with competent teachers, the early school reflected the character of the city and affected the development of Newark itself. The quality of…

The evolution and role of the lay board of control (trustees, directors) of higher educational institutions and the part the board has played or may play in maintaining diversity in the American system are examined. The evolution of the lay board in the United States and in the United Kingdom is described. The lay board has become "the…

Educational purpose, policy, and practice in America have changed in important ways since World War II. For example, there have been three time periods with different educational purposes during the last forty years. For each of these periods, there were implicit assumptions made about why we educate, how we educate and where we educate. The first…

Five models are postulated for interpreting the three historical stages in the development of compulsory schooling in the United States. These three stages include (1) a symbolic stage where compulsory public school education began to gain strength but lacked enforcement procedures, (2) a bureaucratic phase beginning around 1900 where new…

This booklet provides an analysis of the American educational system from a socialist perspective. Based on the idea that our past and present educational system has been largely determined by the needs and ideology of the capitalist economic system, the author proposes an alternative society and educational system that places human needs above…

The evolution of the status and role of university faculty in Denmark during the 1980s, and the prospects for the near future, are examined in light of the predictions and recommendations made in a report issued eight years ago. (MSE)

Although some educational progress at grassroot level was made by the Dutch Reformed Church Mission (DRCM) in African Malawi, the DCRM system contributed mostly to underdevelopment. Most Malawians were introduced to semi-literacy under thousands of semi-qualified teachers, and very few Africans who passed through the system later distinguished…

The influences of culture and political status on the schooling experiences and educational attainment of African Americans are explored. The influences of culture and political status on educational research regarding African Americans are also discussed. Traditional learning environments, including public schools, have emphasized the cultural…

The history of Black colleges and universities is chronicled through excerpts from five articles. Four stages in the colleges' historical development are noted, and the history treats the topics of origins, objectives, legislative landmarks, controversies and conflicts, foreign language education's role, curriculum development, enrollment,…

Obstacles to the reform of British higher education include central government ineffectiveness, internal institutional policies, the tradition of institutional autonomy, diffusion of power, strong conservative political ties within the faculty, and economic recession. Reform of higher education is impossible without reform of the entire…

Focuses on the University of Toronto (Canada) forestry faculty; university president Robert Falconer's firing of W. N. Millar, an outspoken professor; and the politically sensitive university climate during early 20th century. Dissention over Millar's firing brought focus on limited academic freedom of speech and caused further restriction of…

Discusses the criticisms of multicultural education. Reviews the history of multicultural education and discusses changes in its social context over the past 25 years. Explores how multicultural education can be a form of resistance to oppressive social relationships. Suggests ways of developing political resistance through education. (JS)

A discussion of the history of China's higher education system summarizes the main characteristics of the traditional scholarly institutions and considers the western academic models introduced by foreign missionaries, those selected and implemented by Chinese modernizers, and the Soviet academic model adopted by Chinese Communist leaders in the…

Why established institutional forms of schooling have been so stable and why most challenges do not succeed is studied through case studies of reform that include the Dalton Plan; the Eight-Year Study, a secondary school reform plan; and the new model flexible high school of the 1960s. (SLD)