The current state of higher education in Latin America is examined in discussion papers which attempt to identify the major problems in efficiency, finance, and equity in the area and offer policy choices for improving university performance and quality while maximizing society's return on its investment. The papers are organized as follows: (1)…

This hearing was held to receive testimony related to H.R. 3042, the Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act, which would initiate a new Federal program of grants to school districts to mount demonstration programs. The programs would focus on the following: (1) identifying high risk students and preventing them from dropping out; (2) encouraging youth…

This book proposes that, by becoming special, Great Britain's ordinary schools can move closer to meeting the individual needs of all children. It outlines the practical steps that need to be taken if ordinary schools are to meet the special educational needs of children. It addresses such issues as: the reason for a system of segregated special…

A study compared state policies concerning vocational education. Particular emphasis was placed on the states' use of federal allocations, allocations between secondary and postsecondary education, ability to receive grants and spend the full allocation, additional sources of state financial aid, and quality control mechanisms. It was discovered…

Educational facilities experts from a score of countries considered how changing economic and social conditions, as well as technological developments, will require redefinition both of existing educational facilities and of their use. Participants agreed that new needs are arising from demographic change, world recession, and unemployment. The…

Major policy options for American higher education in the next two decades, which is a period of potentially unused capacity, are considered. The focus is upon both public policies relating to higher education and policies of colleges and universities individually. It is suggested that the number of enrollees in higher education is partially…

Many children who need Title I, Elementary Secondary Education Act services are not getting them in many States because the distribution formula assigns Federal aid on the basis of figures which measure a poor substitute for educational need and then compounds the error by using 14 year old figures. That means that a State is still getting money…

States benefit considerably when their stocks of "educational capital" grow. From a workforce and tax revenue standpoint, state rates of return on baccalaureate education are far higher than those associated with any other educational step. Additional benefits attributable to higher education--ranging from enhancements in citizen participation…

General West German educational policy does not seem to influence application of new educational technology, which seems more dependent on the commitment of individual teachers, students, parents, and administrators. In addition, federal-state power structure influences related school funding and curriculum development. (Author/MSE)

Major reforms in Swedish higher education contained a number of distinct ideas whose status among Swedish academics are evaluated in a national survey. These ideas comprise an emphasis on: integration, increased geographical distribution, egalitarian values, teaching and undergraduate training, and interdisciplinary, relevant, and applied…

Newfoundland and Labrador has many rural communities, low literacy rates, high unemployment, declining enrollment and population, and teacher shortages. Policy responses have been to consolidate schools, increase rural teacher pay, increase teacher recruitment, implement distance learning and distance professional development, intensify…

A review of the evolution of Brazilian policy for higher education concludes that the conflicts, shifts in decision arenas, and decisional paralysis reflect (1) basic lack of consensus in the nature, goals, and possibilities of higher education in a society, and (2) disagreement about the resources available to a government. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the educational technology policy and funding of the United States Department of Education from the 1960s to the present, including two current programs: the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund and telecommunications educational rate (E-rate) discounts. Future technology initiatives and critical factors impacting the future and are…

Examines how learning-support resources are allocated to Scottish secondary schools, drawing on data from an Edinburgh education authority. Although a rationale for allocating resources based on socioeconomic indices can be constructed, basing decisions on a combination of standardized attainment tests and special-needs audits is preferable.…

The seven chapters of this theme issue explore current developments in research into educational accountability. State educational performance reporting policies, resource allocation for accountability, and educational reforms in Canada, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are discussed. The final chapters consider accountability policy research. (SLD)