Provides a "deliberately provocative bird's-eye view" of new directions in thinking among economists concerned with education. Looks at the socialization function of schooling, the use of educational attainment as a hiring criterion, the importance of the "incomplete" employment contract, and labor market segmentation theory. Considers…

This report describes the make-up and mission of the Commission on Workforce Quality established by the U.S. Secretary of Labor on July 11, 1988. According to the report, the commission is to conduct a year-long study on the present quality and future needs of the U.S. work force, with a report due on Labor Day, 1989. This short introductory…