Part of a series of studies on higher education in different countries, this essay examines relations between universities and governments from a comparative perspective. Two major themes that appear in the literature are the determinants of increased government control and the extent of that power; six recent books that address these themes are…

Influences that have had significant effect on North Carolina Central University, a historically black university with a liberal arts tradition, are examined. The following topics are considered: events relating to the university's founding; circumstances affecting the transition of the university from a private normal school to a public…

A discussion of Harvard University's ethical responsibilities by the college's president considers the reasons why universities have traditionally been reluctant to take formal positions on ethical and political issues arising in the outside world. These reasons include a belief that such positions will establish an orthodoxy that may inhibit…

The bibliography identifies 179 books, journal articles, and papers published from 1969 through July 1979 concerning educational change, evaluation, and ideology. Arranged alphabetically by author, topics include social change, social science research and national policy, social policy research, politics and educational reform, and ideology and…

Experience-based learning has been evident in the Chinese educational system since the 1930s. Following the Long March in 1934-35, the Chinese Communists introduced a nonformal, experience-based educational system in North Shensi province. This system included drama groups in the countryside to educate peasants, classes in factories, and…

A study of the political relationships between elementary-secondary and higher education in 12 large States reveals that while at present there is little conflict between the two levels, there is also little cooperation. Several social forces are causing increasing attention to be focused on the division between the two levels. Factors lying…

Although elementary-secondary and higher education have traditionally been treated as separate objects of political action, various pressures are bringing this arbitrary division into question. In an effort to understand how these two levels of education interact in the political educational arena in different States, the Education Commission of…

The first chapter of this book describes the physical and cultural environment of Central America and includes analytical comments showing the complexity of the problems confronting the region. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are then treated in separate chapters including: 1) political, economic, social and…

By considering such traditional features as validity and reliability, as well as utility, and political and ethical considerations, this paper attempts to establish that student ratings are not credible as sources of information about teacher effectiveness. Several of the most common problems in the related literature are outlined and include how…

While in the early years of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Russian was emphasized at the expense of English, now the learning of English is encouraged. Students who learn English begin studying in primary school, continue into middle school, with the more talented of the politically qualified getting further study in Chinese institutions of…

This paper examines the potential contributions of a feminist critical perspective to an understanding of assessment in higher education. It uses as a foundation the nine principles of feminist assessment (published in 1992 as an outgrowth of a project on women's studies programs) and an American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) list of…

Papers from the National Conference on Trusteeship discuss: recent board- president imbroglios; Rutgers legal headaches; governing boards and legal policy changes; 5 percent of operating income set aside to build operating reserve; and how the South Dakota State Board involved campuses in decisions. (Author/MLW)

Debate over the role of college presidents, governing boards, and faculty in college governance reflects growing economic and political pressures on colleges and universities and demands for stronger leadership and more efficient administration. However, unlike the corporate model of governance, higher education institutions should never become…

Presents a scathing review of supply-side economics and its effect on social programs. Argues that the Reagan administration purposefully incurred massive government debt in order to justify reducing social spending. Maintains that Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney followed a similar course. Includes trenchant criticism of Canada's public…

Describes factors influencing growth in demand for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction in German higher education since 1989, and describes how Dresden University has designed a curriculum to meet the need. The Dresden program includes courses in generic scientific English required in a number of disciplines, elective English courses…