This report outlines the National Policy Board (NPB) on Higher Education Institutional Accreditation's position on the state of higher education accreditation in the United States, in light of the many challenges faced by the current system of voluntary accreditation, peer review, and self-regulation. Federal and state governments, along with…

The purpose of this paper is to offer an alternative explanation of why the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, and educational research in general, has such a low status and its connection to education reform is so remote. Emphasis placed on the differences that divide reformers, researchers, and educators instead of similarities that…

The effect of institutions on school effectiveness is explored in this book, which argues that school reforms in the United States are destined to fail because of the failure to address the root of the problem, which is found in the institutions of direct democratic control by which schools have traditionally been governed. Methodology involved…

This book examines the current school reform debate as a product of tension between elitist and egalitarian goals for education. Chapter 1, "Making Choices," reviews issues in the current debate and provides a general outline of the book's argument. Chapter 2, "The Mission of Schooling," analyzes the reform debate in the context of resurgent…

A study of the implementation of six major federal education policies in four urban school districts (Baltimore, Maryland; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; San Diego, California; and Dade County, Florida) generally supported a new theory of federalism. Research data were drawn from statistical reports and from interviews with over 150 persons at local,…

Although young children have no influence on the political process, they do have ardent advocates in Canada, Sweden, and the United States. Decision makers and advocate groups in the three countries, however, differ rather markedly, with Canada taking a middle course between the factionalized United States and the highly integrated Sweden. In the…

Over the last 10 years, Danish schools have made a rapid transition from a selective system to a comprehensive system. By 1990, it is estimated, practically no schools in Denmark will differentiate between "basic" and "advanced" students. Although most Western European countries have attempted comprehensive schooling, few have…

Enactment of South Carolina's Education Improvement Act of 1984 taught several lessons about successful education reform. The law provides for raising student performance by increasing academic standards; strengthening the teaching and testing of basic skills; elevating the teaching profession; improving leadership, management, and fiscal…

Retiring Secretary of Education William Bennett answers questions about his statements on the quality and costs of higher education, current administration attitudes about minority access, and the politics of education at the federal level. (MSE)

This paper asserts that government responsibilities in education and the strong connection of Americans with their public schools are being tested, as a network of Religious Right groups, free-market economists, ultraconservative columnists, and others use vouchers as a vehicle to achieve their ultimate goal of privatizing education. Their…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) alters federal-state relations by expanding the federal role further into a primary function of state and local governments and raises questions about how federal, state, and local policies interact--that is, conflict or reinforce each other. Early indications suggest that states are differently…

Examines educational stakeholders' positions on educational reform in Ontario, Canada, during two periods of capitalist crisis. The first period (late 1800s) involved efforts to establish industrial education programs in Ontario public schools. The second period (1970 onward) involves more business-led reform activities. Compares business groups'…

Although the British government has committed itself to the substantial expansion of access to higher education, it is not prepared to pay for the change, forcing institutions into uncontrolled and competitive cost-cutting and substituting student-financed subsidized loans for publicly funded grants. Faculty morale has suffered greatly. (MSE)

Discusses problems with reform issues that focus specifically on changing the system of educational policymaking to achieve excellence but lack safeguards against compromising equality of educational opportunity in the public school system. Explores the conflicting political views of reform policy, which include economic issues and democratic…

Discusses the current changes in Australia's education policy, arguing that the radical restructuring of the public sector hastened the loss of possibility of any critical evaluation of national policy. The paper emphasizes that educational policy needs to take the issue of critical sensibility seriously. (SM)