Views the use of private vendors as a way of cost reduction and efficiency improvement. It argues that contracting out for services reduces administrator overload, provides better technical expertise and economies of scale, and reduces supervisory work. Privatization also brings political implications involving employee job loss and service…

The social context of school reform efforts is examined. It is argued that the intended modern school curriculum, designed to produce self-motivated, active learners, is undermined by classroom policies that emphasize simple obedience. Alignment of curriculum and a revised management scheme that serves as an instructional scaffold are recommended.…

Trends in higher education that are pushing it from a principally public enterprise to a largely private one are examined, including the shift away from public financial support and greater internal management problems. An increasing market orientation is predicted, bringing price and demand into equilibrium, fostering privatization, and infusing…

The impact of 1981 reforms in Chile's higher education system is described and analyzed. The system has been diversified by encouragement of private universities and creation of professional institutes and technical training centers. Funding system changes have produced student loan recovery problems and limited private offerings. Oversupply of…

Influences on the development of international distance education are examined, focusing on the trend toward privatization of higher education and anticipated cooperation between media leaders and universities. Factors in the success of such efforts and the response of critics are considered, and the conclusions drawn by a major Australian report…

The same educational finance issues present in the mid-1960s are present now, but today's politicians are more conservative. There is declining confidence in public schools and universities. Education should be a seamless K-16 phenomenon. Management theories making a difference in public education include strategic planning, privatization, and…

Appraises five major (nonchampioning) forces pressuring public education: the expanding role of business interests; uneven performance of education's own pressure groups; changing role of cultural conservatism; influence of new-breed information providers; and effects of shifting labels and definitions of political loyalty on needy schools. (MLH)

Public education is not highly supported by the American public, who put economics first. The GI Bill and Cold War era prove that point. Schools have suffered from bad press, ultraconservatism, provincialism, teacher nonprofessionalism, commercialism, gambling, student fundraising, misplaced government/parental priorities, an uninviting work…

Following the economic reforms in the early 90's, most of the south-eastern European countries (SEE) made efforts to establish agricultural extension services. However, a number of factors including tight governmental budgets, lack of experience, and the existence of vested interests have constrained the development of extension services. This…

This essay reviews the principles motivating contemporary"critical mathematics" discourses. Drawing from varied critical discourses including ethno-mathematics, critical theory, post-structural theory, and situated and ecological cognition, the essay examines the pragmatics of critiques to the privileged role of school mathematics in the…

The crisis of education is one of the most pressing problems in the world today. Russia's crisis in this sphere has taken on the character of an emergency owing to the unprecedented wholesale cutbacks in budget funding. In this article, the authors discuss the commercialization of Russia's higher education, leading to its degradation and threat to…

This book argues that public education no longer fosters in students basic skills, scientific and cultural literacy, civic virtues, and desirable habits/attitudes toward society and its institutions. The book asserts that government provision of goods and services is usually less effective and efficient than provision through a market system. It…

In the Healthy Meals for Healthy Americans Act of 1994, Congress directed the Government Accounting Office (GAO) to examine the use of private food establishments and caterers by schools participating in federal programs for school meals. In conducting its review, the GAO relied primarily on questionnaires returned by food authorities that had…

Controversy abounds in states and communities across the United States about how best to manage the nation's schools. Much of the current debate over school reform can be reduced to a single question: Who should decide? This report discusses some of the ways in which policymakers have attempted to give schools greater flexibility from rules and…

Among the most rapidly progressing issues in American public education is that of contracting with private companies for teaching or administrative services. This booklet neither encourages nor discourages school boards from considering or entering into relationships with private companies for educational services. School districts usually enter…