An analysis of the literature dealing with the responsiveness of public institutions to their clientele constitutes the main body of this interim project report. The analysts adopted Dahl and Lindblom's classification of political decision-making processes for summarizing the range of governing systems possible in public education. These four…

A study was made to determine to what extent the open-door philosophy of the community college is reflected in certain variables of adult enrollees and to what extent communities in the area of Southeastern Community College have been involved in the process of curriculum development. Data on 3004 adult participants were used and similar…

School choice, as one avenue toward educational reform, must be placed in context, according to this brief policy analysis. Prepared mainly for policymakers in California and stressing implications for public education in California, the report briefly discusses five samples of school choice: (1) magnet schools; (2) charter schools; (3) open…

Examines the growth of adult continuing education in Australia, using data from Mount Lawley College in Western Australia to show its large enrollment increase in part-time and external mature-age students and the different types of courses and programs provided. Some benefits from and problems with this trend are discussed. (MF)

Describes a study using the Student Reactions to College (SRC) questionnaire to investigate students' perceptions of General College of the University of Minnesota, comparing students by age, race, and socioeconomic status. The SRC contained 150 items in the areas of the instructional process, student goals, college administration, and…

Describes the background of Nevada's university and community college system, relating its struggles with the community, politics, and funding. Discusses the founding of Great Basin College in Elko County. Describes the development of college governance policies and institutional missions, touching on vocational programs, distance education, and…

This paper synthesizes 5 years of research examining three Minnesota school choice options for students with disabilities: (1) open enrollment; (2) High School Graduation Incentives (a second chance option for at-risk students); and (3) Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program (which allows 11th and 12th graders to enroll in college courses for…

This book contends that choice is critical to the process by which parents, students, and teachers can build consensus that allows a community of learning to emerge. It argues that the key to meaningful school choice is a system of tuition vouchers involving nongovernment schools, together with deregulation, which will foster an education that is…

The Commission to Study the Future of Community Colleges in Kentucky was established in 1988 to review the accomplishments of the Kentucky Community College System (KCCS), to assess its current status, and to provide direction for the KCCS towards the year 2000. Developed as part of a collection of reports on the KCCS for use by the Commission in…

This paper explores and analyzes the increase in limited access programs at institutions in the Florida state higher education system and the conflict this increase poses to commitments to increased educational opportunity. An introductory section poses the problem by describing the rise of limited access programs due to increasing enrollments,…

Current social, economic, and policy trends threaten to erase the gains in educational access and attainment minorities have made since 1960. The educational reform movements of the past two decades reinforced the concepts of equity and opportunity, but in the face of financial exigency and retrenchment, driven by state legislatures and public…

Although the nation is spending more on its public schools than ever before, American students score poorly on standardized tests in comparison to other countries. Rising spending has had little effect on educational results because of a dramatic decline in labor productivity in public schools. Research on class size indicates that efficient class…

Counseling support for adult students entering a distance teaching program at Deakin University, Australia, and evaluation of this service are described. Admission is granted to adult students without formal educational qualifications, and a counseling program provides information on the demands of university study and possible role conflicts that…

Dedicated to the memory of Raymond E. Schultz, the essays in this monograph discuss the role of the community college in serving minority students. An introductory essay by Fred F. Harcleroad summarizes Schultz's contributions to community college education. John E. Roueche then discusses the provision of equal educational opportunity to…

In a speech on the development of formalized systems for distance education, the British Open University is highlighted. Three themes are addressed: (1) objectives, methods, and evaluation of Great Britain's Open University, (2) examination and comparison of similar institutions in other countries, and (3) development of guidelines for initiation…