At a meeting sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the National Association of College and University Business Officers, strategies for explaining college costs to external constituencies (the public, media, policymakers) and internal constituencies (campus professionals and alumni) were discussed. Officials from…

Studied the longitudinal stability of measures of peer acceptance, social status, and social reputation and the role of children's ages relative to classmates during the transition from same-age kindergarten to mixed-age ungraded primary classes. Found that overall peer acceptance and aggressive social reputation were moderately stable. Half of…

Attitudes toward Clemson University of qualified black and white students were compared. A "qualified" student is defined as an eleventh grader in the public schools of South Carolina's Third Congressional District who has scored at least 78 on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. The objective was to identify differences in…

Catholic high schools do not generally have a reputation for serving students with special needs. This article, using primary sources related to one high school's history, demonstrates how even an academically elite school can meet the needs of a wide range of students. Specific strategies are suggested that can help Catholic high schools be more…

A comparative analysis of college and university governance and the organizational features that affect decision-making and professional practice is presented. Based on information from hundreds of campuses and thousands of campus administrators and faculty, and on institutional case studies, the book offers information about participation in and…

A statistical prediction of National Research Council graduate department ratings in six disciplines (from faculty size and characteristics, student body size and characteristics, physical facilities, funding, and program productivity) found at least one measure of faculty or student size to be a significant predictor in all disciplines, and…

A survey of heads of education divisions in 245 colleges and universities in the United States investigated their perceptions of the relationship between various faculty activities (teaching, service, publication) and rewards (tenure, promotion, merit pay, contract renewal) in motivating teachers and in making administrative decisions. (Author/MSE)

The adolescent peer group constitutes a vital component of the institutional culture of the contemporary secondary school. Formed among students and reinforced by administrators and teachers, it takes the form of a structured status hierarchy whose membership and boundaries are clearly understood within the school community. Individual students'…

Since educational statistics, which are relatively easy to obtain, can only attempt to measure "quality," this paper asks how quality in higher education is assessed and how educational rankings, which are defined as benchmarks or attempts to measure, contribute to this process. The paper notes that while attempts to rank institutions of…

This collection of 26 essays examines the historical position of Harvard University as one of the nation's most influential institutions. Included are: (1) "Introducing Harvard: A Social, Philosophical, and Political Profile" (John Trumpbour); (2) "How Harvard is Ruled: Administration and Governance at the Corporate University"…

Curriculum theory has long acknowledged the presence of a hidden curriculum in schools. Whereas the formal curriculum is explicit and documented, the hidden curriculum involves those attitudes, experiences, and learnings that are largely implicit and unintended. This article compares the hidden civic lessons found in public and private schools.…

Truths and myths involved with student admission to Ivy League colleges are revealed by a director of admissions whose experience includes admission work at Vassar, Bowdoin, Harvard and Yale. Several basic concepts are offered as fact: most private colleges in America today are not highly selective; many colleges pose as being more selective than…

Examines court decisions in 1995 concerning college and university tort liability in accidents. Issues addressed include defects in premises, inadequate facility maintenance, school policy concerning safety, recreational activities on campuses, student field experience programs, campus activities involving children, operation of campus housing,…

Discusses effects of peer relationships on preschoolers' social development. Peer acceptance is important for successful social interaction and adjustment to school, whereas antisocial behavior is associated with rejection. Family interaction and experience are connected to peer acceptance. Suggests approaches that teachers may use to facilitate…

Analyzes 60 sociology doctoral programs from 1975 through 1980. Measures per capita and gross productivity of each department. Shows that conventional assessment measures contain deficiencies. Documents a tendency for conflict between productivity and graduate education. Includes recommendations for future assessments that would measure not only…