Access to higher education in Brazil is to a large extent restricted to the higher socio-economic groups. Public universities have limited places and entry is determined by highly competitive exams, thereby excluding those who have not had a high quality secondary education or attended an expensive preparatory course. There has been considerable…

There has developed moderate discussion in European higher education about the use of performance indicators for both accountability and evaluation purposes. This paper begins by summarizing governmental expectations, institutional objections, and several of the controversies surrounding performance measures. We then report on using performance…

This paper is a case study of the emergence of an evaluation culture in the public sector and particularly in education in Ireland over the past three decades. It suggests that the emergence of this culture was strongly influenced by external factors, particularly the European Union (EU), and to a lesser but significant degree, the Organisation…

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to report on an in-depth exploration of service quality in an Information Technology service department in a Higher Education Institute (HEI) and to evaluate the instrument used. Design/methodology/approach: The study surveys customers using the SERVQUAL instrument, which is one of the most widely used and…

Graduate counseling programs are proficient in training direct service providers but less able to teach the business of sustaining a community agency's services. Modern philanthropy emphasizes social advocacy by investing in change that benefits the local community and respects the diverse cultural experiences of potential clients and…

Would large-scale, free-market reforms improve educational outcomes for American children? That question cannot be answered by looking at domestic evidence alone. Though innumerable "school choice" programs have been implemented around the United States, none has created a truly free and competitive education marketplace. Existing…

Presents a framework for analyzing key training resources during times of reduced funding. Recommends proactive approaches to assist public sector trainers with increasing efficiency during economic downturns. (SK)

The United States Supreme Court recently rendered a decision in the "Collins v. City of Harker Heights" case, which addressed the liability of public entities for alleged "constitutional torts." Discusses the precursors of "Collins," analyzes the decision itself, and discusses the various elements that must be…

Presents a framework for planning, designing, conducting, and implementing training program evaluations. Identifies pitfalls, evaluation criteria, resources, and constraints. (SK)

Describes the customer service training program in the European Patent Office, which involved active listening, empathy, case studies, videobased role playing, and feedback. (SK)

A study of 287 public sector employees found that perceptual and ability-related antecedents of motivation were significant predictors of participation in training. Motivation and previous success in transferring training played a significant role in intention to participate. (Contains 43 references.) (SK)

In November 2006, the U.S. Department of Education issued new rules making it easier for schools and districts to use gender-separate classes, programs and activities as a strategy for enhancing educational achievement and opportunity. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings described the revised Title IX regulations as part of a greater effort to…

This paper uses meta-analysis to investigate whether random assignment (or experimental) evaluations of voluntary government-funded training programs for the disadvantaged have produced different conclusions than nonexperimental evaluations. Information includes several hundred estimates from 31 evaluations of 15 programs that operated between…

There is significant interest in reforming retirement plans for public school employees, particularly in light of current market conditions. This paper presents an overview of the various types of state regulation of public pension plans that affect possibilities for reform. Several states have legal protections that effectively prevent a state…

Focuses on two main communication technology themes: debate on the contemporary cultural turn predicted by new technologies; and implications of that disputed turn for some core concepts of the public sphere. Presents a series of elemental analyses regarding whether the Internet strengthens the political model of representation and lobbyism rather…