The relationship between education and socioeconomic development is reviewed, and a case study of school improvement efforts in an East Tennessee school district is presented. The district and surrounding Clinch County have been economically underdeveloped throughout this century; their schools represent structural barriers for human capital and…

The rapidly increasing Latino population indicates that Hispanics represent a significant segment of future U.S. workers and taxpayers. Increasing the educational attainment and other human capital characteristics of Hispanics is critical for their integration into the workforce and for the nation's social welfare. Contains 76 references.…

Recent within-twin estimates of schooling returns are considerably higher than existing estimates. This paper shows that small ability differences among twins can yield more upward omitted-ability bias (and more upward bias overall) in the instrumental variables estimate correcting for measurement error than in the standard within-twin estimate.…

A professional economist criticizes Gerald Bracey's view that the condition of public education has little to do with the state of the nation's economy. Most studies indicate that education contributes to growing productivity, higher wages, and a sound economy. Education can serve the nation's economic needs without sacrificing education's other…

Estimates a fixed-effects model of pay determination for five Ph.D.-granting departments of economics in large midwestern state universities. Departments' reward structures vary widely. Second sabbatical leaves are associated with higher pay. In estimating rewards for research, returns to quality overwhelm returns to quantity at four universities.…

Applies comparative techniques originated by K. Wolpin and G. Psacharopulos to discriminate between the "weak" and "strong" screening hypotheses, employed to determine whether societal investment in upgrading or expanding education is justified. Controlling for sample selection, this study finds evidence for weak screening in…

Using Botswana household income data, shows that education's rates of return rise by education level. The human capital model remains robust. Education is not income-equalizing; women are paid less than men despite being more highly educated. Private educational financing, job creation, and increased gender equity are needed. (Contains 27…

Evaluates a (British) government white paper on postsecondary education. Welcomes community councils, social partnerships, and enhanced resources, while criticizing absence of a change model, inadequate employer training investments, and slavish adherence to business's needs and human-capital theory. Empowerment goes further than endless…

This special issue was inspired by Greg Duncan and Saul Hoffman's 1981 article on the "incidence and wage effects of overeducation." These researchers used a Mincer earnings equation to determine that a substantial number of American workers were over- or under-educated for their chosen occupations. (MLH)

Investigates whether structural changes in the U.S. labor market affected the rewards and penalties associated with having too much or too little schooling for a job. Applies U.S. results to Germany's more structured ambience. In all cases, productivity and wages were affected by workers' education levels. (Contains 34 references.) (MLH)

Estimates separate earnings equations by employment sector and gender in Spain and identifies returns to human capital, based on 1990-91 household survey data. Public wages are higher, and civil servants more highly educated. However, the public sector pays lower returns to education and experience. Earnings advantage is largest for least skilled…

Examines the contributions of parental involvement in the activation of cultural and social capital that in turn affects children's learning outcomes. Offers practical knowledge to policy makers, teachers, and parents for maximizing home and school resources for children's education. (CMK)

Presents evidence on returns to education for Spanish employees during the 1980s, a period of remarkable structural transformation. Results show a declining payoff to education between 1981 and 1991 for lower and intermediate educational levels. Higher education does not show a reduction in return. Earnings inequality by gender declined noticeably…

Computes rates of return to education in Singapore for 1980-1994, using the cost-benefit approach. Rates of return varied with education level. Although remaining higher than return rates for secondary education, those for tertiary education were declining. Polytechnic education enjoys the highest social/private return rates. (Contains 40…

Disputes the reform agenda of the 1996 conference of the nation's governors in Palisades, New York that focused on high-quality academics, specifically on standards and assessment as the means for change. Believes that by building human capital and promoting teacher learning, a more significant and worthwhile change will occur in the schools. (CMK)