An Asian-American college admissions director discusses affirmative action based on his own experiences and the comments of Shelby Steele, an African-American critic of affirmative action. He argues that affirmative action promotes distrust and self-doubt. He proposes that honest self-assessment is more productive and affirmative action should not…

Division over the aims of affirmative action and the loyalties and aspirations of various interest groups have betrayed the policy's original purpose. The public's attention has been shifted away from discriminatory practices and appropriate remedies. Higher education must rethink and reform the whole process before it becomes compromised by…

Egalitarianism in public education must mean students have not only equal opportunity to attend school but also equal intellectual opportunities. Some solutions include a redefined mission for public education, new techniques for teaching rigorous academic subjects to non-elite students, improved school environments, and a national testing system…

Examination of 10 small private successful liberal arts colleges identified the following key characteristics: clear and articulate leadership, strong management support, collegial atmosphere, well-focused institutional mission, and continuous innovation. Colleges were Bates (Maine), Beloit (Wisconsin), Berry (Georgia), Centre (Kentucky),…

It is argued that, despite a tendency toward standardization of student evaluation, it is possible to use college admission requirements to support academic rigor without creating barriers to admission. There is evidence to support use of special recruitment and admissions programs and alternative testing methods. The College Board's role is…

A high school English teacher describes personal experiences in "untracking" instruction and offers insights into techniques and considerations for making untracked instruction effective. Issues addressed include attendance and missed work, deadlines, classroom communication, assignments, student choice in reading materials, and student…

Arguing in favor of the Jeffersonian ideal, this article proposes raising the point at which universal education ends and discretionary education begins. A 13-plus-3-year configuration similar to the European model might replace the current 12-plus-4 American model, perhaps with some modification. It is proposed that substantial savings could be…

This article argues that in the current competitive environment of higher education, both students and colleges will benefit if the institutions make their admissions and financial aid policies explicit, helping students and parents understand the variety of factors involved in policy formation and decision making. Carleton College (Minnesota) is…

A discussion of national trends and practices in college student financial aid and pricing focuses on the debate over whether student aid should be used to promote diversity and equity or enhance an institution's market position. It is suggested that intensifying competition for affluent students with strong academic credentials raises difficult…

This article argues that liberal education can not thrive as a backward-looking set of principles, but must adapt to social change if it is to continue to be central to higher education. Educational leaders are urged to reexamine, and structurally reform, undergraduate education to preserve the centrality of general education. (MSE)

This article compares higher education and health care affordability, discussing overall expenditures, the role of government, the impact on private business, social values, institutional confidence, and demand factors. It argues that, although college affordability is a serious problem, it will not dominate future public policy debates to the…

The first "recentering" of Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores in 50 years is described. As of April 1995, test results are reported in terms of a new reference group, high school students graduating in 1990. The history of SAT scoring, suggested reasons for test score declines, and implications of the change are discussed. (MSE)

The value of an interdisciplinary approach in a liberal arts education is stressed, and such a program at San Francisco State University (California) is profiled. The program helps students understand the reciprocal relationship between scientific development and cultural values. One course, "The Visual World of Science and Art," is described.…

A Milwaukee (Wisconsin) program to improve its public school education with the help of faculty from three universities (University of Wisconsin, Marquette University, and Milwaukee School of Engineering) is described. The program, EQUITY 2000, aims to bring systemic change to entire school districts by eliminating tracking and raising standards…

Results of the 1994 College Board Vocabulary Study, a comprehensive study of word frequencies in reading materials used at high school and first-year college levels, are summarized. The 76 book titles most commonly recommended, based on a related citation study, are listed. (MSE)