Aspects of the system of institutional evaluation in American higher education are described and examined, including the state role, voluntary peer instiutional accreditation, institutional self-evaluation, trends, theoretical and policy considerations, and the possible applications of the U.S. system in other settings. (MSE)

The system of external course evaluation in the nonuniversity sector of British higher education, currently under review as institutions seek greater autonomy and the state seeks better quality and control, is described. Implications of proposed system changes' implications for interinstitutional relationships and the balance of power are…

France's 1985 formation of a national university evaluation committee, its operations and innovative aspects, characteristics in common with other countries' systems, and implications within the French system are discussed by the committee's secretary-general. (MSE)

Recent changes in American faculty evaluation include increased use, a broader database, emergence of evaluation systems, improved instruments, and impact of court litigation on improvement of evaluation. Anticipated changes relate to improved systems, greater rigor, computer use, increased flexibility and individualization, and increased…

Evaluators of basic units in higher education should be explicit about the motives, object, organization, criteria, methods, dissemination, and impacts of evaluation efforts to avoid being counterproductive. (Author/MSE)

A British review process for policy-oriented research is described, focusing on the problems of keeping academic criteria and policy relevance distinct in the process. The use of multiple evaluative frameworks for policy-related research is advocated. (MSE)

A study of the reliability and validity of a course evaluation method using small student discussion groups revealed the method to be reliable and productive but found discrepancies between student and teacher objects of evaluation and some dissatisfaction among teachers. (MSE)

Educational malpractice developments in America may affect legal accountability of Australian teachers and educational institutions. This paper discusses significant American cases and commentators' observations in the context of the Australian legal system. Teachers should embrace their widening legal responsibility in order to advance…

Explores contract law governing relationships between the student and school authorities, the teacher and the school, and the school and third parties in Australian private schools. Shows that government schools do not meet the conditions for enforceable contracts under Australian law. Includes seven references. (MLH)

Addresses issues involving the tort liability of Australian teachers. Explores broad interpretations of negligence, such as giving students incorrect information or negligent advice resulting in some physical or economic damage to the student. Exhorts teachers to provide their charges with the best advice possible for their individual development.…

Explores the common law-bill of rights debate in Australia and the probable impacts of extending constitutional and statutory rights to the educational system. Closely examined are compulsory education, the courts' role, children's rights, and the law and education interface, with reference to equality and quality issues in the United States.…

Discusses equal education issues in Victoria, Australia, summarizing the expansion of secondary and higher education since the 1940s. Explores transition problems between school and university furthering social inequalities. Views educational structures from abundancy and scarcity perspectives, cautioning that limited resources will maintain the…

Discusses education's purpose as bringing about change and the attraction of using education to effect social change in countries like Australia and newly independent Zimbabwe. Examines both the efficacy and the legitimacy of education's role and contribution to social change as related to particular political positions and thinking styles. (MLH)

Defining burnout as a continuous variable comprising emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment failure, this study explores the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout in 128 school administrators in a large western Canadian city. Findings reveal that administrators' dissatisfaction with workload, status and…

Examines research on effective schools and on principals as instructional leaders. Research shows that principals of effective schools are strong instructional leaders. Mention is made of weaknesses found in the research on principals as instructional leaders. (MD)