Higher education has become the focus of increased public debate. Stewardship of public resources, student achievement or the lack thereof, relationships and "partnerships" with business and industry in the area of research, substantial increases in tuition and fees, public perception of wrong-doing in the quality of programs, and allegations of…

The objectives of this research were to identify: 1) promising institutional practices for retaining and graduating low-income, first-generation community college transfer students at four-year institutions, including any transfer-specific support systems; 2) outcomes of transfer students (i.e., graduation rates) at four-year institutions in…

This report presents the findings from focus groups with first-generation students in Texas. The students shared what works to help them make the transition from high school to college, as well as what didn't work or what could work better to get more first-generation students into college. Pre-college services and programs can ease the transition…

Since the National Defense Education Act of 1958, a primary objective of federal higher education policy has been to increase access to higher education for those who would not otherwise attend, especially those from low income backgrounds. Increasing attention is now being paid to enhancing student retention and graduation, making sure that…

This paper examines the background and implementation of the recent Australian decision to move from a binary to a unitary system of higher education based upon the universities and how the federal government's economic and efficiency goals for higher education greatly accelerated the demise of the dual structure. (GLR)

The British dual-support system for teaching and research in universities is out of date in both administrative and normative senses. Reform proposals, such as a three-tier higher education system in which only top-tier institutions would receive research support, should be assessed for their administrative and intellectual consequences.…

The interrelationship between science teaching and research in British universities is examined and such proposals as eliminating research at some universities or focusing on only those research areas which promise financial returns are criticized. Ways in which science research run by government or industry can threaten university autonomy are…

This paper challenges British proposals to concentrate research funding in select universities. Such a policy would reinforce social inequalities of opportunity thus frustrating the purpose of widening student access. Quality teaching, especially in the social sciences, requires teacher engagement in research. Universities should reappraise the…

The first of two assumptions underlying the thesis of this paper is that, in the face of escalating costs, uneven demographics, faltering revenues, and a serious erosion of public confidence, United States higher education must become more productive. Universities and colleges of all types must produce demonstrably more education, research, and…