Hong Kong University and Polytechnic Grants Committee

The political uncertainties surrounding Hong Kong's future as a British Crown Colony have not inhibited either the Hong Kong Government or its particular version of a University Grants Committee (UGC) system from devising and planning a continuing expansion of higher education at a time when most other countries are levelling off or contracting their own.This article deals with the many unique features of the Hong Kong situation of which perhaps the most important is the nature of the Hong Kong Government - traditionally colonial and potentially authoritarian, not elected yet highly sensitive to Chinese opinion both internally and externally, and highly efficient in most of its management activities in spite of a strongly laisser faire tradition.The Hong Kong UGC system is charged with much wider planning functions throughout higher education than elsewhere and is responsible for the polytechnic as well as the two universities - hence its trans-binary designation as the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee. While this has helped its overall planning and academic guidance roles, it has involved it in severe difficulties in relation to its basic financial role which requires it to develop methodologies of financial assessment of Polytechnic costs for which no overseas models exist. Its academic membership is still entirely from overseas, with inevitable repercussions on its ability to arrange adequate collective discussion and its reliance on its local secretariat who act as the Government's de facto Department of Higher Education.     

Sleepy and hostile: The effects of REM sleep deprivation on shock-elicited aggression

Two studies were conducted to assess the effects of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation on shock-elicited aggression. REM deprivation periods of 0, 24, 48, and 72 h were used in the first study, while 48-, 72-, 96-, and 120-h periods were used in the second study. Both studies indicated that increases in REM deprivation (up to 96 h) resulted in increases in the number of aggressive responses. A decrease was shown by the 120-h group. A drive-energization or motivational-effects model is suggested.     

An Examination of Final Evaluation Methods Used in Master's Level Counseling Programs

This article reports the findings of a national study examining methods used for final evaluation in master's level counseling programs.     

Reasons, Rules and Virtues in Moral Education

Practical and theoretical shortcomings of an approach to moral education based on the development of moral reasoning are noted and the alternative of promoting the virtues is considered. The identification of appropriate virtues with modes of commitment and conduct supportive of a particular way of life is held to raise the further question of why a particular way of life should be favoured, and how our own way of life should be characterised. This latter, permitting social and geographical mobility, anonymity and value pluralism, is contrasted with that of smaller, more traditional communities paradigmatic of communitarian ethics. An ethic of respect for equal freedom is held to be compatible with the current nature of society and to be favoured by the virtue of appropriate self-assertion. The educational implications of such a conclusion are explored.     

A House Divided: Community Politics and Education Reform in Detroit

This research investigates the inherent dilemma evident in attempts to promote decentralization initiatives in urban public schools. Detroit provides a natural experiment in decentralized education reform given both the collaborative and the competitive reform efforts that were advanced between 1988 and 1994. A collaborative partnership, the Detroit Compact, was created, and schools of empowerment and choice were partially implemented, conceptually designed to enlarge the community role in the operation of the schools. Results indicate that efforts at promoting decentralization, over time may produce counterpressures to recentralize decision making.     

Negotiating the Research Imperative: The Views of UK Academics on their Career Opportunities

This article provides an analysis of the views of UK academic staff, given in response to a postal survey, on their opportunities for career progression through job appointments and promotion. The article investigates academics'opinions on the prominence of research, teaching and administration in determining career progression, and looks in particular at the effect of the Research Assessment Exercise on careers. There is consensus that the emphasis on research in determining careers has gone too far. The article considers the reasons for this, and looks at policy implications of this finding.