Ronald Barnett in his book the Idea of Higher Education says that governance of institutions of higher education which includes policy making and strategic planning should be an expression of the will of the entire academic community. He states that boards of directors and vice chancellors are primarily interested in financial status, the essentials for operating, and that over endorsing the use of performance indicators and systems of appraisals is likely to diminish the feeling of community throughout an institution. When Barnett uses the term “community of scholars” he means a group of academicians/scholars having an internal culture of sharing and a common set of interests.  Developing this “community” in universities can be realised, but can be hampered by managers whose primary focus is the cost and essentials of operating.

As I reflect on Barnett’s book and statements, I realise that a participatory approach manifested in a collaborative form of internal government is generally an excellent principle to guide the management of higher education institutions. Indeed there are benefits to employing a participatory approach to higher education governance. Doing so aids in establishing a balance between administrative and scholastic interests and also maintains the feeling of “community” in an institution.  Additionally, if the faculty is allowed to participate in the development of policies and the governing body implements these policies harmony will be the result.  

Successful operation of an educational institution requires competent administrators. Education administrators provide instructional leadership and manage the day-to-day activities in schools, preschools, day care centers, and colleges and universities. They also direct the educational programs of businesses, correctional institutions, museums, and job training and community service organizations. (College presidents and school superintendents are covered in the Handbook statement on general managers sssssEducation administrators set educational standards and goals and establish the policies and procedures to achieve them. They also supervise managers, support staff, teachers, counselors, librarians, coaches, and other employees. They develop academic programs, monitor students’ educational progress, train and motivate teachers and other staff, manage career counseling and other student services, administer recordkeeping, prepare budgets, and perform many other duties. They also handle relations with parents, prospective and current students, employers, and the community. In an organization such as a small day care center, one administrator may handle all these functions. In universities or large school systems, responsibilities are divided among many administrators, each with a specific function.

Educational administrators who manage elementary, middle, and secondary schools are called principals. They set the academic tone and actively work with teachers to develop and maintain high curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives. Principals confer with staff to advise, explain, or answer procedural questions. They hire, evaluate, and help improve the skills of teachers and other staff. They visit classrooms, observe teaching methods, review instructional objectives, and examine learning materials. Principals must use clear, objective guidelines for teacher appraisals, because pay often is based on performance ratings.

If you spend any amount of time online, you’ve likely seen that there are a number of ads out there promoting the various degrees that you now have the opportunity to earn online. However, questions remain for most people about who exactly these institutions are, if the degrees from them are valuable, and what their credentials and history are. Although this list is by no means comprehensive, here is a quick rundown of some of the larger and more well known online colleges and universities.

Kaplan University – In addition to being one of the largest of the online colleges and universities, Kaplan University also has eight physical locations in Iowa and Nebraska, and two in Maryland. This shows that this is an established, well respected educational institution that has branched into the online business world. Online Programs include offerings in the Arts and Sciences, Education, Law, Business, IT, and Nursing, making it one of the most well rounded online schools.