This book describes the history, structure and institutions of open and distance education in six countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US. It discusses how open and distance education is evolving in a digital age to reflect the needs and circumstances of national higher education systems in these countries, and explores…

This regional dossier aims to provide a concise, description and basic statistics about minority language education in a specific region of Europe. Aspects that are addressed include features of the education system, recent educational policies, main actors, legal arrangements, and support structures, as well as quantitative aspects, such as the…

Recently, the government has issued legislation on disability discrimination (the UK "Disability Discrimination Act" 2005) that is silent on the issue of access to technology for those adults and minors with special needs/disabilities either in the classroom or out of the classroom. At the same time, commercial legislation from Europe…

In a "FORUM" article published in 2005 (Volume 47, Nos 2 & 3, see EJ736851) Terry Wrigley argued that "Another school is possible". The article prompted Trevor Fisher to respond explaining why, in his view, the centralising thrust of the 1988 Education Reform Act, the shift in power relationships, the politicisation of…

At the beginning of 2004 the UK government downgraded the legal status of cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug. Following a review of this decision two years later, cannabis remained a Class C substance--which for some contrasted with the potential harmful social and health effects associated with its use, particularly for young people. These…

The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland) was established in October 2002 to examine all aspects of the law, policy and provisions that affect people with mental health needs or a learning disability in Northern Ireland. Its report "A Comprehensive Legislative Framework," which deals with the reform…

This highly acclaimed volume in the "Defending Public Schools" series is now available in paperback from Teachers College Press. It is a practical, necessary addition to the work of administrators, teachers, policymakers, and parents as they negotiate the difficult path of how to best teach and educate today's children and youth. This…

With the passing of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act into law alongside the move away from academic selection for post-primary pupils by 2008 and a far reaching review of the curriculum, education in Northern Ireland is about to face its most radical change in fifty years. Issues relating to Inclusive Education are now pressing…

Noting that the British General Election of 1992 ended the possibility of passing the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill this year, this article stresses the need for a renewed effort to eliminate discrimination in education and employment. (DB)

Four articles explore the concept of national security and its impact on freedom of information, historically and currently, in the United States (Harold C. Relyea, Steven L. Katz), Australia (Richard Alston), and the United Kingdom (David Goldberg). (CLB)

As a result of increasing mobility of students and knowledge, cross border education, especially in higher education, is receiving general attention in the Asia and Pacific region. The toolkit serves as a reference tool to assist local policymakers in the formulation of a regulatory framework for cross-border education that is growing rapidly in…

This article summarizes the 1992 British report, "Getting in on the Act," which examines implementation of the 1981 Education Act and recommends provisions for students with special needs. Criticisms of the 1981 Act focus on its lack of clarity, lack of accountability, and lack of incentives. A new relationship between local education…

Defects of Britain's 1981 Education Act concerning students with special educational needs are identified, including time requirements for assessments and the unique role of the local education authority regarding need statements. Comments are offered on legislative amendments, a consultation paper ("Special Educational Needs: Access to the…

The consultation paper issued by Britain's Department for Education, "Special Educational Needs: Access to the System," concerning amendments to the 1981 education act, is summarized. Noted are recommendations concerning school choice, procedures for assessments and statements, guidance, appeals, and appeals tribunal functions and…

This report examines the issue of sexual discrimination within British higher education and argues that further and higher educational services as a whole are discriminatory environments for women. The report's first section involves interviews with six women who had achieved notable success in the field of further and higher education management.…