"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Divided We Stall?: Prospects for Education Reform Unclear After Republicans Take Control in the House of Representatives, Gain…

This report examines both the educational and political dimensions of time reform. It presents the findings of a wide range of research on time reform, discusses the impact of various time reforms on the life of schools and beyond, and makes recommendations for policymakers about how to best leverage time in and out of school to improve student…

This book discusses findings of the Citizenship Education Policy Study (1993-97), a project to develop a new, multidimensional model of citizenship education that transcends traditional nationalist conceptualizations. Five "generic" attributes of citizenship are a sense of identity, enjoyment of certain rights, fulfillment of…

Discusses a comparative study of elementary school teachers in England and France that preceded the implementation of the National Curriculum in English schools. Reports differences in teaching methods, classroom organization, and teacher student relationships between the two countries. Concludes that greater focus on professional autonomy by…

Reviews the educational system and developments in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union since World War II. Contends that reforms that brought intellectual freedom and pluralistic thinking have led to demands for autonomy from government control. Concludes that education is still linked to socio-economic, cultural, and political struggles…

Summarizes E. D. Hirsch's book, "Cultural Literacy," focusing on four separate arguments. Compares U.S. and Canadian education and society, particularly in relationship to multiculturalism and bilingualism. Concludes that Hirsch trivializes culture by presenting as no more than a common convention of effective national communication.…

Reports findings from the Computers in Education Study (COMPED) conducted in 1989 by the International Association for the Evaluation Achievement (IEA). Discusses problems associated with failure to adopt computers in schools, staff development, gender differences, and administrative use of computers in schools. (CFR)

Discusses recent, Swedish, educational, restructuring trends that shift away from a view of education as a public good to view as a private good. Concludes that education should be a criterion of citizenship rights and necessary to shape the public good. (CFR)

Provides an overview of problems facing Asia's developing countries as they strive to achieve economic development. Reviews trends in universal primary education; continuing education; restructuring secondary education; communications technology, vocational education, and professional development of teachers. (CFR)

The purpose of this book, a comprehensive summary of the educational studies of the late 1970s and early 1980s, is to make the thinking and conclusions of the studies conveniently accessible to those responsible for education at the local level. To that end, the book deals with 33 studies containing substantial information and advice for local…

This document explores the mission, goals, and underlying philosophy of the National Center for Science Teaching and Learning (NCSTL). The reform of the U.S. educational system, especially in the area of science education, will require a thorough examination of noncurricular, external factors affecting science education. In order to bring about…

A comparison of vocational training and technical qualification systems in Korea and South Africa shows both countries are responding to similar changes in economic and enterprise structures. South Africa's work experience learnership system is more desirable than Korea's more traditional separation between formal education and workplace training,…