Finnish teachers were asked to describe school reform and changes in the classroom and to discuss how they translated the moral language of administration into their own language as teachers. The study focused on a comprehensive school reform intended to enhance educational quality in a welfare state by providing all children equal opportunities…

Finnish higher education policy in the last two decades is compared with that of other Western European countries. Addressed are (1) quantitative planning and regionalization, (2) social recruitment, (3) governance, and (4) teaching and studies. (Author/MSE)

Studied equity in education during a national recession in Finland in which the supply of special services for children decreased. Results for a sample of 906 sixth graders and their teachers show a considerable gap between need and supply. The selection process was biased against boys in remedial \instruction and internalizing children in…

This paper examines the extent that material, social, and cultural resources and schools account for the relationship between socioeconomic background and student achievement among 15-year-olds in 30 countries. Generally, cultural factors play a more important role in most countries although in a small minority of countries, material resources…

Three parties in the present Finnish educational debate are identified: those who argue that the government lacks a clear comprehensive view of educational policy; those who defend the results of social democratic policy; and those who argue for economic competitiveness as the main goal of education. (MLW)

Analyzes whether giving up studies in higher education is considered a pivotal point wherein an educational career may change course. Reveals that in Finland the status-oriented inheritors of the societal elite do best on the higher education internal and external transfer market. Raises questions about equality between educational units. (CMK)

Holds that, in Canada, educational achievement inequalities are erroneously attributed to language disadvantage rather that to the power implications imposed on languages by social-psychological relationships. Examines several countries' experiences with bilingual education, and stresses that children should master their native language before…

Distinguishes social capital from societal cohesion. Argues that education acts in different ways for each. Develops a distributional model showing the relationship between equality of educational outcomes and various measures of social cohesion. Discusses theories explaining country trends and variations in educational inequality and social…

The Finnish Minister of Education and Science discusses what national authorities in most contexts expect of higher education, with some attention given to the Finnish context. Issues examined include innovation, expansion of educational opportunity, demands for educational quality and relevance, research priorities and quality, responsibility for…

This study focuses on music education for children and adolescents offered by music and arts schools receiving public financial support (from the municipality or the state) and that are "independent" of the comprehensive and secondary school. For these purposes, then, "extra-curricular" music education will be understood as…

Vocational education and training in Finland consists of prevocational education at the preprimary and comprehensive school levels and formal vocational training at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Prevocational education aims to foster children's harmonious personality development by integrating handicraft and practical subjects teaching…

A 1976-78 Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development, Centre of Educational Research and Innovation, Sparsely-Populated Areas project produced 14 case studies from 11 member countries. Fifteen basic conclusions of international relevance were identified. Conclusions were as follows: there is no single definition of rural or sparsely…

An evaluation is made of the extent to which Scandinavian higher education has been democratized, noting democratization includes the four elements of: subordination of university decision making to parliamentary democracy and to corporate representative bodies; decentralization of higher education regionally; equal access to higher education on…

A study described social and gender equality in vocational education, particularly in commercial education, and in working life in Finland. It reflected on educational equality in Finland as a factor in the reforms of vocational education carried out in the 1980s and 1990s and on the link between educational equality/inequality and educational…

Drawing on the experience of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, this document identifies effective adult education policies and practices. The following are among the topics discussed: (1) issues in adult learning and why adult learning is important; (2) patterns of participation and…