In modern Western society, traditional structures and organizations from the first modernity, with its hierarchical models and well-structured and distinct components, are currently confronted by the individualization trends of the second modernity. This need for new structures is particularly apparent in present-day education. Education, in the…

Studied homework characteristics and effectiveness in mathematics education for secondary school students using a sample of 1,394 Dutch students in 28 schools. Results show a lack of policy directed at coordination and increase of homework. Amount of homework was the only homework variable related to achievement. (SLD)

This paper investigates the relationship between school-based sex education policies and sexual health-related statistics of young people in four developed countries: the Netherlands, France, Australia, and the United States of America. Drawing upon literature searches in relevant CD-ROM databases, Internet websites, government reports and…

The Polish school education system makes a distinction between two types of assessment: (1) Intra-school or internal assessment; and (2) External assessment. The idea of introducing external examinations into the Polish school education system emerged in 1992. This was directly inspired by study visits to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands…

In 1997 a new governance act, based on the principles of New Public Management (NPM) was introduced at Dutch universities. The aims were to realise integrated management, to strengthen the position of executives at the central (executive board) and faculty (dean) levels, to introduce a Supervisory Board at the institution's central level, and to…

A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED WHICH CONSIDERED SELECTED EUROPEAN EXPERIENCES INVOLVING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RELIGION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AS RELATED TO ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY, NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL POLICY. THE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL POLICIES OF ENGLAND, THE NETHERLANDS, AND SWEDEN WERE EXAMINED BY MEANS OF LITERATURE SEARCHES, OBSERVATIONS, INTERVIEWS, AND…

Research studies on educational reform show that moving from reform to quality education through centrally designed reform movements (such as clearer legislation or other strategies) is inherently limited. Reform is most likely to succeed when schools are stimulated to change and provided with appropriate assistance and when schools receive enough…

The process of developing policy for the recent comprehensive retrenchment in the Dutch university system is analyzed from a theoretical perspective on decision making. Focus is on the rationalist view of collective decision making that links social communication and unanimous selection of optimal policy. (Author/MSE)

The purpose of this study is to move beyond debates about income-contingency or non-income contingency as a means of loan repayment and focus on the specific nature of the debt burden facing students in different countries. In particular, it will explore how much students in different countries owe in student loan debt, the conditions governing…

In the Netherlands, there is growing interest in the day care and education of young children, stemming from the increase in culturally different, multilingual pupils in recent years and the understanding that the first 2 years of primary education form the basis for a successful school career. This position paper of the Ministry of Education,…

A recent research project on foreign language needs in the Netherlands and an international seminar on foreign language needs are the basis for a discussion of two issues: (1) whether it is possible to quantify foreign language needs, and (2) whether suitable educational provisions can be made to meet those needs. (MSE)

Summary of policy memorandum submitted by three government ministers is presented. Emphasis is placed on need for greater flexibility, particularly in regard to eliminating the sharp differentiation between universities and higher vocational institutes, to meet growing demand for higher education and to increase employment opportunity. (RW)

Reviews a study attempting to conceptualize implementation efforts of contracted renewal in Netherlands primary schools. Bestowing contract status on schools is an important instrument for implementing public policy. Becoming a contracted party in a policy process requiring intensified accountability and a time-bound renewal framework induces…

A discussion of recent changes in Dutch higher education provides an overview of the educational system and recent retrenchment and restructuring efforts, and formulates a framework for policy analysis that treats the system as a policy network. Basic processes influencing the outcomes of government policies promoting change are examined.…

Examines the innovative capacity of primary schools in the Netherlands comparing the schools with high innovative capacity to schools with low innovative capacity focusing on four components: (1) the context of the school; (2) collaboration among teachers; (3) school leadership; and (4) the school as a learning organization. Discusses the findings…