Ever since its formative years in the USA a century ago, the discipline of education has taken an uneasy stand on its own "scientific" status, not least with regard to the basic issue of the relationships between theory and practice. When a science of education was introduced as a panacea for rational planning in the fields of schooling…

The author has presented a historical review of societal/industrial conditions affecting the development of manual education to determine if a need for change in industrial arts exists at the present time. Societal conditions, industrial conditions, and the resulting educational response are examined in: Russia (mid-19th century), Sweden (19th…

In the organization and ideology of the Lutheran state churches, Tim Knudsen has identified the roots of universalism in the Nordic welfare states. This article applies a similar perspective to the aims and contents of early modern Nordic popular education. Historiographically, universalism was emphasized by Egil Johansson, who recognized the…

The policy-making and policy implementation processes used in Swedish higher education, the most comprehensive recent reform effort, are analyzed to illuminate the larger problem of higher education reform in general. It is concluded that the experiences do not fit the standard models of public choice, nor do they conform to prevailing ideas about…

The 1975 policy decision of the Swedish Parliament to reform universities and colleges followed many official inquiries, particularly the 1968 Commission on Higher Education (U 68), which had tried to solve higher education problems of the 1960s and 1970s. Described is the report of a project that studied the reform's origins. (RM)

Discusses myths regarding history and teacher education, arguing that research in educational history is important for teacher education and for professional educators. Two case studies of lessons in Swedish teacher training institutions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries show how yesterday's teaching practices and rationales influence…

Martina Bergman-Osterberg came to London from Sweden versed in the theory and practice of Swedish gymnastics as taught by Per Henrik Ling (1776-1881), and introduced his system into British schools, first while working for the London School Board and subsequently by establishing the Dartford College of Physical Training. This paper examines the…

A modernization of the educational system was an important priority for the government. Sweden emerged as a dominant military power during the 17th century. The new schools were then established in the midst of a social, political, and cultural transformation with fundamental effects on the school system. The new schools had difficulties freeing…

This article presents some major research themes and findings of the leading Swedish research group in the field of literacy in history. The informal and encouraging leadership of Professor Egil Johansson was of vital importance to the creativity and productivity of the group. Prior to 1985, a few large projects on Swedish alphabetization were…

The main objective of this article is to analyse the place of foreign language education in the development of the Swedish education system that spans a period of over four centuries. Primary sources, i.e. school decrees, ordinances, teaching programmes as well as reports by government commissions form the initial reference framework for this…

This paper seeks to explore the impact of IT on school and teacher cultures. It reports on Swedish teachers' use of IT in different school subjects by means of a case study comprising one school, four teachers (2 men and 2 women), and their pupils aged 9-12. The methods of data collection used were interviews and observations. The aim of the study…

This paper analyzes the relationships among education, meritocracy, and social justice in Sweden. The study identifies reasons for restricted access to grammar schools that, at certain times, have dominated the Swedish discourse concerning the relationship between education and social justice. Social justice and the legitimacy of power during the…

Examines the changing ethnic context of educational programs for Swedish Same, or Lapps, and seeks to draw implications for theory and research on education and ethnic-revival processes. (Author/RK)

Reviews educational changes in Sweden since the 1962 Education Act, which expanded educational opportunities through introduction of comprehensive schools. Discusses the effects of Swedish reforms on educational policy debates in Great Britain and West Germany and on comparative education research in Europe and the United States. Contains 32…

The restructuring of adult education in Goteborg was first initiated experimentally with respect only to SFI education (an education in beginning Swedish for ethnic minorities living in Sweden). This was done on the basis of decisions in the Goteborg Municipal Council in 1999. But restructuring came into full force for all municipal adult…