Articles in this special issue discuss the utilization of social research by governmental commissions. How social science knowledge influences their decision making is examined. (RM)

Comparison of countries with strong industrial achievement (Germany, Japan, United States) and weaker growth (England, France, Russia) reveals a strong association between economic development and policies supporting industry-education collaboration. Positive and inhibiting mechanisms for industrial innovation were identified. (SK)

British and American approaches to educational evaluation are compared in terms of definition, political genesis, the agencies which commission and execute evaluation studies, and the use of results. The future evolution of these evaluation approaches is also discussed. (JAC)

Shows how the concept of legitimacy and, in particular, the theoretical construct of compensatory legitimation as a determinant of policy strategies may be useful for the comparative analysis of educational policy in advanced capitalist societies. Uses examples of educational policy in the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States. (BRR)

The recent releases of two major international comparative studies that addressed mathematics--the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2003 (TIMSS 2003) and the Program for International Student Assessment 2003 (PISA 2003)--provide opportunities and challenges for mathematics education researchers interested in using the…

Compares social reform strategies in Britain and America. Illustrates how programs in both countries had similar difficulties, including diffusion of research findings, clarification of objectives, and political manipulation of social research. (SK)