This handbook presents individual overviews of the major aspects of the educational systems of about 100 countries with an emphasis on higher education. Each chapter, written by a scholar from that country, gives a descriptive, overall view of that country's education system and organizes the information into four sections: background, primary and…

Traces origin of outdoor education to Aristotle. Expresses concern over cutbacks and "back to basics" movements that are eliminating outdoor programs. Proposes outdoor educators examine program objectives, staff, student needs, focus, and techniques to improve physiological and psychological aspects and avoid instructor traps to become stronger,…

Suggestions for undertaking and succeeding at publishing an institutional history address these issues: expectations, funding, choosing an author, stirring interest among alumni, involving alumni and older faculty, determining a writing approach, layout, and publishing. (MSE)

Points out the fallacies in some of the current notions about the academic abilities of today's students and presents data to support a more positive view of public education and student achievement. (WD)

Attempts to put the field of writing assessment into a historical, linguistic, and geographical/cultural context, in order to stimulate work in writing assessment from across as broad a set of perspectives as possible. Presents a history of writing assessment, looks at writing assessment in the modern period, and considers the future of writing…

This article offers guidelines for developing a national climate for creativity and invention. It recalls the post-Sputnik climate in the United States and notes evidence of Japan's increasing commitment to creativity. It recommends encouraging students to imagine themselves as inventors, providing early training in inventing skills, and…

The purpose of the provincial ESL articulation process is to maintain high standards of quality in ESL programming at the public post-secondary institutions of British Columbia, as well as to facilitate access to programs at other public institutions for students wishing to transfer. Goals of the provincial articulation process are to: (1) provide…

Designed to further the movement of Minnesota's schools toward an outcome-based system, this publication offers: (1) a definition of outcome-based education (OBE); (2) a brief history of Minnesota's involvement in the development of OBE; and (3) a set of terms and definitions for OBE in Minnesota. In addition, the document describes OBE as…

The federal government's interest in gifted education is traced from the Education Amendments of 1969, and the effects of social forces, such as Sputnik, the "Great Society" ideal, and the economic requirements for trained, qualified, and creative personnel, is examined. Increased emphasis on gifted/talented education at the state level is noted,…

This publication examines multicultural education providing a discussion of its historical background, guidelines for schools, and resources for teachers, community persons, and students. There are three chapters. Chapter one contains a history and overview of multicultural education. The concepts of assimilation, cultural pluralism, and…

Basic characteristics of the more influential curriculum development models in social studies are discussed. For a curriculum development model to be effective, it must provide for extensive teacher involvement. The most successful school practices are those that are school-based and collaborative. (RM)

Discusses implications of the current educational reform movement, which concentrate on improving the school's ability to increase economic productivity. The omission of discussion about helping individual students gain a modicum of control over their lives is related to the role schools play in a society where individualism has been subordinated…

A speech made to an early meeting of the newly formed Commission on College Retirement recommends that the commission abandon the approach to retirement as an instrument of educational and social reform and concentrate instead on making the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund competitive and protecting…

This reference guide of composition studies defines key terms and concepts and provides information about scholars in the field. The guide is intended as an invitation into composition studies for newcomers who wish to explore and perhaps contribute to the discipline, for those in other disciplines who wish to familiarize themselves with the field…

Gives a brief history of Essentialism, which emphasizes basic education and seeks to eliminate peripheral activities, and analyzes its implications for the 1980s, when public education is being called upon to retrench in behalf of school quality. Offers seven steps concerned educators and citizens can take to promote school improvement. (Author/WD)