While the literature in skill formation systems has paid considerable attention to inter-variation between types of national skill formation systems and intra-variation among individual types as in the case of collective skill formation systems, less is known about the role of the European Union in establishing a European model of skill formation.…

Whether to adopt national standards and tests has long been a subject of lively debate in the United States. With 47 states now participating in the Common Core State Standards Initiative, and a commitment from Education Secretary Arne Duncan to allocate hundreds of millions in stimulus funds to the development of common tests, the country is…

Describes the rise of local, independent radio stations as a direct result of the realization that, as a result of public monopolies and political interests, there is in fact no choice available in broadcast programing. (JMF)

Comparison of funding methods for vocational education and training in Denmark, France, Germany, and Britain reveals distinctive patterns based on socioeconomic and cultural national conditions. A broad spectrum of methods is apparent: individual contributions, joint-enterprise ventures, tax incentives, and vouchers. (SK)

This book examines the influences of governmental regulation on the behavior of higher education institutions in several nations with respect to designing and implementing innovations in curricula. Part I contains theoretical and empirical analyses in four chapters while Part II presents case studies of three nations, the Netherlands, West Germany…

The reorganization of broadcasting in France in 1974 created an economic rather than a public service goal for programing. (JMF)

Describes the development of the French Minitel videotex system and reports results of a survey of Internet users regarding the use of Minitel. Telecommunications and government involvement are discussed; business, political, cultural, and sociological perspectives are considered; Minitel use in libraries is reviewed; and expansion in the United…

Explores alternative arrangements for adult access to higher education in England and Wales, France, and Germany, and examines the impact of such arrangements on the relationship between the state and higher education. Draws on Weiler's theory of compensatory legitimation to explain why the noise about such policy innovations is louder than the…

This paper offers a broad look at accreditation and quality assurance in higher education and how these issues are addressed around the world. Section 1 is an overview of accreditation and addresses the aims and objectives of accreditation, standards, accreditation bodies, stages of the accreditation process, the quality of that process, the role…

Old-age policy in France has evolved historically in three critical dimensions that also correspond generally to post-World War II developments in France: the right to retirement (pensions); improved living conditions (e.g., autonomy, housing); and continued participation in the labor force. The last focus is currently a controversial one, given…

This article cites six sources which present planning and implementation strategies for major government-sponsored training programs. These federal programs were designed to allocate funds to modernize training facilities and to provide employment skills for the hard-to-employ youth in six European and Asian nations. (SSH)

This report is presented in three parts. Part 1 consists of synopses of the child care situation in 13 countries. For each country, the child care environment, including the philosophy and historical background of child care, appropriate legislation, and types of child care services provided, are discussed. School-age child care programs for…

Pointing out that the term "videotex" is a general term covering three types of videotex systems, i.e., teletext, viewdata, and cable text, this paper briefly describes such systems and notes that their future depends on social acceptance and permeation as well as government regulations. The difficulties for international videotex…

A historical survey of French regional language legislation and analysis of the present state of the seven regional idioms in education, media, and government are used to illustrate the languages' severe persecution and contamination. Organizations promoting the less-used languages and the upcoming barrier-free European market accord are…

A discussion of the changing relationship between the state and higher education in nine industrialized countries looks at conflicting requirements for institutional accountability, different models for the relationship; politics and governance; the developing role of central intermediary agencies; changing perspectives of student protest; and the…