Education decentralization efforts are examined in six primarily rural, sub-Saharan African countries--Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Stated reasons do not always reflect the real underlying rationales for decentralization. Education decentralization that is publicly advocated to improve service delivery and local…

Traces the evolution of Egyptian government secondary schools from the 1880s to the 1920s, showing how their austerity and elitism declined after 1906 and analyzing the interaction of Egyptian, English, and French educational traditions. Explains how the secondary school environment shaped Egypt's political, cultural, and professional leaders…

Drawing on literature; conferences; interviews in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom; and two surveys in Canada, the organization and administration of graduate study is examined. Focus is on program design and administration, supervision of graduate students, student progress and completion, and quality. Recommendations are made for…

Reviews Hermann Rohrs' and Volker Lenhart's, "Progressive Education Across the Continents: A Handbook." Focusing on the internationalism of progressive education, the book describes how the theory behind that movement has evolved over the last hundred years. Briefly critiques some chapters and articles in the book. (MJP)

Examines comparative education's status in India in college curricula and as an educational research topic. Argues that comparative education receives scant attention, referring to surveys that show almost nonexistent numbers of doctoral dissertations in comparative education at two Indian universities and that show the paucity of comparative…

Considers the broad mix of schools proclaiming themselves "international" and attempts some clarification. Discusses recent literature that classifies schools by educational purpose rather than location. Attempts a definition of terms and calls for further study. (MJP)

The first and second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Science Studies examined and compared science achievement in 19 and 26 countries, respectively. This paper considered 10 technical issues that arose in these 2 studies of science education and achievement. The issues discussed were the: (1) need for the…

This paper examines the trend toward demanding increased accountability and efficiency by institutions of higher education in the United States and Europe and its implications for the relationship between government and the college or university. It notes that such factors as limited state resources, rising educational costs, and the growing…

This paper, commissioned for the development of the national report, "National Excellence: A Case for Developing America's Talent," analyzes the policies and practices for educating high-ability students in Japan, Taiwan, and China. It reports on studies over the past 11 years of East Asian children's academic achievement. In the first…

It is important for teachers and students to develop a broad understanding of Japanese education. Americans who are knowledgeable about teaching and learning in Japan gain insights about a different culture, and are better able to think clearly about our own educational system. This digest examines (1) Japanese educational achievements; (2) the…

Literature and research on higher education are analyzed in an international and comparative context. After summarizing the development of higher education as a field of study, the following kinds of research arrangements in Europe are discussed: individual scholars, university research centers/departments, independent research centers, national…

This document contains presentations and a summary of ideas generated at a meeting of the Council for Cultural Co-operation to discuss the state of guidance and counseling services in adult education in Europe, particularly in Germany. According to the summary, the following themes emerged from the speeches and discussion of the conference: (1)…

Several approaches being used to support students in distance education programs in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries are described. Britain's Open University support services are offered through tutor-counselors in about 260 local study centres throughout the United Kingdom. Students are assigned to specialist tutors who…

The book presents 13 articles which examine objectives, practices, sociocultural influences, and limitations of folk high schools in Northern Europe and North America from 1800 to the 1970s. Folk high schools are residential education institutions for young adults which are based upon heightening individual consciousness and commitment to a…

Investigates educational experiences and successes of Jews in Europe and the United States. Looks in particular at eminent Jewish scientists and their countries of origin, concluding that their success depends not on intellectual superiority of Jews as a group, but on level of education and possibilities of social mobility. (JHZ)