The legacy of totalitarianism thwarts discourse and practice of academic freedom in post-Soviet universities. For legacy-holders, "academic freedom" causes disorientation, irresponsibility, demoralization and inequity. They see more threats than benefits from empowering decision-makers who are non-compliant with local bureaucracy. For…

This research seeks to describe the continuing predicament of R&D funding in the U.S. and to provide support for a return to higher R&D spending as a proportion of GDP to maintain American leadership in innovation. Historically, government investment has funded most foundational scientific research leading to technological advances in…

This article examines how education unfolded as a science in Estonia in the period 1944-1991, i.e. from the second Soviet occupation to the fall of the USSR. Historical analysis of the way prominent scholars and institutions succeeded in overcoming the adverse conditions of that period is conducted by viewing their respective contributions through…

The New Social Studies movement was an effort by social scientists to reform US social studies/history curriculum at all levels during the 1960s and early 1970s. In the end, more than 50 different projects attempting to revitalise social studies were developed. Many of the projects focused on inquiry-based teaching practices and curriculum.…

Presents a Russian perspective on patent rights in pedagogic studies. The paper notes that patents and licenses are profitable for the author, firm, and state and questions why teachers are not involved in the process. It also describes a center for pedagogical innovations in the USSR. (SM)

The author compares and contrasts the mathematics curriculum in the USSR and the United States. The Soviet mathematics curriculum is not divided into separate courses, but instead consists of a series of steps teaching the method of thinking about mathematics problems. (BW)

Discusses the "socio-play" philosophy of drama education as practiced in the Soviet Union. Outlines the basic structure of the Soviet educational system. Recounts a Soviet educator's practice of socio-play philosophy. (SR)

When Gorbachev came to power in 1985, he and his supporters signaled educators that schools were free to concentrate on education instead of enforcing dogma. Soviet secondary school principals are discarding old Bolshevist roles, including those of Marxist-Leninist-Communist watchdog and carrier of Communist command directives. Principals also…

Describes the efforts in the USSR since 1984 to develop universal vocational education. Discusses the motivation for this goal and notes that this changeover in education constitutes a major socio-economic task. Links vocational training with general secondary education, reviews the need for modernization of vocational education, and provides…

Discusses "socio-play," an innovative Soviet educational philosophy geared to developing individual and group creativity using theatrical techniques in the classroom. Describes how to use several theatrical games and acting techniques in the classroom, and discusses results. (SR)

States that the need for developing creative thinking is currently seen as one of the most pressing needs in the Soviet Union. Describes an innovative aesthetic elementary education program in which students, teachers, and parents work together. (SR)

Examines effects on Soviet education of ideas and teaching methods of Shatalov, Amonashvili, and others. Their ideas, focusing on cooperative relationships among teachers, students, and parents that create a successful learning environment and diminish students' fear of failure, have challenged the authority of the Soviet Academy of Pedagogical…

Describes some innovations in the organization of children's and school libraries in the USSR which were facilitated by the Public Law of 1973. (LLS)

Describes recent efforts at educational reform in the USSR and analyzes the first results of these actions. Notes that educational reform requires not only improvement in content and organization, but also a change in teachers' consciousness and increased funding. Lists eight programs established to stimulate reform. (KO)

Gives suggestions for books and activities that can be used to take children on literary trips. Provides 77 annotations of educational resources for literary trips to Russia and China that cover the curriculum areas of reading, writing, and the expressive arts. (MG)