This paper provides evidence on the sources of differences in inequality in educational scores and their evolution over time in four European countries. Using Programme for International Student Assessment data from the 2000 and the 2006 waves, the paper shows that inequality decreased in Germany and Spain (two "decentralised" schooling…

In the light of the uncertainty surrounding the new National Senior Certificate that was written in South African schools for the first time in 2008, this article aims to examine the new Grade 12 National Senior Certificate results quantitatively in the context of the Grade 11 application score for entry into higher education and the Grade 12…

In Scotland, a school subject department's "performance" is determined by its "relative rating," which compares the mean grade that its candidates achieve in that subject's national examination with their mean grade in all other subjects. Analysis of 1997 Year-11 examination results demonstrates that the relative rating is…

Asserts that receiving an invitation to participate in the National High School Honors Orchestra (NHSHO) represents the zenith in the growth and maturation of young orchestral musicians. Describes how the NHSHO was initiated so that talented youth could have the opportunity to meet and work with other accomplished musicians. (CFR)