The provision, in most industrialized democracies, of public funding for schools that differ from the state system in religion or pedagogy has the effect of encouraging philosophical diversity and school-level decision making alongside a substantial degree of curriculum alignment and with various forms of government protection for the interests of…

Examines the major principles expounded by Grundtvig and describes the modern Danish folk high schools, highlighting their conformity to principles proposed 150 years ago. (JOW)

Presents the concept of action competence and argues that it should occupy a central position in the theory of environmental education. Discusses different kinds of action, identifies environmental actions, and draws a distinction between direct and indirect environmental actions. Identifies four problem areas which require further research.…

Describes the Danish Folk High School that was developed with the ideas of Nikolai Grundtvig. His primary purpose was to deepen the students' understanding of themselves as human beings and to magnify their concept of life. (JOW)

Uses the concept of parallelism to describe those educational cases which suffer from a lack of coherence between learning objectives and the practice of teaching. Argues that the problem of parallelism often characterizes some kinds of development work in schools including that in environmental education. Discusses reasons for the problem of…

Describes the campaign launched by trade unions in Denmark to influence the general education system, especially the primary school (for students up to the age of 16-17). (JOW)

In many countries throughout the world, efforts to articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of workers have translated into the development of organizations with the specific charter to establish industry-based skill standards with attendant new and/or expanded forms of certification of competencies. The new emphasis on skill…

Explains that the need for a regular program of moral education in Danish schools was first recognized in the 1970s. Discusses the doubts and problems which arose when practical implementations and student attitudes were considered. Examines what is, and what is not, possible in the introduction of moral education. (Author/GEA)

A systematic presentation is given of the theories of justification normally applied to paternalistic acts: (1) pseudo-paternalism, (2) consequentialism, and (3) consent-based theories. The validity of four common arguments for educational paternalism is discussed: education is necessary, children are ignorant, children are unable to choose, and…

The new information technologies are leading to a fear of mass communications. Schools must lead the way in dispelling this fear. Newspapers can help by developing programs for using newspapers in schools. Newspaper programs in Italy, Denmark, France, and the United States are discussed. (IS)

Challenges theory that high-stakes testing and accountability will improve student performance. Cites experience in New York and Boston where student test failure and dropouts have increased. Discusses success of Danish education reform efforts. (PKP)

The monograph addresses the place of special education in the continuum of rehabilitation services with particular emphasis on special education in Denmark and the United States. New Danish laws about services for handicapped people and their implications for such aspects as normalization, decentralization, and integration are reviewed and…

Study of educational practices in five countries and the United States found the United States unique in depending heavily on local property taxes. Although none of these countries has devised perfectly fair system of educating their children, they are working toward that goal. New Jersey debacle is example of willingness of American middle class…

A compilation of lectures and presentations from Nordic and international conferences, symposia, and seminars, as well as informal contributions to debates, this booklet was published originally as a 1987 greeting by the Danish National Association of Reading Teachers. Topics covered in an often humorous presentation include reading, reading…

Describes a research project with teen-aged students in Denmark to illustrate the cognitive processes involved in learning computer programing and discusses the difficulties students encounter when learning to program. The use of home computers is briefly examined in the context of the need for human interaction in learning programing. (Author/LRW)