The author of "A Study of Schooling," following up an article in the March "Phi Delta Kappan," notes the noncorrelation of school satisfaction with teaching methods or curriculum; discusses educational goals; examines schools' concentration on noneducational factors; and recommends changes in goal-setting, school-level…

Faced with declining enrollments and poor morale, U.S. higher education must address the fundamental issue of how a modern society organizes to develop its people. A new human learning system requires citizen awareness of self-development needs, a sense of the individual's place in society, and interinstitutional cooperation. Examples are…

It has been assumed that colonial schooling systems were always poor quality reproductions of the educational system in the colonizing (metropolitan) power. This paper compares the structures and curricula of colonial and metropolitan schools, finding not a reproduction, but a hierarchy, with the metropolitan school on top. (SJL)

The former director of the Central Park East projects believes children's schooling should be geared toward citizenship and "generalist" vocational interests, not college admission requirements. Kindergarten encourages openness and empathy, but effects dissipate with each passing year. Educators must focus on the habits, skills, and…

Discusses the history, characteristics, and purposes of the "ecole maternelle," the French system of free public preschool education for two- to five-year-old children. Focuses on the classes for two year olds, and particularly their enrollment levels, schedules, and links with day care. Describes research on the classes. (BB)

Explains the rationale for and operation of the four basic middle school organizational components (i.e., interdisciplinary team organization, flexible scheduling, exploratory courses, and advisor-advisee programs), and their implications for Catholic education. (DMM)

The Dutch binary system of higher education and trends toward increased vocationalism are discussed. The article notes the governmental policy to encourage the technical and natural sciences and explores new relationships between the university and higher vocational education sectors. A policy of parity in resources with clear distinction of the…

This response to Maag and Howell (EC 602 677) suggests that their perspective is oversimplistic and naive about (1) organizational structures and processes relating to inclusion of students with social maladjustment in special education, and (2) the problem of change in school organization. (DB)

Subject departments form the primary organizational unit of the high school. The chapters in this book illuminate the ways in which departments shape the views and practice of individual teachers, serve as a locus of professional community, and express institutional and social values. The book examines the implications of subject affiliation and…

Despite similar cultural roots and standards of living, the secondary education systems of France, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and the United States produce remarkably different levels of achievement in mathematics and science. An examination of achievement at a given age shows that the French and Dutch have learned the most, Americans the…

This book presents a summary of school-choice issues, and is organized around a 1992 seminar entitled "Choice: What Role in American Education?" Each part presents a set of conference papers, followed by discussants' remarks and excerpts from audience discussion. The introduction summarizes the papers' positions and conclusions. Participants…

Impressed with the vital importance of an effective public education system to the future of the Commonwealth, a group of involved business activists formed the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE) in 1988. The purpose of the MBAE was to help bring about systematic improvement of Massachusetts' elementary and secondary education…

A historical overview of the development of the British middle school system is presented in this paper, with a focus on the impact of the national curriculum established by the Education Reform Act of 1988. Based on field observation, information is presented on curriculum, the role of head teachers and faculty, parental involvement, and student…

The strengths and weaknesses of school-business partnerships and the need for more corporate assertiveness in the public policy area are the subjects of this paper, which is an adaption of a speech given on November 1987 to the St. Paul, Minnesota Compact Conference. The business community has two contrasting views of public education. One view is…

A yearlong project called "Inventing the Future of Teaching" culminated in a summer institute which brought together 50 teachers from all levels of education and experience to explore future options in education. This document is the product of that institute. The challenge issued by the participants calls for quality education for all learners,…