Offers a conceptual evaluation of primary assessment policy and policy process in the Republic of Ireland. Considers the National Council for Curricula and Assessment's policy document "A Programme for Reform: Curriculum and Assessment Policy towards the New Century" and refers to the primary teachers' union stance on assessment.…

Explores the 1998 reforms of the further education and training system in the context of educational and economic transformation in South Africa. Examines the further education and training (FET) policy. Focuses on the attempts by South Africa to transform its education and training system at the post-compulsory, pre-tertiary level. Includes…

Discusses PRESTIGE, the project funded by the European Commission within its Training and Mobility Researchers program, describing the research design of the Oxford part of the project. Describes a comparative study of the implementation of the 'European Dimension' in education in England, Scotland, and Wales. Considers the methodological and…

Compares the national policy developments in two countries, Australia and South Africa, and investigates the emerging tensions in quality policy processes in these countries. Reports that a number of similarities and differences were evident. States that notions of quality and quality policies are dependent on localized contexts. Includes…

Discusses the concept of globalization and explores the relationship between globalization and societal culture. States the transfer between systems must be more culturally sensitive. Offers a list of cultural dimensions to gauge the influence of cultures. Argues that greater cultural sensitivity is necessary when raising issues on school reform…

Describes and analyzes the emergence of lifelong learning as the central strategy in European Union education and training policies. Focuses on the development of European Union education and training programs, the emergence of lifelong learning on the policy agenda, and the White Paper "Teaching and Learning--Towards the Learning…

Compares approaches to curriculum specialization in secondary education in New Zealand and England stating that increased specialization has taken different forms and scopes in these two countries. Identifies three dimensions that have affected curriculum specialization in both countries: (1) opportunity; (2) source of impetus; and (3) support.…

Discusses the research underpinning the articles in this special issue of "Compare" that focus on how schools in the Shaanxi province in China are managed and explains that the researchers conducted case studies within the province. Provides background information on the management structures and finance in Chinese schools. (CMK)

Examines Great Britain's colonial education policy in Cyprus in the 1930s and efforts to establish a university. Considers the plan for the university in light of social and political contexts in Cyprus and to Great Britain's broader colonial education policy. Uses primary source material as the basis for investigation and analysis. (CAJ)

Argues that although Mauritius has an official policy of equal educational opportunity the policy is not effective. Part 1 discusses the historical development of the education system; part 2 reviews literature on women, education, development, and the labor market; and part 3 discusses current economic challenges and their relation to educational…

Analyzes the Central Council for Education's (CCE) reform proposals in the 1990's, placing them within the context of developing the concept "equality of education opportunity" as applied to educational policies in Japan since 1945. Provides three reasons why the CCE's proposal of a new type of secondary school would be destructive. (CMK)

Examines the Social Democrats' (the Swedish government party) policy to create a more equal division of professional positions between the genders. Explores two central issues: (1) the factors that influence the design and implementation of the policy; and (2) whether the Social Democrats policy goals are being achieved. (CMK)

Investigates the problem of knowledge production and legitimation at the University of Cyprus. Presents the historical dimension of the conflict between centrality (academic faculty) and localism (society) at the University of Cyprus and explores the social, economic, and political realities. Includes references. (CMK)

Provides six justifications for reconceptualizing comparative education as an area for educational research: (1) challenge wrong assumptions; (2) stress the contribution of comparative educational research; (3) understand implications of globalization; (4) understand the economics of education; (5) move beyond the economy; and (6) prepare for the…

Explores the problems and issues involved in doing comparative historical education research (CHER) in a single society, specifically Hong Kong. Focuses on primary and secondary sources concerning education in Hong Kong. Concludes with a discussion on the links to various theories and lessons from Hong Kong. (CMK)