Argues that one of the most valuable contributions that an internationally oriented education system can provide is to inhibit the development of an overly conformist attitude. Contends that the ability to dissent is essential for healthy personal and societal functioning. Recommends that education about dissent should be made compulsory. (CFR)

Explains the criterion-referenced assessments in an educational context that aim to give information about valued educational outcomes. Traces the ways criterion referencing has been applied in the course of its 30 year history. Discusses a framework for the analysis of criterion-referenced approaches and applies the framework to the National…

Describes a joint history-technology project undertaken with ten- and eleven-year-old students in an English primary school with a view to developing the cross-curricular theme of Economic and Industrial Understanding (EIU). Outlines the classroom course and discusses the principles of EIU in relation to the British National Curriculum. (DSK)

Describes the early childhood education system in New Zealand, and "Te Whaariki," the comprehensive National Early Childhood Education Curriculum Guidelines. Includes a discussion of the curricular aims, theoretical underpinnings, and foundational principles and goals; also discusses meeting the needs of children with special needs, the…

Discusses the development of a multimedia CD-ROM that would help teachers address the "Evaluating and Appreciating" aspect of the Scottish Guidelines for 5-14 Expressive Arts. Focuses on a pilot study that aimed to determine whether the software assisted them in delivering "Evaluating and Appreciating" in art. (CMK)

Describes authentic pedagogy, providing theoretical background and a conceptualization of authentic pedagogy within the context of instruction and research. Examines the extent to which characteristics of authentic pedagogy were found in three Dutch secondary schools, concluding that all three lacked the characteristics. (CMK)

The 2002 restructuring of the national curriculum in all Japanese public elementary and secondary schools includes a reduction and reallocation of instructional hours, and the addition of a new "integrated studies" course, with an emphasis on more individualized, cross-curricular thematic projects. This reform comes at a time when a…

This position paper offers a review of the recent criticisms levelled against the products of the National History Standards committees and addresses those criticisms. The four issues of controversy suggested for consideration when examining the U.S. history or world history volumes include: (1) Who wrote these books? (2) Are the standards…

In 1989, England implemented the National Curriculum for state schools, which made prescriptive demands on teaching content and approach. This study discusses the requirements of and the controversies surrounding the National Curriculum, and the titles of books being promoted for student reading which reflect long-established children's fiction…

Most American visitors to Japanese senior high schools have observed only the very best public academic schools in the nation. Two-thirds of Japanese students attend other schools. This book presents findings of a case study that focused on the 12th-grade experience in a Japanese public general high school. The data were supplemented by visits to…

Many countries have introduced a range of policies that attempt to reformulate the relationships among government, schools, and parents through the application of market forces. This paper looks at the hidden curriculum of marketization and explores the extent to which the recent trend toward quasi-markets in public education systems are…

This paper outlines the diversity of support for educational research and the relatively little influence that educational research has had on recent United Kingdom policy for the secondary school curriculum. The document goes on to describe the major change facing U.K. secondary schools: the introduction of the national curriculum and a related…

Noting that current views of mathematical learning and teaching focus on the child as a responsible student who attends to instruction and who constructs what is taught in a personal and meaningful way, this paper examines scaffolding and mediation strategies and describes the learning and teaching of elementary school level mathematics in…

Examines the Greek National Curriculum for kindergarten within a historical/cultural perspective. Considers social development accompanying formation of the modern Greek state, problems of kindergarten teacher education, and elements of causal significance in production of Greece's National Curriculum. Critically examines aspects of the…

Discusses the assessment process in the British National Curriculum. Identifies psychometric issues which are not yet resolved and explores the problem of teacher judgment in assessment. Questions whether the aims of national assessment are compatible with educational goals. Suggests that teachers may not be fully supportive of the program. (KO)