Suggests that the most acute problem in educational planning is the confusion about the nature, purpose, and relevance of education. Argues that education should be viewed as a field of hypothesis about the future. Includes the importance of knowledge and know-how, education versus educational systems, and social versus educational planning. (DK)

Suggests nonformal education can be defined only with respect to its function in a specific context, its objectives established on an individual basis. Argues that it cannot be centralized or institutionalized. Includes nonformal education as a method of broadening access to education, providing second chance programs, and serving a Gandhian…

Examines the contributions of parental involvement in the activation of cultural and social capital that in turn affects children's learning outcomes. Offers practical knowledge to policy makers, teachers, and parents for maximizing home and school resources for children's education. (CMK)

Who are New England's future college students? What is the shape of the region's future educated workforce? The answers to these questions may be found in part in the region's high schools where each year, 150,000 or so graduating seniors decide whether and where to go to college. It's a group most states do not consult often enough as they forge…

To train 19 participants from nine Arab governments in educational and human resources planning, an intensive four-week course was offered covering the use of population census data, assessment of economies' demands for education and training, and techniques of evaluation and of manpower forecasting. This report describes the organizing and…

This paper traces the development of human capital theory and shows how it has been used to justify public vocational education programs that emphasize the development of job-specific skills. Possessing vocational skills does not guarantee employment in the related field; consequently, education should emphasize the teaching of basic intellectual…

Focuses on the role of education and human resource development in relation to the economic performance of countries over time examining three major regions: (1) the early developing western nations (North America and Europe); (2) the newly industrializing countries of East Asia; and (3) the underdeveloped countries especially in Africa. (CMK)

Criticizes the consensus that lifelong learning, on its own, has the power to solve a wide range of educational, social, and political ills. Presents alternative visions of lifelong learning and stresses the relevance to policy of viewing lifelong learning as social control. Reflects on possible ways forward. Includes references. (CMK)

This case study discusses the influence of politics on educational technology policies and practices by tracing the effects of a change of governing political parties with differing ideologies and advisory constituencies. It begins by describing a democratic socialist government initiative based on social capital theory and emphasising connections…

Over the past years, a large body of scholarly literature has developed to address gender inequity in the developed world, and suggestions for reducing the gender gap are well documented in the literature. However, still lacking in research is why there is gender inequity in mathematics and science education in African schools. Girls are not…

The work of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is guided by a strategic plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide focus for the activity of this small agency and its five staff members in order to increase productivity and impact in the areas of its statutory authority. The mission and goals were accepted by Commissioners…

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency representing a unique partnership of federal, state, and local governments. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, the Commission is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chairperson. Grassroots participation is provided by…

Pathways from Poverty is a public policy education and research initiative organized by the Rural Sociological Society's Task Force on Persistent Rural Poverty and the four regional rural development centers. This publication focuses on project efforts in the Northeast and includes three sections. The first section describes the Pathways from…

National development, a worldwide rationale of mass schooling systems, is both economic and social-integrative and supports the human capital paradigm. The social-integrative objective fosters membership in modern systems of state and money exchange that pull people away from traditional ethnic, cultural, regional, or religious allegiances. This…

The contributions of California higher education to the state's economic prosperity and to its social and cultural health are discussed. Direct economic impacts of higher education are reviewed, and the methodology and assumptions employed in economic impact studies are described. Studies by the major segments of California higher education…