This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the nation of Costa Rica. The report's introduction notes that in addition to ratifying the Convention, Costa Rica's…

In June 2001, the International Institute for Educational Planning convened a policy forum on the organization, functioning, and effectiveness of national ministries of education. This book presents eight key papers from that forum. The forum discussed how differences in organizational structures and mechanisms affect adjustability and…

This White Paper on child care is the second of four to be published by the Action Alliance for Virginia's Children, and focuses on the affordability and availability of quality child care in Virginia. The paper states that despite federal attempts to simplify funding, funding remains complicated due to differences in the federal and state fiscal…

The predicted shortage of new scientists and engineers and the actual situation are compared, and the need to make changes in the training and flow of appropriately trained graduates is discussed. The scientific community is urged to reexamine how what it does fits into the complex of current and future social needs. (MSE)

Explores the successful implementation of an improvement to the Nigerian secondary education system after departing from the inherited British system. Nigeria moved toward the American model of junior and senior secondary education. College preparatory and vocational education are being complemented by general education for all. (SLD)

Suggests ways to improve child support enforcement. Getting the child support system out of the courts to the extent possible and providing government guarantees of child support are two types of proposals that must be considered. A final necessity is increasing welfare benefits to a subsistence level. (SLD)

This interview with Carolyn Golding, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), discusses new requirements that global competition and technological changes are creating for American workplace and reviews the role of the DOL in the national debate on education. Training for participation in the global…

Explores and contrasts early efforts to set standards in mathematics and social studies, juxtaposing California's revisions of its history and social science curricula and the standard-setting approach of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Both programs achieved success in part because of their development strategies. (SLD)

Addresses perceived problems of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and the Government Printing Office (GPO) relative to a foundering program, electronic capabilities, costs to participating libraries, inefficient service, and accountability requirements. Unfavorable images have resulted and have been used by advocacy groups to bring the…

The aim of Taiwanese education, based on Sun Yat-Sen's principles, is to improve living standards; support a decent existence in society; and prolong the nation's life to achieve national independence, implement democracy, and advance the national livelihood. Deregulation, equal educational opportunities, smaller schools and classes, and…

Analyzes the relationship between educational development and Malaysia's sociopolitical and economic context. Under the Vision 2020 rubric, liberalized educational policies are leading to a more democratic, privatized, and decentralized educational system. Curricular revisions stressing basic skills, moral values, and individual development are…

The current interest in governmental assessment and accountability practices appears to result from:(1) an emerging view of higher education as an "industry"; (2) concerns about efficient resource allocation; (3) a lack of trust ade between government institutional officials; (4) a desire to reduce uncertainty in government/higher education…

In 2002, Tanzania renewed its 1974 commitment to universal primary education. This paper explores differences in the current policy-formulation context, examining how development discourse and aid practice have shifted the space and scale of public governance in Tanzania, legitimising international agendas and the participation of non-Tanzanians…

In the face of social changes that are increasing the demand for available, affordable, quality child care, it is difficult to continue to think of child care as a purely private issue. This book presents an analysis of the state of American child care. It evaluates child care policies and the national attention given to young children and their…

Data in this report provide information about the extent to which national, state, and local governments commit resources to educate the youth of the nation. In its 53rd year, this publication provides current information on public school enrollment and participation, employment and compensation of personnel, and finances, as reported by the state…