Proposed changes toward a more flexible, less prescriptive curricular framework in England attempt to address student disaffection--a significant problem haunting educational policy interventions aimed at driving up standards. These revisions may not be radical enough to meet challenges presented by turn-of-the-century social changes. (Contains 10…

This paper addresses issues concerning nationally prescribed tests and tasks in relation to the National Curriculum for England and Wales and the assessment of primary-age students with special educational needs. (DB)

Compares the results of 1991 and 1997 surveys examining English teachers' views of the British National Curriculum for English. Claims the 1997 survey indicates teachers perceive the National Curriculum as diametrically opposite to their preferred models of English. (NH)

Research has suggested that inappropriate or misfitting response patterns may have detrimental effects on the quality and validity of measurement. It has been suggested that factors like language and ethnic background are related to the generation of misfitting response patterns, but the empirical research on this is rather poor. This research…

There has been a resurgence of interest in global education in the UK as global issues are included within the requirements of citizenship education in national curricula. This paper examines the significance attached to global citizenship through Citizenship as a statutory subject at Key Stages 3 and 4 within the National Curriculum for England.…

In this article, the author focuses on developing scientific reasoning in year 6 children. Having embarked on a series of lessons in which the author hoped to uncover children's ideas about how and why they reason in a particular way, the results were to prove instrumental in developing not only his teaching of scientific enquiry, but also the…

In policy-level discussion, the assumption is common that multi-faceted topics such as Health, Environment and Citizenship would benefit from (or "should" be experienced through) pedagogical approaches that bring together and draw on different curriculum traditions. While there is certainly some continuing interest in a range of such…

This paper explores the relationship between "process" quality characteristics in English pre-school centres and the developmental progress made by children between the ages of 3-5 years. A nationally representative sample of 141 English pre-schools participated in this study with longitudinal pre- and post-test measures taken from 2857…

Within education policy in England the principle of inclusion has been established as a goal and a factor on which improvements in overall standards are seen to depend. Prominent within the drive to raise standards has been a demonstrable need to improve the National Curriculum attainment of members of certain minority ethnic groups, some of which…

When Singapore underwent decolonization after World War II, its government--keen on constructing a Singapore-centered identity--sought to replace Chinese schools, which taught a China-centered worldview. This attempt provoked tough resistance from the local Chinese. Succumbing to this pressure, the ruling regime accommodated Chinese schools as…

This report analyzes contradictions in policies of equal educational opportunities, using Finland and Britain as examples. The analysis focuses on the relation of intended to actual policy and considers policies within the context of 1980s curriculum development. During that period, Finland gradually decentralized educational decision making, and…

Outlines statistical data on national curriculum patterns. Fewer than two percent of all graduating seniors meet or exceed the standards for college-bound students. Includes statistical data on courses students study, number of students per computer, dropout rates, activities of graduates, and test score averages.(MD)

The 5-14 Development Programme is a major reform encompassing curriculum, assessment, national testing, and reporting for pupils 5- to 14-years-old in Scotland. Implementation of the program was first monitored between March 1991 and March 1995; this study continued the program evaluation in primary schools from March 1995 to March 1997. Data were…

A study provides a deeper understanding of teaching elementary mathematics in France. France performed creditably in mathematics on both the Second International Mathematics Study (SIMS) and the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS). In analyzing the French approach to teaching elementary mathematics, three theoretical frames are…

Key components of American educational reformers' results-oriented strategies include creation of world-class standards, curriculum frameworks, and "voluntary" national tests. Similar reforms already exist in England under the 1988 Education Reform Act's mandated national curriculum and assessment system. This article describes the…