This paper focuses on the role of governments in contemporary networked political configurations. Such networks constitute policy communities, usually based upon shared conceptions of social problems and their solutions. By enabling social, political, and economic connections at local, regional, national, and international levels, such networks…

Since the Dakar Framework for Action, governments around the world, especially in Western societies, have reaffirmed their commitment to a quality education for all in an inclusive environment. The purpose of this paper is to understand the barriers that prevent an education system from guaranteeing an inclusive education for all and for children…

In this paper, we try to unravel some of the unintended and intended academic effects associated with post-Soviet educational reforms by focusing on three cases: Estonia, Latvia and Russia. We have chosen this comparison because a unique "natural experiment" in the three countries allows us to compare the changing academic performance on…

This article explores the changing attitudes towards student accommodation in higher education in the United Kingdom since the end of the Second World War. In the first part of this period there was a firm assumption, in universities and teacher training colleges, that the accommodation of students in or close to their university or college,…

The article reviews the roles played by the Department of Education and the National Research Foundation in South Africa in defining the meaning of scholarship and in evaluating and funding it. The ideas that inform policy and practice include: the view that scholarship must serve the requirements of the national economy in becoming more globally…

This paper explores the way in which the concept of utopia is employed within contemporary educational theory. Confronted with the relentless marketisation and managerialisation of education, there is a growing willingness to embrace utopianism as a means of bolstering hope, opening up new possibilities and catalysing change. At the same time,…

Diverse definitions of equity in the provision of schooling are enumerated. An important distinction is made between viewing inequalities in earnings as measured in a given year and inequalities as seen on the scale of a lifetime. Accepting the latter view, the distributive effects of educational policies are discussed in terms of how they tend to…

Maintains that the deep social division between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland is mirrored and perpetuated by the existence of separate school systems. Reviews proposals which attempt to use the schools to overcome long-term religious prejudice and conflict. Concludes by examining the potential of projects requiring inter-school…

This paper considers the membership, terms of reference, and assumptions governing the work of the Plowden committee. It evaluates criticisms made of the report and relates the committee's conclusions to possible change models and forms of policy analysis that might have been used. (Author)

Examines why, after a successful beginning, EPA programs faltered and all but disappeared by the end of the 1970s. Concludes that while there were many causes, three major factors were the failure of the EPA to respond to changing values, changing base of research support, and the worsening conditions of the inner city. (Author/JDH)

Examines the attempts by the British to democratize post-war Germany through educational reform focusing on the controversy over 're-education' as opposed to 'educational reconstruction' as applied to German universities and their connection to adult education. Highlights approaches towards educational policy and cultural assumptions. Indicates…

Maintains that Plowden Report appealed as much for its underlying ideology as for its practical instructional suggestions. The ideology was one of "expressionist egalitarianism": belief that each child's potential is equal and is reached through a process of free expression. States that such ideas are inherently implausible and maintains…

States that the impact of the Plowden Report was insignificant in Germany and Austria; that despite a decade of lively educational debate and hopeful reform initiatives, primary schools are as teacher-centered and bureaucratically controlled as ever. (Author/JDH)

Discusses ways to promote a European curriculum against two political tendencies: (1) attacks on "Eurocentrism"; and (2) the ongoing educational cooperation among European nations. Provides three as guidelines for future development: (1) critical attitude; (2) curricular pluralism; and (3) free discussion and human rights. (CFR)

Argues that the Plowden Report underrated the seriousness of race and cultural issues in the inner city and took inadequate account of differences in experiences and backgrounds of the children and their families. Analyzes the shortcomings of the types of programs developed during the 1970s and offers suggestions for future improvement.…