Iran, as a United Nations member state, has made moral and legal commitments to conform to international human rights standards, including the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which address the right to education. This article reviews Iran's…

In Latin America the development of early childhood education has been uneven and mixed. In some countries, the public education system includes kindergartens (for 4 to 6 year olds), early childhood schools (for children from birth to 5/6), nurseries (from birth to 3) schools and/or playschools. Working days vary in length, with daytime and…

This article examines young Syrians' perceptions of higher education after the 2001 reforms, which expanded access to higher education and permitted the establishment of private universities. Data come from in-depth interviews conducted with 22 Syrians residing in Damascus, aged 18-32 in 2009. Analysis indicates youth are critical of the higher…

In this paper I conduct a historical analysis of the emergence of ALBA in Nicaragua prior to Daniel Ortega's return to the presidency and the country's official membership in the initiative from January 2007 on. I argue that ALBA is a rival structure that evolved from the contradictions inherent in hegemonic globalisation. Within the framework of…

Issues of equal educational opportunity are seen to be transformed into issues of effectiveness, efficiency, or cultural pluralism. It is suggested that issues of equal educational opportunity are likely to be resolved only by reducing the capacity of the educational system itself to determine the future and the value of individuals. (MLW)

This article introduces four papers addressing problems of higher education in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Yugoslavia. Issues identified include overcoming the Communist heritage, the separation of teaching and research, low student numbers, appropriate diversification of higher education, increasing access, the role of the state, and…

The relationship between the state legislature and governance in higher education is considered. Among the significant issues facing legislators and educators is the demand for comparable data, which can be useful for decision-making or can be misused to fit the views or objectives of a particular group. Issues about which there are many questions…

Major social science concepts that have an impact on a study of teacher education in developing nations are discussed. The relationship between national progress and teacher education is considered, and economic, political, and social realities facing these nations are pointed out. Among those discussed are: (1) economic problems of high…

The management of higher education in federal systems is discussed in two papers that resulted from a 10-day seminar in Australia. "The Changing Balance in Federal-State Responsibilities: Postsecondary Education in Australia and the United States" discusses the environmmnt of higher education, its overall structure, access and…

Sixteen articles discuss the implications of Australia's Green Paper, a public policy statement recommending substantial changes in the higher education system to improve access. The issues discussed include labor force development, educational equity, women's education, and the financing of higher education. (MSE)

One of a series of studies related to the Delphi research project: "Policy Instruments for Higher Education in the Western Europe of the Future", this paper presents interviews by a Dutch researcher with 15 authorities on U.S. higher education and the written contributions of two other experts: M. Peterson, E. Hines, M. Gade, G. Rhoades,…

Within the context of the reauthorization of the Vocational Education Act of 1963, as amended, the predominant issues for vocational education in the eighties will be refined into policies. Central issues related to reauthorization and to the larger picture of the future of vocational education can be generally grouped into four broad categories:…

In a set of 10 papers this volume explores nationally pressing issues in higher education, particularly financial and access issues, by examining those issues in the New York State's higher education system. The papers are: "Factors that Have Shaped Higher Education in New York State: A Historical and Current Perspective" (William C.…

Discussion of Romania's higher education looks at the crisis since 1989 and government strategies for revitalization, including expanded access, increases in social science enrollments, spontaneous establishment of private institutions, and the problems of limited resources. Comprehensive reform of the state's role in financing and governance is…

Fiscal inefficiency in education is addressed in this book and ideas for achieving increased efficiency while more effectively using resources to maintain reasonable equality of opportunity in higher education are examined. Fourteen articles and authors that consider social efficiency, equity, and policy implications are as follows: "Efficiency…