This paper discusses trends in British and U.S. school reform and compares government support of education by the "loyal opposition" of both countries. Between 1980 and 1995, school reform policies in the United States generally enjoyed broad, bipartisan support. The same, however, cannot be said in Britain where ideological differences…

In 1987 the Scottish Office Education Department published plans for a curriculum development program for ages 5 through 14. This article reports on an evaluation of the implementation of the curriculum planned for 1991-95. National samples and interviews with about 165 educators trace the early steps in implementation. (SLD)

Describes the current state of science education in Finland. Highlights include schools and school science, primary school, the 1994 national curriculum and primary science, and results on the new national curriculum and textbooks. (JRH)

Quantitative and qualitative data were used to examine changes in the business studies curriculum in British secondary schools. Changes resulted from the rhetoric of the "new vocationalism"--to prepare flexible workers and entrepreneurs for the future. Although progressivists want to use the curriculum to deliver messages about the role…

The process of instituting standards is well under way, thanks to mathematics teachers' efforts, the Bush Administration and governors' agreements about establishing national educational goals, and President Clinton's 1994 Goals 2000 legislation. There is no danger of a nationally imposed curriculum. States are using the standards process in…

Examines the impact of the national curriculum on secondary school science teachers' work in England and Wales. Finds that, in a significant number of schools, less time is spent on practical activities in the laboratory and students are presented with a narrower range of laboratory activities. Concludes that many teachers judge the national…

This article raises questions about current educational reform efforts now underway in a number of nations. Research from a number of countries is used to document some of the hidden differential effects of two connected strategies - neo-liberal inspired market proposals and neo-liberal, neo-conservative, and middle class managerial inspired…

This paper focuses on the relationship between the national curriculum in Sweden and the training of head teachers. The original responsibility of the principal in the centralized system was to be a guarantor for good quality and to see that the state curriculum was carried out in accordance with the intentions in the law. The head teacher remains…

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), collaborating with Policy Studies Associates and a panel of experts in mathematics and science education, has completed a study of states' curriculum frameworks development and standards-setting from 1994. The Council study analyzed the content and quality of state frameworks and standards…

This, the second of three annual reports by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), continues to track central policy and developments in the implementation of the British National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies (NLS and NNS). The report considers value for money in their funding and on the perception and experience of the…

The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies (NLS and NNS) represent a major government initiative to improve classroom practice and student learning in literacy and mathematics in elementary schools across England. National targets were intended to increase the percentage of 11-year-olds reaching the "expected level"--Level 4--in…

Argues for greater emphasis in the science curriculum on the spiritual and moral contexts in which scientific ideas have been developed. (JRH)

Reviews the "Guidance Arrangements" consultation document issued with "Higher Still" (proposed new Scottish upper secondary curricula). Argues that the paper ignores the full implications for educational change in Higher Still and misses the opportunity for timely modernization of school guidance. Advocates a cross-curricular…

Discusses assessment in the context of a national curriculum and issues that have arisen in England as a result of the introduction of a national curriculum about seven years ago. Outlines the public view, the official view, and teachers' views about assessment that were obtained using questionnaires. (JRH)

This article raises concerns about implementing England's National Curriculum for students with challenging behavior in schools for those with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Challenges include insufficient teacher subject expertise, pupil underachievement in subject areas, the need for more structured environments, emotional stress on…