Although some critics of public education are now questioning the value of compulsory schooling for all children, this concept is deeply ingrained in American history and social values. The first compulsory education law in this country was enacted in 1642 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritan notion of education as a moral, social…

Describes the political, ethnoreligious, and economic forces which influenced the introduction of compulsory education in Manitoba. (CM)

Reviews the origins and development of the 20th-century term "drop-out." Asserts that the social construction of the drop-out problem explicitly marks the time when secondary education became a common expectation in the United States. Contends that secondary education's success created the concept of a drop-out "problem." (CFR)

Traces the development of new research approaches to the history of elementary education. Examines the impact of the 1870 legislation that instituted compulsory education on the elementary school system. Assesses this impact on the school system in the context of the wider social structure. Includes quantitative studies on school attendance, age,…

In France, technology is a compulsory school discipline at the junior high school level (ages 11-15). Technology studies were initiated at the beginning of the 1960s when school attendance until the age of 16 became mandatory and when it was decided to delay vocational training because of the irreversible drive towards technical modernity, a…

The People's Republic of China has employed two means of literacy promotion: a campaign approach and a legislative approach to meet the needs of nation-state building through education. From 1949 through to the late 1970s, the campaign approach was motivated by a political rationale, but later an economic rationale also became important. From the…

Under Allied influence following World War II, the Japanese educational system was reorganized on a 6-3-3 basis, with the first 9 years compulsory. The lower secondary curriculum established in 1947 included many compulsory subjects--Japanese, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Music, Drawing and Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Vocational…

Despite the success of Japan's educational system in terms of academic achievement, a closer examination reveals a rigid system that discourages student expression and creativity, stresses conformity, ignores differences in student abilities, and supports an intensively competitive entrance system for high school and college. Discusses negative…

Discusses the history of school psychology, emphasizing the work of L. Witmer (1897, 1907, 1910, 1922) and G. S. Hall (1911, 1923). Providing psychological services in the schools is among the earliest instances of applied psychology. School psychology was one of many child-saving services originating from 1890 to 1920. (SLD)

A tension exists between the goals of social education and the nature of the compulsory school system. Compulsory education was established late in the 19th century as a response to the trend toward an urban industrial society. The industrial world required workers who were punctual, attentive, and quiet; thus, compulsory education was seen as a…

Examines the conditions that facilitated the creation of the first national educational systems in nineteenth century Europe. Performs a longitudinal regression and event-history analysis of educational expansion in 17 Western countries. Suggests that paths to mass education involve linkages among the central state, societal groups, and the…

Explores the historical context and institutional linkages that contributed to the genesis of special education early in the twentieth century. The conflict between the compulsory attendance mandate and practical aspects of educating everyone is reviewed, and early linkage between special education and the male reformatory is recounted. (SLD)

Two separate historical traditions have influenced Swedish literacy: the church and formal schooling. In answer to the challenge of the International Literacy Year 1990, Sweden has formed a national committee to address such issues as future literacy missions, support of international understanding, and stimulation of research. The National Board…

An American visiting a Mexican secundaria (equivalent to the U.S. junior high school) noted the strong presence of discourses on "adolescence." This prompted an ideological and historical review of the secundaria since its development in the postrevolutionary ethos of the 1920s-30s. Inspired by a U.S. model of adolescent education in the…

The papers of this proceedings are presented in 5 parts. In part 1, "Education in Nineteenth Century Europe," the two papers describe the inception of the Ragged School Union in England and the educational opportunities in Naples. The titles are: "The Ragged Schools of Victorian England and Their Contribution to Child…