This paper traces the evolution of Australia's apprenticeship and traineeship system since permanent European settlement in 1788. The system was imported from Great Britain; it has evolved and diverged in some areas but retains many of the features of the British model. Most major changes have occurred in the last 25 years. The apprenticeship…

Draws on an ongoing project on "Elites in Policy-making," aimed at critically examining the postwar "partnership" between LEAs, teachers, and the Ministry of Education. Challenges pluralism as the dominant theoretical approach to the study of education policymaking in the United Kingdom and argues for a more state-centered,…

The author asserts that educational research in Britain has historically acted largely to ease implementation of policies already determined on political grounds and that this concern for "obvious relevance" resulted in a severe narrowing of research initiatives. He suggests that educational researchers take a more formative role in…

New curriculum initiatives in Great Britain are reviewed for their effect on special needs students from 14 to 19 years old. Changes include restructuring the secondary curriculum, new examinations, and organizational changes. Also noted is greater centralization of educational policy. (DB)

A recently completed major study into the future of British higher education is an impressive analytical effort but may be criticized for its openness to bargaining and policy advocacy and for neglecting to outline a range of available options and to clearly spell out major value tradeoffs involved in the options. (MSE)

Focusing mainly on secondary schools in Great Britain, the article discusses educational problems which are likely to be of major importance in the 1980s. These include decreasing funds, demands for a return to basic objectives, controversy over centralization vs decentralization, and traditional vs alternative education. (DB)

Several case studies examine the issue of whether Trades Union Congress educational programs are inordinately influenced by the state. Continued intervention of the Conservative state and the disorganized condition of labor education leave the latter open to narrow vocationalism. (SK)

Some historical differences have begun to wane in recent years as the politics of education in the United States show some signs of taking on a more British'' character. At lease this is what is suggested by a review of the literature on the politics of education in Britain and the United States. (Author/CB)

Discusses issues related to comments made by Britain's Secretary of State for Education and Science that the government may soon take a more direct role in determining teaching/research programs at British universities. Includes comments on the dual support system and impact of potential changes in funding basic scientific research. (JN)

Describes debates over general education and the common curriculum in Great Britain and Canada. In Great Britain, the central government's Department of Education and Science supports a core curriculum. In Canada, the National Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, may recommend a common curriculum to the provincial ministries of education.…

Explores some theoretical issues raised in Hatcher and Troyna's critical discussion (in this issue of "Journal of Education Policy") of author's work on educational policy. Many of their criticisms are misplaced and rest upon flaws and limitations in their own theoretical work. Their discussion employs a set of unhelpful conceptual…

The article looks at issues in the application of recent curriculum and training initiatives to disabled young people in Great Britain including: definitions of special educational needs, the definition of handicap, integration, transition to adult life, the need for an individual transition plan, and the influene of new education policies.…

Although many public policy statements on equalizing educational opportunity for ethnic groups in Britain have been made, the underlying policy has been one of nonaction. Central government has been reluctant to take action. A chronology of events in the education of ethnic minorities and a 1979 list of stated governmental objectives are appended.…

Six adult education experts describe what they hope to see addressed in the British government's white paper on lifelong learning: learning environment, removal of barriers to information technology-supported learning, collaboration, informal learning, adults in higher education, support noneconomic/skill-based forms of learning, and a broader…

Surveys the main developments in British higher education in 1973/74. Notes little policy change despite change from Conservative to Labor government: continuation of reorganization of colleges of education, cuts in education expenditure, and relatively low position of higher education on the list of educational priorities. (JT)