In 1999, Ministers responsible for school education agreed to the new set of "National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century," with the aim of providing high quality schooling in Australia which would secure for students the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and values for a productive and rewarding life. As a…

Founded in 1995 and envisioned as a university that would prepare graduates to be active, engaged citizens, California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) developed a distinctive approach to civic engagement. Guided by an ambitious Vision Statement, CSUMB actualizes its civic engagement goals through an academic plan that mandates service…

This article discusses citizenship education, education policy and discourse to explore their relations with the exercise of power in society. Taking the case of 1990 and 1997 legislative debates on citizenship education policy in Hong Kong, it briefly surveys the substantive arguments favouring or opposing the retention of government controls…

Asserts that social studies in North America has been defined most often as fundamentally concerned with preparing students for participation in civic life. Reviews research and summarizes findings on citizenship education in English Canada since 1988. (CFR)

Most educators in the United States have had to confront the changed reality brought about by the federal reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). This represents a set of initiatives that can radically transform the federal role in policing and controlling core aspects of…

Nigeria inherited a British system of education with a British philosophy of education. This educational system no longer meets the needs of an independent Nigeria. Since independence eighteen years ago, the demand for a well defined national policy on education has generated much debate. This debate has led to many Federal and State commissions,…

This issue paper examines the pros and cons of required community service, discusses policy rationales and options, defines the difference between community service and service-learning, and presents a snapshot of various practices in place nationally. It is designed to enable education policy makers to make more informed decisions about which of…

Like other public policies, education policies are laden with values and are often highly "ideologically charged." Given this close entanglement with value conflicts or dilemmas, it is no longer valid or feasible to pursue seemingly value-free or value-neutral analysis when studying policies. Since education policy is contested terrain,…

A central aspect of education has always been the passing on of norms and values. This task is not fulfilled if pupils only learn the meaning of established norms and values. It is also about making pupils believe in them and to act according to them. Thus, teaching is also a kind of political socialization. The values taught change historically…

A national survey of state education agencies was undertaken in 1976 to ascertain policies and programs in the area of ethical-citizenship education (ECE). The objective of the survey was to investigate the relationship of national public opinion in favor of moral education to state education agency attempts to develop ECE programs. Forty-six…

Examines some evidence about public understanding of education policy, compares it to similar understandings of other public policy fields, and discusses some of the steps that may be taken to deal with the prevailing levels of understanding. (Author)

Discusses the debate between those who fear that multiculturalism will destroy the cultural unity of the United States and those who believe that diversity is essential to democracy. Explores the role of social studies as the curriculum area designated to educate citizens for democratic participation. Addresses the growing problem of economic…

Asks questions about the reorganization of Russian society, including, how can educational systems contribute to national consensus building? and how prepared is Russia's system to make such a contribution? Concludes that despite considerable efforts by educators, the Russian educational system is in jeopardy and cannot contribute effectively to…

Three important elements of a South African vision for high skills must be spreading skills improvements across the population in general, creating policy coherence and constructing new institutions. This article examines these issues through an investigation of the micro and small enterprise (MSE) sector and, in particular, through an analysis of…

The promotion of equal learning opportunities is crucially important for the improvement of the quality of life of millions of people. The virtues of education in preparing learners for life, for meaningful interaction with other human beings, for constructive civic and political involvement, and for successful economic participation stand beyond…