Both English Canada and the United States are essentially liberal fragments of European society. But in Canada, liberalism must vie with touches of Toryism and socialism; as a result, the common good receives more formal attention than in the U.S. The extent of variation in local financial resources for education is potentially under the control…

Three basic questions form the focus for this inquiry into the educational decision making process. First, can community groups which are or have been involved in educational issues be identified within local school districts and can they be classified for further inquiry? Secondly, do these groups have influence in educational decisions which are…

The Sub-committee on Legislation of the Committee on Education of the Community Service Society (CSS) focuses on education law at the local, state and federal levels. It reviewed 617 bills on education submitted to the New York State Legislature. Committee on Education of CSS reviewed only those bills which were of special interest. The Committee…

In 1968, Michigan began a special program of state-aid grants to local school districts for the education of disadvantaged children. Provisions of the original Michigan statute were rather vague, and the State department of education was given considerable discretion in implementing and administering the program. Many of the rules developed by the…

A pilot study was designed to explore the nature of pressure groups interested in education and to determine characteristics common to those groups. Background material is presented covering the history of pressure groups in the U.S., the social structure in which pressure groups must operate, and the role of pressure groups in the decision-making…

This comparative analysis was derived from 12 case study reports, each devoted to policymaking for the public schools in a particular State. The nine chapters were prepared by a number of persons involved in the case studies. First, the framework and methodology used in the study are explained. Next, the authors discuss the major actors in the…

The speaker assesses the social and political forces at work on educational policy and offers suggestions for policy changes in the coming decade. Anyone interested in policy must take into account seven external forces that affect policy--demographic factors, the economic return on education, teacher unionization, test data, teacher morale,…

Contributions to this volume present background material about the characteristics of education in Hong Kong as well as social and organizational perspectives that explore key educational issues facing Hong Kong educators. The first part of the book introduces the Hong Kong education system, while the second part deals with the organizational and…

Argues that educational research does not support the effects of transitional bilingual education as a superior instructional practice for improving the English-language achievement of limited-English-proficient students. Real studies are needed of the effectiveness of intensive English language instruction. (SLD)

Discusses the growing influence of the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) over initial and continuing teacher education in the United Kingdom since its inception in 1994, focusing on the TTA's 1996 agenda, the new National Curriculum for Teacher Training, continuing professional development, and educational research. Criticizes the agency's increasing…

Polish legislation concerning higher education since 1990 has focused on increasing institutional autonomy, but brought with it an unrealistic reliance on market mechanisms for positive change. This has resulted in a non-integrated system and inadequate public policy for science and higher education. It is the institutions themselves that have…

Deals with the vulnerable position of nursery education in 1990s Britain, given the changing nature of the family in society and particularly in view of nursery education's weakly articulated justification in the face of government intervention in education. Discusses current standards of evaluation (OFSTED inspections) and achievement and the…

Examines Israel's 1953 State Education Law, the product of a religious and political compromise, that was responsible for unifying schools into a national system. Gives the historical perspective of this system that is comprised of five types of schools: four Jewish, one Arabian. Examines how the schools reflect Israel's religious and political…

A discussion of British higher education policy in the 1980s looks at the relationship between government, public institutions, and citizens in conservative ideology; to what extent this strategy confronts the peculiar traditions and weaknesses of British higher education; and how it compares with other European approaches. (MSE)

Presents highlights from a conversation via BITNET on education policy and priorities for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. The electronic discussion took place over 3 weeks with approximately 700 participants. Themes of balancing kindergarten through grade 12 education and higher education and the government's role in research…