Investigated the nature of children's participation in their education in two primary and two secondary schools in England. Found that children's opportunities to express their views were extremely limited even where school councils existed. Concluded that the goal of active citizenship espoused by recent national curriculum developments will…

The national curriculum in Japan is termed the Course of Study, the revised version of which was implemented in 2000 for kindergarten, or nursery schools, and since 2002 for elementary or primary schools. The Course of Study for Science specifies content only in broad terms, placing the greatest emphasis on process, learning to learn and…

Asserting that widespread Head Start and state universal prekindergarten programs validate the need for a nationalized preschool program, this paper presents an argument for nationalizing Montessori-style preschool education in the United States. The paper maintains that Montessori-style classrooms use developmentally appropriate practices as…

Although Section 19 of the British Education Reform Act is often seen as denying special needs pupils' entitlement to the National Curriculum, this article offers suggestions for more positive applications of the legislation. The article presents a case study, a flow chart illustrating the recommended process, an example of curricular…

Compares the Japanese educational system with that in England. Discusses the structure of school levels and examinations, the curriculum, and informal educational practices and cultural expectations. Notes the place of science study in the Japanese system. (Author/WRM)

Outlines the transmission theory of teaching explaining that the theory is criticized in terms of its implied acceptance of theory-free observation, learning by inductive process, and secure knowledge. Discusses Karl Popper's alternative theories of learning and the growth of knowledge and outlines some of the implications for educational…

Recognizing the contributions of quality early childhood education in providing a foundation for children's later learning and in supporting families, the New Zealand government developed Desirable Objectives and Practices (DOP), requirements to enhance quality in chartered early childhood programs. This publication was developed to assist…

Background: Although much has been written about the ways in which new technology might transform educational practice, particularly in the area of literacy learning, there is relatively little empirical work that explores the possibilities and problems--or even what such a transformation might look like in the classroom. 3D virtual worlds offer a…

Analyzes the educational aims of science and history teachers through classroom observation and interviews. Finds that science teachers placed a strong emphasis on the content of their subject, exhibited a less uniform set of aims, and perceive uncertainty as threatening; history teachers emphasize children's interpretations and judgments as the…

Examines the similarities and differences in the methodologies and findings of six projects that investigated the statutory testing of 11-year-old children in England and Wales. Reveals a similarity of results despite a diversity of methods. Reviews the findings in relation to other research and provides suggestions for future research methods.…

Analyzes a data set of music education in the maintained schools of England to (1) establish an authoritative national picture and (2) determine effective school-specific strategies that could be replicated. Focuses on music participation from age 14, when music is no longer part of the National Curriculum. (CMK)

This article reviews the current state of gifted education in Great Britain, noting the development of a national center; effects of the National Curriculum; needs; aims; and issues, such as early childhood education, distance inservice courses for teachers, and use of information technology to individualize instruction. (DB)

Examined the key constructs of Norway's centrally-based curriculum reform plan, Laerplan 97 (L97), interviewed those responsible for designing the subject related curricula, and administered teacher questionnaires (n=54). Findings show how the journey from policy making to effective classroom practice would benefit from a continuing interface with…

Teachers in U.S. schools affected by Mexican immigration need to understand immigrants' prior school experiences when planning lessons and delivering instruction. Mexico requires education through grade 9 and has nearly reached its goal of providing facilities for all school-age children. There are vast differences between rural and urban…

The history, philosophy, and outcomes of the Camphill communities in Scotland for children and adults in need of special care are discussed and evaluated. Controversial aspects of training the disabled within an enclosed separatist context are discussed, as is the program's role in relation to the English National Curriculum. (PB)