Considers the impact of recent legislation on local inspectorates' role in monitoring educational quality and fostering school improvement in Britain. Compares and contrasts approaches of successive Labour and Conservative governments, explores inconsistent demands on inspectors, analyzes accountability/improvement tensions, and suggests a…

It has been said that the best way to predict the future is to invent it. Here, the authors offer four views of the state of technology today and the challenges that lie ahead for education and the nation. According to Sudhir Halbhavi, if innovators truly care about making kids competitive in one's country and in the world, they will invest their…

This is a presentation made by the author to the staff of the members of the United States House of Representatives who are part of the STEM Caucus (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Caucus). The briefing was held in the Rayburn Office Building in Washington, DC on July 27, 2007. Also presenting were Harold Pratt and Dr.…

This fourth edition of the "ES Review" brings together, in one setting, some of the best work from 2009-10. It features: (1) Teacher Quality (Teachers at Work: Improving Teacher Quality Through School Design (Elena Silva); Understanding Teachers Contracts (Andrew J. Rotherham); How Teachers Unions Lost the Media (Richard Whitmire and…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Educating Our Children": "Forbes" Taps Leaders in Business, Government, and Education for New…

At a time of far-reaching change in our society, numerous national reports have criticized the American public education system as inadequate to meet the challenge and have called for reforms aimed at achieving excellence. Contrary to the general view, however, there is evidence that public education is already in the midst of a "rising tide of…

A re-published version of the 1959 "The Efficiency of Freedom," Report of the Committee on Government and Higher Education is presented. After a 2-year study (designed to define relationships that should properly exist between public officials and state institutions of higher education, identify the principal areas in which state control…

Summarizes recent development in early childhood "educare" in New Zealand. Educare is a continuum of early childhood services which include kindergartens, play centers, child care (day care) centers, and Nga Kohanga Reo (Maori Language Nests). Also addresses issues facing these services. (BB)

Presents four responses to reports by National Commission on Excellence, Twentieth Century Fund, and Carnegie Foundation suggesting (1) teachers are essential to educational success, (2) teachers can use the reports to promote professional objectives, (3) National Commission on Excellence made a serious mistake in trying to alarm Americans into…

Reviews the major pros and cons of the debate over the concept of a Federal system of schools. (Author)

Proposes a remodeled funding system for UK higher education that incorporates a graduate tax system and reduces dependency on general taxation. Estimates this system's effects on available resources, economic attractiveness to students, and implications for public expenditure. Proposal offers a non-means-tested grant for students, combined with an…

Discusses challenges to educational quality facing academic staff in South African universities in the context of quality assurance policy developments at the national level. Considers eight contextual factors using the University of the Orange Free State as an example. Suggests strategies such as action research as a first step to…

Evaluates the voucher scheme for 4-year olds introduced during 1996 to 1997 in England and Wales. Overall findings suggest that the scheme encouraged unfair competition and "voucher maximizing behavior" in the maintained sector. The scheme failed because the Conservative government attempted to introduce too many market mechanisms into…

Using interest group theory and the idea of public policy development and application following sequential stages, explores how key decisions were made about establishment and implementation of Australia's controversial national quality assurance program for higher education. Explains how Australia came to introduce a quality assurance program…

In the United States greater attention is being paid to learning that is more collaborative, actively engaged, and technologically enhanced.