The social, political, and economic history of Sweden's higher education is outlined from the perspective of various factions trying to maintain control. Decentralization of the traditional power structure and social and technological change pose a challenge for a new educational strategy and policy. (MSE)

As educational systems evolved from consumption or culture-transmission devices to systems of investment in individuals, the rationale for public expenditure on education should have undergone a concomitant radical transformation. Instead, investment in many countries is still guided by political, cultural, and consumption criteria, resulting in…

History and legal status of academic freedom and institutional autonomy in Russian universities is traced from the eighteenth century. Conditions under which the universities currently function are described, recent legislation is reviewed, and the situation of St. Petersburg State University is specifically addressed. It is concluded that while…

The history of Moroccan universities established in the French colonial tradition is reviewed briefly, and two types of gains in academic freedom and autonomy in recent years are discussed: those made collectively by universities in relation to the central political authority, and those made by individual institutions in relation to each other.…

Hungary's political leaders are stepping up pressure on state-supported colleges and universities to make substantive changes in their organization, administration, and curricula, after several years of aborted experiments in consolidating the system. The government says it can no longer afford to support the existing higher education system, and…

This article introduces four papers addressing problems of higher education in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Yugoslavia. Issues identified include overcoming the Communist heritage, the separation of teaching and research, low student numbers, appropriate diversification of higher education, increasing access, the role of the state, and…

A discussion of the changing relationship between the state and higher education in nine industrialized countries looks at conflicting requirements for institutional accountability, different models for the relationship; politics and governance; the developing role of central intermediary agencies; changing perspectives of student protest; and the…

Describes the experiences of American educators on a tour of "kindergarten" (preschool) programs in China, and highlights the major characteristics of child care and preschool in that country. Addresses funding, staff training, enrollment, child-staff ratios, health and immunization, parent involvement, politicization, materials and…

A discussion of medical education in Germany, particularly since unification of East and West Germany, looks at the number of practicing physicians in Germany and their practice settings, number of medical students, medical school admission policies and curricula, and nature of postgraduate training. Proposed reforms are outlined, and the…

Summarizes the academic and nonacademic literature on the provision of child welfare services to Canadian Native people, focusing on the impact of the contemporary political climate on such policy from the 1960s to the present. Recent literature on the subject stresses the need to examine the root socioeconomic causes for the problems facing…

Discusses the experiences and ideas of Anton S. Makarenko, an early influential Soviet educator known for his children's labor collective school that operated in the 1920s near Poltava. Examines Makarenko's legacy for the current educational reform movement, which emphasizes methods that combine instruction with social production and seeks ways to…

Analyzes changing approaches to moral education in China from 1949 to 1989, including the Cultural Revolution. Characterizes moral education as reflecting political ideology, used for political indoctrination. Claims that moral education benefits the government and not the individual. Lists teaching principles and discusses political courses…

Describes a cross-national action research project involving 8 schools in the United States and 11 schools in 5 other countries studying family-community-school partnerships and the policies or political contexts that shape, and are shaped by, them. Early results suggest the usefulness of action research in emerging dialog. (SLD)

Argues that the political aspect of the Fulbright Exchange Program for college faculty has enhanced its academic effectiveness. The program's context, history, and method are described, and the Netherlands program is discussed in detail, noting particularly its transformation since 1947. Repoliticization of the Fulbright program in coordinated…

Identifies three major educational problems facing Eastern Europe. These are the development of a new philosophy of education, new methodologies of education, and new methods of training teachers. Examines the first tentative steps in these efforts and discusses educational financial problems. (MJP)