Expresses some concerns about English teaching in Australia today and argues for an English curriculum that emphasizes the practical skills of language use. (HOD)

Bridging courses are courses that prepare adult and other nontraditional students for undergraduate study. Focus groups examined the strengths, limitations, and impacts of bridging courses offered at a rural university campus in South Australia. A survey based on their responses was returned by 12 current students in bridging courses and 2 who had…

This paper shows how the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) can be carried out in a country with a very complicated upper-secondary educational system. The difficulties are not linked to the measurement of achievement, since the international project provides a common achievement scale. The challenge lies in the design of…

Reports on a study of 93 McMaster University (Ontario) sophomore history students about their secondary school preparation in history. Finds that most respondents felt comfortable about their high school education, but a significant number were uncomfortable with their preparation for tutorial work, notetaking, and essay writing. (CFR)

Describes a partnership between the Squamish Nation of British Columbia and Capilano College, a Vancouver community college, in which the Squamish Nation participated fully in developing and overseeing a college transition program. The program assisted students by providing an initial skill assessment, developmental instruction, and ongoing…

Explores consequences of taking or not taking "A" level mathematics in British secondary schools, using a followup study of students who took "A" levels in 1988. "A" level mathematics takers were in high "pulling power" universities and had higher salary expectations than those taking "A" level…

The history of value-added methods in Britain dates back at least to 1982. That is when a handful of secondary schools in northeast England agreed to share data, on a confidential basis, about how much progress they were making in getting students to pass the A-level examinations required to enter universities. At least three methods of…

For most of Minnesota's 150 years of statehood, its distinctive economic advantages were largely a function of its natural resources, such as timber, taconite and tourism. Today, while these and other resources remain cornerstones of the state economy, it is clear that the intellectual capacity of Minnesota's people is emerging as a promising…

The quality of preparation for college provided students by Ontario's educational system was assessed. First-year university achievement was compared for students from Ontario's Grade 13 and for students from the final matriculation year or equivalent of other Canadian provinces. University admission procedures were also studied to determine to…

Reviews structural reform measures taken by Norway to provide formal equality between vocational and general education. Outlines legal foundations, changes in school enrollment from 1977-78 to 1983-84, admission procedures, and ramifications of these reforms. (NEC)

If British Columbia education policy wanted to promote growth in numeracy and mathematics, the curriculum would provide opportunities to use mathematical concepts in social situations and give students time to move from concrete to abstract thought. Instead, the curriculum emphasizes extensive mechanical understanding and algorithmic manipulation…

Offers a microeconomics crossword puzzle aimed at helping upper sixth year students prepare for the Advanced Level examination. Presents the puzzle as a useful tool to stimulate class discussion and to test students' facility with economic language and concepts. (CH)

Data and analysis of characteristics of students at Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada, are presented for 1981-1982 and for previous years. Data were obtained from student responses to the General Admission Form, which is appended. Information is provided on the age and sex distribution of students, along with student age and sex distribution…

Proceedings of a 1980 conference in Australia on the problems of first-year students, which focus on student discontinuation, are presented. The contents include three papers, discussion group reports, and a report on the outcome of the discussion groups, policy proposals, and recommendations. In "First Year Students: Selection and…

In 1989, the University of Waikato (New Zealand) established Te Timatanga Hou, a program of pre-university remedial study for disadvantaged Maori. Many targeted students come from rural schools that do not offer a seventh-form year nor a wide range of university entrance subjects. Students undertake 1 year of intensive pre-university training…