Traces policy trends in Scottish vocational education and training (VET) over the past 20 years. Describes the current institutional framework for VET, which focuses on employer-oriented "local enterprise companies." Suggests that the complexity and decentralization of the VET system impedes evolution of a coherent VET strategy and that…

Analyzes how a flourishing market economy has affected China's social policy and educational development, focusing on "marketization" and "privatization" in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong Province. The Delta's expansion of multiple financial sources for education and huge demand for professional and technical education have…

A study of Florida's "school accountability" reform examined Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores in Orange County. It was found that percentages of low-income, gifted, and Black students in a school population could predict the FCAT score with 80-86 percent accuracy. The testing process creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.…

This paper reviews the development of the public monopoly of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Ontario, Canada. It examines arguments for private universities which suggest improved accessibility, diversity, and quality and finds the arguments to be insufficiently strong. A recommendation is made for improvement of Ontario's…

Examines the process of desegregation in historically white schools in South Africa. Argues that reforms within these schools can be understood as an example of the marketization of education. Considers the relevance and scope of such an approach in the creation of a more equitable and efficient education system. (50 citations) (VWC)

A retrospective study examined how authority to confer Bachelor of Education degrees was extended to private colleges in Alberta in 1995. Sources of the policy change included local political pressures and international pressures for neoliberalization of public policy. Opposition from professional educators and other stakeholders has implications…

Educators have long recognized the negative pedagogical effects of the strong centralization, curricular uniformity, and fragmentation that characterizes Israel's equity-driven education system. A recent experiment with site-based management at nine elementary schools may increase teacher and parental involvement, improve school climate, and…

Research has examined how college loans affect students, while ignoring implications for families. Recent changes in funding British higher education are consistent with some forms of family assets and obligations, but challenge others. Promotion of privatization and individual investment overlooks the importance of collective private…

Philip Woods and Carl Bagley's "School Choice and Competition" (Routledge 1998) evaluates the viability of allowing parents to choose the school their children attend within a decentralized, market environment. Despite methodological shortcomings, the authors argue effectively for schools' resistance to "competitive" social…

In this article, the author seeks to address the present function of Canadian criticism by undertaking a meditation on the contemporary Canadian university and stating his own position as a critic of Canadian literature in this institutional framework. The author asks: What are the connections between neoliberalism and cultural nationalism in…

Discusses the history of Mexican telecommunications policy (in four distinct eras from 1882 to 1995) from the perspective of its functions as a tool of state power. Examines the impact of the privatization of telecommunications in Mexico on labor, international organizations, transnational and national cooperations, and Mexican law and policy. (SR)

Lessons drawn from the experience of other countries make it clear that school voucher plans increase inequality without making schools better. Privatization reduces the public effort to improve schooling since it relies on the free market to increase achievement, but increases never occur. (SLD)

Describes a Russian exhibit of scientific and technological applications for education. Discusses how the nation's transition to a market economy is dramatically changing technical and professional education. Concludes that the most important result of the conference was that people began to rethink their activities. (CFR)

Attributes the growth of private education to excess and differentiated demand for higher education. Argues that evidence shows that the higher quality of private education is exaggerated and that private school attendance does not result in higher salaries for graduates. Criticizes private education as not wholly self-financing, elitist, and…

A review of eight new books suggests that increased privatization of education in Europe is inevitable, particularly for higher education. Twelve data tables provide statistics for 29 European countries on enrollment ratios, private school enrollments, vocational education, engineering and science students, public expenditures on education, and…