In July 2010 in Beijing, Lei Wang interviewed Professor Dayuan Jiang, Research Fellow at the Ministry of Education's Central Institute for Vocational and Technical Education about how China has drawn from foreign vocational education models and China's own innovation process. Jiang pointed out that Germany's educational philosophy and talent…

The evolving structure of the national economy and its reflection of the changing demography of our society will affect future demand for higher education. However, the situation is complex and the key may be the preservation of variety and quality in higher education. (MSE)

The American undergraduate curriculum has historically been designed to meet the twin goals of intellectual advancement and utility, constantly replacing outdated curricula with new ones. The current challenge is to stretch the traditions of inquiry and scholarship to meet new marketplace demands. (MSE)

Although Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco have followed substantially different development strategies, they exhibit similar signs of crisis in vocational education. An integrated approach to planning that acknowledges social, financial, technological, and economic constraints could help coordinate general and vocational education and specialized…

As postsecondary vocational education turns increasingly to preparation for high technological occupations, the question arises as to whether or not this infatuation with education for high technological occupations is reasonable and justified. Data on technician-level employment seem to contradict the view that high technological manufacturing is…

Describes how growing state occupational license laws that require passing examinations create a large demand for education. Reports on a study of the exam-preparation methods of applicants taking the California contractors' license examination. Sees a role for community colleges in preparing license candidates. (DMM)

A discussion of Dutch higher vocational education (HVE) looks at the place of HVE in the overall postsecondary system, its system of governance, its role in the reorganization of higher education, and efforts at innovation. Part-time programs are seen as a likely way to serve needs and cut costs. (MSE)

The current discourse about access can be changed by using three adjectives: old, wide, and deep. Regarding the first, since the 1870s, when the professionalization and specialization of knowledge took off in so many fields, inequalities in education have actually increased where it matters most--who knows how much of what is available to be…

This paper addresses issues generated by the British government's decision to abolish the binary division between university institutions of higher education and other postsecondary institutions. Sectoralization of British higher education in a post-binary system has created some problematics, two of which appear especially noteworthy: (1) student…

Describes the role of the community college in providing practical foreign language programs geared toward the needs of the business and emergency services communities rather than those of academia. Indicates that students need opportunities to develop sophisticated communicative abilities systematically in a short period of time. (MAB)

Reasons for slipping academic standards in U.S. community colleges and a specific program combating this problem are discussed. Two reasons are offered for this slippage; the first has to do with the ambiguous state of the community college faculty. These teachers are said to have difficulty defining their roles because they feel a powerlessness…

Sweden has worked in the last decade to strengthen the connection between education and employment, but still needs to make futher improvements. Recent shifts in the country's labor markets led to more youth unemployment, the displacement of less-educated workers by the more highly educated, and greater problems in the transition from school to…

This document reports the policy statement of the President of the University of the State of New York regarding vocational education in the five largest cities in the state. The statement provides background on how changes in the economy and the organization of work will affect the skills needed by the work force of the future. It also indicates…

The role of colleges in adult education is considered in light of the increased demand for adult education, the growing competition among providers of adult education, and the likelihood that the level of competition will be reduced in the future. In addressing the expanded magnitude of demand for adult education, four main determinants are…

A significant reason for the establishment of the junior college was the desire to limit the achievement of large numbers of college entrants, because there were not enough high level jobs for all who aspired to complete traditional degrees. In the history of the junior college movement, this problem of mass education has been attacked by…