In recent years there has been considerable debate about the appropriate role, management structure, and activities for the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). This background paper identifies key issues that require attention by Congress and by NTIS itself to increase the effectiveness of NTIS in the collection and dissemination of…

This report sheds light on the use of contract teachers with a particular focus on Cambodia, Nicaragua and India--countries that have all relied on contract teachers at some point. The report documents the use of contract teachers in Cambodia, Nicaragua and India and outlines the experience of contract teachers in West Africa. It also discusses…

This paper asserts that government responsibilities in education and the strong connection of Americans with their public schools are being tested, as a network of Religious Right groups, free-market economists, ultraconservative columnists, and others use vouchers as a vehicle to achieve their ultimate goal of privatizing education. Their…

This paper analyzes the considerations that lead policy makers to undertake extension investments as a key public responsibility, as well as the complex set of factors and intra-agency incentives that explain variations in performance between different extension systems. The goals of extension include transferring knowledge from researchers to…

Recent moves in many parts of the world to restructure and deregulate state education have sought to link significant degrees of institutional autonomy with an emphasis on parental choice and competition, thereby creating "quasi-markets" in education. This paper discusses such developments as part of a neo-liberal project for education…

Discusses vocational education training in Slovenia since 1991, noting challenges posed by transformation of the economic/social system (privatization, development of market economy, labor force development, European integration) and reviews basic features of the Slovenian system. Cites general reform objectives adopted in 1996 and the need for…

Describes: (1) corporate technology initiatives driven by public-relations motives; (2) collaborative strategies for teacher-student technology learning; (3) an online school-improvement site; 4) privatization of school-district technology operations; and (5) a primer on listservs for school leaders. Also provides information on school technology,…

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…

In World Trade Organization negotiations, it has been proposed that education be treated as a service to be exchanged for profit. This is contrary to the United Nations covenant that education is a universal human right. Educators need to affirm that knowledge is not a commodity, but something whose benefit increases proportionately with the…

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.…

Discusses the argument for private-sector involvement in the distribution of government information, using U.S. patents as an example. Highlights include industry competitiveness; jobs creation; public access; identifying users; costs; user fees; existing systems of information dissemination; and implications of the Internet and NREN (National…

Introduces a collection of articles that critically examines the assumption that privatization is an effective means to increase competition, improve educational achievement, and provide a cure for the national decline in the American standard of living. The historical and political backgrounds of privatization are discussed, along with a summary…

Argues that private providers of services for handicapped children have to deal with due process under the color of state law and, since federal funds are involved, due process under the Fifth Amendment. Such laws involve parental approval of their child's education and allow use of the federal courts to settle grievances. A legal analysis is…

The Edison Project will reconfigure time, deploy truly professional teachers, and utilize technologies in powerful new ways. Other Edison design highlights include its research basis; clear, defining values; high universal standards; five-domain curriculum; proven, individualized instructional methods; creative organization; true accountability;…