Examines the decision-making processes accompanying the establishment of a British city technology college, focusing on political and educational influences. Two critical decisions involved the college's location in a structure apart from centers of political controversy and the articulation of a clear, unified curriculum. Appointment of a project…

Analyzes the political, educational, and technical factors that strongly influenced the Ramirez study of bilingual programs. Enumerates strengths and weaknesses of the study's research methodology, along with implications for decision making in language-minority education. Summarizes defensible conclusions of the study that have not yet been…

Attitudes expressed by participants of a 1992 conference on the politics of multilingualism, particularly in the new European context, are summarized. Issues addressed include the role of French as a universal language, the concept of national identity, and the relationships between language and world view and between language and political…

Describes market reforms in New Zealand education from 1984 when the Labour government had control, to the present system under the National government. Prior to reforms, New Zealand had an equitable homogeneous system. Reforms have led to inequality, particularly to the disadvantage of Maori people, and may have lowered educational standards. (KS)

Analyzes the culture in China and how politics determines the form of educational institutions. Asserts that China's educational system is designed to promote selected students to elite status in the Communist Party. Discusses the links between education and the political elite and their effect on social mobility. (DMM)

Canada's recent public policy encouraging linkages between universities and corporations is transforming the structure and mission of the university system. An analysis focuses on economic, political, and institutional changes and discusses their effects on the organization of academic work, research, and the emerging image of the university as a…

Critically reviews a study commissioned by the Scottish Education Department (SED) on the transition to adulthood of young people with special educational needs. Although the research serves the political purposes of the SED, it contains sampling problems and unrepresentative case studies and fails to address cost effectiveness. (KS)

A conference held in Lebanon to discuss and solidify the role of French as the country's second language is reported. Factors endangering the status of French, the political and cultural role of the language, and French-Lebanese cooperative efforts in support of French language and culture are outlined. (MSE)

It is suggested that the search to make sense of dominant political ideologies and of their impact on language and literacy curriculum and teaching practice must be deliberately undertaken by teachers and activists if education is to maintain any control over the literacy agenda. (Contains 27 references.) (LB)

Presents a model for the analysis of the potential for computer-based instruction in the education and training systems of developing nations and applies the model to Bulgaria as an example. Highlights include economic and sociopolitical conditions; cultural sensitivity; workforce requirements; teacher skills; available technology; and support…

An interview with Umberto Eco, novelist and linguist, addresses issues in international communication of the future, and particularly the role of Esperanto in a rapidly changing, culturally diverse world society. Topics discussed include translation, native language and multilingualism, and politics of language. (MSE)

The intensive drive to promote national standards and assessments has gathered support from unproven connections between U.S. economic success and the nature of learning in schools. Now that teachers are being challenged to produce a bottom-up sea-change in their own classrooms, Uncle Sam's presence in the back of the room may be a growing problem…

Reasons why Kiswahili has not been officially established as the language of instruction in Tanzania are explored. Language background, sociocultural and pedagogical arguments, and comparisons with the use of French Immersion programs in Canada are discussed. Political interests are identified as the primary reason for retaining English. (34…

Considers the process of democratizing teacher education in Poland, focusing on the long-term effects of the country's totalitarian history on individuals' ability to take responsibility for their own and others' actions. Describes recent projects aimed at enlarging knowledge about democracy and the training skills necessary for social…

Emphasis on competency-based teaching and outcomes oversimplifies teaching and learning. Reducing a complex and highly political process such as dialog to a series of orderly steps falsely presents the classroom as predictable and implies that success lies in efficient delivery techniques without regard for context. (SK)