Qualifications frameworks are tools for describing qualifications of an education or training system by classifying them into levels. Each level provides a clear description of what the holder of a qualification knows, understands and is able to do. They are important tools for making qualifications transparent and comprehensible, within and…

A national qualifications framework (NQF) is an instrument used to classify a country's qualifications at different levels. Each level is defined by a set of learning outcomes expected at that level. NQFs can be useful tools in education and training reforms and are vital reference points for lifelong learning and comparing qualifications across…

Within a learning family, every member is a lifelong learner. A family literacy and learning approach is more likely to break the intergenerational cycle of low education and inadequate literacy skills, particularly among disadvantaged families and communities. The selection of case studies presented in this compilation show that for an…

As described in "Go8 Backgrounder 24: Answering the Global Challenge--Experiences from European Excellence Initiatives," Germany began a debate about how to strengthen its position as an excellent location for science and research in 2004. This debate focussed in particular on the competitiveness of the country's universities and…

The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a comprehensive yet detailed account of the current giftedness and gifted education situation in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is concerned with four main research questions: (1) How is "giftedness" defined in German-speaking countries? (2) How are gifted children…

The evaluation of government-financed research has become increasingly important in the last few decades in terms of increasing the quality of, and payoff from, the research that is done, reducing the cost of doing it, and lending public credibility to the manner in which research is funded. But there are very large differences throughout the…

"Service Without Guns"--by Donald J. Eberly and Reuven Gal with a guest chapter by Michael Sherraden--notes the many similarities between military service and civilian National Youth Service (NYS) and concludes that NYS can and should become as large and influential in the 21st Century as military service was in the 20th. The book…

Discusses the legislation and assistance available for single parents, primarily mothers, who make up an increasing portion of the population in the Federal Republic of Germany. (RJC)

In the 1970s, the Federal Republic of Germany embarked on a national program of using computers in education. Examines the impact of implementing the program, focusing on: results of curriculum development efforts; programing and teacher training; and computing related to vocational education. (JN)

"Sozialstationen" can fulfill an important function in social and health care by allowing older adults to live at home longer. About two-thirds of the clients would have to have more to residential care if the program was stopped. No conclusions on cost effectiveness can be drawn at this time. (JAC)

This article distinguishes research--the discovery of new knowledge--from innovation, which is understood to be the transformation of practice in a community or the incorporation of existing knowledge into economic activity. From a survey of roles served by vocational education institutions in a number of OECD countries the paper argues that…

Compares books used in the elementary schools of different regions of Imperial Germany around the turn of the century. Asks how regionally controlled schools contributed to building German national identity. Argues that identity-formation was based on shared values and loyalty to homeland while acknowledging the different parts of the nation. (DSK)

The implication for universities of a trend to orient research and development to national needs is explored. University research policies are responding to fears of losing internally funded research and a growing reliance on external funds. (MLW)

The Higher Education Information System (HIS) is Germany's publicly financed service institution serving higher education. One of its functions is to act as a clearinghouse for computer software for higher education. The evolution, role and mission, founding principles, and services of HIS in this capacity are explained. (Author/MSE)

This booklet provides a brief description of secondary education in Germany. The publication is part of a series that seeks to make the public aware of the education systems and traditions in all signatory states to the European Cultural Convention and to outline the essential problems these systems presently are facing. This short booklet…