Educational issues concerning all levels of education in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland are examined in these 18 conference papers. The focus of the presidential address was on general education in the secondary school. The invited address discussed the aims and objectives in higher education. Papers dealt with the following topics: a sociological analysis of the functions of secondary education; the teacher and political socialization in Northern Ireland post-primary schools; a comparative case study among primary and secondary teachers concerning educational theory and practice; professional status as an operational and aspirational characteristic of the teaching force; the principal's role in secondary education; a survey of teachers in Northern Ireland concerning professionalism and ideology; pupil outcomes; the evolving role of the "Tech" in Northern Ireland education; special education; deficient memory performance in the mentally handicapped; teacher education; technical instruction and the Department of Agriculture; an analysis of the processes used by children to respond to selected mathematical tasks; teachers' viewpoints concerning secondary school mathematics; a study of the mathematical vocabulary of primary school mathematics textbooks; and a praise of oral literature. (RM)