In this inaugural issue of "Brookings Papers on Education Policy" a varied group of scholars considers different dimensions of student performance. Several contributors try to offer a clear picture of how American students are performing as compared with their international peers and with the past. The following are included: (1) "Introduction"…

The Intequal project examined approaches to vocational education and training (VET) in seven European countries. Intequal is an acronym for the French phrase "integrer les qualifications." The study focused on the following: functioning of integrated qualifications in the context of the educational system and the social and economic…

In both France and Germany, the government, employers' organizations, and unions all participate in defining vocational diplomas based on a national framework of procedures of elaborating and standardizing titles. Important differences between the diploma definition processes in France and Germany may be identified. In Germany, the issue is…

In spite of widespread concerns about low academic achievement nationally, parents generally have expressed satisfaction with their own children's achievement and schools, largely because their children's grades suggest that they are doing well. This report examines what student grades tell about achievement through the use of data from the…

Six papers review international issues in educational opportunity, with emphasis on Europe and Japan. The various contributions provide confirmation that, although the connection between school success and social background continues to resist educational measures, an increase in the average level of education is becoming apparent. (SLD)

These three newsletter issues describe what pilot sites sponsored by the State Vocational Education Consortium are doing to improve the academic competencies for general and vocational students. The first issue summarizes the activities occurring in pilot sites, including establishing higher expectations for general and vocational students,…

The following papers dealing with education in Ireland are presented: "The Fortunes of Education as a Subject of Study and of Research in Ireland" (John Coolahan); "The Irish Charter Schools: The Grand Design in Principle and Practice" (Kenneth Milne); "Quaker Education in 18th and 19th Century Ireland" (Cyril G.…