Since the 1960s, there have been continuing federal efforts to bring reform to scale in high-poverty elementary and secondary schools across the U.S. This paper traces the evolution of these efforts and discusses their impacts on achievement outcomes. Drawing on evidence from meta-analyses of the Title I evaluation literature and the Comprehensive…

This literature review explores the historical development of information and communication technology (ICT) in Irish postprimary/secondary schools and examines how the education system has responded to the various ICT initiatives and policy changes. The review has found that despite national policy and significant ICT initiatives, it appears that…

This paper sketches an interpretive and evaluative framework for examining literacy policy agendas. The paper consists of four sections. Its first section presents a brief overview of some key elements in the current National Literacy Plan for Australia. Its second section advances a broad goal for literacy education which is consistent with…

In 1984 Australia's federal government decided to reactivate the Curriculum Development Centre, an agency abandoned in the early 1980's for political and economic reasons. This paper examines the context in which the center currently acts and the operations that it conducts. The paper first considers background issues related to national…

Examines Nigeria's language policies in terms of (1) the historical, sociolinguistic, political, educational, and ideological contexts in which they arose; (2) their impact on patterns of language choice and use in education and other aspects of life; and (3) their implications for the theory and practice of language planning. (51 references) (GLR)

Examines issues related to a national system of public prekindergarten, including challenges confronting educators. Recommends broadening eligibility, encouraging collaboration among early childhood programs, strengthening family support and participation, implementing appropriate curricula and evaluation, and identifying teacher qualifications.…

Two questions provide the focus for this paper: (l) Does England have a policy in regard to multicultural education, and, if so, what is it? (2) If it does have a policy, how and when did this policy get formulated? "Multicultural" is used here to mean Black-White. (Author)

Although Chinese Taipei has adopted lifelong learning as an educational goal, adult literacy education programs have not been based on their tenets. Lifelong learning is a deliberate process that emphasizes the autonomy of learners and a breadth of learning throughout the life span. The two adult literacy programs in Chinese Taipei, Supplementary…

After outlining an ideal, the author examines the reality of the response by governments of the major host countries of Europe to the educational needs of migrants' children to determine how far they have been met and to suggest some factors which may have determined the nature of this response. (Author/SJL)

The costs and benefits of recent statewide and nationwide educational assessment programs are examined. The purpose of this paper is to present and substantiate some critical lessons and observations concerning: how the costs and benefits of large-scale assessments (LSAs) can be appraised, and the utility of this type of research to policymakers…

This policy update discusses provisions of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act which directly influence the experiences of high school-age students with disabilities as they prepare for the transition from school to work and adult life. The paper discusses: (1) purposes of the Act; (2) the eight National Education Goals of Title I; (3)…

The second part of a study on the defense of the French language (see Part I in the Winter 1992 issue) presents historical overview of the Quebec government effort of renewing, normalizing, and promoting the French language in that province. The controversial aspects and effects of Law 101 are examined. (43 references) (LET)

This document includes invited papers written for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Elementary/Secondary Education Data Redesign Project. Early in 1985, NCES began a thorough review of its data collection program. The purpose of the review was to address questions of the suitability, scope, reliability, and timeliness of…

The author reviews the changes in China's educational policy since the downfall of the "Gang of Four," emphasizing the nation's return to stricter academic standards and credentialing. (SJL)

Nigeria's oil revenues are financing a variety of development projects including those in education. The current plan for the education system is highlighted along with the implications for American higher education. Commentaries by Raymond A. Ehrle, Jenny K. Johnson, and Ezra A. Naughton are included. (JMF)