To solve two enduring problems in education--unacceptably large variation in learning opportunities for students across classrooms and little continuing improvement in the quality of instruction--the authors propose a system that centers on the creation of shared instructional products that guide classroom teaching. By examining systems outside…

In this paper, I examine whether generalized trust and education, as well as social security policies of welfare state institutions matter for cross-national differences in subjective well-being (SWB), because knowledge on this issue is still lacking. For this purpose I integrated the insights of two sociological theories: Social Function…

Early childhood education has received an increasing amount of attention in the last two decades in the United States and in other countries. There is now a strong consensus on the many benefits of preschool. Studies have shown that attending a high-quality preschool program not only increases children's readiness for kindergarten, but also causes…

The rationale for present manpower programs and its utility for future manpower policy are discussed. The approach focuses attention on such questions as the following: Does the present de facto meaning of manpower policy, which is implicit in what is now being attempted in the so-called "manpower programs," exhaust the potential…

The final and fourth volume in a collection of papers on poverty issues, this document deals with studies of poverty and social welfare programs in five Western European countries, Canada, and Japan. Eight sections constitute the document: some cross-national characteristics of poverty; poverty and antipoverty in Britain (characteristics of…

The national Swedish Board of Universities and Colleges has initiated a program for the followup and evaluation of the higher education reform in Sweden. The program currently consists of six projects, with an additional three in the planning stage. They cover all of the problem areas given high priority by the national government: the…

For each of the countries, the current manpower policies are described, the development of manpower policy in relation to other national goals is explained, and major elements of manpower programs are discussed. Information was obtained from selected published materials. Some general findings are: (1) Measures to achieve full employment, economic…

This report compares the Social Security Administration's Disability Insurance (DI) program and the practices of the private sector and other countries in helping people with severe disabilities return to work. Information was gathered in in-depth interviews and a review of policy documents and program data at three private sector disability…

Sweden and Denmark are becoming aware that the "at risk" group of unemployed young people present a double-edged risk in that they are economically and socially disadvantaged and constitute a risk for society at large. Sweden and Denmark differ in their responses to the problem. (BRR)

Equality is the key to adult education in Sweden. The aims of adult education in Sweden are to (1) reduce education gaps, (2) encourage increased social and cultural activity, (3) strengthen working life position, and (4) cater to individual preferences and needs. (JOW)

This paper reports on research designed to explore the status of children and the relationship of patterns of child care to social structure and social change. The study is based on interviews with scholars and government officials, an analysis of statistical data and research reports, and visits to day care centers, playgrounds, and other…

A national policy of intensified training where the government contracts the economy to cool inflation may be the humane and efficient way to handle the two most vexing economic problems -- inflation and unemployment. The best evidence that the scheme can work is seen in Sweden. (Journal/EB)

In recent years, a number of analyses assessments used in different countries have appeared. Analyses emerging from international comparisons such as Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) have focused on what might be termed "cross-sectional" comparisons;…

A booklet describing the current status of adult education in Sweden is presented. The forms of adult education discussed include: labor market training, educational associations, folk high schools, national and municipal adult schools, educational broadcasts produced by the Committee for Television and Radio in Education, and the study programs…

After a brief review of alternative methods of providing financial aid to students, the most significant differences between ten OECD member countries in the type, methods, and objectives of student aid policy are summarized. The implications of the alternative types of aid are then discussed. The ten countries are Australia, Canada, France,…