The author examines national differences in scholastic performance, as indicated by IEA Study test scores, between the developed and less-developed nations, and outlines hypotheses for the poorer performance of the less-developed nations. This article is the second of three in a symposium on the IEA Studies. (SJL)

Based on 1970s data, the "Heyneman-Loxley (HL) effect" proposed that in developing nations, school variables were more important than family socioeconomic status in determining academic achievement. A reassessment of the HL effect using 1990s TIMSS data found the relationship between family background and student achievement to be…

Examined is the world society's ability to meet energy needs without destroying the earth. Supply and demand issues are examined. International per capita energy use is compared. Historical trends are described. (CW)

Describes an international scientific computer conference involving several Canadian and Indonesian academic institutions in which Canadian librarians offered reference services to Indonesian scientists. The project is evaluated with a view to providing assistance to further pilot projects investigating the feasibility of a similar information…

Examines educational quality as a concept, contending that quality in education is declining in developed countries. Delineates ways to prevent poor academic performance, invigorate the teaching process, and use educational and vocational guidance. (KO)

Summarizes four media-related reports, including: (1) a survey that explored the factors introduced by new technologies for distributing television in and across Europe; (2) an annual review of BBC broadcasting research findings; (3) the portrayal of violence on British television; and (4) an evaluation of primary school radio programs in…

Discusses how to shape the policies, launch the programs, and harness the resources for convincing ordinary people throughout the world to change in response to environmental crisis. Provides many political examples. Lists three references for further reading. (YP)

A series of articles reviews the contributions of Brian Campbell Vickery and current research extending this work. Topics covered include the role of classification in information retrieval, social scientists' information needs, national document supply and catalog entry supply in Britain, and research and development in the United Kingdom. (CLB)

Describes British investigation conducted to discover patterns in the background and attitudes of teachers who are computer users and to derive strategies that may be used to encourage wider use of computers in secondary education. Highlights include software evaluation, in-service training, and the role of computer studies. (35 references)…

The second of two articles discusses the use of the media package called "Who Cares?" in the nursing profession. The evaluation of its effectiveness by users is described, and implications of the findings are discussed in relation to audiovisual media in nursing education, and to the development of nursing education in Britain. (32…

Contends that it is widely believed that cheap labor in poor countries attracts foreign investors. Asserts that historical evidence indicates that past patterns of direct foreign investment in poor countries are inconsistent with the cheap-labor argument. Includes two figures and one table. (CFR)

Examines poliomyelitis in the United States by reviewing clinical manifestations and outcomes, history, recent epidemiologic characteristics, characteristics of currently available vaccines, controversies surrounding vaccination policy, current poliovirus vaccination recommendations, and prospects for worldwide eradication. Poliomyelitis remains…

A discussion of growing international student mobility looks at the flow of students from Third World countries to industrialized nations, the impact of foreign students on academic institutions, the impact of foreign study on the students, and related policies in host and source countries. Available research literature is reviewed. (Author/MSE)

Presents a historical survey of the official discourse on functional literacy in the industrialized countries on the basis of the reports of 20 seminars and international conferences linked to UNESCO. Underlines broad geopolitical tendencies of the literacy movement. Concludes with a typology of principal political tendencies. (42 citations) (VWC)

Focuses on the role of education and human resource development in relation to the economic performance of countries over time examining three major regions: (1) the early developing western nations (North America and Europe); (2) the newly industrializing countries of East Asia; and (3) the underdeveloped countries especially in Africa. (CMK)