Discusses the requirements of the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program and describes the characteristics of recipient schools. Indicates that the Blue Ribbon is awarded to schools with clearly articulated vision, strong leadership, emphasis on universal learning, parent and community support, and caring faculty and staff. (MAB)

This study assessed college students' attitudes toward a national service program similar to that in the National and Community Service Trust Act (NCSTA). Students' overall support for NCSTA's goals related to beliefs about the value of the educational benefits to be derived and the anticipated long-term impact on civic awareness. (SM)

Describes services offered by the Center for Electronic Records of the National Archives and Records Administration and discusses electronic communication tools used in its reference services program, including electronic mailing lists, electronic mail, and online descriptive materials and finding aids. Provides an overview of constituency groups…

The national-service movement needs to grapple with two weaknesses. One is the underrepresentation of people of color and of young people of low socioeconomic status. The other is a failure to develop strategies that seek to solve problems caused by persistent poverty; current strategies tend to address only immediate needs. (SLD)

Discussion of the Training and Development Lead Body that defines occupational standards in the United Kingdom focuses on the development of standards for human resource development professionals. Topics addressed include the structure of the standards, applications, the lack of standards for technology-based training, and a forthcoming hypertext…

Three child care experts in east Berlin report on the impact of German reunification on child care in Germany, and in east Berlin in particular. (BG)

Provides a critical examination of the methods and procedures currently followed in the national program for preservation microfilming in research libraries and suggests alternative approaches for selecting materials for microfilming. Source literature is discussed as being important to focus on, and the cost and completeness of bibliographic…

Describes the main aspects and objectives of continuing education for librarians in Brazil and emphasizes the need for improvement. The need for coordination and planning is discussed, and proposals for the establishment of a National Center for Brazil to plan, coordinate, and supervise continuing education for professional librarians are…

The components of language rights for social development are enumerated and discussed, listed under such rubrics as national language development, languages of instruction, access to a Language of Wider Communication, bilingual schooling, and the cultivation of the national languages. Examples from various countries are cited. (Contains 26…

A discussion of Scotland's new modular approach to vocational education and certification, providing training modules in both secondary and higher education institutions, looks at problems created, particularly in the secondary education system. Unified academic/vocational or dual-track systems are considered as alternatives to the current…

Discussion of the relationship between information and development in Third World countries highlights information systems development in four South Asian nations: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The impact of microelectronics technology, development theories, multinational corporations, international information agencies, and…

Coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is a Web-based system that provides increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources. This article-an individual case study-addresses the structure of the NBII related to thematic, infrastructure and place-based…

Describes how institutions in Britain are working together to create a national e-University, a government-sponsored effort to bring together an assortment of distance-learning programs and courses to be sold to students all over the world. However, some officials are skeptical of its need or its prospects for success. (EV)

Discussion of the Star Schools distance-learning program focuses on equity issues that were addressed in a national evaluation. Service to elementary and secondary school students in remote rural areas and students in schools serving minority and economically disadvantaged students is examined, and policy implications are considered. (LRW)

Discusses changes in the state steering of universities and the impact of these changes on internal university management in Finland, where some unique university management procedures are in use. Of particular interest is the impact of the increase in external funding and the increasing competition for state funds. (SLD)