The history of schooling is a mix of constancy and change in policies, organizational structures, school practices, and classroom pedagogy. Over the last century and a half, well-intentioned and serious reformers, using Federal, state, and local policies, tirelessly and repeatedly tried to improve schooling. Classroom and school practices such as…

Although a considerable body of research has been developed in recent years on participation in adult education, little has been done from the standpoint of social policy and its impact on participation. To assist investigation of this aspect of participation, three social policy models are presented: market models, progressive-liberal-welfare…

A study examined the role of computer and information technology (CIT) instruction in the Youth Training Scheme (YTS). A number of successful local YTS training schemes and initiatives are identified and analyzed in the first part of this report. This process resulted in the formulation of specific policy recommendations that are spelled out in…

A study examined the role of computer and information technology (CIT) instruction in the Youth Training Scheme (YTS). A number of successful local YTS training schemes and initiatives were identified and analyzed. One phase of this analysis focused on standards, accreditation, and progression in the CIT component of the YTS. Special attention was…

Prepared as a tribute to the late Professor Ronald R. Edmonds, this paper reviews the history and progress of school improvement based upon the effective schools research. Topics related to the scope and precision of effective schools research are discussed. A need for further research is claimed in the following areas: (1) noncognitive and higher…

This collection of conference papers addresses selected philosophical and social questions being faced by contemporary educators. Papers and presenters are: "The Computer Revolution, the Technological Fallacy, and Education" (Keith L. Raitz); "Some Bits and Bytes: A Response to Raitz" (Robert J. Skovira); "The Public…

An assessment of current practices in citizenship education in Canada is followed by a proposal for decentralization of educational control and community involvement for students at all levels. In response to research which indicated that Canadian students were virtually ignorant of their government and its political issues and to the demand for…

In 1983 the National Office of Job Corps conducted a review of Job Corps vocational offerings and outcomes for fiscal year 1982. Based on a review of Job Corps procedures identifying emerging occupations, assessing training needs, developing curricula, and implementing training programs, the project researchers developed a series of…

The career development program for students with mental disabilities should be integrated into the total special education curriculum, should provide training of specific skills needed in particular jobs as well as a general orientation to the world of work, and should relate academics to activities of daily living. The program should begin at the…

The seven brief chapters of this paper advocate mixed-age grouping in schools and child care centers. Discussion defines mixed-age grouping and examines some limitations of single-age grouping. Research findings on social and cognitive aspects of mixed-age grouping are reviewed. Social aspects are discussed by considering in turn the following…

Women who seek further education and the formal credentials it provides often have acquired valuable knowledge and work experience while performing various unpaid work in their homes and communities. Awarding college credit and recognition for women's nonpaid work is a measure of social justice and equity. The three major ways to evaluate and…

Since the 1970s, Outward Bound (OB) has borrowed psychological language and models to articulate its educational objectives and methods in terms accessible to mainstream educators. This report claims that OB's uncritical adoption of psychological language and models will undermine its commitment to certain core values of its tradition. This is…

A comparison of the vocational education and training (VET) offered in Japan, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the United States revealed that programs in all three nations emphasized the following aims: competence at work, commitment of all to achieve excellence, and capacity to contribute to change. Organizations in all three nations were…

The education system of Finland is appraised by the Educational Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The problems of each educational sector and the relationships between sectors are examined and the contribution of the education system to the economic, cultural, and social life of the nation is assessed.…

This report on information processing studies in Japan focuses on the installation and utilization of microcomputers at various educational levels, subject areas, and types of schools. Types of use explored include computer assisted instruction, computer managed instruction, and computer education. A brief description of the Japanese educational…