Qualifications frameworks are tools for describing qualifications of an education or training system by classifying them into levels. Each level provides a clear description of what the holder of a qualification knows, understands and is able to do. They are important tools for making qualifications transparent and comprehensible, within and…

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) has launched a new publication, "Integrated Approaches to Literacy and Skills Development: Examples of Best Practice in Adult Learning Programmes." This new compilation showcases 21 adult education programmes that demonstrate promising approaches to integrating literacy, life skills and…

This overview identifies some common features of macro-level language planning and briefly summarises the changing approaches to the analysis of macro-planning in the field. It previews six cases of language-in-education planning in response to linguistic diversity presented by the contributors to this issue. The cases show how macro-planning can…

Following the lead of the Department of Further Education in South Australia, the Australian Conference of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Directors began a TAFE Clearinghouse, having as its major goal the promotion of initiatives in research, investigation, and innovation in technical and further education. The Clearinghouse's functions…

The authors summarize the presentations and discussions contributed to the symposium "International Perspectives on Career Development" by members of Group 5, who considered the topic of the structure and organization of career development programs in different nations. A capsule picture of the national setting, primary goals,…

In 1996 the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) received funding to develop guidelines and a national process for recognizing the knowledge and skills of library employees at the library assistant and paraprofessional levels. This article describes the project and its key features, and raises issues that must be addressed before…

This document contains a chapter from each Australian State and Territory and from the Commonwealth on their full range of achievements in 1996 related to the National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. Achievements of all State and Territory Training Authorities are outlined in terms of the four themes of the national strategy:…

This account reports on a commissioned strategic evaluation undertaken for the Australian National Training Authority on the qualitative impact of the introduction of Training Packages on vocational education and training clients. The research involved collecting the views of over 200 VET practitioners, bureaucrats and administrators, industry…

The report provides a detailed overview of implementation of the first stage of Australia's National Policy on Languages (NPL), evaluates the effectiveness of NPL programs, presents a case for NPL extension to a second term, and identifies directions and priorities for NPL program activity until the end of 1994-95. It is argued that the NPL is an…

This supplement to "Adult Education and Development," a journal for adult education in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, refers to and is intended as a companion volume to "Combatting Poverty through Adult Education: National Development Strategies" (Croom Helm 1985). In addition to an introductory chapter and a conclusion, this…

This document outlines the major features and achievements of the Australian vocational education and training system in 1996 and provides some illustrative examples of specific initiatives undertaken by states, territories, and the Commonwealth. Among the major achievements detailed in the report are the following: (1) for students--35,000 more…

This issue of the Courier contains articles loosely connected to each other by the underlying theme of developing people's capacity to improve the quality of their lives. The following articles are included: "Development of Human Resources--A Basic Needs Approach," by Mohiuddin Ahmad; "Rural Poverty," by the United Nations Food…

This document contains detailed information on the performance and characteristics of the vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia in 1996. The report looks at a range of specific key performance measures for the VET sector. Some highlights of the performance of the VET sector in 1996 include the following: (1) more than 1.35…

The Innovations Program, established by the Australian Schools Commission in 1974, was a small national program aimed at fostering local actions for change in Australian primary and secondary education. In this report, the author begins by examining different approaches to educational innovation and reviewing the literature on innovation. Part 2…

This report contains recommendations and guidelines for the development of a national computer education program for all Australian schools. The introduction provides background information on the appointment of the National Advisory Committee on Computers in Schools, including the guidelines and objectives set for it by the government. Chapter 2,…