The valorization of skills in English higher education policy-making is a long-standing refrain, informing both rhetoric and investment from government and shaping university behaviour. Critiques of the 'skills agenda' are equally established, on grounds of its contested evidence base, manner of implementation and even its very definition. This…

This paper represents the latest in a line of papers and think pieces that the author has prepared on this topic -- for the UK government, the UK Skills and Productivity Board, and the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council -- since 2014. It seeks to explain why trying to bring skills supply into closer alignment with demand for skills…

Early childhood researchers from across the U.S. came together to form the Early Learning Network (ELN) in 2016 with the mission to identify policies and practices that narrow opportunity gaps and help children maintain early learning success. Early Learning Network teams share what they have learned--and what it means for early childhood…

This article offers a semester-long approach to using generative AI in the public-speaking course. Using critical communication pedagogy, the authors provide practices to navigate the turbulence that has followed the emergence of publicly available generative AI tools. These tools have received negative attention because of their potential to…

Every reading and writing instruction initiative has its challenges and unintended consequences and leaves someone a bit behind. What's a school leader to do? This article offers three key questions that school leaders should ask every day to optimize literacy instruction in their schools.

The USAID Education Policy guides Agency-wide investments in education and is the primary source of direction for all education programming. The Education Policy outlines key principles and priority areas that are critical to supporting partner country education systems to achieve equitable, sustainable, quality learning and education outcomes. It…

This paper was presented at an event, 'The Skills Revolution: can lifelong learning save the UK economy?', jointly organised by NEON, Ruskin College, The University of West London, and CEILUP (Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up). In the paper the author argues that there is an urgent need to rethink and reform England's skills system and…

State policies to expand computer science (CS) education have popped up nearly everywhere since 2016. This acceleration speaks well to the collaborative work of state boards of education, intermediary and national organizations, state legislatures, and governors who championed those policies. It also speaks to the urgency of increasing all…

This report compiles the results of the Erasmus+ Cluster Meeting on "The role of sport in education: enhancing skills development and dual careers perspectives" gathering 120 participants including project leaders, policy makers and high-level speakers on 4-5 December 2019. This final report follows the meeting agenda, devoted to three…

Young people are increasingly lamented as unable to cope with 'everyday realities of life' with educational institutions and parenting styles accelerating what some refer to as the 'snowflake generation'. This paper addresses confusion that exists in the framing of social and emotional wellbeing, delineating three competing perspectives: (1)…

This book unravels the 'new reality' of national educational reforms, exploring optimal strategic directions for education and training. Offering a particular emphasis on EU-wide political guidelines, it encompasses lifelong learning across all levels, and it showcases the pivotal role of modern skills in education for reducing poverty, promoting…

The DCU Changemaker Schools Network is a collaborative professional learning network of schools chosen for their pioneering work in the development of empathy, creativity, leadership, and teamwork. Adopted by Dublin City University (DCU) in September 2020, the current network of 18 primary schools has moved into Phase 2 of its development, with…

This article describes two decades of workplace basic skills efforts in the United States (mid 1980s to early 2000s). Private- and public-sector groups defined the problem of inadequate basic skills in the incumbent workforce. They raised awareness of this problem as it affected various segments of the workforce and diverse industries. They…

This paper examines three interrelated factors outside of formal provision of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in sub-Saharan Africa that have undermined TVET systems. The first is the process, pace, and levels of industrialisation, which has had a direct effect on TVET provision: low numbers of well-paying jobs requiring…

Kindergarten has changed. Many believe that it no longer reflects a nurturing environment but, instead, has become a race for children to learn skills so they are ready for the academic achievement tests that they will take continuously throughout their time in school. "Resisting the Kinder-Race" examines how the race came about, why it…