This article by the Council of Europe shows that the state has created a mandatory school for all students between the ages of 11 and 15, the scuola media. The functions, structure, curriculum, grading of school work, and the stages in the introduction of the new school are discussed. (AM)

Provides a brief history of social sciences in Canada, dividing it into three periods: from early years up to 1960, from 1960 to 1970, and from 1970 to the present. Includes sections on the relation of social sciences to Canadian society and international cooperation. Provides two appendices which list social science journals and scholarly…

Introduction of a diploma of higher education in nursing in a Scottish college represented a shift from an apprenticeship approach to an academic approach favored by Project 2000 reforms. A blend of the two, exploiting the advantages of mentoring, is recommended. (SK)

In Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, postgraduate nursing curricula were reformed, but discrepancies appeared between stated goals and actual content, due largely to inexperience with nursing education. Other difficulties included lack of literature in native languages and insufficient reading ability in English. (SK)

A three-year project to reform civics curriculum in the Czech Republic tested a progressivist model by stressing behavioral objectives. A shift was made from subject-centered civic education to skill-based citizenship education based on the abilities needed for democracy. (SK)

Outlines the program "Language Arts in the Primary School" which was developed by the National Institute for Curriculum Development in the Netherlands. Focuses on three areas of that project: (1) the school and its language education; (2) the projects research activities; and (3) the school's curriculum. (BR)

The author argues for the examination of certain historical materials that have already considered educational reform as a basis for current reform movements. She examines an earlier journal, "The Social Frontier," and its views on curriculum to illustrate this point. She relates the publication's themes to contemporary topics in…

Outlines briefly the history of this special issue on education in public relations, noting that its articles represent summaries of the work and findings of the National Communication Association 1998 Summer Conference. Notes the structure of the task force and task teams which carried out the work of the conference. (SR)

Provides a brief history of Europe's secondary schools and highlights recent trends and changes. Pays particular attention to Yugoslavia. Concludes with a seven-item agenda for future changes. (JDH)

Reviews recent evidence regarding increases in sexual activity and decreases in age of first sexual experience among Nigerian youth. Presents nine goals of sex education instruction and identifies problems in implementing sex education in the Nigerian schools. (JDH)

Growing sophistication about computer use among students and faculty, ready availability of microcomputers, and rapid advances in technology and software have led to more computing in all courses. While computer literacy used to mean programing, it now means familiarity with the technology and its everyday applications. (MSE)

Business schools, rich in resources and flooded with applicants, are doing little planning and are ignoring important trends. A three-year study that included visits to 60 business schools, interviews with 200 corporate executives, and surveys of 9,000 educators, executives, and business-school students and alumni is described. (MLW)

This book is a study, in research-based narrative form, of one middle school's implementation of a new portfolio assessment plan in response to statewide policy changes in California. The book highlights the interactions of state, district, and local forces as teachers work to implement a portfolio-assessment plan that collects student work and…

Discusses suggestions for improving preclinical medical training in British Medical Schools and how these ideas were flawed by excessive idealism. Suggests a core curriculum should be defined in terms of need. Techniques in developing a core curriculum should include critical incident studies, task analysis of established practitioners, the study…

Gives the historical background of land grant universities and the Morrill Act (1862), wherein federal land was ceded to establish colleges which furthered agricultural and professional studies. Uses Michigan State as an example. Discusses the writing center, its peer consultancies, its publications, and its consultative teaching, which integrates…