This book presents a sociocultural account of logic, or a pedagogy, that governs Cambodian education, from policy-making to classroom practices. In so doing, it seeks to not only provide an introduction to Cambodian education, but also to help readers understand the complexities involved in reforming educational practices by drawing on an…

Drawing on a sociocultural perspective, this article analyses a Cambodian student-centred policy named Effective Teaching and Learning (ETL) to explore how this policy is practiced, or constructed through the negotiation among policy actors. Tensions I found in the policy between radical orientation toward the transformation of knowledge and its…

This study examines Indian teachers' perceptions of corporal punishment (CP), the reasons why CP still persists despite a ban, and the ways in which CP controversy reflects on social climate of the schools. Drawing from literature on custodial views of pupil control and systems theories, this qualitative study primarily uses observations and…

This paper presents a conceptualization that interprets the processes of policymaking, institution building, and change planning as aspects of the same generic phenomenon of cultural action. Central to this conceptualization is a view of power that explains the dynamics of these related processes while it demonstrates their integral unity. The…

The development of vocational education in modern China may be traced through four stages. The progress made during the experimental stage (1949-1965) was largely reversed during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), at which time many secondary technical and vocational high schools were closed. The period 1977-1984 marked a recovery stage when…

The first part of this publication contains detailed presentations on the subject of planning in education for Norway, The Netherlands, and the United States; a summary of the educational planning program for 18 OECD countries; a commentary on the substitution of teacher input by "other resources" input; and a description of the Educational Policy…

This publication presents the findings and conclusions as well as policy recommendations for a California State University (CSU) policy on student outcomes assessment. The report was formulated based on 16 meetings to study and discuss assessment issues, to review material from the campuses and to provide guidance to CSU representatives serving on…

This synthesis of the main trends and issues in the use of the new information technologies in education is based on background reports prepared for an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference held in 1984. Topics discussed include: (1) the challenge posed by the educational potential of the new technologies and…

Although the development of Kiswahili in Tanzania has had a number of stumbling blocks, it is slowly developing into a language of modern technology. Individual institutions have contributed greatly to its spread and promotion. More books are now published in Kiswahili than ever before, and scientific and technical terminology has been developed.…

As exemplified by New Zealand, the nature of educational policy research is shaped by political and social factors that impinge upon the research environment. Following a description of the educational system and research funding methods, this paper analyzes three areas that affect policy research in New Zealand and addresses relevant social…

Examines reasons preventing effective policymaking and genuine reform in a number of countries. Measures policy change in education against stages in coming to terms with a new issue: new knowledge, awareness, understanding, creation of new principles, implementation of new policy, change, and monitoring. (JHZ)

Recognizing that cross-national information and analysis can contribute to the improvement of policy development related to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC), the Education Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) launched the Thematic Review of Early Childhood Education and Care Policy in 1998.…

This overview of social research illustrates how the federal government increasingly relies on knowledge gained through research reports and studies for its planning and policy formation. The research reviews are grouped into five sections. The first section, the historical perspective, traces the increasing importance of the role of social…

Spurred on by such discussions of education as Jenk's "Inequality" and Coleman's controversial pronouncements on desegregation orders and "white flight," this anthology focuses on the efficacy of educational reform. The articles were compiled from two issues of the journal "Social Problems." The introductory essay by…