In 2000, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) launched the programme "Learning Regions--Providing Support for Networks'" in cooperation with the Lander. It was co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). Some 90 regions were selected and financially supported. After one year, 71 regions continued to build-up…

How developed countries train, recruit and retain their schoolteachers is an area of considerable interest in education today. In this paper we consider how the US is addressing the issue of teacher quality by holding schools and school districts accountable for ensuring that all teachers of core subjects are "highly qualified" by the…

This report seeks to address critical issues such as these by synthesising the evidence on innovations in more market-driven education systems. The analysis draws on data from over 20 OECD and non-OECD countries, including both developed nations that seek to move beyond established systems of state-run schools, and developing nations where formal…

The National Staff Development Committee of the Vocational Education and Training Sector in Australia is promoting action learning as a preferred professional development strategy to support the implementation of key competencies. Action learning was piloted across five training areas within the Department of Employment, Training, and Further…

An evaluation investigated the effectiveness of midwifery education in preparing midwives to care for clients likely to experience inequalities in health and/or inequalities in health care provision in England. The study was undertaken in these three phases: (1) literature review of midwifery and relevant social policy literature; (2) national…

A study to compare vocational education and training (VET) systems examined nine countries across these three large geographical regions: Europe, East Asia, and the Americas. It explored variables that most define and influence characteristics, behavior, and apparent success of VET systems and the impact of change. The nine systems were chosen on…

This handbook is intended to help decision makers in developing-country governments and donor agencies in their efforts to utilize information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve and expand teacher professional development (TPD) activities. To the extent possible in a brief work, the handbook combines a global perspective--including…

This report addresses key questions concerning the effectiveness of midwifery education in preparing midwives to meet the needs of women from minority or disadvantaged groups in England. Chapter 1 sets out the methodological context within which the work was undertaken and provides an overview of data sources and sample sizes. Chapters 3 and 4…

Research was conducted in 2000-01 on the long-term impacts of the 200 projects funded by Australia's Framing the Future in 1999 and of the 250 conducted in 2000. Two main research methodologies (case study investigations and a survey) were used for the study. Case study investigations were conducted with the Deaf Education Network in Sydney; South…

A case study of the Science Education Project, aimed at improving South African science education, revealed that tactics for in-service education identified as important for the success of educational innovations in developed countries are also appropriate in developing countries. However, the context of the developing country gives rise to…

This three-volume report provides a comprehensive picture of the vocational education and training system in Australia, its key policies, initiatives undertaken and achievements during 1999. This publication is composed of volumes 1 and 2. Volume 3 is available separately. Volume 1, National Overview, describes the national vocational education…

Research funded by the Flexible Learning Advisory Group during 2000-2002 on issues related to online learning and delivery in vocational education and training in Australia was consolidated. Key findings included the following: (1) most students who experienced online learning did so in a conventional class, using face-to-face and other strategies…