This chapter comparatively analyzes the most recent national curriculum guidelines for early childhood education (ECE) in Norway, Finland, China, and Hong Kong. By exploring the aims and dominant concepts in the guidelines, we aspire to better understand how governments of different cultures utilize the dominant concepts, that is, play and…

As South Africa transitioned from apartheid to democracy, changes in the political landscape, as well as educational agendas and discourse on both a national and international level, shaped successive waves of curriculum reform over a relatively short period of time. Using South Africa as a germane example of how curriculum and pedagogy can…

Exploring multilingualism as a complex, context-related, societal and individual phenomenon, this book centres around perspectives on how multiple languages are made (in)visible within educational settings in the Global North. The authors of each chapter compare and contrast findings across geographical contexts with the goal of understanding the…

Education is of relevance to everyone but it involves a specialized vocabulary and terminology which may be opaque or unfamiliar to those new to the field. This UK-focused Dictionary of Education provides clear and concise definitions for over 1,100 terms, from A* to zero tolerance, that anyone studying education or working in the field is likely…

This article explores the current context for personal, social and health education (PSHE) in English schools, and examines what the implications of the "Every Child Matters" (ECM) agenda are for schools in the future and how these changes may affect the profile and provision of PSHE in the curriculum. The author begins by revisiting the…

HEARTS (Higher Education, the Arts and Schools) project was established with the intention of strengthening the arts element of initial training of primary school teachers. During the academic years 2004/6, six higher education institutes (HEIs) were given financial and practical support to introduce new programmes of arts work into their…

Compares recent educational assessment policies of the United States and England. Asserts that the two nations are moving closer in their approach to educational assessment and student evaluation. Contends that U.S. social studies educators should follow closely the ramifications of national assessment in England. (CFR)

Citizenship education is now part of the United Kingdom's National Curriculum, and teachers across the country are working to make it a daily reality in schools. The purpose of this book is to show how education for active citizenship gives schools greater prominence as centers of social and civic renewal. Part 1 explores what citizenship…

This second edition of "Learning in the Early Years 3-7" has been written to help early years practitioners understand and implement the U.K.'s new curriculum guidance document "The Foundation Stage". The author explains how to meet the requirements of the new Foundation Stage document and how these relate to the U.K.'s…

Discusses current interest in a standard national curriculum and standardized testing, including national teacher standards, flexibility on the local level, choice of textbooks, governance, and costs. Cites foreign examples and describes organizations already active in the movement. (DM)

This paper reviews changes to the key stage 3 curriculum at a leading comprehensive school. The nature and practical concerns of the changes are described. These move beyond a fresh approach to content; they include issues about engaging students actively in learning for the future, planning around the school's distinctive ethos and expertise in…

This article draws upon a Department for Education and Skills (DfES) commissioned telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of schools to investigate the challenges faced by those seeking the successful implementation of the Foundation Stage (FS) (for 3--5-year-olds) in reception classes. Its focuses on head teachers' and reception…

Outlines statistical data on national curriculum patterns. Fewer than two percent of all graduating seniors meet or exceed the standards for college-bound students. Includes statistical data on courses students study, number of students per computer, dropout rates, activities of graduates, and test score averages.(MD)

This second report of the National Council is an outgrowth of a conference conducted as an inservice program for members of the Council's parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The report contains four papers which examine problems, issues, and perspectives about the improvement of American secondary…

Technology education (TE) in Taiwan is implemented in elementary, junior high, senior high, and comprehensive high schools. Since 2001, the new curriculum syllabus for grades 1-9 reflects the call for educational reform in such areas as articulation, integration, and flexibility of reform. The national curriculum for grades 10-12 is being revised;…