This article investigates the normative logic and orientation of civic and religious education in seven countries in northern Europe. One main underlying argument is that public schooling must be generically regarded as a heavy functional contributor to the "soft" normative reproduction and validation of certain ethical and cultural…

For the past decade, Finland has been lauded for consistently being a top performer on international assessments of student achievement. Having spent 25 years in the Ministry of Education, and then another 8 as director general of the National Board of Education, the author was heartened by these accomplishment--but he is also concerned about how…

International comparisons present the paradox that while such efforts encourage reflection on their own norms, values, and insights, researchers may lack the requisite knowledge to similarly engage a new culture. This work reviews school-leadership research that points to commonalities and differences in social and cultural trends in Denmark,…

This collection of 27 brief essays focuses on universal aspects of childhood and early childhood education, education for peace, model early childhood programs, and the development of children's thinking and creativity skills. The essays are: (1) "The Universal and the National in Preschool Education (Goutard); (2) "Preschool Childhood:…

Compiling available statistical information on the status of women in health careers, the chart book was designed for use at the International Conference on Women in Health. Tables and figures illustrate statements through statistics and graphs. In the section dealing with the United States, tables present a broad statistical base, and figures…