Ireland is in the grip of a postmodern cultural deconstruction on many levels. The traditional "grand narratives" are increasingly viewed with suspicion and disenchantment as Ireland struggles to understand its evolving identity. There is a growing need for comprehensive interdisciplinary research that will facilitate teaching and…

Last winter the National Commission on the Reform of Secondary Education concluded that "If a high school is not to be a custodial institution, the State must not force adolescents to attend. Earlier maturity -- physical, sexual and intellectual -- requires an option of earlier departure from the restraints of formal schooling." The Commission…

Traces the historical development and rationale for compulsory school attendance laws and argues that lowering the age of compulsory education without providing viable options for the social development and self-realization of youth is to invite disaster for youth and for society. (Author/JG)

Educational historians have increasingly turned their attention to the origins of compulsory schooling. The development of compulsory-school-attendance laws was discussed in a broad social context. (Editor/RK)

Enormous improvements in education may well be possible if recommendations to reduce the amount of time teenagers spend in school are adopted, but the changes cannot be effected without basic changes in other institutions, especially the economy. (Author/IRT)

Now that he has had the opportunity to reflect upon a report by the National Commission on the Reform of Secondary Education, the author gives us his thoughtful reflections about many of their recommendations. (Editor/RK)

Author provided an interesting and convincing argument for lowering the compulsory attendance age. (RK)

Learning can easily be fostered in three major agencies: the school, work-related institutions, and society in general. Teachers, who may be found in all three places, would be ministers, merchants, or mechanics--but first they would be teachers. (Author)

Article describes an educational situation where the principal, teachers, students and community were undermined by a selfish and short sighted central administration. (ML)

This radio program discussed the pros and cons of the kind of compulsory school attendance laws now in force in all states except Mississippi. The program moderator talked in turn with five individuals about their views on compulsory education. B. Frank Brown, chairman of the National Commission for the Reform of Secondary Schools, recommended…

The intent of this report of the Phi Delta Kappa Task Force on Compulsory Education and Transitions for Youth is to offer a comprehensive model for educational change--to provide both recommendations and procedures for far-reaching change in secondary education. The author emphasizes that simple revision of existing educational systems will not…

The author discusses some changes that occurred in American education from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, why these changes failed to improved the quality of education, the effect of compulsory attendance laws on educational deterioration, and what abolishing mandatory attendance would do to develop the learning environment. (RK)

A working party of the Northern Ireland Department of Education has proposed a deluxe version of the Youth Opportunities Programme for the province, to reorganize secondary education and insure the right to continuous education or job training with full financial support up to age 18. (Author/SJL)