Explores the social foundations and contradictions of formal multilateralism in education since 1945. Discusses the emergence of UNESCO in the 1950s-60s as mediator between developing and donor nations, construction of an ideology linking educational and economic development, the rise of "basic needs" programming in the 1970s, and the…

Argues that teachers routinely stifle their students' voices, creativity, and passion by teaching writing using the behaviorist view that writing must be taught from part to whole. Argues that this pedagogy should be replaced by a truly democratic, collaborative environment, in which students are given something to do, not something to learn. (SR)

Discusses sources of nontraditional revenue for public school systems: the result of donor activities (the solicitation of goods, services, and money via direct and indirect donations); enterprise activities (the selling or leasing of services or facilities); and shared or cooperative activities (pooling functions with other agencies or…

Argues that the dehumanization of everyone involved with educational standards is astounding. Offers stories of standardized tests and schools that sort children into winners and losers, and of lock-step, rigid "teaching." Contrasts this with success stories from three excellent classrooms where teachers' personal "standards" include deep passion…

Describes the author's experiences in her team-taught multiage classroom (grades 4, 5, and 6) coping with the school district's implementation of a basal reader series. Discusses self-imposed changes versus mandated changes, and how she struggles to weave district mandates with her teaching beliefs and practices. (SR)

Examines the educational change process in the Czech Republic since 1989, focusing on persistence of past attitudes, change complexity, external factors facilitating change, role of national reform organizations, absence of conceptually coherent educational policy, growing advocacy for special education, and parent and teacher attitudes. Explores…

Explores two alternative agendas that define educational practices in the United States: the "unum" agenda, focusing on developing readers who are good citizens and effective workers; and the "pluribus" agenda, which promotes appreciation of diversity, empowerment of disadvantaged groups, and enhanced reader self-esteem. Notes people advocate for…

Takes issue with the assumptions that training and productivity are causally related, skill development leads to economic growth, and vocational education serves the interests of employers, government, and workers. Argues that training discourse is aimed at reasserting the dominance of capital over labor. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

Traces development of educational accountability in California; examines role of state political leadership; considers impact of requirements of reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (PKP)

Proposes Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) as an effective basis for bridging educational gaps and promoting cross-cultural co-existence and integration. A series of controlled studies in South Africa developed and tested programs based on MLE. Studies suggest the potential value of MLE-based intervention programs in helping transform the South…

Describes Canadian school principals' efforts to introduce anti-racist initiatives into their buildings. Recommends that school leaders acquire adequate conceptual and theoretical knowledge to tackle race equity and social justice within schools. (Contains 48 references.) (MLF)

Globalization provides a new empirical challenge and a new theoretical frame for comparative education. The global economy is dependent on knowledge resources and information technology and increasingly intertwined in international institutions promulgating particular ideologies and strategies for educational change. Comparative education must…

Discusses the legal precursor and political context for the Vermont state legislature's rapid enactment of the 1997 Equal Educational Opportunity Act, commonly know as Act 60, a radical and controversial school fiscal-equity-reform initiative. Describe public reaction and engagement. (Contains 138 references.) (PKP)

Congress passed spending measures in fiscal 1988 that included at least $495 million for projects involving specific universities, an increase of over 12% over fiscal 1997. These projects are not subject to competitive review based on merit. Some earmarked money is shared across states or with businesses or other organizations. Opponents of…

Examines the ways in which political scientists use and misuse the terms "nation" and "nationalism." Misuse occurs primarily in works such as introductory textbooks, that use the terms in passing, despite a growing convergence of expert opinion around standardized definitions. Proposes a definition for each term. (DSK)