Examines difficulties and complexities in researching issues of discrimination in education across European countries as a first step in devising intercultural curricula. Discusses cross-national differences in terminology, in the ways in which research issues related to racism and interculturalism are formulated, and in the educational experience…

Jean Jacques Rousseau in France and Johann Gottfied Herder in Germany both emphasized the role of education in building the nation-state. However, Rousseau focused on shaping the national character through citizenship education and political socialization in public schools, while Herder saw a national identity evolving from a common culture and…

Bibliography lists works by Nigel Grant, 1964-2000: 14 books, 55 book chapters, 49 journal articles, and 6 upcoming publications. A leading scholar in comparative education, Grant's work focused on Scotland, the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, and issues of multiculturalism and minority groups in Europe and the United Kingdom. (SV)

Compares standards in primary school mathematics in England and Cyprus, drawing upon national curricula, textbook content, and international comparisons of attainment. Finds that "expected" and planned standards were higher in Cyprus than England but were not associated with higher student achievement. Explores four possible explanations, the most…

Compares provision for and the practice of craft education in England (and Wales) and Japan. Focuses on craft within the national curriculum subject of art at the lower secondary level, and on art teachers' perceptions of its educational value and the factors impacting delivery of craft education. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/SV)

Examines origins and potential effects of liberalizing reforms in Japanese secondary education in light of British experiences with policies such as local school management and school choice. Argues that Japanese reform involves necessary diversification of curriculum and pedagogic practices, but administrative shifts toward deregulation and…

Uses data from national assessment programs to compare Scottish pupils' mathematics performance at primary stages P4 and P7 with French students' performance at stages CE2 and 6e. Discusses methodological issues, including comparability of samples, selection of common items, and curriculum coverage of items. Reports some findings on relative…

Examines how Australia and France are preparing youth for successful transition to employment in a rapidly changing world. Traces the historical development of technical/vocational education and general/liberal education. Highlights how Australia has tackled the problem of high and low status educational pathways and how the French Baccalaureat…

Examines the vigorous dialectic occurring among intellectuals, religious leaders, and politicians trying to define the appropriate role of Islam in Egyptian education. Discusses the call for the Islamization of education in contemporary Egypt, aspects of Islamic law, the position of the state on religious education, and the influence of a small…

The new millennium marks a time for reassessment of the field of comparative education. Comparative education needs to address the widening interest in comparative and international research, the impact of computerized information technologies, the increased recognition of the cultural dimension of education, and the influence of globalization…

Since 1900, comparative studies of education have progressed from copying "advanced" nations' systems for the elite, to considering cultural contexts, social inclusiveness, and wider cultivation of competencies. Computerized information technologies have rendered education increasingly interactive, accessible, and free. The study of such…

Examines the context and content of articles in "Comparative Education," 1977-98. Explores the parallel literature of development studies, focusing on themes of importance to comparative education: modernization, human capital theory, and the "dependency" of poor countries. A shared commitment to understanding the role of education in…

The history of England's attraction to the German education system is reviewed to exemplify four reasons for "borrowing" (copying) foreign models. Rather than simply copying it, England should use the German example to become aware of shortcomings in its own system and their potential solutions. (TD)

Comparative education can provide a background of contrasts and possibilities against which to examine one's own problems. For comparative education to be effective, background conditions must be understood; educational systems must be examined as wholes, in their contexts; and ideas should only be borrowed from systems sufficiently similar to…

Globalization is revitalizing comparative and international educational research. While recognizing that context matters, this process should emphasize increased collaboration between the humanities and social science research traditions; the global and the local; mainstream and specialist research communities; differing units of analysis;…