This 4-year longitudinal study compared characteristics of different day care contexts and the home environment of young children in Turkey and their effects on child outcomes. Findings indicated that custodial and educational day care differed in quality. Short- and long-term child outcomes suggested that educational settings supported child…

Analyzes the history of affirmative action admissions at the University of California. Focuses on two themes: first, the historical development of UC admissions; second, the debate over affirmative action. Considers problems in balancing the social contract with the idea of a meritocracy, race and affirmative action as a counterbalance, and the…

Offers some ideas concerning promotion of gender equality and diversity within European Union-funded programs and activities. Reviews efforts since the 1970s to foster equal access in European schools and universities, examines some principles of innovation and entrepreneurship, and considers stages in diversity policy development. (DB)

Three different approaches to the evaluation of higher education in European and Scandinavian countries are examined: evaluation of a single discipline across institutions (Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, northern Germany); evaluation of several disciplines within certain institutions (France, Germany); and internal evaluation of…

Policies, commissioning bodies, methods, and criteria for both internal and external evaluation of research at universities in eight countries (Finland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, France) are compared, and the effects of evaluations on the finance, structure, and research problems are examined. (MSE)

Discussion of problems surrounding "European Standards" for vocational education and training finds that there are no pan-European standards, nor is it likely that such standards, if formulated, would be implemented in European Union (EU) countries. Nevertheless, countries aspiring to join the EU measure themselves against perceived standards,…

Examines the appropriateness of the concept of "key skills" in higher education in the United Kingdom, as defined by the 1997 Dearing Commission report, and the processes required to achieve this ideal in the current higher education environment. The report distinguishes between high-level intellectual skills and the key skills of communication,…

A study compared the costs and funding of higher education in 15 European countries, focusing on the quantitative role public funding plays in covering the overall costs of higher education and the qualitative function of public support in shaping the student's role as dependent, investor, or citizen. Wide divergence in national approaches to the…

Examines the financial situation of college students in the United Kingdom during the last years of the old higher education system. Examination included income levels and sources, and the total teaching cost per student and per graduate. The implications of this data within the new, developing system of higher education funding are discussed.…

Argues for departure from prevailing isolationist research and policy focus on young children. Supports analysis of how diverse contexts and environments not only support or surround children's development but also how the cultural "bathwater" enters into the shaping and elaboration of the baby it supports. Focuses on child development within…

Views of 110 English school nursery nurses were studied to discover how the caregivers assess the nature and demands of their jobs. Findings confirm a need to eliminate nursery nurses' role-confusion, and to halt present trends toward de-professionalization through a public valuing and clarification of the nature of the nursery nurses' role in…

Reviews research findings in the context of Australian children in the following areas: (1) health and well-being of children in both family and school contexts; (2) early-years classes from children's perspectives; (3) classroom interactions; and (4) quality assurance and best practice as it relates to role of teacher in enhancing child thought…

The first part of this article points out the profoundly interactive reality of early-years teaching. The second part reports on an empirical study comparing the interaction profile (in educational contexts) of Portuguese and English early-years practitioners and examines the differences between the two profiles. (Author/SD)

Tested effects of a structured intervention in teaching children to represent addition and subtraction. Found significant differences between two study groups in terms of affecting the addition and subtraction operations and ability to determine which operation was appropriate. Results suggest children's exploration of real world situations should…

Analyzed records of Slovene children's speech from a linguistic point of view and established differences in communication patterns with regard to the children's ages and the type of symbolic play. Found a shift in play from make-believe with regard to objects to roleplay related to social context. The older the child, the more language functions…