Relies on students' and teachers' accounts to reveal a more accurate account of classroom life in England (circa 1920-39) than that of official documents. Suggests that corporal punishment was extensive and brutal. Includes many verbatim accounts of teachers' and students' reactions to this treatment. (MJP)

Provides a thorough overview of the origins, objectives, and implementation of nature study in elementary education in England. Tracks the activities and efforts of the School Nature Study Union (established 1903). Although influential in London, the Union never established a national presence and ended operations in 1994. (MJP)

Examines the controversy that led to the passage of legislation governing religious instruction in Britain and Scotland in the 1870s. Attempting to satisfy an unwieldy mix of denominations, politicians, and secularists, the legislation severely constricted religious instruction in England and Wales and left it almost untouched in Scotland. (MJP)

Discusses the utopian philosophy and related educational practices of the early 19th-century communitarian settlement in New Harmony, Indiana. The settlement failed after several years, due in no small part to the falling out between its two main supporters, Robert Owen and William Maclure. (MJP)

Reviews the contributions and educational philosophy of Herbert Spencer. The 19th-century social philosopher was an advocate of Pestalozzianism, an early form of open education and a precursor to John Dewey's progressive education. Discusses a broad range of educational reform movements and how they influenced Spencer. (MJP)

Examines the conflicting approaches, legal, medical, and educational, to the treatment of deprived and retarded children in the Netherlands around 1900. Although initially in competition, the educational and medical fields soon began a cooperative relationship defined by symbiotic philosophies and institutions. Discusses the development of…

Explores the influences of two teacher associations, the Geographical Association and the National Association of Teachers of Home Economics and Technology, on the development of a national curriculum in the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1994. Although active, the organizations were fraught with internal dissent, organizational problems, and…

Identifies three phases in the history of apprenticeships: guild apprenticeships (12th century to 1563); statutory apprenticeships primarily controlled by the state (1563-1814); and voluntary apprenticeships, often between employers and unions (1814-present). Examines some of the historical changes that have affected the last two phases in…

Analyzes a number of unpublished primary sources to reveal some of the politics and problems involved in the efforts to establish a self-regulating governing body among teachers in Victorian England. Specifically discusses the lobbying brought by the College of Preceptors, an organization promoting the interests of private teachers. (MJP)

Profiles an attempt at adult residential education known as the Woodbrookers' movement in the Netherlands from 1903-1941. Imported from England, the Woodbrookers' emphasized the precepts of Christian Socialism taught through weekend meetings and summer schools. Discusses the relationship between this movement and the Scandinavian folk high…

Profiles the contributions of Fred Clarke whose lifelong career in international education focused on the the relationship between politics and education in a democratic context. Specifically addresses Clarke's early work with the development of vocational education in British South Africa, his subsequent disillusionment, and the effect this had…

Considers the educational music broadcasts of the British Broadcasting System and asks three questions: (1) what new ideas for the teaching of music were disseminated; (2) were the programs successful in teaching traditional music skills; and (3) what was the critical reaction from music teachers and educators. (MJP)

Discusses the practice of child migration, the dispatch of unaccompanied children from the United Kingdom to its colonies. This was an integral feature of British social policy for over 350 years. Specifically examines the conflicts between Australia and England during the last years of this effort. (MJP)

Briefly describes the post-World War II tripartite secondary education system in England and Wales which consisted of technical schools, secondary modern schools, and grammar schools. Discusses the various efforts ("campus schemes") initiated in single schools to make their programs more inclusive and/or effective. (MJP)

Criticizes recent attempts to redefine the forced education of American Indians as a triumph of Indian coping strategies and adjustment. While admitting that the process was more complex and symbiotic than earlier models suggested, still maintains that the U.S. government exerted more control than did the Indians. (MJP)