Discusses ways to promote a European curriculum against two political tendencies: (1) attacks on "Eurocentrism"; and (2) the ongoing educational cooperation among European nations. Provides three as guidelines for future development: (1) critical attitude; (2) curricular pluralism; and (3) free discussion and human rights. (CFR)

Challenges the prevailing Western approach to education by asserting that several Asian nations have and are developing a distinctive approach to human resource development. Describes characteristics of this approach and contrasts it to the Western model. (CFR)

Analyzes interviews with primary school practitioners about the implementation of the English/Welsh National Curriculum. Finds long-term trends are influenced by a conflict between shortage of time and demands of good practices. Discusses changes from child-focused to standard curriculum, from local to standard assessment, and similar issues. (CFR)

Reports on a study of the impact of nursery school/preschool education on primary school readiness and achievement of 1,800 English and Welsh children. Finds significant positive effects in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Discusses the effects of nursery school versus playgroup experience and the role of socioeconomic status. (CFR)

Highlights issues and controversies concerning current race-related educational research. Contends that some critics believe research sacrifices empirical objectivity for political goals. Partisan research supporters respond that all research begins with untested assumptions and an acknowledgment of purpose does not signify a skewed methodology.…

Identifies the components of the current social trend, "McDonaldization", as efficiency, calculability, predictability, and the substitution of nonhuman technology for human technology (or control). Contends that market forces and mass production have imposed "McDonaldization," on the British educational system. Considers future reactions of…

Illuminates an interesting conflict in British church/state relations regarding education. Although in agreement on social issues, the Conservative government's free market reforms eliminated the protected niche Catholic private schools had enjoyed since 1944. Discusses Catholic lobbying against the reforms and the current status of parochial…

Surveys the reading and viewing habits of British teenagers. Discovers that, although U.S. horror fiction (R. L. Stine, Stephen King) tops the lists, a wide diversity exists among the less popular authors. Reveals marked gender differences in amount of time spent viewing videos, television, and computer games. (MJP)

Explores changes in academic jobs and career trajectories by examining shifts in faculty employment patterns in Canadian universities (excluding Quebec). Discusses the general history of job entitlements, then the experiences of 15 cohorts of entrants to university teaching, and examines how these findings contribute to the debate on the future of…

Examines the models through which different academic disciplines approach inquiry. Faculty working in different models view their work differently, apply different evaluative standards, and accept different types of values. Although the discipline is more conspicuous than the model, the latter is equally important in understanding epistemological…

A study investigated whether college students' experiences with three good practices in undergraduate education (faculty-student contact, cooperation among students, active learning) increased from 1990 to 1994. Subjects were 5,962 students in 17 baccalaureate and 22 doctoral-granting institutions. Results indicated increased faculty-student…

A study validated a rating scale developed to measure six aspects of the work environment as perceived by women faculty: dual standards and opportunities for men and women; sexist attitudes and comments; informal social networks; balancing work and personal obligations; institutional policies and practices to remediate inequities; and mentoring.…

A study investigated the social relationships that developed among 26 feminist women faculty, representing 18 academic departments and fields, who collaborated in scholarly endeavors. Results indicated collaboration is common practice among feminist scholars; respondents typically sought membership in a supportive community. Four patterns of…

Comments on seven "propositions" about the future of higher education made by Howard Bowen in 1989, including observations about the capacity to predict change, the value ascribed to higher education by the public, characterization of higher education as a growth industry, need for improvement in higher education's quality, and deterioration of…

A survey of 86 colleges and universities and 60 companies investigated whether industry representatives and academics, both involved and not involved in university-industry relationships, identified three categories of potential conflicts in collaboration (conflicts of interest, commitment, and internal equity). This paper discusses the…