In reaction to the disasters of the first half the 20th century and World War II, a dramatic world movement arose emphasizing the human rights of persons in global society. The contrast--celebrated in international treaties, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and much cultural discourse--was with narrower world emphases on the…

Comments on articles appearing in the 2001 theme issue of Sociology of Education. Considers the nature and impact of the widespread cultural commitment to educational equality. Discusses other aspects of education not emphasized in this issue, such as the implications of racial inequality, credentialism, and educational organization (CAJ)

Analyzes the use of relevant international data to inform educational policy. Notes that such data can be used to extend research on school effects by incorporating comparative data, by evaluating the trade-offs involved in attempts to raise national achievement levels, and by broadening the range of international data. (MJP)

Focuses on the rapid worldwide increase in educational enrollments from 1950-70. Analysis of models constructed to investigate this increase indicates that post World War II educational expansion is a function of the available population to be educated and of the level of education existing in 1950. It is not a function of socioeconomic or…

The argument is advanced that the level of university student political activity in a society tends to reflect the degree of which the student social status is developed and formulated as a social type. Also considered are the historical and recent positions of students in the United States. (Author/DB)

Discusses the availability of school enrollment data from 120 countries for the period 1870-1980. Concludes from the data that growth in education was steady prior to 1940 and increased sharply after 1950. Suggests that the emergence of the nation state model and the centrality of education in the model contributed to the acceleration. (SG)