Special reports on educational developments, are presented. The first of three examines educational reform in Japan and education in Western Australia. Part 2 reviews eight recent publications and studies. The topics are: the core curriculum in selected countries of the Asia and Pacific region; schooling as a preparation for work in Australia and in the Republic of Korea; higher education and employment in Bangladesh; educational participation in rural Nepal; the transition from home or pre-school to school; standards in community schools, New Ireland case study; higher education in Thailand; and a case study on the management of local support to education in Thailand. Part 3 examines brief reports on programs and projects, including adult education in India, textbook distribution in Nepal, an apprenticeship in Sri Lanka, "Live and Learn," notes on Asian documents, sources and addresses for Asia and Pacific sources and addresses for documents cited in this publication, and a supplemental list of publications, 1985-86. (RSL)