Examines quality control mechanisms within West German dual system for training young workers: entry qualifications, quality/qualifications of trainers, methods for curriculum renewal, etc. Comments on weaknesses in the dual system and briefly discusses two British initiatives intended to improve the quality of the education and training of young…

Examines the controversy surrounding two established practices in British education: the support of religious denominational schools by government grant and the provision of religious education and collective worship within maintained non-church schools. Explores arguments which appeal to the changing character of British society to conclude that…

Analyzes recent government initiatives for low attainers' in the 14-16 age group. Reviews curriculum development within special education as a whole. Highlights major concerns with the one-dimensional approach which has been widely adopted and outlines an alternative perspective in relation to schools, teachers, and pupils. (Author/BSR)

Explores how "racial forms of education" have been conceptualized by policymakers and educationists. Provides a critique of multicultural education and its concern with deracialized modes of analysis and strategies. Concludes by considering anti-racist education and how research might assist policymakers in the enactment of non-racist…

Offers an introduction to the theme articles in this special issue on the Plowden Report, a British government report which advocated a child-centered, experiential approach to primary education. (JDH)

This paper considers the membership, terms of reference, and assumptions governing the work of the Plowden committee. It evaluates criticisms made of the report and relates the committee's conclusions to possible change models and forms of policy analysis that might have been used. (Author)

Examines why, after a successful beginning, EPA programs faltered and all but disappeared by the end of the 1970s. Concludes that while there were many causes, three major factors were the failure of the EPA to respond to changing values, changing base of research support, and the worsening conditions of the inner city. (Author/JDH)

Maintains that Plowden Report appealed as much for its underlying ideology as for its practical instructional suggestions. The ideology was one of "expressionist egalitarianism": belief that each child's potential is equal and is reached through a process of free expression. States that such ideas are inherently implausible and maintains…

Argues that the Plowden Report underrated the seriousness of race and cultural issues in the inner city and took inadequate account of differences in experiences and backgrounds of the children and their families. Analyzes the shortcomings of the types of programs developed during the 1970s and offers suggestions for future improvement.…

Reviews research on the teaching-learning process which has developed in the 20 years since the Plowden Report. Divides studies into those which have focused primarily on teaching styles, opportunity to learn, and classroom tasks. Concludes that the Plowden model of teaching has not stood the test of time. (JDH)

This article reviews findings from a 1975 through 1980 study called ORACLE (Observational Research and Classroom Learning Evaluation). Maintains that the data showed only partial implementation of the Plowden report recommendations. Seeks to explain the reasons for inconsistencies in implementation and offers suggestions for redefining progressive…

Maintains that the Plowden Report has been misrepresented and misinterpreted. Suggests that Plowden's inspirational qualities should not be overlooked. Concludes with a set of 12 generalizations about the status of contemporary British primary education and offers recommendations for future practice. (JDH)

States that the Plowden Report put the child at the center of the educational process. Maintains that much good came of the humanistic philosophy of the Plowden Report; that its socio-linguistic meanings related to the report's status, power, context, and timing, were benign. (Author/JDH)

Provides an account of how the main recommendations of the Plowden Report worked. Explores reasons for the misuse and misunderstanding of child-centered education. Notes recent research and primary school developments which support the Plowden recommendations. (JDH)

Science education in Great Britain needs to develop more human and humane themes; e.g., students should study aspects of science that are essential to their self-understanding, and they should evaluate their own personal understanding of key scientific concepts and theories. Researchers should study the learning process variables of science…