Summative assessment has been a contentious issue in educational circles for several decades, particularly high-stakes assessment events which arise at various junctures of the school cycle, especially those at the end of it. The French Baccalaureat and English A-Levels and their numerous clones throughout the francophone and anglophone worlds are household names and represent milestone events in people's lives, as their outcomes are principal determinants of young people's future prospects. These examinations are external--they are devised, conducted and processed by agencies outside the...

Upper secondary science is the bridge to science-related careers and thereby to human capital formation in science and technology. Quality rather than quantity is what counts at this level and teacher quality is a major determinant. This book looks at upper secondary science teacher quality in eighteen countries from affluent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members to very poor countries. The yardsticks applied to teacher quality are academic and professional education and training, professional practice including the resource base, continuing professional development,...

This book provides a comparative look at key issues that characterize and contextualize upper secondary science education in sixteen countries in Oceania, South America, Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, incluing links with elementary and early science, final assessment, and the secondary/tertiary education interface.

In this thought-provoking book, renowned peace negotiator Ross argues that the Bush administrations problems stem from its inability to use the tools of statecraft--diplomatic, economic, and military--to advance the nations interests around the world.