New forms of government school provision – an international comparison

Driven by a desire to improve academic outcomes and transform ‘failing’ schools, governments around the world have often turned to the development of new forms of state-funded school. This paper looks at three such instances of the introduction of new forms of schooling, within three urban localities (academy schools in London; charter schools and small schools of choice in New York City; and Schools of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro). It considers the extent to which these types of school did improve academic outcomes for their students and draws comparisons across each case study in order to understand their similarities and differences. It concludes that although the quasi-marketisation of school systems through the introduction of new (often private) providers might improve outcomes, this is not the only means by which improvement can be attained; and that instead the introduction of new forms of school may be successful because this enables certain other changes to happen. It highlights the limited nature of impact evidence available in all instances, which restricts our ability to properly evaluate the effect of new school types on outcomes.     

Foreign aid and inclusive education in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati: a question of ownership

ABSTRACT

This study examines the influence of foreign aid and local ownership in the introduction of inclusive education in Kiribati. The data reported in this paper were collected through interviews with key local stakeholders and these data are part of a larger study. Data were analysed under the major theme of ownership, and were grouped into the four sub-themes of: local responses to inclusive education initiatives; support for inclusive education principles; local attitudes regarding the contribution of Australian Aid; and, sustainability with or without aid support. The results indicate that a positive commitment towards inclusive education is emerging and that Australian Aid provided essential advocacy for children with disabilities in Kiribati through direct management of initiatives by the expatriate administered Kiribati Education Facility. Inclusive education initiatives remain dependent on Australian Aid for direction and sustainability. Sustainability of inclusive education initiatives in Kiribati will depend on continued development of local ownership including community support and commitment by the Government of Kiribati, particularly budgetary support.     

抗日战争中期国民政府弃苏亲美外交政策成因初探

本试图探讨抗战中期国民政府外交政策的转变与蒋介石心目中苏美的不同形象之间的关系，并通过分析这一历史过程，说明形成其不同形象的原因。     

中国传统法律文化转型及现代法治构建

当前,中国正在进行着一场深刻的法治现代化革命,在这场法治现代化进程中,如何客观、公正地对待传统法律文化显的尤为重要。中国传统法律文化表现为宗法等级、皇权至上、法律工具主义、对个人权利漠视等明显不符合现代法治精神的内容,这就需要重塑与现代法治相符的现代法律文化,即对权力制约的同时保护公民个人权利,塑造现代公民人格。当然,在法治现代化过程中,同时要重视对传统法律文化的吸收,利用传统法律文化的固有载体来表达现代法治的内在要求。     

捐纳制度与清末新政

捐纳制度是清政府一大弊政,存在有二百余年。延至清末,它完全成为清政府难以根治的恶疾。在清政府进行的王朝自我挽救的新政改革中,朝野上下对革除捐纳抱有热切的希望,但清政府不仅没有革除它的自觉和能力,反而变本加厉,大行捐纳,致使吏治腐败益加败坏,最终新政失败,清朝灭亡。     

建立非公经济代表人士参政议政机制的几点思考

非公经济代表人士参政议政的工作机制,是非公经济代表人士在参政议政的过程中所要处理的各个部门、各个方面之间相互作用的关系和工作方式。通过建立和完善非公经济代表人士参政议政工作的进退机制、监督机制、服务机制、培训机制和整合机制等,可以使非公经济代表人士参政议政工作进入一个更加自觉、有序、持续的状态。     

武汉国民政府的民主性新探

武汉国民政府是中国传统国家形态向现代国家形态转型的过渡政权,是以国共合作为基础,以孙中山的民主政权理论为指导,建立起来的一个新型民主政权。它强调党权,反对独裁,实行委员制,支持和发展工农运动,具有一定的人民性。它的建立是对传统的独裁政权与军阀政权的否定,在中国的民主政权建设中产生了重要影响。     

澳大利亚高等教育质量保证体制综述

文章首先考察了20世纪90年代澳大利亚高等教育质量保证的发展，然后总括了澳大利亚目前多层面质量保证体制，论及了两个联合政府机构：澳大利亚学历资格评定框架署和澳大利亚大学质量保证总暑，联邦、州和地区政府以及高等教育部门的各种职能。     

华洋义赈会与1920年代的农村合作金融事业研究

华洋义赈会于1920年代在河北省发起了农村合作运动,试图通过合作社的建立和运行为基层农民提供资金。作为民间组织,华洋义赈会成为当时合作社的主要资金来源,为合作运动的推行作出了重要贡献。然而,受制于当时农村社会现实的羁绊,华洋义赈会的实践并没有真正解决底层农民的融资问题。     

中国乡村治理的演进逻辑及其影响

在国家与农村关系的制度框架下,从政府与乡村社会两个层面和"官治"与"自治"两条主线考察,中国乡村治理的演进呈现出一条自治化(县政乡治)——行政化(乡政治理)——行政化与自治化并行(乡政村治)的变迁轨迹。中国乡村治理的演进逻辑影响深远,以至我们改善乡村治理的任何努力都不可能脱离"乡土中国"熟人社会抑或半熟人社会这一历史基础及其演变,都不能不重视乡村治理单一行政化的近代特征及其教训,都不能不肯定村民自治这一具有民主价值的当代元素。