In this, the first English-language study of educational reform in Norway, Rust isolates and defines the historical forces that have molded Norwegian school reform since the country gained its independence. The book examines the ways in which Norway was able to move from a traditional dualistic school structure to a more comprehensive and unified form that serves the country today. It focuses not only on the structural changes that occurred in primary and secondary schools, but also on the equality of educational opportunity and the issue of where control over education lies. The book begins with a survey of Norway's social and educational status at the time of its independence in 1814. The subsequent reforms are then discussed in terms of four cycles: the attempt to build a coordinated system of education, the building of a comprehensive school that would include large segments of the population, the attempt to legally strengthen the unity of the system following Norway's break from Sweden in 1905, and the experimentation with a compulsory basic school that led to the integrated schooling program of today. A final section considers the degree to which Norway has accomplished its goals and the radical move to shift control from the central to local governments.

This book focuses on discourses of globalisation in comparative education research and the politics of education reforms. It analyses and evaluates the shifts in methodological approaches to globalisation and education reforms, as reflected in comparative education research and their impact on education policy and pedagogy. The book covers topics such as globalisation and comparative education, globalisation as a multidimensional construct, methods and methodologies in comparative education, the moral face of post-structuralism, and school reforms in the age of globalisation. It offers a critical analysis of education policy reforms. The book demonstrates a complex nexus between globalisation, ideology and education reforms. On one hand, democratisation and progressive pedagogy is equated with equality, inclusion, equity, tolerance and human rights, while on the other hand, globalisation is perceived - by some critics at least - to be a totalising force that is widening the socio-economic status (SES) gap and cultural and economic capital between the rich and the poor, and bringing power, domination and control by corporate bodies and powerful political, economic and educational organisations. The perception of globalisation as dynamic and multi faceted processes clearly necessitates a multiple perspective approach in the study of comparative education globally. This book contributes in a very scholarly way, to a more holistic understanding of the nexus between globalisation, comparative education research and education reforms.

This volume explores the interrelationship between ideology, the state and higher education reforms, setting it in a global context. It examines some of the major higher education reforms and policy issues in a global culture, particularly in the light of recent shifts in quality and standards-driven education and policy research. In doing so, the book provides a comprehensive picture of the intersecting and diverse discourses of globalisation and policy-driven reforms in higher education. Representing scholarly research on major discourses in the field of higher education reforms, the book draws upon recent studies in the areas of globalisation, equality, and the role of the state in higher education reforms. It critiques the neo-liberal ideological imperatives of current higher education and policy reforms, and illustrates the way that shifts in the relationship between the state and higher education policy affect current trends in higher education reforms. Individual chapters critically assess the dominant discourses and debates on higher education and policy reforms. Using diverse comparative education paradigms from critical theory to historical-comparative research, the chapters focus on globalisation, ideology and higher education reforms and examine both the reasons and outcomes of higher education reforms and policy change. "Anyone who has been involved in higher education over the past few decades cannot fail to be affected by the impact of globalisation and neo-liberal policies on universities and society at large. In 'Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms', the 15th volume of the series 'Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research', Joseph Zajda and Val Rust present chapters on education reform in the USA and in international contexts that highlight the inroads that neo-liberalism has made into policy making at higher education institutions. The chapters also illustrate the way universities have been reinventing themselves to meet the demands of a knowledge society in which corporate values of efficiency, performance and managerialism drive the agenda. What are the effects of internationalisation on higher education in the universities of today? With chapters from internationally respected scholars from around the globe, this book seeks to address the many issues of the new reality in higher education. This is a welcome, accessible volume for all those concerned with research, policy-making and curriculum development."Professor Suzanne Majhanovich, Western University

This book focuses on discourses of globalisation in comparative education research and the politics of education reforms. It analyses and evaluates the shifts in methodological approaches to globalisation and education reforms, as reflected in comparative education research and their impact on education policy and pedagogy. The book covers topics such as globalisation and comparative education, globalisation as a multidimensional construct, methods and methodologies in comparative education, the moral face of post-structuralism, and school reforms in the age of globalisation. It offers a critical analysis of education policy reforms. The book demonstrates a complex nexus between globalisation, ideology and education reforms. On one hand, democratisation and progressive pedagogy is equated with equality, inclusion, equity, tolerance and human rights, while on the other hand, globalisation is perceived - by some critics at least - to be a totalising force that is widening the socio-economic status (SES) gap and cultural and economic capital between the rich and the poor, and bringing power, domination and control by corporate bodies and powerful political, economic and educational organisations. The perception of globalisation as dynamic and multi faceted processes clearly necessitates a multiple perspective approach in the study of comparative education globally. This book contributes in a very scholarly way, to a more holistic understanding of the nexus between globalisation, comparative education research and education reforms.

This volume explores the interrelationship between ideology, the state and higher education reforms, setting it in a global context. It examines some of the major higher education reforms and policy issues in a global culture, particularly in the light of recent shifts in quality and standards-driven education and policy research. In doing so, the book provides a comprehensive picture of the intersecting and diverse discourses of globalisation and policy-driven reforms in higher education. Representing scholarly research on major discourses in the field of higher education reforms, the book draws upon recent studies in the areas of globalisation, equality, and the role of the state in higher education reforms. It critiques the neo-liberal ideological imperatives of current higher education and policy reforms, and illustrates the way that shifts in the relationship between the state and higher education policy affect current trends in higher education reforms. Individual chapters critically assess the dominant discourses and debates on higher education and policy reforms. Using diverse comparative education paradigms from critical theory to historical-comparative research, the chapters focus on globalisation, ideology and higher education reforms and examine both the reasons and outcomes of higher education reforms and policy change. "Anyone who has been involved in higher education over the past few decades cannot fail to be affected by the impact of globalisation and neo-liberal policies on universities and society at large. In 'Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms', the 15th volume of the series 'Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research', Joseph Zajda and Val Rust present chapters on education reform in the USA and in international contexts that highlight the inroads that neo-liberalism has made into policy making at higher education institutions. The chapters also illustrate the way universities have been reinventing themselves to meet the demands of a knowledge society in which corporate values of efficiency, performance and managerialism drive the agenda. What are the effects of internationalisation on higher education in the universities of today? With chapters from internationally respected scholars from around the globe, this book seeks to address the many issues of the new reality in higher education. This is a welcome, accessible volume for all those concerned with research, policy-making and curriculum development."Professor Suzanne Majhanovich, Western University

Globalisation, Policy and Comparative Research, which is the fifth volume in the 12-volume book series Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research, presents scholarly research on major discourses in comparative education research. It provides an easily accessible, practical yet scholarly source of information about the international concern in the field of globalisation, and comparative education. Above all, the book offers the latest findings to the critical issues concerning major discourses in comparative education in the global culture. It is a sourcebook of ideas for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in education, globalisation and equity and access in schooling around the world. It offers a timely overview of current issues affecting comparative education and education policy research in the global culture. It provides directions in education, and policy research, relevant to transformational educational reforms in the twenty-first century. The book critically examines the overall interplay between comparative e- cation discourses, globalisation, dominant ideologies and education. It draws upon recent studies in the areas of globalisation, equity, social justice and the role of the State (Zajda et al. , 2006; Zajda et al. , 2008a). It explores conceptual fra- works and methodological approaches applicable in the research covering the State, globalisation, equity and education. It demonstrates the neo-liberal id- logical imperatives of education and policy reforms, and illustrates the way the relationship between the State and education policy affects current models and trends in education reforms and schooling globally.

Globalisation, Policy and Comparative Research, which is the fifth volume in the 12-volume book series Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research, presents scholarly research on major discourses in comparative education research. It provides an easily accessible, practical yet scholarly source of information about the international concern in the field of globalisation, and comparative education. Above all, the book offers the latest findings to the critical issues concerning major discourses in comparative education in the global culture. It is a sourcebook of ideas for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in education, globalisation and equity and access in schooling around the world. It offers a timely overview of current issues affecting comparative education and education policy research in the global culture. It provides directions in education, and policy research, relevant to transformational educational reforms in the twenty-first century. The book critically examines the overall interplay between comparative e- cation discourses, globalisation, dominant ideologies and education. It draws upon recent studies in the areas of globalisation, equity, social justice and the role of the State (Zajda et al. , 2006; Zajda et al. , 2008a). It explores conceptual fra- works and methodological approaches applicable in the research covering the State, globalisation, equity and education. It demonstrates the neo-liberal id- logical imperatives of education and policy reforms, and illustrates the way the relationship between the State and education policy affects current models and trends in education reforms and schooling globally.