In 2002, Qatar began implementing a standards-based K-12 reform that established new publicly funded, privately operated independent schools. The reform built on four principles: autonomy, accountability, variety, and choice. Early data reveal more student-centered classroom practices and higher student achievement in the new schools, but as all Ministry schools convert to independent status, many challenges remain to achieving the reform’s ambitious goals, as noted in this RAND reprint.

This Hewlett Foundation report focuses on English as a Second Language (ESL) and English placement tests used in California community colleges and the implications of using these tests with students from language minority backgrounds who have attended U.S. K-12 schools and seek to continue their studies in community colleges.

This Hewlett Foundation report examines community college policies and practices impacting students from immigrant and language minority backgrounds who have attended U.S. secondary schools and who enroll in community colleges.

This report from the U.S. Department of Education’s IES National Center for Education Statistics presents results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2010 U.S. history assessment. National results for representative samples of students at grades 4, 8, and 12 are reported as average scale scores and as percentages of students performing at or above three achievement levels: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. Scores are also reported at selected percentiles, showing changes in the performance of lower-, middle-, and higher-performing students.

The majority of Africa’s population is below the age of 30 years.

Parallel to mainstream education systems in the European Union (EU) are shadow education systems of private supplementary tutoring. These have grown considerably across the EU but have received little attention, even though they have profound economic and social implications. 

This primer from the International Association for K-12 Online Learning provides a comprehensive overview of online learning by examining the basics about online teaching and learning, evaluating academic success, professional development, technology, and other topics.

This Heritage Foundation background discusses how virtual or online learning is revolutionizing education in the U.S., noting its potential to expand the educational opportunities of American students, largely overcoming the geographic and demographic restrictions, and to improve the quality of instruction while increasing productivity and lowering costs.