Education and Training after Basic Education: Organisation and Content of Studies at the Post Compulsory Level. General Report.

Overview & Synopsis

Drawing from case studies of the educational systems in 11 of the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), this report examines the curricular organization and content of post-compulsory education in Canada, France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Yugoslavia. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the work conducted by the OECD in the area of post-compulsory education. Chapter 2 attempts to clarify and conceptualize the often ill-defined, complex, and confusing area of post-compulsory education, arguing that distinctions made in terms of educational status or in terms of age are not wholly satisfactory. Chapter 3 sets out the broad similarities and differences between the 11 countries, focusing on contextual variables in demography and employment, the education and training structures in each country, and current trends. Chapter 4 reports and analyzes the findings of the case studies in terms of the relationship between general, technical, and vocational education; the specific features of these three main types of post-compulsory education in each country; and the content, process, and structure of the curricula. Chapter 5 explores the future of post-compulsory education in light of the preceding analysis. Finally, chapter 6 highlights the main policy implications of the report. (EJV)