Transformation of Russian Education: Decentralization, Differentiation, Democratization, Humanitarization.

Overview & Synopsis

A two-week exchange lectureship at the Russian Diplomatic Academy in Moscow is described by the American exchange professor. The focus of the lectureship was the vital role which public education has played historically in shaping the United States. The lectures were designed around three main themes in American education: historic purposes (religious, political, social, economic), governance, and relationships among American society, culture, and education. The project also included a visit to a Russian school specializing in teaching English and to education ministries in order to conduct comparative research in conjunction with the lectureship. Some findings were: recent social and economic changes in Russia have impacted teachers adversely, due to underfunding of education, resulting in overcrowded classrooms, slow growth of teachers' salaries, a general teachers shortage, and a loss of prestige for the teaching profession. Also, new legislation has made general education compulsory and a right guaranteed by the constitution. Tuition free higher education, with competitive admission based on merit, is provided at government institutions, and as a result, private evening schools have opened to supplement basic education. (ND)