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Presents news briefs on education in Great Britain as of March 2004. Information on the guidance for schools offered by the British Office for Standards in Education; Benefit of the "Special Report: School Admissions and Appeals," published by the Local Government Ombudsmen; Potential success of the Cambridge, England-MIT Institute according to a report by John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office.

Presents information on seminars concerning education in Great Britain in March 2004. Meeting organized by the Comprehensive Future pressure group and the Socialist Education Association; Presentation by the Local Education Authorities Research Group on the development of Children's Trusts across the country.

Presents information on a musical experiment for brain awareness that will be held at the Camden School for Girls in London, England on March 20, 2004. Performance by musicians from secondary schools; Collaboration by the New London Orchestra and the Institute of Neurology with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience; Information on the Brain Awareness Week.

Reports on the introduction of the Children Bill and the publishing of the policy document "Every Child Matters: Next Steps by the English Government" in Great Britain. Changes that the bill seeks to bring about; Reaction of Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers in Great Britain, regarding the bill; Concerns of social workers regarding the bill.

Discusses newspaper reports on several issues concerning the education system and policies in Great Britain. Percentage of students who reached the expected literacy level in mathematics and English in 2004; Criticisms against ministers who are proposing to impose top-up fees to meet the target of sending youths to universities; Educational performance of the selective system in Kent, England.

Provides information on educational research including the evidence-based practice and policy making with electronic-learning in British higher education, published in several journals. "Comparative Education"; "Educational Management Administration and Leadership"; "Research Papers in Education"; "High Ability Studies."

Focuses on the Rights, Respect and Responsibilities project that aims to encourage schools to teach children about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to be launch by Hampshire County Council in England. Purpose of the project; Result of the launching of the initiative at schools in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Statement issued by James Levett, headteacher of Portway Junior School.

Reports that Scottish Lifelong Learning Minister Jim Wallace has revealed plans for the new Individual Learning Account (ILA) scheme at the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Culture Committee. Significance of a personal virtual account; Minimum amount that a learner will contribute for each course; Reason the previous ILA scheme was withdrawn in December 2001.

Expresses views on the higher education bill published by the British government. Impact on taxpayers; Concerns expressed by critics on the possible consequences of the bill; Opposition of Conservatives to the bill.

Looks at issues and topics related to education featured in British newspapers. Success of grammar schools; Funding crisis experienced by the education sector.

Features several journals about education reviewed in "Education " for the week ending December 19, 2003. "Education Review"; "International Studies in Educational Administration"; "Educational Action Research"; "Journal of Research in International Education."

Reports the advice given by the Local Government Association (LGA) to the British House of Commons Education Select Committee regarding education funding issues. Overview of the report published by Members of Parliament; Remarks from Graham Lane, chairman of the Education and Lifelong Learning Executive of LGA.

Reports on the document "Workforce Reform--Blue Skies," from the British Department for Education and Skills that examines how the national agreement on workload could look after 2006. Reason behind employing only one qualified teacher in schools; Impact of hiring more teaching assistants and reducing the number of qualified teachers on the education budget between 2005 and 2008; Stand of the National Union of Teachers regarding the national workload agreement.

Argues on the implication of sociological concepts of children for rethinking the education system in England. Three aspects of the sociology of childhood; Effect of testing, competition and top-down teaching on child psychology; Assumption on children's decision making related to educational policies.

Focuses on the Make the Difference anti-bullying campaign launched by British Education Minister Ivan Lewis in November 2003. Information on the campaign; Responsibilities of parents in confronting the issue of bullying; Remarks of National Union of Teachers general secretary Doug McAvoy regarding the role of teachers in preventing bullying in schools.

Presents several information resources about education. "The Future of Initial Teacher Education for the Learning and Skills Sector: An Agenda for Reform," which talked about the teacher education system for the learning and skills sector; "Post Qualifications Applications: Issues Paper by DfES," which discussed post qualifications admissions system for university admission; "The Initial Training of Further Education Teachers: A Survey," which tackled teacher training.

Discusses issues concerning the proposed increase in funding for each student in England for the school year 2004-2005. Percentage of increase in the budget for each student; Views of National Union of Teachers general secretary Doug McAvoy on the proposed budget increase; Explanation from National Association of Head Teachers general secretary David Hart for the failure to provide solution to the education budget deficit.

Comments on two reports on education issued in Great Britain in October 2003. "The Reality of School Staffing," released by the National Union of Teachers; "Secondary Education: Pupil Achievement," released by the House of Commons.

Announces a personnel requirement for the "Evidence Bulletin" newsletter of the National Education Research Forum of the Department for Education and Skills in Great Britain in 2003. Target audience of the bulletin; Purpose of the newsletter.

Deals with the proposal from British head teachers in March 2003 that pupils should finish their General Certificate of Secondary Education at the age of 15. Opposition of Leadership Network national coordinator Ray Tarleton to the suggestion of the group; Views of network regional coordinator Chris Hilliard on the positive results of the proposal.

Presents the result of a study by the University of Ulster which investigated the performance of students in the classroom. Overview of the study; Link between having breakfast and performance at school or work; Implications of the research for female students.

Reports on the plans of the government of Great Britain to introduce an increase in school funding per pupil as of September 2003. Effect of the government funding plans on education; Reason for the government's decision to increase school funding per pupil; Problems that could arise from the proposal.

Focuses on the proposal of British Conservative Deputy Chairman Lord Archer for the implementation of a compulsory reading and writing course for illiterate prisoners. Percentage of prisoners who are functionally illiterate; Opposition of Basic Skills Agency director Alan Wells to the proposal.

Deals with the progress report by former Chief Inspector of Schools Mike Tomlinson, which calls for the implementation of a diploma course to recognize wide academic achievement. His outlook for the implementation of the proposal by the British government; Argument for the need to reduce the number of examinations and recognize work experience and outside interests; Comment from National Union of Teachers general secretary Doug McAvoy on the report.

Presents education-related issues featured in several British newspapers in December 2002. Implication of high tuition fees for the decision of working class students to attend college, by Tony Halpin of "Times"; on the rate of university dropout students in the country; Report on the curriculum vitae of Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith in "Newsnight."

Presents an update on the education-related initiatives undertaken by the British government as of December 2002. Subjects of education debates in the House of Commons; Inquiry into the diversity of provision in secondary education; Debate on the issue of foreign languages in the House of Lords.

Reports that Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell welcomed Marshall Scholars from the U.S. who are visiting Scotland. Reason of the students for visiting Scotland.

Reports on the 2004 Ordnance Survey Free Maps for 11-year olds initiative launched by Schools Minister and Enfield member of parliament Stephen Twigg at Broomfield school in Enfield, London, England. Remarks from Twigg, on the benefits of survey free maps for children in Great Britain; Supporters of the free maps.

Reports that children in Great Britain whose parents hit, neglect and reject them, runaway from home according to a research by the Children's Society. Percentage of young people who sited family breakdown as the reason they were thrown out; Ages of children who are thrown out from home; Information on the Safe and Sound campaign launched by the Children's Society for young runaways.

Reports that the National Union of Teachers (NUT) are against the government's plan to introduce an Excellent Teachers Scheme based on the recommendations of the independent School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) in London, England. Aim of the teachers scheme; Information on the pay framework and annual salary for teachers in London; Remarks from Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the NUT, on his reasons for rejecting the teachers scheme.

Reports on the Interactive Education Programme launched by the Deputy Environment Minister in Scotland, which deals with the water industry. Reason for launching the programme; Remarks from Allan Wilson, deputy environment minister, regarding the benefit of the programme for school children and adults.

Highlights the speech given by British Prime Minister Tony Blair held at a Labour Party conference in Manchester, England, regarding his plans to remove the school leaving age in Great Britain.

Highlights the speech given by Education Secretary Charles Clarke regarding the budget for education in Great Britain in 2004. Percentage of increase in education spending year; Number of centres for children by 2008; Remarks from Doug McAvoy, National Union of Teachers general secretary, regarding under-funded schools.

Reports on the demonstration of deaf awareness and deaf communication tactics at the Togs for Dogs Day 2004 in Great Britain on June 4. Donation for the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity; Content of the schools information pack.

Presents information on the success of the National Union of Teachers in Kent County, England in March 2004 over a lawsuit on excessive pay deduction for a strike. Assurance on the repayment of deductions; Conditions of teacher employment.

Presents information on the development by the Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examination board of vocational courses in 2004 that are aimed to stop students from dropping out of education. Basis of qualifications; Importance of providing vocational subjects for students.

Presents information on the NRICH Web site launched by the University of Cambridge in England in March 2004 that is aimed to inspire pupils to enjoy and explore mathematics. Features; Enrichment of pupils' experience of math; Involvement of Zia Rahman in workshops for pupils using NRICH resources.

Presents information on a policy discussion paper on further education (FE) released by the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education in Great Britain in March 2004. Risk of giving pre-eminence in the resourcing and strategic planning of colleges; Focus of FE on adult learners; Contribution of FE colleges to higher education.

Presents information on the drug prevention guidelines sent to headteachers by the Department for Education and Skills of Great Britain in March 2004. Rule on searching for personal properties of pupils; Use of sniffer dogs in schools; Effort of schools on drug education.

Presents information on a draft School Transport Bill published by the Great Britain government in March 2004 that is aimed to stop congested traffic caused by the school run. Proposal of free transportation for pupils; Augmentation of the level of Local Education Authority coffers; Increase in the number of children driven to school.

Presents information on the criticism by England Education Secretary Charles Clarke on the nation's quality of teaching during a conference of the General Teaching Council for England in March 2004. Improvement in the quality of teaching as cited in an Ofsted report; Unreliability of the education system for pupils or parents; Confusion brought about by the government's message to teachers.

Presents information on a report released by the British Office for Standards in Education regarding primary school music in Great Britain. Background on the right of every child to play a musical instrument for at least a year; Support that schools should provide children who are interested in music; Plan of Schools Minister David Miliband regarding music education.

Reports on a draft School Transport Bill that the government plans to introduce in the Parliament in Great Britain. Percentages of primary children that go to school by car; Purpose of the bill; Advantages of reducing the number of cars used in going to school.

Reports on a strike action conducted by nursery nurses from Scotland. Number of councils that have settled locally; Salary increase demanded by the nurses; Information on the grading system offered by CoSLA, the local government body representing the employers.

Reports on the funding to improve foreign language teaching in Scotland. Message of Scottish Education Minister Peter Peacock to the students of Hillside Primary School concerning foreign language education; Benefits of learning a foreign language.

Reports on the bias of secondary schools in student selection, favoring children of middle-classed parents, according to Fiona Miller, a former advisor to the office of the prime minister in Great Britain.

Reports on the launch of a record label called Studio 6 at a Virgin Megastore by Taunton, England-based Richard Huish College. Comment of Virgin store manager John Timney regarding the initiative; Price of the compact discs to be sold in the store; Address of a Web site to access Studio 6.

Reports on a ban on mobile phone cameras in school playgrounds in West Lothian, Scotland. Number of children that will be affected by the ban; Reason behind the ban; Concern of David Eaglesham, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, regarding pedophiles.

Reports on the opportunity given by the National College for School Leadership for England's school leaders to question British Office for Standards in Education chief David Bell on the proposed changes to the inspection system. Reason behind the need to change the model of inspection according to Bell; Advantage of reducing the notice of inspection.

Presents information on an initiative launched by Scotland Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace in February 2004 to increase opportunities for school pupils to attend colleges. Encouragement to study vocational courses; Development of skills in environments that suit the students.