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In 1996, a voucher scheme was introduced to promote educational provision for preschool children in Scotland. Qualitative and quantitative explorations of the views of parents and providers describe the workings of the educational "market" when one of the competing sectors (public sector) had a substantial monopoly power over the others (private and voluntary sectors). (Author/SV)

Examines Scotland's increasingly standardized national curriculum and testing reforms. Discusses centrally determined innovations, relationships between curriculum and assessment, reforms' effects on classroom, and teachers' role. Compares elements of encroaching "market model" reforms in England, Wales, and United States, suggesting that Scotland's more enlightened educational features should be retained. (TES)

This paper examines implementation of two innovations in first-year science: mixed-ability grouping and guided-discovery methods. Interviews with 24 teachers indicated that they interpreted and implemented the innovations so that their conventional teaching methods were minimally changed. The paper concludes with recommendations for effective innovation strategies. (Author/SJL)