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CHAPTER 5 EDUCATIONAL REFORM IN THEl970's
2 Trends in Educational Reform in Various Major Countries of the World
(1) U.S.A.


In the United States, education is in principle under the jurisdiction of each state, and at the level of the Federal Government only the Office of Education has been in a position to undertake activities in educational research and statistics. However, changes in recent years have required an increased involvement by the Federal Government in education. As a result, the education budget of the Federal Government expanded ten times during the 1960's, most of which was used to support state or local governmental agencies and institutions for higher education. This can be interpreted as an increased role by the Federal Government in education.

According to the principle of self-government, the fifty States and more than25, 000 local school districts are responsible for any reforms in educational structure content or method at the elementary and secondary levels. The most important problem at present is deemed to be adjusting the educational gaps between different regions and different social groups. In sum, developing the abilities of all individuals to the fullest extent is at present the task common to all levels, and various attempts at innovation referred to in Chapters One to four are being made in this light.

In terms of higher education, as the number of people enrolled has increased, discussions have centered on just what institutions of higher education should be. The role and function of graduate schools and junior colleges, particularly community colleges, is at the center of discussion. A number or states nave developed educational plans for higher education. In 1960, a Master Plan for Higher Education in California was created to reorganize all state institutions for higher education. In New York State, a Regents Statewide Plan for the Expansion and Development of Higher Education was formed in 1964. Some other states have followed these two. Reorganization of education and reconsideration of administration in higher educational institutions in those institutions where inadequacies were revealed during campus conflicts are also being made.


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