New thematic probe published
Desk research covering the nature and content of sex and relationships education in a selection of INCA and Eurydice Network countries is provided in this INCA Thematic Probe.
South Africa Archive added
A description of the education system in South Africa (both mainstream and publicly funded special education) has been added to INCA bringing the number of countries covered to 21. As with all the country description in the Internet Archive, the description concentrates on the curriculum and assessment frameworks in place but also places these in context by providing information about the purposes and principles of education, its structure, and internal school organisation.
To browse the South Africa description visit the introduction page or to access information on a specific aspect of provision, select South Africa and the required subject/chapter heading from the drop-down menus in the guided navigation box. You will also need to choose between "mainstream" for policy information relating to the mainstream education system or "special" for information on publicly-funded provision for students with special needs. Then select "Go".
INCA Comparative Tables updated
The INCA Comparative Tables provide a brief overview of key issues across the Archive countries. They were most recently updated in September 2009 to take account of the recent reforms. For the first time, they also cover South Africa. Click on the 'comparative tables' link for access to a pdf document of all the tables and individual pdfs of each separate table.
Curriculum documentation and guidance (June 2009)
This probe contains desk research which examines how curriculum documents and guidance are provided in 17 countries (Australia (Queensland), Canada (British Columbia), Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, USA (Maryland), and Wales).
2009 Curriculum Review
The primary curriculum is under review in 2008/2009. Final recommendations from the Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum (the Rose Review) were published in April 2009 and are under consultation. To contribute to the consultation, visit the website of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
The final report of the Rose Review, which makes extensive reference to the INCA website, is available online. Further information is available from the Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum website.
The Socle Commun
The Socle Commun - the new fundamental core of knowledge and skills around which the curriculum for compulsory education in France is built - was introduced in September 2008. See the curriculum sections of the France INCA Archive for more information. The Socle Commun is also available online in English at: http://media.education.gouv.fr/file/46/8/5468.pdf.
International education bulletin: Education in the News
The team at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) in England, which manages and updates the INCA Archive, also produces a current awareness bulletin of international issues in education. Published six times each year, Education in the News is available online; a free online subscription is also available via this page.
The regulation of examinations and qualifications
A new thematic probe examining the regulation of examinations and qualifications in other countries was uploaded to this website in July 2008. Data was collected in autumn 2007. The probe, written by Andrew Boyle of Ofqual (the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator in England) aims to give an initial understanding of how international findings could provide insight into English qualifications and examinations regulation. The probe is available to download from the thematic probes page of this website.
Primary curriculum change 2005-2008
A thematic probe looking at changes in the primary curriculum since 2005 in France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Slovenia and Tasmania has been added to the INCA website. The probe is available to download from the thematic probes page of this website.
System summaries
Summaries of the education systems in each of the INCA countries are available. Ideal for study visits, these concise (four-five page) descriptions can be accessed by selecting the country of your choice from the drop-down menu, then 'system summary' from "Select subject/chapter heading".
Current reforms
Information on current educational reforms and debate is included in the 'Context, principles and reforms' sections of the INCA website. Select the country of your choice from the "Select country" drop-down menu and 'Context, principles and reforms' from "Select subject/chapter heading", then select 'Purposes of education' from the page you are linked to. Sub-heading 1.2.2 'Special programmes' provides information on aspects of current educational reform and debate which impact on the curriculum, assessment and initial teacher training frameworks.