Charles A. Goldman

Facing human capital challenges of the 21st century : education and labor market initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates

This title describes the education and labor market initiatives implemented or under way in four countries in the Arab region - Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates - to address the human resource issues they each face as they prepare their countries for a place in the 21st century global economy. Together, these countries highlight the variety of challenges faced by countries in the region and responses to those challenges.

Promoting Quality and Variety Through the Public Financing of Privately Operated Schools in Qatar

In 2002, Qatar began establishing publicly funded, privately operated “independent schools” in parallel with the existing, centralized Ministry of Education system. The reform that drove the establishment of the independent schools included accountability provisions such as (a) measuring school and student performance and (b) distributing school performance information to parents. Because parental demand for the new schools exceeds supply, the effectiveness of parental choice in promoting accountability is limited. The independent schools showed higher student achievement (in elementary grades) and significant changes in classroom practices on the basis of 2005–2007 data. In 2009, the government announced that all ministry schools would convert to independent schools. In addition, over time, vouchers would become available to allow per-student funding to be used in some private schools.

Promoting the Long-Term Sustainability and Viability of Universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, a committee of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, sponsored a RAND Corporation study to identify options that would improve the long-term sustainability and viability of the universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education in the coming years. This report outlines the five alternatives that RAND researchers developed.

Options for Educating Students Attending Department of Defense Schools in the United States

Abstract : The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored a study to evaluate the mission of educating military-connected children in the contiguous United States (CONUS). The DoD Education Activity (DoDEA) currently operates or contracts with local educational agencies to operate schools on 15 CONUS installations. DoDEA sponsored the RAND National Defense Research Institute project reported here to research and evaluate the options for educating military-connected children on these 15 installations. This report identifies the set of feasible options for educating military-connected children at these installations and determines which options are feasible at each installation. It evaluates the feasible options in terms of expected school quality, costs, and implementation considerations. It also specifies the construction and implementation implications for each feasible option. We intend the report to inform decisionmakers and stakeholders in DoD, as well as in the states, communities, and local education agencies that the options considered might affect.

Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates: Executive Summary

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