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This study focused on the perceptions students have about the effectiveness of learning communities, a focus of the First-Year Success initiative at Texas A

Abstract The theme of this paper is to discuss the benefits of adding the final year of preschool to Taiwan's national education system. This theme will be explored by contrasting and comparing other countries¡¦ concepts and methods of education. Using America, England, Japan and Germany as examples, overall systems of private and public schools will be analyzed thoroughly. The issues discussed include funding, facilities, teachers, management effectiveness and differences between urban and rural. In addition to an analysis of other nation's educational systems are the findings from questionnaires. Questionnaires were designed to interview 1,827 teachers and 938 parents and were distributed throughout cities and counties in Taiwan in order to collect different views concerning ¡¨The extension of the national education policy to preschool¡¦s final year.¡¨ According to documents and surveys, several conclusions are made as follows: 1. Unbalanced distribution of governmental resources. For example, universities have priority over preschools and public schools have priority over private schools. 2. High percentages of unqualified teachers in private preschools. 3. Excessive rate of teachers working unstably among preschools. 4. Apparently higher business costs in operating private schools than public schools. 5. Undeveloped mechanisms for ¡§Evaluation of the effectiveness of educational vouchers for children.¡¨ Based on research results, a number of proposed solutions are made mainly for policy amendment and future study reference materials. 1. Reconsider the distribution of governmental resources. 2. Provide effective nursery policies. 3. Salary difference subsidies should be given to teachers and caregivers in private preschools, and the rules of public school teacher¡¦s applicative legislation should be applied to teachers in private schools. 4. Putting more attention on children of disadvantaged minorities. 5. Adoption of legislation ensuring free education in preschools. 6. Merge graduates from child care universities and colleges. 7. Accelerate the mechanisms for ¡§Evaluation of the effectiveness of educational vouchers for children.¡¨

This study focused on the perceptions students have about the effectiveness of learning communities, a focus of the First-Year Success initiative at Texas A

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Mar. 08, 2010). Creative project (M.A.), 3 hrs. Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-43).

Project (D. Min.)--Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1980. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 107).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 356-386).