Presents new research by leading scholars in Australia and the United States on economic factors that influence children's development and the respective social policies the two nations have designed to boost human capital development. - Provided by publisher

"Offers an analysis of the promise and controversy around teacher pay for performance. Identifies potential strengths and weaknesses of performance-driven compensation policies and addresses key conceptual and implementation issues that have dominated the debate surrounding teacher compensation...

Focuses on three key criteria for fostering broadly shared economic growth: enhancing economic security, building a highly skilled work force, and reforming the tax system. Proposals include reforming unemployment insurance, improving incentives for retirement saving, building quality into each...

"Analyzes the potential costs and benefits of school choice and discusses policy mechanisms that would maximize its benefits while mitigating its social costs, specifically in terms of racial and religious issues and the promotion of civic values"--Provided by publisher

Introduction / John Chubb and Tom Loveless -- Would smaller classes help close the Black-white achievement gap? / Alan B. Krueger and Diane M. Whitmore -- Exploring explanations for ethnic differences in voucher impacts on student test scores / Paul E. Peterson and William G. Howell -- Reducing...

Foreword / Edward G. Rendell and Kenneth D. Lewis -- Regional economic development in theory and practice / Richard M. McGahey -- Revitalizing America's older industrial cities : a state agenda for change / Jennifer S. Vey -- The talent imperative for older industrial areas / Randall Kempner --...