(2013). "Value"ing Children Differently? Migrant Children in Education. Children & Society, v27 n4 p282-294 Jul. This paper considers dilemmas around "value" and the "valuing" of children and childhood(s) in schools. I argue that in neo-liberal contexts, processes of children's identity making become aligned with the idea of the corporate citizen–value and worth derived from the capacity to produce, excel, self-regulate as well as consume in an ever expanding marketplace. Taking the positioning of migrant children as an exemplar, the paper explores the tensions in pedagogic practices between the valuing of migrant children and their "added value" that is communicated through spheres of re/action in schools. The paper argues for education that is radical and strategic; careful and nurturing. In its absence, being valued differently involves reproducing negative patterns in a circular dialectical loop that naturalises under achievement of migrant children and other children at risk, to deficiencies in culture and identity. (Contains 1 figure and 3 notes.)… [Direct]
(2007). An Action Research Approach to the Design, Development and Evaluation of an Interactive E-Learning Tutorial in a Cognitive Domain. Journal of Information Technology Education, v6 p455-479. The teaching and learning of a complex section in "Theoretical Computer Science 1" in a distance-education context at the University of South Africa (UNISA) has been enhanced by a supplementary e-learning application called "Relations," which interactively teaches mathematical skills in a cognitive domain. It has tutorial and practice functionality in a classic computer-aided instruction (CAI) style and offers considerable learner control. A participative action research approach was used to design, develop, evaluate, and refine the application over a longitudinal period. In this process the application was formatively and summatively evaluated by different methods–questionnaire surveys, interviews, heuristic evaluation and a post-test. This article explains the purpose, structure, and operation of "Relations" and notes how the various evaluation methods resulted in iterative refinements to its functionality, learning content, and usability. The… [Direct]
(2016). Human Resources Management in Educational Faculties of State Universities in Turkey. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, v11 n5 p931-948. This study aims to evaluate the human resources management in the faculties of education of state universities in Turkey within the context of Human Resources Management Principles. The study population consisted of 40 academic members in the faculties of education of 20 different state universities and 10 academic unit administrators at different positions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. The findings showed that the academicians generally consider that these principles are not sufficiently taken into consideration during administrative implementations. It was found that human resources management is shaped according to the administrative cultures of faculties, personal characteristics, democratic attitudes and understandings of the administrators, and consciousness and awareness of the administered people and therefore significant differences exist between the faculties; and human resources management… [PDF]
(1998). Proceedings of the Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (22nd, Stellenbosch, South Africa, July 12-17, 1998). Volume 2. The second volume of this proceedings contains the first portion of the research reports. Papers include: (1) \Learning Algebraic Strategies Using a Computerized Balance Model\ (James Aczel); (2) \Children's Perception of Multiplicative Structure in Diagrams\ (Bjornar Alseth); (3) \A Discussion of Different Approaches to Arithmetic Teaching\ (Julia Anghileri); (4) \A Model for Analyzing the Transition to Formal Proofs in Geometry\ (Ferdinando Arzarello, Chiara Micheletti, Federica Olivero, Ornella Robutti, and Domingo Paola); (5) \Dragging in Cabri and Modalities of Transition from Conjectures to Proofs in Geometry\ (Ferdinando Arzarello, Chiara Micheletti, Federica Olivero, Ornella Robutti, Domingo Paola, and Gemma Gallino); (6) \The Co-Construction of Mathematical Knowledge: The Effect of an Intervention Program on Primary Pupils' Attainment\ (Mike Askew, Tamara Bibby, and Margaret Brown); (7) \Dialectical Proof: Should We Teach It to Physics Students?\ (Roberto Ribeiro Baldino);… [PDF]
(2015). UNESCO's Guidance on Puberty and Sexual Health Education for Students Aged 9-12 Years Compared to an Upper Primary School Curriculum. Health Education Journal, v74 n3 p340-350 May. Background: Children and young adolescents are reaching puberty earlier. Providing information about such changes before puberty can help them develop in a more competent and informed manner. Context and Objective: UNESCO's "International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education" forms a comprehensive, evidence-based, authoritative document. This review analyses the Guidance for children and young adolescents aged 9-12 years who attend upper primary school. These students are very likely to be experiencing puberty, but are very unlikely, in many countries, to receive sufficient sexuality health information or education from parents or school at this crucial time. Design: This review analyses the text and narrative of this internationally-acknowledged sexuality education curriculum, and the relevant learning objectives/key ideas of a comparable state-designed health and physical education curriculum. Setting: Children and young adolescents who attend upper Primary school…. [Direct]
(2012). Social Exclusion and Education Inequality: Towards an Integrated Analytical Framework for the Urban-Rural Divide in China. British Journal of Sociology of Education, v33 n3 p409-430. The aim of this paper is to build a capability-based framework, drawing upon the strengths of other approaches, which is applicable to the complexity of the urban-rural divide in education in China. It starts with a brief introduction to the capability approach. This is followed by a discussion of how the rights-based approach and resource-based approach can supplement the capability model; this framework is then employed to draw out new insights regarding the case of urban-rural inequality in China. It concludes by highlighting the contribution of this framework in terms of mapping out the interlocked processes that create the urban-rural divide in education by taking account of children growing up under the influence of a wider socio-economic context. In doing so, it sheds light on issues which tend to be otherwise overlooked. (Contains 1 note, 1 table, and 6 figures.)… [Direct]
(2019). U.S. Department of Education FY 2019 Agency Financial Report. Office of Finance and Operations, US Department of Education The purpose of the United States Department of Education's (the Department) Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 "Agency Financial Report" (AFR) is to inform Congress, the President, other external stakeholders, and the American people on how the Department used the federal resources entrusted to it to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. The Department accomplishes its mission and the related strategic goals and objectives by administering programs that range from preschool education through postdoctoral research; enforcing civil rights laws to provide equal access and treatment; and supporting research that examines ways that states, schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions can improve America's education system. The AFR provides high-level financial and performance highlights, assessments of controls, a summary of challenges, and a demonstration of the Department's stewardship. It… [PDF]
(2019). British Columbia Early Learning Framework. British Columbia Ministry of Education This revised Early Learning Framework is the culmination of a collaborative process that included early childhood educators, primary teachers, academics, Indigenous organizations, Elders, government, and other professionals. The first Early Learning Framework published in 2008 changed the landscape of early years practice in British Columbia. It presented an image of the child as capable and full of potential, and introduced pedagogical narration as a process for reflecting on the knowledge and understandings of childhood. Since 2008, there have been significant developments in the social, political, economic, and cultural context of B.C. that have created new realities for children, families, and communities. This revised Early Learning Framework acknowledges these new realities and the changing perspectives and relations they bring. The revised Early Learning Framework: (1) Expands the focus on children from birth to five years in the original framework to children birth to eight… [PDF]
(2013). Balancing Autonomy Rights and Protection: Children's Involvement in a Child Safety Online Project. Children & Society, v27 n3 p208-219 May. Researchers who involve children in their research are faced with the challenge of choosing between differing theoretical approaches which can prioritise children's autonomy rights or their "vulnerability" and their need to be protected. Somewhat confusingly, ethical guidelines seem to reflect a combination of these approaches. Even when researchers have settled on their preferred approach, they may find that this then has to be modified in accordance with gatekeeper requirements. In the context of children's involvement in a child safety online project, this paper highlights the difficulties encountered because of a tension between children's autonomy rights, educational norms in a school setting and child protection concerns and considers whether an appropriate balance was achieved. (Contains 5 notes.)… [Direct]
(1992). "English Only": The Attack on Minority Language Speakers in the United States. The Fund for Free Expression: A Committee of Human Rights Watch, v4 n1 Mar. The aim of the "English-Only" movement is to make English the official national language. The Constitution of the United States does not mention the English language, and therefore the country has no official language. The legacy of the nation's founders is one of linguistic tolerance. The increase in immigrants from Asia and Latin America has generated a nativist backlash. Within the "English-Only" movement, U.S. English (USE) is more sophisticated and successful than groups like "English First" that are overtly much more nativist and virulently anti-immigrant. Eighteen states and numerous cities and towns have official English laws. These laws can be attacked on First, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment grounds. The "English-Only" movement's rhetorical focus on the laudable goals of national unity and English proficiency has brought considerable financial and political success. Yet the movement is driven by cultural insecurity and…
(2014). Developing a National Geography Curriculum for Australia. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, v23 n1 p40-52. Australia is in the process of implementing a national geography curriculum to replace the separate state and territory curriculums. The paper describes the process of curriculum development, and identifies the different groups that were involved. These included the board and staff of the national curriculum authority, geography teachers across Australia, the state and territory curriculum bodies and a great variety of interest groups. It analyses some of the issues on which there were differences of opinion, such as how to describe the concepts, and some of the debates over what content to include, such as what place knowledge or skills to teach. The paper ends with a brief assessment of the curriculum and of the roles of the various groups in determining its content…. [Direct]
(2012). Education and the Constitution. Peabody Journal of Education, v87 n4 p436-454. The last 50 years have seen a massive increase in the federal role in public education in the United States and a marked increase in the tension between the federal government and the states with respect to control over education. This article investigates the history of education in America, particularly with respect to federal versus state power. By examining primary sources from the colonial and postcolonial periods, we can glimpse the thoughts and motivations of the United States' most influential thinkers and leaders, as they were helping build a new country. Furthermore, the decisions of the Supreme Court on education shed light on the history and role of education in our society today. Fundamentally, this article asks the question, Because the federal government plays such a large role in public education, where is education in the Constitution? (Contains 17 footnotes.)… [Direct]
(2018). Department of Research & Evaluation Plan of Work, 2018-2019. DRE Publication Number 18.01. Online Submission Each year, Austin Independent School District Department of Research and Evaluation (DRE) staff develop a plan of work to describe the scope of work for the coming year. The plans that make up this document identify programs to be evaluated and services to be provided by DRE staff and provide the blueprints for evaluation that staff will follow throughout the year…. [PDF]
(2011). Factors Influencing Career Location Preferences of International Graduate Students in the United States. Education Economics, v19 n5 p501-517. Using primary survey data, factors influencing preferences of international graduate students in the United States as to whether they prefer to stay in the United States or go back to their home country to start their careers are examined employing discrete choice analysis. Career opportunities and social climate are critical factors. Students prefer to start their careers in the country where they have more and better career opportunities, receive higher salaries, and have increased civil liberties. Differences between students who are sure and those who are not sure as to where they prefer to start their career are noted. (Contains 1 note, 2 tables, and 2 figures.)… [Direct]
(2013). New Jersey Primer on Special Education & Charter Schools. New Jersey Department of Education This document has been developed by the New Jersey Department of Education with the assistance of the TA Customizer Project funded by the U.S. Department of Education Charter Schools Program (CSP) and conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). Its focus is on providing information and technical assistance related to special education and the education of students with disabilities for developers and operators of New Jersey's charter schools from pre-application through all the life stages of the charter school. The New Jersey Charter School Program Act of 1995 (N.J.S.A. 18A:36A) recognizes only one authorizer for charter schools in the state–the Commissioner of Education. All application activities are managed through the Department of Education and each charter school is its own LEA for all matters pertaining to special education. Appendix includes: Glossary of Terms for the New Jersey Primer on Special Education and Charter Schools…. [PDF]