Education Commons^™

Schools Are Open During The Coronavirus Outbreak But Should I Voluntarily Keep My Kids Home Anyway, If I Can? We Asked 5 Experts, Sunanda Creagh, Allen C. Cheng, Christopher C. Blyth, Claire Hooker, Paul Andrew Kidson, Peter Collignon

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

We asked five experts to answer the question: schools are staying open but should I voluntarily keep my kids home anyway, if I can?

The Uk Labour Party Wants To Abolish Private Schools - Could We Do That In Australia?, Paul Andrew Kidson

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The UK's Labour Party recently voted in a policy to effectively abolish private schools and integrate them into the state system. This is a courageous move designed to redress social inequity - many of those working in the top levels of the UK government were educated in private schools. Two of Britain's three most recent prime ministers went to the prestigious Eton College, which charges annual fees of more than £40,000. The UK opposition party's plan will likely warm the hearts of similarly minded Australians. Many of the same arguments about educational inequality have been floated in Australia. Many individuals …

Middle Leading And Influence In Two Australian Schools, Kylie Lipscombe, Sharon K. Tindall-Ford, Peter Grootenboer

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Increasingly, educational systems are appreciating the importance of middle leaders leading educational improvement in schools. Schools depend on middle leaders to lead site-based educational development in areas including curriculum development, teacher professional learning and student learning improvement. Middle leaders are in a unique but complex position where they influence both executive leadership and teachers within the school organisation. Adopting case study methodology to investigate the practices and influence of middle leaders leading a school-based educational development project, three semi-structured interviews and artefacts from two middle leaders were collected over eight months. The theory of practice architectures afforded an examination of …

How Schools Avoid Enrolling Children With Disabilities, Linda J. Graham, Helen Proctor, Roselyn M. Dixon

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Children with disabilities are frequently discriminated against in Australian schools. It's an issue that has been ongoing for years, with reports showing that little has improved since 2002. Exclusion practices - dubbed as "gatekeeping" - include advising parents to send their child to another school that could better support them; only allowing a child to attend a school on the days that funding is available; and asking parents to pay extra money so the school can employ support staff or purchase equipment. Although this happens across all school types, it tends to be more prominent in, and easier for, non-government …

An Internet-Supported Physical Activity Intervention Delivered In Secondary Schools Located In Low Socio-Economic Status Communities: Study Protocol For The Activity And Motivation In Physical Education (Amped) Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Chris Lonsdale, Aidan Lester, Katherine B. Owen, Rhiannon L. White, Ian Moyes, Louisa Peralta, Morwenna Kirwan, Anthony Maeder, Andrew Bennie, Freya Macmillan, Gregory Kolt, Nikos Ntoumanis, Jennifer M. Gore, Ester Cerin, Thierno M.O Diallo, Dylan P. Cliff, David R. Lubans

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: School-based physical education is an important public health initiative as it has the potential to provide students with regular opportunities to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Unfortunately, in many physical education lessons students do not engage in sufficient MVPA to achieve health benefits. In this trial we will test the efficacy of a teacher professional development intervention, delivered partially via the Internet, on secondary school students' MVPA during physical education lessons. Teaching strategies covered in this training are designed to (i) maximize opportunities for students to be physically active during lessons and (ii) enhance students' autonomous motivation towards …

Perceptions Of Task Interdependence And Functional Leadership In Schools, Kerry Barnett, John Mccormick

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The context of the research was senior leadership teams in schools in Australia. The study investigated relationships between task interdependence, psychological collectivism, self-efficacy for teamwork, and team member perceptions of leadership functions. A cross-sectional and correlational research design was employed. Fifty-seven senior leadership teams composed of principals and senior teachers within two Catholic education systems in New South Wales, Australia, participated in the study. Data were collected from an online survey completed by senior leadership team members and analyzed using multilevel data analysis strategies. The findings suggest the extent of functional leadership was positively related to perceived task interdependence.

The Struggle For Legitimacy: Language Provision In Two 'Residual' Comprehensive High Schools In Australia, Stephen Black, Jan Wright, Kenneth E. Cruickshank

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Despite the contemporary policy rhetoric of global citizenry and the importance of languages and intercultural capabilities, language learning in Australian schools struggles for recognition and support. The curriculum marginalisation of languages, however, is uneven, affecting some school sectors more than others. In this article, we examine the provision of languages in two government comprehensive high schools, both low socio-economic status, located in urban areas in New South Wales, Australia's largest state. They are termed 'residual' high schools because they cater for the students remaining in the local schools while others attend either private or selective government high schools. We provide …

Density Of Outdoor Food And Beverage Advertising Around Schools In Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) And Manila (The Philippines) And Implications For Policy, Bridget P. Kelly, Lesley King, Batjargal Jamiyan, Nyamragchaa Chimedtseren, Bolorchimeg Bold, Victoria M. Medina, Sarah J. De Los Reyes, Nichel V. Marquez, Anna Christine P. Rome, Ariane Margareth O. Cabanes, John Juliard Go, Tsogolmaa Bayandorj, Marie Clem B. Carlos, Cherian Varghese

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing is recognised by leading international health organisations as a probable causal factor for obesity. Outdoor advertising near schools embeds commercial food messages into children’s everyday lives and acts as a cue for food purchases. This project aimed to describe food advertising in the area around schools in two demographically and culturally disparate cities in the Asia Pacific Region. Data on outdoor food advertising were collected from the area within 500 m of 30 primary schools in each of two cities: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Manila, The Philippines. For each food advertisement, information was collected on: …

Building The Capacity Of Schools To Achieve Outcomes For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Project, Amanda A. Webster, Jacqueline R. Roberts

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The number of students with ASD attending mainstream schools has increased dramatically over the past decade. Teachers are reporting they often feel ill-equipped and anxious about meeting the needs of students with ASD in their classroom (Emam & Farrell, 2009). In addition, parents are increasingly expressing frustration with the quantity and quality of support their children with ASD are receiving in school settings and are increasingly resorting to home schooling and other alternative options to meet the needs of their children (Parsons, Lewis, & Ellins, 2009). Finally, school principals have also reported they lack training and information on how to …

Using The Cycle Of Learning To Differentiate For Students With Diverse Needs In Primary Schools, Amanda A. Webster

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Teachers are increasingly required to teach students with diverse needs in today's schools. The aim of the current study was to trial an action-planning and mentoring process based on the Cycle of Learning pedagogical framework to help teachers and school leaders plan and implement effective practices for students with diverse needs in their classrooms. Openended interviews were utilised to evaluate outcomes for students and teachers as a result of their work with mentors and the action-planning process. Participants reported they had more confidence and skills to teach students with diverse needs and students were more engaged.

Medicalization In Schools, Valerie Harwood, Samantha Mcmahon

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Medicalization can be characterized as the product of processes that seek to put social problems into a medical framework This process of placing phenomena into a medical framework has become more commonplace (Conrad, 2007, p. 88; Conrad & Schneider, 1992; Zola, 1972) with the concept being examined in relation to a number of areas, including: sex (Hansen, 1992); ADHD (Conrad, 1975); racialization (Kew, 2009); sleep (Kroker, 2007; Seale, Boden, Williams, Lowe, & Steinberg, 2007); pregnancy and birth (Arney, 1982; Walzer Leavitt, 1986); shyness (Lane, 2007); menopause (Bell, 1987); and psychiatry (Lunbeck, 1994). There are a number of disciplines and perspectives …

Kitchen Garden Programs In Schools - Developing Basic Health-Related Literacies And More, Heather Yeatman, K Quinsey, D Condon-Paoloni, J Dawber, S Eckermann, D Fildes, J Green, P Grootemaat, D Morris, W Nielsen

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract of paper presented at PHAA 42nd Annual conference, Melbourne, 16-18 September 2013.

Combining Realism With Rigour: Evaluation Of A National Kitchen Garden Program In Australian Primary Schools, Karen Quinsey, Deanne Condon-Paoloni, James Dawber, Simon Eckermann, David Fildes, Pamela Grootemaat, Darcy Morris, Wendy Nielsen, Heather Yeatman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper will report on the framework and methods developed to evaluate the implementation and impact of a national garden and kitchen program in Australia.

Health Promoting Schools - Lessons From A National Evaluation Of A Kitchen Garden Program, Heather Yeatman, K Quinsey, D Condon-Paoloni, J Dawber, Simon Eckermann, D Fildes, J Green, P Grootemaat, D Morris, W Nielsen

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract of paper presented at PHAA 42nd Annual conference: Abstract & Program Book, Melbourne, 16-18 September 2013.

Organizational Communication And Occupational Stress In Australian Catholic Primary Schools, John De Nobile, John Mccormick, Katherine Hoekman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Purpose: This paper reports two related studies of relationships between organizational communication and occupational stress of staff members in Catholic primary schools. Design/methodology/approach: Data from both studies were obtained using survey questionnaires. Participants were staff members of Catholic diocesan primary schools in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, Australia. Research hypotheses were tested using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Findings: Ten organizational communication factors and four occupational stress domains were identified. Several organizational communication variables were found to be predictors of occupational stress in four identified domains. Practical implications: The findings provide implications for school administrators in relation …

"I Hope This Can Be Shared With Everyone In Lots Of Schools": A Novel Intervention To Improve Social Skills Of Peers Of Children With Autism, Sandra Jones, Joanne Telenta, Fiona Mckay

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong developmental disabilities characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours, and sensory sensitivities (Aspect 2009). While there is considerable debate as to prevalence, Centrelink data shows an estimated prevalence of 62.5 per 10,000 for 6-12 year old children (McDermott et al. 2007). While young children find social situations aversive and prefer to play alone, as these children reach their teens many desire social contact with their peers but lack the ability to form and maintain friendships. Observations in schools demonstrate peer interaction in children with ASDs is …

Changes In Physical Activity Levels, Lesson Context, And Teacher Interaction During Physical Education In Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Australian Schools, Dean A. Dudley, Anthony D. Okely, Philip Pearson, Wayne G. Cotton, Peter Caputi

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Recent data show that only 15% of Australian adolescents participate in adequate amounts of physical activity (PA) and those students from Asian and Middle-Eastern backgrounds in Grades 6-12 are significantly less active than their English-speaking background peers. Schools have recently been recognised as the most widely used and cost-effective setting for promoting PA among youth and one domain within schools where PA can occur regularly for all youth, regardless of cultural background or socio-economic status, is during physical education (PE). Methods: This study describes changes in physical activity (PA), lesson context and teacher interaction in physical education over the …

Culture, Motivation, And Vocational Decision-Making Of Australian Senior High School Students In Private Schools, Jae Yup Jung, John M. Mccormick, Gary Gregory, Kerry Barnett

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of culture and motivation in the occupational decisions of senior high school students attending private schools. A theoretical framework guided the study. A questionnaire was administered to 492 Grade 11 students attending a stratified random sample of six independent (private) schools located in the Sydney (Australia) metropolitan area. Structural equation modelling was performed on the data collected. The major findings of the study centre on a new model of vocational decision-making, which provides empirical support for relationships between cultural orientation variables, expectancy-value variables, and related constructs. The findings may be …

Are We Doing Enough? Assessing The Needs Of Teachers In Isolated Schools With Students With Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Mainstream Classes, Fiona Mclean, Roselyn Dixon

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The Vinson report (2001) into public education highlighted the growing incidence of behavioural problems within the NSW public school system.

The Nutrition And Enjoyable Activity For Teen Girls (Neat Girls) Randomized Controlled Trial For Adolescent Girls From Disadvantaged Secondary Schools: Rationale, Study Protocol And Baseline Results, David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Deborah Dewar, Clare E. Collins, Ronald C. Plotnikoff, Anthony D. Okely, Marijka Batterham, Tara Finn, Robin Callister

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Background: Child and adolescent obesity predisposes individuals to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from a range of lifestyle diseases. Although there is some evidence to suggest that rates of pediatric obesity have leveled off in recent years, this has not been the case among youth from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The purpose of this paper is to report the rationale, study design and baseline findings of a school-based obesity prevention program for low-active adolescent girls from disadvantaged secondary schools.

Methods/Design: The Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls (NEAT Girls) intervention will be evaluated using a group randomized controlled …

Building Community Partnerships To Enhance Participation In Sport And Physical Activity: Tertiary Institutions And Primary Schools, Kim Mckeen, Paul I. Webb, Philip J. Pearson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Decreasing levels of physical activity and increasing obesity levels amongst Australian children have received much attention in recent years, with research finding that the prevalence of overweight Australian children and adolescents, almost doubled during the ten year period from 1985-1995. Schools have been identified as one community setting that has the potential to address concerns regarding child physical activity and obesity levels by providing an environment which promotes lifelong physical activity, through both structured and unstructured programs.

Linking Teaching Games For Understanding And Quality Teaching In Nsw Secondary Schools, Philip J. Pearson, Paul I. Webb, Kim Mckeen

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

A discussion paper entitled Quality teaching in NSW public schools (Department of Education and Training, 2003) has been developed to improve teaching practice and hence student learning outcomes. The model of pedagogy outlined in this document focuses on the three dimensions of intellectual quality, quality learning environment and significance.

Elements associated with these dimensions such as deep understanding, higher order thinking, student direction and inclusivity can be difficult for teachers to implement into practical lessons. When effectively implemented TGfU is one strategy that allows teachers to address these elements when teaching games in physical education and sport. TGfU places an …

Effective Pre-School And Primary Education 3-11 Project (Eppe 3-11): The Effectiveness Of Primary Schools In England In Key Stage 2 For 2002, 2003 And 2004, Edward Melhuish, Helena Romaniuk, Pam Sammons, Kathy Sylva, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This research brief reports the results of value added multilevel models to investigate pupil progress during Key Stage 2, controlling for prior attainment and other background factors, for all schools in England over a three year period (2002-4). These models build upon existing work on school effectiveness undertaken by DfES/Ofsted and others by incorporating further area-level variables, examining gender by ethnicity interactions and exploring differential effectiveness of primary schools for pupils with different levels of ability. The work is part of the wider Effective Pre-school and Primary Education 3-11 (EPPE 3-11) project which is studying the development and attainment of …

The Effectiveness Of Primary Schools In England In Key Stage 2 For 2002, 2003 And 2004, Edward Melhuish, Helena Romaniuk, Pam Sammons, Kathy Sylva, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This report covers children's progress during Key Stage 2 in all primary schools in England over a three year period (2002-2004). Value added multilevel models are used to investigate children's progress in Key Stage 2 by controlling for prior attainment, as well as several background influences. These analyses allow measurement of the extent to which children's progress can be attributed to the primary school attended. Primary schools where children make significantly greater progress than predicted (on the basis of prior attainment and intake characteristics) can be viewed as more effective and schools where children make less progress than predicted can …

Technology-Supported Collaboration On Field-Based Authentic Tasks, Gwyn Brickell, J. Herrington, Barry Harper

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The traditional ‘work-sheet’ approach has long been a favoured method for the conduct of field trips and excursions for school students. Such an approach fails to capitalise on constructivist theory and more specifically, collaborative learning, which holds rich potential to engage students and enhance learning on excursions. This paper describes a new approach to school excursions where learners are challenged in multiple learning contexts in a School Excursion Education Program at Sydney Olympic Park. The Park has a wealth of opportunities for the examination of a range of issues other than Olympic sport, such as natural environments, endangered species, pollution …

The Quality Teaching Model: Does It Apply To Special Education Contexts In Nsw Public Schools, Roselyn M. Dixon, Leanna Formosa

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

In May 2003, the NSW Department of Education and Training introduced the Quality Teaching framework to NSW public schools for discussion and possible implementation. Principals and teachers were encouraged to use the framework for the twofold purpose of improving both teaching practice and student learning. While versions of the framework have been successfully used in USA and Australia, there is a paucity of research which reports on its merit, worth, or value for teachers of children with moderate intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study is to explore the degree of congruence and/or “fit” between the Quality Teaching framework and …

Online Support For Preservice Mathematics Teachers In Schools, Anthony Herrington, Janice Herrington, Arshad Omari

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper describes the development of a web-based resource designed to support preservice mathematics teachers on school practice. The development of the site resulted in part from a needs analysis conducted with a focus group of students. The purpose of the focus group discussion was to gain from the students their ideas about the type of support that would be most helpful to them as they prepare to teach mathematics lessons, and how the university might be able to assist in these sometimes prolonged periods in school where they are without their traditional support structures. As a result of these …

Nsw Schools Fitness And Physical Activity Survey, Michael Booth, P Macaskill, L Mclellan, P Phongsavan, Anthony D. Okely, John W. Patterson, Jan Wright, Adrian Bauman, Louise Baur

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.