Education Commons^™

Immigrant Students In The Context Of Us School System Case Study Of Russian-Speaking Immigrant Community In West Springfield, Massachusetts Based On “Bridge” Project Materials, Natalia Oleshko

Master's Capstone Projects

The purpose of this paper is to describe Russian-speaking immigrant school students’ experiences in the United States and to explore issues of self-identification and the adaptive strategies associated with schooling. The case may shed some light on complex problems of clashes in cultural values, how the might influence the choice of adaptive strategies and efforts to excel in academia. The study of the case will not be limited by school environment; rather it will explore the issues and problems of students’ acculturation in a broader context that will include community, family, socioeconomic, cultural and historical factors.

The case study deals …

Challenges In The Payment Of Primary School Teachers’ Salaries: The Case Of Lilongwe District (Malawi), Ken Kaziputa Ndala

Master's Capstone Projects

This study investigated the payment system of primary teachers in Malawi with an aim of finding the weaknesses for improvement. Lilongwe district was chosen as a case study. The study followed the qualitative methods of face-to-face interviews with ministry officials at central office, division office, district office and head teachers. Other partners in the payment system were also interviewed, thus, the police and banks.

Little is known on how teachers are paid in other developing countries. A lot of work however seems to be done in teacher management with an emphasis in recruitment and deployment. Payment of teachers being part …

Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Classroom Assessment: Implications On The Implementation Of School-Based Assessment In Malawi, Chokocha Mathias Selemani-Mbewe

Master's Capstone Projects

The study investigated a sample of Malawi Secondary School teachers’ knowledge, attitude and practice of classroom assessment. A knowledge of classroom test and an attitude toward classroom test survey were administered to 51 qualified teachers from six randomly selected secondary schools. Focus group discussions were also conducted to get an in depth understanding of the problem under investigation. Two schools were national secondary schools; two were district boarding schools, and other two were district day secondary schools. The results of the study indicate that although the teachers had positive attitudes toward classroom assessment, they had very limited knowledge in this …

Microfinance With Nonformal Education An Approach For Effectiveness And Scaling Up Outreach, Mukul Acharya

Master's Capstone Projects

Any discipline when it gets some popularity also becomes the subject of a constant review and even critical assessment. This can be positive sign of its growth and potentiality. It draws more attention. Pressure starts mounting up for ongoing improvements within its own framework. If it cannot keep it up with the pressure that energy will be diverted to development of alternatives. This is very natural. Now Microfinance is also going through this. It has become one of the important components of development initiatives. Over time microfinance has become very successful. At the same time, it has also generated some …

Implications Of Cost Sharing Policy On Access And Persistence In Secondary Education System: A Case Of Chiradzulu District In Malawi, Dyce Kapumula Nkhoma

Master's Capstone Projects

This study investigated the impact of cost sharing policy on access and persistence of students in secondary school system in Chiradzulu district in Malawi. The policy was implemented in 2001. The impact of the policy on families' financial budgets was investigated. The study also explored the views of secondary school head teachers and parents regarding the new secondary school fees that resulted from the implementation of the policy.

Two questionnaires were used to collect data. Secondary school head teacher questionnaire was administered in 15 secondary schools, 14 questionnaires were collected, representing a return rate of 93.3%. Household survey questionnaire was …

The Growth Of Private Secondary Schools In Malawi: Its Implications On The Registration And Quality Monitoring Systems, Josephine Kondwani Mkandawire

Master's Capstone Projects

The purpose of the study was to understand and describe the current system of registration and quality monitoring in private secondary schools. It was also to explore and come up with the alternative strategies for improving the systems so that they have the desired impact in contributing to quality education. The population of the study was purposefully selected, composed of 14 participants holding roles such as Proprietors /Head teachers of private secondary schools, District Education Manager, Education Methods Advisors and executive committee member of Private Schools Association of Malawi (PRlSAM). In-depth interviews were conducted requiring participants to express the extent …

Malawi Teachers' Knowledge Of And Attitudes Towards Standardized Tests, Leah Kaira

Master's Capstone Projects

Standardized tests play a great role in education. In Malawi, results of these tests are used to make: critical decisions about individuals, hence the need for students to be well prepared. Students' performance can be influenced by their teachers' attitude toward and knowledge of standardized tests. This survey was designed to establish Malawian teachers· knowledge of standardized tests and their attitude towards these tests. While the teachers displayed positive attitudes, it was found that they would benefit from more knowledge about standardized tests.

American Private Foundations In Russia: Locating Priorities, Natalia Kovalyova

Master's Capstone Projects

The study describes the increasing international assistance in the field of education in Russia and focuses on programs implemented by the US private foundations, tracing, translation of the foundations goals into actual programs in the region. Using data from a variety of sources, foundations program portfolios are analyzed in relation to thematic diversity and geographic spread; types of support and major recipients of aid. Then, a comparative documentation analysis is applied to the programs' descriptions. A case study of two recent initiatives in Russian higher education is presented.

From Gender Theory To Relief Practice: Opportunities For Effective Confluence, Karin Wachter

Master's Capstone Projects

This paper offers an overview of the main theories shaping gender-related policy that originated in development and that have been applied to relief. The analysis considers the tensions between maintaining theoretical integrity and managing practical operational concerns, bringing into question what is adaptable and applicable within an emergency context. It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel by developing a separate set of theories and tools for relief; there is overlap between the two. This creates an opportunity for development to inform relief and for relief to inform development. Included is a summary of the major gender planning and analysis …

The Decentralization Of Services In Malawi: Perceptions Of Key Actor Groups On The Devolution Of Primary Education, Abraham T. Sineta

Master's Capstone Projects

This project follows the approval of the decentralization policy which the Malawi government adopted in 1998. The policy requires that all government ministries should devolve their functions from central headquarters offices to district assemblies.

The study focused on establishing different views that key actor groups have concerning this policy and its implementation. The sample of 25 included district managers, Primary education advisors, desk officers, and head teachers, eliciting their views on the devolution of primary education to district assemblies. This study took place in Zomba district with some respondents from outside Zomba which the researcher considered critical. It was a …

Evaluation And Analysis Of The Education Financing And Management Reform Project In The Republic Of Armenia, Ara Rostomyan

Master's Capstone Projects

This project provides an evaluation and analysis of the Education Financing and Management Reform Project. Among the few larger-scope reform projects designed for more expansive changes in the education system of Armenia, Education Financing and Management Reform Project is the most Important, in terms of both its financial aspects and the scale of targeted changes.

The project provides an evaluation and analysis of the Education Financing Management Reform Project from two points of view: the choice of textbook and publication/provision and achieving successful decentralization of schools. It will also try to find out to what extent the proposed changes match …