Education Commons^™

The Wichita Teacher Inquiry Group (Wtig) Lessening Structural, Cultural, Indirect And Direct Forms Of Through Cultural Competence And Transformative Teaching And Learning, Linda F. Rhone, Kimberly Johnson Burkhalter

The Advocate

Bullying at school is an international phenomenon, and as a result there is a need for teachers to understand bullying behavior at its roots and beyond direct (hitting, kicking, choking) and indirect (gossiping, cyberbullying, silencing one’s voice) forms. If we are really going to lessen bullying at school overtime, we must talk about the unmentionable: Bullying at school is larger than one child pushing, hitting or kicking another. Literature suggests it is quite disappointing that to date there has been no significant impact on bullying at school in the United States (Juvonen, Graham, & Schuster, 2003; Berger, 2007). Literature also …

Beyond Busses, Balls, And Beans: An Examination Of The Leadership Skills Of Kansas Principals, Carolyn L. Carlson

The Advocate

Introduction: Each year in American public schools, nearly 450,000 teachers leave their jobs (Johnson, Berg, & Donaldson, 2005). This means that one-sixth of all teachers either transfer to different schools/districts or leave the teaching profession altogether.

Where Are All The Women? Gender Bias Persists In Social Studies Texts, Tim Fry, Brenna S. Hofelt

The Advocate

Introduction: Creating an inclusive and a more equitable classroom is a goal that all educators should continually strive for. One area of concern is that many girls and young women do not see themselves in curriculum materials - especially in the social studies.

Table Of Contents And Editorial Information For Vol. 40, No. 1, Fall 2012, David C. Thompson

Educational Considerations

Table of contents and editorial information for Educational Considerations, vol. 40(1), Fall 2012

Editors' Note, David C. Thompson, Faith E. Crampton

Educational Considerations

In this issue of Educational Considerations, we are pleased to offer readers extended, in-depth discussions of two critical issues for educational leaders and policymakers: Cost-effective factors that have the potential to improve student achievement and effective preparation programs for education leaders.

A Theory Of School Achievement: A Quantum View, James L. Phelps

Educational Considerations

What is reality? In order to make predictions, all concepts in a scientific study and subsequent theory must be accurately represented by mathematical principles, and those concepts and principles must embody reality.

Table Of Contents And Introductory Materials For Vol. 20, No. 2, 2012, Bruce Quantic

The Advocate

This content includes the table of contents and editorial information for vol.20, issue 2 (Fall, 2012)

Alien Education, Jennifer Cady

The Advocate

Introduction: Stepping into the classroom now-a-days is like walking through Times Square. Students come equipped with vast levels of knowledge just like the diverse individuals navigating the streets in the heart of New York City.

Developing Cultural Competence Through Problem Posing And Multicultural Children's Literature, Gayla Lohfink, Laurie Curtis

The Advocate

Increasing diversity in Kansas elementary schools is challenging educators to teach culturally and linguistically diverse students effectively. Unfortunately, research shows teachers as lacking in necessary cultural competencies. This article shares a multicultural picture book action-research project and shows how pre-service teachers constructed pedagogy by selecting literature that drew upon their students’ funds of knowledge. Implementation of the same project in practicing teachers’ classrooms revealed their self-reflections of students’ cultural connections frequently, but more often, the teachers’ reflections focused on students’ connections to the curriculum. This observation prompted an alternative problem-posing approach for utilizing multicultural literature to be presented for teachers. …

Doctoral Programs In Educational Leadership: A Duality Framework Of Commonality And Differences, Perry A. Zirkel

Educational Considerations

In recent years, doctoral programs in education leadership have been subject to notable criticism and proposals for reform.

Educational Considerations, Vol. 40(1) Full Issue, David C. Thompson

Educational Considerations

Educational Considerations, vol. 40(1)-Fall 2012-Full issue

Value Of Education As Perceived By Mexican Immigrants And Caucasian American Citizens Employed In Agriculture In Louisiana, Richard Johnson, Joe Kotrlik

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Agriculture operations benefit from the employment of Mexican immigrants through government programs that supply workers to the industry. Therefore, many crawfish farm operations in Louisiana employ both U.S. citizen and Mexican immigrant labor to operate efficiently. The purpose of this study was to compare selected characteristics of farm workers as well as to explore values related to education, as sorted by citizenship and ethnicity. The results of this study indicated significant differences in Mexican immigrant and Caucasian U.S. citizen crawfish farmers’ educational backgrounds and demographic characteristics, while finding that both groups held similar values about education. In general, the Mexican …

Understanding Afghan Opinion Leaders’ Viewpoints About Post-Conflict Foreign Agricultural Development: A Case Study In Herāt Province, Afghanistan, Glen C. Shinn, Richard K. Ford, Rahmat Attaie, Gary E. Briers

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

This investigation sprang from a yearlong immersion in post-conflict agricultural development environments in Herāt Province Afghanistan and from observing an array of NGO development projects. The purpose was to understand better the viewpoints of Afghan opinion leaders regarding the adoption–integration of foreign agricultural development. Objectives included (a) the identification of perceived strengths of foreign agricultural development, (b) perceived weaknesses, (c) opportunities, (d) threats, (e) anomalies, and (f)incentives and barriers. The case method fit the qualitative research design, and IRB approved the protocols. Researchers selected 15 opinion leaders (OLs) based on their knowledge, experience, and positional responsibilities. An interview guide framed …

Agricultural Extension And Market-Led Agrarian Reform: Findings From An Exploratory Case Study In Limpopo Province, South Africa, Daniel Tobin, Thomas Bruening, Mark Brennan, Brad Olson

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

n 1994, as South Africa was transitioning out of the apartheid era, the new, democratically elected government was forced to confront a largely polarized agricultural sector. Colonial rule and apartheid policies had systematically dispossessed the African majority from land. At the end of apartheid, the white minority, comprising less than 10% of the population, controlled 87% of total agricultural land. To confront the harsh realities of food insecurity and poverty, South Africa’s post-apartheid democracy implemented land and agrarian reform policies. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences and perceptions regarding these policies of emerging black farmers and …

The Conceptual Framework: A Supportive Accreditation Practice For Teacher Education Programs That Could Be Used In The Academic Governance Of Public School Districts, Kirsten Limpert, Nancy Albrecht, Stu Ervay

The Advocate

This paper discusses how the conceptual framework - a tool used by teacher education units to improve post-secondary professional programs - can be used by public school districts instead of or in addition to a mission statement for the development of course syllabi and curriculum in this era of educational reform. It brings to a forefront the reality that public schools do not typically use the syllabus technique but instead use local curriculum guides and lesson plans. However, some districts are beginning to use comprehensive course plans similar to syllabi in higher education. Regardless of the processes being used, a …

Maximizing Resources To Make School Employee Wellness A Reality, Jennifer Thomas, Joan Carley-Brewer, Matt Howe

The Advocate

Because of the large number of Americans employed within school districts, they are a prime target population for the development and implementation of employee wellness programs. Even with grant support, funding for these programs can be limited. Forming partnerships with universities who have health- and wellness-focused areas of study can be mutually beneficial; school districts can stretch their dollars further, while college students gain hands-on experience for effective employee wellness program implementation. This articles addresses a successful partnership between a local school district and nearby university department to provide an employee wellness program. Specific tips and ideas for implementation of …

Combating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Through The Integration Of Multiple Intelligences, Jennifer Cady

The Advocate

In recent years, millions of children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As a result, schools are ill-equipped to handle the distractive characteristics that often times accompany those diagnosed with ADHD. Through the use of the Muliple Intelligences, established by Howard Gardner, teachers can begin to construct lessons that meet the needs of all learners, but particularly those individuals diagnosed with ADHD.

Students' Perceptions Of Learning Course Objectives: On Campus Versus Virtual Sections Of One Course, Lori Cook-Benjamin

The Advocate

The college course used in this project is required for students majoring in the Elementary Education and Early Childhood Unified Programs. Sections of the course are offered virtually as well as on the campus. This paper examines students' scores on an assignment called the Course Objective Reflection to determine if course format made a difference in the candidates' perceived learning of the six course objectives. Preliminary results indicate that virtual students achieved higher aggregate scores on the assignment than students completing the class on campus.

The Importance Of Activating And Building Knowledge, Stephanie Wessels

The Advocate

Introduction: The following exchange occurred in a third-grade classroom:

"I thought grit was a food. It doesn't make sense," Saida commented. "Yes, there are grits that people eat. Grits are ground corn, however, in this story the word is grit. Do you remember when it was really windy outside and dust and dirt got on you? That was grit," Mrs. Henning explained.

Table Of Contents And Introductory Materials For Vol. 20, No. 1, 2012, Bruce Quantic

The Advocate

This content includes the table of contents and editorial information for vol.20, issue 1 (Summer 2012)

Cultural Capital And The Digital Divide: A Literature Review, Suzanne K. Becking, Marilyn L. Grady

The Advocate

The internet holds promise of rapid diffusion of information to the global community and the potential to change our way of life. Those without access or with limited access to the internet are at a disadvantage. This paper examined the implications and issues surrounding the Digital Divide as it relates to Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital. It is an examination of the literature on the Digital Divide in education.

Preparing Digital Natives To Teach: Time To Redesign Teacher Education Programs, Adam C. Holden, Thomas Mcglinn

The Advocate

Since the emergence of Marc Prensky's concept of Digital Natives being taught by Digital Immigrants, education's challenge has been to find a way to effectively teach those who have grown up in a net generation. Now that the first of these millenniel students are preparing to become teachers themselves, we have the opportunity, perhaps for the first time, to witness true digital natives teaching their own. This article will examine the paradigm shift required of teacher education programs if they are to prepare this digital teaching generation effectively for the educational challenge that lies ahead of them.

Student Perceptions Of Undergraduate Research At Fort Hays State University, Germaine Taggart, Amanda Brown, Dustin Engel

The Advocate

Undergraduate Research is becoming an increasingly important aspect of all academic areas in universities today, and as a result an effort must be made to underand how students feel about conducting undergraduate research. Literature suggests that students are aware of the benefits to be gained from conducting research, but there are a variety of factors holding them back from actually doing so. This particular study aimed to examine the benefits students feel they receive from conducting research as well as examine how the students feel about the availability of research opportunities at a Midwestern, predominantly undergraduate institution, Fort Hays State …

Utilizing Online Education In Florida To Meet Mandated Class Size Limitations, Kari Ann Mattox

Educational Considerations

With the passage of a state constitutional amendment in 2002, Florida school districts faced the challenge of meeting class size mandates in core subjects, such as mathematics, English, and science by the 2010-2011 school year, or face financial penalties.

A Tale Of Two Fiscal Policies: Entrepreneurial And Entropic, Scott R. Sweetland

Educational Considerations

Ohio’s school finance history can be characterized as progressive. Early state funding for school libraries was apportioned from state property tax receipts and distributed to local schools on a per-pupil basis. When equalization funding was invented to help poorer school systems, Ohio adopted that model of funding.

English Language Learners And Judicial Oversight: Progeny Of Castañeda, Lenford C. Sutton, Luke Cornelius, Robyn Mcdonald-Gordon

Educational Considerations

When the 93rd Congress enacted the Equal Education Opportunity Act of 1974 (EEOA), it required states to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers that inhibited equal education participation by their resident students.

Indiana’S Formula Revisions And Bonner V. Daniels: An Analysis Of Equity And Implications For School Funding, Marilyn Hirth, Edward Eiler

Educational Considerations

Indiana has a long history of school funding issues and distribution formula revisions. The most recent modifications to the formula were made between 2005 and 2009.

The Funding Of Virtual Schools In Public Elementary And Secondary Education ., Luke J. Stedrak, Justin C. Ortagus, R. Craig Wood

Educational Considerations

The advent of information technology throughout the United States has revolutionized the educational process and sparked the rapid growth of virtual education at the K-12 level in almost every state such that courses in every imaginable subject can now be offered outside the geographic constraints of school districts and traditional brick-and-mortar buildings.

Measuring Colorado Superintendents’ Perceptions Of Principal Preparation Programs, Spencer C. Weiler, Martha Cray

Educational Considerations

Over the years, many scholars have criticized traditional leadership preparation programs for failing to produce qualified educational leaders capable of moving public education into the 21st century.

A Biotechnology Course For Developing Countries, Karim M. Maredia, Joseph F. Guenthner, Cholani K. Weebadde

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Biotechnology offers benefits, but few developing countries have approved genetically engineered (GE) crops. Extension educational programs could help prepare stakeholders in developing countries to influence biotechnology policies. Michigan State University (MSU) developed a two-week course that was taught 14 times from 2002 to 2010 for 251 participants from 58 developing countries. This course helped form an international network of biotechnology specialists who collaborate with stakeholders.