Education Commons^™

Remedying Unequal Access: The Role Of Outreach In Shaping College Opportunities For Underserved Students, Eddie Comeaux

Essays in Education

The discourse regarding affirmative action in California, stemming in recent years from the passing of SB 1 in 1995 and Proposition 209 in 1996, has major implications for African Americans’ struggle for higher education in California. This legislation signals a need to understand where African Americans are now and how to identify strategies and practices that are efficacious in improving access as well as preparing these students for competitive college eligibility. In an attempt to illuminate the current status of African American students in California, this article analyzes patterns and trends of academic preparation at the secondary level and undergraduate …

Nontraditional Alternative Teacher Certification Programs: Their Purpose, Design And Participants, Phyllis K. Adcock, Marc Mahlios

Essays in Education

When the subject of nontraditional alternative teacher certification programs is discussed among teacher educators, there seems to be a wariness due to the way in which nontraditional alternative teacher certification has been managed in the past. However, current research seems to bear out that quality nontraditional alternative certification programs are not only helping with teacher shortages, but are producing quality teachers who know how students learn and are effective in their roles as teachers (Ducharme & Ducharme, 1998).

Taming The Hydra: A Triangulation Approach To Assessing An Interdisciplinary Core Curriculum, Brenda Thomas, Tracy Lightcap, Linda Rosencranz

Essays in Education

The development of interdisciplinary core curricula has mushroomed in recent years as the need to accommodate general education to an explosion of knowledge cutting across disciplines and increased global interdependence has emerged. This trend has not been accompanied, however, by new methods of assessment. In this paper we describe the use of triangulation strategies for evaluating interdisciplinary core programs, then present a case study of an assessment plan based on triangulation drawn from experience at our institution. We conclude with some recommendations concerning establishing triangulation assessments of interdisciplinary core programs.

Temple: The Story Of An Urban University, Eric G. Lovik

Essays in Education

This article provides a brief history of the formation of Temple College in the late 19th century and its official recognition as a university during the early years of the 20th century. The institution evolved from very humble origins of private tutoring sessions in a Baptist pastor’s office. In only a few decades, the institution attracted faculty with reputable academic credentials, offered undergraduate degrees in practical and scholarly fields, and provided graduate and professional education to men and women of the working class, various racial and national heritages, and wealthy families. Despite numerous obstacles, Temple’s founder, Russell Conwell, turned his …

In Response To Nclb: A Case For Retaining The Social Studies, Thomas Misco

Essays in Education

The proliferation of state standards, high-stakes accountability, and mandates stemming from the No Child Left Behind Act have worked to sever social studies from the common experience in many schools and has prompted a myopic interest in low-level declarative knowledge. This paper examines the consequences of NCLB for social studies education and provides a defense through the lenses of the learner, the subject matter, and the values of society, as well as a rationale for entrenching and strengthening the social studies given this formidable challenge.

Threats Of Terror: Objectives, Options And Obstructions In Moral Education, Isreal Idalovichi

Essays in Education

This article analyses the intellectual, religious, national and moral processes through which a democratic society has had to confront in its day-to-day routines under the ever-present threat of terror. It discusses the effects of the terror over the character of Israeli society and the critical debates in its system of education. As far as it can be ascertained through the observations in this study, the general publics’ attitude could be defined as a mildly moral realistic one: people think that terror and violence have objective foundations but certainly embody some subjective human conventions and beliefs.

Educative Ethics: Lessons For Teacher Preparation Programs, Edward J. Caropreso, Aaron W. Weese

Essays in Education

We contend that the role of “educative ethics,” teaching and learning about ethical practice in education, is one of the most untapped, yet, potentially necessary and influential elements of educational experience, for students and teachers. This paper explores some of the relevant literature, cites examples for the need for educative ethics and presents a tentative framework for the inclusion of educative ethics in teacher preparation curriculum. The inclusion of this type of framework would allow such programs, and other educational organizations, to incorporate educative ethics into teacher preparation practices. Over time, a larger framework involving a critical pedagogy designed to …

How Students Benefit By Attending Formal Review Sessions Before Taking Written Examinations, Christopher M. Dewitt

Essays in Education

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether review sessions prior to written examinations affect university student performance on the examinations. It was hypothesized that students would benefit by attending formal review sessions before taking written examinations. A prospective investigational design was used to test the hypothesis.

An online review demonstrates the claimed-importance of preparatory programs before taking standardized examinations such as the GRE, SAT, or MCAT (1-4). 800score GRE Prep Software guarantees that one will achieve their highest possible score (1). GRE Comprehensive Success System claims that over 16,000 test takers passed the GRE because of their system …

Europe-Centrism In Israel's General History Textbooks: 1948 – 2004, Arie Kizel

Essays in Education

Since the establishment of the state of Israel the curriculum planners at the Israeli Ministry of Education deliberated as to what part and place should be allocated to the program of general history in the overall curriculum, especially what place should general history have versus the history of the Jewish people (and the history of Zionism).

Another major deliberation was whether general history should be a separate subject, autonomous, in the studies of the Israeli student in order to enrich his world, broaden his horizons, enable him to form a universal world picture or should it serve the messages transferred …

The Continuing Challenges Of Technology Integration For Teachers, Pamela Morehead, Barbara Labeau

Essays in Education

Technology development in the beginning of 21st century has changed not only the way classrooms appear, but also necessitates a change in how students in the classrooms learn. However, a problem continues to exist related to teachers using technology in meaningful ways for instruction. . In this article, we suggest that school districts use a curriculum mapping process to help teachers initially understand their curriculum more deeply. We posit that once teachers have an understanding of curriculum and learning processes, technology integration is possible. Once linkages form between what students need to know and teachers’ knowledge of how technology is …

Setting Realistically High Academic Standards And Expectations, Mehmet A. Ozturk, Charles Debelak

Essays in Education

The present article is an overview of current academic expectations in the U.S. education system. It starts with a brief introduction highlighting the importance of expectations in education. Then, the current, undesirable situation of the U.S. education system is illustrated through international comparisons of student achievement and academic expectations followed by a discussion of how well schools in the U.S. prepare students for the future in the face of a highly competitive global workforce. The paper proceeds with its central argument, presenting evidence from all levels of the education ladder, that low expectations play a crucial role in the overall …

Learning Focused Schools Strategies: The Level Of Implementation And Perceived Impact On Student Achievement, James L. Pate, Nicole M. Gibson

Essays in Education

Max Thompson’s Learning Focused Strategies approach to school improvement has been embraced by school leaders and teachers as an approach to redesign and reform public schools. The program developers claim schools with 90% minority students and 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch programs can achieve at high levels on required curriculum. Examined are the beliefs and attitudes of teachers as related to the degree of implementation of Learning Focused Strategies in their classrooms. The study supported the premise that LFS are research based and effective, that teachers believe the strategies will improve instruction, high level of implementation, …

Supervising A Struggling Student Teacher: A Midterm Action Plan, Paul J. Riccomini, Robin E. Fish

Essays in Education

A large shortage of qualified special education teachers is one of the most serious and pervasive problems facing students disabilities. With both the quality and the quantity of special educators requiring improvement, teacher educators are becoming more aware of the necessity to train better-prepared special education teachers. In response to the problems, the Clemson University undergraduate program in Special Education has developed rigorous curricula and performance standards to prepare highly trained special educators. In addition to the standard program requirements, a systematic plan was developed to facilitate the improvement of struggling student teachers who are not meeting expected performance competencies. …

The Most Special Need Of All: The Right To Be Left Alone Analysis Of Chicago Public Schools Metal Detector Policy, Michael W. Simpson

Essays in Education

Metal detectors have become common educational equipment. This paper analyzes the development, evolution, and legal basis for the Chicago Public Schools metal detector policy. The paper agrees that schools are indeed special places with special needs, but reaches a different conclusion on school search law than the current Supreme Court.

Site-Based Management: A Review Of The Literature Part I: Setting The Stage, Terry-Ann Rodriguez, John R. Slate

Essays in Education

Americans have been rethinking and redesigning the way in which public schools should be most effectively operated through the process known as restructuring or systematic reform (Fiske, 1995). One of the most frequently used approaches to school reform is site-based management (SBM) (Mohrman, 1994). The major objective behind the site-based management approach is to move decision-making control from the central office of a school system to the local school level (i.e., at each school campus) (Short & Greer, 1997). Critical to the implementation of site-based management is the participation of school stakeholders (i.e., teachers, parents, administrators, staff, and community and …

Site-Based Management: A Review Of The Literature Part Ii: Past And Present Status, Terry-Ann Rodriguez, John R. Slate

Essays in Education

Site-based management, as indicated in Part I of this two-part series, is a frequently used approach to educational reform (Fiske, 1995). The major objective behind the site-based management approach is to move decision-making control from the central office of a school system to the local school level (i.e., at each school campus) (Short & Greer, 1997). Operating under a decentralization model, site-based management assumes a multiplicity of educational goals (Cheng, 1996). In Part II, we will discuss, in depth, the literature specifically on site-based management, using the following subheadings: (1) how widespread is site-based management; (2) legislation and implementation of …

Redesigning A Master’S For Teachers Program, Cathy Stockton

Essays in Education

This paper describes the process that one college of education used to redesign the master’s for teachers program. Post-baccalaureate programs were redesigned to incorporate requirements of No Child Left Behind, school improvement, empirical based researched practices, and student achievement. All redesigned courses reflect an increased emphasis on field experiences.

In February 2003, all private and public universities in the state of Louisiana received a mandate to redesign all master’s for teachers programs. The redesign committees were to include P-12 administrators, teachers, community representatives, current teacher professionals and representatives from other colleges in the process. The redesigned post-baccalaureate education program had …

Crisis Management And Media Relations: Preparing For Media Involvement In A School Crisis, Angela Spaulding, Cheree Correa

Essays in Education

One of the most important elements in crisis management is working with the media. However, media relations is also one of the most overlooked areas of crisis management. This article discusses concrete methods for school administrators and spokespersons to build a positive relationship with the media, which will allow the media to cover crisis events at your school without getting in the way of your efforts to manage that crisis.

Communication Technology And Pedagogical Power, Maurice Tardif

Essays in Education

The ideas put forward here, although supported by empirical studies on the work of teachers and their profession (Mukamurera, 1998, 1999; Lessard and Tardif, 1996; Tardif and Lessard, 1999), examine, mostly from a philosophical and sociological perspective, the foundations of educational communication with respect to the role and meaning of ICTs in education. This article presents a critical reflection, wholly theoretical and non-objectifying, on the relation between ICTs and teaching. Because it is critical in nature, this reflection is not neutral. It is based on suppositions concerning the nature of teaching, and, in broader terms, on human communication and the …

Innovating Professional Development Standards: A Shift To Utilize Communities Of Practice, Teresa Foulger

Essays in Education

This paper is a report on the findings of an action research study that explored a non-traditional professional development process involving five elementary teachers and a professional developer working as a collaborative community. The interactions within the group focused on the creation and teaching of a three week thematic unit across grade levels and classrooms. Although technology integration was the proposed new learning, instructional strategies and innovative ways to collaborate were also explored. Qualitative data analysis indicated that when professional developers pay close attention to the social nuances and emotional needs of participants, communities of teachers coming together for a …

Minority Access To Higher Education And Its Social Outcomes, Noga Admon

Essays in Education

The social disadvantage of minority groups has been attributed to their inability to compete in the labor market due to lower rates of obtaining higher credentials, compared with middle-class Whites. During the 70’s and the 80’s, several large-scale policies attempted to promote minority access to higher education. This paper reviews two of these policies – the CUNY open admissions and the expansion of community colleges – and suggests that even though minority access to higher education has increased, this increase was counterbalanced by a rise in internal stratification within higher education. As a result, increased access did not generate equality …

On The Influence Of Grouping Practices On Classroom Teaching, Emin Aydin, Ilker Tugal

Essays in Education

The article starts with a historical overview, discusses the arguments for and against ability grouping. It surveys the literature on different practices of grouping that exist in the American and British literature. The study mainly focuses on instructional grouping practices based on ability and on cooperation. It discusses arguments for and against ability grouping. The study also presents information about the use of mastery learning with cooperative strategies.

Professional Doctorate Taught Courses: Some Metaknowledge And Intellectual Property Implications, Robert Barbour, Peter Catt, Caroline King, Rebecca Blackshaw, Jimmi Rosa

Essays in Education

Professional doctorate candidates engage in discipline specific investigations linking practical questions with current developments and creating new knowledge in computing and information technology as an outcome. Course content and a constructivist pedagogy is described and exemplified for a professional doctorate in computing and information technology in New Zealand. Both academic and student responses to the program are described. Problems and points of tension are identified, and solutions discussed.

Working On Policy: A Beginning Educator Collaborates On Issues Of Phonics In Teacher Preparation, Devon Brenner

Essays in Education

In an era when federal, state, and private influence on education policy is on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important for educators to become involved in policy work. During the 2003-2004 school year, the author interacted with the Mississippi Department of Education, the State Board of Education, literacy faculty, and the Barksdale Reading Institute around the issue of phonics requirements for certification in elementary education. In 2004 the Barksdale Reading Institute, a private, philanthropic foundation funded by a $100-million endowment from former Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale, encouraged the State Board of Education to require a 3-hour standalone phonics course …

Peer Mentoring: An Intrusive Approach, Monica Shea Correll

Essays in Education

The profile of the postsecondary student is changing. Support services must be willing to change and adapt in order to better serve students. One possible method for meeting students’ diverse needs is through peer mentoring. The following article is a peer mentoring program administered through a federal grant program for disadvantaged students as defined by the Department of Education’s TRiO programs. The participants and peer mentors are students at a Master’s College and University I institution as listed by the Carnegie Foundation. The results listed are from the 2003-2004 academic year, with findings of the majority of students responding to …

Patterns Of Stress And Coping Mechanisms For Novice School Administrators, Lynette J. Fields

Essays in Education

The author of this study examined patterns of stress and coping mechanisms for practicing school administrators. Specifically sources of stress and coping strategies of first year principals were compared and contrasted with stressors and coping mechanisms of first assistant principals. At two established professional development cadres, the researcher facilitated discussions among participants, and reflective questions were posed about stressors and stress management. Individual and group responses were recorded, summarized, categorized, and tallied. The findings were that first year principals and first year assistant principals were most stressed by: uncontrollable demands on their time, the negative impact of the amount of …

Creating An Eportfolio With Ms Frontpage: It Doesn’T Get Any Easier!, Steve M. Hyndman, June Hyndman

Essays in Education

In recent years, many Colleges of Education have converted the educator portfolio to an electronic version available through the internet. In the summer of 2000, the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) decided to embark on a challenge to move from the paper portfolio to an electronic portfolio. Prior to 2000, the college was using paper portfolios, but now, with over 1,600 eportfolios online, paper portfolios are a thing of the past. This paper describes the mechanics of the eportfolio, how it works, how it was developed, and how anyone with basic technology skills can duplicate the eportfolio …

Progressive = Permissive? Not According To John Dewey…Subjects Matter!, Stephen G. Weiss, Anthony A. Defalco, Eileen M. Weiss

Essays in Education

The progressive education movement, which promoted the philosophy of school reform that prevailed among waves of educational innovators throughout the 20th century, has been associated historically with John Dewey and has prided itself on implementing his ‘childcentered’ principles. However, there were major differences between many of the progressives’ attitudes and Dewey’s ideas about learning. To better understand why issues that originally separated Dewey from other progressives continue to be a source of conflict and confusion even today, as exemplified by an article that appeared in an edition of Education Week (Spencer, 2001; Weiner, 2001), this paper examines the philosophy and …

Changes And Transformations In The Philosophy Of Character Education In The 20th Century, Floyd D. Beachum, Carlos R. Mccray

Essays in Education

Character education is a “hot-button” issue in many educational circles. It can be both controversial and divisive. Though there is generous support from politicians, educators, and parents, character education is still somewhat mired by its lack of scope. This examination proposes that current character education proponents can find new frameworks for implementation by observing the history of character education. Twentieth century character education efforts are examined with regard to sociohistorical influences and philosophical vicissitudes. Careful consideration is given to the interaction and contributions of the school and society in terms of promoting and developing character education.

An Anglo-American Rethinks Native American Education: Can We Avoid Yesterday’S Tragedies?, Mitchell J. Moore

Essays in Education

“It’s ironic that Indian people are not allowed to be experts in themselves—it’s usually someone else ‘defining’ the Indian” (Pewewardy, 1992, p.5). Tragically, this is an accurate representation of much of the history of Native American education. Major changes have taken place in the last thirty years to correct this tragedy and to return the education of Native Americans to Native Americans. Progress, however has been slow; years of cultural, geographic and educational genocide by Europeans and Non-Indigenous governments have been difficult to overcome. To understand the historical underpinnings of the modern Native American education movement, three general eras of …