Education Commons^™

Teachers' Perceptions Toward The Secondary Physical Education Program In The State Of Kuwait, Khaled A. Al-Kandari

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the perceptions of physical education teachers and supervisors toward the secondary physical education program in eight domains in the State of Kuwait. Stratified and cluster sampling were used to select two schools of female teachers and two schools of male teachers from each district (6 districts); therefore, 24 schools were selected randomly. One hundred thirty-eight physical education teachers were selected and 66 supervisors were selected. A four-point rating scale (i.e., strongly disagree to strongly agree) and open-ended questions were included in the survey. Cronbach's alpha reliability, descriptive statistics, and independent sample t …

Effects Of The Humanitarian Aid, Internal Displacement On The Social Impacts In Sudan, Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

The study presented here reviews activities of NGOs in Sudan by surveying and studying the activities of Save the Children of United Kingdom. Activities of NGOs in Sudan were always a controversial issue that resulted in the expulsion of many in 2009. There were also precedents of such expulsions in previous and following years. The paper discusses humanitarian work in Sudan, positive and negative sides. The case study's activities of the Save the Children efforts in Jebel Aulia Internally Displaced People, specially their efforts in education were investigated. It is concluded that introduce invaluable help in educational field, building classes …

Decolonial Multiculturalism And Local-Global Contexts: A Postcritical Feminist Bricolage For Developing New Praxes In Education, Katharine Matthaei Sprecher

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents a conceptual bricolage that explores complex, reflexive, and interrelated dimensions of educational praxes. My work is grounded in the assertion that the ever-changing, local-global nature of contemporary societies requires new approaches to curricula, pedagogies, policies, and practices in U.S. schools to meet the challenges and opportunities of a global era. Presenting my research and findings as four articles, I begin with a dialectical analysis of theoretical and pedagogical literatures to develop an adaptable framework for decolonial multicultural education. In Article 1, I demonstrate how this framework synergizes aspects of social reconstructionist and critical multicultural, global, and …

Thieves Or Doctors, Armed Civil Conflicts In Darfur And Impacts On Education In Refugees Camps, Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

The study presented here depends on a field survey of refugees' camps in war strived Darfur region. The data are genuine from people and children. The expelling of NGOs from the region was a moral shock to the whole world, but in Darfur, it was a humanitarian catastrophe affecting the population. In this paper, I surveyed and analyzed data on what I consider the most important factor which are children and establish education as the base of the arguments introduced here. A case study is introduced which is Attash refugees or displaced camp were produced. Data were collected by field …

Impacts Of The Political Regime On The High Education System Of Sudan, Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

Professor Issam A.W. Mohamed

In totalitarian systems, especially that of dogmatic nature, education is often targeted to be devoted for the preparations of young generations and dedicating them to the regimes' structure and principles. However, such method negatively influences the educational system and renders the efficient inputs to students. The results can be manifested in deterioration of knowledge, human capital development and the future performance per se.

The Courage To Critique Policies And Practices From Within: Youth Participatory Action Research As Critical Policy Analysis. A Response To “Buscando La Libertad: Latino Youths In Search Of Freedom In School”, Anjale Welton

Democracy and Education

This response to “Buscando la Libertad: Latino Youths in Search of Freedom in School” by Jason G. Irizarry demonstrates how youth participatory action research (YPAR) as an instrument of subverting oppressive school policies and structures is a form of critical policy analysis (CPA). As an evolving method, CPA acknowledges the absent voices in policy, questions policy inequities, fosters empowerment, and influences policy. Youths who engage in YPAR, as demonstrated by Project FUERTE, have the courage to critique school policies that have the power to alter their educational trajectories, which offers more hope for change than scholarly elites who critique policies …

Confronting Power: Success Isn’T Everything—But It’S Not Nothing Either. A Response To “Beyond The Catch-22 Of School-Based Social Action Programs: Toward A More Pragmatic Approach For Dealing With Power”, Joel Westheimer

Democracy and Education

Fehrman and Schutz contend that the fine balance between having students experience real-world obstacles to social change and having them learn how to navigate around those obstacles can be achieved by having adults both pre-select community action projects that are both possible and meaningful to ensure a modicum of success, and jump in and redirect wayward efforts when necessary to get them back on a trajectory aimed at a positive outcome. I agree. I also suggest that other factors are significant as well, namely the purposeful nurturing of a sense of community and hopefulness. Finally, I point out that adult …

Students Have Their Own Minds. A Response To “Beyond The Catch-22 Of School-Based Social Action Programs: Toward A More Pragmatic Approach For Dealing With Power”, Matthew Goldwasser

Democracy and Education

In response to the authors’ work on finding a more pragmatic approach to dealing with power, this commentary calls into question the possibility of a preestablished agenda by the researchers, who struggled to engage high school students. There might have been a case of overly ambitious expectations at work; also, the authors confess to being in the school only once a week and that their students were themselves struggling to find their place in a new charter school with an emphasis on social action. This response challenges the authors to reexamine their wish to engage students with institutional power by …

Buscando La Libertad: Latino Youths In Search Of Freedom In School, Jason Irizarry

Democracy and Education

Drawing from a two-year ethnographic study of Latino high school students engaged in youth participatory action research (YPAR), this article describes students’ quest for freedom in schools, locating their struggle within a larger effort to realize the democratic ideals of public schooling. Using Latino/a Critical Race Theory as a theoretical lens, the author demonstrates how popular discourse around the “achievement gap” often obscures the oppressive policies and practices implemented by educators that limit freedoms necessary for educational and personal development and profoundly influence the identities and life trajectories of Latino youth. The article concludes with an exploration of YPAR as …

Beyond The Catch-22 Of School-Based Social Action Programs: Toward A More Pragmatic Approach For Dealing With Power, Darwyn Fehrman, Aaron Schutz

Democracy and Education

This study examines a two-year effort to engage groups of inner-city students in community engagement projects at Social Action Charter High School, SACHS, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this project, graduate student volunteers coached small groups of students working on community change projects, collecting data on what happened over time. Kahne and Westheimer (2006) identified a key challenge to projects of this kind. On the one hand, social action projects seem able to enhance students’ belief in their own capacity to solve community problems only if adult allies make sure the students do not encounter any significant barriers to success, although …

Schooling For Democracy, Nel Noddings

Democracy and Education

There is a widespread movement today to prepare all students for college, and it is promoted in the name of democracy. I argue here that such a move actually puts our democracy at risk by forcing students into programs that do not interest them and depriving them of courses at which they might succeed. We risk losing the vision of democracy that respects every form of honest work and cultivates a deep appreciation of interdependence.

Character Education Seeking The Best Of Both Worlds: A Study Of Cultural Identity And Leadership In Egypt., Rania M Rafik Khalil, Nevien Mattar

English Language and Literature

No abstract provided.

Loving The World And Our Children Enough--Nurturing Decidedly Different Scientifc Minds, By Design, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Publications & Research

Wise world-shaping and problem-solving requires that we and our children think in decidedly different, integral and wise ways. This transformation requires a fundamental shift in consciousness and the emergence of global minds that can creatively live into a new worldview of an interconnected planet and a sustainable and interdependent human family. "The fullness of our humanity and the sustainability of our planet rest with the nurturing of decidedly different minds."

Critical Race Theory And Education: Mapping A Legacy Of Activism And Scholarship, Kafi D. Kumasi

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

This chapter explores the intellectual origins and historical precursors of Critical Race Theory (CRT), a lively branch of critical social theory. One of the goals of this work is to help novice educational scholars learn more about the history of CRT and to specifically see how it is used by contemporary scholars in the field of education to address a range of equity issues. The chapter begins by contextualizing contemporary discourse on race and education. It then chronicles the life work of key individuals whose antiracist, anti- colonial ideas and actions helped lay the foundation for the body of legal …

Strategic Directions For Gettysburg College Update & Upcoming Major Facilities Projects, March 2011, President's Office

Reports from the President’s Office

The four central themes of Strategic Directions-Engagement, Distinction, Access and Connection-remain the best guideposts to lead us towards our goals and aspirations for Gettysburg College. However, the current context does require us to sharpen our focus, prioritize further, and better capitalize on opportunities and synergies. [excerpt]

Strategic Directions For Gettysburg College Update, February 2011, President's Office

Reports from the President’s Office

Much has changed since the Strategic Directions for Gettysburg were articulated in 2007. We have had transition in the leadership of the College in key positions including the president, the provost, and the vice president for development, alumni and parent relations. The economy has shifted seismically and in ways we certainly would not have predicted in 2007. Demographic projections related to the diversity of high school students and their geographic distributions have become a reality. The emergence of online learning opportunities and for-profit education, together with a high unemployment rate and significant increases in student financial need, have created a …

Welcome, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Welcome to the Winter/Spring edition of The Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education. This particular edition has a very real international dialogue concerning the inclusion of students with special needs in general education classrooms.

Dr. Tsafi Timor provide a thought provoking discussion and analysis of two approaches to classroom management. This article starts with a great quote from Dr. Harry Wong.

Syed Salma Jameel provides a new perspective concerning students with special needs enrolled in colleges and universities. This article links employability with the need for higher education and highlights the issues of including students with special needs in higher education. …

Teachers' Beliefs And Practices Observed In Inclusive Classes, Gyagenda Khamis

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The world over there is a wave towards more inclusive education for children who are disadvantaged in one-way or another. The Salamanca conference of 1994 focused on the child with Special Education Needs (SEN) with a call to governments to ensure that such children were given an appropriate education especially by being included in mainstream classes. Developing countries shows less initiative and effort towards including the child with SEN, with more efforts towards including the girl child. But some schools are implementing the policy on their own initiative. It can be assumed that their belief in inclusive education drive their …

Preservice Teachers' Confidence Levels In Working With Students With Special Needs: Improving Preservice Teacher Training Programs, Woo Jung Ph.D., Grace Cho Ph.D., Debra Ambrosetti Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Teacher confidence levels have been shown to increase with training, exposure to specific situations, knowledge, and utilization of interventions. The purpose of this study was to investigate preservice teachers’ confidence levels in teaching students with special needs. The 287 participants were from three separate education departments within a college of education. The results indicated that students working toward a teaching credential in the field of special education reported higher confidence levels than did those seeking a credential in secondary and elementary education. In addition, secondary teacher candidates reported higher confidence levels than did elementary teacher candidates. Based on the findings, …

Paraeducators Perceptions Of Their Roles In Inclusive Classrooms: A National Study Of Paraeducators, Ida M. Malian Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

With increased mandates for providing FAPE, districts are employing paraprofessionals-specifically paraeducators to assist in special education as well as inclusive classrooms. A National Survey was conducted to ascertain paraeducators perceptions regarding their roles with inclusive classes, collaboration with general and special education teachers, responsibilities within the classroom regarding instruction and other management of the daily routines, their beliefs about teaching and training needs. Respondent included 202 paraprofessionals from 34 states with varying degrees of experience and training. Overall, paraprofessionals were positive about their roles in the classroom ad the impact of their work with students with disabilities. More time for …

Preparing For Secondary Inclusion: What Educators Can Learn From Parents Of Students With Disabilities, Denise Ousley, Chris O'Brien

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

As part of a movement toward collaboration between general and special education teacher preparation, the authors met with focus groups including parents of teenagers with disabilities, English and special education teachers, and pre-service teachers from both programs. Some of our most relevant findings sprang from conversations with parents whose children were placed in inclusive settings. The issues that surfaced highlight several issues relevant to teacher development and support. Most remarkable is the clarification that there are two worlds of education: school for the masses and school for the exceptions. The purpose of this article is to present what we learned …

Research Topic: Is Physical Education A Form Of Exclusionary Closure To Children With Disabilities?, Chiome Chrispen, Chadamoyo Patrick, Mudyahoto Tapiwa

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Worldwide, there are benefits that accrue to children or adults who engage in physical activities (Johnson, 2009). Within this context, this study sought to find out the conditions under which students with disabilities participate in Physical Education in Zimbabwean schools. A purposive sample of 72 teachers and 15 heads of schools who are students of Great Zimbabwe University participated. The research was largely qualitative, gathering data through a survey that used an open ended questionnaire for teachers and focused interviews for school heads. The typical experiences in schools are a complete denigration of the children with disabilities. Evidence indicates that …

Children With Disabilities In Private Inclusive Schools In Mumbai: Experiences And Challenges, Ashima Das Ph.D., Ruth Kattumuri

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

‘Inclusive education’ policy has been introduced in India, however the concept is in its infancy This qualitative study analyses the case of children with disabilities studying in private inclusive schools of Mumbai. It discusses the development of self concept, elucidates the benefits and challenges of children with disabilities in inclusive education. We then suggest recommendations for improvements in implementing inclusive education in India.

The Ability To Claim And The Opportunity To Imagine: Rights Consciousness And The Education Of Ultra-Orthodox Girls, Lotem Perry-Hazan, Shulamit Almog

Dr. Lotem Perry-Hazan

In this article we explore the linkage between human rights education and the development of rights consciousness - the process that enables people to define their aims, wishes and difficulties in terms of rights. We argue that the factors that develop rights consciousness - human rights knowledge and the implementation of rights - are particularly important for the development of the rights consciousness of children. The Israeli Ultra-Orthodox education for girls offers a unique opportunity to explore our contentions, since it combines wide general education with extreme messages of gender inequality. We demonstrate that their wide general education is not …

Beyond “Talent, Technology And Tolerance”: What Are The Lessons For Education In The Future?, Marie Parker Jenkins Prof., Patricia Mannix Mcnamara Dr.

Dr. Patricia Mannix McNamara

Richard Florida, an American theorist has argued that in the future we need to develop three things: Talent, Technology and Tolerance. Using this framework to inform our discussion, we examine key issues concerning policy and practice to support education for the future. This will be informed by perspectives drawing on British and Irish contexts and what these two States tell us about current issues. Global concerns over raising the academic attainment of all children for employability; responding to cultural diversity in the classroom; and having access to knowledge which informs young peoples choices are the three underpinning themes. We problematise …

Book Review Of "Culture, Curriculum, And Identity In Education" By H. Richard Milner (Ed.) (2010), New York, Palgrave Mcmilla., Edward Shizha

Edward Shizha

Identity involves different facets of human self-definition and is unequivocally a vital element of individuals’ lives, especially in diverse societies. Culture and identity are intertwined. In education, culture in the curriculum plays a vital component in students’ identity formations. Supportive school environments provide socially, culturally and linguistically appropriate curricula that legitimize identity formations. Teachers and the curricula they teach are sources of identity formation. Every classroom encounter is largely dictated by the teacher’s role and the perception the teacher has of the students.

Disability In The Context Of Higher Education: Issues And Concerns In India, Syed Salma Jameel

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Disability in higher education has different implications from that of school Education. Higher education increases the chance of employability, thus, affirming dignified life for the persons with disabilities. While going through the policies and programmes in India it is found that not much has been done in the field of disability and higher education. There are number of groups working on the school education of children with disabilities. This has not translated in the entry of students to higher education because of various reasons. Infrastructural facilities within institutions, attitudes towards persons with disabilities, transportation facilities, and lack of support services …

Attitudes Of Beginner Teachers Of Special Education To Classroom Management: Who's The Boss Here?, Tsafi Timor Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The study deals with approaches of beginner teachers from a Special Education Training Programs to classroom management and to instruction with regard to two approaches: the Humanistic approach (or Student-Centered Approach), and the Custodial approach (or Teacher-Centered Approach). mixed use of both approaches in classroom management practices with a tendency towards the Humanistic approach. The Custodial approach was observed as related to issues of control and attitude towards violence whereas the Humanistic approach was found to be related to student-teacher relations, belief in students' abilities and perceptions of discipline. However, approach towards instruction and teaching was observed as related in …

Teachers' Attitudes Toward The Inclusion Of Students With Autism And Emotional Behavioral Disorder, Jennifer M. Cassady

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

General education teachers have differing views about the inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms. However, the type and severity of the children’s disabilities affect teachers’ willingness to accommodate certain students and their confidence that they will effectively manage their classroom. It has been reported that teachers have expressed concerns about having students with autism and emotional behavioral disorder in the general education setting because of the children’s lack of social skills, behavioral outbursts, modifications made to the curriculum, and lack of training and supports. Many instructors do not believe they are able to teach these populations effectively while …

Mvip: Math Villages For Inclusive Practices: A Model To Engage All Students And Teachers In Stem Experiences, Ida Malian Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The Math Villages for Inclusive Practices (MVIP) model supports inclusive practices through a) the inclusion of students with disabilities, specifically mathematics disabilities into STEM related activities, b) co-teaching of STEM related topics as professional development, c) “hands-on” real life problems to be addressed collaboratively with students and co-teachers.

MVIP model levels the playing field for students with math disabilities to be engaged in integrated STEM activities. Co-teachers support these activities through professional development that creates content-rich and differentiated instruction for all students. The village concept is derived from the membership of the village learners which includes students, special educators and …