Digital Commons Network^™

Learning The Chinese Language In An Australian School, Ruilan Yuan

Shannon Research Press

This study deals with the learning of Chinese as a foreign language across school grades in South Australia. The purposes of the study are briefly to measure student achievement in learning the Chinese language across grade levels from Year 4 to Year 12 over a period of 12 months; investigate the factors that influence learners' continuing with the study of the Chinese language; and identify the factors that influence student achievement in learning the Chinese language within and between school grades. The term 'Chinese language' in this study refers to the Mandarin Chinese language, rather than the many other dialects …

Neighbourhood Effects And Community Spillovers In The Australian Youth Labour Market, Dan Andrews, Colin Green, John Mangan

LSAY Research Reports

Neighbourhood effects refer to the situation whereby residential location impacts on the social outcomes of individuals, above and beyond what would be expected from their personal and family characteristics. A number of theories of neighbourhood effects exist. These can be broadly classified as theories of collective socialisation theories; contagion-based or 'epidemic' theories; and information network theories. Existing Australian research has focused mainly on the impact of neighbourhoods on youth education decisions. In contrast, this study models the probability of unemployment as a function of personal characteristics, family structure and neighbourhood composition. [Executive summary, ed]

Catalogue 2002-2003, Bank Street College Of Education

Graduate School of Education

This course catalog from a past academic year is a resource for referring to previous course offerings, degree requirements, institutional policies, and more.

Closing The Gap Between Research And Practice: Foundations For The Acquisition Of Literacy, Molly De Lemos

Literacy and numeracy

Over the years two main approaches have emerged in the teaching and learning of reading and writing. One is the 'whole language' approach; the other concentrates more on instruction in phonics. This paper focuses on the theoretical assumptions underlying these two approaches to the teaching of literacy, and the studies which have been undertaken, in the international arena, to find out how children progress, from their earliest educational years, in attaining both initial reading skills and lifelong literacy.

A Performance Based Assessment Model For The Evaluation Of Students In An English Composition Class, C. Wayne Butler

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a performance-based assessment model for the evaluation of students in an English composition class in the Kittitas School District.

Acer 2001-2002 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

ACER Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

A Phonemic Awareness Activity Book For Parents Of Pre-School Age Children, Lori Eileen Cottle

All Graduate Projects

This project examined the role of poetry and rhyme to assist in the development of phonemic awareness in the pre-school years. The review of current research found that phonemic awareness along with parental involvement is vital for children's academic success. Included is a phonemic awareness activity book focusing on the letters of the alphabet. It was written for parents of pre-school age children. Activities included in the book, support basic phonemic awareness skills, are age appropriate, and encourage parents to become involved in their child's playing and learning.

Gifted Education In The Middle, Debra Ann Carlson

All Graduate Projects

Educators have always been concerned with addressing the needs of gifted students within the regular classroom. It has become difficult to challenge all children when school populations are composed of diverse groups with special needs, interests, abilities, and learning styles. With an interest in the education of highly capable (gifted and talented) students, the author did extensive reading and research. This project encompasses a variety of strategies, grouping practices and programs that can be implemented into a regular classroom to accommodate the gifted population. With this comes a focus on meeting the unique affective and academic needs of the gifted …

A Handbook Of Activities For Inclusion Of At Risk Middle School Language Arts Students, Deana M. York

All Graduate Projects

A handbook oflanguage arts activities for at risk middle school students was developed for preservice and experienced teachers to utilize in general education classrooms. A review of current educational research and literature addresses the need for inclusive instructional practices to meet academic needs of students who are at risk for drop out and failure. The literature review supports evidence that educators provide necessary accommodations for a culturally diverse adolescent student population by adapting classroom curriculum and pedagogy.

First Grade Literacy Portfolios: A Road Map To Success, Jennifer Lynn Simmons

Graduate Student Projects

The purpose of this project was to design an assessment portfolio process for first grade students. Through the portfolio process children will set goals, self-evaluate, self-reflect, review their peers, and hold a student-led conference. Current research and best practices on portfolios, goal-setting, self-evaluation, self-reflection, peer review, and student-led conferences were reviewed. Literacy portfolios were defined. Portfolios and how they were introduced into education were discussed. Purposes and benefits as well as concerns and challenges of using portfolios in the classroom were discussed and compared. Mini-lessons and black-line masters were also included for each content area.

Learning As We G(R)O(W): Strategizing The Lessons Of A Fledgling Rhetoric And Writing Studies Department, Jane Hindman

Publications and Research

Published in one of the first collections to focus on independent writing programs, A Field of Dreams. The volume offers a complex picture of the experience of the stand-alone. Included here are narratives of individual programs from a wide range of institutions, exploring such issues as what institutional issues led to their independence, how independence solved or created administrative problems, how it changed the culture of the writing program and faculty sense of purpose, success, or failure.

Why Makik Can "Do" Math: Race And Status In Integrated Classrooms, Jacqueline Leonard, Scott Jackson Dantley

Trotter Review

This case study reports on the small group interactions and achievements of Malik, an African American sixth grader, who attended a Maryland elementary school in 1997. Student achievement was measured by the Maryland Functional Mathematics Test (MFMT-I), which was given on a pre/post basis. Students' scores on the MFMT-I were analyzed using the ANOVA. The analysis revealed a significant difference (F = 3-330, p < .05) between the scores of Caucasian (M = 342.12) and African American students (M = 323-56). However, Malik's MFMT-I score rose from 293 to 353. A passing score is 340. This study examines Malik's interactions to ascertain what factors influenced his achievement. The findings are that Malik had a positive attitude about mathematics and a strong command of mathematical and scientific language. Recommendations are that teachers become cultural brokers to help all children learn the "language" of mathematics and encourage all students to become self-advocates to overcome negative social dynamics in small groups.

An Evaluation Of Critical Thinking Skills : A Case Study, Abdul Salim Abdul Karim

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study aims to evaluate a critical thinking skills course which had been taught as part of the World Studies Component of the MPIK - UK link programme. On a broader perspective, the study aims to find out to what extent the critical thinking course has contributed to the development of critical thinking among the students. The respondents were first year :Matriculation students of the MPIK - UK link programme. These students had been exposed to critical thinking skills through the World Studies Component The approach used in this study is both qualitative and quantitative. The research is based on …

Promoting Literacy Through Literature And Content-Based Radings In The Secondary English-As-A-Second-Language Classroom In Conjunction With The In Contact 1 Curriculum: A Handbook For Educators, Tanya Lynn Adamson

All Graduate Projects

The use of literature and content-based readings in the secondary ESL classroom was researched. The research suggests that providing second language learners with meaningful readings that provide for comprehensible input will build schema and background knowledge that will help them to be successful in their content area classes. A handbook for educators was created to supplement the existing curriculum, as well as to show readers that this type of supplemental reading handbook can be created by anyone to be used with any type of ESL curriculum. This handbook contains both literature and content-based resources that coincide with the themes and …

Classroom Instruction In Gates Grantee Schools A Baseline Report, Jeffrey T. Fouts, Carol Brown, Gayle Yvonne Thieman

Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study is part of the on-going program evaluation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Model Schools Initiative and Model Districts Initiative in the state of Washington. In developing the Teaching Attributes Observation Protocol (TAOP) a conceptual framework was identified based on extensive literature on constructivist teaching. From this framework and the foundation’s written materials we identified important components and indicators of constructivist teaching and implications for the classroom. We then produced an observation protocol with 7 lesson components and a number of indicators under each component. The content validity of the instrument was then checked against the literature …

A Case Analysis Of Three Middle-School Boys Who Have Down Syndrome And Have Been In Regular Education Classes Since Preschool, Eileen Frances Luddy

Dissertations

This study investigated the experiences of three middle-school boys who have Down syndrome and have always attended regular education classes.

Despite the existence of policies and initiatives in support of inclusive education, research on the implementation of inclusive practices in middle schools is sparse.

This study is organized in nine chapters. A review of literature revealed that significant research conducted during the past decade supports the practice of including students with disabilities in regular education and the benefits of inclusion outweigh the benefits of separate instruction.

A case study approach investigated the phenomenon covering contextual conditions surrounding the experiences of …

Participation In Graduate Level Coursework And Self-Efficacy Development Of Provisionally Licensed Special Education Teachers, Amy Corvello Mcginley

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) whether participation in graduate level coursework increased the self-efficacy of provisionally licensed special education teachers, (b) whether participation in graduate level coursework increased the self-efficacy of general education teachers and, (c) if there was a difference between the self-efficacy beliefs of the two groups of teachers. A total of twenty-three provisionally licensed special education and general education teachers in rural Virginia responded to both a pre and post questionnaire consisting of 30 items designed to assist the teacher in assessing his/her self-efficacy beliefs. The working hypothesis was that the provisionally licensed …

Parent-Teacher Partnerships, Darby Stromberg

All Graduate Projects

Teachers have the responsibility to create partnerships between school and home by establishing and incorporating parent involvement activities in their classroom. The purpose of this project was to design and create for elementary teachers a set of activities and guidelines which encouraged "Parent-Teacher Partnerships." The activities and guidelines provide a resource for teachers to assist them in actively involving parents in the education of their children.

Graduate Skills Assessment. Summary Report, The Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer

Higher education research

n 1999 the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was commissioned by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) to develop a test of generic skills which could be administered at university entry and exit level. Following consultation with university representatives and other stakeholders, written communication, critical thinking, problem solving and interpersonal understandings were selected as the components of the initial Graduate Skills Assessment (GSA).

Research Into The Numeracy Development Of Aboriginal Students : Implications For The Nsw K-10 Mathematics Syllabus, Tracey Frigo, Lee Simpson

Indigenous Education Research

This paper is intended to present an overview of the literature and identify critical issues related to the acquisition and on-going development of numeracy skills among Aboriginal students in the compulsory years of schooling in New South Wales. The scope of the research reviewed is intended to reflect the diversity of Aboriginal circumstances and communities across NSW and to take into account rural, remote and urban situations

Foreign Languages And Learning Disabled Students: Research And Potential Solutions, Todd Christopher Wheelden

MA TESOL Collection

This paper reviews the latest research on the struggles learning disabled (LD) students have in the foreign language (FL) classroom. Over the last ten years, there have been significant advancements in recognizing the fact that LD students do in fact face greater obstacles when acquiring a FL than their peers do. Over the past five years, advances have been made taking the information garnered from these discoveries and developing appropriate solutions. The paper attempts to summarize the most significant comprehension, reference, and implementation.

The paper begins with an overview of second language acquisition learning disabilities and how they may surface …

A Model Curriculum And Intructional Program For Native American Studies Grades 11-12, Terry Cosentino

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model curriculum and instructional program for Native American Studies, grades 11 - 12 at Tenino High School, Tenino Washington. To accomplish this purpose a review of related literature was conducted. Additionally, information and materials from selected sources was obtained and analyzed.

Phonemic Awareness: One Approach To Individualized Instruction, Kimberly M. Ochs

Masters Theses

This study examined the effectiveness of a recently developed set of individualized lessons for kindergarten children at-risk for reading problems because of limited phonemic awareness skills. Four participants were selected via teacher referral and a score below the 25^th percentile on the Test of Phonological Awareness. Sixteen lessons (focusing on six phonemes) and weekly assessments followed the selection of the participants. Each child was individually instructed in two 10-15 minute sessions each week for eight weeks and then given an assessment at the end of each week. Single case design was utilized to document the effectiveness of the …

Repeated Reading: Using Audiotaped Books And Activities To Help At-Risk Readers, Wendy S. Stover

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to determine whether repeated reading with an audio model would significantly supplement the literacy instruction of atrisk readers. Research related to reading practice, the relationship between fluency and reading development, and repeated reading was read, evaluated, and summarized. A positive relationship between repeated reading and reading growth (i.e., fluency and comprehension) was indicated from this review. The literature review provided a rational and guidelines for using repeated reading with at-risk readers. A manual containing a teacher's guide on repeated reading with an audio model and related literacy activities was created.

A Policy Makers Guide To Systemwide Assessment Programs, Margaret Forster

Policy maker's guides

This guide provides policy makers with research-based information about systemwide assessment programs. Good decision making at all levels of an education system is facilitated by easily accessible, relevant, and reliable information. Many indicators provide useful input to educational decision making; but the most important indicators are those which address the central concern of education: the promotion of student learning. Education systems monitor student learning—with the fundamental intention of promoting learning—by collecting, analysing and reporting student achievement data. Given that state, national and international achievement studies are both time consuming and expensive, it seems prudent to reflect on this effort: What …

Language Implications For Numeracy: A Study Of Language Use Of Disadvantaged Students, Robyn Zevenbergen

2000 - Improving Numeracy Learning

Increasingly language is recognised as causing difficulties for students when they come to learn mathematics. Many different levels and aspects of language can be seen to create such difficulties for students. This paper looks at the implications of language on learning mathematics or developing a sense of numeracy.

Codebook: The Lsay 1999 Teacher Survey For The Y98 Cohort Technical Paper No. 20, Sue Fullarton

LSAY Technical Reports

Students participating in this LSAY cohort were originally sampled in 1998 from 296 schools nationally. In 1999 the schools from which the original sample of students was drawn took part in a survey to collect information about the features and programs of schools, as well as features of teachers and teaching, which might influence the progress of students in their school and in their later work careers. The survey involved two questionnaires: (1) a school questionnaire to be completed by the principal (or other school representative) and (2) a questionnaire to a sample of ten Year 10 teachers. The assistance …

A Model Continuous Learning Progress Program Designed For K-6 Students In Easton School District #28, Sara J. Mccoy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model continuous learning progress program, aligned with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements designed specifically for elementary students, grades kindergarten through sixth grade in Easton School District 28, Easton, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature concerning serving students in nongraded continuous progress learning programs were reviewed, and assisted in the development of student profiles, student learning plans, learning continuums, and student assessment portfolios.

Improving Numeracy Learning (Conference Proceedings), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

2000 - Improving Numeracy Learning

ACER’s annual national Research Conferences review current research-based knowledge in key areas of educational policy and practice. The Research Conference 2000 brings together leading numeracy researchers to examine and discuss research evidence relating to the improvement of numeracy learning in schools. The objective of the Conference is to identify major research findings and to study the implications of those findings for improved numeracy teaching and learning.

Annotated Bibliography On Indigenous Education Issues, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Indigenous Education Research

No abstract provided.