This article, which is set within the Maltese education scenario of unfolding decentralization through the setting-up of multi-site school collaboratives (legally termed "colleges") via a policy mandate, explores a particular aspect of this reform--that of "networking". This is examined in terms of the potential for…

This timely and accessible text introduces, theorises and practically applies two important concepts which now underpin early years practice: those of "playful learning" and "playful pedagogies". Pat Broadhead and Andy Burt draw upon filmed material, conversations with children, reflection, observation, and parental and staff interviews, in their…

Policymakers and educators are increasingly expressing concerns that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries in educating the next generation of mathematicians and scientists. In response, the federal government, private foundations, and many "institutions of higher education" (IHEs) are encouraging STEM (science, technology,…

This article offers description and interpretation for understanding the exercise of leadership in teacher collaboration. Data gathered in two urban high schools through observations and interviews were coded and categorized following Miles and Huberman's modified analytic induction technique. The analysis contributes to emerging theory on…

In this case study, we are able to take a close look at a situation not often encountered in the literature on ICTs in emerging economies: a private company from an emerging economy provided much-needed funding for a US NASA higher learning consortium through a contract for training and research and development in 3D visualization. This study…

Six steps in the ecological assessment model are described, from setting goals to developing a learning plan, and factors such as the physical milieu and classroom patterns are considered. Methods and sources of ecological assessment data are reviewed. (CL)

Discipline is a crucial aspect of teachers' and students' classroom lives. Hong Kong secondary teachers, as elsewhere, are concerned with students' misbehaviour. This article examines teachers' constructs of classroom discipline and strategies adopted for behaviour management. Qualitative data were collected by interviews and classroom…

Attracting top teachers to small school systems involves a different recruiting process: advertise widely, use telephone contacts, get there first, don't overweight interviews, do classroom observations, and keep up personal contact. (MD)

Improving the quality of out-of-school time activities and creating effective learning environments is of keen interest to practitioners, funders and policymakers. Funded by The William Penn Foundation, "Quality Time After School" identifies characteristics of after-school activities that are linked to youth engagement and learning…

The Preschool Interest Inventory (PSII) has been developed to meet the need for an informal measure of the interests, play behaviors, and communication skills of young children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, particularly those exhibiting delays in language development. The first step in the Inventory process is the Caregiver Interview. In the…

This study examined the aspirations of the Developing Mathematical Processes (DMP) program and sought to ascertain the extent to which it has been implemented in observed classrooms. DMP was intended to reshape conceptions of mathematical knowledge and school work and to create a pedagogy in which children would be active in creating and testing…

Presents a checklist of criteria that could be used in a formative evaluation of films and videotapes and describes six ways of assessing the products' effects on an audience: observation, questionnaires, group interviews, expert opinions, machine evaluation, and controlled experimentation. (MBR)

A model for assessing the developmental skills of handicapped children is presented, for school psychologists. Stressing the relationship between assessment, intervention, and program evaluation, it is consistent with Public Law 94-142. Three assessment methods are recommended: parent interview, observation, and adaptive use of standardized tests.…

The Workplace Educational Skills Analysis (WESA) is a systematic process used to identify and analyze basic educational skills required to perform a job or cluster of jobs. The WESA methodology consists of the following six stages: WESA design meetings, interview preparation, interviews and observations, data analysis and draft reports,…

Observations and interviews with six young adults having moderate and severe mental disabilities, as well as with their employers, parents, residential service providers, and teachers, were conducted to determine their degree of satisfaction with their jobs in integrated workplaces. Certain consistent behaviors were identified that indicated job…