Education & Pedagogy

This chapter aims to explore the novelty and utility of political economy discourse, termed "neo-statism," as an analytical lens for comparative research in higher education. Analysis is framed within the context of Hong Kong's transition from a British colony to a Special Administrative Region under China's sovereignty, and its shifting academic paradigms from a more or less spontaneous philosophy rooted in liberal capitalist economy to embracing neo-statism, which involves market-conforming and state-sponsored approaches to economic and social restructuring whereby the state regulates higher education in support of national integration and global power projection. The statist regulation depends heavily on its deployment of discursive legitimacy, strategic distribution of resources, organizational synergy, and elite cohesion articulated through higher education policy, research projects, and cross-border academic exchange and cooperation. The Hong Kong case suggests that comparative research in higher education should advance from the methodological aspects of the comparative approach to exploring wider theoretical spectrum, for understanding emerging politico-economic factors shaping academic paradigm in comparative contexts. Moreover, scholars who engage in the trendy internationalization in higher education should move beyond the logics of neo-liberalism, and pay closer attention to the new geopolitical realities that are changing the normative and interactive dimensions of international higher education at large. [For the complete volume, "Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2022. International Perspectives on Education and Society. Volume 46, Part A," see ED675024.]

This research focuses on the elements of pedagogy related to teacher-student engagement that promotes a responsive learning environment and improved outcomes for diverse populations in diverse contexts. We examine the pedagogical practices occasioned by the shift to online learning as a result of schools' closures that followed the declaration of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis first explores the status of pedagogical practices and access to education technology following the implementation of the SDG4 agenda for an inclusive quality education for all. It follows with an exploration of pedagogical shifts in response to the pandemic following school closures, paying attention to the implications for equity for diverse populations in diverse learning contexts. The analysis draws from the education practice discourse surrounding the pandemic response gained from educators and students, gray literature, emerging scholarly publications, and institutional reports on the topic of pedagogical practices. Lessons from the experiences of the authors as researchers, students, and teachers illustrate examples of Zoom classroom practices that evolved with time that might support productive experiences for learners in technology-mediated learning environments. The global pandemic experience provides an opportunity for the field of comparative education to reconsider planning for the delivery of education in unpredictable and emerging emergencies. [For the complete volume, "Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2021. International Perspectives on Education and Society. Volume 42, Part B," see ED674961.]

The aim of this chapter is to investigate the potential of the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic to break the stagnation in the field of comparative and international education, detected on many fronts of the field by various scholars in the field. The chapter commences with a survey of the historical evolution of the field of comparative and international education, showing how the field has historically come to be defined by contextually induced discourse. At the same time, the historically trodden furrows have resulted in the field becoming trapped by historical forces, resulting in some stagnation in the field. It is argued that impediments to progress in the field of comparative and international education are the severance from practice, the "black box" syndrome of paying more attention to the societal context than to education, the tenacious attachment to the nation-state as the sole geographic level of analysis, the lack of an autochthonous theory, persistent Northern hegemony, and the regression of space and infrastructure at universities. Thereafter, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact thereof on education are discussed. In conclusion, the potential of the disruption brought about by the pandemic for the revisitation of comparative and international education is assessed. [For the complete volume, "Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2021. International Perspectives on Education and Society. Volume 42, Part B," see ED674961.]

This chapter examines the context for the implementation of the global commitment to early childhood education (ECE) within the framing of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) under SDG 4.2. We first define the concept of ECE as broadly understood in the field of education and in practice related to a focus on education of children. The essay adopts chronological age of children served outside of the formal school system, which has traditionally been recognized as basic education, to represent the population captured under ECE in both pre-school and pre-primary settings. UNICEF identifies those ages 3-6 to fall into this category. We present an exploration of the challenges and opportunities presented by multiplicity in multilateral agencies and other agencies driving the international initiatives around advancing ECE and the means by which they promote education opportunities for children. We offer a comparative perspective on the delivery, types, and funding mechanisms of ECE services in both developing and developed country contexts, which informs the possibilities for the realization of the SDG goal of inclusive quality education for all. An examination of the socio-cultural and economic context of accessibility to inclusive and equitable quality ECE is also presented. An overview of settings within which ECE is provided is interrogated within differing national contexts. We conclude with challenges and opportunities for sustained accountability, monitoring and evaluation of SDG 4.2 interventions from a comparative perspective. [For the complete volume, "Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2019. International Perspectives on Education and Society. Volume 39," see ED674880.]

In a world where the continual combining of computer applications and the expansion of artificial intelligence is already necessarily changing the world of work for people, an education system that does not adequately respond to these trends and changes will render itself irrelevant. Education policy and regulation may suffer at the hand of such accelerations due to unexpected consequences and developments. However, the rapid, exponential improvements in computer hardware and software that have enhanced the rate and our ability to gather, transform, manipulate, and interpret these data in an ongoing fashion also present myriad educational opportunities. The so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution offers societies data and information capabilities previously unimagined, making it possible to learn how to combine, innovate, and imagine entirely new avenues for building responsive and intelligent education policies and systems that promote the education and wellbeing of citizens as well as improving their economic participation. These advances necessitate a growing number of educators and education systems who can intelligently respond to Industry 4.0 trends. In this chapter, some considerations regarding the use of large-scale, international datasets and emerging data analytics for analyzing policy for the governance of education are offered, and a discussion of the need for the more systematic use of data analytics as a mechanism for developing socially responsive adult learning and workforce education policy and programing. [For the complete volume, "The Educational Intelligent Economy: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and the Internet of Things in Education. International Perspectives on Education and Society. Volume 38," see ED674850.]

This completely updated edition of "The Almanac of American Education" helps users understand and compare the quality of education at the national, state, and county levels. Compiled from official U.S. government sources, this book contains historical and current data, insightful analysis, and useful graphs that provide compelling insights into the state of education in America. This edition of "Almanac of American Education" explores for the first time how the COVID-19 pandemic affected education in the United States. It contains new data on virtual schools and virtual school enrollment and characteristics of the twenty largest school districts in each state. The "Almanac" provides national coverage of school enrollment and educational attainment, looking at American education from a variety of different angles. It is organized into three sections: Part A--National Education Statistics; Part B--Region and State Education Statistics; and Part C--County Education Statistics. The "Almanac's" contents and coverage allow users to answer--and ask--important questions about education, including: (1) What are the nationwide trends in earnings by educational attainment level?; (2) Is the earnings gap between high school graduates and college graduates growing or shrinking?; (3) What is the average cost to attend college?; (4) Which states have the highest and lowest high school dropout rates?; (5) How do unemployment rates differ by educational attainment?; and (6) What is the correlation between family income and kindergarten and preschool enrollment? [For the 13th edition, see ED616885.]

This open access book presents an in-depth analysis of data from ICCS. An international group of scholars critically address the state of civic and citizenship education in the four Nordic countries that participated in the IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) in 2009 and 2016. The findings are of particular relevance to educators at all levels, from school education through to teacher education. Nordic countries have long traditions of democracy and their students have performed relatively well in the ICCS assessments. Nonetheless, citizenship education continues to evolve and has received increasing attention in recent educational reforms, indicating policymakers understanding that schools play an important role in establishing democratic values among future citizens. Data from ICCS can be used to analyze, discuss, and reflect on the status of civic and citizenship education and can contribute to the discourse on the potential role of education in contributing to sustainable democracies for a common future. However, teaching citizenship and learning democracy are two different things. While young people can be taught about democracy in school, it is vital that schools work together with the wider community in which youth operate to strengthen civic understanding and values for all young people regardless of their social and economic background. [For Volume 10, see ED609759.]

Students with disabilities need quality education to develop their skills and reach their full potential. However, according to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in its 2021 report, more than half of the 50 states and the District of Columbia did not meet the requirements or purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Part B, which ensures the free appropriate public education (FAPE) of students with disabilities, ages 3 through 21. During a similar period, as of Nov. 26, 2021, a snapshot of data about complaints filed with the ED's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) showed the annual number of OCR pending cases alleging discrimination in providing the FAPE for K-12 students under other federal anti-discrimination laws had tripled compared with 2019 or 2020. To address the key challenges states face in meeting the requirements of IDEA Part B, especially during this time of the pandemic, and to provide insight into solutions and best practices that states may leverage to meet the requirements, this white paper reviewed federal special education data, agency documentation, federal laws and regulations, selected state laws and policies, state report cards, and data collected by large research organizations. Its objective is to help readers to understand complicated IDEA compliance issues, particularly the post-pandemic challenges that states and school districts are facing to meet the needs of all students with disabilities.

"Proceedings of International Conference on Studies in Education and Social Sciences" includes full papers presented at the International Conference on Studies in Education and Social Sciences (ICSES) which took place on November 11-14, 2021 in Antalya, Turkey. The aim of the conference is to offer opportunities to share ideas, to discuss theoretical and practical issues and to connect with the leaders in the fields of education and social sciences. The conference is organized annually by the International Society for Technology, Education, and Science (ISTES). The ICSES invites submissions which address the theory, research or applications in all disciplines of education and social sciences. The ICSES is organized for: faculty members in all disciplines of education and social sciences, graduate students, K-12 administrators, teachers, principals and all interested in education and social sciences. After peer-reviewing process, all full papers are published in the Conference Proceedings. [Individual papers are indexed in ERIC.]

This country note presents the results of an analysis of undertake Portugal undertaken within the Labour Market Relevance and Outcomes of Higher Education Partnership Initiative project. The project was implemented by the OECD with the support of the European Commission with the aim of helping policy makers and higher education institutions enhance the employment outcomes of graduates by better aligning higher education provision with labour markets skill demands. Portugal has a high the concentration of students in short-cycle programmes in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and engineering. These programmes have the potential to increase student enrolment in bachelor and postgraduate fields of study that are connected with the digital and technological transition of the economy, and so far have seen low enrolment. The success of short-cycle programmes as pathways to further study will require a combined approach of improved study guidance and student support. The country note reviews the system context, highlights challenges faced by higher education institutions and, lessons learned from current practice, and presents policy options. [This report was prepared with contributions from Ana Moreno Monroy, Jonathan Williams, and Joana Mendonça.]

This book examines dominant discourses in social justice education globally. It presents cutting-edge research on the major global trends in education, social justice and policy research. Using diverse paradigms, ranging from critical theory to discourse analysis, the book examines major social justice and equity education reforms and policy issues in a global culture, with a focus on the ambivalent and problematic relationship between social justice education discourses, ideology and the state. The book discusses democracy, ideology and social justice, which are among the most critical and significant factors defining and contextualising the processes surrounding social justice education reforms globally. It critiques current social justice education practices and policy reforms, illustrating the shifts in the relationship between the state, ideology, and social justice education policy. Written by authors from diverse backgrounds and regions, this book examines current developments in research concerning social justice education. It enables readers to gain a more holistic understanding of the nexus between social justice education, and dominant ideologies, both locally and globally. It also provides an easily accessible, practical, yet scholarly insights into local and global trends in the field of social justice education. Discourses of Globalization, Ideology and Social Justice, with contributions from key scholars worldwide, should be required reading for a broad spectrum of users, including policy-makers, academics, graduate students, education policy researchers, administrators, and practitioners.

Teachers play a critical role in the success of their students, both academically and in regard to long term outcomes such as higher education participation and economic attainment. Expectations for teachers are increasing due to changing learning standards and a rapidly diversifying student population. At the same time, there are perceptions that the teaching workforce may be shifting toward a younger and less experienced demographic. These actual and perceived changes raise important questions about the ways teacher education may need to evolve in order to ensure that educators are able to meet the needs of students and provide them with classroom experiences that will put them on the path to future success. "Changing Expectations for the K-12 Teacher Workforce: Policies, Preservice Education, Professional Development, and the Workplace" explores the impact of the changing landscape of K-12 education and the potential for expansion of effective models, programs, and practices for teacher education. This report explores factors that contribute to understanding the current teacher workforce, changing expectations for teaching and learning, trends and developments in the teacher labor market, preservice teacher education, and opportunities for learning in the workplace and in-service professional development. [Contributors include Committee on Understanding the Changing Structure of the K 12 Teacher Workforce; Board on Higher Education and Workforce; Policy and Global Affairs; Board on Science Education; and Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.]

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented education equity crisis in California. K-12 schools continue to remain closed and it is yet unclear if they will re open in the fall. Similarly, the University of California and California's Community Colleges have not yet announced a systemwide decision, but the California State University's 23-campuses will resume online for fall. These decisions will continue to require education leaders and administrators to stretch their resources to create or improve distance learning plans, support students' basic needs, and maintain other essential services for students and families. Continued school closures also leave a number of unanswered questions for students and families, including how distance learning will impact grading. The California Department of Education has issued guidance maintaining that during the pandemic, grading policies and practices are a local decision that should be made in consultation with educators and with the understanding that any policy should hold students harmless. As a result, districts and schools across the state have issued differing grading policies that have equity implications for students. Considering the varied grading policies that have been enacted across the state, Education Trust-West shares their amended recommendation for state policymakers, K-12 school leaders, and college and university leaders. [For a related Equity Alert, see "Education Equity in Crisis: How to Address Learning, Promotions, Transitions and Grades in Light of School and College Closures" (ED607550). For an additional related report, see "Grading Policy in the Time of COVID-19: Considerations and Implications for Equity. Policy and Practice Brief" (ED606474).]

The Learning Policy Institute (LPI) conducted research in New Mexico to provide state leaders and stakeholders a research perspective on the challenges facing education and to identify evidence- based ways that state policy can address them. This report complements the main report, "Improving Education the New Mexico Way: An Evidence-Based Approach," (ED610898) and is one of a series stemming from this research. It focuses on developing high school pathways that integrate college and career preparation and combine classroom and work-based learning to make high school more engaging and relevant, while also advancing opportunities to develop high-level cognitive skills in the core academic disciplines. This report offers both short- and long-term recommendations intended to build on New Mexico's recent efforts to expand career and technical education (CTE). These recommendations focus on making CTE a fundamental part of secondary and postsecondary education in New Mexico by creating a system of college and career pathways that integrate CTE and core academic curriculum, combine classroom and work-based learning, and align secondary and postsecondary programs to prepare all students for postsecondary education and career success. [For "Improving Education the New Mexico Way: Summary Report," see ED610899. For "Community Schools the New Mexico Way," see ED610897.]

Higher education has immense power to support the transformation of K-12 teaching and learning because it incubates future educators and supplies opportunities for professional development. University presidents and deans of colleges of education can also use their influence to support systemic change to modernize the profession through a variety of tools and strategies that are at their unique disposal. This issue brief challenges institutions of higher learning to: (1) Diversify the educator workforce; (2) Modernize teacher preparation; and (3) Promote continuous professional learning and development. "Transforming Teaching: What University Presidents and Deans of Colleges of Education Need to Know about Modernizing the K-12 Educator Workforce" comes on the heels of two other issue briefs that explore how federal and state policymakers can support systemic transformation of the profession. Together the three issue briefs expand on the seminal paper, "Moving Toward Mastery", which described in vivid detail a new vision for modernizing the educator workforce. Like states, higher education leaders will approach this work from varying political, economic, and cultural contexts. This brief contains many entry points to initiate action. In addition, the brief contains case studies that illuminate how many institutions of higher education are already making great strides. [For "Moving toward Mastery: Growing, Developing and Sustaining Educators for Competency-Based Education," see ED594174.]