Education & Pedagogy

The Kentucky University Partnership for Environmental Education collaborative assessed the need for environmental education (EE) in Kentucky. The research team conducted an initial survey and focus groups in order to develop a needs assessment survey. A total of 141 teachers and administrators completed the needs assessment. The results of the survey suggest that most teachers' experiences in EE occurred post graduation; however, there is a strong level of agreement that EE is necessary and should be a part of teacher preparation programs. Increasing experiences for preservice teachers in EE could help to increase environmental literacy across the Commonwealth.

Assiniboine Community College (ACC) has been delivering community-based post-secondary programs in First Nations communities throughout the province. Many factors contribute to the success of these educational partnerships, including the incorporation of new program delivery strategies. ACC has made significant strides in the direction of Aboriginal education. This article explores ACC's delivery of programs in Aboriginal communities and identifies lessons learned. Aboriginal people are Canada's largest growing population, and providing effective delivery of higher education positions this population to better their lives, while also providing a trained workforce to meet labour market needs.

This study investigates the prevalence of postsecondary student-college match for students enrolled in special education services at the secondary education level by using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002. This study examines alternative student-college match scenarios -- including undermatch, match, and overmatch -- and addresses the gap in research specific to college match and students in special education. Findings indicate that students who enrolled in special education services in high school undermatched to schools they had the potential of enrolling in. Moreover, undermatching for this student group increased if students were Black, Hispanic, or of low socioeconomic status.

Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) is a complex and intricate theory applied in a variety of contexts. This review investigates the five key attributes of innovation in DOI (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability), as well as the stages of diffusion within innovators (early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards). Literature is examined with the application of DOI in areas of general education, health behavior/education/promotion, physical activity, and physical education. The model lends itself well to be applied within the physical education realm, but at this point is an understudied theory within the context.

When studying the political development of young people, level of education matters. However, instead of concentrating on the amount of education and how it affects one's political attributes (vertical effects of education), we consider the effects of characteristics of one's education, specifically one's college major, among people with similar levels of education (horizontal effects). Our study demonstrates that the discipline in which one majors affects one's political development, over and above the expected self-selection effects. While our results are modest, they suggest that there is much to be gained from exploring horizontal variations in education and its effects on political attributes.

In this article, we examine how the ideal university graduate is constructed in the European Commission's documents on entrepreneurship education (EE). Our analysis illustrates how persuasive policy language determines the standards for educating entrepreneurial graduates to optimally meet the needs of the liberal market economy. We argue that the policy discourse on EE reformulates the idea of being academically educated. In the context of building the European knowledge economy, EE has become a significant theme that establishes neoliberal ideals, redefines the values of European university education, and generates instrumental and one-dimensional understanding of the purpose of university education.

The five articles in this special issue present studies focusing on two key aspects of vocational education and transitions in the Nordic countries in relation to social justice: (a) impacts of policies and reforms on transitions and (b) content, practices, curriculum and equality. Collectively, the articles outline important similarities and differences between the countries and contribute, inter alia, to our understanding of the 'academic-vocational divide', the impact of neo-liberal steering on vocational education and transitions. They also develop bridges between different empirical contexts and theoretical 'languages' that may help efforts to understand and contextualise the current development of vocational education and transitions in the Nordic countries.

In this article, the author discusses the need for a complete refocusing of education throughout the world, prioritizing environmental education in all K-12 schools. He provides a summary of his Green Career Program and the many extensions it encompassed. The program endorses the importance of creating student voice, critical thinking and the education of a New Green Workforce which prioritizes caring for the health of the planet. The author believes that the Green New Deal cannot function if educational priorities are not rethought (environmental education throughout the curriculum), and presents his thoughts on the state of the planet and assisting youth to shape their future.

Inclusive education (IE) is a global restructuring strategy envisioned to embrace learners with different abilities in mainstream schools. Previous research shows that parent and teacher inclusive education perceptions depend largely on their experiences of IE. This study examined parent and teacher perception of IE in the context Zimbabwean primary education. Data were collected from 12 parents and 12 teachers of learners in IE. Results indicated that participants' perceptions of IE divide into three main categories; i.e. positive, mixed and negative perceptions for various reasons. The results were presented in a tree diagram and a model and discussed with potential implications for various stakeholders.

A plan for national education to train outstanding engineers has been put into practice at Henan Polytechnic University (HPU). Practical education is a basic characteristic of engineering education. This paper proposed ideas and models to reform the mineral processing engineering education system and also described the discipline and the objective of cultivating students for careers in mineral processing engineering. On the basis of a survey and analysis of the quality of graduate student cultivation, we established a practical teaching system of 'four levels, seven categories' and the effect of this system was initially apparent.

Computer simulations of agricultural finance and management may be helpful to students preparing for agricultural careers. Simulations would provide problem definition and problem solving in realistic interactions with complex and ambiguous situations similar to those encountered in farming. The paper describes a major financial problem for farmers, explores the implications of that problem for students, and outlines a computer-based simulation model which would give students experience in dealing with the problem. Data sources for simulations, potentials of interactive exercises among students, and advantages of using real data with existing ambiguities are described. The board game "AGRICULTURE" is discussed as a prototype for simulation. (LFL)

This executive summary of the 1986 Survey of Microcomputers in Higher Education presents the highlights of each of the major areas covered by the survey: (1) general policy; (2) microcomputer availability; (3) microcomputer access; (4) microcomputer acquisition; (5) software availability; and (6) software support. The 211 survey respondents were drawn from the membership of EDUCOM and represent 103 public and 108 private institutions. Results of analyses of the data from the survey, which are summarized in 15 figures, suggest that institutions of higher education are gearing up for the widespread use of microcomputers on campuses. Recommendations for higher education and for hardware and software developers and vendors conclude this report. (RP)

The use of games and simulations is a method that educators are finding especially useful in presenting information about population concerns. The "Futures Wheels" is a participatory classroom exercise, designed to demonstrate probable consequences of future population increases and is also used to illustrate a wide range of population related problems. The "Card Game on Family Welfare," produced by participants of the Regional Training Workshop for the Development of Population Education Materials for Special Interest Groups, is directed at youths who are no longer in school. Complete directions and illustrations for the games are given. (NL)

Various state and federal laws related to education of the handicapped are outlined to aid state educators in identifying needs and formulating public school policy. Constitutional and statutory law concerning the educational rights of the handicapped are listed, including the Constitution, state constitutions, Public Law 94-142, and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. The following statutory rights provided in Public Law 94-142 and Section 504 are identified and explained in detail: free appropriate public education, Individualized Education Programs (IEP's), education in the least restrictive environment, fair evaluation, related services, extended school year, sports participation, and fair discipline. Several innovative state provisions are also described. The paper concludes with a list of recommended reading. (LP)

Recommendations of five reports for improving American public elementary and secondary education are listed in a format enabling comparisons to be made with respect to 11 major categories and numerous subcategories. Included are recommendations of the reports from the National Commission on Excellence in Education, the Twentieth Century Fund, the Education Commission of the States, the National Science Board, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The 12 major categories include curriculum; programs for special populations, college entrance requirements, performance standards for students, teachers, leadership and management, fiscal support, federal role, implementation plan, business/education partnerships, and sponsorship and membership of the groups producing the reports. (RH)