Education & Pedagogy

How physical education teachers approach standards-based assessment of the new National Physical Education Standards is yet to be determined. But the use of technology for assessments may be one way to support and empower students in the education process toward physical literacy. This article focuses on the ways in which educators have adopted a particular technology, called Plickers, and how its use as an assessment tool can move physical education teachers' practice forward.

The social movement toward cultural relativism has led to a growing distrust and even disbelief in the value of scientific inquiry regarding the effects of, or the need for, special education for students with disabilities. The authors examine the basic underpinnings of scientific methodology and its fundamental role in establishing best practice in the field. We also address contrary views and their risks and weaknesses. Scientific methodology is foundational to effective programs and services to marginalized students, including those with disabilities.

Interest in improving civic education is growing, but there's no clear definition of what civic education should be. To understand what kinds of skills civics education should promote in students, Jack Schneider, Eric Soto-Shed, and Karalyn McGovern surveyed 100 experts and 500 ordinary citizens, asking them to name the tasks that skilled citizens engage in. The activities respondents named most frequently involved political engagement, building an informed community, interpersonal tasks, and volunteering. These findings provide a starting point for the development of civics education curricula.

This article defines a public good, arguing that higher education should be considered a public good. This requires moving away from an orthodox economistic understanding of public goods. It also requires understanding the relationship between higher education as both a private good and a public good to the extent that it promotes individual flourishing necessary to the public good.

This article discusses the research we have and the research we need in both general and Jewish teacher education. First, I discuss three recent efforts to synthesize and assess existing research in teacher education and to identify needed research. Next I review a handful of recent studies in Jewish teacher education which illustrate various research genres and provide a taste of what more coordinated studies could generate in the way of usable knowledge. I conclude by proposing three programs of research on the education of Jewish educators.

The focus of this article is the growing importance of entrepreneurship in the context of Swedish education policy. Departing from Foucault's concept of governmentality, this article analyzes some of the main ideas in the discourse on entrepreneurship education in Sweden and points out its specifics, as an instance of the broader educational and governing program of lifelong learning. This increasing emphasis on entrepreneurship challenges older pedagogical doctrines. In visions of entrepreneurial education, it becomes logical to emphasize the value of education for the economic system.

This narrative considers how well equipped today's teacher education students and faculty are to meet the demands of the new Common Core State Standards. Data from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council's national evaluation of teacher education programs gives a mixed picture that, while mostly encouraging, also reveals that some future teachers, current teacher education faculty, and cooperating teachers have misguided and worrisome views of their subject matter and pedagogy.

This paper reviews the long attempt to transform teacher education in Thailand. Although a brief summary of educational systems and models of teacher preparation from 1892 to 1973 has been provided, the prime focus of the paper is on presenting changes in teacher education from 1974 to the present day, against the backdrop of key political and social forces.

Postsecondary transition planning for students with disabilities first entered the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. The required provisions for transition planning were updated with the amendments to IDEA in 1997 and its reauthorization in 2004. Since IDEA 2004 took effect in July 2005, 11 court cases have been decided related to postsecondary transition planning. This article summarizes recent litigation in transition and discusses practice implications. (Contains 3 tables.)

Our fixed-effects panel data analysis of state spending on higher education fills a near void of studies examining capital expenditures on higher education. In our study, we found that political characteristics (e.g., interest group activity, organizational structure, and formal powers) largely account for differences between general fund and capital appropriations for higher education. (Contains 2 tables and 5 notes.)

This essay presents an overview of the system of gifted education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To highlight the characteristics of this system, however, its presentation is preceded by a discussion of particular aspects of Saudi society and its general system of education. These aspects distinctly differentiate the general and gifted systems of Saudi education from other educational systems in the world, in spite of these systems' many similarities.

This report addresses current concerns in public education defined as being important to American Jews. Issues discussed include strategies for improving educational quality; the effects of funding disparities, tax credits and vouchers on public education; and the importance of integration and bilingual education in the public schools. Also reviewed are legal questions related to government funding of parochial schools, school prayer, censorship, and other church and State issues. The report concludes with policy recommendations and objectives for the improvement of public education. (JCD)

This paper features a summary of comments and suggestions from participants in the Alberta Science Education Leaders' Symposia on the future of secondary science education. Topics discussed include needs, challenges, and concerns in science education; suggestions for change; renewing secondary science programs; professional development of teachers; partnerships; and programs for both the Calgary and Edmonton symposia. (CCM)

This environmental education strategy was developed by a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Washington Office Task Group in collaboration with staff at all levels of the BLM. The strategy calls for the BLM to expand its efforts in educating citizens about ecosystems and ecosystem management, and to establish environmental education as an integral part of the agency's ecosystem management efforts. The BLM vision, goals, theme, guiding principles, and objectives are discussed in individual chapters. Ecosystem education, program coordination, tools, and tips on partnerships, funding, and program evaluation are also included. (Contains 36 references.) (CCM/NB)

The purpose of this guide is to offer suggestions for establishing different types of partnerships in math, science, and technology education and to suggest resources to make them successful. The first section describes materials to enhance learning that meet national science and mathematics education standards. The second section describes different types of K-12 partnerships in which engineers can add valuable insight. Types of partnerships, strategies for successful partnerships with educators, and examples of successful programs are also included. Contact information is provided throughout the guide. (WRM)