Education & Pedagogy

ArtScan at a Glance summarizes state policies for arts education identified in statute or administrative code for all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity. Information is based on a comprehensive search of state education statute and codes on each state's relevant websites. Complete results from this review are available in an online searchable database at aep-arts.org.

Describes the 2002 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" 37th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The purpose of the "Digest" is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of U.S. education from prekindergarten through graduate school. Contains information on a variety of subjects in the field of education statistics, including numbers of students, schools, and teachers and information about educational finance. (SLD)

A final-year teacher education unit in New South Wales (Australia) uses action research as a learning process for interns. Online communication is the key support mechanism for interns placed in distant rural schools. Students appreciate the move to online work because it forces them to read, and bulletin boards provide support for complex projects. (Contains 32 references.) (TD)

This research will compare conceptual frameworks underpinning Scottish, French, and English preservice teacher education programs, using data from analysis of national policy documents and interviews with teacher educators and student teachers to examine the extent to which conceptual frameworks are reflected or implemented in national structural arrangements for preservice education and how different conceptualizations affect the learning to teach process. (SM)

Discussion of e-learning in special education personnel preparation focuses on student assessment in e-learning environments. It includes a review of the literature, lessons learned by the authors from assessing student performance in e-learning environments, a literature perspective on electronic portfolios in monitoring student progress, and the authors' experience with electronic portfolios. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

Critiques Daryl Siedentop's lecture, "In Search of Effective Teaching: What We Have Learned From Teachers," addressing aspects of effective teaching research that appear to be missing from or less evident in Siedentop's work and commenting on Siedentop's overall contributions to the literature on effective teaching in physical education (i.e., ecological teacher effectiveness and conceptual advances in physical education teacher education). (Contains references.) (SM)

Countries with good education systems have good health and transportation systems and equitable access to health care and public services. One must look at education in terms of inputs, not production or outputs. When healthy, well-fed, well-housed children enter an education system that provides transportation and access to books, dictionaries, and computers, that system will be more efficient and produce better results. (Author/TD)

A study investigated the perceived professional development needs of 117 British head teachers, 25 deputy head teachers, and 49 senior teachers working in specialist contexts. Results indicate a significant concern with organizationally focused issues; support of school- and LEA-based courses; and a lack of government funded training that addressed leadership roles in special education. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

In this article, the author describes her journey to international adult education and shares some lessons learned from her journey. The author developed her interest in international adult education through the Scientific Research Institute of International and Comparative Education (SRIICE) at Beijing Normal University and discovered its connections with Russia, Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and UNESCO. She emphasizes her gratitude for the opportunities afforded to her as a result of her affiliations with numerous international adult education groups.

Public discussion of higher education costs frequently confuses price with expenditure. This article examines factors associated with increases in the sticker price of a college education and the expenditures incurred by institutions in delivering that education. The discussion suggests that while growth in college tuition is real, access to higher education has not been reduced. Moreover, data indicate that colleges and universities have been responsible fiscal stewards in containing costs over which they have control. (Contains 7 figures.)

Dance as an art form is transformational to body, mind, and spirit. The author opines that public education would do just fine if dance was the "only" subject taught. This article presents the author's reflection on progress of dance in K-12 education. The author contends that progress in dance in K-12 education can perhaps be judged by the fact that it is still alive with stories and struggles. Some success and some failure keeps one humble and active and enlisted.

Researchers and practitioners need to exchange information in order for education research to become more useful. Practitioners need to develop more understanding of research and how to interpret its findings in light of local conditions. The What Works Clearinghouse, a project of the Institute for Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education, is working to achieve these goals by synthesizing research and producing webinars that allow practitioners to discuss findings with researchers.

This article presents a review of the current practice associated with American-model higher education (AHE) overseas with particular focus on expanding distance education. The review identifies specific areas of weakness in the practice of AHE overseas.

In November 2009 the current Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, gave a speech at the Centre for Policy Studies in which he set out the Conservative Party's priorities for education. This article explores some of the proposals in his speech, with particular references to initial teacher education and his attraction to Nordic and US models, and suggests that he has a limited grasp of his subject and the potential cost of his proposals.

Forty-nine Georgian professionals from the fields of health, education, and rehabilitation were brought together for a week-long workshop to discuss issues related to disability, rehabilitation, and special education. Workshop activities included a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of special education in Georgia. Resulting recommendations are provided. (Contains 9 references.) (CR)