Education & Pedagogy

The Didactics of Informatics research group at the University of Paderborn (Germany) is involved in efforts to design, implement and evaluate a curriculum for Media education for prospective teachers at the secondary school level. One major issue is the question of whether it is necessary for future teachers to learn the basic concepts of informatics, and if so, which topics within informatics are relevant, and which main objectives should be achieved. After 2 years of seminars on basic informatics for students of education at the University of Paderborn, it is now possible to submit the preliminary results. This paper discusses the rationale behind introducing informatics into media education for teachers, and describes elements of the curriculum, as well as the main teaching objectives for a better understanding of computer-based media. (Author)

The goals and measures identified in this report provide insight to policymakers, higher education analysts, and parents and students throughout the nation. They are tools to understand the trend of nationwide standards so that California can make informed decisions about holding its postsecondary institutions accountable for the quality of education provided to its citizens. This report examines higher education goals and performance indicators found in thirty other states. Based on this review and analysis, the Commission recommends the following five statewide goals for post secondary education in California: (1) Student Success and Efficiency in Student Progress; (2) Efficiency in Administration; (3) Diversity and Access; (4) Educational Quality; and (5) Public Benefit. The contents of this report are organized as follows: (1) Preface; (2) Audience for Accountability; (3) Methodology; (4) Most Commonly Identified Goals; (5) Data Availability; (6) Next Steps; and (7) CPEC Recommendations.

In 2005, Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education initiated a comprehensive exercise to establish a new vision for the province's advanced education system. Through the "A Learning Alberta" initiative, a revised vision and new policy outcomes for Alberta's advanced education system will be articulated. The "A Learning Alberta" initiative has started public discussion on system-wide issues related to Alberta's development and growth as a learning society. Discussion and resource documents have been released to start dialogues on affordability, accessibility, investing, rural access, innovation, and shaping the system direction. This document focuses on obtaining stakeholder feedback on how to identify and ensure a high quality advanced education system in Alberta. It reviews Alberta's current system of quality assurance and assessment measures, proposes a framework to guide our thinking on quality in advanced education, and concludes with key questions. (Contains 7 figures.) [This report was produced by Alberta Advanced Education.]

Since computer science education is a key to preparing students for a technologically-oriented future, it makes sense to have high quality resources for conducting summative and formative evaluation of those programs. This paper describes the results of a critical analysis of the resources for evaluating K-12 computer science education projects. After conducting a comprehensive literature search for evaluation resources geared towards the evaluation of K-12 computer science education programs, the resources that met the criteria for inclusion were rated, quantitatively and qualitatively, by two raters. The ratings were based on a framework of feasibility, utility, accuracy, and propriety. Evaluators of K-12 computer science education programs can use the findings of this paper to determine which evaluation resources they may want to use.

The data presented in this combined report--"Rankings & Estimates"--provide facts about the extent to which local, state, and national governments commit resources to public education. Part I of the report--"Rankings 2006"--provides state-level data on an array of topics relevant to the complex enterprise of public education. In addition to identifying emerging trends in key economic, political, and social areas, the state-by-state figures on government financing, state demographics, and public schools permit a statistical assessment of the scope of public education. Part II of the report--"Estimates 2007"--provides projections of public school enrollment, employment and compensation of personnel, and finances, as reported by individual state departments of education. The state-level data featured in "Estimates" permit broad assessments of trends in staff salaries, sources of school funding, and levels of educational expenditures. (Contains 137 tables and 8 figures.)

This hearing, the second of three on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, discussed some of the key federal elements in college preparation and outreach, as well as state and private-sector initiatives. Participating members and witnesses included: Honorable Ruben Hinojosa, Chairman, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness; Honorable Ric Keller, Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness; Martha Cantu, Director, Gear Up Program, University of Texas-Pan American; Dane Linn, Director, Education Division, Center for Best Practices, National Governors Association; Maria D. Martinez, Director, Center for Academic Programs, University of Connecticut; and J.B. Schramm, Founder, College Summit.

Years of conflict and instability have taken a heavy toll on education in Afghanistan. While the government rebuilds its public education system, formal schools fail to reach many of the country's children. Girls remain particularly underserved as a result of the looming effects of the Taliban's sanctions against educating women. Among the reasons why girls' access to education remains limited are: the significant distance from home to school, government schools tend to be dominated by male teachers, and cultural beliefs which undervalue girls' education. Nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan are promoting community-based or home-based schooling as one approach to increasing education access, especially for girls. This case study examines the model and outcomes of the home-based schooling program developed and implemented by the International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan.

Sex education has always been a controversial topic. Although sex education at schools has improved in general, sex education for mentally retarded pupils still encounters prejudice and conservatism as a result of several misconceptions about the subject. This research was performed in the form of a survey of opinions about sex education in special classes in ordinary public schools for mentally retarded pupils in Tokyo, Japan. Information was collected through written questionnaires distributed to teachers and parents of pupils of both sexes, whose age range was between 7 and 16 years. This work aims to stimulate an open and broad discussion, as well as to help teachers and parents to improve their knowledge about the subject. In addition, it provides data to outline a more specific program in sex education for mentally retarded pupils.

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama", as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about programs and goals of public education in Alabama. This issue contains the following articles: (1) What Does Adequate Yearly Progress Mean for Alabama Schools?; (2) New State Superintendent of Education Makes Staff Changes; and (3) Parent Involvement Urged During Statewide Parent Visitation Month in October. Regular features include: (1) Board Briefs; (2) Good News in Alabama Schools; (3) Awards, Opportunities and Professional Development; and (4) Calendar.

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "The High Cost of Low Educational Performance": New OECD Report Finds that 25 Point Increase in PISA Scores Could Lead to $40.6 Trillion Increase in United States's GDP; (2) "Best Economic Stimulus Is a High School Diploma": New Alliance Study Finds Lowering the High School Dropout Rate Boosts Job Creation, Home Ownership, Automobile Sales, and Economic Growth; and (3) "College- and Career-Ready": New Education Sector Report Offers a Different Take on Measuring Student College and Career Readiness. (Contains 2 footnotes.)

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama", as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about programs and goals of public education in Alabama. This issue contains the following articles: (1) Special Education Law Rewritten to Help Students and Educators; (2) Black History Month Teaching Resources Available; (3) After 23 Years...Landmark Teacher Testing Case Ends; and (4) Tsunamis' Devastation Swallows Up Children. Regular features include: (1) Good News in Alabama Schools; (2) Awards, Opportunities, and Professional Development; (3) Calendar; and (4) Teacher of the Month.

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama", as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about programs and goals of public education in Alabama. This issue contains the following articles: (1) "Helping Schools" Tags Really Do Help Schools!; (2) Accountability Roundtable Will Serve Students; and (3) Olympic Gold Medalist Visits Alabama Department of Education to Promote May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Regular features include: (1) Good News in Alabama Schools; (2) Awards, Opportunities, and Professional Development; (3) Calendar; and (4) Teacher of the Month.

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Senate Approves Budget Plan: Amendment Adds Funds for Education Programs; (2) The Hits Keep Coming: House Appropriations Subcommittee Criticizes President's Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2007; (3) Improving Educational Outcomes: Alliance Symposium Focuses on Importance of Data to Closing the Achievement Gap and Successfully Reforming Schools; (4) "Breaking Ranks in the Middle": New Report Offers Guidance to Middle School Principals on Improving Student Achievement; and (5) State of the State Addresses: Florida and Minnesota Governors Push High School Reform.

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Diplomas Count": Report Finds that 1.23 Million Students Will Fail to Graduate in 2008; (2) "The High Cost of High School Dropouts": Alliance Pegs Cost of 2008 Dropouts at $319 Billion; (3) "Making a Difference?": Urban Institute Report Finds Positive Results for Teach for America High School Teachers; (4) Education in '08?: Education Not an Issue During Primaries, but Signs Point to Higher Profile in McCain-Obama Matchup; and (5) The Continued Collapse of the Teen Job Market: Summer Employment Rates Among Teens Expected to be Lowest in Sixty Years of Counting.

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Two Roads Diverged in a Hearing Room: Congressional Hearing on the Federal Education Budget Previews Two Possible Paths for Spending Decisions; (2) House and Senate Committees Report Budget Plans: Blueprints Call for Spending More Overall than the President's Budget and Increases for Education Programs; (3) "What Keeps Good Teachers in the Classroom?": New Alliance Issue Brief Examines Which Teachers Leave and Why; and (4) State of the State Address: Crist Seeks Additional Funding for Merit Pay for Teachers. (Contains 1 footnote.)