Learning from migrant education: A case study of the schooling of rural migrant children in Beijing

This paper focuses on the educational opportunities available to rural migrant children in Beijing. On the basis of fieldwork conducted in migrant communities in 2004–2005, I conclude that administrative and financial barriers, as well as discrimination, prevent migrant children from entering state schools. I discuss the quality of education available in unlicensed private schools, followed by an analysis of the possible reasons for the state's exclusion of migrant children from state schools and its hostility to migrants’ self-provision of education.     

Reciprocal learning in partnership practice: an exploratory study of a home visiting program for mothers with depression

The paper proposes that the function and meaning of adult learning has significantly changed since the times the ‘founding fathers’ outlined a philosophical framework for adult education. And already for them the philosophy of conventional education never really seemed adequate. Likewise, a philosophy of adult education today–which is badly needed ‐‐ can no longer be derived from the philosophy of conventional education, and must be elaborated from bottom‐up, i.e. by understanding themeaning of learning for adult learners today as well as the function of adult learning in present society.     

流动儿童城市适应状况及过程:一项质性研究的结果

This article employs qualitative research methods to explore the urban adaptation and adaptation processes of Chinese migrant children. Through twenty-one in-depth interviews with migrant children, the researchers discovered: The participant migrant children showed a fairly high level of adaptation to the city; their process of urban adaptation emerged as three categories: the U-Type, the J-type, and the “flat line” type. Also explored were long-term acquisition of explicit behaviors, implicit notions, adaptation to the socio-cultural environment, and success in education as difficult aspects of adaptation. After comparing these three processes, the research team developed a theory of migrant children urban adaptation. It hypothesizes that during the urban adaptation process, migrant children will encounter four stages of development: excitement and curiosity, shock and resistance, exploration and adaptation, and finally integration and assimilation. __________ Translated by Amanda Weiss from Beijing Shifan Daxue Xuebao (Shehui Kexue Ban) 北京师范大学学报 (社会科学版) (Journal of Beijing Normal University (Social Sciences)), 2008, (3): 9–20, revised by Deane Neubauer, Emeritus Professor, University of Hawaii     

Treatment of depressed mothers in home visiting: Impact on psychological distress and social functioning

Objectives

Depression is prevalent in mothers receiving home visiting. Little is known about the impact of treatment on associated features of maternal depression in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a novel, adapted treatment for depressed mothers in home visiting on psychological distress and social functioning.

Methods

In-Home Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (IH-CBT) was developed to treat depressed mothers in home visiting. A randomized clinical trial design was used in which subjects were 93 new mothers in a home visiting program. Mothers with major depressive disorder identified at 3 months postpartum were randomized into IH-CBT and ongoing home visiting (n = 47) or standard home visiting (SHV; n = 46) in which they received home visitation alone and could obtain treatment in the community. Measures of psychological distress, social support, and social network were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Clinical features of depression and home visiting parameters were examined as potential moderators.

Results

Subjects receiving IH-CBT reported decreased psychological distress at post-treatment (ES = 0.77) and follow-up (ES = 0.73). Examination of types of psychological distress indicated broad improvements at both time points. Those receiving IH-CBT reported increased social support over time relative to those in the SHV condition. Effect sizes were modest at post-treatment (ES = 0.38) but increased at follow-up (ES = 0.65). Improvements were seen in affiliative and belonginess aspects of social support, in contrast to tangible support which was statistically non-significant. Findings were not moderated by clinical features of depression or home visiting parameters. No group differences were found in size of and involvement with social networks.

Conclusions

IH-CBT is effective in reducing psychological distress and improving perceived social support in depressed mothers receiving home visiting. To the extent that mothers are better adjusted and feel socially supported, they are more available to their children and more amenable to home visiting services. IH-CBT is a feasible, readily adopted treatment that is compatible with multiple home visiting models. As a result it is a promising approach to help depressed mothers in home visiting. Additional interventions may be needed to support depressed mothers in building sizable and stable social networks.     

Attachment and bookreading patterns: A study of mothers,fathers, and their toddlers

This study, involving 138 families rearing firstborn sons, extends work on bookreading by relating quality of parent-child interactive exchange during bookreading to contemporaneous and antecedent assessments of infant-parent attachment security. One parent and the child were observed when children were 12, 13, 18, and 20 months. At the first and third visit, infant-mother attachment security was assessed, with infant-father attachment security being assessed at the second and fourth visit. Following the assessment of attachment security at 18 and 20 months, parent and child were videotaped in a bookreading session. At 18 and 20 months, children responded to the pictures in a book by pointing and labelling, and their parents tried to initiate these reactions by following predictable routines. In contrast to other mothers, insecure-avoidant mothers were more inclined to read the verbal text and less inclined to initiate interactions around the pictures. Insecure-avoidant children were less inclined to respond to the book and were more distracted. In insecure-resistant dyads, overcontrolling and overstimulating behavior by the mother appeared to covary with ambivalence on the part of the children. The results do not support a similar pattern for the fatherchild dyads. Implications for family literacy programs are discussed.     

Interpersonal trauma and suicide attempts in low-income depressed mothers in home visiting

BackgroundRisk of suicide is a major concern for depressed mothers in the perinatal period. The strongest predictor of completing suicide is having made a previous attempt. Little is known about the clinical features of low-income, depressed mothers who have attempted suicide in contrast to those who have not.ObjectiveThis study examined clinical and psychosocial features of 170 low-income, young, depressed mothers with and without previous suicide attempts who were enrolled in an early childhood home visiting program.MethodMothers were identified via screening at three months postpartum and diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) using a semi-structured interview. Psychiatric history and presentation, child maltreatment history, intimate partner violence, and social functioning were measured.Results31.8% of mothers had previous suicide attempts. Mean age of first attempt was 14.38 years (SD = 2.55) and the median number of lifetime attempts was 2. In contrast to no attempts, those who had attempted suicide had more MDD symptoms, earlier age of first MDD episode, and more episodes. A previous attempt was associated with greater childhood trauma, more current MDD symptoms and PTSD diagnosis. No differences were found on intimate partner violence. Mothers who made an attempt reported lower levels of tangible social support and smaller social networks.ConclusionsHistory of suicide attempts is associated with childhood trauma history and later psychosocial impairments in low income, depressed mothers in home visiting. Implications for addressing the needs of depressed mothers with suicide attempt histories in the context of early childhood programs are discussed.     

Educational opportunities and academic performance: A case study of university student mothers in Venezuela

The transformation of universities from elite to mass models in developing countries has given the opportunity to new social groups to participate in higher education. As a part of this process, diverse groups of students have benefited in different ways from the equal educational opportunities offered to them. In this paper, we approach the problem of institutional efficiency versus social inclusion in a developing country through the case study of the academic performance of a social group of recent participation in a public university in Venezuela, especifically that of student mothers in the Universidad de Los Andes. This work investigates how student mothers make use of the educational opportunities opened to them and how their academic performance is affected by their particular life circumstances. Evidence shows that the academic performance of student mothers is lower than that of other groups of university students. In practice, student mothers participate as part-time students, although this category is not officially recognized by most Venezuelan public universities. Almost all the life circumstances of student mothers negatively affect their academic performance. The only circumstance that contributes positively to the performance of a student mother is the help provided by her extended family in taking care of her children. The fact that student mothers are able to participate in higher education is mainly due to the help they receive from their extended family. This is a distinctive cultural feature associated to this social group in the context of a developing country such as Venezuela.     

当代农民工党员的主体作用:困境与路径选择

农民工党员是农民工群体的骨干力量,决定了加强农民工中党的工作必须要研究农民工党员的主体作用。然而,这项工作在实践中却存在着农民工党员主体意识不强、管理工作不顺、政治参与不够和制度供给不足的困境。为了摆脱困境,必须构建农民工党员主体意识激活机制、主体素质提升机制、流动党员动态管理机制、激励关怀帮扶机制、组织保障机制和制度保障机制。     

The role of teachers’ orientation to learning in professional development and change: A national study of teachers in England

This paper uses results from a national survey of teachers in England to test a hypothesised model of teacher orientation to learning (consisting of beliefs, practice and experiences about learning) and its relationship to teacher learning change. Results from a structural equation modeling process of 1126 teacher survey responses show that teachers bring an internal, external and collaborative orientation to their professional learning. The beliefs and practices associated with these orientations are also shown to have a moderate influence, via path analysis, on teacher learning change defined as a composite outcome of change in beliefs, practices and students.     

困境与出路:构建新生代农民工精神家园的对策思考

当前,新生代农民工屡屡出现道德失范现象,具体表现为自律性迷失、缺乏正确的就业观和价值观以及理想信念丧失等,给构建和谐社会造成了一些不利的影响。产生这一现象的原因是多方面的。必须完善企业内部管理机制、营造健康和谐的企业人文环境以及社会和政府为他们创造必要的、健康和谐的社会环境,从而为新生代农民工构建一个精神家园,让他们对现实有所向往,对未来有所憧憬,使其成为和谐社会的积极构建者。     

流动儿童学习适应性现状与干预策略研究

流动儿童是指跟随父母或其他监护人在流入地暂时居住半年以上,且具有学习能力的儿童少年。本研究采用学习适应性量表(简称AAT),对大连市开发区2所小学的学生进行问卷调查,得出结论如下:(1)流动儿童与常住儿童总体上对自我要求水准的差异不显著,儿童学习适应性不受自我要求的影响。(2)与常住儿童相比,流动儿童在学习技术、学校环境、独立性和毅力这三个方面存在一定问题。(3)在归因方面,流动儿童比常住儿童更为积极。     

高校办学自主权:下放还是回归

高校办学自主权是大学自治理念在中国语境下的权力表达形式,集中反映了政府及其外在力量与大学的权力关系.办学自主权是在大学长期发展过程中自主形成的,是大学固有而非政府所有的本质属性,是维系大学生存、促进大学发展的基本保障.因此,逐步回归大学办学自主权是大学发展的题中之义.     

User design: A case study on corporate change

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of implementing user design strategies within the corporate culture. Using a case study design approach, this article explores the change process within a Fortune 100 company in which users were given significant decision‐making powers. The main focus is on the unique nature of user design in a corporate environment where users become stakeholders in the process, a very different approach from the more typical top‐down management style. The study found that allowing users to design their own day‐to‐day processes gave them a sense of empowerment in their jobs because they could manage how they worked as long as they were meeting company goals. As a result, users were better able to manage their jobs, solve process‐related problems, and increase efficiency.     

A scale for home visiting nurses to identify risks of physical abuse and neglect among mothers with newborn infants

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to construct and test the reliability (utility, internal consistency, interrater agreement) and the validity (internal validity, concurrent validity) of a scale for home visiting social nurses to identify risks of physical abuse and neglect in mothers with a newborn child. METHOD: A 71-item scale was constructed based on a literature review and focus group sessions with social nurses and paraprofessionals who had experience with underprivileged families. This scale was applied in a random sample of 40 home visiting social nurses, who collected data in a sample of 373 nonabusive and 18 abusive/neglectful mothers with a newborn child. RESULTS: Items with prevalence rates below 5% and items making no significant difference between maltreating and non-maltreating mothers were omitted. The final version contained 20 items. This scale showed high internal consistency (alpha = .92) and high interrater reliability (r = .97). Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution: Isolation (8 items, explaining 62.17% of the common variance), Psychological complexity (6 items, 18.86%), and Communication problems (6 items, 8.41%). Scores on Communication problems and Isolation significantly predicted scores on a social deprivation scale, which significantly distinguished maltreating from non-maltreating mothers. Mothers scoring high on Communication problems or Isolation obtained higher scores for social deprivation than low-scoring mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Home visiting nurses can identify risks for physical abuse and neglect among mothers with a newborn infant by focusing on signs of social isolation, distorted communication and psychological problems.