‘Dangerous presumptions’: how single‐sex schooling reifies false notions of sex,gender, and sexuality

Due to the recent changes in federal regulations about gender equity in education in the USA, some policy makers have resurrected single‐sex public education. Because single‐sex schooling ignores the complexity of sex, gender, and sexuality, it sets up a ‘separate but equal’ system that is anything but. Discounting the ways in which gender is negotiated, constructed, and performed, and the variability of anatomical sex, current arguments for single‐sex schooling reify the false binaries of sex and gender, rely on assumptions of heteronormativity and, in turn, negate the existence of multiple sexes, genders, and sexual orientations.     

Revisiting educational equity and quality in China through Confucianism, policy, research, and practice

The promotion of educational equity and improvement of educational quality in China are contextualised in tenets of Confucianism and policy directives, inspiring educational research and practice. In this paper, we first explore the historical and cultural roots of educational equity and quality through Confucianism and elaborate on the current policy priority that aims to address educational equity and quality. We then present an overview of research on equity and quality in Chinese education. Informed by Confucianism, policy, and research, we pose a framework to structure our investigation and analysis of three illustrative examples, namely the Special Post Teacher Plan, amalgamation of rural schools, and schooling of floating children. Drawing insights from Confucianism, policy, research, and practice, we conclude that the promotion of educational equity through high quality provision of education for disadvantaged groups can help to narrow the gap in educational quality currently existing in China.     

Policy issues in the economics of higher education and related research opportunities in Britain and the United States

This paper considers several opportunities for research on the means of relating investment in higher education more closely to widely expressed desires for faster economic growth and for greater equity in educational opportunity. It does this against a background of policy issues related to growth and equity among income groups common to the current debates in the United States and Britain.Major basic policy trends in the U.S. are reviewed briefly first, with comparisons to some similar developments in Britain. These are then related to an underlying need for research to broaden the concept of human educational capital as a means of bringing findings closer to the needs of legislators' constituents and educational planners in democratic nations. Some preliminary evidence is included that suggests, for example, that not only expected monetary returns, but also expected nonmonetary returns reflecting the increasing value of time are important to students and their families as they decide to invest.The possibilities for research on means of aiding growth then are considered. They focus primarily on the opportunities inherent in early findings on relative rates of return to two year (e.g. Higher National Certificate, or junior college) programs, and the potential through adaptations in postsecondary education for speeding up application of basic science and new technology to production.Finally, research and preliminary findings on the regressive incidence of the net benefits of higher education among income groups is considered. It is suggested that there are some ways that higher education can contribute to faster economic growth while simultaneously contributing to equity.This paper was prepared while the author was Academic Visitor at the London School of Economics Higher Education Research Unit immediately following a semester spent as Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.     

Sex and relationships education and gender equality: recent experiences from Andalusia (Spain)

Despite recent advances in sex and relationships education (SRE), the Spanish education system still lacks coherent policies in this field. This paper provides an overview of the current situation, focusing specifically on Andalusia, and discusses the importance of providing SRE for young people. It first describes current Spanish education policy on gender equality and shows how this leaves little space for SRE. It then presents data on young people's sexuality and relationships collected in the course of an action research project utilising different qualitative techniques. Data deriving from 27 in-depth interviews focusing on values, norms and practices relating to young people's sexuality and relationships, conducted in two secondary schools in Granada, Andalusia, are then analysed in order to identify the degree of gender equality present within them. The results suggest that in sexual relations young people tend uncritically to accept and reproduce many of the patriarchal dimensions of gender and sexuality. Findings highlight the importance of linking more closely SRE to gender equality education policies in Spain.     

从技术的角度关注教育公平——国内教育技术领域研究的一个视角

促进教育公平作为我国基本教育政策,已经越来越引起各界的关注。在当前教育信息化发展的大背景下,从信息技术的角度关注和研究教育公平问题是国内教育技术领域研究的一个新视角。本文在阐述信息技术与教育公平关系的基础上,对“无障碍网络教育环境构建”和“以信息技术促进教育资源城乡共享”两项相关研究做了简要介绍。     

A comparison of elementary teacher attitudes and skills in teaching science in Australia and the United States

A study, originally don in Australia in 1983, was replicated in an urban-suburb in the Unitd States. The Australian project vivolved matched pairs of year-fiv teachers in one of two workshops. One workshop taught the skills of teaching electricity, while the other one discussed issues in gender equity in science education (active participation of both girls and boys, comparble student-teacher interactions, and research findings concerning equity). The U.S. study provided three types of workshops (skills, equity and skills, and equity) for comparable groups of fourth and fifth grade teachers. All teachers and their students were subsequently obseved during lessons involving an electricity unit, queried both students and teachers concerning the appropriateness of different fields of science for boys and girls and their interest and aptitudes in doing various types of science. Results from both studies suggest that gender differences in student attitudes toward science may be amellorated by specific types of teacher workshop. Specializations: Gender research, science teacher education, science education national policy. Specializations: Elementary and middle school science education, classroom research. Specializations: Secondary science education, data analysis.     

Equitable science education in urban middle schools: Do reform efforts make a difference?*

A central commitment of current reforms in science education is that all students, regardless of culture, gender, race, and/ or socioeconomic status, are capable of understanding and doing science. The study “Bridging the Gap: Equity in Systemic Reform” assessed equity in systemic reform using a nested research design that drew on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. As part of the study, case studies were conducted in two urban middle schools in large Ohio cities. The purpose of the case studies was to identify factors affecting equity in urban science education reform. Data were analyzed using Kahle's (1998) equity metric. That model allowed us to assess progress toward equity using a range of research‐based indicators grouped into three categories critical for equitable education: access to, retention in, and achievement in quality science education. In addition, a fourth category was defined for systemic indicators of equity. Analyses indicated that the culture and climate of the case study schools differentially affected their progress toward equitable reform in science education. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 1130–1144, 2001     

中国基础教育生均经费支出的公平性研究——基于Gini系数和Theil指数的测算

基础教育生均经费支出的公平性影响着教育过程公平和教育结果公平。文章基于1995—2018年基础教育生均经费支出数据和在校生数据,通过计算Gini系数和Theil指数测算了中国基础教育生均经费支出公平性的变化规律。研究发现,1995—2018年中国基础教育生均经费支出公平性总体上处于"比较公平"和"相对合理"水平,且整体上更加公平了;基础教育生均经费支出的省际差异大于区域差异;东部地区基础教育生均经费支出省际差异较大,公平程度较低;全国高中生均经费支出的公平性有降低的趋势。基于以上研究发现,文章提出了相关政策建议。     

The new articulation of equity education in neoliberal times: the changing conception of social justice in Ontario

In this paper, we draw attention to the impact of neoliberal globalisation in rearticulating conceptions of equity within the Ontario context. The Ontario education system has been hailed for its top performance on Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) as a high-equity/high-quality education system and created ‘PISA envy’ in the international context. Our aim in this paper is to provide some critical analysis of the neoliberal rationality and to examine its manifestations for rearticulating conceptions of social justice. Drawing on equity education policies in Ontario and one in-depth interview with an equity practitioner in one of Ontario’s large and most diverse school boards, this paper illustrates how a redefinition of equity has been made possible through neoliberal systems of accountability and performativity involving measurement and facticity. As a result of these strategies, equity policy in education has been concerned with outcome measurement and boys’ underachievement, while racial and class inequalities have become invisible. While this paper is focused on Ontario equity policy, we believe that it serves much broader interest given the current context of global education policy field.     

Excavating silences and tensions of agency|passivity in science education reform

I reflect on studies by Rodriguez and Carlone, Haun-Frank, and Kimmel to emphasize the ways in which they excavate silences in the science education literature related to linguistic and cultural diversity and situating the problem of reform in teachers rather than contextual factors, such as traditional schooling discourses and forces that serve to marginalize science. I propose that the current push for top-down reform and accountability diminishes opportunities for receptivity, learning with and from students in order to transform teachers’ practices and promote equity in science education. I discuss tensions of agency and passivity in science education reform and argue that attention to authentic caring constitutes another silence in the science education literature. I conclude that the current policy context positions teachers and science education researchers as tempered radicals struggling against opp(reg)ressive reforms and that there is a need for more studies to excavate these and other silences.     

Current State and Development Trends of Education Policy Research in China in the Last Decade (2004–2013): A Statistical Analysis of Papers from Eight Core Chinese Journals

Abstract

The author conducted sampling and statistical analysis of papers on education policy research collected by the China National Knowledge Infrastructure in the period from the years 2004–2013. Under the current state of education policy research in China, the number of papers correlates positively with the year; the papers are concentrated in education journals; the researchers are primarily associated with institutions of higher education; and the studies cover a broad range of topics, while emphasizing the practice of education policy. The development trends of education policy research in China include a general rising trend for research on education policy; in the future, researchers from institutions of higher education will continue to be a dominant force in education policy research, and the authors’ regional distribution will continue to be imbalanced; education policy research will focus more on educational equity and improved quality, and studies of foreign education policies will continue to be a topic of interest.     

Gendered education in a gendered world: looking beyond cosmetic solutions to the gender gap in science

Young people in countries considered to be at the forefront of gender equity still tend to choose very traditional science subjects and careers. This is particularly the case in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects (STEM), which are largely male dominated. This article uses feminist critiques of science and science education to explore the underlying gendered assumptions of a research project aiming to contribute to improving recruitment, retention and gender equity patterns in STEM educations and careers. Much research has been carried out to understand this gender gap phenomenon as well as to suggest measures to reduce its occurrence. A significant portion of this research has focused on detecting the typical “female” and “male” interest in science and has consequently suggested that adjustments be made to science education to cater for these interests. This article argues that adjusting science subjects to match perceived typical girls’ and boys’ interests risks being ineffective, as it contributes to the imposition of stereotyped gender identity formation thereby also imposing the gender differences that these adjustments were intended to overcome. This article also argues that different ways of addressing gender issues in science education themselves reflects different notions of gender and science. Thus in order to reduce gender inequities in science these implicit notions of gender and science have to be made explicit. The article begins with an overview of the current situation regarding gender equity in some so- called gender equal countries. We then present three perspectives from feminist critiques of science on how gender can be seen to impact on science and science education. Thereafter we analyze recommendations from a contemporary research project to explore which of these perspectives is most prevalent.     

Jane Butler Kahle: passion,determination, and vision

In this article, I describe how Jane Butler Kahle’s intellectual curiosity, commitment to equity and her ability to use various research approaches, to establish research and networking groups comprised of scholars from diverse backgrounds, theoretical perspectives and geographic locations, to disseminate research outcomes and findings through scholarly publications, service on policy committees and mentoring of other scholars framed a career in science education that has impacted students, teachers, and researchers. Jane synergistically and tirelessly combined her research, teaching, and service to identify, challenge and reduce inequities in science education in the US and throughout the world because for her it was important that all students have access to quality science education.     

Access and equity in financing higher education: The case of Morocco

This paper explores the higher education financing policy in Morocco in light of the central issue of equity. First, it surveys the current situation, using a critical approach to the present financing policy, and looking at the three dimensions of adequacy, efficiency, and equity. Second, it describes the principal policy challenges in financing higher education. Third, it presents several public policy proposals likely to bring changes to the financing policy in order to meet these challenges. The analysis shows that the sustainability and the equity of the current financing system are undermined by the dysfunctions introduced by the private/public split in the higher education system and the lack of a clear political strategy pertaining to the medium of instruction.     

论教育活动中的性别偏见

男女生性别差异是客观存在的,然而在教育活动中存在着忽视学生性别差异的现象,存在着性别偏见的问题.这主要表现为教师对性别心理特性的偏见;教材文化中的性别偏见;教育科学中的性别偏见.要真正做到男女平等,在教育活动中必须关注性别差异,实施"因性施教",使每一个学生得到健康,全面的发展.     

Contemporary approaches to learning science: technologically-mediated practical work

This paper describes the current state of science education in Arab states and anticipates some of the challenges faced by those states as they reform their science education. After discussing problems of illiteracy, access and quality we provide contextual information about the structure of the educational systems and describe recent efforts to reform them. We focus on issues pertaining to science curriculum and textbooks, language, religion, student learning in science, science teacher education and science education research and summarise the challenges and opportunities for research faced in each area. We conclude the paper by proposing a set of policy and research recommendations that could aid in the development of lasting solutions for recurring problems.     

我国基础教育公平与均衡发展政策研究的历史走向

基础教育公平与均衡发展不仅关系着国民素质的基本保证、整体提升和社会的进步,同时也关系到个体学习与发展权利的实现。为了使教育事业得以良性循环和不断发展,就要求实现受教育者的人格完善及个人兴趣爱好受到充分的尊重,这不仅是全民素质得以整体发展和提升的基本需要,同时也是新的历史时期赋予的新的社会使命。面对这一新的教育课题,如何消融当前社会中出现的教育不公平现象和基础教育发展的不均衡弊端,就必须从政策学的宏观视角去进行深入的探索与研究。本文梳理了20世纪80年代以来各界学者对促进基础教育均衡发展、实现教育新的公平所作的政策探索,并从法学、伦理学、经济学、社会学和教育学等学科视角进行了综合分析和研究,以期为新时期基础教育公平和均衡发展政策和策略的提升提供可资参考的理论与实践基础。     

Agents for change: policy and practice towards a more gender‐inclusive science education

A range of initiatives aimed at a more gender‐inclusive science curriculum has developed in many countries. In this paper five countries are used to illustrate these developments. They have occurred usually in the context of relevant policy statements, but sometimes in the absence of a policy, through activists, often outside the school system. At times policies developed within the education system act in opposition to a change towards greater gender equity in science education. However, when policies are in place and made visible, and where feedback and adequate monitoring are required change has occurred. The successful incorporation of gender equity awareness and practices into the professional role and practice of teachers requires adequate resources to support change.     

大学语文对军校大学生性心理教育的旁涉

由于当前大学生性心理不成熟的普遍趋势和军事院校本身的特点,加上军事院校性教育落后的现状,军校大学生性心理教育已成为当前军事教育应该关注的问题,对军校学员的性心理进行教育、疏导,社科类各科课程,尤其是大学语文有着不可推脱的责任,要在可行的范围内大胆尝试。具体表现在:(一)从宏观上陶冶学员情操,健全其人格,增加其性心理的承受力。(二)以课堂作为心理教育的基本阵地,及时巧妙地调节学生的性心理状态。(三)对教材深挖细讲,使之成为引导青年学生性心理健康的成功案例。