An examination of the evidence-based literacy research in deaf education

The ability to read and write for a variety of purposes is essential to success in school and in contemporary society. The purpose of this investigation was to conduct an exhaustive review of the literature and a meta-analysis of literacy research in the field of deaf education. Computer and manual searches of 40 years of peer-reviewed journal articles were conducted. A total of 964 articles related to literacy and deafness were identified and examined; 22 articles met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Results indicate that (a) no two studies examined the same dimension of literacy; (b) there was a paucity of well-designed group studies; (c) there were no systematic replication of studies; (d) there is limited data to establish evidenced-based practices. Consequently, increasing the quantity and improving the quality of research in the field is recommended.     

An examination of the vocational education and training reform debate in Southern Africa

This paper explores the role that vocational education and training (VET) can play in Southern African responses to major socio‐economic challenges. It argues that this role will be most pronounced if it is articulated within a broader educational and economic vision that is shared by a range of stakeholders in society and supported by an adequate funding base, effective information systems and qualified and motivated planners and implementers. However, it cautions that it is also important to remember that VET reform will not in itself transform economies or societies. The paper argues that there is considerable convergence within Southern Africa around 10 themes of VET reform. It argues that there is much that is of merit in the current broad package for VET transformation but that it is essential that it is carefully critiqued and that elements are adapted to national circumstances and visions.     

Results of two national surveys of leadership personnel needs in deaf education

Seventy university teacher preparation programs and 100 instructional programs serving at least 120 deaf and hard of hearing students were surveyed separately to (a) determine the demand for additional doctoral-level leadership personnel in deaf education, (b) obtain guidance for university leadership preparation programs in deaf education for the purpose of recruiting leadership personnel, and (c) identify experiences that would be relevant to the positions for which prospective leadership personnel are preparing. Data representing 54% of teacher preparation programs and 65% of instructional programs serving deaf and hard of hearing students in the United States evince the need for additional doctoral-level personnel for faculty positions in university teacher preparation programs in deaf education, as well as the need for leadership positions in instructional programs serving deaf and hard of hearing children. Data also provide direction for leadership preparation programs in addressing the leadership personnel needs of the field.     

Parental training and involvement in sexuality education for students who are deaf

The study examined whether schools for the deaf were providing services to assist parents in communicating with their children about sexuality (including sexual signs) and whether parents were involved in the sexuality education curriculum within their child's school. The Sexuality Curriculum Questionnaire for Educators of Students Who Are Deaf (Getch & Gabriel, 1998) was completed by 71 educators teaching sexuality curricula in schools for the deaf across the United States. Results indicated that parents were more likely to be involved in approval and development of their children's sexuality education than to receive assistance with sexuality education from the schools. Although the level of parental participation in curriculum development and approval is encouraging, the number of parents actually participating in curriculum development and approval remains low.     

Implementing vision research in special needs education

This article presents experiences from vision research implemented in education and argues for the need for teachers with visual competence and insight into suitable methods for stimulation and learning. A new type of continuing professional development (CPD) focuses on the role of vision in children's learning and development, the consequences of frequently occurring vision disturbances and related new educational possibilities. Participating teachers undertake a period of practical teaching training in their home community. Two students' cases visualise the need to break out of the narrow definition of visual impairment and become capable of evaluating the visual challenges affecting many pupils and their learning. The two cases presented represent various issues of visual challenges; both reached a better functional level, including better reading, following improved vision after the educational interventions. These results illustrate that vision competence in schools is most useful and ought to be widely accessible.     

The contribution of action-research to training teachers in intercultural education: A research in the field of Greek minority education

The article describes the framework, the methodology and the results of an educational research in the field of Greek minority education. The aim of the research was to explore whether action-research can help educators from the majority develop empathy for their minority pupils. The schools where the research took place are placed in Thrace, an area of North-Eastern Greece, which borders with Turkey.The research showed that the teachers’ training brought changes in their perceptions and attitudes related to their general ideological beliefs concerning otherness, their professional role and their educational work.     

Higher education for deaf students: research priorities in the new millennium

A review of research on deaf students in higher education reveals a significant body of knowledge about the barriers these students face in gaining access to information in the classroom. Much less is known about the potential solutions to these problems. In addition, there is a dearth of research on the effectiveness of such support services as interpreting, note taking, real-time captioning, and tutoring, particularly with regard to their impact on academic achievement. This article summarizes relevant research and suggests directions for educational researchers interested in enhancing academic success and the retention of deaf students in higher education programs.     

Special needs of the deaf dying patient

Hospice and hospital personnel who give care to dying patients should be prepared for situations in which a client or family member is hearing impaired. What are the specific concerns of a hearing impaired client? How are needs for meaningful conversation and expression of feelings compromised by the care giver's awkwardness? This article provides practical suggestions for meeting needs of hearing impaired clients with serious illnesses.     

Strengthening the special educational needs element of initial teacher training and education

In the academic year 2006–2007, the Training and Development Agency (TDA) set up a development programme to enable Initial Teacher Training and Education (ITTE) placements in specialist special education provision. The goal of the programme was to enhance the knowledge, skills and understanding of inclusive practice for special educational needs and disability among those joining and those who are relatively new to the teaching workforce. This article, by Gill Golder, Nicky Jones and Erica Eaton Quinn, all Senior Lecturers at the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth, outlines one project related to this TDA programme. The authors explore the outcomes of their work on a three‐year BEd (Honours) Secondary Physical Education course in the south‐west against the TDA's objectives for both trainee teachers and the special schools to which they were attached. Results confirm the importance of preparing trainee teachers for a future career in more inclusive schools.     

An investigation of the need for sign language assessment in deaf education

The attitudes of educators of the deaf and other professionals in deaf education concerning assessment of the use of American Sign Language (ASL) and other sign systems was investigated. A questionnaire was distributed to teachers in a residential school for the deaf in California. In addition to questions regarding the availability of sign language assessment at their schools, participants responded to items concerning their motivation to use a test for sign language measurement. Of the 100 distributed surveys, 85 were completed and returned. Results showed overwhelming agreement among respondents concerning the importance of sign language assessment, along with the need for tools that appropriately measure signing skills.     

Assessing the needs of training on inclusive education for public school administrators

This study assessed the needs of urban school leaders for special education preparation in a large public school district in the USA in order to assist the school administrators with improving their knowledge and skills for providing appropriate services to students with disabilities and their families to support inclusive education. The needs survey was created based on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC 2009) standards for school administrators in the USA and the literature in special education. The validity and reliability of the instrument were verified. The needs assessment measures 10 aspects regarding special education knowledge and skills as indicated by 10 factors in the exploratory factor analysis. Quantitative data analyses on a sample of 289 participants revealed that there were significant differences in the needs of training in special education knowledge based on the school administrators’ backgrounds. The current research supports the call for the professional development and inclusive education for school leaders. The findings of the current study indicated that school leaders wanted the knowledge to make them more successful in serving students with disabilities to answer the call for inclusive education.     

An examination of the professional development needs of out-of-field mathematics teachers

This paper presents an empirical study examining the professional development needs of out-of-field mathematics teachers in the Irish context (n = 202). An online questionnaire gathered data on cohort demographics and confidence with regard to teaching mathematics. A paper-and-pencil test evaluated teachers' cognitive and conceptual proficiency with curriculum-aligned mathematical content. Low achievement levels and high occurrence of conceptual errors indicate inadequate subject content knowledge and difficulties with the content of the curriculum. Additionally, these teachers described themselves as either somewhat or very confident in teaching all content. The discrepancies which exist between confidence levels and content proficiency highlight the importance of designing appropriate professional development programs that are situated and practice based.     

科学教育的社会需要研究

本文用报刊检索法调查社会对科学教育的需要 ,两份调查的结果一致表明 ,创新精神和创新能力培养是现今社会对科学教育的最主要需要。     

Management of decentralization of education in Tanzania: Towards the identification of training needs

While the improved management of education in developing countries is widely canvassed, training for management is frequently neglected. The premise of this paper is that a major impact can be made by identifying, selecting, training and supervising key cadres of local management. Since 1972, Tanzanian policy has been to decentralize planning and management responsibilities to regions and districts. However, in many regions there has been a breakdown of managerial capabilities of Regional Office teams. District officers have more tangible responsibility, and at a more local level, ward co-ordinators play a key role. A survey of practice indicates major weaknesses in management at regional and district levels, compounded by logistical difficulties, although there are many examples of innovative creativity, and training has been carried out in Tanzania and overseas. Training needs analysis has shown up 12 skill areas, which are presented here as targets for a training curriculum. In summary these are: knowledge of socioeconomic conditions and policies; statistics; financial control; management and maintenance of physical facilities; management of micro-projects; communication; personnel management; administration of public examinations; in-service training management; office administration; research and evaluation; and curriculum management.

---

Zusammenfassung Während man weithin eine bessere Organisation des Bildungssystems in den Entwicklungsländern fordert, wird die dafür notwendige Ausbildung häufig vernachlässigt. Anliegen dieser Studie ist es, diese Verbesserung durch die Benennung, Auswahl, Weiterbildung und Kontrolle von Angestellten in Schlüsselpositionen auf lokaler Ebene zu erreichen. Seit 1972 verfolgt die tansanische Politik eine Dezentralisierung der Planungs- und Verwaltungszuständigkeiten auf Regionen und Kreise. In vielen Regionen verschlechterten sich jedoch die Fähigkeiten des Personals der Regionalbüros im Verwaltungsbereich bis zur völligen Unzulänglichkeit. Kreisbeamte haben eine direktere Verantwortung, und auf unterer Ebene besitzen Gemeindebeamte eine Schlüsselrolle. Eine Untersuchung der Praxis fördert wesentliche, auf logistischen Schwierigkeiten beruhende Schwächen in der Verwaltung auf regionaler und Kreisebene zutage, obwohl es viele Beispiele innovativer Kreativität gibt und die Ausbildung in Tansania und Übersee durchgeführt wurde. Eine Analyse der Fortbildungserfordernisse hat bis zu 12 Lehrbereiche aufgezeigt, die als Ziele für ein Curriculum über Fortbildung genannt werden. Zusammengefaßt sind dies: Kenntnisse der sozial-ökonomischen Bedingungen und Politik; statistische Erhebungen; finanzielle Kontrolle; Verwaltung und Erhaltung der Einrichtungen; Organisation von Mikroprojekten; Kommunikation; Personalverwaltung; Durchführung von öffentlichen Prüfungen; Organisation der Fortbildung; Büroverwaltung; Forschung und Evaluierung und die Handhabung des Curriculums.

---

Résumé Si l'amélioration de la gestion de l'éducation fait l'objet de nombreux débats dans les pays en développement, la formation administrative, en revanche, est fréquemment négligée. Le présent article repose sur le postulat qu'un impact majeur peut être réalisé en identifiant, en sélectionnant, en formant et en supervisant les cadres clés de l'administration locale. La politique tanzanienne s'applique depuis 1972 à décentraliser les services de la planification et de l'administration en les installant dans les régions et les districts. Cependant, les capacités de gestion des équipes administratives locales font défaut dans de nombreuses régions. Les fonctionnaires de district ont une responsabilité plus concrète et, à un niveau plus local, les coordinateurs de commune jouent un rôle clé. Une étude de la pratique en cours indique les carences majeures de l'administration aux niveaux de la région et du district, amplifiées par les difficultés organisationnelles, bien qu'il y ait de nombreux exemples de créativité novatrice, et la formation a été assurée en Tanzanie comme à l'étranger. L'analyse des besoins de formation a révélé 12 domaines qui sont présentés ici comme les objectifs d'un programme de formation. Ces matières sont: connaissance des conditions et politiques socio-économiques; finances, gestion et maintenance des matériels et équipements; direction de micro-projects; communication; direction du personnel; administration des examens publics; direction de la formation en cours d'emploi; administration publique; recherche et évaluation; gestion du curriculum.