“The Environment”: Power,Pedagogy, and American Urban Schooling

Drawing on participant-observation research conducted in one core urban and one affluent suburban public school, the author argues that critical educational theorists should devote more attention to differential structural constraints on pedagogic choice. Teachers at the urban North End Community School make pedagogic choices that reinforce social hierarchies. They do so, in part, in order to enable their students to manage a series of risks and dangers associated with concentrated urban poverty. The evidence presented suggests that changing the role power plays in urban public schooling requires changing not only the choices individual teachers make, but also educational and other institutional constraints on pedagogic practice.     

Editorial board page for “Jewish Education”, Volume 53, Number 1

Abstract

This is a scanned image of the original Editorial Board page(s) for this issue     

Editorial board page for “Jewish Education”, Volume 52, Number 3

Abstract

This is a scanned image of the original Editorial Board page(s) for this issue     

Editorial board page for “Jewish Education”, Volume 53, Number 4

Abstract

This is a scanned image of the original Editorial Board page(s) for this issue     

Editorial board page for “Jewish Education”, Volume 56, Number 4

Abstract

This is a scanned image of the original Editorial Board page(s) for this issue     

“American Chimera: The Ever-Present Domination of Whiteness,Patriarchy, and Capitalism…A Parable”

In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a fire-breathing monster with three heads: one of a lion, one of a horned goat, and one of a powerful dragon. Of similar construction is the presence of three structures in US society, whiteness, patriarchy, and capitalism, which are overwhelmingly represented, valued, and espoused when examining areas of progress, i.e., family income, poverty rates, high school and college graduation rates, and home ownership. This modern American three-headed beast controls, manipulates, and permeates all aspects of US society irrespective of class, culture, or gender. Using critical race theory and critical whiteness studies, this critically interpretive parable draws from the ways in which whiteness, patriarchy, and capitalism function in social, cultural, economic, and educational spheres. The parable tells the story of Sue Libertad and analyzes how this metaphorical Chimera, despite its ubiquity, silently permeates all aspects of her life. Not until a tragic outbreak occurs, does the hegemony of this chimera erodes and Sue.     

“Read My Story!” Using the Early Authors Program to Promote Early Literacy Among Diverse,Urban Preschool Children in Poverty

This article evaluates the utility of the Early Authors Program, a 12-month early literacy intervention emphasizing highly meaningful language interactions that was implemented in childcare facilities in an ethnically and linguistically diverse, urban, low-income community. Children learn to be writers and readers by creating their own self-authored, storybook texts, supported by the sensitive guidance of adults. Children (n = 280) in 32 experimental group centers and children (n = 87) in 9 similar control group centers were individually assessed at pretest and posttest on measures of language and cognition. Teachers completed pretest and posttest surveys and interviews, and interventionists were also interviewed. 3- to 5-year-old children receiving the intervention, as predicted, made significantly greater gains than the control group specifically on the child language measures but not on other measures. The quality of the classroom literacy environment and teachers' literacy-promoting practices improved considerably in centers receiving the intervention. Teachers reported high satisfaction and sustainability for the program.     

Effect of an Intervention Program on “Hign Risk” Spanish American Children1, 2

Abstract

Mental ability, language development (English), language development (Spanish) and self-image changes were studied as effects of an early intervention program for preschool children. Ss were fifty 3-, 4-, and 5-year old children from disadvantaged backgrounds and from bilingual cultures. Sa also exhibited a number of additional handicapping factors. Differences between groups (N = 30 for experimental and N = 20 for control) were analyzed with analysis of covariance utilizing pretest scores as covariates. Results indicated that intervention Ss made significantly greater gains in mental ability, language (English), and made greater gains in language (Spanish). Also, intervention subjects demonstrated a positive growth in self-image.     

“Reality Shock”: New Early Childhood Education Teachers

Beginning teaching is challenging; this article examines the realities of practice for beginning early childhood teachers. Fourteen participants in their first year of teaching were interviewed; they worked in private and public early childhood education settings. Findings reveal that the reality of moving from the role of the student to teacher was disconcerting for these new teachers. This article reports the beginning teachers' views about the issues they faced, their perceptions of preservice teaching, and the impact that this had on their transition from student to teacher. While in college they were encouraged to start developing their philosophy of teaching, and they describe their experiences of putting their philosophy into practice. They also conveyed their opinions about working in environments where there was a lack of teaching and learning resources. The move to being a “real” teacher was a formidable experience for these participants and this should be recognized relatedly. Early childhood teachers work in a different context from teachers in general, so as beginning teachers the uniqueness of their concerns needs to be addressed.     

The Criticism of American Dream in“The Egg”and“After Apple-picking”

Both Sherwood Anderson and Robert Frost undoubtedly rank among the most celebrated American writers.“The Egg”and“After Apple-picking”truly represent the literary attainments of the two giants respectively. This essay mainly elaborates the criticism of American Dream existing in the two works.     

The Criticism of American Dream in“The Egg”and“After Apple-picking”

Both Sherwood Anderson and Robert Frost undoubtedly rank among the most celebrated American writers.“The Egg”and“After Apple-picking”truly represent the literary attainments of the two giants respectiv...     

“The Changers and the Changed”: Preparing Early Childhood Teachers to Work With Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual,and Transgender Families

The Census Bureau estimates that up to 14 million children under the age of 18 are being raised by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) families. Just as heterosexual families require child care to enable work and want high-quality early childhood education to enhance their children's development, LGBT families experience the same needs and desires for their children. However, similar to other educational institutions, the early childhood field has either held negative beliefs regarding diverse family structures or ignored the unique needs of LGBT families. As part of an effort to address teachers' understandings of equity, faculty at a southeastern university sponsored a course designed to prepare early childhood teacher education students to offer welcoming, inclusive learning environments for LGBT families and their young children. The purpose of this article is to examine the learning process and transformation of students in this course. Findings from quantitative and qualitative data are presented, as is a discussion on how courses on family equity can and should be incorporated into teacher education programs.