The mathematical strengths and weaknesses of children with dyslexia

This paper reports the findings of two related studies that examined the mathematical strengths and weaknesses of children with dyslexia. In study one, dyslexic children were compared to children without special educational needs on tests that assessed arithmetic fact recall, place value understanding and counting speed. Study two used the same methodology, but matched the dyslexic children with the non‐dyslexic children on a number of factors, including intellectual ability. This excluded the possibility that confounding variables accounted for the differences between the groups in study one. Both studies indicated that the dyslexic children had slower and less accurate number fact recall than the non‐dyslexic children, but had unimpaired place value understanding. The results for counting speed were more equivocal, but there was a trend for the dyslexic children to be slower counters. The results suggest that dyslexia is not normally associated with a general mathematical impairment, but rather an uneven profile of skills. This profile can be explained in terms of the phonological processing weaknesses associated with dyslexia. The finding that dyslexic children have a specific difficulty recalling arithmetic facts suggests that a teaching programme that emphasises mental methods may disadvantage them.     

School-based sexuality education in Portugal: strengths and weaknesses

Portugal, like many other countries, faces obstacles regarding school-based sexuality education. This paper explores Portuguese schools’ approaches to implementing sexuality education at a local level, and provides a critical analysis of potential strengths and weaknesses. Documents related to sexuality education in a convenience sample of 89 schools were analysed and findings confirm both the results of the few existing Portuguese studies on the subject and commonalities in sexuality education between Portugal and other European countries. These include strengths, such as the existence of teams in charge of sexuality education in schools and the provision of resources, but also weaknesses, such as too heavy a focus on health-related issues, difficulties in cross-curricular teaching, low levels of community participation and poor-quality evaluation. Findings point to the need for a greater sharing of information and good practice between countries, and the need for clearer guidelines. Suggestions are made for improving the quality of sexuality education in Portuguese schools.     

The gifted migrant child: An introduction

This article discusses the need for educators of the gifted to work with educators of the migrant child in order to identify those students who are both migrant and gifted. The Federal definition of migrant, migrant streams, and typical factors that handicap the migrant student are explained. The Migrant Student Record Transfer System is described as a vehicle for nominating and identifying potentially gifted students.     

Cultural capital: strengths,weaknesses and two advancements

In this paper I discuss two weaknesses in Bourdieu’s work on cultural capital, both of which are related to his integration of the multidimensional nature of social space in different domains of life: social mobility, lifestyle differentiation, and political orientation. First, there is an anomaly between the work on social mobility and on lifestyles. Multiple dimensions of social origin (cultural and economic capital) are related to uni‐dimensional outcomes (e.g. schooling levels), whereas it would be more appropriate to study multidimensional schooling outcomes too. Secondly, although Bourdieu sees a close resemblance in the type of resources affecting lifestyle preferences and political orientations, I argue that these outcomes are affected by two different types of resources: cultural and communicative resources. Proposals for progress, including a review of the empirical results supporting these, are given.     

The gifted child: a conceptual enquiry

The concept of giftedness is frequently challenged on the grounds that 1) it is a ragged or slippery concept, 2) it is inegalitarian, 3) it is culturally arbitrary, and 4) it fails to distinguish children with natural ability from children who are parentally pressured. I argue that all these charges are unfounded. We can distinguish between naturally gifted and pressured children, but not of course unless we embrace the distinction conceptually. Contrary to the egalitarian argument, moreover, it is claimed that the concept of natural ability (not to be confused with the concept of innate intelligence) is required for a just approach to education. Without this concept, two kinds of children are likely to escape our notice: the bright, disadvantaged under‐achiever and the successful but pressured ‘trophy child’. Both, it is argued, require identification and support. Slippery slope objections are addressed, as is the charge of cultural arbitrariness. I conclude that giftedness is conceptually challenging because decisions about who is and is not gifted bring us to the threshold of our disagreements about values. The ball is then thrown back into the detractors’ court.     

Discipline and the gifted child

The gap between intellectual and social development in gifted children can be bridged by providing opportunities for expanded social experiences.     

Using data on school strengths and weaknesses for school improvement

This paper examines evaluation data use practices of a network of schools implementing an internal, independent, school self-evaluation process for more than a decade. This network currently uses data on its strengths alongside data indicative of its weaknesses, collecting and utilizing both positive and negative data for improvement and accountability purposes. We conducted multiple formal and informal interviews with 24 school management members and teachers, and gathered and analyzed 50 school documents in order to understand how the network used evaluation findings for school improvement. We identified types of data use described in the literature (instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic), and propose a complementary type of use we termed “reinforcement data use”. Our findings suggest that identifying strengths is one of the valid goals and outcomes of evaluation, shedding light on its potential to enhance school ethos, and to promote a positive attitude toward evaluation processes and their subsequent effects.     

Internal quality assurance systems in Portugal: what their strengths and weaknesses reveal

In Portugal, the agency for assessment and accreditation of higher education has recently included in its remit, beyond programme accreditation, the certification of internal quality assurance systems. This implies lighter touch accreditation and aims to direct institutions towards improvement, in addition to accountability. Twelve institutions have already undertaken the certification, and both self-assessment and external assessment reports are available. Based on the qualitative analysis of the nature of institutional strengths and weaknesses highlighted in these evaluation reports, the paper aims to understand whether the identified strengths and weaknesses are related to procedural and organisational matters or to cultural change (values and beliefs), in turn offering an insight into the quality culture(s) which characterise higher education institutions in Portugal. Findings suggest that the quality culture of the analysed institutions is somewhere between responsive and reactive. Overall, all reports dwell more on the prioritisation of formal and structural procedures, both regarding strengths and weaknesses. External reports point towards more weaknesses related to stakeholders’ participation. Both aspects are more frequent in polytechnics than in universities. These findings suggest that polytechnics are more reactive, whereas universities are more responsive. Therefore, accountability apparently continues to be, for the time being, a more pressing concern than improvement.     

Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources

Highlighting the unique educational needs of gifted and high ability preschoolers, this article guides the reader to consider the characteristics of young gifted children along with appropriate assessment practices in planning educational programming. A triarchic approach to programs and services for gifted preschoolers is outlined with major emphases on an integrated curriculum, ongoing evaluation, and parental involvement. Specific strategies including internet resources are described to guide practitioners in providing optimal learning environments for this distinctive student population.     

Assisted assessment: a taxonomy of approaches and an outline of strengths and weaknesses

Traditional approaches to both the assessment of student abilities and the design of instructional programs have recently come under strong attack. Of particular concern to many is the nature of the link between assessment and instruction. Some of the criticisms are reviewed, and a set of alternative approaches designed to overcome the difficulties is presented. The major focus is on dynamic, as opposed to static, assessment. A major feature of these approaches is the provision, to the student, of some form of assistance designed to influence performance and hence reveal students' potential for change. Within this general approach, specific applications differ along three dimensions. The first, focus, refers to the goal of evaluating change itself or the processes presumed to underlie change. The second, intervention, refers to the fact that the assistance included in the assessment can be given in either a standardized or clinical fashion. And the third, target, reflects the fact that assessment can be aimed at either domain-general or domain-specific skills. The distinct approaches that have been developed are categorized, and their respective strengths and weaknesses discussed. Suggestions for future research are made.     

Analysis of strengths and weaknesses in current research in science education

Research in science education has promise when it is relevant, is adequately conceptualized, and has sound methodology.     

Creativity,magic and morality: The dilemma of the young gifted child

Gaming is one method for teaching formal thinking processes that is particularly well suited to the gifted student.