Lexical Quality and Reading Comprehension in Primary School Children

In a cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between the quality of lexical representations and text comprehension skill in German primary school children (Grades 1–4). We measured the efficiency and accuracy of orthographical, phonological, and meaning representations by means of computerized tests. Text comprehension skill was assessed with a standardized reading test with questions requiring recognition of text information and inferencing. Both the accuracy of and the efficiency of access to the three types of lexical representations contributed to explaining interindividual variation in text comprehension skill. Results from a path-analytic model suggest a specific causal order of the three components of lexical quality with the quality of meaning representations partly mediating the effects of form representations.     

Summer School and Summer Learning: An Examination of the Short- and Longer Term Changes in Student Literacy

Research Findings: Multiple student cohorts were longitudinally tracked and student participation in a summer program bridging the 1st- and 2nd-grade academic years was recorded to examine selection and efficacy issues related to a summer school implementation in the Pacific Northwest. The estimation of regression discontinuity models uncovered evidence of a local average treatment effect. At the cutscore for program admission, participating students had estimated summer oral reading fluency gains approximately 0.40 SD larger than those of nonparticipants. Further examination of the literacy outcomes among the sample of cutscore eligible students revealed that struggling readers who participated in the summer program increased their level of reading fluency relative to struggling readers who declined an invitation to participate. However, the advantage gained by cutscore eligible participants was not sustained over the subsequent academic year. Practice or Policy: These results suggest that supplemental summer instruction delivered to at-risk students may promote literacy gains during the otherwise challenging summer months and thereby serve as a useful intermediary tool for K–12 stakeholders seeking to keep struggling readers on track toward proficiency.     

Sites of Indeterminacy and the Spectres of Eurocentrism

The concepts of Europe and Eurocentrism, along with the political, cultural, and philosophical issues that are inseparable from them, touch upon many of today's most pressing concerns. This essay examines the ways in which problems of the aporia and of undecidability may shed light on the possibility of a new Europe to come. Through a comparative reading of Slavoj ?i?ek's pleas for a leftist Eurocentrism, Walter Benjamin's historical unweaving of Europe and Jacques Derrida's engagements with Europe as perpetually nonself-identical, Europe becomes visible as one of the names for the faint promise lodged in what will not simply remain transparent and itself.     

Implementing the 2014 SEND reforms in England: perspectives from SENCOs

This article is based on research conducted within two years of the 2014 SEND (special educational needs and disability) reforms being in force and reports on the experiences of five SENCOs (special educational needs coordinators) on implementing the reforms in London schools. The research was conducted primarily to inform professional practice and improve delivery of the principles underpinning the reforms. The research deployed an adapted version of SWOT analysis as a tool for seeking the views of SENCOs on the perceived benefits and challenges of the SEND reforms. The findings demonstrate that SENCOs broadly support the principles of the reforms. However, SENCOs find some of the procedures in the 2015 SEND Code of Practice as proving problematic. There still remains a significant focus on managing administrative processes, rather than bringing about a fundamental change to school culture and educational provision. The article concludes by making several recommendations on ways to reduce bureaucracy for SENCOs and increase their focus on classroom practice.     

Technological Study of the Decoration on an Erard Harp from 1818

ABSTRACT

Historical pedal harps from the early nineteenth century are highly adorned objects, decorated with various techniques such as polychromy, gilding, decoupage, and gilt composition ornaments. Even though a large number of such instruments are kept in private and public collections, until now their decorative features have not been examined systematically. Moreover, little has been written about the motives behind the choice of various decorative techniques by harp makers. This article presents results from the investigation of a double-action harp made in 1818 by Erard, the leading manufacturer of harps in Regency London, focusing on the technological aspects of its decorative features. Various analytical methods, such as visual examination, microscopy, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and Py-GC-MS, were used to identify the inorganic and organic components in the coating of the harp and to analyse its stratigraphy. Inspection with ultraviolet light revealed details of the original layers and of later additions, while radiography made the internal structure as well as damaged areas and repairs visible. The outcome of this object-based examination was complemented by archival research on the Erard firm, providing new insight into Erard’s production and marketing strategies.     

Verbal and Emotional Responses Among Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents’ Coming Out

One aspect of lesbian/gay-parented families that merits attention is the coming out of the parents to their children. In the present study, we extended the current literature by exploring both the emotional and verbal responses of children who find out their parents are lesbian/gay. Findings showed that, while participants experienced a combination of negative, neutral, and positive reactions to learning about their parents’ sexual orientation, verbal reactions were limited to supportive messages and information seeking. Practical implications for lesbian/gay parented families and practitioners are included.