Assessing the 21st Century After-School Program and the Educational Gains of LEP Participants: A Contextual Approach

This study examines math and English standardized test score progress of students who participated in the 21st century program across 2 years of involvement with a focus on the learning trajectories of limited English proficiency (LEP) students. We find that math and English scores are highly associated with the school and program type—even within a single school district. LEP participants are the furthest behind but have the highest gains compared to other participants. Results vary based on the type of outcome (math or reading), the type of activity (academic or enrichment), and the grade level (elementary or middle school).     

THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE CENTRAL AGENCIES

Central agencies for Jewish education were developed along the model of the American public school system. They were to fulfill the same functions, in their unique settings, as the public schools board of education. The central agencies were assigned duties and tasks that could not be performed by single schools such as teacher certification, setting educational standards and teacher training.     

The Unit Approach in College Teaching

“We feel that an improved library does indeed have a very decided effect upon the quality of teaching done on a college campus” declare the authors of the following article which reports on use of A.L.A. Standards in developing a junior college library. Mr. Tanis (A.B., Calvin College; M.A.L.S., M.A., Michigan) is librarian and Dr. Jacobs (B.A., Central Michigan; M.A., Michigan; Ed.D., Wayne State) is instructor in political science and chairman of faculty library committee at Henry Ford Community College.     

Is Social Media Too Social for Class? A Case Study of Twitter Use

This qualitative case study examined Twitter use by undergraduate and graduate students in three classes. Previous studies have shown that while some faculty use Twitter, few are incorporating it into classes despite many recommendations for such use. This study examined how students perceived Twitter as a classroom tool. As an optional activity, many started with Twitter but fewer continued through the semester. The study reports on content and counts of tweets as well as student self-reports on usage and interest. The researchers found students enjoyed being consumers of tweets but seldom retweeted or replied. Incorporating Twitter in courses will require careful consideration of scaffolding, modeling, privacy and course design. Questions remain as to whether the informal social focus of Twitter may overwhelm attempts to use it in more structured educational settings.     

The Student-Teaching Dilemma

In the following article, recent research in motivation is drawn upon to show how students' choice of courses may be more simply understood than might first be imagined. The author (A.B., M.A., Ph.D., Michigan) is associate professor in the psychology department of the University of Michigan. He contributed an earlier article to this journal, and is editor of a current volume on neuropsychology published by Harper &; Row.