Inclusion in Norway: a study of ideology in practice

The purpose of this research was to examine how Norway's ideology of inclusion is realized in Norwegian schools and school systems, and what factors work to support or hinder its implementation. Using semi-structured interviews, we obtained data from our informants at multiple levels in the Norwegian educational system in one municipality. Our data analyses focused on identifying themes that were shared by multiple informants, as well as retaining important points or perspectives from individuals. Generally all of the informants were positive towards the ideology of inclusion. The biggest difficulty facing its implementation seemed to be that of social integration. This was much more of a concern than curricular integration. Probably because of such challenges, schools still placed students in separate settings. Factors that affected inclusion included: characteristics of teachers, classroom environment, school climate, cooperation, support from people with competence, attitudes and resources.     

Examining the role of school psychologists as providers of mental and behavioral health services

The school setting represents the most common setting by which youth receive mental and behavioral health (MBH) services (Farmer et al., 2003, Psychiatr Serv, 54, 60–66). Nevertheless, many school psychologists are not providing MBH services despite the high prevalence of need. Additional research is needed to understand factors leading to these deficits, as well as potential solutions to ameliorate these concerns. The current study surveyed 341 school psychologists across seven states and found current ratios are one school psychologist for every 1,500–2,000 students. Study results suggest school psychologists are providing a half to full day of universal, prevention-oriented MBH services each week whereas more targeted, direct services (e.g., individual or small group counseling) are offered 1–4 hr each week. The school psychologist-to-student ratios also demonstrated a statistically significant and inverse association with the provision of targeted MBH services, with higher ratios resulting in fewer MBH services. Respondents provided potential solutions for how to expand the delivery of MBH services within schools, including increased awareness and support among school and district administrators, as well as access to training and professional development related to MBH services.     

《美国高等教育经典著作百种》导论

这是一本由我们四位长期从事高等教育的研究者编注的小书,它列出了1 0 0本我们认为2 0世纪以来关于美国大学与学院最重要和最有影响的著作。2 0世纪即将结束,越来越多的人相信,在我们这个以知识为基础的社会里,大学已经变成了社会的中心机构。这本小书也许可以为对美国大学有兴趣的读者和学生提供一些指导。担此任务,我们诚惶诚恐。虽然眼下各种杂志热衷于罗列1 0个、2 0个、5 0个最佳餐馆、电影、医生、海滩、或网页的排行榜,但一些教授却对编撰所谓“经典”或由某种权威认可的伟大著作的任何企图严加批评。我们四人十分敏感,对此忐忑不安…     

Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Sympathetic Nervous System Activity and Children's Behavioral Regulation

Self-regulation ability is an important component of children's academic success. Physiological reactivity may relate to brain activity governing attention and behavioral regulation. Saliva samples collected from 186 preschool children (101 boys, mean age = 53 months, 34% minority) before and after a series of mildly challenging games and again 30 min following the challenges were used to assess hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) (cortisol) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS; alpha-amylase) activity. Behavioral regulation was measured in delay of gratification and slow-down motor activities included in the challenge task. Cortisol and alpha-amylase were related differentially to aspects of behavioral regulation. Low cortisol was related to classroom regulation difficulties. Children with greater cortisol elevations following the challenge task had poorer performance on the slow-down motor task. Children with greater increases in salivary alpha-amylase following challenge were less able to delay gratification. Results suggest that HPA axis and SNS arousal may contribute differentially to behavioral regulation ability.     

Public Funding and Budgetary Challenges To Providing Universal Access To Primary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Budgetary capacity that would allow for the public funding of the provision of universal access to primary education is lacking in many sub-Saharan economies. National revenues significantly lag behind the overall economic productivity measure of GDP. Analysis of data derived from UNESCO and UNDP for 2004 shows that governments in the region spend far less in US dollars per unit cost on primary education than do developed countries. Increasing the unit cost of education in order to enable a government to guarantee universal primary education would take away resources from other tiers of the education system in many countries in the region. The alternative is to universalise access, despite existing budget allocation constraints, and thereby further compound the problems of poor infrastructure and limited human resource capacity that continue to compromise education quality in sub-Saharan Africa.     

R‐CBM IN SPANISH AND IN ENGLISH: DIFFERENTIAL RELATIONS DEPENDING ON STUDENT READING PERFORMANCE

This study investigated how performance on reading curriculum‐based measurement (R‐CBM) in Spanish is related to performance on R‐CBM in English. Parallel process growth models and quantile regression analyses were used to examine the relations between initial benchmark scores and growth and the consistency of the relations across student reading skill levels. Initial benchmark scores and growth were strongly related across languages in most grades, and initial scores were less strongly related for students with low and high reading achievement, as measured by curriculum‐based measurement in most grades. Rates of growth were evenly related across performance in fourth and fifth grades, but less strongly related for high‐achieving students in second and third grades. Practical implications and future directions are discussed.     

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. children

BackgroundDaily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is vital to the physical, mental, and social well-being of children. Early restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic included the closure of schools and physical activity (PA) amenities across the US. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic on the PA and play behavior of U.S. children and to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve their PA.MethodsA cross-sectional, online, parent-reported survey was conducted of children aged 3–18 years between April and June 2020 to assess light PA and MVPA using a modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Additional items included family/child socioeconomic demographics, child adaptability to the pandemic, and community access. The survey was shared through social media and snowball sampling distribution.ResultsAnalysis of 1310 surveys indicated child PA scores declined significantly during the pandemic (from 56.6 to 44.6, max 119, p < 0.001). Specifically, MVPA score decreased (from 46.7 to 34.7, max 98, p < 0.001) while light PA remained the same. Age-based changes were seen in the quantity, variety, and intensity of PA, with the lowest pandemic-related impact seen in preschoolers and the highest in high schoolers (–4.7 vs. –17.2, p < 0.001). Community-based peer PA decreased across all age groups.ConclusionThis study shows decreased PA levels in U.S. children, according to parent reporting, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations for community leaders, educators, and parents to improve PA in children are provided. With continued spread of COVID-19, these results and recommendations may be imperative to the physical well-being of U.S. children.