Setting free the spirit of English in the Brecon Beacons: The value of learning outside the classroom

In this paper, I draw on interviews with two colleagues, student comments and my own experiences of leading and developing a two day residential course for A Level English Language students at the beginning of Year 12 to explore the role that out-of-school learning can have in 'setting free the spirit of English'. I argue that not only is it possible to use creative and imaginative approaches to learning in English within the constraints of the curriculum but also that these approaches are valuable experiences which can underpin and enhance pupils' learning.     

When ‘becoming a 50% school’ is success enough: a principal–agent analysis of subject leaders’ target setting

Using the perspective of principal–agent theory, we suggest that the target setting process imposed by the government has shifted teachers’ focus away from their personal educational priorities. Our evidence suggests that schools with a higher proportion of students with high academic achievement differ in their practice of target setting from schools with a below average proportion of students achieving high examination grades. We examine possible explanations for variations in teachers’ practice and suggest some implications for policy and school leadership and management.     

Relationship between the WRAT and WRAT-R

Level II of the Wide Range Achievement Test and the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised were administered to 45 subjects. The results indicated that the WRAT-R standard scores were significantly lower (8–11 points) than the WRAT Standard scores for Reading, Spelling, and Arithmetic. Correlations between the standard scores of the two tests were .98, .97, and .79 for Reading, Spelling, and Arithmetic, respectively. Reasons for the lower arithmetic correlation are discussed. Vocational and guidance counselors, school psychologists, and other users should consider these findings when using WRAT and WRAT-R scores in making academic/vocational or other placement decisions. The WRAT-R should be used as a screening, not diagnostic, instrument for academic problems.     

Creating and Capitalizing on the Town/Gown Relationship: An Academic Library and a Public Library Form a Community Partnership

This article highlights the birth and current benefits of a partnership between Keene State College and Keene Public Library. It is a smaller one-on-one partnership that represents a rarer model than that of consortia and joint-use library partnerships. The authors offer additional ideas for partnering with local community groups in order to strengthen the town/gown relationship.     

Book industry statistics from the R. R. Bowker Company

The R. R. Bowker Company has been compiling and publishing statistics on the book industry for more than a century. The history of this effort is reported, with details on how the collection, classification, and publication of data have evolved. Bowker provides statistics on book title output, booksellers (retail and wholesale), and libraries. Jean Peters is the librarian at the Frederic G. Melcher Library, Cahners Publishing Company, formerly the library of the R. R. Bowker Company.