Similarities and Differences Between Public and Proprietary Postsecondary 2-Year Technical Institutions

Private and public 2-year technical colleges survive side-by-side within the same communities. However, little is known about their characteristics, similarities and differences. The question is whether the 2-year technical institutions are duplicating each other, or are they significantly different in their missions, admission requirements, academic programs, faculty, students, transfer ability, and cost of tuition? The knowledge of what sets them apart is important to prospective students and parents as they decide. This study compared and contrasted two 2-year postsecondary public and proprietary technical institutions in Terre Haute, Indiana on selected characteristics. The results indicate some similarities and major differences between the 2 types of colleges. Recommendations for choosing a 2-year postsecondary technical institution are provided.     

Comparison of Community College Students’ Sexual Health Dimensions

ABSTRACT

Sexually active college students in the United States have alarming rates of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Varying degrees of sexual health knowledge and attitudes among college students are an outcome of sexuality education in the K-12 school systems with abstinence-only or comprehensive focus. Community college students (n = 737) aged 18–24 years, 57% from a college in an abstinence-only sex education state and 43% from a college in a comprehensive sex education state, both in the Mid-Atlantic region, took the Sexual Health Survey in October 2016, which measures sexual health knowledge and attitudes. Gender and ethnicity differences, as well as other sources of sexuality information were evaluated. Students from the comprehensive sex education state, New Jersey had higher sexual health knowledge and attitude scores than the students from the abstinence-only sex education state, Pennsylvania. Male students in New Jersey scored significantly higher in sexual health knowledge compared to male students in Pennsylvania, while female students in New Jersey had higher sexual health knowledge scores compared to the male students. Analysis of ethnicity revealed the New Jersey college sample had healthier sexual attitudes as compared to the Pennsylvania college sample, with notable distinction among Black students. The Internet, friends, and personal experiences were chosen by 75% of all students across both colleges as the top reported sources of sexuality information. In addition to advocating for comprehensive sex education, recommendations are made for sexual health initiatives in community colleges to provide sexual health instruction and support.     

ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANIZATION IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Reorganization within the administrative structure of community colleges is an activity that has been much indulged in but little written about during recent years. This study was undertaken to determine perceptions of the roles that community college presidents play when reorganization within the administrative structure takes place. Colleges used for collection of data were two Texas metroplitan community college districts. Collection of data was limited to administrative changes from the division level through the president's level at each college. No attempt was made to study the district level or the department or curriculum levels.     

Developing Cultural Competency in Early Childhood Preservice Educators Through a Cultural Self-Analysis Project

Today more than ever, preparation for diversity is essential for all teachers. Hence, teacher preparation programs are charged with preparing culturally competent teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and disposition to work with children and families from cultures different from their own. This article investigates an innovative approach, the Cultural Self-Analysis (CSA) Project, to accomplish this task with 26 prospective early childhood teachers. CSA Project steps are presented. Data collected on multiple levels were analyzed using constant comparative methodologies. Findings from this initial investigation suggest the CSA Project holds promise as an approach to prepare culturally responsive teachers in three major ways. Participants reported increased confidence and comfort, preparedness to facilitate home connections with culturally diverse persons, and enlightenment of teacher roles/responsibilities beyond academic instruction.     

The labour of learning to reflect

This article presents a polyphonic narrative of reflection in action across two institutional contexts; a university and a primary (elementary) school. It traces an honours student’s research on reflection and her supervisor’s reactions as reader. Both engage in construction and reconstruction of their basic beliefs about reflective practice as they engage with each other and these contexts. This research resulted in both people accepting that reflection is a public text with a specific genre to be mastered. Issues of power surround what can be shared with whom within the institutions as political sites. Students engage in strategic compliance whether to attract teachers’ attention or to avoid it. Notions of trust and openness often mask power. This article poses that learning to reflect is hard labour.     

Institutional Change towards a Sustainability Agenda: How far can theory assist?

Peter A. M. Maassen Governmental Steering and the Academic Culture. Utrecht, The Netherlands: Uitgeverij De Tijdstroom, 1996. Paperback ISBN 9 03521 772 1 Price 52.50Dfl. £17.50 194 pp

M. Cave, S. Hanney, M. Henkel and M. Kogan The Use of Performance Indicators in Higher Education: The Challenge of the Quality Movement (3rd Edition). London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1997. Paperback. ISBN 1 85302 345 0 Price £17.95 160 pp Higher Education Policy Series 34 Leo Goedegebuure     

‘Teaching could be a fantastic job but …’: three stories of student teacher withdrawal from initial teacher preparation programmes in England

Retention in initial teacher preparation (ITP) and the teaching profession, in England and elsewhere, has been the subject of numerous articles in academic and professional journals. Whilst a number of common findings are beginning to emerge from research on this subject, notably on the causes of student teacher withdrawal, studies have tended to neglect the difficulties experienced by the individuals who have lived through the process of embarking upon and withdrawing from ITP programmes. Having conducted in‐depth interviews, the authors attempt in this paper to understand the experiences, emotions and decisions of three people who committed themselves to ITP, invested much energy and time, but in the end withdrew. The reasons for their decision are numerous and complex. The impact on each individual was considerable. The experience was painful.     

Teachers’ pedagogical reasoning and action in the digital age

Beginning teachers are entering the profession with increasing confidence in their ability to use digital technologies which has the potential to change the way teachers of the future make pedagogical decisions. This paper explores how pedagogical reasoning and action might occur in the digital age, comparing Schulman’s 1987 model with the reality for a small sample of digitally able beginning teachers as part of the emerging generation of teachers. The latter were examined through a multiple case study during their first year of teaching as they made decisions about using digital technologies within their teaching practice which gave an insight into pedagogical reasoning and action through the use of open‐ended interviews and observation. The conclusion drawn is that while the pedagogical reasoning and action model remains relevant, it was based on an assumption that teaching involves knowledge being passed from a teacher to their students, which was found to restrict innovation by digitally able teachers. A broader interpretation of knowledge and teaching within this model building on emerging learning theory could help reform practice once again, providing a framework for teachers in the digital age.     

Leading the horse to the water: Teacher training for all teachers in a faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

This paper describes a project, which aimed to develop a programme for the entire teaching staff of a faculty of health sciences, who had received initial teacher training earlier in their career. The programme was developed according to sound educational principles and was supported by the faculty board. Departments also received financial compensation for participation in the workshops. During the first two years of this programme almost 60% of the tenured teachers participated in at least one workshop. Reasons for participation and non‐participation are discussed.