Factors Associated with High Standards of Spelling in Years R-4

This article is based on a discussion document written for all schools in Suffolk, England by the English advisory team. It resulted from a small-scale survey of nine schools where results for National Curriculum test AT4 (Spelling) in 1994 and 1995 were particularly high. This in turn stemmed from concerns raised by monitoring local education authority results in this aspect of English and aimed to uncover common factors in these schools' approaches to teaching spelling and supporting pupils' development in this skill. The key factors indicated by the survey included the systematic teaching of both spelling patterns and phonics; the fostering of early independence in writing and reading; regular learning of spellings at home and effective partnership with parents in this; regular testing; effective short teaching sessions on spelling, and differentiation based on high expectations of all pupils.     

Identifying the Prevalence of Courses on Mental Illness in Criminal Justice Education

Persons with Mental Illness (PMIs) require unique consideration and individualized attention in the criminal justice system. Research has demonstrated the prevalence with which police come into contact with these individuals, the unique considerations made by courtrooms serving PMIs, the overrepresentation of PMIs in correctional settings, and the problems PMIs experience when reentering the community from incarceration. Given the growth of attention to this area, and the increased reality of challenges that criminal justice professionals encounter when working with PMIs, this paper explores the prevalence of courses on mental illness in criminal justice undergraduate programs in the United States. The current review of over 640 curricula in the United States illustrates that courses devoted solely to the topic of mental illness in the criminal justice system are particularly rare. The importance of offering more courses in the interface between mental illness and criminal justice for future professionals in the field is discussed.