Factors Which Influence Precision of School-Level IRT Ability Estimates

The precision of the group-level IRT model applied to school ability estimation is described, assuming use of Bayesian estimation with precision represented by the standard deviation of the posterior distribution. Similarities and differences between the school-level model and the familiar individual-level IRT model are considered. School size and between-school variability, two factors not relevant at the student level, are dominant determinants of school-level precision. Under the multiple-matrix sampling design required for the school-level IRT, the number of items associated with a scale does not influence the precision at the school level. Also, the effects of school ability and item quality on school-level precision are often relatively weak. It was found that the use of Bayesian estimation could result in a systematic distortion of the true ranking of schools based on ability because of an estimation bias which is a function of school size.     

A Breakthrough for Josh: How Use of an iPad Facilitated Reading Improvement

As part of a diagnosis and tutoring project in an elementary education reading course, a pre-service teacher was encouraged to use an iPad as the vehicle for intervention strategies with a fifth grade struggling reader with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The device not only helped the student focus attention, it facilitated his becoming much more metacognitive in his reading. Comparisons of pre- and post-assessments showed that the student had gained one year’s growth in reading within a sixweeks time period. The student also gained in confidence and sense of being in control of his learning. While generalizations to other struggling readers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder cannot be made, the success this student experienced suggests that the use of this device is worth serious consideration and research in similar contexts.     

Growth of Reflection in Teaching: Reconciling the Models

Although all teachers are expected to be “role models,” discursive trajectories reaching back to the West’s gay liberation pressure queer teachers to be role models in specific ways – by “coming out” and helping queer students out of their “time of difficulty.” Paradoxically, discourses that construct children as innocent and queers‐as‐a‐threat make it difficult for queer teachers not only to take up these positions as role models but to be visible in schools. In this article, I explore the discourses that shape queer teachers’ understanding of touch, sexuality, confidentiality, the private versus public domain, and pedagogical responsibility within the schooling context. Informed by Foucault, I analyze the interview data of three Ontario queer teachers to investigate the ways in which queers‐as‐a‐threat and teacher‐as‐role‐model influence the negotiation of their ethical dilemmas regarding their student crushes.     

Measuring Progress: an Evaluative Study of Aimhigher South West 2003–2006

The persistence of the social class gap in higher education (HE) participation presents one of the biggest challenges for the English HE sector at the start of the 21st century. This paper considers the evidence collected by the Aimhigher partnerships in the South West of England to assess the progress towards closing the social class gap in HE participation within their region. Since Aimhigher is a complex, long‐term initiative, these partnerships have adopted a multi‐strand approach to evaluation through a combination of secondary data, activity and quality indicators, and a longitudinal tracking study. Encouragingly, the social class gap is beginning to narrow as the number of applicants from upper social groups has fallen slightly while those from other social groups increased by 25 per cent between 2000 and 2004. HE awareness, aspirations, attainment and educational progression are also increasing. The paper raises three policy issues concerning targeting, sustainability and vocational progression. Engaging the ‘right’ beneficiaries remains a key concern. The tracking study indicates that, although over 80 per cent of Aimhigher beneficiaries have the ability to progress to HE and would be first‐generation entrants, only one in three comes from a manual background. The findings, however, indicate that compared with their peers whose parents have HE experience, these first‐generation entrants were less well informed about HE, less likely to aspire to HE by year 11, to progress to level 3 or to study A‐levels. These findings suggest that the focus on first‐generation entrants remains appropriate. Second, although wider participation in HE is beginning to happen, there is still a long way to go. Sustaining the Aimhigher programme into at least the medium term is essential if it is to complete the work it has begun and maintain the trust of the communities within which it works. Finally, the paper finds that the Aimhigher cohort includes learners who want to take a vocational route into and through HE and who are at present less well served by current provision.     

Material characterization and preservation guidance for a collection of prosthetic limbs developed since 1960

National Museums Scotland has collections relating to many areas of science and technology, including medical science. This paper considers technical and conservation issues of an important collection of more than 150 prosthetic limbs. Much of the collection is of prosthetics developed for children born lacking or with malformed upper limbs caused by the prenatal morning sickness drug Thalidomide. However, many other examples are represented and the collection showcases a timeline of bioengineering development covering the past five decades. A wide range of plastics and metals were observed within the pieces examined, with many visibly degraded and degrading. The identification and characterization of these materials and their condition are fundamental to interpreting the development of the collection, for deciding on treatment, and for setting a strategy for future preservation. In addition to visual inspection, three analytical techniques were used to examine the various parts of the selected examples: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for polymer identification and condition; X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to identify the metals and alloys present, and X-radiography to reveal the internal mechanisms of the limbs. Interpretation of the results was greatly enhanced by documentation and conversation with engineers and scientists involved in research and development of the limbs. The combination of different materials, some with conflicting environmental requirements, makes storage and display challenging as the goal is to prevent degradation of any part the object. Some objects were found to be actively degrading and for these separate storage solutions have been recommended to slow the emission of volatile degradation products that would cause further damage throughout the collection.     

Character Motivations in the Representation of Mental Health Professionals in Popular Film

A narrative approach to studying media that focuses on character motivations represented in film is presented. A content analysis identified the motivations of 58 mental health professional characters represented in popular films (1990–1999). These characters were most commonly motivated by money, power, or a concern for others. Characters motivated by love/lust or self-healing were less common. Young female characters were more strongly motivated by love than other characters. Those characters motivated by a concern for others also tended to be motivated by a need for self-healing but not by a need for power. The distortions and insights of cinematic depictions of mental health professionals' motivations are considered. The implications of a narrative approach for future audience response media research are also discussed.     

Performance Indicators in Business Decision Making

It would be difficult to identify an educational group or agency at the national or state level that is not involved in identifying and observing educational indicators (Smith, 1988). The use of such indicators really came to the forefront during the 1980s. With the increased emphasis on accountability and the quality of education in the U.S., one can only expect that the quality and use of educational indicators will increase during the 1990s. A parallel situation canbe found in the private sector. While the terminology may be somewhat different, the use of such indicators in business and industry became important during the 1980s and is expected to increase during the 1990s, as well. Previous studies have demonstrated the utility of performance indicators to educational decision makers in a business setting (McLinden, 1987). In this paper, we discuss two studies which have influenced policy by assessing program impact and influencing strategic direction. The paper concludes by grounding our work in the tradition of secondary research (Kiecolt & Natlar, 1985) and discussing both the pros and cons of this evaluation method.     

Show Me: Diversity and Isolation Indicators of Spatial Segregation Within and Across Missouri's School Districts

Our study examines patterns of spatial segregation using diversity and isolation indicators within and across Missouri school districts. Evaluating segregation from a critical spatial perspective emphasizes the importance of place when evaluating the quality of educational opportunity for diverse student populations. The methodology involves the use of geographic information systems (GIS) maps that capture diversity and isolation dimensions of segregation using racial census tracts. Our spatial approach indicated statistically significant high and low diversity clusters, along with nearby areas of contrasting diversity. The analysis represents a methodological contribution to the study of quantifying segregation dimensions that more accurately represent how they operate across geographic space. In order for educational opportunity to improve, more walkable neighborhoods with high-quality schools in urban communities and interdistrict school transfer options in metropolitan regions are needed. If constructed and established at the same time, these reforms provide cost–benefit advantages to local and state residents.