Recovering potential: factors associated with success in engaging challenging students with alternative pre-16 provision

This short report describes the extent to which sociometric test results are validated by observations of children's social behaviour during playtimes. The sociometric terms ‘star’ and ‘isolate’, in particular, are examined in the light of measurements of the social interactions of children thus labelled.     

Market forces and diversity: Some evidence from the 14-19 curriculum

Using an economic analysis of market forces in schooling, this paper investigates change and diversity in the 14-19 curriculum of 16 schools in three local education authorities in England. Using qualitative data from interviews with several teachers in each school, it focuses on changes in the schools' curriculum for modern foreign languages, economics, and business studies. During the period studied, schools had some freedom to choose the courses they offered in these subjects. The interaction between the policies of promotion of competition through comparison (i.e. league tables) and the promotion of competition through specialization is considered. Evidence is found of the influence of local schoolingmarket hierarchies on curriculum change in these schools, and this operated chiefly through changes in school enrolment. Some evidence was found of schools' curricula being influenced by trends set by key schools and the occupation of niches pre-empting choices by other schools. These processes were slowly developing and deepening as market changes exert stronger constraints on school behaviour over time. It is concluded that the impact of quasi-markets on schools' curricula may only be apparent when these processes have had the opportunity to develop more fully.     

Relative Efficiency of Several Methods of Direct Observation

The relative efficiency of several observational sampling plans for assessing classroom behavior in an individualized classroom was investigated. A criterion measure was obtained by cumulating all of the recorded activity measurements on a class of thirty-three pupils over twenty class periods. Various designs were built through sampling the “pool” of activity measurements on the following dimensions: 1.) the length of the observation period; 2.) the time interval between recordings; 3.) the number of days (replications) of observing; and, 4.) the number of pupils observed each day. The combinations or designs that evolved from manipulating these four variables were then compared to the criterion measure, thus permitting an examination of the relative offerings of the different sampling plans.     

Soft benefits for hard nuts: the impact of community‐building interventions on ‘anti‐social youth’

This paper emerges from an evaluation conducted by the author into the impact of a community‐based intervention scheme designed to reduce perceived levels of ‘anti‐social behaviour’ amongst young people living in deprived communities. Drawing from this evaluation, the paper discusses the difficulties in assessing quantifiable measures of the impact of intervention schemes such as these; given the complex nature of the communities served, limitations in the realistic achievements of diversionary schemes and difficulties in identifying measureable outcomes. The paper also argues that given the highly problematic nature of such schemes, qualitative and ‘soft’ measures of impact, which although more difficult to assess, should be afforded greater status amongst funders and evaluators.     

Including migrant worker children in the learning and social context of the rural primary school

Many of the larger towns and cities within the UK have long experienced a cosmopolitan mix of cultures, resulting in ethnically and linguistically diverse schools. However, the wider expansion of the European Union in 2004 has brought about significant changes and challenges for many schools, particularly for those in more rural areas. This article arises out of a 3-year qualitative study (January 2008–December 2010), which focused on identifying the experiences of stake-holders (children and parents of Eastern European heritage and their teachers), where migrant children enter primary schools which have previously had limited exposure to cultural and linguistic diversity. Although many migrant children settle successfully and progress within the UK education system, much can be done in terms of educational policy and practice to ensure that these learners are appropriately supported. This article examines some of the factors impacting upon migrant children's learning and well-being, and offers guidance to practitioners as how to develop inclusive and individualised learning and social contexts for these learners.     

The constraints on school provision of post-primary physical education in Ireland: principals’ and teachers’ views and experiences

Dated and limited research relating to physical education in Ireland has reported that the subject is in crisis, unable to move forward until the fundamental resources of facilities, staffing and time for physical education are significantly improved. As part of a recent national physical education survey carried out in Ireland, data was collected from principals (n=417) and teachers (n=405) to inform discussion on the level of current infrastructure for physical education in post-primary schools. This paper investigates the areas of physical education facilities, time allocation and staffing, as a contribution to the debate on the way forward for physical education at post-primary level, illuminating both issues of policy and practice.     

Inclusive education: Ireland's education provision for children with special educational needs

The concept of inclusive education is a relatively new phenomenon within the Irish education system, with considerable developments in government policy only occurring since the early 1990s. These developments are aiming to advance special education provisions and legislation for individuals with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN). This increased attention is illustrated by the Special Education Review Committee (SERC) report, the report of the Government Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, A Strategy for Equality (1996 Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities (1996) A strategy for equality , Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities . [Google Scholar]), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Discussion Document (1999), Special Educational Needs: Curriculum Issues, the Education Act, the Equal Status Act and the recently published Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill and the Disability Bill (2004). However, despite these advancements in SEN developments, it can be argued that the Irish government and education system still fall short of providing a rights-based education to all children with a disability or SEN in the state. This article discusses the educational provision for children with SEN from 1990 to 2004.     

THE IMPROVEMENT OF VERBAL FLUENCY IN THE ELDERLY: THE EFFECTS OF PRACTICE ON THE SET TEST AND AN ALTERNATE FORM

The effects of prior practice on the Set Test (ST), a test of verbal fluency, were examined in a group of 30 relatively able patients aged 62‐94 in a continuing care geriatric ward. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, a specific prior practice group (ST on Day 1 and again 24 hours later), a nonspecific prior practice group (an alternate form of the ST on Day 1, ST 24 hours later) and a control group (conversation on Day 1, ST 24 hours later). Analysis of ST performance showed no significant difference between the two experimental groups and the control group on day 2, but significant improvements for the two groups from days 1 to 2. The clinical implications of this finding are discussed. Analysis of the psychometric characteristics of the ST and the alternate form showed the tests to have high internal consistency and reliability, although further data are needed before the two forms are regarded as parallel.     

CLERGY REQUEST LINKAGES: IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING MINISTRY WITH OLDER ADULTS

In this study, 159 volunteers aged 50 years and older were grouped into age decades (i.e., those in their 50s, 60s, etc.) and tested on measures of spelling, fluid intelligence, and crystallized intelligence. The younger subjects had significantly higher spelling test scores. Statistically removing the effects of crystallized intelligence and length of education by analyses of covariance had no effect on the difference, but removing the effect of fluid intelligence reduced the difference to nonsignificant levels. This implies that in older people spelling, although intuitively considered to be a crystallized skill, relies heavily on fluid intelligence.