Vocabulary,metacognitive knowledge and task orientation as predictors of narrative picture book comprehension: from preschool to grade 3

This is a study of early picture book comprehension, its determinants and later development through primary school. More specifically, picture book comprehension was analyzed longitudinally from age 5 to age 9, delineating the unique contributions of vocabulary, metacognitive knowledge and task orientation to the initial level as well as to the growth of comprehension. A total of 90 Finnish-speaking children participated in the study. The children’s narrative picture book comprehension was assessed at age 5, age 6 and age 9. Vocabulary, metacognitive knowledge and task orientation were evaluated at age 5. Latent growth curve modeling showed a pattern of decreasing achievement gaps in narrative picture book comprehension. Vocabulary and metacognitive knowledge uniquely contributed to the concurrent level of narrative picture book comprehension. The results further showed that metacognitive knowledge and task orientation were positive and statistically significant predictors of the growth of picture book comprehension over and above the initial level of narrative picture book comprehension. These findings add to our knowledge about the development of inter-individual differences in narrative picture book comprehension and the roles of vocabulary, metacognitive knowledge and task orientation in it. They also suggest a novel way to assess the narrative comprehension potential among students with compromised working memory or decoding ability.

     

Addressing the messiness of data analysis: Praxis,readiness and tips from doctoral research

Despite the fluid and nonlinear nature of data analysis, specifically in qualitative research, published work in comparative education has rarely discussed the messy aspects of data analysis. This Forum addresses the complexity of the analysis stage faced by three doctoral researchers in terms of: considering data analysis when selecting data collection tools; messiness of data analysis deriving from fieldwork and data collection; integrating different data sources; practising reflexivity during data analysis; and ethical issues arising from data analysis. The Forum aims not only to offer suggestions and tips to deal with data analysis but also to encourage more open discussions on this topic within the research community.     

Large-scale curriculum reform in Finland – exploring the interrelation between implementation strategy,the function of the reform,and curriculum coherence

The study aims to gain a better understanding of the national large-scale curriculum process in terms of the used implementation strategies, the function of the reform, and the curriculum coherence perceived by the stakeholders accountable in constructing the national core curriculum in Finland. A large body of school reform literature has shown that a central determinant for the effectiveness of curriculum reform is the way in which the reform is implemented. Accordingly, implementing curriculum reform always entails translation of the new ideas into new educational practices, which involves complex sense-making processes from those involved. Altogether, 117 stakeholders accountable in constructing the national core curriculum in Finland completed a survey. The results showed that the effect of the implementation strategy for the perceived curriculum coherence was mediated by the perceived educational impact of the reform both for the school and society. The mediated interrelation between the top-down–bottom-up implementation strategy in the curriculum process, and the estimated coherence in the written core curriculum implies that the objects of the activities, namely elaborating and focusing on the educational impact of the decisions, is a crucial determinant for achieving curriculum coherence, and further, facilitating sustainable school development at the local level.     

“Acting White”: How the Past Implementation of School Desegregation Helped Create Today’s Attainment and Achievement Gaps

ABSTRACT

Summarizing my prior work, the only book length treatment of the “acting White” phenomenon (Buck, 2010), I argue that while desegregation was both a moral necessity and a social good, the manner in which desegregation was implemented by White authorities led indirectly to today’s achievement gaps. In the course of desegregation previously all-African-American schools were closed, with their faculty and administrators typically demoted or terminated, and their students sent to previously all-White schools, where they were not always welcomed. This massive social change established scholarly achievement as part of a White identity, not a Black identity. Unfortunately, this diagnoses may not lend itself to easy solutions.     

Analyzing interdisciplinarity: Typology and indicators

Both funding agencies and scholars in science studies have become increasingly concerned with how to define and identify interdisciplinarity in research. The task is tricky, since the complexity of interdisciplinary research defies a single definition. Our study tackles this challenge by demonstrating a new typology and qualitative indicators for analyzing interdisciplinarity in research documents. The proposed conceptual framework attempts to fulfill the need for a robust and nuanced approach that is grounded in deeper knowledge of interdisciplinarity. As an example of using the framework, we discuss our empirical investigation of research proposals funded by a national funding agency in Finland.     

Promoting Social and Emotional Learning in Second Grade Students: A Study of the Strong Start Curriculum

The promotion of social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools may help prevent emotional and behavioral problems of students. This study evaluated the effects of a SEL curriculum, Strong Start, on the social-emotional competence of 26 second grade students, using a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design. Results revealed statistically significant and meaningful improvements in teacher ratings of students’ internalizing and peer-related pro-social behaviors, particularly for students at greater risk. Conversely, control group students experienced significant worsening of internalizing behaviors and decreased levels of peer-related pro-social behaviors. No changes were reported in externalizing behaviors for either group. Treatment integrity and social validity ratings of Strong Start were high. Limitations and implications of this study are addressed. The authors are listed alphabetically by last name and all shared equally in the preparation of this paper.     

Small rural primary schools in Finland: A pedagogically valuable part of the school network

This paper reviews research on small rural primary schools in Finland and analyses it under three thematic foci: the relationship between the local rural school and the surrounding community, the small rural primary school as a learning environment, and the teachers’ profession in this context. Over 30% of Finnish primary schools are small rural schools with three to four permanent teachers and teaching groups. Their culture encompasses ties to the local community while providing an almost unique school environment as a context for multiple learning and instructional processes. The review suggests that the position of small rural primary schools is threatened, as the continuing process of centralisation endangers the basic Finnish right to equal basic education in rural areas.