Arts councils,policy-making and “the local”

ABSTRACT

In the British Isles, national policies for the arts are primarily viewed as the responsibility of arts councils with statutory duties to distribute state funding that meet the requirements of both “arms-length” principles and national strategic frameworks. This paper explores the tensions between policy making for the nation-state and for “the local” through comparative research on the arts councils (and equivalent bodies) in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews with senior representatives from these organisations, it explores their notions of, responsibilities to and affiliations with “the local”. Findings suggest that despite their different models and relationships to the nation-state, and the disparities in the scale of investment, these national policy bodies commonly rely on networked governance to facilitate their relationship to “the local” which risks reproducing national interests, limiting the localised agency of place-based approaches and contributing to a culture of competition within cultural policy.     

Child behaviors as a moderator: Examining the relationship between foster parent supports,satisfaction, and intent to continue fostering

Foster parents need access to supports and resources in order to be satisfied with their caregiving role and continue providing foster care services. However, they often experience multiple demands in their role as a substitute caregiver that could lead to stress. Child behaviors especially may be a significant factor when considering sources of strain and may be a potential risk factor for negative outcomes such as dissatisfaction or the decision to discontinue providing foster care. The purpose of this study was to examine whether child disruptive behaviors moderated or influenced the nature or strength of the relationship between foster parent supports and satisfaction as a caregiver as well as intent to continue fostering. The sample consisted of 155 licensed foster caregivers from across the United States. Child behaviors served as a significant moderator between some types of supports and satisfaction. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed.     

Special educational needs and inclusion,moving forward but standing still? A critical reframing of some key issues

This article draws together my thinking in relation to special educational needs and inclusion that have dominated my practice. The article, through the concept of embodiment, revisits, reviews and reframes the key issues of the construction of special educational needs, inclusion and the ideology that binds them together. Through this exploration, I argue we often seem to move forward with policy while in reality standing still in ensuring the ‘success’ of all of our pupils. By critiquing and reframing taken‐for‐granted assumptions and the sacred words ‘success’ and ‘achievement’, this article maps out the future directions of inclusive education. It concludes with a reflection on my first days as a ‘teacher of special educational needs’ and my work to support Kenny, a student with cerebral palsy. This personal reflection maps out a different form of educational success that perhaps could provide a forward momentum to develop more successful inclusive education policy and practice.     

Change management and the SENCo role: developing key performance indicators in the strategic development of inclusivity

This article follows an earlier publication highlighting the changing role of special educational needs co‐ordinators (SENCos) in England. SENCos are now required to manage change strategically and deliver inclusive school cultures. School‐based action research undertaken by a teacher studying for the postgraduate National Award for SEN Co‐ordination (NASENCO) is featured in the article; a strategic review of resource allocation increased the availability and quality of interventions for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The commentary which frames the study acknowledges that many SENCos are not yet members of a senior school management team (SMT) despite their mandated strategic whole‐school remit. Featuring the process through which one SENCo has strived to enhance SEND provision and develop context‐specific key performance indicators brings official guidance on the SENCo's role in strategic change management into sharp focus, raising questions that should concern both SMTs and non‐SMT SENCos.     

略论现代社会宗教与科学的关系

在现代社会中 ,科学与宗教的共存状态是一个不争的事实。一方面 ,宗教有其存在的现实基础 ;另一方面 ,科学本身也有它的局限性。两者在不同的领域发挥着各自的作用。     

陕西省民办高等教育考察报告

陕西省民办高等教育发展很快 ,办学规模不断扩大 ,民办高等教育与公办高等教育共同发展的格局已初步形成。大胆进行教育创新 ,不断研究和解决面临的新情况、新问题 ,是陕西民办高等教育得以迅速发展的主要原因。为了促进民办高等教育进一步发展 ,应提高认识 ,提高质量意识 ,加强民办高校管理机构的建设     

改革开放以来(1978—2006)中国民办高等教育政策法规回顾与思考

本文在梳理改革开放以来民办高等教育政策法规历史演变的基础上,归纳了民办高等教育政策法规的主要特征及存在的问题与不足。     

应收账款管理创新研究

在传统应收账款管理方法的基础上，企业应运用维．帕累托(Vilfredo．Pareto)最优分析法对应收账款进行分类管理。即把已有客户分为核心客户、主要客户和一般客户，对他们实行不同的信用管理。对新客户运用稳健分析模型进行信用分析，然后做出销售决策。对销售人员确立应收账款管理目标，以应收账款质量提高作为目标管理的主要内容，企业销售人员的考核与应收账款质量的提高挂钩，建立应收账款管理的激励和约束机制。     

提高国民生活质量和国家竞争力——韩国新世纪的人力资源开发战略简析

韩国政府为了实现在21世纪成为“世界超一流国家”的宏伟目标，在对现存教育与人力资源开发体制进行反省的基础上，决定把强化人力资源开发作为国家发展的核心战略。2001年12月制定出台了《人、知识、跨越：国家人力资源开发基本计划》，确立了“提高国民生活质量和国家竞争力”的人力资源开发目标和一系列政策保障措施。