Assessment in special schools: national early assessment procedures and pupils attending special schools in England

An implicit assumption that fostering inclusion means having shared systems encompassing the needs of all children is evident in many aspects of policy development over the past decade. Reflecting this, the implementation of ‘baseline assessment’ schemes (i.e. testing at around age 5 years) is a statutory requirement on all state-maintained special and mainstream schools in England since 1998. Our argument is that the enthusiasm for commonality has obscured the need to question the value and validity of baseline assessment schemes for children with special educational needs (and possibly some others such as children having English as an additional language). We illustrate this position with reference to data from our recent study on baseline assessment in England. The study encompassed survey data from a national sample of 982 schools, of which 107 were special schools. Between them, these special schools used 42 different baseline assessment schemes. Comparisons between our mainstream and special school respondents indicated that there were similarities in the nature and perceived value of the schemes used. However, special schools were less satisfied with their schemes. We suggest that a reappraisal of the nature and purpose of baseline assessment for pupils with special educational needs warrants greater critical debate. Without this, there is a danger that a stress on commonality, veiling an inclusion orthodoxy, will ultimately be counterproductive.     

How can pre-service primary teachers' perspectives contribute to a pedagogy that problematises the ‘practical’ in teacher education?

This study examined pre-service primary teachers' perspectives on teaching and learning experiences within college-based courses in ‘practical’ subject areas within a teacher education programme. Following three individual lectures (one each in art, music and physical education), pre-service teachers (n=11) participated in focus group interviews sharing their perspectives on the teaching and learning experiences. These data were analysed thematically and supported by teacher educators' (n=3) planning and reflection documentation. Although the problematic nature of the ‘practical’ suggests appeal and peril of the ‘practical’, the important nature of negotiating the ‘practical’ to enhance student learning is apparent. Students emphasised the value of practical engagement and expressed a strong preference for working in groups to create a safe learning environment to develop confidence and competence. These insights suggest key aspects of a pedagogy of teacher education in these ‘practical’ areas. The importance of being aware of and, in some cases, challenging student perspectives on how they learn best in these curricular areas is discussed.     

Facing the ”Literacy” Issue:

No abstract available for this article.     

家庭公益教育的障碍及其破解机制研究

开展公益教育是时代环境变化、社会转型的客观要求。家庭公益教育是公益教育的有机组成部分,是突破当前“应试型”教育模式,构建“家庭-学校-社区”三联动下系统、多元的公益教育模式的关键环节。我国家庭公益教育的开展存在诸多障碍。调查发现,这些障碍主要为家长认知障碍、家庭公益行动障碍及制度性障碍。针对这些障碍,在借鉴美国家庭公益教育经验的基础上,提出了破解之策。     

大学自由教育的生成逻辑与实践路径探析

自由教育时常被冠以自由主义教育的标签,但其精神实质与当前我国倡导的“学生发展核心素养”教育异曲同工,应该得以澄清。自由教育在国家层面上与社会主义本质及核心价值观的全面发展一致,在社会层面上与科教强国的创新驱动一致,在个人层面上与人才培养的人文关怀一致。因此,高校应该把自由教育与人才培养相结合、把自由教育与创新教育相结合、把自由教育与个人成长相结合。     

培养高技能人才与营造学习型组织氛围

高技能人才是指既有比较高的理论素养与知识水平,又具有比较强的操作能力与实践经验的复合人才。由于种种原因,我国目前高技能人才尚严重缺乏,营造学习型组织和高技能人才培养的良好氛围是解决这一问题的有效途径。     

学习型社会的构建

学习型社会是我国社会今后发展的基本方向。构建我国的学习型社会应遵循一定的基本原则，主要通过建设、完善城市学习型社区和农村学习型社区来实现。     

关于数字图书馆的馆藏与技术问题刍议

数字图书馆使信息得以更广泛的传播，数字图书馆及其功能、作用与当前信息发展传播、计算机网络化所带来的有关馆藏、馆员诸多方面的新变化，今后数字图书馆可能的发展动向．     

试论大学生的英语学习观念及其学习策略

本文在分析中学英语和大学英语学习目标差异的基础上,论述了大学生英语学习必备的学习观念和有效的学习策略。在大学生领悟和实施这些学习观念和学习策略的基础上,开展英语学习,能有效地促进英语水平的提高。