According to Plan? Examining the Intended and Unintended Treatment Effects of EL Classification in Early Elementary and the Transition to Middle School

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that classification as an English learner (EL) is consequential for students, with important effects on educational achievement and attainment. Yet we know little about the mechanisms that underlie the effects of EL classification. This study explores whether, and to what extent, EL classification results in the treatments it is designed to trigger, and also whether, and to what extent, EL classification triggers unintended treatments. The study uses longitudinal school district data and regression discontinuity analyses to evaluate the treatment effects of EL classification. It examines two moments: initial classification as students enter kindergarten, and retained EL classification as students transition into middle school. Findings suggest that EL classification, for students near the margin of classification, results in many treatments it is intended to trigger including language assessments in early elementary, and English language development instruction and modified content instruction in middle school. In addition, findings show that EL classification triggers two unintended treatments among students; Classification limits access to English speaking peers in early elementary, and negatively impacts enrollment in a full academic course load in middle school.     

Perspectives on a zero-tolerance approach to discipline: towards maintaining a nurturing and secure school environment

Abstract

This article reports on inquiry into school managers’ and teachers’ views on a zero-tolerance approach to managing learner discipline in schools. The study was conducted by way of multiple focus group interviews with selected participants from six inner city schools. Additional (secondary) data were obtained from schools’ code of conduct journals. The data were analysed in grounded theory mode and the main themes of the findings show that the participants are deeply concerned about the way in which disciplinary problems are affecting everyday school life. The participants struggle with applying the democratic principles of the law and reflect on times past when order was supposedly maintained by way of corporal punishment. The study included a section in which participants were asked to converse about the “zero-tolerance” approach to maintaining school discipline. It appears that this is seen as a viable option. Having introduced the notion, the principal researcher, with the other authors, caution such an introduction without coupling it with a school renewal drive that includes counselling and the development of an ethic of care.     

公共财政资助学科项目监理制度改革探讨与建议

从促进宝贵的学科项目管理经验有效推广的角度,揭示当前公共财政资助学科建设项目考评中存在的问 题,围绕全程参与和全面反馈两个着眼点,提出面向项目管理考评的第三方监理实施的总体架构、功能改变及具体建 议,希望能为国家科技项目的管理改革提供一定的决策借鉴作用。     

传统文献分类法的改进研究

传统文献分类法在实际应用过程中出现了实用性和科学性等问题。为了探索改进方法,文章首次从文献使用人的角度对文献分类对象＂图书＂、＂资料＂和＂信息＂的含义进行了详细分析,并将所有文献分类对象都归入＂图书类＂、＂狭义资料类＂和＂狭义信息类＂。并在此基础上,将基于知识分类和基于使用目的两种分类方式有效地组合成一种完整的新文献分类法。通过分析,新文献分类法可以有效解决传统文献分类法存在的不足。     

Beyond Mark and Park: Classification Mapping as a Collection Development Tool for Psychiatry/Psychology

Developing specific collection development policies for psychiatry poses problems because of its interdisciplinarity with psychology and medicine. East Carolina University has separate academic and medical libraries that are responsible for supporting the curriculum and research needs of the students and faculty. In an era of dwindling budgets and growing programs, it is imperative that book selectors be aware of cross-discipline classification schemes that may lead to unnecessary duplication of materials. This article proposes an instrument that maps the National Library of Medicine classification to the Library of Congress classification for psychology/ psychiatry to be used as a guideline for supporting cooperative collection development.     

Periodizations and History of Science

Abstract

The significance of historical periodizations is explored for the purpose of collection development. As historians often rely upon utilizing historical periods for discussion and research in their scholarship, an understanding of the nature of historical periods as a collection perspective and approach can be useful for the subject librarian engaged in or responsible for the history of science collections. An examination of the last 20 years of ISIS bibliographies using historical periods as a chronological tool provides useful framework and knowledge for research, scholarship, and collection management, especially selection for library collections, of the history of science. Data revealed periodizations and their emphases, evolution over time, and possible scholarly directions, pertinent for collection purposes. Informed knowledge of periodizations and how they may affect collections, acquisitions, and instruction enables librarians to effectively interact with the specialists in the history of science.     

Ethical Considerations in Classification Practice: A Case Study Using Creationism and Intelligent Design

This article re-visits a scenario from 1987: a university president required a library director to reclassify some materials into a science classification. The author looks at the prominence of the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association in the general library literature and in classification and cataloging practice literature. The issue of censorship is also discussed. The author then reviews classification for Creationism and Intelligent design and some decision-making processes one could use when deciding on the professional ethics of such a request, concluding that in some cases the ethical action might indeed be to go ahead with the reclassification.     

Peoples of Melanesia

The mnemonic principles of the Dewey Decimal Classification were violated when Table 5 (Racial, Ethnic and National Groups) was introduced. Suggestions are presented to restore such principles to a large area of the South Pacific with particular reference to Melanesia.