Why Women Teachers Say 'Stuff It' to Promotion: A failure of equal opportunities?

ABSTRACT The study contributes to our understanding of the less obvious ways in which gender divisions at management level in schools are perpetuated. The authors examine a situation in which a confident, ambitious, well-qualified woman teacher chose not to apply for internal promotion to a management position. The context is a comprehensive school with a proven commitment to issues of equality. Governors and the head of the school were determined to encourage women applicants. Deficit models, 'trait' models, and traditional patterns of gender hostility are all considered yet provide a less than adequate explanation. Instead, complex individual behaviour patterns and external constraints influence events within an apparently positive equal opportunities climate. Analysis of these events and the parts played reveal subtle yet powerful gender dimensions behind a foreground of financial pressures and budget cuts.     

Q-Sorting Gloria

The authors assessed differences in viewers' perceptions of a client (Gloria) as a function of treatment (i.e., client-centered, gestalt, rational-emotive) received. The stimulus material used was the film series, Three Approaches to Psychotherapy. Gloria was perceived differently as a result of the type of treatment received, although some of the differences were not statistically reliable. Implications of the findings are discussed.     

Boys Performing English

This article explores the gender dynamics of boys' responses to one particular aspect of English teaching: oral performance work. It focuses on the possibility that the requirement to perform publicly in dramatic and other oral tasks may be an important factor in the rejection of English by many boys, and may contribute to boys' relatively poor achievement in English. The article provides a study of boys' engagement in English oral activities in two classrooms, and identifies a number of factors influencing boys' English learning. In particular, it shows that there is no simple relation between the performance requirements of English learning activities and boys' disengagement with English.     

Boys and Literacy: Lessons from Australia

ABSTRACT This paper examines the complexity of the issues associated with boys and literacy. It initially reviews Australian research documenting gender differences in literacy performance, highlighting the interplay between gender, class and ethnicity within this research. It then develops a framework for considering the interconnectedness between literacy, various masculinities, and schooling. The paper argues that literacy, as it is constructed in the school, becomes a domain of knowledge and a set of technologies that run counter to various dominant constructions of masculinity. As a result, school literacy is often in contrast to other electronic and visually-based 'literacy skills' that boys have access to. The paper suggests an approach which works with social constructions of masculinity, and discourses on 'critical literacy', to provide strategies for boys' literacy education that will not be in conflict with the education of girls reform agenda of the past 20 years.     

Paired reading: a structured approach to raising attainment in literacy

Competency in reading is a key factor in literacy attainment. If pupils can read proficiently this allows them to access the curriculum in all subjects and helps them to become confident, successful, motivated learners. Paired reading has long been recognised as an effective approach for supporting reading in schools. It helps to build relationships and encourages self-esteem and motivation. By the pupil reading aloud, either independently or in tandem with their partner, they gain confidence and research suggests that fluency and accuracy improve. However, for pupils who have gaps in their phonological knowledge this approach has limited success as it relies almost exclusively on visual or auditory memory. This research looks at a more structured approach to paired reading that combines both the 'look-say' approach (whole word recognition) of the more traditional paired reading programmes with phonic teaching, to create a tool to improve reading.     

论体育在和谐社会发展中的功能

构建社会主义和谐社会是党的十六届四中全会提出的全面建设小康社会、开创中国特色的社会主义新局面的奋斗目标。全民体育、竞技体育和学校体育等应在实现这一奋斗目标中发挥重要作用,以充分体现体育在和谐社会发展中的功能。