The secret identity of a biology textbook: straight and naturally sexed

While education communities have well defined commitments to protect their learners from oppressive instructional materials, discourses of science education are often left unexamined. This analysis/critique employs queer theory as a perspective to look at how one widely used textbook in Ontario schools conceptualizes notions of gender and sexuality. Results indicate the use of discourses that promote exclusively heteronormative constructions of sexuality along with sex/gender binaries. Challenging such oppressive misconceptions of sex/gender and sexuality is discussed.     

On-demand publishing in the Humanities: project

This article describes the ‘On-Demand Publishing in the Humanities’ project, funded by JISC as part of the eLib programme, at Liverpool John Moores University. The principal aims of the project were to develop a ‘cheap and cheerful’ model for networking electronic texts, to develop a model agreement for the networking of copyright texts for use with publishers, and to shed light on the problems and benefits of on-demand publishing for all the stakeholders involved. The article sets out the project methods, describes the extent to which the aims of the project have been fulfilled, analyses the reactions of end-users to the materials, and attempts an assessment of the current viability of on-demand publishing as a means of supplying copyright texts to students.     

How Are Curiosity and Interest Different? Naïve Bayes Classification of People’s Beliefs

Educational Psychology Review - Researchers studying curiosity and interest note a lack of consensus in whether and how these important motivations for learning are distinct. Empirical attempts to...     

The Implementation of Character Education and Children’s Literature to Teach Bullying Characteristics and Prevention Strategies to Preschool Children: An Action Research Project

Bullying behaviors among young children are taking place in preschool classrooms and child-development centers. The author makes a case, based on bullying themes in children’s literature and both qualitative and quantitative data collection with young children, for the use of children’s picture books to teach character as bullying prevention to 4–6 year old children. Through the reading of picture books and character education activities with a bullying theme preschool children develop a better understanding of bullying characteristics and strategies for dealing with bullying behaviors. Included are the results from questionnaires and interviews with preschool children and an annotated bibliography of children’s picture books and activities useful in the instruction and prevention of bullying behaviors.     

COMMUNITY COLLEGE TENURE: TEACH OR RESEARCH?

How responsible community colleges can help determine the degree to which they are serving the educational needs of minorities is the focus of this paper. The authors illustrate the importance of using US Census data and enrollment characteristics to assess how well colleges are serving the needs of all their constituencies. An example of how these data have been used for community colleges in one state is presented. The methodology discussed is seen as effective, however, only when such an assessment is used as the foundation upon which a complete package of services is provided to meet the needs of all students     

Scaling Performance Assessments: A Comparison of One-Parameter and Two-Parameter Partial Credit Models

In one study, parameters were estimated for constructed-response (CR) items in 8 tests from 4 operational testing programs using the l-parameter and 2- parameter partial credit (IPPC and 2PPC) models. Where multiple-choice (MC) items were present, these models were combined with the 1-parameter and 3-parameter logistic (IPL and 3PL) models, respectively. We found that item fit was better when the 2PPC model was used alone or with the 3PL model. Also, the slopes of the CR and MC items were found to differ substantially. In a second study, item parameter estimates produced using the IPL-IPPC and 3PL-2PPC model combinations were evaluated for fit to simulated data generated using true parameters known to fit one model combination or ttle other. The results suggested that the more flexible 3PL-2PPC model combination would produce better item fit than the IPL-1PPC combination.     

Integration in Victorian Schools: A Review of Policy and Progress (1984‐1989)

ALTHOUGH a dual system of special education has existed for many years in Victoria, the Report of the Ministerial Review of Educational Services for the Disabled(Collins, 1984) clearly revealed the Government's intentions to hasten the integration movement. The five guiding principles of the Review, which are firmly based on social justice and equity issues, shaped Ministerial policy and practices. These guidelines, associated Ministerial documents and memoranda, and resultant policies, structures and services are discussed in detail. The progress of integration in Victorian schools since the Review is outlined, barriers identified and strategies to overcome these obstructions or difficulties provided.