Learning from Finland


Book Description

Since its successful performance in the PISA studies, at the latest, the Finnish education system has become the focus of public interest. In the media coverage of recent years, the Finnish school system has often been brought into play as a prime example of important educational policy challenges. This is particularly true of the issue of inclusive education. While few studies to date have seriously questioned the Finnish "educational miracle", this book aims to provide an objective account of the current situation in Finland. In doing so, it takes a differentiated and critical look at inclusive schooling in Finland. In order to achieve this, the inclusive school and classroom culture is examined using qualitative research approaches in selected Finnish schools. The building blocks of an inclusive school developed by Reich (2014) are consulted as criteria for analysis. Based on the findings of this study, it is finally examined and discussed what Germany (and other countries) can learn from Finland with regard to the topic of inclusion.







DISABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT


Book Description

This book examines how the concept of disability is starting to take root in the Japanese school system, and what the implications are for parents, teachers, policy makers, and other stakeholders.




Reports and Documents


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The Handbook of International School Psychology


Book Description

"The Handbook of International School Psychology will be THE major resource on the profession and its various applications in different countries. It is a ′must read′ for school psychologists and professionals from related disciplines who wish to understand, monitor, and shape the field of school psychology." —Scott Huebner, NCSP, University of South Carolina "This book is a very important contribution . . . The authors are all the most well known and respected in their countries, with many years of international experience within the field. The reader gets a firsthand impression of both the vast differences and the many common aspects within the school psychological domain. The broad range of countries . . . also shows how trends in school psychology—and special education—over years play an important role in cross-national implementation strategies." —Niels Egelund, Institute of Educational Psychology, The Danish University of Education. The Handbook of International School Psychology provides a description of the specialty of psychology devoted to the global provision of services to children and youth, their teachers, and parents. Editors Shane R. Jimerson, Thomas D. Oakland, and Peter T. Farrell have brought together prominent authors from 43 countries to provide valuable information and insights regarding the numerous facets of school psychology. Key Features: Offers a comprehensive overview of key areas: This Handbook addresses the context of school psychology; its origin, history, and current status; and the infrastructure of school psychology. In addition, contributors examine the preparation of school psychologists; their roles, functions, and responsibilities; and current issues impacting the field. Provides a balance of breadth and depth: Internationally renowned authors offer insight on the work of school psychologists around the world, such as assessing children who display cognitive, emotional, social, or behavioral difficulties; developing and implementing intervention programs; consulting with teachers, parents, and other relevant professionals; and conducting research. Reviews key trends in the field: Trends influencing school psychology′s international development are examined. The past, present, and future of the International School Psychology Association (ISPA) are discussed, as are findings from the International School Psychology Survey that examines the characteristics and responsibilities of school psychologists. Intended Audience: The Handbook of International School Psychology is the foremost international resource regarding school psychology. It is ideal for scholars, practitioners, and graduate students interested in acquiring an international view of school psychology.




Federal Register


Book Description




International Beliefs and Practices That Characterize Teacher Effectiveness


Book Description

Research surrounding teacher quality and teacher effectiveness has continued to grow and become even more prominent as teaching has become more professionalized globally and countries have invested more comprehensively in teacher education, certification, and professional development. To better understand teacher effectiveness, it is important to have a global viewpoint to truly understand how beliefs and practices vary in each country and can lead to different characterizations of what makes an effective teacher. This includes both cross-cultural commonalities and unique differences in conceptualization of teacher effectiveness and practices. With this comprehensive, international understanding of teacher effectiveness, a better understanding of best practices, teacher models, philosophies, and more will be developed. International Beliefs and Practices That Characterize Teacher Effectiveness identifies, shares, and explores the predominant conceptual understandings of beliefs and practices that characterize effective teachers in different countries. This book provides international and cross-cultural perspectives on teacher effectiveness and examines the prominent philosophies of teaching and pedagogical practices that characterize teachers in selected countries. Each chapter includes a background, such as history and undergirding philosophy within each country, effective teacher models, prominent applications of teacher effectiveness practices, and special or unique features of teaching in the specific countries mentioned. This book is essential for practicing educators in various countries, teacher educators, faculty, and students within schools and colleges, researchers in international comparative studies, organizations engaged in international education, and administrators, practitioners, and academicians interested in how teacher effectiveness is characterized in different countries and regions across the world.




Higher Education and the State


Book Description

The relationship between the state and higher education institutions has always been a complex one. The ‘state’ itself in this context is a heterogeneous mix of elite people - bureaucrats, politicians, committees of co-opted academics and business leader - and it increasingly faces pressures from diverse stakeholders, including students (themselves an increasingly diverse community), staff, families, employers and businesses (local, regional and multinational). This volume explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the state and higher education in Europe and in East Asia through a combination of empirical studies, secondary analyses and personal observations from many of the leading scholars in the field of comparative education studies. A scenario emerges where the state seeks to encourage stakeholder influence, while, at the same time, acts to moderate such influence in order to ensure that wider objectives are satisfied; markets are controlled, elements of demand and supply are manipulated and funding is targeted to meet particular policy priorities through a model that is described as ‘controlled stakeholder steering’ which offers a new explanation of the relationship between the state and higher education, certainly in the countries addressed in this book.




Code of Federal Regulations


Book Description

Special edition of the Federal Register, containing a codification of documents of general applicability and future effect ... with ancillaries.