Establishing a knowledge base for quality in education: Testing a dynamic theory for education


Book Description

Although European policies promote the development of a knowledge-based society, international comparative studies reveal that large differences exist in the average achievement level and in offering equal opportunities to diverse student populations. In this handbook we provide suggestions to schools on establishing an evidence-based and theory-driven approach to promote quality in education. Specifically, we offer guidelines to schools on how to establish School Self-Evaluation (SSE) mechanisms measuring the functioning of school factors and identify priorities for improvement. By making use of the knowledge-base of EER, schools are also provided with guidelines on how to develop strategies and action plans to address their improvement priorities. Thus, the main aim of this handbook is to encourage readers, when faced with different challenges/problems, to uncover and exploit the available knowledge-base of EER and to act with flexibility in using the dynamic approach to design, implement and evaluate policies and action plans for promoting quality in education. Contributors: Bert Creemers, Leonidas Kyriakides, Anastasia Panayiotou, Wilfried Bos, Heinz Günter Holtappels, Michael Pfeifer, Mario Vennemann, Heike Wendt, Katja Scharenberg, Emer Smyth, Léan McMahon, Selina McCoy, Jan Van Damme, Gudrun Vanlaar, Panayiotis Antoniou, Charalambos Charalambous, Evi Charalambous, Eliana Maltezou, Darko Zupanc, Matev? Bren, Ga?per Cankar, Alenka Hauptman, Galini Rekalidou, Efthymia Penderi, Konstantinos Karadimitriou, Anastasia Dimitriou, Despina Desli, Antiopi Tempridou. Prof. Dr. Wilfried Bos, Direktor des Instituts für Schulentwicklungsforschung, Technische Universität Dortmund Arbeitsschwerpunkte - Empirische Forschungsmethoden - Qualitätssicherung im Bildungswesen - Internationale Bildungsforschung - Pädagogische Chinaforschung - Sozialisationsprozesse ethnischer Minoritäten unter den Aspekten einer europäischen Integration




Quality and Equity in Education


Book Description

Quality and Equity in Education draws attention to the importance of developing and testing theories of educational effectiveness and using these theories for improvement purposes. It makes a major contribution to knowledge and theory building in research on promoting quality and equity in education. The book presents an improved version of the dynamic model of educational effectiveness based on the empirical data emerged from studies testing its validity, claiming that the proposed theory can be used for establishing links between educational effectiveness research and school improvement. Towards that end, the book presents the Dynamic Approach to teacher and school improvement, demonstrating its impact on quality and equity in education. The book not only proposes an agenda for further research on developing and testing the dynamic theory of educational effectiveness but also refers to research methods that can be used to test the assumptions of this theory and search for relevant cause and effect relations. The agenda also refers to the need of identifying the conditions under which the dynamic approach to teacher and school improvement can have an effect on student learning outcomes. This book will be of great interest for academics, researchers and postgraduate students working in education research and the area of quality and equity in education. It will also be of interest to policymakers, school advisors and other stakeholders in education.




Educational Policy Evaluation through International Comparative Assessments


Book Description

One of the most salient findings from the field of education is that there are huge national differences in student achievement as shown in international comparative studies like PISA and TIMSS. The shockingly large gap between the highest performing countries (mostly in East Asia) and many European countries corresponds to a difference in attainment of two years of schooling. Although this finding has been replicated in several studies, the reasons for and consequences of such differences are currently not well understood. This book is a collection of essays and studies by leading experts in international comparative education who demonstrate how international comparative assessments can be used to evaluate educational policies. The volume is organized into two parts that address, first, theoretical foundations and methodological developments in the field of international assessments, and, second, innovative substantive studies that utilize international data for policy evaluation studies. The intention of this book is to revisit the idea of 'using the world as an educational laboratory', both to inform policy and to facilitate theory development.




Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Diversity, 4e


Book Description

“This new edition of an indispensable textbook… covers a huge range of topics illustrated by case studies and practical activities. It will enable schools to navigate through the complex challenges they meet on a daily basis, making education both inclusive and effective for all.” Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor in Cognitive Development, University College London, UK “This updated edition of an already essential text is a must read for anyone with an interest in special educational needs, inclusion and diversity in education. It is thoroughly researched, accessibly written, and strikes the perfect balance between emphases on theory, research, policy and practice throughout.” Neil Humphrey, Sarah Fielden Professor of Psychology of Education, University of Manchester, UK Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Diversity has established itself as the textbook on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This new edition retains the considered balance between theory, research and practice, written in an accessible, user-friendly style. The fourth edition contains key updates in response to changes in the field, including developments in national policy and ways of thinking about SEND. There is a focus on reducing inequalities and enhancing inclusion to ensure relevance to working within diverse communities. Up-to-date psychological and educational methods are examined in the book to support assessment and evidence-based intervention with children and young people. Key features include: •The increasingly diverse SEND approaches across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, within an international context •Identification, assessment and intervention strategies for those with SEND aged from 0-25 years •Extensive exploration of current developments, in particular within autism, mental health, mathematics and sensory needs •A focus on professional ethics, parental support for learning and person-centred practices •Case studies and learning activities to reflect contemporary best practice Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Diversity is a comprehensive guide for educational professionals to support them in maximising inclusion while recognising and supporting diversity. Sandra Dunsmuir is Professor of Educational and Child Psychology at University College London, UK. Tony Cline is Honorary Research Fellow with the Educational Psychology Group at University College London, UK. Norah Frederickson is Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology at University College London, UK.




How Learning Works


Book Description

Praise for How Learning Works "How Learning Works is the perfect title for this excellent book. Drawing upon new research in psychology, education, and cognitive science, the authors have demystified a complex topic into clear explanations of seven powerful learning principles. Full of great ideas and practical suggestions, all based on solid research evidence, this book is essential reading for instructors at all levels who wish to improve their students' learning." —Barbara Gross Davis, assistant vice chancellor for educational development, University of California, Berkeley, and author, Tools for Teaching "This book is a must-read for every instructor, new or experienced. Although I have been teaching for almost thirty years, as I read this book I found myself resonating with many of its ideas, and I discovered new ways of thinking about teaching." —Eugenia T. Paulus, professor of chemistry, North Hennepin Community College, and 2008 U.S. Community Colleges Professor of the Year from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education "Thank you Carnegie Mellon for making accessible what has previously been inaccessible to those of us who are not learning scientists. Your focus on the essence of learning combined with concrete examples of the daily challenges of teaching and clear tactical strategies for faculty to consider is a welcome work. I will recommend this book to all my colleagues." —Catherine M. Casserly, senior partner, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching "As you read about each of the seven basic learning principles in this book, you will find advice that is grounded in learning theory, based on research evidence, relevant to college teaching, and easy to understand. The authors have extensive knowledge and experience in applying the science of learning to college teaching, and they graciously share it with you in this organized and readable book." —From the Foreword by Richard E. Mayer, professor of psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara; coauthor, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction; and author, Multimedia Learning




World Education Research Yearbook 2015


Book Description

The World Education Research Association (WERA) is an association of major national, regional, and international specialty research associations dedicated to advancing education research as a scientific and scholarly field. WERA undertakes initiatives that are global in nature and thus transcend what any one association can accomplish in its own country, region, or area of specialization. ______ Reflective of the latest trends in education research, this inaugural volume of the World Education Research Yearbook captures the diverse concepts and various arenas of inquiry that are engaging education researchers across the globe. Comprised of nine chapters, the 2015 Yearbook brings together some of the most accomplished and emerging scholars in the field, from a breadth of universities and research institutions in the United States, Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America. The Yearbook opens with the Presidential Address given at the 4th WERA Focal Meeting by Yin Cheong Cheng, who proposes a new paradigm of educational reform to address the challenges impressed upon educators by the increased globalization of the modern world. Subsequent chapters make vivid the strengths of research with a broader work view. Chapter contributions shift the discourse through a global lens, addressing such topics as how international children’s TV can be used to further global health education and awareness, strategies for remedying low academic achievement among marginalized social and culture groups, and a new global model designed to aid countries in developing more effective indicators of quality education. The 2015 World Education Research Yearbook is a crucial and long-awaited contribution to the field of education research. Its relevance extends beyond the borders of any single country or continent to encompass a worldwide perspective on educational developments which are of great value to researchers, educators, and students alike.




Teacher Professional Development for Improving Quality of Teaching


Book Description

This book makes a major contribution to knowledge and theory by drawing implications of teacher effectiveness research for the field of teacher training and professional development. The first part of the book provides a critical review of research on teacher training and professional development and illustrates the limitations of the main approaches to teacher development such as the competence-based and the holistic approach. A dynamic perspective to policy and practice in teacher training and professional development is advocated. The second part of the book provides a critical review of research on teacher effectiveness. The main phases of this field of research are analysed. It is pointed out that teacher factors are presented as being in opposition to one another. An integrated approach in defining quality of teaching is adopted. The importance of taking into account findings of studies investigating differential teacher effectiveness is argued. Another significant limitation of this field of research is that the whole process of searching for teacher effectiveness factor was not able to have a significant impact upon teacher training and professional development. For this reason it is advocated that teacher training and professional development should be focused on how to address grouping of specific teacher factors associated with student learning and on how to help teachers improve their teaching skills by moving from using skills associated with direct teaching only to more advanced skills concerned with new teaching approaches and differentiation of teaching. The book refers to studies conducted in different countries illustrating how the proposed approach can be used by policy and practice in teacher education. Specifically, the book provides evidence supporting the validity of the theoretical framework upon which this approach is based. Moreover, experimental and longitudinal studies supporting the use of this approach for improvement purposes are presented and suggestions for further research utilising and expanding the Dynamic Approach for teacher training and professional development are provided.




Social and Economic Vulnerability of Roma People


Book Description

This open access volume provides an understanding of the different aspects of success, school continuity and social mobility among European Roma, including the motives justifying the high rates of school dropout and failure among this group. It offers a critical and reflexive perspective about social reality from a multidisciplinary and transversal point of view, sharing knowledge and practices in different countries about the articulations between Roma families, individuals, school and public policies. Over time, there has been an increase in the educational attainment of European citizens, but there are still persistent inequalities between Roma and non-Roma, including gender inequalities, which greatly affect Roma women. The volume explores the issue of Roma education and includes chapters from Western European, South and Central and Eastern European researchers using different theoretical and methodological perspectives. The intersection of this diversity and plurality of standpoints makes possible to obtain a comprehensive view on the education and schooling of European Roma.




Education for Life and Work


Book Description

Americans have long recognized that investments in public education contribute to the common good, enhancing national prosperity and supporting stable families, neighborhoods, and communities. Education is even more critical today, in the face of economic, environmental, and social challenges. Today's children can meet future challenges if their schooling and informal learning activities prepare them for adult roles as citizens, employees, managers, parents, volunteers, and entrepreneurs. To achieve their full potential as adults, young people need to develop a range of skills and knowledge that facilitate mastery and application of English, mathematics, and other school subjects. At the same time, business and political leaders are increasingly asking schools to develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management - often referred to as "21st century skills." Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century describes this important set of key skills that increase deeper learning, college and career readiness, student-centered learning, and higher order thinking. These labels include both cognitive and non-cognitive skills- such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, effective communication, motivation, persistence, and learning to learn. 21st century skills also include creativity, innovation, and ethics that are important to later success and may be developed in formal or informal learning environments. This report also describes how these skills relate to each other and to more traditional academic skills and content in the key disciplines of reading, mathematics, and science. Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century summarizes the findings of the research that investigates the importance of such skills to success in education, work, and other areas of adult responsibility and that demonstrates the importance of developing these skills in K-16 education. In this report, features related to learning these skills are identified, which include teacher professional development, curriculum, assessment, after-school and out-of-school programs, and informal learning centers such as exhibits and museums.




Improving Quality in Education


Book Description

Improving Quality in Education is a major contribution to the area of school improvement, setting out a dynamic framework that will helps schools collect data, evaluate themselves, decide on priorities for improvement and develop action plans.