...Montessori: Evolving Toward a Public Secondary School in the 21st Century Nadia Bryden November 7, 2012 Abstract The educational community has long been familiar with the Montessori method for its international ability to remediate or engage children who are, for any number of reasons, not suited to traditional public schooling. This paper examines the basis of the need for alternative schooling, outlines the development and evolution of the Montessori method and philosophy, and validates the methodology in research, providing a side-by-side comparison for examination of relative strengths and weaknesses of the program. For 21st century school reformists seeking alternative methods of education or an individualized, child-centered curriculum, Montessori presents itself as an adaptive, hands-on, future-friendly option for the democratic community as it evolves toward offering a full preschool to secondary public program. Keywords: Montessori, constructivism, independence, Dewey, progressive, alternative education Montessori: Evolving Toward a Public Secondary School in the 21st Century Since the time of early philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle and Plato, to whom we can trace the traditional subjects of the common core curriculum, there have been heated political and social debates surrounding the field of education. Rather than being discouraged by their recurrent nature, academic planners and developers must examine these questions anew to refresh our views...
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...Management Program Faculty of Engineering University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G6 Prepared For: The Research Committee of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers October 2006 SUMMARY The purpose of this paper is to “seed” the discussion by the Research Committee of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE) on the topic of risk management. The paper is in part a research paper and in its entirety a position paper. As can be inferred from the title, the authors hold the firm opinion that risk management is an area of knowledge with which all engineers should have familiarity and a level of competence according to their scope of practice. The paper first makes the distinction between hazard and risk. The two terms are often used interchangeably when in fact they are quite different. A hazard is a chemical or physical condition that has the potential to cause harm or damage to people, environment, assets or production. Risk, on the other hand, is the possibility or chance of harm arising from a hazard; risk is a function of probability and severity of consequences. A description of the process of risk management is then given. A generic framework for risk management is presented to illustrate the essential activities of hazard identification and the analysis, assessment and management of risks. Key activities in this framework are the decisions that must be made on risk acceptability – whether to continue with an activity and monitor the risk,...
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...Although these schools were initially set up to educate the children of globally-mobile expatriate professionals, ‘host country’ families now increasingly consider international school education as an alternative to the national system in which they lack confidence, and/or as a means of providing a competitive edge for their children in education and labour market terms. In an increasingly globalized world, ‘international-mindedness’, concern for world peace, and the need for intercultural understanding has led to the inclusion of an ‘ideological’ dimension in the mission statements of many such schools. M. Hayden and J. Thompson This booklet provides an insight to the origins and characteristics of international schools, curriculum and assessment, students and teaching staff, and the management, leadership and governance of these schools. The booklet also discusses how international schools (usually private and feepaying) might develop in the future against a backdrop of growing forces of globalization and other international influences. In all cases, attention is drawn to the implications of the issues discussed for both policy-makers and planners in national and international contexts. The authors Mary Hayden is Director of the Centre for the Study of Education in an International Context (CEIC) at the University of Bath, where she teaches and supervises Masters and doctoral students with interests in international schools and international education...
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...ABSTRACT Title of Thesis: ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT OUTCOMES IN INSTRUCTIONAL CONSULTATION TEAMS SCHOOLS Arlene E. Silva, Master of Arts, 2005 Thesis Directed by: Professor Sylvia Rosenfield Department of Counseling and Personnel Services University of Maryland, College Park The present study serves as an examination and documentation of referral and placement outcomes of English Language Learner (ELL) cases in Instructional Consultation (IC) Teams schools. Archival data from 838 cases (12% of which were ELL cases) within five mid-Atlantic public school districts implementing IC Teams were analyzed for outcomes using logistic regression. Results included statistically significant differences in ELL versus non-ELL student initial team referral (IC or other prereferral intervention team) and ultimate IEP Team referrals. Initial referral concerns also differed significantly between ELL and non-ELL students. IC Teams were found to be more effective than existing prereferral intervention teams in decreasing the special education referrals of ELL and non-ELL students. The results of the present study serve as a foundation for future research in the areas of at-risk ELL students and their referrals to prereferral intervention teams and special education. ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT OUTCOMES IN INSTRUCTIONAL CONSULTATION TEAMS SCHOOLS by Arlene E. Silva Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate...
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...Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings: Best Evidence Synthesis July 2003 Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings: Best Evidence Synthesis October 2003 This report is one of a series of best evidence syntheses commissioned by the Ministry of Education. It is part of a commitment to strengthen the evidence base that informs education policy and practice in New Zealand. It aims to contribute to an ongoing evidence-based discourse amongst policy makers, educators and researchers. The best evidence synthesis approach is being developed in collaboration with researchers. It draws together in a systematic way the available evidence about what works to improve education outcomes, and what can make a bigger difference for the education of all our children and young people. Prepared for the Ministry of Education Authors Linda Mitchell and Pam Cubey Copyright © Ministry of Education PO Box 1666 Wellington ISBN 0-478-18773-4 Web ISBN ISBN 0-478-18774-2 www.minedu.govt.nz Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings Best Evidence Synthesis Report prepared for the New Zealand Ministry of Education Linda Mitchell and Pam Cubey July 2003 New Zealand Council for Educational Research P O Box 3237 ...
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...National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement LIFE SCIENCES Further Education and Training Phase Grades 10-12 basic education Department: Basic Education REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA CurriCulum and assessment PoliCy statement Grades 10-12 life sCienCes CAPS LIFE SCIENCES GRADES 10-12 department of Basic education 222 Struben Street Private Bag X895 Pretoria 0001 South Africa Tel: +27 12 357 3000 Fax: +27 12 323 0601 120 Plein Street Private Bag X9023 Cape Town 8000 South Africa Tel: +27 21 465 1701 Fax: +27 21 461 8110 Website: http://www.education.gov.za © 2011 department of Basic education isBn: 978-1-4315-0578-4 Design and Layout by: Ndabase Printing Solution Printed by: Government Printing Works CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT POLICY STATEMENT (CAPS) LIFE SCIENCES GRADES 10-12 FOREWORD by thE ministER Our national curriculum is the culmination of our efforts over a period of seventeen years to transform the curriculum bequeathed to us by apartheid. From the start of democracy we have built our curriculum on the values that inspired our Constitution (Act 108 of 1996). the Preamble to the Constitution states that the aims of the Constitution are to: • heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights; improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which...
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...Services. Technology Integration/Educational Technology/Teacher Training/Professional Development/ Mentoring The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of mentors to increase the integration of technology, to provide teachers with skills, and to investigate the most effective strategies. Three research questions guided the study: 1. Will the utilization of technology mentors provide teachers with the skills needed to effectively integrate technology in instruction? 2. Will the utilization of technology mentors increase the teachers’ integration of technology in instruction? 3. What strategies incorporated by the mentors will have the greatest impact on the teachers’ integration of technology into instruction? The research study identified 26 teachers in an elementary school who were not integrating technology. The...
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...Paul, Wiliam, Dylan, Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice Mar1998, Vol. 5, Issue 1 ABSTRACT This article is a review of the literature on classroom formative assessment. Several studies show firm evidence that innovations designed to strengthen the frequent feedback that students receive about their learning yield substantial learning gains. The perceptions of students and their role in self-assessment are considered alongside analysis of' the strategies used by teachers and the formative strategies incorporated in such systemic approaches as mastery learning. There follows a more detailed and theoretical analysis of the nature of feedback, which provides a basis for a discussion of the development of theoretical models for formative assessment and of the prospects for the improvement of practice. Introduction One of the outstanding features of studies of assessment in recent years has been the shift in the focus of attention, towards greater interest in the interactions between assessment and classroom learning and away from concentration on the properties of restricted forms of test which are only weakly linked to the learning experiences of" students. This shift has been coupled with many expressions of hope that improvement in classroom assessment will make a strong contribution to the improvement of learning. So one main purpose of this review is to survey the evidence which might show whether or not such hope is justified. A second purpose is to...
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...Paul, Wiliam, Dylan, Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice Mar1998, Vol. 5, Issue 1 ABSTRACT This article is a review of the literature on classroom formative assessment. Several studies show firm evidence that innovations designed to strengthen the frequent feedback that students receive about their learning yield substantial learning gains. The perceptions of students and their role in self-assessment are considered alongside analysis of' the strategies used by teachers and the formative strategies incorporated in such systemic approaches as mastery learning. There follows a more detailed and theoretical analysis of the nature of feedback, which provides a basis for a discussion of the development of theoretical models for formative assessment and of the prospects for the improvement of practice. Introduction One of the outstanding features of studies of assessment in recent years has been the shift in the focus of attention, towards greater interest in the interactions between assessment and classroom learning and away from concentration on the properties of restricted forms of test which are only weakly linked to the learning experiences of" students. This shift has been coupled with many expressions of hope that improvement in classroom assessment will make a strong contribution to the improvement of learning. So one main purpose of this review is to survey the evidence which might show whether or not such hope is justified. A second purpose is to...
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...The Changing Mathematics Curriculum: An Annotated Bibliography Third Edition April 2005 1 2 The K–12 Mathematics Curriculum Center The K–12 Mathematics Curriculum Center (K–12 MCC) supports school districts as they build effective mathematics education programs using curricula that align with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (NCTM) Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (1989) and Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000). The K–12 MCC offers a variety of products and services to assist mathematics teachers and administrators. Our seminars address selecting and implementing new curricula, designing professional development and support, aligning curriculum with assessment, and examining leadership in curricular change. Our other resources include: About This Publication This publication, an annotated bibliography of articles relevant to Standards-based mathematics curriculum reform, is intended as a resource for educators and communities considering the selection and implementation of a Standards-based mathematics curriculum. It also may assist individuals who are interested in learning about the student achievement, classroom practices, and implementation challenges associated with the use of Standards-based materials. When gathering resources for this publication, the K–12 Mathematics Curriculum Center staff reviewed articles that either addressed important issues in mathematics curriculum change or shared experiences...
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...technologies 48 XI. References 60 2 A Review of Definitions Economic, social and technological forces continue to change the global economy, and the way of life in organizations and the world. In specific, these forces have and continue to revolutionize teaching and learning in organizations. Urdan & Weggen (2000) related that technology, the rapid obsolescence of knowledge and training, the need for just-in-time training delivery, and the search for cost-effective ways to meet learning needs of a globally distributed workforce have redefined the processes that underlie design, development and delivery of training and education in the workplace. In addition, Urdan &Weggen related that the need for different learning models due to skills gap and demographic changes and demand for flexible access of lifelong learning have played upon teaching and learning. In this teaching and learning evolution, however, several terms have been attached to characterize...
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...Chapter One: Introduction 1.0 Background of Study Most of us grew up believing in dream big about the future ahead. We believed we could do anything or become anything we wanted with dedication and hard work, but for many in this country the big dream about the future is fading as the gap between rich and poor continues to grow. Children were told that if they studied hard they could “make something of themselves.” While this is still true, the rules have changed and the stakes are higher. Governments have decreased aid for public education and set spending caps. Students today are being faced with “high stakes” testing. We used to worry about scoring high enough on examinations to get into college, but now students take examinations to get out of high school. Some policy makers, during sometime, have suggested a school’s funding will be determined by how well their students perform on the tests. In theory it is wonderful, the schools that do well will be rewarded for their excellence. In practice it will most likely become another opportunity for the rich school districts to succeed and the poor school districts to fail. Revenue caps and high stakes testing appear to be an inevitable part of our future so we must find affordable, effective means for inspiring students and their families to improve student outcome. One way may be parental involvement. Another way might be to teach effective parenting skills which could in turn increase parental involvement in education particularly...
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...Department of Education requested that the National Research Center on Learning Disabilities (NRCLD) identify, describe, and evaluate the implementation of responsiveness to intervention (RTI) in elementary schools throughout the United States. The NRCLD staff worked with the six Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) to identify potential sites and solicit school participation. More than 60 schools across the country initially were considered, and information from 41 of those schools was submitted. The NRCLD research staff reviewed the extensive amount of information submitted and judged that 19 of those schools were engaging in one or more commendable RTI practices based on a review of the following six components of an RTI service-delivery model: • School-wide screening. Screening is a type of assessment characterized by quick, low cost, repeatable testing of critical academic skills or behaviors and can be administered by individuals with minimal amounts of training. A screening measures whether a student should be judged at risk. If a student meets the criteria for at-risk status, he or she is considered for more in-depth assessment. Screenings can use either a criterion referenced or normative comparison standard for measuring student performance. Progress monitoring. Progress monitoring is a set of assessment procedures for determining the extent to which a student or students are benefiting from classroom instruction. When applied with rigor, progress monitoring addresses the...
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...English-E11-12 7/27/07 2:24 PM Page 1 Ministry of Education The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 English Printed on recycled paper 07-003 ISBN 978-1-4249-4741-6 (Print) ISBN 978-1-4249-4742-3 (PDF) ISBN 978-1-4249-4743-0 (TXT) © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2007 2007 REVISED CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 3 Secondary Schools for the Twenty-first Century . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Importance of Literacy, Language, and the English Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Principles Underlying the English Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roles and Responsibilities in English Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE PROGRAM IN ENGLISH 3 3 4 5 9 Overview of the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Curriculum Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Strands in the English Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Basic Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . ....
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...instructional materials in the teaching of basic sciences CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the study Education, according to Coombs (1970) consists of two components. He classified these two components into inputs and outputs. According to him, inputs consist of human and material resources and outputs are the goals and outcomes of the educational process. Both the inputs and outputs form a dynamic organic whole and if one wants to investigate and assess the educational system in order to improve its performance, effects of one component on the other must be examined. Instructional resources which are educational inputs are of vital importance to the teaching of any subject in the school curriculum. Wales (1975) was of the opinion that the use of instructional resources would make discovered facts glued firmly to the memory of students. Savoury (1958) also added that, a well-planned and imaginative use of visual aids in lessons should do much to banish apathy, supplement inadequacy of books as well as arouse student’s interest by giving them something practical to see and do, and at the same time helping to train them to think things out themselves. Savoury (1958) suggested a catalogue of useful visual aids that are good for teaching history i.e pictures, post cards, diagrams, maps, filmstrips and models. He said that selection of materials which are related to the basic contents of a course or a lesson, helps in-depth understanding of such a lesson by the students...
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