Abstract This paper examines the controversial debate between inclusion and mainstreaming special education students in learning institutions, government institutions and families in today's society. It analyzes the debate from a variety of angles in order to formulate an idea of their effectiveness, because it is to subjective. The paper demonstrates how both inclusion and mainstreaming are designed and looks at recent literature and research to determine the success rate of inclusion and mainstreaming. This paper provides an overview of the concept of inclusion and mainstreaming, as well as provide research into both sides of the debate. It illustrates which method, if either, is best for both our special needs students and society as a whole.
From the Paper "According to Joy Rogers of Phi Delta Kappa's Center for Evaluation, Development, and Research (1993), there are two types of inclusion. Regular inclusion refers to the ?commitment to educate each child, to the maximum extent appropriate, in the school and classroom he or she would otherwise attend.? The concept involves bringing support services to the child, rather than taking the child out of the regular classroom for services (York, et al. 1993). A second form of inclusion is called full inclusion. This concept refers to placing the students, despite any handicapping condition and regardless of the severity, in a regular classroom permanently (Rogers, 1993). All services must be taken to the child in the classroom setting."
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of leadership within educational administration and business organization. It analyzes leadership styles and shows how different styles can be effective depending on the situation, the personality of the leader, and the nature of the organization. It discusses the four basic decision-making styles--authoritative, consultative, facilitative, and delegative and shows in each case how leadership style determines the relationship between the leader and his or her followers.
From the Paper "One way of characterizing leadership is to identify it as either transformational or transactional. The transactional leader practices contingent reinforcement of followers, while the transformational leader inspires, intellectually stimulates, and is individually considerate of followers. Transformational leadership may be either directive (autocratic) or participative. Transformational leadership requires higher moral development. Transformational leadership has been found to be more effective than transactional leadership in a wide variety of business, military, industrial, hospital, and educational circumstances (Bass 15)."
Abstract An examination of two methods of teaching, backed up by ideas of leaders in the education field, showing the different ways that a student can be taught, with the pros and cons of each. The paper discusses the views of Prof. E.D. Hirsch who believes in a stronger emphasis on phonics, memorization, and the use of standardized tests to reach a more equal education for rich and poor students alike, versus the opinion of Prof. Howard Gardner who disagrees with this approach and believes that students should be taught how to answer tough critical thinking questions.
From the Paper "Hirsch has an uncompromising style of writing. He uses many different methods to explain his view. First, he uses many different outside sources, such as a Coleman report and makes a reference to Antonio Gramsci a communist opponent of Mussolini (Hirsch 475). Secondly, he blames the current failures of the schools on the Democrats. He does this by referring to some current education trends. This helps support his view, but it comes across as mudslinging."
Tags: education, learning, methods, The, New, York, Times
Focus on speech codes on college campuses to control speech demeaning to any group. Discusses legal history, pro & con arguments. Concludes codes to control "hate speech" not a good idea.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, 2001, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Americans value the freedom of speech assured them in the U.S. Constitution, but they also seem to accept that there are some boundaries to freedom of speech, though what those boundaries are is controversial and may shift over time. One issue of free speech today is described under the title "Political Correctness," or "PC." It is defined as efforts by certain political groups, primarily those on the left, to enforce some form of speech code in order to control speech to ban any term or phrase that might be considered demeaning to any group in society, so-called "hate speech." One of the problems with these efforts is the vagueness of the terms used to define it--what is "demeaning," and how is it to be decided when a given phrase is demeaning or not? Richard Goldstein writes ..."
From the Paper "Each educator must develop his or her own personal philosophy of education. A tremendous body of educational theory exists, however, making it difficult to choose a specific school of thought. For example, some educators base their theories on different approaches to grouping students for instruction, various forms of curricula, methods of evaluating student progress, or the objectives of instruction. Phrases such as "cooperative learning," "multiple intelligences," and "whole learning experiences" abound in the literature. Instructional methods range from free exploration to direct instruction. Models of learning range from transactional to transmission. Synthesizing even a small fraction of the various educational philosophies into a personal philosophy would easily take years of effort. A worthwhile direction, however, is to use as a..."
Abstract This paper highlights the history of parental involvement in students? academic achievements. The paper discusses what actions are necessary for effective parental involvement, the impact on students is outlined and the accruing advantages to the parents as well as to the children being educated are presented.
Introduction
History of the Parents? Involvement
Background Overview
Growing Public Awareness
Research Findings on Procedural Progress
The Ongoing Effect
Development of Academics under the Perspective of Parental Involvement
The Montessori System
The Philosophy behind the Educational System
Linking Educational Materials to Practical Life Tools
The Environment and Students? Achievements in Subjects
Factors Affecting Parental Involvement
Importance of Parental Involvement
Effects of Parental Involvement
Benefits of the Effects
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "As educationalists search for ways to improve the modern educational system and to eradicate the problems in it, it is indispensable for them to investigate the causality of these problems and system's shortcomings. It is apparent that the drawbacks do not come into being completely from academics. As a result, it is obvious that a dynamic involvement of parents in the education of their children is a requisite.
In order for student to achieve success academically, a relationship based on respect and mutual understanding between students, teachers, and parents is of the essence. Loopholes at any place in this relationship cause the academic achievements of a student to collapse into failures. However, an intimate and reinforced closeness can sustain immeasurable potential in student's academic success (Brandt, Ronald S. (ED))."
Tags: education, success, teachers, institutions, montessori, self-esteem, school
Abstract This research paper highlights the importance of health education in academic establishments. The paper describes the alarming increase in health problems in school-going children, and presents extensive research carried out by some of the best experts in the related field, that suggests urgent need for the enhancement, improvement and amendment of health education in both public and private educational institutions.
From the Paper "Extensive research, collective data and information in the field of education all suggest the importance of health education in schools. The increase in health problems worldwide also provides sufficient eye-opening evidence regarding the need to spread awareness among the masses regarding learning and choosing health education as their professional as well as academic career."
This paper examines the system of education in colonial America from 1607 until 1776: Differences in schools in the New England, Middle colonies and the South, religious influence, elitism, male-orientation, labor issues, parochialism and mass education.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 6 sources, 1990, $ 95.95
From the Paper "This research will examine the system of education in colonial America from 1607 until 1776. Three influences on the form of education in three sections of colonial America - New England, the Southern Colonies, and the Middle Colonies - will be presented and then various educational laws governing forms of schooling that were passed in each of these areas will be discussed.
The form that education took in colonial America differed according to the cultures that emerged in its various geographical regions. The diverse cultures of New England, the South, and the Middle Colonies strongly affected the official attitudes toward the educational systems, and these attitudes were reflected in legislation that governed the forms that educational systems took."
Abstract The autistic student presents a special challenge to educators because of the nature of the disorder. An autistic child presents not only educational challenges from an academic standpoint, but also presents challenges in the classroom behavioral arena. This paper presents a detailed examination of Autism in the classroom. The writer explores the identification of the disorder, explains the disorder and discusses various methods used in the classroom to teach the child who has the disorder. Among the issues discussed are social isolation, language and cognitive deficits and treatment.
From the Paper "Another activity that has proven useful with autistic children is to place them in group play. Placing an autistic child in a group where there is one autistic child and two non autistic children allows the autistic child to view the appropriate interactions that can and should occur between peers. This activity allows the autistic child to mimic even if he or she cannot explain or understand why the behavior being mimicked is appropriate.
?Facilitated communication is purported to be a unique and effective communication option for individuals with autism and other severe disabilities(Simpson, 1995).?"
Abstract This paper examines the primary factors that influence parental choices involving public school education versus private school education such as affordability and quality. It establishes the basic underlying economic factors surrounding this difficult choice and determines whether the demand is strong for private school education. It evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each type of school and the impact of parental interest in both types of schools on the availability of teaching positions.
From the Paper "Public schools possess many advantages for students. In quality school districts, teachers provide many benefits for students geared towards learning and socialization. For example, Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, VA offers Latin, Russian, Japanese, thermodynamics and artificial intelligence, and 153 of the school's 392 seniors were National Merit Semifinalists in 2000 (Carnahan 172). In contrast, schools in large metropolitan areas are often overcrowded and riddled with crime and as a result, learning is limited. In the United States as a whole, only three in ten students are proficient in science at their grade level (Human Events 16)."
Abstract This paper examines the strategically important needs assessment phase of instructional planning for educational and business purposes. It defines needs assessment as a process of identify and monitoring a students or employees performance. The paper explains that needs assessment are used to resolve performance problems and retrain individuals and organizations by designing a curriculum based on the information acquired in the needs assessment stage.
From the Paper "When considering the development of any curriculum you must first start with the initial planning phase. Where should you begin ? what is your organizational goal? These questions must be answered before any instructional development processes can occur. Students of instructional planning are first introduced to the instructional design process, which includes the strategically important Needs Assessment phase. What is Needs Assessment? Simply said it is the systematic approach to evaluating current situations, and the comparison of those findings against the intended human or organizational performance factor. It is through this process that management can identify, and then monitor student or employee learning and job performance (Ryder 100)."
Tags: instructional, planning, design, students, observation, training
Abstract Describes an effective supervisory system. Rationale for its selection. Planning requirements. Process for developing the system including strategies & methods for fostering cooperation, communication and collaboration. Components of the system (coaching activities, teacher assessment, performance-based evaluation). Benefits to teachers (empowerment, self-directioin, skills & career development).
From the Paper "Description of an Effective Supervisory System.
Introduction
Effective teacher supervision is associated with several benefits. According to Hazi, and Glanz (1997), these include its acting as a strong vehicle for focusing on curriculum, staff development, teacher empowerment, and the provision of teachers with practice and improved self-direction in their profession. The purpose of this paper is to describe an effective teacher supervisory system, emphasizing the processes used in its development, and the components that comprise the system. The paper beings with a brief delineation of the system selected along with a rationale for its selection."
Abstract This paper looks at the ?No Child Left Behind Act, 2001?, which is the latest attempt by the federal government to introduce tougher measures to arrest the trend of falling standards in education especially among the less privileged. It discusses the development of public education in the U.S.A., the political nature of education and its historical and socio-cultural aspects. The aims of the "No Child Left Behind Act" in these areas as well as its pros and cons are also examined.
From the Paper "From the earliest days of America's independence, its founding fathers had realized the importance of education for the prosperity and survival of the new nation. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, called education a "crusade against ignorance" and suggested a system of free schools for all persons that would be publicly supported through taxes. (Powell) Jefferson's vision formed the basis of the US public schools system developed in the 19th century leading to free and compulsory elementary level school education for all American school children. American educators such as Horace Mann were instrumental in the 1830s and 1840s to introduce reforms focused on elementary education. The reforms were based on the notion that all young children should be schooled, and that the content of education should be the same for everyone. Mann believed that: ?The scientific or literary well-being of a community is to be estimated not so much by possessing a few men of great knowledge, as its having many men of competent knowledge.? (Quoted by Powell)"
Abstract This paper explores the issue of school uniforms in the public school system in the United States. The paper looks at a number of studies which were conducted into this issue and concludes that enforcing students to wear them produces more positive results than negative. The main issue of contention is the student's right to choose what they wear over being a practical solution to dress code issues in schools.
From the Paper "A 1991 study found that the main interests in uniform dress code included financial savings for the family, the need to teach children that a person should not be defined by his clothing, and parent concerns that children may commit a crime in order to get the money for designer clothing (Thomas pg). According to 1996 statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, roughly fifty percent of high school students reported weapons in their schools, forty percent reported gangs, seventy-five percent were aware of incidents of physical attack, robbery, or bullying, and more than half had witnessed such actions."
Abstract This paper explains that Bandura demonstrated through a variety of experiments that the application of consequences was not necessary for learning to take place. The author points out that learning was simply possible through the process of observing someone else's activity.
