Abstract This paper discusses issues surrounding tenure, a system of professional employment whereby an employee achieves permanent status pursuant to which continued employment is guaranteed, largely without regard to critical evaluation. The paper points out that, historically, the purpose of tenuredacademic faculty was to ensure the academic freedom to teach material and promote critical insight that could otherwise expose educators to reprisals and intellectual coercion for teaching or promoting views that were controversial or that contradicted the philosophical, religious, or political positions of the government or academic institutions. In principle, the paper adds that academictenure was designed to promote lifelong devotion to teaching. The paper explains that of the institution of academictenure is criticized because, in reality, it promotes an initial period of intense career focus and achievement intended more to achieve tenured status than anything else, followed by professional mediocrity for the duration of an educator's professional career. Ultimately, the paper suggests that educational tenure should instead provide appropriate rewards and privileges in conjunction with standards that promote continued performance.
Outline:
Background and History
Conflicting Issues and Criticism of AcademicTenure Re-evaluating Educational Tenure in Contemporary Society
Conclusion
From the Paper "In academic institutions, professors are initially hired as associate professors or adjunct professors and only considered for tenured professorships after a term of employment in that capacity; generally, academic tenure is awarded after 5 - 7 years of employment as an associate or adjunct professor. The evaluation for academic tenure usually includes a formal review of an educator's performance, as measured by published research and academic writings, as well as a review of feedback solicited anonymously from a candidate's current and former students (Hohm & Shore, 1998)."
Abstract This paper discusses how to improve academics, specifically learning how to juggle classes, social life and other roles that can be difficult as a college student. The paper recommends ways to obtain academic goals, including looking attributional patterns and changing these as needed, time management, learning to take notes, obtaining better study tips, learning ways to relieve stress, and setting academic goals that can be tested.
From the Paper "Freshman college students find the transition of becoming a college student quite different than high school. Many college students are challenged by time management because they have put on different masks such as being a parent, a worker, and a student. Academic stress often leads to lower grades and depression. "Academic stress pervades the life of students, and tends to impact their mental and physical health, and their ability to perform schoolwork effectively" (Akgun & Ciarrochi, 2003, p. 287). Learning how to juggle classes, social life, and other roles can be difficult as a college student. The academic goal is to become a better student and obtain higher academic grades. Obtaining this academic goal will include looking at attributional patterns and changing these as needed, time management, learning to take notes, obtaining better study tips, learning ways to relieve stress, and setting academic goals that can be tested."
Abstract This paper discusses the "notorious" case of academic fraud by Sir Cyril Lodowic Burt as presented by H. Beloff. The research focuses on the ethical problem presented, the ethical principles breached according to the Australian codes of ethics, the motives and justifications of a commitment of this breach, justification for such actions and solutions for dealing with instances of academic fraud. The paper states that while a brief discourse on the case of Sir Cyril is provided, the primary purpose of the case is to prevent fraud from occurring in the future.
Outline:
Academic Fraud
Cyril Burt
Ethical Issues and Disputes
Code of Ethical Conduct
Proposed Solutions and Actions
From the Paper "The cardinal principles of the Australian Code of Ethics as dictated by the Australian Ethical Society (2003) suggest the following principles must be applied in psychology and in evaluation of academic fraud: (1) professionals have a duty to act using well-informed conscious decision-making, (2) professionals engaged in academic investigation have a duty to act in the interests of the community they serve, (3) professionals and academics have a duty to accept responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of their community before the welfare of their private or personal interests and (4) professionals have an obligation to act with honesty and in good faith to the community, and apply their skill and knowledge in the interests of the community."
Abstract This paper examines the definitions, understanding of and legal effect of academic freedom in American schools, colleges and universities. The paper looks at how the concept of academic freedom has evolved and inherent tensions that operate within the concept.
Tags:Academic, freedom, in, educational, institutions
Abstract This paper discusses how the explanatory style is a cognitive personality variable that reflects the habitual manner in which people explain the causes of bad events that befall them. According to the paper, researchers believe that attributional style can help provide a better understanding of behaviors and consequences that affect one's performance and actions. The paper further discusses how tests of this relationship have spanned a wide variety of achievement settings including academic, health, athletic, and work settings, and how some of the problems and stresses affect performance, focusing primarily on academics.
Contents:
Chapter One
Performance
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Research Hypothesis
Scope and Limitation of the Study
Definition of Terms
Overview of the Study
Chapter Two
Review of Related Literature
Chapter Three
Methodology
Identification of Subjects
Implementing the Study
Gathering and Analyzing Data
Chapter Four
Data Analysis
Chapter Five
Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusions
From the Paper "For African Americans, ethnic identity and cultural racism significantly predict life satisfaction (Utsey et al, 2002). The study conducted by Utsey et al (2002) dealt with how African Americans felt about the culture and ethnicity that they belonged to, whether they felt they had been the victims of racism during their lifetimes, and also looked at how satisfied they were with their lives. Those that were less comfortable with their ethnicity and those that had been victimized by racism had lower quality of life scores than those that were comfortable and did not feel as though they had been victims. The higher the victimization score, the lower the quality of life score for these individuals.
Phinney, Cantu, and Kurtz (1997) state that having a poorly developed racial identity can lead to depression, a lack of comfort with oneself, and many other emotional problems that can be avoided when racial identity development theory is more clearly understood. On the other hand, having a racial identity that is well developed and that one is very comfortable with produces the opposite effects. While this is not an overly surprising insight, it is important that the correlation be noticed and recognized as something that should be studied and understood more clearly. This understanding of the link between racial identity and well-being has its roots in counseling psychology. By understanding the process of the development of racial identity, counselors felt they could begin to better understand pathology among black patients. Similarly, in investigating life satisfaction among African Americans, researchers (Utsey et al, 2002; Phinney et al, 1997) theorized that they must be attuned to cultural differences. There are significant potential dangers when researchers are unable to incorporate culture as a variable. Without a good understanding of cultural differences, it is possible for behavior to be misunderstood and even pathologized."
Abstract This paper examines the role of the mentor in the academic achievement of low-achieving students. It focuses on the history of mentoring, the description of the mentoring process and the relationship between mentoring and student achievement. The paper concludes that in most cases mentoring is a process that benefits both parties and assists in improving conditions in the academic setting or in the workplace.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
The History of Mentoring
The Mentoring Process
The Relationship Between Mentoring and Student Achievement
Conclusion
From the Paper "As it related to academic achievement, the researchers focused on two measures of academic achievement: test scores and grades. The research results found that the mentored students in the first cohort were more successful academically that the students without mentors by the time 8th grade was completed. On the other hand, the mentored students in the second cohort actually did worse than the students without mentors. The researchers point out several reasons for the differences between these groups. One factor being the differences between the academic statuses of students in these groups. In addition, the participants were chosen differently between the two groups. The first cohort consisted of students that were chosen by teachers and the second was chosen randomly."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of memory and the different types of memory and then takes a look at the relationship between memory and academic achievement. The paper also describes tests used to measure memory and learning.
From the Paper "This literature review, concerning the topic of the relationship between memory and academic achievement, addresses the following areas relevant to this study: history and overview of memory, different types of memory, memory and academic achievement, tests to measure memory and learning and a conclusion. Baddeley reported that whether memory needs to be regarded as a single system or two or more subsystems was a major controversy during the..."
Abstract This paper discusses the limited educational research done to-date that is relevant to the role high school athletic programs plays in motivating Latino students to achieve academically, if any. The paper then goes on to confirm, deny or ascertain that there is a lack of a sufficient body of sound statistical evidence to support the conventional wisdom in the educational field that three is little if any correlation between playing sports and getting good grades in general, and in relation to particular ethnic groups.
Abstract The aper explains the advantages and disadvantages of tenure in this uncertain climate for education funding at a time when there is also a great deal of public pressure for higher education to be more accountable. The author asks if tenure outdated in an academic world striving for more user-friendly departments and universities that are also trying to cut costs? Does tenure create or exacerbate complacency, thereby producing unproductive and unaccountable tenured professors? Or is tenure one of the fundamental tenets of academia and intellectual freedom? This paper suggests some feasible alternatives to faculty tenure and concludes by making some recommendations on the basis of these findings.
Abstract In this paper the author describes the reasons why she had to resign from her university post. She considers herself a Native American, despite her being Jewish. The author goes on to tell her story, why she was made to resign from her post in the Native American studies department. She also recommends, for all academics who are trying to get tenure, to ask a few pertinent questions of their departments before even applying. For example, she suggests that a prospect should inquire among his prospective faculty colleagues if they think that the decolonization of Native peoples is a significant issue today. The author carries on discussing her bitter experiences, emphasizing that because she is not the classic Native American, she was discriminated against. She concludes that it is better to work with your colleagues and find a common understanding, than to try and fight them.
From the Paper "Cornel Pewewardy calls for all of us to have a firm grounding in the discourse of the deconstruction of racial categories. He states that guilt and fear prevent too many from fully addressing the discourse and its ramifications "most of us are in denial about 'race' and 'hegemony' and do little committed thinking about race matters." Genocide and colonization are of course at the root of the guilt and fear; these historical processes will continue to erode every aspect of Native life until they are addressed both by dominant society and Native societies. Along with other Native academics and grassroots people, Pewewardy points to the need to "reach deep into the spiritual wells of our different religious traditions in order to draw strength and grace with which to address the challenges of healing and nation building." Implying that some of the current leadership may not be inclined or in position to do what he and others have called for, he also states that "Along with fresh leaders, a new leadership ethos grounded in tradition must be put in place, one that promotes accountability to the peoples through the revival of traditional decision-making procedures." My tenure experience, in addition to my experience of several reservations convinces me that too few of the people with power to influence the course of Native communities act from a Native ethos that is deeply concerned with reproducing Native values into the future."
Tags: phenotype, principals, dossier, program, chair, religious, ethos, cultureal, community
Abstract This paper explains that teacher tenure protects competent teachers from non-renewal of their contracts for reasons not related to their ability to fulfill their contractual agreements, such as conflicts of belief or personality with administrators, more influential colleagues or others who might abuse their position or power. The author points out that Schwarzenegger believes the current system tolerates ineffective teachers and encourages ineffective teaching; his approach would retain local control but require that salary decisions be based on some judgment of each teacher's effectiveness, not education and experience. The paper states that Schwarzenegger's proposal, if passed, will not improve the condition of education in California because it will deprive children of teachers who may want to enter the profession but will likely be discouraged by new difficulties achieving job security in the teaching profession.
From the Paper "Schwarzenegger's proposed measure will also make teachers more vulnerable to patronage and political whims. Because of the difficulty in coming up with concrete and measurable standards for evaluation, the merit system is likely to end up being highly politicized and subjective, with school management officials constantly threatening inappropriately poor evaluations over teachers who dare question their authority or offer different points of view in educating their students. The result may be disastrous to the children of California as with an evaluation process that is less than credible, quality teachers may be deprived of job security while their less qualified peers who are blessed with more "political savvy" may end up running California's schools."
This paper examines the concept of academic freedom and its history and contrasts the ideal of academic freedom with the social, cultural, and economic constraints that are regularly placed upon the faculty.
Abstract This paper explains that academic freedom is the concept that faculty, and in some cases, students, should be able to study, write, and publish the truth as they see it, free of doctrinal interference from the administration, the church, the corporation, or the state. The author points out that the concept of academic freedom, which is more prevalent at Western colleges and universities, has its roots in the 17th century, the beginning of the modern era. The paper relates that the power of alumni to shift the direction of a university tends to be limited because most alumni do not have sufficient money to make much of a difference, but this cannot be said for corporations, such as drug companies, which often have almost inconceivably large amounts of money and clearly focused needs and desires.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Beginnings of Academic Freedom
German Universities Create Modern Traditions of Academic Freedom
Academic Freedom in the Modern University
Corporate Pocketbooks and Academic Freedom
Conclusion
From the Paper "The development of a more fully modern concept of academic freedom came about in the 17th century not because of the work or writings of academics themselves but rather through the work of scholars such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Locke and Hobbes were not in fact particularly interested in the rights of university faculty per se; they were, however, interested in the rights of all members of a society to certain basic freedoms. Their arguments about liberty and individual rights helped to define the era of the rise of modern democracies, one element of which has been the university that is freed from the church."
This paper discusses that academic competence includes a number of components that are critical for effective English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
Abstract This paper explains that it is imperative that ESL students are evaluated in the primary stages of instruction to develop an appropriate course of action for ESL instruction. The paper continues that it is important to develop activities tailored to the student population to encourage individual growth and academic competence. The author believes that students in the ESL classroom must recognize that stress is a part of daily living.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Achievement of Academic Competence
Activities to Improve Academic Competence
Reading and its Contribution to Academic Competence
Principles for Helping ESL Students Develop Academic Competence
Stress and Academic Competence
Conclusion
From the Paper "The importance of reading as a means of learning any type of subject matter cannot be undermined as it is the foundation of academic competence in any subject. Furthermore, English as a Second Language instruction is especially dependent upon reading as a precursor for academic achievement and independent learning. Clarke (203) has identified the importance of psycholinguistic principles in reading and ESL instruction. Furthermore, it should be noted that in general, reading is basically the same process in any language and that it is transferable from one language to another (Clarke 203). Shih (289) also affirms that ESL classrooms must concentrate on the development of reading strategies that include the construction of background knowledge, guided reading of a text, and post-reading exercises, including discussion and writing activities, all designed to promote reading skill enhancement. In the primary stages of reading development in ESL classes, the focus lies on reading development, and study skills are not separated from their ties to specific academic assignments. However, it is critical for students to acquire basic study skills that will promote successful mastery of the English language and academic competence in the classroom."
Abstract This paper studies the different concepts related to networks and communications, as well as the establishment of an online academic community for artists. It looks at the online academic community that Stanford University has started in the pursuit of determining whether such a community can be beneficial for all the artist students. The paper includes graphs and tables.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Review of Literature
Network Defined
Social Networks
The Upsurge of Different Social Networks
The Role that Social Networks Play
Communication Networks
Computer Mediated Networks and Hyperlink Networks
The Internet Phenomenon
Community Web Sites
Emergence of Networks' Commercial Markets
Privatization and Rising up of World Wide Webs
Academic Networks
Personal or Face-to-Face Networks
Online Networks
Implication to Communication and Information Networks
Barriers to Network Communication
On Freedom
On Control
Establishment of an Online Community
Comparison of an Online Community versus Physical Community
The Artist
The Artist as An Inventor and Scientist
The Artist As Part of An Online Academic Community
Case Study (Club Nexus)
Discussion
Advantages of putting up an Online Academic Community
Other Areas to Consider
Conclusion
From the Paper "Meanwhile, the coming of the new millennium has brought new and more challenging technologies. Different forms of communications such as Internet, mobile phones and SMS, Internet chat or MIRCs, and e-groups penetrated majority of the countries around the world. Communication through computer - generated networks became very visible. This enables any individual to talk with someone you cannot see in a face-to-face basis, to buy something and have it delivered without having to go out of your home, to research for any information with just one click on the Internet, or to meet new friends. Even on - line studies or distance education through computer - generated communication sprouted like mushrooms. More and more schools started to offer distance form of learning to accommodate students who, due to lack of time, opted to enroll in a much "scheduled-free" learning method. Furthermore, the idea of learning through online gave birth to online academic communities, as pioneered by Stanford University's Club Nexus. This academic community brings the students of the same preference closer to one another and at the same time broadens the students "world"."
Abstract The paper is a research proposal discussing the anecdotal evidence that parental involvement in the academic lives of their children is associated with higher academic performance. Specifically, the study proposed examines the apparent relative significance of parental academic involvement as a predictor of academic performance and as a predictor of the ultimate academic level achieved.
Outline:
Abstract
Brief Literature Review
Sampling Methodology, Instrumentation, and Data Analysis
Possible Outcomes and Conclusions
From the Paper "Children whose parents are strong positive influences in their lives tend to behave better in general (Melhuish, Sylva, et al 2001), and tend to develop better social and professional relationships (Allen & Daly 2002), as well as to perform better in academic settings than children whose parents are negative influences or absent altogether. Inclusive, supportive family relationships seem to correspond to better academic performance across the board, irrespective of wealth, social standing, or education level of the parents (Flouri & Buchanan 2004). Among the "better" parents, those who are also involved in their children's academic lives apparently benefit subsequent academic performance even more".
