Abstract It has become problematic to discuss differences between race groups, due to sensitivity to the possibility of being deemed racist. This is particularly true when it comes to the sensitive area of educationalattainment. This paper argues that simply commenting on differences does not necessarily mean that one is racist, nor that one is implying that any differences are necessarily caused by biology. It is possible to comment on observed differences, just as one can empirically observe and comment on any phenomena. This paper argues that empirical observations show us that there are clearly differences in educationalattainment among racial groups.
Abstract The paper looks at studies that demonstrate how familysize has an adverse effect upon the educationalattainment of children. The paper then discusses a study that showed that Muslim nuclear families blessed with strong extended family ties can be large ones without their size negatively impacting the educationalattainment of young people. The paper concludes that while there does seem to be a correlation between familysize and educationalattainment, other factors clearly come into play.
From the Paper "To begin with, it must be noted that the correlation between family size and educational attainment is a phenomenon that can be explained by some (but not all) sociological theories. Structuralism, for one, is a sociological theory (as most students of sociology well know) that holds that people are shaped by the larger society of which they are part. In short, the values, the institutions, and the culture of a society shape the roles and actions individuals will play in life (incidentally, for an interesting comparison of structuralism to individualism within sociological theory, please see Gannon & Freidheim, 877-882)."
Abstract The paper proposes a study to explores whether reunified foster youth will have higher rates of educationalattainment versus non-reunified foster youth. The paper outlines the design and research methods of the study and presents the hypothesis that reunified foster youth will have completed higher levels of education than those who spent at least one year in the foster care system. The paper maintains that federal, state, and local authorities must recognize the critical importance of permanent family connections for youth in foster care if substantial progress is to be made in improving outcomes for these disconnected youth.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methods
Data Analysis
Implications
From the Paper "Each year, approximately 20,000 youth age 16 and older, transition from foster care to legal emancipation and find themselves on their own (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 2007). Children in foster care are one of the most vulnerable populations within our educational system as they are at great risk for school failure (Zietlin, 2004). With an estimated 542,000 children in the United States foster care system, researchers have begun to look at factors which may impede a child's educational attainment (Zeitlin, 2004). Several studies have started to focus on the lack of support for foster youth, significance of academic, emotional, and behavioral problems youth experience as well as lack of innovative interventions which may improve school outcomes (Zeitlin, 2004)"
Abstract The paper relates the history of education for African-Americans and explores problems relating to education legislation. The paper looks at present education issues and concerns for African-American students and examines statistics relating to their drop-out rates. The paper concludes that there has been progress, to a degree, in educationalattainment of the aspirations of African-American students, although there are still barriers.
Outline:
Introduction
History of Education for African Americans
Noted Problems Relating to Education Legislation
Present Education Issues and Concerns for African-American Students
Statistics Relating to Drop-out Rates of African-Americans
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Allen and Jewell (2002) states that: "...the Black struggle for higher education is an apt metaphor for the larger Black struggles for citizenship, self-determination and personhood in this society." The historical account of the African American race in obtaining access to higher education in the United States is characterized by many ups and downs. The aspirations of the African American individual of attaining higher education have been historically unattained due to existing barriers to higher education of Black individuals."
Abstract This research paper addresses the historical and social situation in Eastern Europe that resulted in an increase in the number of children from this region that were adopted by American families. More importantly, this paper looks at the early research on the implications this influx had upon education and, in particular, special education.
From the Paper "Due to the young age upon adoption and the lack of comprehensive medical records for these children many adoptive families are under the impression that the children they welcome into their homes will certainly have a period of adjustment, but for the most part will develop normally, educationally and socially. (Hollingsworth, 2003, pg. 209) Yet, findings have not always indicated this to be the case and many experts and families are demanding greater attention be paid to the early lives of these children and the implications of their impoverished backgrounds upon future growth. Though language acquisition is usually the most profound issue when dealing with international adoption the situations within many orphanages including but not limited to overcrowding, abhorrent resources and a simple lack of appropriate staff and care providers to nurture and stimulate these children at these crucial early developmental stages."
A paper which argues that smaller size of classes, particularly in the initial years of elementary school, has a positive affect on the achievement of student.
Abstract This paper explains that reducing class sizes in the initial years of a student's education have emerged to follow students all through their education level. It shows how these students graduate and move on to post-secondary education which is at higher rates as compared to their peers who had the experience of much larger class sizes.
From the Paper "Eventually the conclusion given by the researchers was that they were unable to reveal the effect of smaller class size on student achievement. Even though test scores increased, but the researchers were not able to attribute the increase to small class size. However, the near-universal reduction in class sizes made it tough for the researchers to find comparison groups in which size of class was not reduced.
Researchers at the same time made few other interesting findings. For instance, as the new law was so quickly implemented, it caused a strong and unprepared demand for new teachers. The result of which was that qualifications for teacher radically dropped, particularly in schools that served disadvantaged to students."
Abstract This paper briefly explores the average living conditions of family units in China. It also discusses the difference between families living in rural areas and those in the bigger cities.
Paper Outline
FamilySize and Structure
Housing
Household Possessions
Quality and Availability of Health Care
Education Diet
Employment
Leisure
Government Control on Personal Freedoms
From the Paper "In rural areas most of the housing is organized into villages, with houses built close together and usually made from sun-dried brick (Encyclopedia Britannica 49). In the urban areas of China houses are made up of more traditional materials. However, many of the houses date back to the 30's and 40?s. In urban areas, there is generally a major housing shortage. This has resulted in the building of apartment-style buildings, but where living spaces are extremely small. In other cases, many families live in a house that would generally be considered as big enough for only one family (Encyclopedia Britannica 49)."
Abstract This paper examines how the criteria used for assessing whether a school is good or effective differs among individuals. It shows how some individuals may prioritise educationalattainment and thus would consider a school with above average G.C.S.E. results as a "good" school whereas others perceive a happy learning environment for their child as the most important factor. Through a literature review, it also analyses the link between the educationalattainment and social class of an individual by drawing on a ILEA report, intake levels, the standards model, the school-level intake-adjusted model and a pupil-level intake-adjusted model.
From the Paper "These national examinations do provide some measure of the academic success of both the pupil and school but other components need to be considered to measure this aspect alone. Furthermore, a school's effectiveness should be based on, not only academic attainment, but how well the school plays it's role in the development of vocational and life skills too. Yet, ?this measurement (academic attainment) has occupied an increasingly high priority in the British schooling system in the last ten years.? (Quilgars, 2001, p123)."
Abstract This paper discusses the educational philosophy of Plato, Socrates, and Erasmus as being vital to attaining the greater good in learning. The paper discusses their philosophies of the basis of "truth". The paper suggests that by providing the various theories of these philosophers, the proper balance of logic and reasoning can help students attain the greater good in the learning process.
From the Paper "In this philosophical study, the basis of "Truth" will examined in education through the beliefs of Plato, Socrates, and Erasmus. In this focus, the concept of truth is not merely based on opinions, but on the object reasoning that results in gaining knowledge. Through this educational approach, one can learn to divulge what is false from what is truth by closely observing and analyzing nature with logic. In Plato's Republic the objective of the greater good related directly to the education of philosophers in his ideological city of philosophical perfection."
This paper is a literature review that examines issues of concern for public education in the state of Pennsylvania and the extent to which members of the public are in fact engaged in those issues.
Abstract This paper believes that, of all the concerns about public school, the most overriding is the issue of school funding because all other issues flow from this. The author states that the inadequacy of public education is generally blamed on class size and poor teacher training. Graphes of statistics are included.
Table of Contents
Disparities in ? and Realities of ? School Funding
Charter Schools, Vouchers, and Market Forces
Academic Standards, Testing and Assessment, Teacher Training
Local Governance
Community Involvement in Pennsylvania Schools
From the Paper "Because of both real and perceived problems in Pennsylvania's public schools, a number of alternative educational structures have been created to meet the needs of families in addition to the private school system and home schooling, both of which are beyond the scope of this research. Pennsylvania enacted a charter school law in 1997 that has since seen the birth of almost 80 charter schools across the state. These states rely far more on private funding (especially from the parents of students) than do public schools, although less than private schools."
This paper examines the effect of female and male educationalattainment on fertility: Fertility rates in U.S. and world, theory, economic, developmental and ethnic issues and population growth. Tables.
3,825 words (approx. 15.3 pages), 17 sources, 1995, $ 135.95
From the Paper "This research examines the effect of educational attainment on fertility. Following this introduction, literature is reviewed and data are presented to illustrate what is known about this relationship. The gaps in the knowledge of the relationship between educational attainment and fertility are then identified. Lastly, the feasibility of conducting additional research to develop the information necessary information to close the knowledge gaps is discussed.
Current Knowledge of the Educational Attainment/Fertility Relationship
Conventional wisdom in both sociology and economics holds that the fertility rate declines as female educational attain ... "
Abstract This paper discusses the influence of parents' educationalattainment on pre-adolescent academic performance and development. It analyzes how a parent can be the primary factor that determines whether their child develops certain behaviors which are often a mix of both expected and desirable, and unexpected and undesirable. The paper also discusses the effects of parental demographic factors, occupation and financial status on a child's academic performance.
Table of Contents:
Review of Literature
Conclusion
From the Paper "Pre-adolescents are at a crossroads of biological and psychosocial change. One of the specific "barometers" of this change is academic performance as determined by parental educational attainment. Parental educational attainment, as a component of socioeconomic status, although independently demonstrated to have profound effects on a child's cognitive development and academic performance can be difficult to isolate from the effects of other components such as parental demographic factors, occupation and financial status. In spite of this, not only does a higher educational attainment of parents influence academic performance both directly and indirectly regardless of income, but is also directly influenced by learning opportunities available to the child from birth."
Abstract This paper discusses how reducing class size effects elementary school children, teachers, and parents. It also addresses class reduction strategies.
From the Paper "Being just another face in the crowd has never been at the top of anyone's list. In particular, children do not typically set out to blend in with those around them. It is commonly known that most children at young ages crave the attention and devotion of others. This is why small class sizes in elementary schools are so essential in today's society. Class size is ?the number of students in a single class grouping under the direction of a particular teacher,? (Koeppe, Shafritz & Soper, 1988, p.43). Small class sizes are necessary in elementary schools and lead to overall success for individual children."
Abstract This paper examines whether a reduced class size would have a positive effect on student participation and achievement. It discusses several studies in this field and concludes that the benefits to both the students and the teachers are clear.
From the Paper "Most studies have proved that smaller size of classes, particularly in the initial years of elementary school, has a positive affect on the achievement of student. Normally research has shown that the maximum impact on student achievement take place when the size of class reduced to less than twenty students. At the same time it is not only the student achievement but smaller class size further builds up teacher confidence as well as the amount of class time allocated to instruction is increased (Ivor, 1999)."
Abstract This paper discusses the changes that occurred to the traditional Chinese extended family with the Communist Revolution of 1949 that produced the People's Republic of China (PRC). It suggests that the sense of ongoing reliance on the family in the PRC offers to millions of citizens fewer social benefits or overall security than what they were used to in the past. It specifically discusses the changes induced through much of the 20th century in World War II, the Revolution and forced collectivization, political coercion, the Cultural Revolution and the death of Mao.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
FamilySize and Structure
Personal Orientations
Predictions
Concluding Notes
From the Paper "Understanding change in the Chinese family in the Reform Era involves examining changes induced through much of the preceding 20th century in adjustments to World War II, the Revolution, and forced collectivization, political coercion, the Cultural Revolution and the death of Mao. Reform's shift towards capitalist development has evoked tremendous institutional changes in a PRC where much else remains the same, as in the urban-rural divide mentioned earlier that is said to be accentuated by rapid economic growth now afoot. Between the lines one sees a very large sector quite harshly affected and for whom the family will be the needed mooring in an unpredictable economic environment. One also sees that the family may change but does not dissolve, adapting to present circumstances that are legal and cultural as much as economic towards an altered Chinese family that remains just as important than before and certainly more than the individualism associated with capitalist development, elsewhere."
