Addressing Gender Violence among Children in the Early Years of Schooling: Insights from Teachers in a South African Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayeza, Emmanuel; Bhana, Deevia

2016-01-01

This paper explores how teachers in a poor township primary school in South Africa construct meaning regarding gender violence among children, and how they talk about addressing that violence. The paper argues that major influences on the endemic violence include complex societal structures that are inscribed with cultures of violent…

Homework Involvement among Hong Kong Primary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tam, Vicky C. W.

2009-01-01

One component of the curriculum reform in Hong Kong focuses on the use of homework in consolidating learning, deepening understanding and constructing knowledge. This study examines the profile of Hong Kong primary school students' homework involvement, and investigates the relationships between time involvement and academic attributes, namely…

School Alienation: A Construct Validation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morinaj, Julia; Scharf, Jan; Grecu, Alyssa; Hadjar, Andreas; Hascher, Tina; Marcin, Kaja

2017-01-01

Early identification of school alienation is of great importance for students' educational outcomes and successful participation in society. This study examined the psychometric characteristics of a newly developed assessment instrument, the School Alienation Scale (SALS), to measure school alienation among primary and secondary school students.…

Becoming a Manual Occupation? The Construction of a Therapy Manual for Use with Language Impaired Children in Mainstream Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCartney, Elspeth; Boyle, James; Bannatyne, Susan; Jessiman, Emma; Campbell, Cathy; Kelsey, Cherry; Smith, Jennifer; O'Hare, Anne

2003-01-01

The construction of therapy protocols for a large-scale randomized controlled trial comparing speech and language therapists and assistants, and group and individual therapy approaches for children aged 6-11 in mainstream schools is outlined. The aim was to outline the decision-making processes that led to the construction of the research therapy…

Government's Construction of the Relation between Parents and Schools in the Upbringing of Children in England: 1963-2009

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bridges, David

2010-01-01

In this essay David Bridges argues that since most families choose to realize their responsibility for the major part of their children's education through state schools, then the way in which the state constructs parents' relation with these schools is one of its primary levers on parenting itself. Bridges then examines the way in which…

Characteristic research on Hong Kong "I learned" series computer textbooks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jinyan; Liu, Zhongxia; Li, Yuanyuan; Lu, Jianheng; Zhang, Lili

2011-06-01

Currently, the construction of information technology textbooks in the primary and middle schools is an important content of the information technology curriculum reform. The article expect to have any inspire and reference on inland China school information technology teaching material construction and development through the analyzing and refining the characteristics of the Hong Kong quality textbook series - "I learn . elementary school computer cognitive curriculum".

EFL Young Learners: Their Imagined Communities and Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yim, Su Yon

2016-01-01

This study explored how South Korean primary school students approach learning English, using the notion of an "imagined community". Twenty students from two primary schools were selected for semi-structured interviews. The data analysis shows that the construction of South Korean students' imagined communities seems to be influenced…

Hares, Tortoises and the Social Construction of the Pupil: Differentiated Learning in French and English Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raveaud, Maroussia

2005-01-01

This article examines differentiation by task as it is used and perceived in French and English primary schools. It highlights the influence of national context on teaching and learning. The study rests on classroom observations in 12 Key Stage 1 classes located in socially disadvantaged areas. The first section sets the mission of schooling in a…

Basotho Teachers' Constructions of Gender: Implications on Gender Equality in the Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morojele, P. J.

2012-01-01

This paper gives prominence to rural teachers' own accounts of gender in three co-educational primary schools in Lesotho. The paper employs the social constructionist paradigm as its theoretical framework. Drawing from ethnographic data (observations and informal discussions), it discusses factors that inform teachers' constructions of gender and…

Interested Reader or Uninterested Dissembler?: The Identities Constructed by Upper Primary Aged Dyslexic Pupils during Silent Reading Sessions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Rosemary

2009-01-01

This article discusses the identities that may be constructed by upper primary aged pupils during silent reading sessions. The findings presented are taken from a 2-year ethnographic case study, which investigated how four dyslexic pupils, aged 10-11 (Y5-6), coped with the classroom reading they encountered at a large primary school in northern…

The Effects of "Girl-Friendly" Schools: Evidence from the BRIGHT School Construction Program in Burkina Faso. NBER Working Paper No. 18115

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kazianga, Harounan; Levy, Dan; Linden, Leigh L.; Sloan, Matt

2012-01-01

We evaluate the causal effects of a program that constructed high quality "girl-friendly" primary schools in Burkina Faso, using a regression discontinuity design 2.5 years after the program started. We find that the program increased enrollment of all children between the ages of 5 and 12 by 20 percentage points and increased their test…

Mathematics Pedagogical Standards: A Suggested Model of Instruction in Enhancing the Mathematics Teacher’s Quality of Instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saad, N. S.; Jemali, M.; Zakaria, Z. Hj; Yusof, Q.

2018-01-01

The paper aims at identifying the standards for teaching and learning of mathematics based on National Council of Teacher of Mathematics (NCTM, 2000), The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT, 2006) and Training and Development Agency for School (TDA, 2007). These known standards were used as a guide in identifying the constructs of the mathematics teacher’s instruction in the classroom. The survey method used in which a questionnaire instrument encompassed on the four identified constructs on the standards for teaching and learning of mathematics, namely professional practices, professional attributes, professional knowledge, and professional instructional processes. The instrument was tested during a pilot study and a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability index of greater than 0.85 was obtained. The actual research was carried out in Peninsular Malaysia involving 224 secondary schools with 1.120 mathematics teachers and 108 primary schools with 540 mathematics teachers. From the selected schools, only 820 secondary mathematics teachers (73.2%) and 361 primary teachers (66.9%) gave a response to the mailed questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that the secondary and primary mathematics teachers strongly agreed on three constructs; professional practices, professional attributes and professional instructional processes.

Vulnerability of schools to floods in Nyando River catchment, Kenya.

PubMed

Ochola, Samuel O; Eitel, Bernhard; Olago, Daniel O

2010-07-01

This paper assesses the vulnerability of schools to floods in the Nyando River catchment (3,600 km(2)) in western Kenya and identifies measures needed to reduce this vulnerability. It surveys 130 schools in the lower reaches, where flooding is a recurrent phenomenon. Of the primary schools assessed, 40% were vulnerable, 48% were marginally vulnerable and 12% were not vulnerable. Of the secondary schools, 8% were vulnerable, 73% were marginally vulnerable and 19% were not vulnerable. Vulnerability to floods is due to a lack of funds, poor building standards, local topography, soil types and inadequate drainage. The Constituencies Development Fund (CDF), established in 2003, provides financial support to cover school construction and reconstruction costs; CDF Committees are expected to adopt school building standards. In an effort to promote safe and resilient construction and retrofitting to withstand floods, this paper presents vulnerability reduction strategies and recommendations for incorporating minimum standards in the on-going Primary School Infrastructure Programme Design.

Update on Indiana School District Referenda: Legislative Changes and Primary Election Outcomes of 2011. Education Policy Brief. Volume 9, Number 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hiller, Stephen C.; Spradlin, Terry E.

2011-01-01

The May primary election added seven school district referenda to the total number occurring in Indiana since 2008, three of which passed and four of which were rejected by voters. In the 2011 primary election, there were five General Fund referenda and two construction referenda. Of General Fund referenda, two passed (Crown Point Community School…

Providence-St. Mel School: How a School That Works for African American Students Works

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pressley, Michael; Raphael, Lisa; Gallagher, J. David; DiBella, Jeanette

2004-01-01

A portrait, using grounded theory qualitative methodologies, was constructed of a K-12 school serving urban, African American students, one producing high achievement. The primary data were observations complemented by questionnaire responses and document analyses. Consistent with conclusions in the effective schooling literature, this school has…

"Charmer Boys" and "Cream Girls": How Primary School Children Construct Themselves as Heterosexual Subjects through Football

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayeza, Emmanuel

2018-01-01

South African research on young children's constructions of social identities illuminates the significance of play in the construction of gender identities. However, what remains largely understudied are the children's construction of sexualities through play. The dominant discourse of "childhood innocence" obscures the variegated…

Development of Science Anxiety Scale for Primary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guzeller, Cem Oktay; Dogru, Mustafa

2012-01-01

The principal aim of the study is to develop a new scale Science Anxiety Scale and to examine its the psychometric properties and construct validity of the Science Anxiety Scale in a sample of 797 primary school students. Exploratory factor analysis was applied and found to have a two-dimensional structure. Confirmatory factor analyses provide…

The Effects of Career Calling and Perceived Overqualification on Work Outcomes for Primary and Secondary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lobene, Eleni V.; Meade, Adam W.

2013-01-01

While perceived overqualification (POQ) has received increased research attention in recent years, the identification of variables that moderate POQ-outcome relationships is critical to our understanding of how the construct affects career outcomes. This study, involving 170 full-time primary and secondary school educators in a suburban…

Innovation in the Management of Primary School Construction in Afghanistan. A Case Study. Educational Building Report 9.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahmad, Fazel

By 1973 there were very great disparities between the opportunities for education in the urban and rural areas of Afghanistan. This case study concerns provincial school construction programs for hundreds of small buildings in the remotest areas of what is one of the most mountainous countries of the world. A study proposed alternative building…

The Role of Self-control and Grit in Domains of School Success in Students of Primary and Secondary School

PubMed Central

Oriol, Xavier; Miranda, Rafael; Oyanedel, Juan C.; Torres, Javier

2017-01-01

Objective: Self-control and grit have become two of the most important variables that explain success in different aspects of people's daily life (Duckworth and Gross, 2014). Self-control promotes delayed gratification and directly influences thoughts, emotions, and impulses. On the other hand, grit enhances the achievement of goals through perseverance even before extreme external circumstances. Since both constructs are related, examining them together is compelling, as long as the different nuances that characterize each are taken into account. Two structural equation models (SEM) were conducted to observe the effect of self-control and grit on a more specific indicator of academic success (academic self-efficacy) and a more general indicator of school experience (satisfaction with school). Methods: The first model comprises 5,681 primary students (M = 9.05; SD = 0.79), and the second 10,017 secondary students (M = 14.20; SD = 1.04) from Lima, Peru. In both models, the influence of grit and self-control on school satisfaction was observed when taking self-efficacy as a mediator variable. Results: The results show that grit and self-control have strong associations in both primary and secondary students. When estimating the covariance of both constructs, grit is related with academic-self efficacy at both educational stages, but only to satisfaction with school in secondary students. On the contrary, self-control shows a significant relationship with school satisfaction only in primary education. In turn, self-efficacy shows a mediating effect between grit and school satisfaction. After calculating the invariance of the models, differences are observed by gender in the relationships between variables. Conclusion: The results indicate that both constructs are strongly interrelated. Regarding the associations with the indicators of academic success, a need for timely interventions specific to each educational stage is observed. PMID:29075211

The Role of Self-control and Grit in Domains of School Success in Students of Primary and Secondary School.

PubMed

Oriol, Xavier; Miranda, Rafael; Oyanedel, Juan C; Torres, Javier

2017-01-01

Objective: Self-control and grit have become two of the most important variables that explain success in different aspects of people's daily life (Duckworth and Gross, 2014). Self-control promotes delayed gratification and directly influences thoughts, emotions, and impulses. On the other hand, grit enhances the achievement of goals through perseverance even before extreme external circumstances. Since both constructs are related, examining them together is compelling, as long as the different nuances that characterize each are taken into account. Two structural equation models (SEM) were conducted to observe the effect of self-control and grit on a more specific indicator of academic success (academic self-efficacy) and a more general indicator of school experience (satisfaction with school). Methods: The first model comprises 5,681 primary students ( M = 9.05; SD = 0.79), and the second 10,017 secondary students ( M = 14.20; SD = 1.04) from Lima, Peru. In both models, the influence of grit and self-control on school satisfaction was observed when taking self-efficacy as a mediator variable. Results: The results show that grit and self-control have strong associations in both primary and secondary students. When estimating the covariance of both constructs, grit is related with academic-self efficacy at both educational stages, but only to satisfaction with school in secondary students. On the contrary, self-control shows a significant relationship with school satisfaction only in primary education. In turn, self-efficacy shows a mediating effect between grit and school satisfaction. After calculating the invariance of the models, differences are observed by gender in the relationships between variables. Conclusion: The results indicate that both constructs are strongly interrelated. Regarding the associations with the indicators of academic success, a need for timely interventions specific to each educational stage is observed.

Health and Safety Guide for K-12 Schools in Washington.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kerns, James T.; Ellis, Richard E.

This guide's primary focus is to recommend good health and safety practices to helpensure safer schools in Washington state. Some of the safety practices that are recommended affect school operationand maintenance, repairs and minor construction, as well as the school's administrative organization and lines of communication. The guide also focuses…

Teaching Economics with Spanish Primary School Textbooks during the Franco Dictatorship and the Transition to Democracy (1962-1982)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Angulo, Kira Mahamud; Hernández Laina, Yovana

2017-01-01

In this article we analyze knowledge about economics conveyed via primary school textbooks published during the late Franco dictatorship and the years of transition to democracy in Spain. Starting from the premise that the process of political socialization and identity construction is based partly on economic factors, we examine the evolution of…

Using Self-Efficacy to Measure Primary School Teachers' Perception of ICT: Results from Two Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fanni, F.; Rega, I.; Cantoni, L.

2013-01-01

The aim of this article is twofold. First, the final results of two research projects, which investigated the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on primary schools teachers in disadvantaged areas in Brazil (BET k-12) and South Africa (MELISSA), are presented and discussed. Second, the Self-Efficacy construct is proposed as a…

What Matters to Girls and Boys in a Black Primary School in South Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bhana, Deevia

2005-01-01

This article focuses on the construction of gender identities among young boys and girls in a black primary school. Against the backdrop of food insecurity, young boys' and girls' vulnerability to violence and to using violence as a means of getting food is increased. Violence is a clear manifestation of gender inequalities. Drawing on data…

School Building Design Asia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asian Regional Inst. for School Building Research, Colombo (Sri Lanka).

Guidelines are presented for the design, costs, and use of primary and secondary general schools in the 18 countries comprising the Asian region served by UNESCO. Because of the great diversity in climate, building design and construction skills, and resources in these countries, the generalizations about school building design and furniture…

Modelling in Primary School: Constructing Conceptual Models and Making Sense of Fractions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shahbari, Juhaina Awawdeh; Peled, Irit

2017-01-01

This article describes sixth-grade students' engagement in two model-eliciting activities offering students the opportunity to construct mathematical models. The findings show that students utilized their knowledge of fractions including conceptual and procedural knowledge in constructing mathematical models for the given situations. Some students…

The Construction of Pro-Science and Technology Discourse in Chinese Language Textbooks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yongbing

2005-01-01

This paper examines the pro-science and technology discourse constructed in Chinese language textbooks currently used for primary school students nationwide in China. By applying analytical techniques of critical discourse analysis (CDA), the paper critically investigates how the discourse is constructed and what ideological forces are manifested…

What Does It Mean to Be a Boy? Implications for Girls' and Boys' Schooling Experiences in Lesotho Rural Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morojele, Pholoho

2011-01-01

A doctoral study on constructions of gender in Lesotho rural primary schools has found that meanings attached to children's identities play a role in undermining gender equality in schools. The study employed the social constructionist paradigm as its theoretical framework. Drawing from ethnographic data (conversations, observations and informal…

The Effect of Primary School Students' Writing Attitudes and Writing Self-Efficacy Beliefs on Their Summary Writing Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bulut, Pinar

2017-01-01

In this study, the effect of writing attitude and writing self-efficacy beliefs on the summarization achievement of the 4th grade primary school students was examined using the structural equation modeling. The study employed the relational survey model. The study group constructed by means of simple random sampling method is comprised of 335…

A Categorisation of Teacher Feedback in the Classroom: A Field Study on Feedback Based on Routine Classroom Assessment in Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eriksson, Elisabeth; Björklund Boistrup, Lisa; Thornberg, Robert

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to examine and categorise teachers' strategies for feedback in day-to-day communication in primary school. The different feedback categories constructed and grounded in data are applicable to feedback on learning and knowledge as well as on behavioural skills. Qualitative classroom observations were conducted in 4…

An Attempt to Determine the Construct Validity of Measures Hypothesized to Represent an Orientation to Right, Left, or Integrated Hemispheric Brain Function for a Sample of Primary School Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dumbrower, Jule; And Others

1981-01-01

This study attempts to obtain evidence of the construct validity of pupil ability tests hypothesized to represent orientation to right, left, or integrated hemispheric function, and of teacher observation subscales intended to reveal behaviors in school setting that were hypothesized to portray preference for right or left brain function. (Author)

The Construction of Cultural Values and Beliefs in Chinese Language Textbooks: A Critical Discourse Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yongbing

2005-01-01

This article examines the discourses of cultural values and beliefs constructed in Chinese language textbooks currently used for primary school students nationwide in China. By applying story grammar analysis in the framework of critical discourse analysis, the article critically investigates how the discourses are constructed and what ideological…

Toward an Organizational Model of Change in Elementary Schools: The Contribution of Organizational Learning Mechanisms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schechter, Chen; Qadach, Mowafaq

2012-01-01

Purpose: This study explored a theoretical model that links teachers' perceived uncertainty and teachers' sense of collective efficacy with organizational learning mechanisms (OLMs) in elementary schools. OLMs serve as a mediator construct. Research Design: For testing the primary theoretical model, 801 teachers from 61 elementary schools (33…

Inconsistencies in Everyday Patterns of School Rules

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thornberg, Robert

2007-01-01

The aim of this study is to investigate and explain inconsistencies within the social constructions of school rules as they take shape in everyday interactions between teachers and students, and to explore how students interpret these inconsistencies. An ethnographic study is conducted in two primary schools in Sweden. According to the findings,…

Teachers' Discriminations in the Narratives of Primary School Students of Different Periods in Turkey: 1950s, 1970s and 1980s

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saglam, Mehmet; Sungu, Hilmi

2015-01-01

This study zeros in on rendering the teachers' discriminations among their students in various aspects in the narratives of primary school students of 1950s, 1970s and 1980s' Turkey. Construction and reconstruction of personal and social stories of teachers and students is also a sort of education and educational research. The method of the…

The Reconstruction of the Past through Images: An Iconographic Analysis on the Historical Imagination Usage Skills of Primary School Pupils

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dilek, Dursun

2009-01-01

The aim of this research is to understand how sixth grade students use their imagination skills in the historical thinking process and, by doing so, how they construct the past. In this respect, first, an exhibition/museum was visited in the context of social studies during history lessons in a primary school in Kadikoy district in Istanbul. Then,…

Construction and psychometric characteristics of the self-concept scale of interaction in the classroom.

PubMed

Lobos Peña, Karla; Díaz Mújica, Alejandro; Bustos Navarrete, Claudio; Pérez Villalobos, María Victoria

2015-01-01

Both construction and psychometric characteristics of a self-concept scale associated with observable behaviors by students and teacher, useful to guide a pedagogic intervention in the classroom are presented. A total of 1,385 primary school students, aged between 8 and 12 years, from 24 high-social vulnerability schools of the Province of Concepción, Chile, participated in the study. The scale was constructed, including a theoretical review of the construct, pilot application with students and interjudge reliability. For the study of psychometric characteristics, exploratory factorial analysis (EFA), confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA), factorial invariance and recurrent validity were performed. A self-report instrument with 22 items shows a three-factor structure, with an explained variance of 44.71% and a high level of fi t for the model. CFA in two different samples showed fi t indicators for configural invariance. It also has concurrent validity. The scale has good psychometric properties to assess the academic self-concept in the dimensions of Capacity, Work Procedure, and Participation in class. This can be useful to guide an educational intervention in the context of the teacher-student interaction in the classroom, in primary schools with high socio-economic vulnerability.

From Collapse to Relationality Improv: High School Stories in Motion for Justice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gardner, Morgan K.; Scarth, Kate

2017-01-01

Youth live storied lives (made up of intersecting stories of school, home, peers, and other aspects of lived experience). Therefore, the ways in which youth construct and tell their high school stories are vital for understanding their experiences as first authors (primary creators, constructors, and tellers of their own stories) and protagonists…

Voices of Children, Parents and Teachers: How Children Cope with Stress during School Transition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Mun

2015-01-01

This study explores how children's perceptions of stress factors and coping strategies are constructed over time. Children were interviewed before and after they made the transition from preschool to primary school. This study also explores teachers' and parental strategies in helping children to cope with stress at school. The sample included 53…

"My Friends Are There": Constructions of Schooling of Children of Filipino Immigrants in South Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potts, Anthony; Maadad, Nina; Yu, Marizon

2017-01-01

This article provides insights into children's perspectives on schooling experiences following immigration. Albeit focusing on a small cohort of children, the theory and methodology in the article could well be applied to children of immigrants from other cultures. In exploring the primary school experiences of children of Filipino immigrants in…

Knowledge, awareness and practice of the importance of hand-washing amongst children attending state run primary schools in rural Malawi.

PubMed

Grimason, Anthony Martin; Masangwi, Salule Joseph; Morse, Tracy Dawn; Jabu, George Christopher; Beattie, Tara Kate; Taulo, Steven Elias; Lungu, Kingsley

2014-01-01

A study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of hygiene practices in 2 primary schools in Malawi. The study determined: (1) presence of Escherichia coli on the hands of 126 primary school pupils, (2) knowledge, awareness and hygiene practices amongst pupils and teachers and (3) the school environment through observation. Pupil appreciation of hygiene issues was reasonable; however, the high percentage presence of E. coli on hands (71%) and the evidence of large-scale open defaecation in school grounds revealed that apparent knowledge was not put into practice. The standard of facilities for sanitation and hygiene did not significantly impact on the level of knowledge or percentage of school children's hands harbouring faecal bacteria. Evidence from pupils and teachers indicated a poor understanding of principles of disease transmission. Latrines and hand-washing facilities constructed were not child friendly. This study identifies a multidisciplinary approach to improve sanitation and hygiene practices within schools.

Using robotics construction kits as metacognitive tools: a research in an Italian primary school.

PubMed

La Paglia, Filippo; Caci, Barbara; La Barbera, Daniele; Cardaci, Maurizio

2010-01-01

The present paper is aimed at analyzing the process of building and programming robots as a metacognitive tool. Quantitative data and qualitative observations from a research performed in a sample of children attending an Italian primary school are described in this work. Results showed that robotics activities may be intended as a new metacognitive environment that allows children to monitor themselves and control their learning actions in an autonomous and self-centered way.

Using Scratch with Primary School Children: An Evaluation of Games Constructed to Gauge Understanding of Programming Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Amanda; Hainey, Thomas; Connolly, Thomas M.

2013-01-01

Newer approaches such as games-based learning (GBL) and games-based construction are being adopted to motivate and engage students within the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scotland. GBL and games-based construction suffer from a dearth of empirical evidence supporting their validity as teaching and learning approaches. To address this issue…

Racing: A Critical Race Theorist's Qualitative Analysis of Whether African American Male Law School Alumni Were Mismatched or Maligned

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Darrell D.

2012-01-01

Despite the vast research on African Americans and affirmative action, little qualitative analysis has been done to investigate how race exists and functions in American law schools. This dissertation researches the ways in which race is constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed within two American law schools. Three primary lenses guide this…

Making Markets for Low-Cost Schooling: The Devices and Investments behind Bridge International Academies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riep, Curtis B.

2017-01-01

This paper explores the market-making devices behind Bridge International Academies: a for-profit education company aiming to school millions of nursery and primary aged-students living on less than $2 per day. A wide variety of devices are utilised by Bridge International Academies to construct mass markets for low-cost schooling, including GPS…

Curriculum-Making in Pre-Vocational Education in the Lower Secondary School: A Regional Comparative Analysis within Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berger, Susanne; Canning, Roy; Dolan, Michael; Kurek, Slawomir; Pilz, Matthias; Rachwal, Tomasz

2012-01-01

This paper presents a pilot comparative research project on pre-vocational education in lower secondary schools (ISCED level 2) within regions in three European countries. The primary aim of the study was to better understand how the pre-vocational education curriculum is constructed and taught within schools. A case study methodology was selected…

Should Schools Be Optimistic? An Investigation of the Association between Academic Optimism of Schools and Student Achievement in Primary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boonen, Tinneke; Pinxten, Maarten; Van Damme, Jan; Onghena, Patrick

2014-01-01

Academic emphasis, collective efficacy, and faculty trust in students and parents (3 school characteristics positively associated with student achievement) are assumed to form a higher order latent construct, "academic optimism" (Hoy, Tarter, & Woolfolk Hoy, 2006a, 2006b). The aim of the present study is to corroborate the latent…

The discourse of causal explanations in school science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slater, Tammy Jayne Anne

Researchers and educators working from a systemic functional linguistic perspective have provided a body of work on science discourse which offers an excellent starting point for examining the linguistic aspects of the development of causal discourse in school science, discourse which Derewianka (1995) claimed is critical to success in secondary school. No work has yet described the development of causal language by identifying the linguistic features present in oral discourse or by comparing the causal discourse of native and non-native (ESL) speakers of English. The current research responds to this gap by examining the oral discourse collected from ESL and non-ESL students at the primary and high school grades. Specifically, it asks the following questions: (1) How do the teachers and students in these four contexts develop causal explanations and their relevant taxonomies through classroom interactions? (2) What are the causal discourse features being used by the students in these four contexts to construct oral causal explanations? The findings of the social practice analysis showed that the teachers in the four contexts differed in their approaches to teaching, with the primary school mainstream teacher focusing largely on the hands-on practice , the primary school ESL teacher moving from practice to theory, the high school mainstream teacher moving from theory to practice, and the high school ESL teacher relying primarily on theory. The findings from the quantitative, small corpus approach suggest that the developmental path of cause which has been identified in the writing of experts shows up not only in written texts but also in the oral texts which learners construct. Moreover, this move appears when the discourse of high school ESL and non-ESL students is compared, suggesting a developmental progression in the acquisition of these features by these students. The findings also reveal that the knowledge constructed, as shown by the concept maps created from the discourse, follows a developmental path similar to the linguistic causal path, from the concrete, hands-on, observable items to more abstract, theoretical concepts. This study is the first systemic functional comparison of the oral discourse of primary and secondary learners as well as the first to compare ESL and non-ESL speakers in this way, and as such it helps map general trends in causal discourse development. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Latino/a Bilinguals and Their Teachers Developing a Shared Communicative Space

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turner, Erin Elizabeth; Dominguez, Higinio; Empson, Susan; Maldonado, Luz Angelica

2013-01-01

In this study, a temporal analysis and the analytical category of intersubjectivity are used to investigate how teachers and Latino/a bilingual students constructed shared communicative spaces in group mathematical discussions in an after school mathematics program in a culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse primary school.…

Constructing Identities: Female Head Teachers' Perceptions and Experiences in the Primary Sector

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Deborah

2017-01-01

This article presents research undertaken with female headteachers in UK primary schools and explores several influential discourses in relation to female headteachers' identities. It considers themes inherent in women's narratives as they reflect upon their professional lives and discusses various identities inhabited by female leaders which…

Social-Emotional Needs: A School-Based Approach to Preventing Suicide among Students with Gifts and Talents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cross, Tracy L.

2012-01-01

This article provides a succinct primer on some of the basic constructs that adults need to know to help keep students with gifts and talents from completing suicide. It focuses on the school as the primary context to look out for potentially suicidal gifted students. This makes sense, as students spend a considerable amount of time in school,…

School belongingness and mental health functioning across the primary-secondary transition in a mainstream sample: multi-group cross-lagged analyses.

PubMed

Vaz, Sharmila; Falkmer, Marita; Parsons, Richard; Passmore, Anne Elizabeth; Parkin, Timothy; Falkmer, Torbjörn

2014-01-01

The relationship between school belongingness and mental health functioning before and after the primary-secondary school transition has not been previously investigated in students with and without disabilities. This study used a prospective longitudinal design to test the bi-directional relationships between these constructs, by surveying 266 students with and without disabilities and their parents, 6-months before and after the transition to secondary school. Cross-lagged multi-group analyses found student perception of belongingness in the final year of primary school to contribute to change in their mental health functioning a year later. The beneficial longitudinal effects of school belongingness on subsequent mental health functioning were evident in all student subgroups; even after accounting for prior mental health scores and the cross-time stability in mental health functioning and school belongingness scores. Findings of the current study substantiate the role of school contextual influences on early adolescent mental health functioning. They highlight the importance for primary and secondary schools to assess students' school belongingness and mental health functioning and transfer these records as part of the transition process, so that appropriate scaffolds are in place to support those in need. Longer term longitudinal studies are needed to increase the understanding of the temporal sequencing between school belongingness and mental health functioning of all mainstream students.

School Belongingness and Mental Health Functioning across the Primary-Secondary Transition in a Mainstream Sample: Multi-Group Cross-Lagged Analyses

PubMed Central

Vaz, Sharmila; Falkmer, Marita; Parsons, Richard; Passmore, Anne Elizabeth; Parkin, Timothy; Falkmer, Torbjörn

2014-01-01

The relationship between school belongingness and mental health functioning before and after the primary-secondary school transition has not been previously investigated in students with and without disabilities. This study used a prospective longitudinal design to test the bi-directional relationships between these constructs, by surveying 266 students with and without disabilities and their parents, 6-months before and after the transition to secondary school. Cross-lagged multi-group analyses found student perception of belongingness in the final year of primary school to contribute to change in their mental health functioning a year later. The beneficial longitudinal effects of school belongingness on subsequent mental health functioning were evident in all student subgroups; even after accounting for prior mental health scores and the cross-time stability in mental health functioning and school belongingness scores. Findings of the current study substantiate the role of school contextual influences on early adolescent mental health functioning. They highlight the importance for primary and secondary schools to assess students’ school belongingness and mental health functioning and transfer these records as part of the transition process, so that appropriate scaffolds are in place to support those in need. Longer term longitudinal studies are needed to increase the understanding of the temporal sequencing between school belongingness and mental health functioning of all mainstream students. PMID:24967580

Validity of Childhood Career Development Scale Scores in South Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stead, Graham B.; Schultheiss, Donna E. Palladino

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of the construct and concurrent validity of the Childhood Career Development Scale's (CCDS) scores among South African primary school children. Using a sample of 808 children in grades four through seven, evidence for the CCDS's construct validity was provided using confirmatory factor analysis,…

Gender Construction through Textbooks: The Case of an Ethiopian Primary School English Textbook

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gebregeorgis, Mehari Yimulaw

2016-01-01

The objective of the study was to explore how gender was constructed in the "English for Ethiopia Student's Book" for grade four. In order to find out the discursive actions, representations and identifications by unpacking the employed genre, discourse and style, respectively, the case study was conducted using Fairclough's…

The Construction of Language Value and Legitimacy in Aboriginal Primary School Classrooms in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Ya-Ling

2014-01-01

This study examines the means by which social actors at one largely Indigenous elementary school in Taiwan resolve the linguistic conflicts arising between official language policies and practical pedagogical practices. Special reference is made to Pangcah, an endangered indigenous language in contest with other languages, Mandarin inparticular,…

Bully/Victim Problems and Their Association with Machiavellianism and Self-Efficacy in Greek Primary School Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andreou, E.

2004-01-01

Background: Previous research demonstrated that Machiavellian beliefs are linked with bully/victim problems at school. However, Machiavellianism was treated as a single construct and not as multidimensional. Children's perceptions of self-efficacy in both social and academic domains have been related to conflictual peer interactions but not…

Do Poor Students Benefit from China's Merger Program? Transfer Path and Educational Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Xinxin; Yi, Hongmei; Zhang, Linxiu; Mo, Di; Chu, James; Rozelle, Scott

2014-01-01

Aiming to provide better education facilities and improve the educational attainment of poor rural students, China's government has been merging remote rural primary schools into centralized village, town, or county schools since the late 1990s. To accompany the policy, boarding facilities have been constructed that allow (mandate) primary…

Curriculum and National Identity: Exploring the Links between Religion and Nation in Pakistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Durrani, Naureen; Dunne, Mairead

2010-01-01

This paper investigates the relationship between schooling and conflict in Pakistan using an identity-construction lens. Drawing on data from curriculum documents, student responses to classroom activities, and single-sex student focus groups, it explores how students in four state primary schools in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP),…

The establishment of the evaluation model for pupil's lunch suppliers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo, Chih-Yao; Hou, Cheng-I.; Ma, Rosa

2011-10-01

The aim of this study is the establishment of the evaluation model for the government-controlled private suppliers for school lunches in the public middle and primary schools in Miao-Li County. After finishing the literature search and the integration of the opinions from anonymous experts by Modified Delphi Method, the grade forms from relevant schools in and outside the Miao-Li County will firstly be collected and the delaminated structures for evaluation be constructed. Then, the data analysis will be performed on those retrieved questionnaires designed in accordance with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Finally, the evaluation form for the government-controlled private suppliers can be constructed and presented in the hope of benefiting the personnel in charge of school meal purchasing.

The Effect of Gender on the Construction of Backward Inferences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cakir, Ozler

2008-01-01

The main objective in the present study is to examine the effect of gender on primary school students' construction of elaborative backward inferences during text processing. A total of 333 children, aged 10-11 years (n = 158 girls and 175 boys) participated in the study. Each participant completed a backward inference test. The results indicate…

A Climate for Self-Efficacy: The Relationship between School Climate and Teacher Efficacy for Inclusion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hosford, Susan; O'Sullivan, Siobhán

2016-01-01

Teacher efficacy represents a key construct in exploring successful implementation of inclusive policy. Teachers' impression of school climate is shown to relate to teacher efficacy; however, few studies pay due deference to its context/specific conceptualisation, with a particular lacuna in research noted in an Irish mainstream primary school…

Concurrent and Construct Validity of Oral Language Measures with School-Age Children with Specific Language Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoffman, LaVae M.; Loeb, Diane Frome; Brandel, Jayne; Gillam, Ronald B.

2011-01-01

Purpose: This study investigated the psychometric properties of 2 oral language measures that are commonly used for diagnostic purposes with school-age children who have language impairments. Method: Two hundred sixteen children with specific language impairment were assessed with the Test of Language Development--Primary, Third Edition (TOLD-P:3;…

"You Get to Be Yourself": Visual Arts Programs, Identity Construction and Learners of English as an Additional Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wielgosz, Meg; Molyneux, Paul

2015-01-01

Students learning English as an additional language (EAL) in Australian schools frequently struggle with the cultural and linguistic demands of the classroom while concurrently grappling with issues of identity and belonging. This article reports on an investigation of the role primary school visual arts programs, distinct programs with a…

Tracing Discourses of Health and the Body: Exploring Pre-Service Primary Teachers' Constructions of "Healthy" Bodies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Welch, Rosie; Wright, Jan

2011-01-01

Contemporary notions of childhood overweight and obesity have become increasingly influential in curriculum and pedagogy in school-based Health and Physical Education (HPE). Teachers' delivery of HPE subject matter and related school practices are likely to have a considerable impact on the attitudes and beliefs of the children they teach,…

Learning to Lead the Risk-Conscious Organization: An Empirical Study of Five English Primary School Leaders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pegg, Ann Elizabeth

2010-01-01

This article explores how organizational cultures shape workplace learning for those learning to be educational leaders. The discussion is illustrated with the data from an ethnographic case study which explored the workplace learning of five school leaders. The findings suggest that workplace boundaries were constructed in response to perceptions…

What Can Year-5 Children's Drawings Tell Us about Their Primary School Experiences?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maxwell, Tim

2015-01-01

This study describes the research process and trialling of a drawing technique for gathering pupils' views within a Personal Construct Psychology framework. Seventy-two pupils in curriculum year 5 were asked to produce two drawings of themselves in school (144 drawings), one in a "happy" situation and one in an "unhappy"…

ROOTing Out Meaning: More Morphemic Analysis for Primary Pupils

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mountain, Lee

2005-01-01

In an elementary-school professional development program, a group of primary teachers and a university consultant reviewed the research on morphemic analysis and then explored ways to give pupils in grades 1, 2, and 3 an early start on using prefixes, suffixes, and roots to construct word meaning. The teachers examined some middle-grade strategies…

Introducing Basic Molecular Biology to Turkish Rural and Urban Primary School Children via Hands-on PCR and Gel Electrophoresis Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Selli, Cigdem; Yildirim, Gokce; Kaymak, Aysegul; Karacicek, Bilge; Ogut, Deniz; Gungor, Turkan; Erem, Erdem; Ege, Mehmet; Bümen, Nilay; Tosun, Metiner

2014-01-01

This study includes the results of a 2-day education project titled "Molecular Biology Laboratory Summer School, MoBiLYO." The project was held at a University Research Center by scientists from Department of Pharmacology and graduate students. The project was composed of introductory lectures, model construction, DNA isolation,…

Factors Influencing the Uptake of a Mechatronics Curriculum Initiative in Five Australian Secondary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicholas, Howard; Ng, Wan

2012-01-01

While the ready-made Lego[TM] Robotics kits are popular in schools and are used by students at both primary and secondary year levels, using the Picaxe microcontroller (chip) to create simple electronic devices, including robotic devices is less popular. The latter imposes an additional challenge as a result of the need to construct the universal…

Construction of Professional Knowledge of Teaching: Collaboration between Experienced Primary School Teachers and University Teachers through an Online Mentoring Programme

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

da Graça Nicoletti Mizukami, Maria; Maria de Medeiros Rodrigues Reali, Aline; Maria Simões Tancredi, Regina

2015-01-01

This paper is related to an investigation carried out by researchers from a Brazilian public institution (Federal University of São Carlos) and experienced elementary school teachers. It adopts a research and intervention methodology developed in an online continuing teacher education programme, whose aims were the development of mentoring…

Designing and Constructing an Exemplar Zero Carbon Primary School in the City of Exeter, United Kingdom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tatchell, Arthur

2012-01-01

The United Kingdom's (UK) 2008 Budget announced the government's ambition that all new non-domestic buildings should be zero carbon from 2016. In order to take this goal forward, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) established the Zero Carbon Task Force (ZCTF); its objective was to advise on how England can achieve this…

Identifying the Dimensionality of Oral Language Skills of Children with Typical Development in Preschool through Fifth Grade

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lonigan, Christopher J.; Milburn, Trelani F.

2017-01-01

Purpose: Language is a multidimensional construct from prior to the beginning of formal schooling to near the end of elementary school. The primary goals of this study were to identify the dimensionality of language and to determine whether this dimensionality was consistent in children with typical language development from preschool through 5th…

The Bangalore Challenge: Case Studies of the Social Construction of Technology in Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Byker, Erik Jon

2012-01-01

As India aspires to become the information and communication technology (ICT) leader in the world, the education of its children is a primary concern. While India's policymakers expect ICT to usher in promising education changes, there is a limited understanding of how computers are used and negotiated in India's schools. This dissertation is an…

Search for Trustful Leadership in Secondary Schools: Is Empowerment the Solution?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freire, Carla; Fernandes, António

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study is to analyse how the access to structures of empowerment by teachers in primary and secondary education impacts on their trust of the headmaster of the school management board. Using the theoretical framework of empowerment and trust in the context of companies, one adapted the constructs of these scales to the reality…

Personal hygiene among primary school children living in a slum of Kolkata, India.

PubMed

Sarkar, M

2013-09-01

For children, maintenance of personal hygiene helps to improve the quality of life and longevity. This is of particular importance in a slum community with compromised living situation. This study was undertaken to find out the knowledge and practice of personal hygiene among the primary school children living in a slum area, to identify any misconception among them regarding the maintenance of personal hygiene, to find out their morbidity pattern, and also to elicit the relationship between practice of personal hygiene among the children and the literacy status of their mother. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 104 primary school children of a primary school situated in the slum area of Chetla, Kolkata, India with the help of a predesigned, pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed statistically by simple proportions and tests of significance. It was found that the female students were more knowledgeable than the male students regarding the maintenance of personal hygiene. There was a wide gap between practice and knowledge of personal hygiene among the primary school children living in the slum area. Even, misconceptions do exist on certain indicators of personal hygiene among the students. Statistically significant association was observed between practices of personal hygiene among the primary school children and the literacy status of their mother. Future of a society depends considerably on the health of its children. The parents and the school teachers, as constructive shapers of children's health behaviors, should play a responsible role in early education of children on personal hygiene.

The contribution of schools to supporting the well being of children affected by HIV in eastern Zimbabwe.

PubMed

Pufall, Erica L; Gregson, Simon; Eaton, Jeffrey W; Masoka, Tidings; Mpandaguta, Edith; Andersen, Louise; Skovdal, Morten; Nyamukapa, Constance; Campbell, Catherine

2014-07-01

Schools are often cited as a source of support for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in populations experiencing generalized HIV epidemics and severe poverty. Here we investigate the success of schools at including and supporting the well being of vulnerable children in rural Zimbabwe. Data from a cross-sectional household survey of 4577 children (aged 6-17 years), conducted between 2009 and 2011, were linked to data on the characteristics of 28 primary schools and 18 secondary schools from a parallel monitoring and evaluation facility survey. We construct two measures of school quality (one general and one HIV-specific) and use multivariable regression to test whether these were associated with improved educational outcomes and well being for vulnerable children. School quality was not associated with primary or secondary school attendance, but was associated with children's being in the correct grade for age [adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.5, P = 0.01]. General and HIV-specific school quality had significant positive effects on well being in the primary school-age children (coefficient 5.1, 95% CI 2.4-7.7, P < 0.01 and coefficient 3.0, 95% CI 0.4-5.6, P = 0.02, respectively), but not in the secondary school-age children (P > 0.2). There was no evidence that school quality provided an additional benefit to the well being of vulnerable children. Community HIV prevalence was negatively associated with well being in the secondary school-age children (coefficient -0.7, 95% CI -1.3 to -0.1, P = 0.03). General and HIV-specific school quality may enhance the well being of primary school-age children in eastern Zimbabwe. Local community context also plays an important role in child well being.

Understanding Basic Temporal Relations in Primary School Pupils with Hearing Impairments.

PubMed

Dulcić, Adinda; Bakota, Koraljka; Saler, Zrinka

2015-09-01

Time can be observed as a subjective, as well as an objective phenomenon which is a component of our life, and due to its communicational needs, it is standardized by temporal signs and symbols. The aim of this study was to determine the understanding of basic temporal relations of pupils with hearing impairments. We assumed that the knowledge of basic time relations is a precondition for the acquisition of knowledge that is connected with the understanding of the syllabus in regular school programs. Three groups of pupils have been examined: pupils with hearing impairments who attend the primary school of SUVAG Polyclinic under special condition, integrated hearing impaired pupils with minor additional difficulties who attend regular primary schools in Zagreb with a prolonged expert procedure and pupils of the control group. The subjects have been examined with a measuring instrument constructed by the expert team of the Polyclinic Suvag. Twenty nine subjects have been questioned, chronologically aged between 10 and 12.

Implementing and Evaluating a Sequence of Instruction on Gaseous Pressure with Pre-Service Primary School Student Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Neil; Lucas, Keith B.

2000-01-01

Describes a teaching sequence on gaseous pressure implemented in a group of pre-service primary teachers in Fiji that provides subjects with a strong visual model of particle behavior which they then applied to a series of collaborative science activities for which they attempted to construct explanations. Suggests that this teaching sequence…

"Man-Up, Go and Get an Ice-Pack." Gendered Stereotypes and Binaries within the Primary Classroom: A Thing of the Past?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamilton, Paula; Roberts, Bethan

2017-01-01

Gendered expectations are deeply embedded within the fabric of a society and the classroom is no exception; binaries habitually pervade attitudes, practices and pedagogies. This small-scale qualitative-interpretive study, undertaken in one rural primary school in North Wales, explores how the learning of gender is constructed, enacted and…

Construction and Validation of a Survey Instrument to Determine the Gender-Related Challenges Faced by Pre-Service Male Primary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cruickshank, Vaughan; Pedersen, Scott; Hill, Allen; Callingham, Rosemary

2015-01-01

The gender-related challenges facing males entering the primary-school teaching profession have been well documented in the academic literature over recent decades. The majority of these data have come about through qualitative reports. Whilst qualitative methods provide important perspectives into these issues, the use of valid and reliable…

Comparing the behavioural impact of a nudge-based handwashing intervention to high-intensity hygiene education: a cluster-randomised trial in rural Bangladesh.

PubMed

Grover, Elise; Hossain, Mohammed Kamal; Uddin, Saker; Venkatesh, Mohini; Ram, Pavani K; Dreibelbis, Robert

2018-01-01

To determine the impact of environmental nudges on handwashing behaviours among primary school children as compared to a high-intensity hygiene education intervention. In a cluster-randomised trial (CRT), we compared the rates of handwashing with soap (HWWS) after a toileting event among primary school students in rural Bangladesh. Eligible schools (government run, on-site sanitation and water, no hygiene interventions in last year, fewer than 450 students) were identified, and 20 schools were randomly selected and allocated without blinding to one of four interventions, five schools per group: simultaneous handwashing infrastructure and nudge construction, sequential infrastructure then nudge construction, simultaneous infrastructure and high-intensity hygiene education (HE) and sequential handwashing infrastructure and HE. The primary outcome, incidence of HWWS after a toileting event, was compared between the intervention groups at different data collection points with robust-Poisson regression analysis with generalised estimating equations, adjusting for school-level clustering of outcomes. The nudge intervention and the HE intervention were found to be equally effective at sustained impact over 5 months post-intervention (adjusted IRR 0.81, 95% CI 0.61-1.09). When comparing intervention delivery timing, the simultaneous delivery of the HE intervention significantly outperformed the sequential HE delivery (adjusted IRR 1.58 CI 1.20-2.08), whereas no significant difference was observed between sequential and simultaneous nudge intervention delivery (adjusted IRR 0.75, 95% CI 0.48-1.17). Our trial demonstrates sustained improved handwashing behaviour 5 months after the nudge intervention. The nudge intervention's comparable performance to a high-intensity hygiene education intervention is encouraging. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Construction of a Muscular Strength Test Battery for Girls in the Primary Grades.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DiNucci, James M.; Pelton, Elois B.

This study was designed to construct a gross muscular strength test battery for girls 6-9 years of age in grades 1-3. The subjects for this investigation were a random sample of 183 girls in grades 1-3 of the public schools of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The variables selected were 22 cable tension strength tests developed by Clarke and associates.…

Assessing Social Participation of Pupils with Special Needs in Inclusive Education: The Construction of a Teacher Questionnaire

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koster, Marloes; Nakken, Han; Pijl, Sip Jan; van Houten, Els J.; Lutje Spelberg, Henk C.

2008-01-01

This study addresses the development of a teacher questionnaire to assess the social participation of pupils with special needs in regular primary schools and is divided into 2 parts. In the 1st part, the construction of the questionnaire is described. The questionnaire consists of 30 statements related to 4 key themes of social participation: …

Intersecting Global and Local: The Intercultural and Intersubjective Constructions of "Expatriate" and "Local" Teachers in the Search for the "X Factor"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bridges, Susan; emerald, elke

2013-01-01

In 1998, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region began a large-scale project to import qualified, experienced native-speaking teachers of English into Hong Kong secondary schools. The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) scheme later expanded to include Hong Kong primary schools. Currently, teachers from around the world are…

Conflict Management in Education. NAESP School Leadership Digest Series, Number 10. ERIC/CEM Research Analysis Series, Number 12.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schofield, Dee

Since the school administrator cannot avoid conflict, it is imperative that he or she be prepared to cope with it when it arises and, if possible, before it develops. More than simple coping with conflict, an administrator needs to know how to channel conflict toward constructive ends. Conflict theory is given primary attention in this paper in…

Culture and the school: The degree of educational integration of Roma and Gypsies in the Peloponnese region of Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiprianos, Pandelis; Daskalaki, Ivi; Stamelos, Georgios B.

2012-10-01

This article examines the degree of integration of Roma and Gypsy children in formal education in the Peloponnese region of Greece. It is based on field research conducted by the University of Patras during the school year 2006/07 within the framework of the Greek Ministry of Education's "Integration of Roma children in school" programme, funded by the European Union. Despite governmental incentives for poor families to enrol their school-aged children, school attendance of Roma and Gypsy children was found to decline from primary year one to primary year six, with hardly any of them entering secondary school at all. Besides looking at school attendance figures and Roma and Gypsy children's proficiency in reading, writing and numeracy, this paper also considers gender, family composition, living conditions and economic situation, as well as culturally constructed perceptions of childhood and a person's life cycle. The aim of this article is to highlight the contradictions and ambiguities involved in the process of incorporating Roma and Gypsy children in formal education, and to evaluate their school performance and assess their academic choices.

Four Projects in Electricity Suitable for Primary Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ward, Alan

1983-01-01

Describes simple, electrical projects with dry cell batteries and lamps designed to teach children about conductors, insulators, and switches. Instructions for construction of circuits, the science ideas in each project, and suggestions for extending each of the investigations are included. (JM)

Britney, Beyonce, and Me--Primary School Girls' Role Models and Constructions of the "Popular" Girl

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Read, Barbara

2011-01-01

This paper looks at the ways in which the gendered social construction of the "popular girl" infuses girls' ideas as to their role models: those representing who they would like to be when they "grow up". It will look at the ways in which the gendered characteristics that are seen to be of most value to girls (often embodied by "celebrities" such…

The Situated Aspect of Creativity in Communicative Events: How Do Children Design Web Pages Together?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernandez-Cardenas, Juan Manuel

2008-01-01

This paper looks at the collaborative construction of web pages in History by a Year-4 group of children in a primary school in the UK. The aim of this paper is to find out: (a) How did children interpret their involvement in this literacy practice? (b) How the construction of web pages was interactionally accomplished? and (c) How can creativity…

Becoming a manual occupation? The construction of a therapy manual for use with language impaired children in mainstream primary schools.

PubMed

McCartney, Elspeth; Boyle, James; Bannatyne, Susan; Jessiman, Emma; Campbell, Cathy; Kelsey, Cherry; Smith, Jennifer; O'Hare, Anne

2004-01-01

The construction of therapy protocols for a large-scale randomized controlled trial comparing speech and language therapists and assistants, and group and individual therapy approaches for children aged 6-11 in mainstream schools is outlined. The aim was to outline the decision-making processes that led to the construction of the research therapy manual, and to give a preliminary report on compliance with the manual. A search of the research and professional literature and of published therapy materials was conducted to locate usable examples of effective language therapy for primary school children. Results were collated into a manual of therapy principles and activities to structure research intervention. The use of the manual with children (n=30) receiving individual or group direct therapy from a speech and language therapist in the first phase of intervention was audited. Very few high-level research studies were found, but the professional literature gave added information. Therapies for comprehension monitoring, vocabulary development, later grammar and narrative were adapted for the research intervention, and procedures compiled into a manual to guide research speech and language therapists and assistants. The audit of direct therapy suggested that the manual was useable, providing a suitable range of activities and materials for therapy intervention. Its use helped to record the therapy offered to research children, and formed a sound basis for discussion amongst speech and language therapists and between speech and language therapist/assistant pairs. The construction and use of a therapy manual allowed the provision of replicable therapy within the research project whilst maintaining flexibility.

Establishing and maintaining a satellite campus connected by synchronous video conferencing.

PubMed

Fox, Brent I; McDonough, Sharon L; McConatha, Barry J; Marlowe, Karen F

2011-06-10

Pharmacy education has experienced substantial growth in the number of new schools and existing schools establishing satellite campuses. Several models have previously been used to connect primary and satellite campuses. We describe the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy's (AUHSOP's) experiences using synchronous video conferencing between the Auburn University campus in Auburn and a satellite campus in Mobile, Alabama. We focus on the technology considerations related to planning, construction, implementation, and continued use of the various resources that support our program. Students' perceptions of their experiences related to technology also are described.

The contribution of schools to supporting the well being of children affected by HIV in eastern Zimbabwe

PubMed Central

Pufall, Erica L.; Gregson, Simon; Eaton, Jeffrey W.; Masoka, Tidings; Mpandaguta, Edith; Andersen, Louise; Skovdal, Morten; Nyamukapa, Constance; Campbell, Catherine

2016-01-01

Objectives Schools are often cited as a source of support for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in populations experiencing generalized HIV epidemics and severe poverty. Here we investigate the success of schools at including and supporting the well being of vulnerable children in rural Zimbabwe. Design Data from a cross-sectional household survey of 4577 children (aged 6–17 years), conducted between 2009 and 2011, were linked to data on the characteristics of 28 primary schools and 18 secondary schools from a parallel monitoring and evaluation facility survey. Methods We construct two measures of school quality (one general and one HIV-specific) and use multivariable regression to test whether these were associated with improved educational outcomes and well being for vulnerable children. Results School quality was not associated with primary or secondary school attendance, but was associated with children’s being in the correct grade for age [adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–3.5, P = 0.01]. General and HIV-specific school quality had significant positive effects on well being in the primary school-age children (coefficient 5.1, 95% CI 2.4–7.7, P < 0.01 and coefficient 3.0, 95% CI 0.4–5.6, P = 0.02, respectively), but not in the secondary school-age children (P > 0.2). There was no evidence that school quality provided an additional benefit to the well being of vulnerable children. Community HIV prevalence was negatively associated with well being in the secondary school-age children (coefficient −0.7, 95% CI −1.3 to −0.1, P = 0.03). Conclusions General and HIV-specific school quality may enhance the well being of primary school-age children in eastern Zimbabwe. Local community context also plays an important role in child well being. PMID:24991911

The Reflective Experimental Construction of Meanings about the Shape of the Earth and the Alternation of Day and Night

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varela, Paulo

2012-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the process of construction of meaning about the shape of the Earth and the alternation of day and night, which is inherent to the practice of experimental science teaching. This teaching practice was gradually done by the researcher in a 1st grade class of a Portuguese primary school. The class…

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Summary Introduction and objectives. For children, maintenance of personal hygiene helps to improve the quality of life and longevity. This is of particular importance in a slum community with compromised living situation. This study was undertaken to find out the knowledge and practice of personal hygiene among the primary school children living in a slum area, to identify any misconception among them regarding the maintenance of personal hygiene, to find out their morbidity pattern, and also to elicit the relationship between practice of personal hygiene among the children and the literacy status of their mother. Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 104 primary school children of a primary school situated in the slum area of Chetla, Kolkata, India with the help of a predesigned, pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed statistically by simple proportions and tests of significance. Results. It was found that the female students were more knowledgeable than the male students regarding the maintenance of personal hygiene. There was a wide gap between practice and knowledge of personal hygiene among the primary school children living in the slum area. Even, misconceptions do exist on certain indicators of personal hygiene among the students. Statistically significant association was observed between practices of personal hygiene among the primary school children and the literacy status of their mother. Discussion and conclusions. Future of a society depends considerably on the health of its children. The parents and the school teachers, as constructive shapers of children's health behaviors, should play a responsible role in early education of children on personal hygiene. PMID:24783893

Social Constructs Regarding the Physical and Sexual Energy of Whites, Indigenous South Americans and Blacks in Spanish and Colombian Primary School Reading Books between 1900 and 1960

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Serrano-López, Federico Guillermo; Somoza-Rodríguez, Miguel

2017-01-01

This article analyses the manner in which the physical and sexual energy of the white, native South American and black populations was represented in reading books for elementary school children in Spain and Colombia between 1900 and 1960. Ninety reading books from representative authors were examined. It was found that the ideal of extraordinary…

Validity and reliability of parental report of frequency, severity and risk factors of urinary tract infection and urinary incontinence in children.

PubMed

Sureshkumar, Premala; Cumming, Robert G; Craig, Jonathan C

2006-06-01

We describe the validity and reliability of a questionnaire designed to determine frequency, severity and risk factors of urinary tract infection and daytime urinary incontinence in primary school-age children. Based on published validated questionnaires and advice from content experts, a questionnaire was developed and piloted in children attending outpatient clinics. Construct validity for parent report of frequency and severity of daytime urinary incontinence was tested by comparison with a daily accident diary in 52 primary school children, and criterion validity of parent report for UTI was verified by comparison with the reference standard (urine culture) in 100 primary school children. Test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was assessed in 106 children from primary schools. There was excellent agreement between the questionnaire and accident diary in severity (weighted kappa 0.94, 95% confidence intervals 0.85 to 1.03) and frequency of daytime urinary incontinence (0.88, 0.7 to 1.0). Parents reported urinary tract infection in 15% of children, compared to a positive urine culture in 8% (sensitivity 100% and specificity 68.5%). Test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was excellent (mean k 0.78, range 0.61 to 1.00). Parents overreport UTI by about 2-fold but can recall frequency and severity of daytime urinary incontinence well during a 3-month period. The developed questionnaire is a valid tool to estimate frequency, severity and risk factors of daytime urinary incontinence and UTI in primary school children.

Chinese Children's Character Recognition: Visuo-Orthographic, Phonological Processing and Morphological Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Hong; Shu, Hua; McBride-Chang, Catherine; Liu, Hongyun; Peng, Hong

2012-01-01

Tasks tapping visual skills, orthographic knowledge, phonological awareness, speeded naming, morphological awareness and Chinese character recognition were administered to 184 kindergarteners and 273 primary school students from Beijing. Regression analyses indicated that only syllable deletion, morphological construction and speeded number naming…

A Framework of Mathematics Inductive Reasoning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christou, Constantinos; Papageorgiou, Eleni

2007-01-01

Based on a synthesis of the literature in inductive reasoning, a framework for prescribing and assessing mathematics inductive reasoning of primary school students was formulated and validated. The major constructs incorporated in this framework were students' cognitive abilities of finding similarities and/or dissimilarities among attributes and…

Grade differences in reading motivation among Hong Kong primary and secondary students.

PubMed

Lau, Kit-Ling

2009-12-01

Most previous studies in Western societies have demonstrated a general decline in school motivation. However, it is not clear whether motivational decline occurs uniformly for all students. The moderating effects of individual and cultural differences on students' motivational decline need to be further explored. This study aimed to examine the grade differences in students' reading motivation, including self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and social motivation, in a Chinese educational context. Grade by gender and grade by school-average achievement interactions were also checked to explore the role of individual differences in students' motivational changes. A total of 1,794 students (860 boys and 934 girls) volunteered to take part in this study, of whom 648 were Grade 4-6 students from 11 primary schools, 627 were Grade 7-9 students from 12 junior secondary schools, and 519 Grade 10-11 students from 6 senior secondary schools. A Chinese version of the Motivation for Reading Questionnaire (CRMQ) was administered to all participants during regular class periods by their teachers. Reliability analyses and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were first undertaken to assess the psychometric quality of the CRMQ. Then, multisample CFA was conducted to examine whether the factor structure of the CRMQ was equivalent across students at different grade levels. Grade differences in various reading motivation constructs as well as grade x gender and grade x school-average achievement interactions were examined using multiple-indicator-multiple-causes modelling. The findings of this study supported the reliability and the factor structure of the CRMQ in measuring the reading motivation of Chinese students at different grade levels. The factor pattern of the CRMQ was invariant across primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary students in multisample CFA. As far as the scores on the four reading motivation constructs were concerned, students scored most highly on intrinsic motivation, followed by self-efficacy, extrinsic motivation, and social motivation. Significant grade differences were found in all reading motivation constructs whereas only a few grade by gender and grade by school-average interactions were found. Consistent with previous studies in Western countries, the findings suggest that motivational decline is also a common phenomenon among Chinese students in Hong Kong. In addition, the pattern of motivational differences is generally consistent among students with different genders and from schools with different achievement levels. The implications of these findings for understanding Chinese students' reading motivation and for planning effective reading instruction to enhance their motivation are discussed.

Indoor Radon Exposure in Italian Schools

PubMed Central

Castiglia, Paolo; Piana, Andrea; Salis, Giovanni

2018-01-01

Background: The aim of the study was to assess radon concentration in schoolrooms in a city located in the midwest of Italy. Methods: A two-phase environmental study was carried out in 19 school buildings of 16 primary, secondary, and tertiary schools. Results: Median (interquartile range—IQR) indoor radon concentration in schoolrooms was 91.6 (45.0–140.3) Bq/m3. The highest (median 952.8 Bq/m3) radon concentration was found in one (3.6%) classroom, located in a building of a primary school whose median concentration was 185 Bq/m3. Radon concentration was significantly correlated with the number of students and teachers, foundation wall construction material, and with the absence of underground floors. A geopedological survey was performed close to the building with highest radon level, showing the presence of granite and tonalithic granodiorite in the soil. Conclusions: Radon levels should be routinely assessed where individuals live or work. Schools are susceptible targets, because of childhood stay and the long daily stay of occupants. Low-cost interventions, such as implementation of natural air ventilation and school maintenance, can reduce radon levels, limiting individual exposure. PMID:29652857

Teaching for Epistemological Difference: Decentring Norms in Environmental Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrett, M. J.

2012-01-01

Many environmental educators and philosophers have identified anthropocentrism and the socially constructed separation between humans and "the more-than-human world" (Abram, 1996) as primary root causes of current ecological devastation. This separation is embedded in Western schooling content and structures and is often unintentionally…

Project-Based Learning: A Review of the Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kokotsaki, Dimitra; Menzies, Victoria; Wiggins, Andy

2016-01-01

Project-based learning (PBL) is an active student-centred form of instruction which is characterised by students' autonomy, constructive investigations, goal-setting, collaboration, communication and reflection within real-world practices. It has been explored in various contexts and in different phases of schooling, from primary to higher…

School environments and physical activity: the development and testing of an audit tool

PubMed Central

Jones, Natalia R; Jones, Andy; van Sluijs, Esther MF; Panter, Jenna; Harrison, Flo; Griffin, Simon J

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to develop, test, and employ an audit tool to objectively assess the opportunities for physical activity within school environments. A 44 item tool was developed and tested at 92 primary schools in the county of Norfolk, England, during summer term of 2007. Scores from the tool covering 6 domains of facility provision were examined against objectively measured hourly moderate to vigorous physical activity levels in 1868 9-10 year old pupils attending the schools. The tool was found to have acceptable reliability and good construct validity, differentiating the physical activity levels of children attending the highest and lowest scoring schools. The characteristics of school grounds may influence pupil’s physical activity levels. PMID:20435506

Barriers to Asthma Management for School Nurses: An Integrative Review.

PubMed

Hanley Nadeau, Ellen; Toronto, Coleen E

2016-04-01

Childhood asthma is a growing health concern. Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and school absenteeism. School nurses play a valuable role in asthma management. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine barriers to asthma management for school nurses in the school setting. Findings revealed multiple barriers school nurses encounter in managing asthma. Six themes emerged that included lack of resources and support, insufficient time, communication challenges, limited knowledge, and lack of awareness of school nurses' expertise. Students, parents, primary care physicians, school administration, staff, and school nurses themselves all play a role in constructing barriers to asthma management. There is a need for school nurses and school nurse leaders to focus efforts to develop strategies to overcome barriers to ensure evidence-based, best practice management of asthma in the school setting. © The Author(s) 2015.

Teaching and Learning Primary Mathematics in Singapore.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seng, SeokHoon

Noting that current views of mathematical learning and teaching focus on the child as a responsible student who attends to instruction and who constructs what is taught in a personal and meaningful way, this paper examines scaffolding and mediation strategies and describes the learning and teaching of elementary school level mathematics in…

Primary and Secondary Students' Motivation in Learning English: Grade and Gender Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yeung, Alexander Seeshing; Lau, Shun; Nie, Youyan

2011-01-01

Student motivation may have significant influences on essential academic outcomes. However, students' motivation may decline as they grow older. This study examined six motivation constructs (self-efficacy, interest, mastery goal orientation, engagement, avoidance coping, and effort withdrawal) of students from 78 schools in Singapore (N = 4214)…

Workforce Development Analysis | Energy Analysis | NREL

Science.gov Websites

with customer service, construction, and electrical projects One-half of surveyed firms reported , training, and experience that will enable continued large-scale deployment of wind and solar technologies engineers; and project managers. Standardized education and training at all levels-primary school through

Using Visualisation to Enhance Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Statham, Mick

2014-01-01

Learning to use visualisation techniques in the classroom enables pupils and teachers to gain new insights into how concepts are formed and how to strengthen them, but visualisation is sometimes not what it seems. Learning by constructing meaning is a long-standing principle underpinning much of today's school science. In "Primary Science…

"Heading up the Street": Localised Opportunities for Shared Constructions of Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Carol D.; Majors, Yolanda J.

2003-01-01

Success and failure in school is contingent upon one's ability to regulate and situate identities, utilise culturally-developed semiotic tools and negotiate models of meaning in shared social activity. However, many language minority students lack such success, struggling with conflicts between their primary-and community-based identities, and…

Self-Efficacy and Music Teaching: Five Narratives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Vries, Peter

2017-01-01

This article examines generalist primary (elementary) school teachers' self-efficacy in teaching music. Five teachers, each with five years teaching experience, were interviewed for the study. Using this interview data narratives were constructed for each of the five teachers. These narratives focused on what factors contributed to the level of…

Spanish Primary School Students' Knowledge of Invasion Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moreno, David Sanchez-Mora; Lopez, Luis Miguel Garcia; Diaz, Maria Sagrario Del Valle; Martinez, Inmaculada Solera

2011-01-01

Background: Games represent a very important part of the physical education curriculum and the process by which they are learnt is very complex. Constructive teaching theories highlight the existence of knowledge prior to instruction that the pupil actively transforms through verbalisation and interaction with classmates. The results of research…

Establishing and Maintaining a Satellite Campus Connected by Synchronous Video Conferencing

PubMed Central

Fox, Brent I.; McDonough, Sharon L.; McConatha, Barry J.; Marlowe, Karen F.

2011-01-01

Pharmacy education has experienced substantial growth in the number of new schools and existing schools establishing satellite campuses. Several models have previously been used to connect primary and satellite campuses. We describe the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy's (AUHSOP's) experiences using synchronous video conferencing between the Auburn University campus in Auburn and a satellite campus in Mobile, Alabama. We focus on the technology considerations related to planning, construction, implementation, and continued use of the various resources that support our program. Students’ perceptions of their experiences related to technology also are described. PMID:21829265

Dynamic Modelling with "MLE-Energy Dynamic" for Primary School

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giliberti, Enrico; Corni, Federico

During the recent years simulation and modelling are growing instances in science education. In primary school, however, the main use of software is the simulation, due to the lack of modelling software tools specially designed to fit/accomplish the needs of primary education. In particular primary school teachers need to use simulation in a framework that is both consistent and simple enough to be understandable by children [2]. One of the possible area to approach modelling is about the construction of the concept of energy, in particular for what concerns the relations among substance, potential, power [3]. Following the previous initial research results with this approach [2], and with the static version of the software MLE Energy [1], we suggest the design and the experimentation of a dynamic modelling software—MLE dynamic-capable to represent dynamically the relations occurring when two substance-like quantities exchange energy, modifying their potential. By means of this software the user can graphically choose the dependent and independent variables and leave the other parameters fixed. The software has been initially evaluated, during a course of science education with a group of primary school teachers-to-be, to test the ability of the software to improve teachers' way of thinking in terms of substance-like quantities and their effects (graphical representation of the extensive, intensive variables and their mutual relations); moreover, the software has been tested with a group of primary school teachers, asking their opinion about the software didactical relevance in the class work.

Government's construction of the relation between parents and schools in the upbringing of children in England: 1963-2009.

PubMed

Bridges, David

2010-01-01

In this essay David Bridges argues that since most families choose to realize their responsibility for the major part of their children's education through state schools, then the way in which the state constructs parents' relation with these schools is one of its primary levers on parenting itself. Bridges then examines the way in which parent-school relations have been defined in England through government and quasi-government interventions over the last forty-five years, tracing these through an awakening interest in the relation between social class and unequal school success in the 1960s, passing through the discourse of accountability in the 1970s, marketization in the 1980s and 1990s, performativity extending from this period into the first decade of the twenty-first century, and, most recently, more direct interventions into parenting itself and the regulation of school relations with parents in the interests of safeguarding children. These have not, however, been entirely discrete policy themes, and the positive and pragmatic employment of the discourse of partnership has run throughout this period, albeit with different points of emphasis on the precise terms of such partnership.

Bystander position taking in school bullying: the role of positive identity, self-efficacy, and self-determination.

PubMed

Tsang, Sandra K M; Hui, Eadaoin K P; Law, Bella C M

2011-01-01

School bullying has become an explicit, burgeoning problem challenging the healthy development of children and adolescents in Hong Kong. Many bullying prevention and intervention programs focus on victims and bullies, with bystanders treated as either nonexistent or irrelevant. This paper asserts that bystanders actually play pivotal roles in deciding whether the bullying process and dynamics are benign or adversarial. Bystanders' own abilities and characteristics often influence how they respond to victims and bullies. "P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme" (P.A.T.H.S. = Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is an evidence-based positive youth development program which shows that primary intervention programs have constructive impacts on junior secondary school students' beliefs and behavior. This paper asserts that intrapsychic qualities, namely identity, self-efficacy, and self-determination, greatly influence how bystanders react in school bullying situations. The paper also explains how classroom-based educational programs based on the P.A.T.H.S. model have been designed to help junior secondary school students strengthen these characteristics, so that they can be constructive bystanders when they encounter school bullying.

Primary School Teachers' Views on Constructive Classroom Management

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ari, Ercan; Kizilaslan Tunçer, Berfu; Demir, Mehmet Kaan

2016-01-01

Behavioural teaching programmes that had long been used in Turkey began changing in 2005. In a significant development, new programmes based on constructivism have come to the fore. The adaptation of teachers in this transitional process and their internalization of this new approach have been of utmost importance for the success of the programme.…

Tomboys and Girly-Girls: Embodied Femininities in Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paechter, Carrie

2010-01-01

This paper is about how 9-11-year-old children, particularly girls, co-construct tomboy and girly-girl identities as oppositional positions. The paper sits within a theoretical framework in which I understand individual and collective masculinities and femininities as ways of "doing man/woman" or "doing boy/girl" that are…

Learning Gender in Primary School Playgrounds: Findings from the Tomboy Identities Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paechter, Carrie; Clark, Sheryl

2007-01-01

This paper starts from the idea that children learn and construct gendered identities within local communities of masculinity and femininity practice, including peer communities. The data presented come from an ESRC-funded study of tomboy identities, which investigated the enabling and constraining factors for girls in taking up and maintaining…

Social Reproduction and College Access: Current Evidence, Context, and Potential Alternatives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Serna, Gabriel R.; Woulfe, Rebecca

2017-01-01

Social reproduction theory identifies schooling as a primary means for the perpetuation of the dominant class's ideologies, values, and power. The ability to access college is so closely tied to these constructs that it contributes to this dominance and marginalization. Social stratification is not only mirrored in higher education, but the…

A Study of Developing an Environmental Attitude Scale for Primary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Artvinli, Eyup; Demir, Zulfiye Melis

2018-01-01

The aim of this research is to develop an instrument that measures environmental attitudes of third grade students. The study was completed in six stages: creating scale items, content validity study, item total and remaining item correlation study, determining item discrimination, determining construct validity study and examining the internal…

Literacy, Self-esteem and Locus of Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galbraith, Alison; Alexander, Joy

2005-01-01

In this article, Alison Galbraith and Joy Alexander use case studies of a group of primary school pupils to examine the efficacy of an integrated, eclectic approach to the teaching of literacy, including whether constructs such as self-concept and self-esteem have a bearing on academic achievement. Circle Time activities, interactive teaching…

Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Measurement Skills Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vasilyeva, Marina; Ludlow, Larry H.; Casey, Beth M.; Onge, Caroline St.

2009-01-01

This article introduces the Measurement Skills Assessment (MeSA), which was designed to evaluate the mastery of measurement in elementary school students. The primary objectives for the MeSA include covering a broad range of measurement concepts, distinguishing between major subtypes of measurement, and constructing a continuum of items varying in…

Equivalency for Father and Mother Ratings of the ADHD Symptoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gomez, Rapson

2010-01-01

The study used multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) procedures to examine the measurement and construct equivalencies for father and mother ratings of ADHD symptoms, recoded as binary scores. Fathers (N = 387) and mothers (N = 411) rated their primary school-aged children on the…

Reading Comprehension and Working Memory's Executive Processes: An Intervention Study in Primary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcia-Madruga, Juan A.; Elosua, Maria Rosa; Gil, Laura; Gomez-Veiga, Isabel; Vila, Jose Oscar; Orjales, Isabel; Contreras, Antonio; Rodriguez, Raquel; Melero, Maria Angeles; Duque, Gonzalo

2013-01-01

Reading comprehension is a highly demanding task that involves the simultaneous process of extracting and constructing meaning in which working memory's executive processes play a crucial role. In this article, a training program on working memory's executive processes to improve reading comprehension is presented and empirically tested in two…

Collaboration, Creativity and the Co-Construction of Oral and Written Texts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rojas-Drummond, S. M.; Albarran, C. D.; Littleton, K. S.

2008-01-01

In this paper we explore how primary school children "learn to collaborate" and "collaborate to learn" on creative writing projects by using diverse cultural artefacts--including oracy, literacy and ICT. We begin by reviewing some key sociocultural concepts which serve as a theoretical framework for the research reported. Secondly, we describe the…

Read, Write, Touch: Co-Construction and Multiliteracies in a Third-Grade Digital Writing Exercise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cordero, Kristina; Nussbaum, Miguel; Ibaseta, Valentina; Otaíza, María José; Chiuminatto, Pablo

2018-01-01

Many researchers and educators believe that reading and writing instruction needs to change in order to reflect the multimodal, technological, interactive nature of communication today. To date, few studies have examined how touchscreen devices may influence primary school students' reading and writing practices. Guided by Vygotsky's notion of…

"Getting Fit Basically Just Means, Like, Nonfat": Children's Lessons in Fitness and Fatness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Powell, Darren; Fitzpatrick, Katie

2015-01-01

Current concerns about a childhood obesity crisis and children's physical activity levels have combined to justify fitness lessons as a physical education practice in New Zealand primary (elementary) schools. Researchers focused on children's understandings of fitness lessons argue that they construct fitness as a quest for an "ideal"…

Visions of History: The Aztecs and the Spanish.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nunez, Lucia

This unit is guided by the question "How is history constructed?" In this unit, middle to secondary school students explore a variety of accounts of the clash of cultures that occurred between the Spanish and the Aztecs. Students examine a variety of primary sources and analyze the various perspectives presented. The six activities…

Pre-Service Teacher Self-Efficacy in Digital Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemon, Narelle; Garvis, Susanne

2016-01-01

Self-efficacy is an important motivational construct for primary school teachers (teachers of children aged 5-12 years) within Australia. Teacher self-efficacy beliefs will determine the level of teacher confidence and competence to engage with a task. In this study, we explore engagement with digital technology and the associated learning and…

Explaining Events in the Environment to Primary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gomez Galindo, Alma Adrianna; Sanmarti, Neus; Pujol, Rosa Maria

2006-01-01

This paper is part of an investigation into 11-year-old students' interpretations of events in the environment. In particular, we analyse the use of a scale model constructed and manipulated by students when simulating a forest fire. We consider that their explanations involve the interrelation of three levels of organisation: the level at which…

Young Children's Spontaneous Manifestation of Self-Regulation and Metacognition during Constructional Play Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spektor-Levy, Ornit; Basilio, Marisol; Zachariou, Antonia; Whitebread, David

2017-01-01

The value of self-regulation for academic achievement is well established. Thus it is paramount to understand how these abilities are developed throughout childhood and to develop research methodologies appropriate to the abilities of young children. In light of this need, we analyzed performances of primary school children in two constructional…

Children's Perceptions of National Identity in Wales

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, Alison; Laugharne, Janet

2013-01-01

The project forms part of a larger doctoral study which examines children's perceptions of national identity and its construction and importance in the world of the child in Wales. The research took place in a primary school class in the South Wales valleys, in a class of 27 children aged 7-8 years. Following an introductory activity, children…

A Study on Sixth Grade Students' Misconceptions and Errors in Spatial Measurement: Length, Area, and Volume

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tan Sisman, Gulcin; Aksu, Meral

2016-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to portray students' misconceptions and errors while solving conceptually and procedurally oriented tasks involving length, area, and volume measurement. The data were collected from 445 sixth grade students attending public primary schools in Ankara, Türkiye via a test composed of 16 constructed-response…

Explicit Reasoning, Creativity and Co-Construction in Primary School Children's Collaborative Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rojas-Drummond, Sylvia; Mazon, Nancy; Fernandez, Manuel; Wegerif, Rupert

2006-01-01

This paper describes research that explored the question of whether or not it is possible to characterise and teach a single type of educationally productive talk. We analysed and compared the quality of children's interactional strategies when jointly working on a reasoning task and a psycholinguistic task. The latter involved writing an…

Body Work: Childhood, Gender and School Health Education in England, 1870-1977

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pilcher, Jane

2007-01-01

This article focuses on a neglected topic in the historical sociology of childhood, namely health education, and explores a neglected theme, namely the gendered character of (re)constructions of childhood. Drawing on primary sources, the article argues that while health education for children played an important role in a broader set of British…

Identifying Psychometric Properties of the Social-Emotional Learning Skills Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Esen-Aygun, Hanife; Sahin-Taskin, Cigdem

2017-01-01

This study aims to develop a comprehensive scale of social-emotional learning. After constructing a wide range of item pool and expertise evaluation, validity and reliability studies were carried out through using the data-set of 439 primary school students at 3rd and 4th grade levels. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis results revealed…

From a Museum Demonstration to Problem Solving: Promoting the Construction of Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Yeung Chung

2007-01-01

Physics is perceived by many students to be a difficult subject, and misconceptions about it are quite common not only among school students but also among undergraduates and pre-service postgraduate science teachers. In teaching the topic of gas pressure to primary student teachers studying in the Bachelor of Education programme at my institute,…

Cultural Relevance and Informal Reading Inventory Performance: African-American Primary and Middle School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christ, Tanya; Chiu, Ming Ming; Rider, Stephanie; Kitson, Deborah; Hanser, Katherine; McConnell, Elizabeth; Dipzinski, Renae; Mayernik, Heather

2018-01-01

We explore whether (a) teacher ratings of texts' cultural relevance along various dimensions differ from those of students, (b) these ratings reflect a single construct, and (c) ratings of specific dimensions are related to specific reading outcomes. Fifty African-American students were each administered two text protocols for a total of 100…

The Wishing Crystal: Joint Construction in the Junior-Primary Classroom. PEN.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parkin, Bronwyn

When children begin school many of them do not anticipate the grammatical patterns and word choices that accompany written language, and which make written language so different from spoken language. It is for this reason that young students need varying degrees of scaffolding--teacher and peer support that enables them to gain increasing control…

Starting a New Technology Course?: An Opportunity to Develop Student Technological Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moye, Johnny J.

2008-01-01

Starting a new course can be intimidating, especially if the person is the first to teach it in his or her school district. A teacher must take many things into consideration when constructing the content for a new course. The primary focus should be on the development of student technological literacy. The International Technology Education…

Mapping Practice onto Theory: The Speech and Language Practitioner's Construction of Receptive Language Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Law, J.; Campbell, C.; Roulstone, S.; Adams, C.; Boyle, J.

2008-01-01

Background: Receptive language impairment (RLI) is one of the most significant indicators of negative sequelae for children with speech and language disorders. Despite this, relatively little is known about the most effective treatments for these children in the primary school period. Aims: To explore the relationship between the reported practice…

Finding the Expanding Environments Curriculum in America's First Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Sherry

2002-01-01

Educating a first generation of citizens to take their place in a democratic society is as essential today as it was over 200 years ago. Just as teachers in the world's emerging democracies are trying to ready new generations for a democratic life, so were America's first educators concerned with a similar task. Constructing the first modern…

How Schoolchildren Choose Their Friends, How Teachers Think about These Relationships and What Influence They Have

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dopplinger, Ursula

2014-01-01

This study explores the personal student attributes which influence a student being accepted by their peers and teachers, within a primary school context. The literature surrounding this construct outlines the important roles of peer groups in socialization. Being part of the relations to classmates, pupils classify each other automatically or…

Working memory as separable subsystems: a study with Portuguese primary school children.

PubMed

Campos, Isabel S; Almeida, Leandro S; Ferreira, Aristides I; Martinez, Luis F

2013-01-01

Although much research has been done to study the working memory structure in children in their first school years, the relation of cognitive constructs involved in this process remains uncertain. In particular, it is unclear whether working memory is a domain general construct that coordinates separate codes of verbal and visuospatial storage or whether it is a domain-specific construct with distinct resources of verbal and visuospatial information. This paper investigates the structure of working memory, by using the Working Memory Test Battery for Children (WMTB-C) and by doing confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) on a sample of Portuguese children (n = 103) between 8 and 9 years of age. The results of the confirmatory factor analyses that provide the best fit of the data correspond to the model that includes Central Executive and Visuospatial Sketchpad in the same factor, co-varying with a Phonological Loop factor. Moreover, the traditional working memory tripartite structure--based on the Baddeley and Hitch Model--revealed good fit to the data.

Green Design and Sustainable Development of School Uniforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yumei; Fang, Xuemeng; Zhou, Honglei

2018-01-01

Since the 1990s, the school uniform has gradually become an integral part of campus culture construction. A school uniform is not only an iconic symbol of students and a school, but also the carrier of campus culture, with special education function and cultural connotation. However in the same time, many problems exist in the design, making and material selection of school uniforms, in which, substandard fabric quality is the most serious problem. To ensure the quality, health and safety of school uniforms, in my opinion, priority should be given to green design and sustainable development in the design process of school uniforms, which will be more conducive to promoting the sound development of school uniforms. In today’s economic development, the globalization of mass production is no longer just a symbol of challenging the limits of human beings, but to explore the unlimited potential of human spiritual collaboration. If we want to have a better future on this planet, we need to completely redefine the key issue we need to address, that is, green design. The rise of green products is a great progress of human understanding and solving environmental problems. It is the inevitable development trend of commodity production, and will have a profound impact on human survival and development in the future. School uniform is an important part of campus culture construction. In order to not damage the health of primary and secondary school students, in the school uniform design and production process should follow the concept of “green design” to achieve the school uniform style, color, material design, a comprehensive “green” positioning.

Empowerment or Impairment? Involving Traditional Communities in School Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mfum-Mensah, Obed

2004-03-01

Community involvement in education has been viewed as a - by no means uncontroversial - means for enabling local members to deepen their participation in the decision-making relevant to their schools by playing a constructive role in the process. On the basis of a study carried out in Ghana, the present contribution to this discussion examines various matters involved in delegating the management of an Alternative Primary Education program to two traditional communities in the north of that country. It also explores how community members, school authorities, the sponsoring non-governmental organization and members of the local management committee themselves perceive such an approach to school management. Issues raised include whether inexperienced and even illiterate local citizens should be allowed to manage their schools, the conflicts which such management often entails and, finally, in what ways it might be beneficially promoted.

"Not Girly, Not Sexy, Not Glamorous": Primary School Girls' and Parents' Constructions of Science Aspirations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Archer, Louise; DeWitt, Jennifer; Osborne, Jonathan; Dillon, Justin; Willis, Beatrice; Wong, Billy

2013-01-01

Internationally, there is widespread concern about the need to increase participation in the sciences (particularly the physical sciences), especially among girls/women. This paper draws on data from a five-year, longitudinal study of 10-14-year-old children's science aspirations and career choice to explore the reasons why, even from a young age,…

From "Exploring the Middle Zone" to "Constructing a Bridge": Experimenting in the Spiral "Bianshi" Mathematics Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Ngai-Ying; Lam, Chi-Chung; Sun, XuHua; Chan, Anna Mei Yan

2009-01-01

The spiral bianshi curriculum, an improvement on bianshi teaching developed by Gu (2000) and in line with Marton's theory of variation (Marton & Booth, 1997), was tried out in a primary school in Hong Kong. This improved theoretical framework for the spiral bianshi curriculum comprises four types of bianshi problems--the inductive bianshi, the…

"Why Can't Girls Play Football?" Gender Dynamics and the Playground

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Sheryl; Paechter, Carrie

2007-01-01

This article focuses on the involvement of boys and girls in playground football. It is based on research conducted with 10- to 11-year-old pupils at two state primary schools in London. Boys and girls were found to draw on gender constructs that impacted variously on their involvement in playground football. The performance of masculinity through…

"I Will Count My Sheep": Creativity and the "Everyday Life Project"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Torres, Cecilia A.; Souza, Jusamara

2005-01-01

This article reports on a project called, "Everyday life as a perspective on music education in the classroom." Part of this project involved the construction of texts and lyrics by a group of students from year 5, in weekly music lessons at a regular primary school from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The article…

On the Optimization of Sentence Imitation in Primary School English Teaching from the Perspective of Strong Memes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Wang

2017-01-01

A sentence is an important unit in English language, and plays a crucial role in language teaching and learning as well. For many years, sentence teaching is always worth discussion in English teaching, because sentence imitation is very important for students' construction of logical discourse. This paper, based on memetics, proposes some certain…

"Otherness" as Threat: Social and Educational Exclusion of Roma People in Greece

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parthenis, Christos; Fragoulis, George

2016-01-01

This paper focuses on aspects of the social and educational exclusion that Roma people face in the Greek context. It argues that diversity has been constructed as a threat for the security, the social cohesion, and the well-being of western societies. Drawing from two case studies of primary schools conducted in a highly deprived suburb of Athens,…

Development and Application of an Instrument to Measure Greek Primary Education Teachers' Biology Teaching Self-Efficacy Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mavrikaki, Evangelia; Athanasiou, Kyriacos

2011-01-01

The self-efficacy beliefs of in-service elementary school teachers in Greece were examined in an attempt to evaluate their biology teaching skills. For this purpose, we constructed a valid and reliable instrument consisting of a Likert-type questionnaire that was distributed to the target population and to which 202 teachers responded. Results…

Project Canada West. Canadian Urban Dynamics: A Model for Student Involvement in the Urban Setting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Western Curriculum Project on Canada Studies, Edmonton (Alberta).

This is a progress report of a project in the process of developing an interdisciplinary secondary school curriculum on the Canadian urban environment. The primary goal is to encourage constructive involvement in urban life and community decision-making, and develop a personal and social competence that will engender a greater commitment to the…

Inquiry-Based Science Education Competencies of Primary School Teachers: A Literature Study and Critical Review of the American National Science Education Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alake-Tuenter, Ester; Biemans, Harm J. A.; Tobi, Hilde; Wals, Arjen E. J.; Oosterheert, Ida; Mulder, Martin

2012-01-01

Inquiry-based science education is an important innovation. Researchers and teachers consider it to be stimulating for pupils' application of research skills, construction of meaning and acquiring scientific knowledge. However, there is ambiguity as to what competencies are required to teach inquiry-based science. Our purpose is to develop a…

Constructing Geometric Properties of Rectangle, Square, and Triangle in the Third Grade of Indonesian Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rizkianto, Ilham; Zulkardi; Darmawijaya

2013-01-01

Previous studies have provided that when learning shapes for the first time, young children tend to use the prototype as the reference point for comparisons, but often fail when doing so since they do not yet think about the defining attributes or the geometric properties of the shapes. Most of the time, elementary students learn geometric…

The Natural Sciences in The Schools: Tension in the Modernization Process of Argentine Society (1870 1960)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gvirtz, Silvina; Aisenstein, Angela; Cornejo, Jorge N.; Alaerani, Alejandra

In this paper, we analyze one of the issues that has historically influenced the primary and secondary schools in Argentina: the politicization of the Natural Sciences curriculum. Here we present research findings for two particularly important cases: (a) the evolutionist theories, and (b) the teaching of Astronomy and Cosmography. These findings make it possible to reconsider the complex relationship which exists between the Natural Sciences, the scholastic institution, and politics. We conclude that the ways in which contents are selected and arranged into disciplines arise as a solution to ideological conflicts. The role of the school in these conflicts was not that of a passive spectator but that of an active participant in the construction of knowledge.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

BOICE, JOHN,; AND OTHERS

ONE-HUNDRED MANUFACTURERS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BIDDING FOR A SYSTEM ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION CALLED SCSD OR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT TO THE FIRST CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS. TWENTY-TWO BUILDINGS COMPRISED THE PROJECT. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF STANDARD SCHOOL BUILDING COMPONENTS…

How Do You Play? A Comparison among Children Aged 4–10

PubMed Central

Delvecchio, Elisa; Li, Jian-Bin; Pazzagli, Chiara; Lis, Adriana; Mazzeschi, Claudia

2016-01-01

Pretend play has a central role for children's development and psychological well-being. However, there is a paucity of standardized and valid measures specifically devoted to assess the core domains involved in play activities in preschool and primary school children. The Affect in Play Scale-Preschool (4–5 years) and the Affect in Play Scale-Preschool Extended Version (6–10 years) are semi-structured parallel tools designed to explore child's cognitive and affective processes using a standardized play task. The current study administered this 5-min play task to 538 Italian children aged 4–10. The purposes were to compare play abilities in boys vs. girls and in preschool vs. primary school children, to correlate pretend play with divergent thinking and to evaluate the structural validity of the measure along the considered age span. No differences, excepting for Organization, were found between boys and girls, whereas school age children reported higher play abilities then the younger ones. External validity was assessed using correlational analysis with the divergent thinking task (the Alternate Uses Test) for preschoolers and primary school-aged children, in line with findings from Manova. Construct validity, assessed through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis, showed good fits for the two-factor model with cognitive and affective factor for both the Affect in Play Scale-Preschool and its Extended Version. A multi-group factor analysis suggested a partial invariance of the two-factor model across preschool (4–5 years old) and primary school-aged (6–10 years old) children. Results supported the use of the Affect in Play Scale-Preschool and its Extended Version as adequate measures to assess the interplay of cognitive and affective skills in preschool and school age children. The discussion highlights clinical and research implications linked to the possibility to have a unique play task able to assess child's affective and cognitive abilities throughout a quite wide life span (from 4 to 10 years old). PMID:27909423

Introducing basic molecular biology to Turkish rural and urban primary school children via hands-on PCR and gel electrophoresis activities.

PubMed

Selli, Cigdem; Yıldırım, Gokce; Kaymak, Aysegul; Karacicek, Bilge; Ogut, Deniz; Gungor, Turkan; Erem, Erdem; Ege, Mehmet; Bümen, Nilay; Tosun, Metiner

2014-01-01

This study includes the results of a 2-day education project titled "Molecular Biology Laboratory Summer School, MoBiLYO." The project was held at a University Research Center by scientists from Department of Pharmacology and graduate students. The project was composed of introductory lectures, model construction, DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis. The participants were 13-year-old eighth-graders attending primary schools affiliated with Ministry of National Education in urban and rural areas of Izmir, Turkey. The purpose of this study was to introduce basic molecular biology concepts through individually performed experiments such as PCR and gel electrophoresis integrated with creative drama. The students were assessed at the beginning and the end of each project day via mini-tests, experimental and presentation skills evaluation forms. Data showed that students' knowledge about DNA structure and basic molecular biology techniques significantly increased. On the basis of experimental and presentational skills, there was no significant difference between kids from urban and rural schools or between public and boarding public schools, whereas the average score of girls was significantly higher than that of boys. In conclusion, individually performed experiments integrated with creative drama significantly increased students' perception of complex experimental procedures on basic molecular biology concepts. Data suggests that integration of these concepts into the science and technology curriculum of Turkish primary education may support the recruitment of future scientists who can handle rapidly developing genomic techniques that will affect our everyday life. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

PCB remediation in schools: a review.

PubMed

Brown, Kathleen W; Minegishi, Taeko; Cummiskey, Cynthia Campisano; Fragala, Matt A; Hartman, Ross; MacIntosh, David L

2016-02-01

Growing awareness of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in legacy caulk and other construction materials of schools has created a need for information on best practices to control human exposures and comply with applicable regulations. A concise review of approaches and techniques for management of building-related PCBs is the focus of this paper. Engineering and administrative controls that block pathways of PCB transport, dilute concentrations of PCBs in indoor air or other exposure media, or establish uses of building space that mitigate exposure can be effective initial responses to identification of PCBs in a building. Mitigation measures also provide time for school officials to plan a longer-term remediation strategy and to secure the necessary resources. These longer-term strategies typically involve removal of caulk or other primary sources of PCBs as well as nearby masonry or other materials contaminated with PCBs by the primary sources. The costs of managing PCB-containing building materials from assessment through ultimate disposal can be substantial. Optimizing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of remediation programs requires aligning a thorough understanding of sources and exposure pathways with the most appropriate mitigation and abatement methods.

Unspoken Playground Rules Discourage Adolescent Physical Activity in School: A Focus Group Study of Constructs in the Prototype Willingness Model.

PubMed

Wheatley, Catherine M; Davies, Emma L; Dawes, Helen

2018-03-01

The health benefits of exercise in school are recognized, yet physical activity continues to decline during early adolescence despite numerous interventions. In this study, we investigated whether the prototype willingness model, an account of adolescent decision making that includes both reasoned behavioral choices and unplanned responses to social environments, might improve understanding of physical activity in school. We conducted focus groups with British pupils aged 12 to 13 years and used deductive thematic analysis to search for themes relating to the model. Participants described reasoned decisions about physical activity outside school and unplanned choices to be inactive during break, in response to social contexts described as more "judgmental" than in primary school. Social contexts appeared characterized by anxiety about competence, negative peer evaluation, and inactive playground norms. The prototype willingness model might more fully explain physical activity in school than reasoned behavioral models alone, indicating potential for interventions targeting anxieties about playground social environments.

Learning to Design and Implement Educational Web Sites within Pre-Service Training: a Project-Based Learning Environment and its Impact on Student Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papastergiou, Marina

2005-01-01

This paper reports on a project-based learning (PBL) environment targeted towards introducing student teachers to the design and development of educational web sites. The participants were 46 student teachers who constructed 16 web sites for primary school. A survey of their views, before and after the projects, and an evaluation of the web sites…

Learning to Design and Implement Educational Web Sites within Pre-Service Training: A Project-Based Learning Environment and Its Impact on Student Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papastergiou, Marina

2005-01-01

This paper reports on a project-based learning (PBL) environment targeted towards introducing student teachers to the design and development of educational web sites. The participants were 46 student teachers who constructed 16 web sites for primary school. A survey of their views, before and after the projects, and an evaluation of the web sites…

Innovation in Primary School Construction: Community Participation in Seti Zone, Nepal. Educational Building Report 20. A Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tamang, H. D.; Dharam, K. C.

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. In 1981 the Education for Rural Development in Seti Zone Project--more commonly known as the "Seti Project"--was part of the Nepalese government's effort to develop a system of basic education in that far western region of Nepal. The early success of the project provided the impetus for…

15th Annual School Construction Report, 2010

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramson, Paul

2010-01-01

School construction in 2009 fell 16 percent from one year ago, to just $16.4 billion, the lowest annual total for school construction since 1998. Indications are that it will fall further this year. "School Planning & Management" received reports on school construction completed and underway during 2009 and planned to start in 2010…

Design, testing and validation of an innovative web-based instrument to evaluate school meal quality.

PubMed

Patterson, Emma; Quetel, Anna-Karin; Lilja, Karin; Simma, Marit; Olsson, Linnea; Elinder, Liselotte Schäfer

2013-06-01

To develop a feasible, valid, reliable web-based instrument to objectively evaluate school meal quality in Swedish primary schools. The construct 'school meal quality' was operationalized by an expert panel into six domains, one of which was nutritional quality. An instrument was drafted and pilot-tested. Face validity was evaluated by the panel. Feasibility was established via a large national study. Food-based criteria to predict the nutritional adequacy of school meals in terms of fat quality, iron, vitamin D and fibre content were developed. Predictive validity was evaluated by comparing the nutritional adequacy of school menus based on these criteria with the results from a nutritional analysis. Inter-rater reliability was also assessed. The instrument was developed between 2010 and 2012. It is designed for use in all primary schools by school catering and/or management representatives. A pilot-test of eighty schools in Stockholm (autumn 2010) and a further test of feasibility in 191 schools nationally (spring 2011). The four nutrient-specific food-based criteria predicted nutritional adequacy with sensitivity ranging from 0.85 to 1.0, specificity from 0.45 to 1.0 and accuracy from 0.67 to 1.0. The sample in the national study was statistically representative and the majority of users rated the questionnaire positively, suggesting the instrument is feasible. The inter-rater reliability was fair to almost perfect for continuous variables and agreement was ≥ 67 % for categorical variables. An innovative web-based system to comprehensively monitor school meal quality across several domains, with validated questions in the nutritional domain, is available in Sweden for the first time.

Construction Methods and Materials. School Buildings Planning, Design, and Construction Series No. 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odell, John H.

A school construction guide offers key personnel in school development projects information on the complex task of master planning and construction of schools in Australia. This chapter of the guide provides advice on the various types of construction that may be used, the materials available, and some elementary aspects of the services required…

COMPONENTS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE MID-HUDSON REGION. PROGRESS REPORT 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

GREEN, ALAN C.; AND OTHERS

THIS REPORT IS PART 1 OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO SAMPLE APPROPRIATE ASPECTS OF THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FACTORS IN NEW YORK STATE. THE STUDY IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IS APPLICABLE TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE MID-HUDSON VALLEY. THE STUDY ALSO EXPLORES POSSIBLE MEANS BY WHICH SUCH SCHOOL BUILDINGS…

Factors Contributing to the Current Academic Performance of Both Private Primary Schools and Public Primary Schools: A Case of Kitale Municipality, Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Catherine, Ochenje

2015-01-01

There have been current controversial discussions concerning the performance of private primary schools versus public primary schools in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (K.C.P.E.). Lately, the private primary schools appear to be performing better than public primary schools. For example; in the 2003 K.C.P.E. results, more than 31% of…

Ergonomics evaluation of school bags in Tehran female primary school children.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Somayeh; Mokhtarinia, Hamidreza; Nejatbakhsh, Reza; Scuffham, Andrew

2017-01-01

More than 90% of the elementary school students in the world and most of the Iranian students use backpacks. Heavy school bags, failure to apply ergonomics standards in student's backpacks, and also mismatch between anthropometrics dimensions and schoolbag size are important issues for children's health. The purpose of this study was to gather baseline information on the average weight carried by female primary students. It also aimed to evaluate ergonomics standards for student backpacks. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 Iranian girl students aged 6- 11 years. Body weight and bag weight were measured with electronic scales and body mass index calculated with WHO software 2007. A questionnaire was constructed to gather information about the backpacks. Body dimensions were measured with VICON motion Analyze system (460). Ergonomics factors were recorded using a checklist. 80.8% of the students used a backpack at a higher weight than recommended by the standards of 10% of body weight. The most common type of schoolbag used was double strap packs (92.5%). The majority of the students carried packs on their backs; however, most of them did not make any adjustments (79.8%). The results have shown a mismatch between the anthropometric measures and the student's backpack dimensions. Parents, students and school staff should be informed about these critical issues as well as suitable controls should be implemented in buying and using the bags.

Financing School Construction: A Primer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sendor, Benjamin B.

1985-01-01

Discusses current school construction needs in North Carolina and methods available under state law to finance construction. To put North Carolina law in perspective, the article also discusses school construction finance procedures used throughout the United States. (Author)

17th Annual School Construction Report, 2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramson, Paul

2012-01-01

The 2012 "School Planning & Management"'s 17th Annual School Construction Report reports over the last two years although school construction had fallen from previous highs, the pipeline of projects funded before the recession was still full. And so, in 2009 total construction was a solid $16.4 billion. But the pipeline is not being…

Frequency and Efficacy of Talk-Related Tasks in Primary Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braund, Martin; Leigh, Joanne

2013-04-01

Pupil talk and discussion are seen as having important social and cognitive outcomes. In science classes, pupils' collaborative talk supports the construction of meaning and helps examine the status of evidence, theory and knowledge. However, pupil interactive talk in groups is rare in science lessons. The research reported is part of a project to increase the amount of pupil-pupil talk in primary schools through a programme of teaching and professional development. Pupils' self-reports of the frequency and learning efficacies of talk related activities in science lessons were collected before and after a programme of teaching in 24 schools in one of the most socially and educationally deprived areas of England. Findings showed pupils valued talking about their ideas over listening to those of other pupils. Science talk frequency (STF) was closely correlated with science talk efficacy (STE) and both were positively correlated with pupils' attitudes to school science. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of the correlation of STF with STE showed values were independent of gender and ability but that school experience was a significant factor. After the teaching programme and, contrary to expectations, the frequency of talk activities in science lessons appeared to have decreased but varied according to class grades. The degree of correlation between STF and STE was stronger after the teaching in over half of the schools. Schools where STF/STE strengthened most as a result of teaching were those involved in an additional initiative to use modelled talk related to industrial contexts.

Purpose Designed Facilities. School Buildings Planning, Design, and Construction Series No. 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odell, John H.

A school construction guide offers key personnel in school development projects information on the complex task of master planning and construction of schools in Australia. This chapter of the guide provides advice on issues involving school space design and the kinds of spaces required in schools, including lecture spaces and seminar rooms,…

Principles of Good School Building Design. School Buildings Planning, Design, and Construction Series No. 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odell, John H.

A school construction guide offers key personnel in school development projects information on the complex task of master planning and construction of schools in Australia. This chapter of the guide provides advice on school building design issues, such as the fundamentals of good design and designs that accommodate change, issues affecting…

Manual of Regulations and Recommendations for School Building Planning and Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engelking, D. F.

Recommendations and suggestions, as well as statutory provisions and state board regulations, are presented regarding school building construction in Idaho. The material is organized into the following sections--(1) school building planning, (2) the school site, (3) construction planning and requirements, (4) secondary school planning, (5)…

Sun Protection Among New Zealand Primary School Children.

PubMed

Gage, Ryan; Leung, William; Stanley, James; Reeder, Anthony; Mackay, Christina; Smith, Moira; Barr, Michelle; Chambers, Tim; Signal, Louise

2017-12-01

Schools are an important setting for raising skin cancer prevention awareness and encouraging sun protection. We assessed the clothes worn and shade used by 1,278 children in eight schools in the Wellington region of New Zealand. These children were photographed for the Kids'Cam project between September 2014 and March 2015 during school lunch breaks. Children's mean clothing coverage (expressed as a percentage of body area covered) was calculated. Data on school sun-safety policies were obtained via telephone. Mean total body clothing coverage was 70.3% (95% confidence interval = 66.3%, 73.8%). Body regions with the lowest mean coverage were the head (15.4% coverage), neck (36.1% coverage), lower arms (46.1% coverage), hands (5.3% coverage), and calves (30.1% coverage). Children from schools with hats as part of the school uniform were significantly more likely to wear a hat (52.2%) than children from schools without a school hat (2.7%). Most children (78.4%) were not under the cover of shade. Our findings suggest that New Zealand children are not sufficiently protected from the sun at school. Schools should consider comprehensive approaches to improve sun protection, such as the provision of school hats, sun-protective uniforms, and the construction of effective shade.

16th Annual School Construction Report, 2011

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramson, Paul

2011-01-01

Almost 73 percent of construction in 2009 was of new school buildings. New school buildings accounted for less than 60 percent of construction spending in 2010, suggesting a shift to using less abundant construction dollars to upgrade and add to existing buildings. While overall construction fell more than $1.8 billion in 2010, spending on…

The Roland Maze Project school-based extensive air shower network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feder, J.; Jȩdrzejczak, K.; Karczmarczyk, J.; Lewandowski, R.; Swarzyński, J.; Szabelska, B.; Szabelski, J.; Wibig, T.

2006-01-01

We plan to construct the large area network of extensive air shower detectors placed on the roofs of high school buildings in the city of Łódź. Detection points will be connected by INTERNET to the central server and their work will be synchronized by GPS. The main scientific goal of the project are studies of ultra high energy cosmic rays. Using existing town infrastructure (INTERNET, power supply, etc.) will significantly reduce the cost of the experiment. Engaging high school students in the research program should significantly increase their knowledge of science and modern technologies, and can be a very efficient way of science popularisation. We performed simulations of the projected network capabilities of registering Extensive Air Showers and reconstructing energies of primary particles. Results of the simulations and the current status of project realisation will be presented.

Investigation of the Work Motivation Levels of Primary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ates, Hatice Kadioglu; Yilmaz, Perihan

2018-01-01

This study was conducted to examine the work motivation levels of primary school teachers working in primary school institutions located in Istanbul province, Kucukcekmece district. The descriptive survey model was used in this study. The population of the study consists of primary school teachers and primary school administrators working in state…

New Ideas for School Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Producers' Council, Inc., Washington, DC.

Present educators, architects, engineers, and building product manufacturers with a medium of common interest for discussion of mutual school construction problems, objectives, needs, ideas, capabilities and limitations. Contents include--(1) modern wood construction, (2) school room in a steel mill, (3) masonry in new school design, (4) the…

The Impact of State Regulations on the Costs of Public School Construction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vincent, Jeffrey M.; Monkkonen, Paavo

2010-01-01

Spending by states and local school districts on school construction has increased dramatically over the last decade, not only because more and higher-quality schools are being built, but also because construction costs have increased by an unprecedented degree. Many states struggle to afford the new schools needed in local communities. The…

Making the Most of Your School Site. School Buildings Planning, Design, and Construction Series No. 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odell, John H.

A school construction guide offers key personnel in school development projects information on the complex task of master planning and construction of schools in Australia. This chapter of the guide provides advice on site selection covering selection criteria; traffic issues; and site services, such as water, power, and sewer. Additionally…

There Are Better Ways. Building Smaller, Safer, Effective and Efficient Public Schools. New Ideas for School Construction in North Carolina and a Model for Implementation. New Ideas, Number 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haynes, Doug; Hood, John

This paper offers unconventional and innovative ideas for school planning and construction in North Carolina for creating smaller and safer community schools in response to rising enrollment, tight budgets, and dwindling school space. Often using examples from across the country, the paper discusses school construction costs and economy of scale…

The validity of the 4-Skills Scan: A double validation study.

PubMed

van Kernebeek, W G; de Kroon, M L A; Savelsbergh, G J P; Toussaint, H M

2018-06-01

Adequate gross motor skills are an essential aspect of a child's healthy development. Where physical education (PE) is part of the primary school curriculum, a strong curriculum-based emphasis on evaluation and support of motor skill development in PE is apparent. Monitoring motor development is then a task for the PE teacher. In order to fulfil this task, teachers need adequate tools. The 4-Skills Scan is a quick and easily manageable gross motor skill instrument; however, its validity has never been assessed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the construct and concurrent validity of both 4-Skills Scans (version 2007 and version 2015). A total of 212 primary school children (6 - 12 years old), was requested to participate in both versions of the 4-Skills Scan. For assessing construct validity, children covered an obstacle course with video recordings for observation by an expert panel. For concurrent validity, a comparison was made with the MABC-2, by calculating Pearson correlations. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the contribution of each subscale to the construct of gross motor skills, according to the MABC-2 and the expert panel. Correlations between the 4-Skills Scans and expert valuations were moderate, with coefficients of .47 (version 2007) and .46 (version 2015). Correlations between the 4-Skills Scans and the MABC-2 (gross) were moderate (.56) for version 2007 and high (.64) for version 2015. It is concluded that both versions of the 4-Skills Scans are satisfactory valid instruments for assessing gross motor skills during PE lessons. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The Effect of School Building Renovation/Construction on School Culture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lesisko, Lee J.; Wright, Robert J.; O'Hern, Brenda

2010-01-01

School construction or renovation projects can have a profound affect on students, faculty and administration. The literature revealed that continuous communication is essential for a smooth process. This research identified bureaucratic issues and school climate to be leading factors of concern during construction projects. Analysis of this study…

A Principal's Guide to On-Site School Construction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brenner, William A.

2009-01-01

This paper addresses construction that takes place in or near the school building while school is in session--the most difficult kind of construction to manage. Success largely depends upon the preparation, competence, and goodwill of the school district's facility staff, the project architect/engineer, the contractor, and local school…

The Construct Validity of the German Academic Self-regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) within Primary and Secondary School Children.

PubMed

Kröner, Julia; Goussios, Christina; Schaitz, Caroline; Streb, Judith; Sosic-Vasic, Zrinka

2017-01-01

The assessment of students' motivation can be a powerful tool in enhancing and understanding students' learning. One valid and often applied self-report measure is the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) which is grounded in the self-determination theory. However, to date, there is still no German equivalent to the English version of this questionnaire. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the SRQ-A on a representative German student sample, consisting of 672 children (327 girls), ages 8-14 from one primary and two secondary German schools. First, the translation-back-translation method was used to ensure the linguistic equivalence of the German questionnaire. Second, item analysis of the generated scores of the German SRQ-A were conducted. Third, the multidimensional factorial structure of the original measure was tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using maximum likelihood estimation. Last, additional construct validity of the German SRQ-A was tested using correlational analyses with convergent and divergent measures. After conducting CFA, four items were excluded from the original questionnaire, due to loadings lower than 0.40, resulting in 28 items. The German SRQ-A showed good internal consistency for all subscales, with Chronbach's α ranging between 0.75 and 0.88. The simplex-structure of the original measurement could also be confirmed, however, the four-factorial model could not be replicated. The measurement showed good convergent and discriminant validity with other related questionnaires. In summary, the German SRQ-A is a reliable and valid self-report instrument for the assessment of self-determined motivational styles within the school context.

The Construct Validity of the German Academic Self-regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) within Primary and Secondary School Children

PubMed Central

Kröner, Julia; Goussios, Christina; Schaitz, Caroline; Streb, Judith; Sosic-Vasic, Zrinka

2017-01-01

The assessment of students' motivation can be a powerful tool in enhancing and understanding students' learning. One valid and often applied self-report measure is the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) which is grounded in the self-determination theory. However, to date, there is still no German equivalent to the English version of this questionnaire. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the SRQ-A on a representative German student sample, consisting of 672 children (327 girls), ages 8–14 from one primary and two secondary German schools. First, the translation-back-translation method was used to ensure the linguistic equivalence of the German questionnaire. Second, item analysis of the generated scores of the German SRQ-A were conducted. Third, the multidimensional factorial structure of the original measure was tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using maximum likelihood estimation. Last, additional construct validity of the German SRQ-A was tested using correlational analyses with convergent and divergent measures. After conducting CFA, four items were excluded from the original questionnaire, due to loadings lower than 0.40, resulting in 28 items. The German SRQ-A showed good internal consistency for all subscales, with Chronbach's α ranging between 0.75 and 0.88. The simplex-structure of the original measurement could also be confirmed, however, the four-factorial model could not be replicated. The measurement showed good convergent and discriminant validity with other related questionnaires. In summary, the German SRQ-A is a reliable and valid self-report instrument for the assessment of self-determined motivational styles within the school context. PMID:28690567

Developing a Master Plan for Your School. School Buildings Planning, Design, and Construction Series No. 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odell, John H.

A school construction guide offers key personnel in school development projects information on the complex task of master planning and construction of schools in Australia. This chapter of the guide provides advice on how to set up a master planning team and establish a plan for quickly completing the building process. It provides an overview of…

Politica de las Construcciones Escolares (Policy for School Construction).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storni, Adolfo Enrique, Ed.; And Others

This document establishes the policy for school construction programs and projects to be conducted in Argentina. The first part establishes the bases for construction and defines the policy and its objectives. The second part discusses school construction in view of educational reform and planning and considers analysis of current systems,…

Heading for Success: Three Case Studies of School Transformation through Capital Construction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Wen-Yan; Pan, Hui-Ling Wendy

2016-01-01

Utilizing capital as a construct to analyze leadership that triggers school transformation is a newly emerged perspective. This study employed the capital theory as the framework to explore how schools undertook the transformative tasks by multi-case study. Three secondary schools in Taiwan were recruited to investigate how leaders constructed the…

Motivation and Engagement across the Academic Life Span: A Developmental Construct Validity Study of Elementary School, High School, and University/College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Andrew J.

2009-01-01

From a developmental construct validity perspective, this study examines motivation and engagement across elementary school, high school, and university/college, with particular focus on the Motivation and Engagement Scale (comprising adaptive, impeding/maladaptive, and maladaptive factors). Findings demonstrated developmental construct validity…

Prevailing Wage Regulations and School Construction Costs: Evidence from British Columbia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bilginsoy, Cihan; Philips, Peter

2000-01-01

Examines effects of prevailing wage laws on school construction costs, using final cost data from six British Columbia school districts. When controlling for factors such as construction business cycle, number of competitors, and school type, there was no significant unit cost change following the Skill Development and Fair Wage Policy Act.…

EEE - Extreme Energy Events: an astroparticle physics experiment in Italian High Schools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbrescia, M.; Avanzini, C.; Baldini, L.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Batignani, G.; Bencivenni, G.; Bossini, E.; Bressan, E.; Chiavassa, A.; Cicalò, C.; Cifarelli, L.; Coccia, E.; Corvaglia, A.; De Gruttola, D.; De Pasquale, S.; Di Giovanni, A.; D'Incecco, M.; Dreucci, M.; Fabbri, F. L.; Fattibene, E.; Ferrarov, A.; Forster, R.; Frolov, V.; Galeotti, P.; Garbini, M.; Gemme, G.; Gnesi, I.; Grazzi, S.; Gustavino, C.; Hatzifotiadou, D.; La Rocca, P.; Maggiora, A.; Maron, G.; Mazziotta, M. N.; Miozzi, S.; Noferini, F.; Nozzoli, F.; Panareo, M.; Panetta, M. P.; Paoletti, R.; Perasso, L.; Pilo, F.; Piragino, G.; Riggi, F.; Righini, G. C.; Rodriguez Rodriguez, A.; Sartorelli, G.; Scapparone, E.; Schioppa, M.; Scribano, A.; Selvi, M.; Serci, S.; Siddi, E.; Squarcia, S.; Taiuti, M.; Terreni, G.; Vistoli, M. C.; Votano, L.; Williams, M. C. S.; Zani, S.; Zichichi, A.; Zuyeuski, R.

2016-05-01

The Extreme Energy Events project (EEE) is aimed to study Extensive Air Showers (EAS) from primary cosmic rays of more than 1018 eV energy detecting the ground secondary muon component using an array of telescopes with high spatial and time resolution. The second goal of the EEE project is to involve High School teachers and students in this advanced research work and to initiate them in scientific culture: to reach both purposes the telescopes are located inside High School buildings and the detector construction, assembling and monitoring - together with data taking and analysis - are done by researchers from scientific institutions in close collaboration with them. At present there are 42 telescopes in just as many High Schools scattered all over Italy, islands included, plus two at CERN and three in INFN units. We report here some preliminary physics results from the first two common data taking periods together with the outreach impact of the project.

Sustainability of the good behaviour game in Dutch primary schools.

PubMed

Dijkman, Marieke A M; Harting, Janneke; van Tol, Lenneke; van der Wal, Marcel F

2017-02-01

Sustainability of health promotion programs is essential to maintain their positive effects. However, few studies have examined the extent of program sustainability and the factors influencing it. We examined these issues through the Good Behaviour Game (GBG), a classroom-based program in primary schools with beneficial behavioural and health-related effects that was implemented in 2008. GBG coordinators of 17 participating schools were invited in the study 2 years after the initial program implementation. Sustainability was measured using a 20-item checklist comprised of four dimensions of routinization including: memory, adaptation, values and rules. A semi-structured interview was then completed with 16 of the GBG coordinators to discuss the checklist scores and to probe in more depth the current level of sustainability. Based on the checklist scores, sustainability of the GBG was considered ‘high’ in five schools, ‘medium’ in another five and ‘weak’ in six. Factors influencing sustainability identified by GBG coordinators were organizational strength, strong leadership, program championship and the perceived modifiability and effectiveness of the GBG. Also, different factors were related to different dimensions of routinization. The combination of a sustainability checklist and an interview about influential factors may help to further clarify the sustainability construct and reveal which implementation sites, routinization dimensions and influential factors should be explored to further facilitate the sustaining of programs with proven effectiveness.

Head Teachers and Teachers as Pioneers in Facilitating Dyslexic Children in Primary Mainstream Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaka, Fahima Salman

2015-01-01

This study explores the perceptions of school heads and teachers in facilitating young dyslexic children in primary mainstream schools of Pakistan. Through purposive sampling, the researcher selected eight participants: Four primary school heads and four primary teachers from elite schools of Karachi. The research instrument selected for this…

Construct Validation of a Measure to Assess Sustainability of School-Wide Behavior Interventions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hume, Amanda; McIntosh, Kent

2013-01-01

This study assessed aspects of construct validity of the School-wide Universal Behavior Sustainability Index-School Teams (SUBSIST), a measure evaluating critical features of the school context related to sustainability of school-wide interventions. Participants at 217 schools implementing School-wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) were…

A Comparative Analysis of Teacher Supply and Pupils' Enrolment in Public and Private Primary Schools in Kwara and Ekiti States, Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adeyemi, T. O.

2012-01-01

This study investigated teacher supply and pupils' enrolment in public and private primary schools in Kwara and Ekiti States, Nigeria. The study population comprised all the 811 primary schools in Kwara State and 810 primary schools in Ekiti State. Out of the forty-seven higher institutions that supply teachers to primary schools in the two…

12th Annual School Construction Report, 2007

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramson, Paul

2007-01-01

School construction completed in 2006 totaled just more than $20 billion, a drop of seven percent from the record $21.6 billion put in place in 2005. Even so, it was the sixth year in the last seven that annual construction exceeded $20 billion. During the seven years of the present century, school districts have completed construction projects…

Prevailing Wage Rates: The Effects on School Construction Costs, Levels of Taxation, and State Reimbursements.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keller, Edward C.; Hartman, William T.

2001-01-01

Results of study of impact of Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act on 25 school-construction project costs from 1992-97 and effect thereof on local school districts' taxes. All districts had higher construction costs and property taxes. Projects increased construction costs for the Commonwealth and recommends revisions in prevailing wage-rate law.…

"The Biggest Problem": School Leaders' Covert Construction of Latino ELL Families--Institutional Racism in a Neoliberal Schooling Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Briscoe, Felecia M.

2014-01-01

This critical discourse analysis focuses upon the discursive construction of Latino English language learners (ELL) identity within a Texas neoliberal schooling context. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine the construction of Latino ELL identities in the discourses of Texas school leaders practicing under the aegis of neoliberal…

10th Annual School Construction Report, 2005

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramson, Paul

2005-01-01

School construction in the United States dipped below $20 billion in 2003, the first time that had happened in the 21st Century, setting off alarm bells that the school construction boom might be fading. That concern appears to be unfounded. In 2004, school districts in the United States once again completed more than $20 billion worth of…

Crumbling Schools: Tens of Millions Wasted in Slow, Sloppy Construction, and Miami-Dade Children Are the Losers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cenziper, Debbie; Grotto, Jason

This series of articles examines the condition of public schools and public school construction in Florida's Miami and Dade Counties. To prepare the series, the Miami Herald studied thousands of pages of construction records, correspondence, school district reports, and accounting statements over 15 years. It analyzed state and national…

Validation of the Chinese Handwriting Analysis System (CHAS) for primary school students in Hong Kong.

PubMed

Li-Tsang, Cecilia W P; Wong, Agnes S K; Leung, Howard W H; Cheng, Joyce S; Chiu, Billy H W; Tse, Linda F L; Chung, Raymond C K

2013-09-01

There are more children diagnosed with specific learning difficulties in recent years as people are more aware of these conditions. Diagnostic tool has been validated to screen out this condition from the population (SpLD test for Hong Kong children). However, for specific assessment on handwriting problem, there seems a lack of standardized and objective evaluation tool to look into the problems. The objective of this study was to validate the Chinese Handwriting Analysis System (CHAS), which is designed to measure both the process and production of handwriting. The construct validity, convergent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability of CHAS was analyzed using the data from 734 grade 1-6 students from 6 primary schools in Hong Kong. Principal Component Analysis revealed that measurements of CHAS loaded into 4 components which accounted for 77.73% of the variance. The correlation between the handwriting accuracy obtained from HAS and eyeballing was r=.73. Cronbach's alpha of all measurement items was .65. Except SD of writing time per character, all the measurement items regarding handwriting speed, handwriting accuracy and pen pressure showed good to excellent test-retest reliability (r=.72-.96), while measurement on the numbers of characters which exceeded grid showed moderate reliability (r=.48). Although there are still ergonomic, biomechanical or unspecified aspects which may not be determined by the system, the CHAS can definitely assist therapists in identifying primary school students with handwriting problems and implement interventions accordingly. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The roles of teachers' science talk in revealing language demands within diverse elementary school classrooms: a study of teaching heat and temperature in Singapore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seah, Lay Hoon; Yore, Larry D.

2017-01-01

This study of three science teachers' lessons on heat and temperature seeks to characterise classroom talk that highlighted the ways language is used and to examine the nature of the language demands revealed in constructing, negotiating, arguing and communicating science ideas. The transcripts from the entire instructional units for these teachers' four culturally and linguistically diverse Grade 4 classes (10 years old) with English as the language of instruction constitute the data for this investigation. Analysis of these transcripts focused on teachers' talk that made explicit reference to the form or function of the language of science and led to the inductive development of the 'Attending to Language Demands in Science' analytical framework. This framework in turn revealed that the major foregrounding purposes of teachers' talk include labelling, explaining, differentiating, selecting and constructing. Further classification of the instances within these categories revealed the extensive and contextualised nature of the language demands. The results challenge the conventional assumption that basic literacy skills dominate over disciplinary literacy skills in primary school science. Potential uses of the analytical framework that could further expand our understanding of the forms, functions and demands of language used in elementary school science are also discussed.

Study on Construction Technology Standardization of Primary Guide Rope Laying by Multi-rotor Aircraft in Stringing Construction of Transmission Line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chen; Tang, Guang-Rui; Jiang, Ming; Dong, Yu-Ming

2017-09-01

According to the practical situation of stringing construction for Ultra High Voltage (UHV) overhead transmission line, construction technology standardization of primary guide rope laying by multi-rotor aircraft is studied. This paper mainly focuses on the construction preparation, test flight and technology of laying primary guide rope. The summary of the construction technology standardization of primary guide rope laying by multi-rotor aircraft in stringing construction are useful in further guiding practical construction of transmission line.

A Study on Primary and Secondary School Students' Misconceptions about Greenhouse Effect (Erzurum Sampling)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gul, Seyda; Yesilyurt, Selami

2011-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine what level of primary and secondary school students' misconceptions related to greenhouse effect is. Study group consists of totally 280 students attended to totally 8 primary and secondary schools (4 primary school, 4 secondary school) which were determined with convenient sampling method from center of…

The Role of Pre-School Education on Learning Achievement at Primary Level in Bangladesh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nath, Samir Ranjan

2012-01-01

This paper examines the impact of pre-school education on learning achievement at primary level in Bangladesh. Evidence from learning achievement test and household and school-related data were obtained from 7093 pupils attending 440 primary schools in Bangladesh. Findings suggest that a small proportion (15.3%) of primary school pupils attended…

Construction Manager or General Contractor?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKinley, John

1991-01-01

Unlike the general contractor approach, the construction management firm acts on behalf of the school district in school construction. Examines the development and nature of construction management, and cites its advantages and disadvantages. (MLF)

Ethnic Identity Construction in the Schooling Context: A Case Study of a Tibetan Neidi Boarding School in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhiyong, Zhu

2007-01-01

This article reviews the studies concerning ethnic identity construction in the schooling context. Next, it outlines a conceptual framework about theories of ethnic identity. Finally, it demonstrates a case study of ethnic identity construction of Neidi Tibet School with data collection and analysis. (Contains 1 note, 2 tables, and 2 figures.)

Primary care careers among recent graduates of research-intensive private and public medical schools.

PubMed

Choi, Phillip A; Xu, Shuai; Ayanian, John Z

2013-06-01

Despite a growing need for primary care physicians in the United States, the proportion of medical school graduates pursuing primary care careers has declined over the past decade. To assess the association of medical school research funding with graduates matching in family medicine residencies and practicing primary care. Observational study of United States medical schools. One hundred twenty-one allopathic medical schools. The primary outcomes included the proportion of each school's graduates from 1999 to 2001 who were primary care physicians in 2008, and the proportion of each school's graduates who entered family medicine residencies during 2007 through 2009. The 25 medical schools with the highest levels of research funding from the National Institutes of Health in 2010 were designated as "research-intensive." Among research-intensive medical schools, the 16 private medical schools produced significantly fewer practicing primary care physicians (median 24.1% vs. 33.4%, p < 0.001) and fewer recent graduates matching in family medicine residencies (median 2.4% vs. 6.2%, p < 0.001) than the other 30 private schools. In contrast, the nine research-intensive public medical schools produced comparable proportions of graduates pursuing primary care careers (median 36.1% vs. 36.3%, p = 0.87) and matching in family medicine residencies (median 7.4% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.37) relative to the other 66 public medical schools. To meet the health care needs of the US population, research-intensive private medical schools should play a more active role in promoting primary care careers for their students and graduates.

Beyond Electronic Brochures: An Analysis of Singapore Primary School Web Sites

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Chun; Soong, Andrew Kheng Fah

2007-01-01

This study aims to investigate how Singapore primary schools use their web sites, what kind of information is contained in the web sites, and how the information is presented. Based on an analysis of 176 primary school web sites, which represent all but one of the country's primary schools, findings indicate that most of Singapore's primary school…

Clustering of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours and associations with perceived and actual weight status among primary school children in China: A nationally representative cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Zhang, Juan; Feng, Xiaoqi; Zhai, Yi; Li, Weirong; Lv, Yue-Bin; Astell-Burt, Thomas; Shi, Xiaoming

2018-07-01

Few studies have focused on clustering of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours among primary school children and potential associations with perceived and actual weight status. An index was constructed from adding up 13 unhealthy behaviours measured by survey responses. Multilevel linear regressions were used to analyse associations between child personal characteristics, perceived and actual weight status with the unhealthy lifestyle index among 11,157 children in primary schools across China. Parental and area factors were also taken into account, including education, weight status, physical activity, urban/rural and area socioeconomic circumstances. The unhealthy lifestyle index normally distributed, with 84.5% of children reporting between 2 and 6 unhealthy behaviours. Boys reported more unhealthy behaviours compared with girls (coefficient 0.32, 95%CI 0.26 to 0.37) and children in urban areas had fewer unhealthy behaviours than their rural counterparts (-0.29, 95%CI -0.56 to -0.03). An interaction revealed stronger 'protective' effects of living in cities for girls than boys, which were not explained by differences in child overweight/obesity. More unhealthy behaviours were characteristic of children in more affluent areas, and of those born to mothers and/or fathers with lower educational attainment. Children who perceived themselves as overweight or underweight both scored higher on the unhealthy lifestyle index. Unhealthy behaviours that could increase the risk of childhood obesity are common among Chinese primary school children, particularly among boys in cities, those in more affluent areas and with parents with lower education. There was no effect of actual weight status on number of unhealthy behaviours. Perceived, but not actual weight status, was also a significant correlate of unhealthy behaviours. Clustering of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours that could increase the risk of childhood obesity are common among Chinese primary school children, particularly among boys in cities, those in more affluent areas and with parents with lower education. Perceived, but not actual weight status, was also a significant correlate of unhealthy lifestyle. This has important implications for public health because understanding clustering of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours can be used to assist in the development of targeted obesity prevention initiatives. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Program Development for Primary School Teachers' Critical Thinking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boonjeam, Waraporn; Tesaputa, Kowat; Sri-ampai, Anan

2017-01-01

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the elements and indicators of primary school teachers' critical thinking, 2) to study current situation, desirable situation, development technique, and need for developing the primary school teachers' critical thinking, 3) to develop the program for developing the primary school teachers'…

The Examination of the Views of Primary School Teachers and Pre-Service Primary Teachers on European Union Citizenship from the Point of Different Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Üner, Sadik Selman; Yesil, Rüstü

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine the view of primary school teachers and pre-service primary teachers on European Union citizenship. This study is a descriptive and quantitative research in survey methodology. The data of the research was collected from 207 primary school teachers teaching in 22 primary school in the city center of Kirsehir…

Arizona Takes on School Construction and Renovation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geiger, Philip E.

2001-01-01

Spurred by a state superior court deadline for developing a constitutional school capital finance system, Arizona Governor Jane Hull signed legislation (Students FIRST) that dramatically reformed school construction. This legislation created a School Facilities Board and established three funds for improving school conditions and meeting building…

Pathological video-gaming among Singaporean youth.

PubMed

Choo, Hyekyung; Gentile, Douglas A; Sim, Timothy; Li, Dongdong; Khoo, Angeline; Liau, Albert K

2010-11-01

Increase in internet use and video-gaming contributes to public concern on pathological or obsessive play of video games among children and adolescents worldwide. Nevertheless, little is known about the prevalence of pathological symptoms in video-gaming among Singaporean youth and the psychometric properties of instruments measuring pathological symptoms in video-gaming. A total of 2998 children and adolescents from 6 primary and 6 secondary schools in Singapore responded to a comprehensive survey questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, video-gaming habits, school performance, somatic symptoms, various psychological traits, social functioning and pathological symptoms of video-gaming. After weighting, the survey data were analysed to determine the prevalence of pathological video-gaming among Singaporean youth and gender differences in the prevalence. The construct validity of instrument used to measure pathological symptoms of video-gaming was tested. Of all the study participants, 8.7% were classified as pathological players with more boys reporting more pathological symptoms than girls. All variables, including impulse control problem, social competence, hostility, academic performance, and damages to social functioning, tested for construct validity, were significantly associated with pathological status, providing good evidence for the construct validity of the instrument used. The prevalence rate of pathological video-gaming among Singaporean youth is comparable with that from other countries studied thus far, and gender differences are also consistent with the findings of prior research. The positive evidence of construct validity supports the potential use of the instrument for future research and clinical screening on Singapore children and adolescents' pathological video-gaming.

Mediators of the effect of the JUMP-in intervention on physical activity and sedentary behavior in Dutch primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighborhoods

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Important health benefits can be achieved when physical activity in children from low socio-economic status is promoted and sedentariness is limited. By specifying the mediating mechanisms of existing interventions one can improve future physical activity interventions. This study explored potential mediators of the long-term effect of the school-based multicomponent JUMP-in intervention on sport participation, outdoor play and screen time in Dutch primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Methods In total, 600 primary schoolchildren (aged 9.8 ± 0.7, 51% girls, 13% Dutch ethnicity, 35% overweight) from 9 intervention and 10 control schools were included in the analyses. JUMP-in was developed using Intervention Mapping, and targeted psychological and environmental determinants of physical activity. Outcome behaviors were self-reported sport participation, outdoor play, TV-viewing behavior and computer use. Potential mediators were self-reported psychological, social and physical environmental factors. Results JUMP-in was effective in improving sport participation after 20 months, but not in improving outdoor play, or reducing TV-viewing or computer time. JUMP-in was not effective in changing hypothesized mediators so no significant mediated effects could be identified. However, changes in self-efficacy, social support and habit strength were positively associated with changes in sport participation, and changes in social support, self-efficacy, perceived planning skills, enjoyment and habit strength were positively associated with changes in outdoor play. Changes in enjoyment was positively associated with changes in TV-viewing while parental rules were negatively associated. Having a computer in the bedroom and enjoyment were positively associated with changes in computer use, while changes in parental rules were negatively associated. Conclusions Besides a significant positive effect on sports participation, no significant intervention effect on outdoor play, screen time or any of the potential mediators was found. This suggest that other (unmeasured) factors operated as mediating mechanisms of the intervention, that we used unsuccessful intervention strategies, that the strategies were inappropriately implemented, or that children are unable to accurately recall past activities and cognitions. Additionally, the school setting might not be the sole channel to influence leisure time activities. Still, several personal and environmental constructs were found to be relevant in predicting change in sport participation, outdoor play and screen behavior and seem to be potential mediators. Future interventions are recommended including more effective strategies targeting these relevant constructs, addressing different constructs (e.g. pedagogic skills of parents), and focusing on different implementation settings. Trail registration ISRCTN17489378 PMID:23130806

Primary School Teachers' Perceptions of Adequacy and Quality of Physical Facilities in Public Primary Schools under Free Primary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muthima, Ndirangu Wahome; Udoto, Maurice O.; Anditi, Zephania O.

2016-01-01

The Free Primary Education (FPE) programme was commissioned in Kenya in January 2003 to provide basic education to all children of school going age and to ease the burden of cost sharing from the parents. However, even though the public primary school class teachers were to shoulder the greatest responsibility in the implementation of this…

San Jose Unified School District Health & Safety Guide for Facilities and Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2001

This guide from the San Jose Unified School District describes recommended procedures to promote and maintain a healthy and safe school environment during maintenance, modernization, or construction. Guidelines are presented in the following areas: (1) construction safety; (2) communication; (3) material selection; (4) heating, ventilation, and…

Primary School Students of 1980s' Turkey Remembering Their Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saglam, Mehmet

2015-01-01

Primary school students of 1980s' Turkey remember their teachers in various aspects. Uncovering their reminiscences lets researchers see what factors become decisive in recontructing primary school teachers in the memories of their students. The priority of this paper is to discover the reasons why the 1980s primary school students remember their…

Development of Educational Management System in Small Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alsammarry, Yupayao; Sirisuthi, Chaiyuth; Duangcharthom, Surat

2016-01-01

The purposes of the research were: (1) to study the factors of Educational Management System in Small Primary School; (2) to investigate current situations problems and guidelines of developing educational management in small primary school; (3) to develop Educational Management System in Small Primary School; and (4) to examine the results of…

Effects of education on cognition at older ages: evidence from China's Great Famine.

PubMed

Huang, Wei; Zhou, Yi

2013-12-01

This paper explores whether educational attainment has a cognitive reserve capacity in elder life. Using pilot data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we examined the impact of education on cognitive abilities at old ages. OLS results showed that respondents who completed primary school obtained 18.2 percent higher scores on cognitive tests than those who did not. We then constructed an instrumental variable (IV) by leveraging China's Great Famine of 1959-1961 as a natural experiment to estimate the causal effect of education on cognition. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) results provided sound evidence that completing primary school significantly increases cognition scores, especially in episode memory, by almost 20 percent on average. Moreover, Regression Discontinuity (RD) analysis provides further evidence for the causal interpretation, and shows that the effects are different for the different measures of cognition we explored. Our results also show that the Great Famine can result in long-term health consequences through the pathway of losing educational opportunities other than through the pathway of nutrition deprivation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Literacy Infrastructure, Access to Books, and the Implementation of the School Literacy Movement in Primary Schools in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laksono, K.; Retnaningdyah, P.

2018-01-01

Literacy Infrastructure and access to books are the foundation of literacy activity. Indonesia has regulations from the Ministry of Education and Culture requiring that 15 minutes should be used each day before the learning begins to read books other than textbooks. However, many schools are not yet obeying this requirement. The purposes of this study are to describe the literacy infrastructure in primary schools in Indonesia, to analyze access to books in primary schools, to explain the School Literacy Movement implementation, and to identify issues around the implementation of reading strategies in a context in which there is limited access to books. The questionnaire and interview study were conducted in 30 primary schools in East Java, Indonesia. The study concluded that the literacy infrastructure and access to books in 30 primary schools are below standard, but the school community enthusiastically implements the objectives of the School Literacy Movement. Many primary schools are already implementing good many reading strategies although there are some problems related to teacher competence.

Study of Selected Components of Architectural Environment of Primary Schools - Preferences of Adults and Analysis of the Specialist Literature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halarewicz, Aleksandra

2017-10-01

The school is one of the oldest social institutions designed to prepare a young man for an adult life. It performs a teaching and educational function in child’s life. It is a place where, apart from home, the child spends most of the time in a day, therefore it is one of the most important institutions in the life of a young person. The school environment has a direct impact on the student's personality and ambition, and it shapes an attitude of the young person. Therefore, the design process preceding the establishment of school facilities is extremely responsible and should be conducted in a conscious and thoughtful way. This article is a summary and an attempt to synthesize the data obtained from the survey carried out by the author in the context of the design guidelines contained in the specialist literature. The questionnaire survey was designed to make an attempt to determine adult’s preferences, opinions and perceptions about selected components of the primary school environment, including the factors which determine the choice of school for children, the priorities of architecture components made for early childhood use, also to specify the type and the scale of existing drawbacks and problems in the school construction industry, as well as expectations about the contemporary architecture of primary schools and its future changes. Moreover, in the article, based on the analysis of the available specialist’s literature, the following are broadly discussed: the general division and characterization of school spaces, issues related to the influence of selected components of the architectural environment on the physical, mental and psychological safety of children. Furthermore, the author raises the subject of the influence of the architectural interiors and furniture on the mood, emotions or comfort of children in the early school age, based on the anthropometric characteristics of children and issues related to the perception of space with an extra attention on the subject of perception of colours and the influence of the architectural space components on the frame of mind, fettle or comfort of children in the given age. Although there exists a limited body of literature on the subject and the results of the study show that the aspects of elementary school architecture relevant to adults, including parents of children, are different from those described in the literature, the analysis was necessary to show these differences and to highlight the different values and priorities of users and designers. The paper is also an introduction, which identify qualities and social preferences on educational architecture, to the deeper research aimed at developing the criteria of designing and shaping the architectural environment for primary school children, which takes into account the regularity and developmental needs of children at studied age.

Construction Management: Building Schools Faster in the International Marketplace

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scarano, Joseph J.

1976-01-01

Construction management accelerates school construction, increases quality and labor productivity, lowers costs, and offers developing nations an opportunity to improve their own management capabilities. (MLF)

Turkish Primary School Teachers' Perceptions of School Culture Regarding ICT Integration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tezci, Erdogan

2011-01-01

The current study aimed at identifying Turkish primary school teachers' perceptions of school culture regarding ICT integration in education. In addition, the current study was designed to investigate factors that might influence their perceptions. The participants were 1540 primary school teachers. The findings revealed that the teachers'…

Children in Their Free Time.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beck, T. M.

This report presents an investigation of after-school care for primary school children in Western Australia. The needs of primary school children are discussed, and care provided through schools and communities is examined. The headmasters of 110 primary schools, in response to a questionnaire, reported a strong belief that many children were…

The Strathclyde Evaluation of Children's Active Travel (SE-CAT): study rationale and methods.

PubMed

McMinn, David; Rowe, David A; Murtagh, Shemane; Nelson, Norah M

2011-12-30

The school commute is a prime opportunity to increase children's physical activity levels. However, active commuting has decreased over the past 40 years. Strategies that increase walking to school are therefore needed. Travelling Green (TG) is a school-based active travel resource aimed at increasing children's walking to school. The resource consists of a curriculum-based program of lessons and goal setting activities. A previous study found that children who received the TG intervention increased self-reported distance travelled to school by active modes and reduced the distance travelled by inactive modes. This study was limited by self-reported outcome measures, a small sample, and no follow-up measures. A more robust evaluation of TG is required to address these limitations. This paper describes the rationale and methods for such an evaluation of Travelling Green, and describes the piloting of various active commuting measures in primary school children. Measures of active commuting were piloted in a sample of 26 children (aged 8-9 years) over one school week. These measures were subsequently used in an 18-month quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effect of TG on commuting behaviour. Participants were 166 children (60% male) aged 8-9 years from 5 primary schools. Two schools (n = 79 children) received TG in September/October 2009. Three schools (n = 87 children) acted as a comparison group, and subsequently received TG at a later date. Physical activity was measured using Actigraph GT1M accelerometers. Personal and environmental determinants of active commuting were measured via parent and child questionnaires, as were factors related to the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the construct of habit. Measures were taken pre- and post-intervention and at 5 and 12 months follow-up. The piloted protocol was practical and feasible and piloted measures were reliable and valid. All study data, including 5 and 12 month follow-up, have been collected and processed. Data analysis is ongoing. Results will indicate whether TG successfully increases active commuting in a sample of Scottish school children and will inform future efforts in school active travel promotion.

The Strathclyde Evaluation of Children's Active Travel (SE-CAT): study rationale and methods

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The school commute is a prime opportunity to increase children's physical activity levels. However, active commuting has decreased over the past 40 years. Strategies that increase walking to school are therefore needed. Travelling Green (TG) is a school-based active travel resource aimed at increasing children's walking to school. The resource consists of a curriculum-based program of lessons and goal setting activities. A previous study found that children who received the TG intervention increased self-reported distance travelled to school by active modes and reduced the distance travelled by inactive modes. This study was limited by self-reported outcome measures, a small sample, and no follow-up measures. A more robust evaluation of TG is required to address these limitations. This paper describes the rationale and methods for such an evaluation of Travelling Green, and describes the piloting of various active commuting measures in primary school children. Methods/Design Measures of active commuting were piloted in a sample of 26 children (aged 8-9 years) over one school week. These measures were subsequently used in an 18-month quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effect of TG on commuting behaviour. Participants were 166 children (60% male) aged 8-9 years from 5 primary schools. Two schools (n = 79 children) received TG in September/October 2009. Three schools (n = 87 children) acted as a comparison group, and subsequently received TG at a later date. Physical activity was measured using Actigraph GT1M accelerometers. Personal and environmental determinants of active commuting were measured via parent and child questionnaires, as were factors related to the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the construct of habit. Measures were taken pre- and post-intervention and at 5 and 12 months follow-up. Discussion The piloted protocol was practical and feasible and piloted measures were reliable and valid. All study data, including 5 and 12 month follow-up, have been collected and processed. Data analysis is ongoing. Results will indicate whether TG successfully increases active commuting in a sample of Scottish school children and will inform future efforts in school active travel promotion. PMID:22208498

Validity and reliability of the Early Childhood Caries Perceptions Scale (ECCPS) to assess health beliefs related to early childhood caries prevention among primary caregivers of children under 5 years of age.

PubMed

Pisarnturakit, Pagaporn P; Shaw, Bret R; Tanasukarn, Chanuantong; Vatanasomboon, Paranee

2012-09-01

Primary caregivers' child oral health care beliefs and practices are major factors in the prevention of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). This study assessed the validity and reliability of a newly-developed scale--the Early Childhood Caries Perceptions Scale (ECCPS)--used to measure beliefs regarding ECC preventive practices among primary caregivers of young children. The ECCPS was developed based on the Health Belief Model. The construct validity and reliability of the ECCPS were examined among 254 low-socioeconomic status primary caregivers with children under five years old, recruifed from 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Centers and a kindergarten school. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a four-factor structure. The four factors were labeled as Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers. Internal consistency measured by the Cronbach's coefficient alpha for those four factors were 0.897, 0.971, 0.975 and 0.789, respectively. The ECCPS demonstrated satisfactory levels of reliability and validity for assessing the health beliefs related to ECC prevention among low-socioeconomic primary caregivers.

"A Place of Their Own": Creating a Classroom "Third Space" to Support a Continuum of Text Construction between Home and School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cook, Margaret

2005-01-01

This paper uses aspects of "third space" theory to support the use of site-based classroom role play as a means of ensuring continuity of text construction between home and school. A hypothetical continuum of text construction between home and school is described, and it is suggested that schools wishing to support this continuum might consider…

Gauging the System: Trends in School Climate Measurement and Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Malley, Meagan; Katz, Kristin; Renshaw, Tyler L.; Furlong, Michael J.

2011-01-01

Researchers and educators are giving increasing scrutiny to systems-level constructs that contribute to safe, supportive, and effective schools, including school climate. School climate is a multifaceted construct that is commonly conceptualized as school community members' subjective experiences of the structural and contextual elements of a…

Schools of Interest 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

North Carolina State Dept. of Public Instruction, Raleigh. Div. of School Planning.

North Carolina local public school boards have the statutory responsibility for operating public schools and for entering into contracts for design and construction of their schools. This document presents examples of plans for school buildings planned or constructed during the last few years, as of 1981, representing a wide range of educational…

Engaging with primary schools: Supporting the delivery of the new curriculum in evolution and inheritance.

PubMed

Kover, Paula X; Hogge, Emily S

2017-10-01

The official school regulator in England (OFSTED) recently reported that the delivery of science lessons has been significantly diminished in many primary schools. There is concern that the lack of good quality science in school can reduce the recruitment of young scientists, and the level of science literacy among the general public. We believe university scientists and undergraduate students can have a significant impact in the delivery of science in primary schools. However, a relatively small proportion of scientists engage with young children to improve curricular primary school science education. Here, we argue that long term engagement with primary schools can produce significant impact for the scientist's research, schools, and society. As an example, we describe our experience developing teaching materials for the topic of "Evolution and inheritance"; highlighting possible pitfalls and perceived benefits, in hope of encouraging and facilitating other scientists to engage with primary schools. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison between Primary Teacher Educators' and Primary School Teachers' Beliefs of Primary Geography Education Quality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bent, Gert Jan; Bakx, Anouke; den Brok, Perry

2016-01-01

In this study teacher educators' beliefs concerning primary geography education have been investigated and compared with primary school teachers' beliefs. In this study 45 teacher educators and 489 primary school teachers completed a questionnaire, and nine teacher educators have been interviewed as well. It has been found that teacher educators…

Educational Professionals' Experiences of Self-Harm in Primary School Children: "You Don't Really Believe, unless You See It"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simm, Rebecca; Roen, Katrina; Daiches, Anna

2008-01-01

This paper reports on an empirical study concerning educational professionals' understandings of self-harm in primary school children. There is little research available about self-harm in primary-school aged children, and literature searches for the current study have revealed no research on primary school professionals' understandings of…

Implementation of Mandatory Nutritional Guidelines in South Australian Primary School Canteens: A Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abery, Elizabeth; Drummond, Claire

2014-01-01

Primary schools are identified as being in a primary position to offer nutrition education. Moreover, primary schools can offer an environment which is conducive to the promotion of healthy eating while influencing eating behaviours of children to benefit their health, well-being and academic development and performance. School canteens are one…

Impact of Instructional Resources on Mathematics Performance of Learners with Dyscalculia in Integrated Primary Schools, Arusha City, Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yusta, Nyudule; Karugu, Geoffrey; Muthee, Jessica; Tekle, Tesfu

2016-01-01

Learners with dyscalculia in the integrated primary schools in Arusha have been performing poorly in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Thus, the journal sought to investigate the impact of instructional resources on mathematics performance of learners with dyscalculia in integrated primary schools found in Arusha city, Tanzania. The…

Getting from Here to There: The Roles of Policy Makers and Principals in Increasing Science Teacher Quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Ji; Gerard, Libby; Bowyer, Jane

2010-04-01

In this study we investigate how federal and state policy makers, and school principals are working to improve science teacher quality. Interviews, focused discussions, and policy documents serve as the primary data source. Findings suggest that both policy makers and principals prioritize increasing incentives for teachers entering the science teaching profession, providing professional development for new teachers, and using students’ data to evaluate and improve instruction. Differences between the two leadership groups emerged in terms of the grain size and practicality of their concerns. Our findings indicate that the complexity of educational challenges to improve science teacher quality call for the co-construction of policy by multiple constituent groups including school principals, federal and state policy makers, and science education researchers.

Approaches to In-Servicing Training of Teachers in Primary Schools in South Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mahlangu, Vimbi P.

2016-01-01

This paper focuses on the approaches used by school heads in helping their growth and their teachers in primary schools in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. The Department of Basic Education expects school heads and teachers to bring change in their school performances. The problem is that in these primary schools heads and…

Academisation, School Collaboration and the Primary School Sector in England: A Story of Six School Leaders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keddie, Amanda

2016-01-01

This paper presents data from a study of five English primary schools. It examines some of the challenges associated with school autonomy and collaboration for state primary schools amid the uncertainty and complexity of governance in the present English education context. The paper features the voices of six leaders gathered from interviews that…

Teacher-Reported Quality of Schooling Indicators in Botswana Primary Schools: An Exploratory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ntinda, Kayi; Ntinda, Magdalene Nakalowa; Mpofu, Elias

2015-01-01

This study examined teacher self-reported views on quality indicators in Botswana primary schools. A purposively selected sample of primary school teachers in the city of Gaborone, Botswana (N = 72, females = 56; males = 16; mean age = 39 years, SD = 7.17 years; mean years of service = 15.6; SD= 8 years; public schools = 65%; private schools =…

Measuring Inviting School Climate: A Case Study of a Public Primary School in an Urban Low Socioeconomic Setting in Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Okaya, Tom Mboya; Horne, Marj; Lamig, Madeleine; Smith, Kenneth H.

2013-01-01

The present study utilized the Inviting School Survey-Revised (ISS-R) (Smith, 2005b, 2013) based on Invitational Theory and Practice (Purkey & Novak, 2008) to examine the school climate of a public primary school in a low urban socio-economic setting in Kenya. School climate was defined as the perceptions of primary school teachers and pupils…

Specifications for the First CSP Building System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Detroit Public Schools, MI.

The specifications cover the construction of additions to four schools in the Detroit School District. The Construction Systems Program (CSP) was utilized in an attempt to (1) reduce the cost of school construction and provide improved value for the building dollar in terms of function, environment, first cost, and maintenance cost; (2) accelerate…

The Effects of State Funding on Property Tax Rates and School Construction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plummer, Elizabeth

2006-01-01

In response to concerns over funding for school construction, the state of Texas has implemented two programs to assist school districts with construction-related debt. This paper examines whether these programs have accomplished their objectives of reducing property taxes (the Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) program) and increasing capital outlays…

School Construction Defies Fiscal Doldrums

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sack, Joetta L.

2004-01-01

This paper constitutes the first of a three part series examining the boom in the construction and renovation of K-12 schools and the continuing challenges that communities face in getting the facilities their students and educators need. Part 1 reports on the increase of school construction and renovation that began in 2002, despite a sagging…

Misconceptions of a School Construction Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenberg, David

2004-01-01

Just as technology has changed the way teachers teach and students learn, so too has technology transformed the way our industry manages school construction programs. Gone are the days when a school construction project had to be planned around the limitations of the contractor rather than the needs of students. Also different are the ways schools…

'How I Feel About My School': The construction and validation of a measure of wellbeing at school for primary school children.

PubMed

Allen, Kate; Marlow, Ruth; Edwards, Vanessa; Parker, Claire; Rodgers, Lauren; Ukoumunne, Obioha C; Seem, Edward Chan; Hayes, Rachel; Price, Anna; Ford, Tamsin

2018-01-01

There is a growing focus on child wellbeing and happiness in schools, but we lack self-report measures for very young children. Three samples ( N = 2345) were combined to assess the psychometric properties of the How I Feel About My School (HIFAMS) questionnaire, which was designed for children aged 4-8 years. Test-retest reliability was moderate (intraclass correlation coefficient = .62). HIFAMS assessed a single concept and had moderate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values from .62 to .67). There were low correlations between scores on the child-reported HIFAMS and parent and teacher reports. Children at risk of exclusion had significantly lower HIFAMS scores than the community sample (mean difference = 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.6, 3.2]; p < .001). Schools contributed only 4.5% of the variability in HIFAMS score, the remaining 95.5% reflecting pupil differences within schools. Girls' scores were 0.37 units (95% CI = [0.16, 0.57]; p < .001) higher than boys, while year group and deprivation did not predict HIFAMS score. HIFAMS is a promising measure that demonstrates moderate reliability and discriminates between groups even among very young children.

Educators' Perceptions of School Climate and Health in Selected Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pretorius, Stephanus; de Villiers, Elsabe

2009-01-01

The aims in this research were to determine the perceptions of school climate held by educators of primary schools in the southern Cape. Six primary schools with a staff complement of 178 educators participated in the investigation. Two instruments were used: the Organisational Climate Description Questionnaire Rutgers Elementary (OCDQ-RE) and…

The Influence of Closing Poor Performing Primary Schools on the Educational Attainment of Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Witte, Kristof; Van Klaveren, Chris

2014-01-01

This paper examines whether the closure of poor performing primary schools improved students' educational attainment. It is believed that school closure affects children's educational outcomes positively because children switch to better primary schools. At the same time, school closure creates a social disturbance such that educational outcomes…

School health services in the City of Zagreb - do we meet adolescents' needs?

PubMed

Kuzman, Marina; Posavec, Marija; Marić, Ivana

2014-12-01

School health services (SHS) have in Croatia long tradition, established organizational structure, defined program and educated staff. The program is limited to the preventive activities. The aim of the study was to investigate the satisfaction of the children, school staff and parents with existing school health services in the City of Zagreb. The structured questionnaire was sent to the primary and secondary schools in the City of Zagreb, which were selected using random sample method. The questionnaires were anonymous and filled in supervised by class masters. In the secondary schools the structure of schooling was respected. Questionnaires were filled by 448 pupils from primary, 551 from secondary schools, by 596 parents and 595 teachers. In primary schools pupils rated SHS more available and accessible, staff complaisant and responsible, counselling being useful and justified, confidentiality respected higher than pupils from secondary schools (p<0.001). Teachers from primary and secondary schools perceived SHS as valuable school partners (88.9% and 82.3%). Teachers from primary and secondary schools (88.9% and 88.1%) and parents (78.3% and 67.5%) stated that SHS could not be replaced by GPs or paediatricians. Primary school pupils felt that most common problems were injuries and vocational counselling, secondary school pupils assessed behavioural and sexual related problems as mostly challenging. Satisfaction with the SHS response to the most challenging problems was rated higher by teachers from primary schools (p<0.001 for learning difficulties, chronic diseases, bullying and vocational counselling), by parents for learning difficulties and vocational counselling, but no significance was found for pupils' satisfactions. SHS in Zagreb are recognized as vital and necessary partners for schools, available and accessible for pupils, teachers and parents, especially for primary schools. Counselling is highly rated by all respondents, confidentiality considered as respected, and the problem of the most common challenges as successfully solved.

The Effectiveness of a Brief Asthma Education Intervention for Child Care Providers and Primary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neuharth-Pritchett, Stacey; Getch, Yvette Q.

2016-01-01

Limited information exists about management of asthma in child care settings and primary school classrooms. The goal of this study was to evaluate a brief asthma management intervention for child care providers and primary school teachers. Child care providers and primary school teachers were recruited to participate in two 3-h workshops on asthma…

Investigation of Primary School Teachers' Conflict Resolution Skills in Terms of Different Variable

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bayraktar, Hatice Vatansever; Yilmaz, Kamile Özge

2016-01-01

In this study, it is aimed to determine the level of conflict resolution skills of primary school teachers and whether they vary by different variables. The study was organised in accordance with the scanning model. The universe of the study consists of primary school teachers working at 14 primary schools, two from each of the seven geographical…

Primary Schooling and Economic Development: A Review of the Evidence. World Bank Staff Working Paper No. 399.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colclough, Christopher

By reviewing pertinent studies and data, this paper seeks to define the economic benefits of primary schooling within a worldwide context. The author concludes that investment in primary schooling results in more productivity at work and in the home. The returns from primary schooling in most developing countries are higher than from other forms…

Introducing Evolution into the Primary Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scrase, Stuart

2015-01-01

The new National Curriculum for England requirements for primary science have created a few challenges and opportunities for primary schools. Implementation was not compulsory for year 6 (ages 10-11) until September 2015, but at the primary school in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets educators decided, as did many other primary schools, to start…

Flying the "Active School Flag": Physical Activity Promotion through Self-Evaluation in Primary Schools in Ireland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chroinin, Deirdre Ni; Murtagh, Elaine; Bowles, Richard

2012-01-01

Primary schools are key sites where children can be active, advance their knowledge and understanding of how to participate in physical activity (PA) and develop an appreciation of its importance in their lives. This study explored the role of schools in promoting PA asking: how do primary schools approach the promotion of whole-school PA? Data…

46 CFR 168.15-10 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Construction. 168.15-10 Section 168.15-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) NAUTICAL SCHOOLS CIVILIAN NAUTICAL SCHOOL VESSELS Accommodations § 168.15-10 Construction. (a) The accommodations provided must be securely constructed, properly...

46 CFR 168.15-10 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Construction. 168.15-10 Section 168.15-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) NAUTICAL SCHOOLS CIVILIAN NAUTICAL SCHOOL VESSELS Accommodations § 168.15-10 Construction. (a) The accommodations provided must be securely constructed, properly...

46 CFR 168.15-10 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Construction. 168.15-10 Section 168.15-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) NAUTICAL SCHOOLS CIVILIAN NAUTICAL SCHOOL VESSELS Accommodations § 168.15-10 Construction. (a) The accommodations provided must be securely constructed, properly...

46 CFR 168.15-10 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Construction. 168.15-10 Section 168.15-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) NAUTICAL SCHOOLS CIVILIAN NAUTICAL SCHOOL VESSELS Accommodations § 168.15-10 Construction. (a) The accommodations provided must be securely constructed, properly...

46 CFR 168.15-10 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Construction. 168.15-10 Section 168.15-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) NAUTICAL SCHOOLS CIVILIAN NAUTICAL SCHOOL VESSELS Accommodations § 168.15-10 Construction. (a) The accommodations provided must be securely constructed, properly...

SCHOOLS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE. PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LYMAN, ROBERT J.

THE USE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE IS EMPHASIZED IN THE AREAS OF SCHOOL PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION. THE PLANNING SECTION INCLUDES--(1) ROLES OF ACTIVE PARTIES AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, (2) PROCEDURES, AND (3) CONCEPTUAL DATA FOR SITE AND BUILDING. THE DESIGN SECTION CONTAINS--(1) DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS, (2) INTEGRATION OF…

Guide to School Renovation and Construction: What You Need To Know To Protect Child and Adult Environmental Health.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Healthy Schools Network, Inc., Albany, NY.

This guide presents cautionary tips for protecting children's health during school renovation and construction projects, the New York state laws regarding school renovation and construction, and the steps the laws require to eliminate dangerous conditions for children during these projects. Included is a checklist of uniform safety standards…

Construction and Validation of a Holistic Education School Evaluation Tool Using Montessori Erdkinder Principles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Setari, Anthony Philip

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to construct a holistic education school evaluation tool using Montessori Erdkinder principles, and begin the validation process of examining the proposed tool. This study addresses a vital need in the holistic education community for a school evaluation tool. The tool construction process included using Erdkinder…

Early Returns: Tax Credit Bonds and School Construction? Policy Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mead, Sara

A small federal program piloting tax credit bonds to support school construction, the Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), has existed since 1997--providing evidence of how tax credit bonds could work. This paper analyzes the results of QZABs to date in order to inform policymakers, advance the debate over federal school construction aid, and…

Secondary School Students' Construction and Use of Mathematical Models in Solving Word Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Llinares, Salvador; Roig, Ana Isabel

2008-01-01

This study focussed on how secondary school students construct and use mathematical models as conceptual tools when solving word problems. The participants were 511 secondary-school students who were in the final year of compulsory education (15-16 years old). Four levels of the development of constructing and using mathematical models were…

Co-Constructing Community, School, University Partnerships for Urban School Transformation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillenwaters, Jamila Najah

2009-01-01

University-school-community partnerships represent a collaborative model of urban educational reformation inclusive of all the organizations that impact urban education. Co-constructed relationships among communities, schools, and universities have the potential for redistributing hierarchical power, thereby enabling all partners to contribute to…

Quality of Primary Education Inputs in Urban Schools: Evidence from Nairobi

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ngware, Moses W.; Oketch, Moses; Ezeh, Alex C.

2011-01-01

This article examines the quality of primary school inputs in urban settlements with a view to understand how it sheds light on benchmarks of education quality indicators in Kenya. Data from a school survey that involved 83 primary schools collected in 2005 were used. The data set contains information on school quality characteristics of various…

Effectiveness of School-Based Bullying Intervention Programs in Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dogini, Eric U.

2012-01-01

Bullying behavior has reached pandemic proportions and is a growing concern in primary school. Most intervention programs in primary school are focused on bullying prevention or principally on the behavior of the bully. The purpose of this study was to explore whether a school-based bullying intervention program is an effective method for reducing…

Views of Primary School Administrators on Change in Schools and Change Management Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hosgörür, Vural

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of primary school administrators about change, and to reveal which strategies they use to manage change in schools. This is a qualitative study conducted in 2014 academic year in Mugla province. Research data were collected from primary school administrators through semi-structured interviews.…

"Knowledge" in English Primary Schools' Decision-Making about Sex and Relationships Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilder, Rachel

2018-01-01

Objective: To assess what kinds of knowledge policymakers in a sample of English primary schools utilised to make decisions about their school's sex and relationships education policy. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with policymakers at three primary schools in the southwest of England, and documentary analysis of the schools'…

Examining the Relationship between Teacher Organizational Commitment and School Health in Turkish Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sezgin, Ferudun

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between teachers' perceptions of organizational commitment and school health in Turkish primary schools. The Organizational Commitment Scale and the Organizational Health Inventory were used to gather data from 323 randomly selected teachers employed in 20 primary schools in Ankara.…

Teachers' Perceptions of Physical Education in Aotearoa/New Zealand Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Barrie; Dyson, Ben; Cowan, Jackie; McKenzie, Allison; Shulruf, Boaz

2016-01-01

This study examines practicing primary school teacher's perceptions of the teaching of physical education in their schools. There has been some criticism of primary school physical education but until now this criticism has been largely based on a number of small studies involving limited numbers of teachers and schools. This study involved…

Self-Efficacy, School Resources, Job Stressors and Burnout among Spanish Primary and Secondary School Teachers: A Structural Equation Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Betoret, Fernando Domenech

2009-01-01

This study examines the relationship between school resources, teacher self-efficacy, potential multi-level stressors and teacher burnout using structural equation modelling. The causal structure for primary and secondary school teachers was also examined. The sample was composed of 724 primary and secondary Spanish school teachers. The changes…

School Construction Management: Expert Administrators Speak.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fickes, Michael

2001-01-01

Presents expert opinion on school construction management communication concerning educational needs, obtaining consensus among diverse groups, and envisioning what schools must offer in the future. Why furniture issues are also important is highlighted. (GR)

Pedagogy--How Is It Influenced in Primary Schools? A Comparative Study of Literature about Pedagogical Influences in Primary Schools in England and Poland, with a Focus on English Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allison, Ewa Barbara

2010-01-01

This article is a critical review of recent literature comparing pedagogical influences in primary schools in England and Poland. It identifies curriculum, assessment, leadership, teacher perceptions and personal fears as immense influences on pedagogy and considers how these factors influence pedagogy. Comparison of England's prescriptive…

Zero Energy Schools: The Challenges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Torcellini, Paul A

School buildings have a lot of potential to achieve zero energy (ZE) in new construction as well as in retrofits. There are many examples of schools operating at ZE, and many technical resources available to guide school districts and their design and construction teams through the process. When school districts embark on the path to ZE, however, they often confront challenges related to processes and a perception that ZE buildings require 'new,' unconventional, and expensive technologies, materials, or equipment. Here are some of the challenges school districts and their design and construction teams commonly encounter, and the solutions they usemore » to overcome them.« less

A study of primary school teachers’ conceptual understanding on states of matter and their changes based on their job locations (case study at Ambon island in Moluccas-Indonesia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banawi, A.; Sopandi, W.; Kadarohman, A.; Solehuddin, M.

2018-05-01

The research aims to describe primary school teachers’ conceptual understandings about states of matter and their changes. The method was descriptive which involved 15 primary school teachers from three different school locations. They were from urban school (CS1), sub-urban school (CS2), and rular school (CS3) at Ambon Island on 2016/2017 academic year. The research instrument was a multiple-choice test combined with both essay and confidence level of their answers. The test was used to measure teachers’ understanding levels about states of matter and their changes. They were macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic levels. Teachers’ understanding levels were classified into following categorization, they were understand, partly understand, misconception, and do not understand. The results show that primary school teachers’ conceptual understanding is varied based on their job locations and primary school teachers’ level understanding. Generally, primary school teachers’ conceptual understandings at sub-urban location (CS2) are better than those of both of urban (CS1) and rular locations (CS3). The results suggest that teachers need improvement to make better primary school teachers’ conceptual understanding. It can be on the job training and in service training activities. We also need a further research in order to investigate the program effectiveness.

Inclusive Education in Government Primary Schools: Teacher Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khan, Itfaq Khaliq; Hashmi, ShujahatHaider; Khanum, Nabeela

2017-01-01

The perceptions of primary school teachers towards inclusive education was investigated in mainstream government schools of Islamabad capital territory where inclusive education was being supported by Sight savers and other international organizations. The study was carried out involving 54 teachers in six randomly selected primary schools. The…

Organizational Learning in Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tas, Ali

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study is to make suggestions for primary schools to become organizational learning environments, by searching the relationship between the characteristics and behaviors of school administrators and the formation of an organizational learning environment in primary schools. The author used a survey model in this research and…

Effective Intervention in Primary Schools: Nurture Groups.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennathan, Marion; Boxall, Marjorie

This book summarizes the experiences of nurture groups (small special education classes started in 1970 in London schools), where young children from disadvantaged environments are prepared to access the full primary school curriculum. Chapter 1, "Children at Risk of Failure in Primary Schools" (Marion Bennathan), discusses the incidence…

34 CFR 76.662 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Construction. 76.662 Section 76.662 Education Office of... State and Its Subgrantees? Participation of Students Enrolled in Private Schools § 76.662 Construction. A subgrantee shall insure that program funds are not used for the construction of private school...

34 CFR 76.662 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Construction. 76.662 Section 76.662 Education Office of... State and Its Subgrantees? Participation of Students Enrolled in Private Schools § 76.662 Construction. A subgrantee shall insure that program funds are not used for the construction of private school...

34 CFR 76.662 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Construction. 76.662 Section 76.662 Education Office of... State and Its Subgrantees? Participation of Students Enrolled in Private Schools § 76.662 Construction. A subgrantee shall insure that program funds are not used for the construction of private school...

34 CFR 76.662 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Construction. 76.662 Section 76.662 Education Office of... State and Its Subgrantees? Participation of Students Enrolled in Private Schools § 76.662 Construction. A subgrantee shall insure that program funds are not used for the construction of private school...

34 CFR 76.662 - Construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Construction. 76.662 Section 76.662 Education Office of... State and Its Subgrantees? Participation of Students Enrolled in Private Schools § 76.662 Construction. A subgrantee shall insure that program funds are not used for the construction of private school...

The Pros and Cons of Contractor Financed Approach to School Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, T. C.

1983-01-01

Lists the advantages and disadvantages to school districts of having contractors take part in financing a school construction project when a school district has reached its full limit of borrowing capacity and necessary projected cash flow in order to complete the project. (MLF)

Maintaining High-Performance Schools after Construction or Renovation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luepke, Gary; Ronsivalli, Louis J., Jr.

2009-01-01

With taxpayers' considerable investment in schools, it is critical for school districts to preserve their community's assets with new construction or renovation and effective facility maintenance programs. "High-performance" school buildings are designed to link the physical environment to positive student achievement while providing such benefits…

Belongingness in Early Secondary School: Key Factors that Primary and Secondary Schools Need to Consider.

PubMed

Vaz, Sharmila; Falkmer, Marita; Ciccarelli, Marina; Passmore, Anne; Parsons, Richard; Black, Melissa; Cuomo, Belinda; Tan, Tele; Falkmer, Torbjörn

2015-01-01

It is unknown if, and how, students redefine their sense of school belongingness after negotiating the transition to secondary school. The current study used longitudinal data from 266 students with, and without, disabilities who negotiated the transition from 52 primary schools to 152 secondary schools. The study presents the 13 most significant personal student and contextual factors associated with belongingness in the first year of secondary school. Student perception of school belongingness was found to be stable across the transition. No variability in school belongingness due to gender, disability or household-socio-economic status (SES) was noted. Primary school belongingness accounted for 22% of the variability in secondary school belongingness. Several personal student factors (competence, coping skills) and school factors (low-level classroom task-goal orientation), which influenced belongingness in primary school, continued to influence belongingness in secondary school. In secondary school, effort-goal orientation of the student and perception of their school's tolerance to disability were each associated with perception of school belongingness. Family factors did not influence belongingness in secondary school. Findings of the current study highlight the need for primary schools to foster belongingness among their students at an early age, and transfer students' belongingness profiles as part of the hand-over documentation. Most of the factors that influenced school belongingness before and after the transition to secondary are amenable to change.

Improving the Teaching of Science and Technology in Primary Schools--A Cluster Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chambers, Paul

2017-01-01

The position of science and technology in Scottish primary schools is broadly similar to most other primary schools throughout Great Britain. There are certain schools and individuals that perform at a very high level but many schools are hampered by a lack of resources, a lack of confidence in teaching the topics and some significant gaps in the…

Out of School Activities during Primary School and KS2 Attainment. Centre for Longitudinal Studies Working Paper 2016/1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chanfreau, Jenny; Tanner, Emily; Callanan, Meg; Laing, Karen; Skipp, Amy; Todd, Liz

2016-01-01

The aims of this working paper were to investigate whether taking part in out of school activities during primary school is linked with end of primary school attainment and social, emotional and behavioural outcomes, for all children and specifically for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The analysis is based on the Millennium…

Determinants of Schooling for Boys and Girls in Nigeria under a Policy of Free Primary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lincove, Jane Arnold

2009-01-01

This paper adds a measure of school costs to the model of determinants of schooling. Costs are estimated with controls for selection into school and the possibility of receiving free primary education (FPE). Controlling for costs, household wealth has a large, positive effect on primary school attendance with greater income elasticity for girls…

Primary School Councils: Organization, Composition and Head Teacher Perceptions and Values

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burnitt, Michael; Gunter, Helen

2013-01-01

School councils have been an integral part of primary school life for the last decade and, despite not being mandatory in England, they are now to be found in the vast majority of primary schools. This research article aims to examine the current position of school councils in terms of their organization, the issues they address and the views held…

Enhancing STEM Education during School Transition: Bridging the Gap in Science Manipulative Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fadzil, Hidayah Mohd; Saat, Rohaida Mohd

2014-01-01

The lack of exposure to practical work in primary schools leads to incompetency in manipulative skills and students may carry this problem with them to secondary school. To address this issues, an in-depth qualitative study was conducted during transition from primary to secondary school. The research involved 10 primary school students (grade 6)…

Relational Aggression: The Voices of Primary School Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Botha, Johan

2014-01-01

The aim of this research was to explore and describe primary school learners' experiences of relational aggression at school. This was done within a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach. In order to give a voice to primary school learners' lived experiences of relational aggression, 25 individual interviews were conducted…

Primary School Leadership Today and Tomorrow

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Southworth, Geoff

2008-01-01

The article provides a retrospective and prospective view of primary school leadership. It begins with an analytic description of primary school leadership in the recent past. The second part looks at school leadership today, identifies contemporary issues and examines role continuities and changes. The third part looks at what the future might…

Exploring the Values of Chaplains in Government Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Isaacs, Amy Kate; Mergler, Amanda

2018-01-01

Minimal prior research has examined the school chaplaincy programme in Australia. This exploratory study sought to identify the values primary school chaplains feel are the most important to them personally, and in their role as chaplain. Eight chaplains working in government primary schools were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis was used…

Management Philosophies of Primary School Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tas, Said

2011-01-01

The study aimed to determine the management philosophies of primary school principals. Stratification method of sampling was used in the study. The study sample consisted of 33 school principals and 132 teachers serving at primary education schools in Isparta in the academic year 2008-2009. The "Manager Philosophy Scale" developed by Tanriogen and…

Belongingness in Early Secondary School: Key Factors that Primary and Secondary Schools Need to Consider

PubMed Central

Vaz, Sharmila; Falkmer, Marita; Ciccarelli, Marina; Passmore, Anne; Parsons, Richard; Black, Melissa; Cuomo, Belinda; Tan, Tele; Falkmer, Torbjörn

2015-01-01

It is unknown if, and how, students redefine their sense of school belongingness after negotiating the transition to secondary school. The current study used longitudinal data from 266 students with, and without, disabilities who negotiated the transition from 52 primary schools to 152 secondary schools. The study presents the 13 most significant personal student and contextual factors associated with belongingness in the first year of secondary school. Student perception of school belongingness was found to be stable across the transition. No variability in school belongingness due to gender, disability or household-socio-economic status (SES) was noted. Primary school belongingness accounted for 22% of the variability in secondary school belongingness. Several personal student factors (competence, coping skills) and school factors (low-level classroom task-goal orientation), which influenced belongingness in primary school, continued to influence belongingness in secondary school. In secondary school, effort-goal orientation of the student and perception of their school’s tolerance to disability were each associated with perception of school belongingness. Family factors did not influence belongingness in secondary school. Findings of the current study highlight the need for primary schools to foster belongingness among their students at an early age, and transfer students’ belongingness profiles as part of the hand-over documentation. Most of the factors that influenced school belongingness before and after the transition to secondary are amenable to change. PMID:26372554

The Myth of "Migrants as Problems": Public School in Neoliberal Times and the Construction and Contestation of "Migrant" Identity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Enmou

2017-01-01

This article reports the findings of a sociolinguistic ethnographic inquiry into the constructions of internal rural-to-urban migrant students by one urban public school in China, and how these students positioned themselves to these constructions against the background of the school's neoliberal transformation. This inquiry finds that, due to the…

School Climate: A Review of the Construct, Measurement, and Impact on Student Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Ming-Te; Degol, Jessica L.

2016-01-01

The construct of school climate has received attention as a way to enhance student achievement and reduce problem behaviors. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the existing literature on school climate and to bring to light the strengths, weakness, and gaps in the ways researchers have approached the construct. The central information in…

School Building Construction and Inspection Resource Manual. Revision 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Utah State Office of Education, Salt Lake City.

This manual contains current legal requirements and information on school building construction and inspection in the state of Utah. Major topics include facilities long-range planning; the role and responsibilities of the School District Building Official; school site issues such as size and location, impact, and acquisition and development; as…

Pitfalls Lurk for School-Project Chiefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sack, Joetta L.

2004-01-01

This paper, Part 3 of a three-part series examining the boom in the construction and renovation of K-12 schools and the continuing challenges that communities face in getting the facilities their students and educators need, describes the demanding career aspects of school administrators who oversee construction projects. Building schools requires…

Primary School Teachers' Inspection in Turkey: Primary School Teachers' Expectations about Inspectors' Guidance Roles and the Realisation Level of These Expectations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Polat, Soner; Ugurlu, Celal Teyyar

2008-01-01

The aim of this research is to point out primary school teachers' expectations about inspectors' guidance roles and the realisation level of these expectations. The data used in this research that will be done in descriptive scanning model is collected from the views of primary school teachers selected randomly from Balikesir, Batman and Hatay.…

Improving the primary school science learning unit about force and motion through lesson study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phaikhumnam, Wuttichai; Yuenyong, Chokchai

2018-01-01

The study aimed to develop primary school science lesson plan based on inquiry cycle (5Es) through lesson study. The study focused on the development of 4 primary school science lesson plans of force and motion for Grade 3 students in KKU Demonstration Primary School (Suksasart), first semester of 2015 academic year. The methodology is mixed method. The Inthaprasitha (2010) lesson study cycle was implemented in group of KKU Demonstration Primary School. Instruments of reflection of lesson plan developing included participant observation, meeting and reflection report, lesson plan and other document. The instruments of examining students' learning include classroom observation and achievement test. Data was categorized from these instruments to find the issues of changing and improving the good lesson plan of Thai primary school science learning. The findings revealed that teachers could develop the lesson plans through lesson study. The issues of changing and improving were disused by considering on engaging students related to societal issues, students' prior knowledge, scientific concepts for primary school students, and what they learned from their changing. It indicated that the Lesson Study allowed primary school science teachers to share ideas and develop ideas to improve the lesson. The study may have implications for Thai science teacher education through Lesson Study.

Strengthening Collaborative Leadership for Thai Primary School Administrators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Samriangjit, Prapaporn; Tesaputa, Kowat; Somprach, Kanokorn

2016-01-01

The objectives of this research were: 1) to investigate the elements and indicators of collaborative leadership of primary school administrators, 2) to explore the existing situation and required situation of collaborative leadership of primary school administrators, 3) to develop a program to enhance collaborative leadership of primary school…

[What Can We Learn from the English Primary Schools? Questions and Answers from My Fulbright Administrative Exchange.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Firlik, Russell J.

This paper discusses the primary education system in England as a whole and the operation of primary schools in Leicestershire in particular. It also contains questions and answers concerning English primary education. The paper describes the organization, funding, and administration of English primary schools, which provide the first 6 years of…

Primary school compliance with school canteen guidelines in Fiji and its association with student obesity

PubMed Central

Bullen, C.; Tayler-Smith, K.; Van Den Bergh, R.; Khogali, M.

2013-01-01

Setting: Childhood obesity is of growing public health concern in Fiji. The study setting was primary schools in Fiji’s Western Division. Objective: 1) To assess primary schools’ compliance with national school canteen guidelines, 2) to understand reasons for non-compliance, and 3) to assess the relationship between compliance with the guidelines and students’ body mass index (BMI). Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected in 2010 by public health dieticians of the Ministry of Health on annual visits to primary schools. Results: Among 230 schools, 33 (14%) had no canteen data. Of the 197 schools with data, only 31 (16%) were fully compliant with national school canteen guidelines, while the remaining 166 (84%) did not fully comply with the guidelines. This was irrespective of school location or whether the canteen was school or commercially operated. In a random sample (n = 44 schools), overweight and obesity were more common among children in non-compliant schools than in fully compliant schools (40% vs. 32%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most primary schools in Fiji’s Western Division did not comply with school canteen guidelines, which is worrying given the increasing rates of overweight children. Given the association between non-compliance and student overweight/obesity, further action is needed to ensure that these guidelines are implemented. PMID:26393002

Teacher talk about science: An examination of the constructed understanding of science held by four elementary school teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, Robert John

The elementary school teacher's personal understanding of science has not been a primary focus of consideration in educational reform discussions. This study examines how four elementary school teachers have constructed their personal understanding of science. The purpose of this study is to explore core understandings about science held by these teachers, and to examine the origins of these ideas. This study assumes that a teacher's understanding of science is unique and constructed on personal experiences affected by influences. This study further explores the relationship of the teachers understanding to the school's stated curriculum. The theoretical framework of this research recognizes three guiding assumptions: science exists as a set of ideas that have developed over time through competing discourses; the teacher plays an important role in the implementation of the science curriculum; and the guiding influences of a teacher's understanding of science are associated with power that emerges from discourse. The methodology in this qualitative study is closely associated with narrative inquiry. Data collection methods include a questionnaire, focus group sessions, and individual interviews. Teachers' stories were collected through collaborative interview opportunities between the researcher and the participants. The findings are presented through the narratives of the four teachers, and are organized through the guiding influences, and talk related to the stated science curriculum. The teachers' talk can be categorized by three broad guiding influences: family, education, and an image of science. The talk related to the stated curriculum illustrates both conflicts, and a relationship between the teachers' understanding of science and the curriculum. The finding of this study provides evidence that each teacher's understanding of science is unique and developed over time. Additionally, this understanding plays a role in how the stated curriculum is discussed and understood. This investigation recommends that teachers' personal understanding of science, as revealed through narrative inquiry, becomes a focus in developing new educational opportunities for elementary school teachers. This study further recommends challenging a hegemony related to positivism that exists in science curricula, and the addition of the valued voice of elementary teachers to the discourse of science education.

Girls' Drop-Out from Primary Schooling in the Middle East and North Africa: Challenges and Alternatives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mehrah, Golnar

The present situation in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) regarding primary school drop-out and repetition, with special reference to the situation of the girl child, is examined in this study. The in-school as well as out-of-school causes of primary school drop-out are examined, and solutions that help reduce or eliminate the…

The Effects of Teacher Certification and Experience on Student Achievement on Primary School Examination in Belizean Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lopez, Carmen Jane

2012-01-01

The Ministry of Education has the largest portion of the national budget of 21% in Belize. Related studies in the region and around the world reveals that rural schools are not provided with highly qualified teachers. Likewise, multi-grade schools in the region and in Belize repeatedly perform lower on the Primary School Examination than their…

The Effects of School-Based Maum Meditation Program on the Self-Esteem and School Adjustment in Primary School Students

PubMed Central

Yoo, Yang Gyeong; Lee, In Soo

2013-01-01

Self-esteem and school adjustment of children in the lower grades of primary school, the beginning stage of school life, have a close relationship with development of personality, mental health and characters of children. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify the effect of school-based Maum Meditation program on children in the lower grades of primary school, as a personality education program. The result showed that the experimental group with application of Maum Meditation program had significant improvements in self-esteem and school adjustment, compared to the control group without the application. In conclusion, since the study provides significant evidence that the intervention of Maum Meditation program had positive effects on self-esteem and school adjustment of children in the early stage of primary school, it is suggested to actively employ Maum Meditation as a school-based meditation program for mental health promotion of children in the early school ages, the stage of formation of personalities and habits. PMID:23777717

The relevance of receptive vocabulary in reading comprehension.

PubMed

Nalom, Ana Flávia de Oliveira; Soares, Aparecido José Couto; Cárnio, Maria Silvia

2015-01-01

To characterize the performance of students from the 5th year of primary school, with and without indicatives of reading and writing disorders, in receptive vocabulary and reading comprehension of sentences and texts, and to verify possible correlations between both. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution (no. 098/13). Fifty-two students in the 5th year from primary school, with and without indicatives of reading and writing disorders, and from two public schools participated in this study. After signing the informed consent and having a speech therapy assessment for the application of inclusion criteria, the students were submitted to a specific test for standardized evaluation of receptive vocabulary and reading comprehension. The data were studied using statistical analysis through the Kruskal-Wallis test, analysis of variance techniques, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient with level of significance to be 0.05. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (was constructed in which reading comprehension was considered as gold standard. The students without indicatives of reading and writing disorders presented a better performance in all tests. No significant correlation was found between the tests that evaluated reading comprehension in either group. A correlation was found between reading comprehension of texts and receptive vocabulary in the group without indicatives. In the absence of indicatives of reading and writing disorders, the presence of a good range of vocabulary highly contributes to a proficient reading comprehension of texts.

Primary Schools and the Delivery of Relationships and Sexuality Education: The Experience of Queensland Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Rebecca L.; Sendall, Marguerite C.; McCuaig, Louise A.

2014-01-01

Primary school provides an appropriate opportunity for children to commence comprehensive relationships and sexuality education (RSE), yet many primary school teachers avoid teaching this subject area. In the absence of teacher confidence and competence, schools have often relied on health promotion professionals, external agencies and/or one-off…

Primary School Leadership Practice: How the Subject Matters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spillane, James P.

2005-01-01

Teaching is a critical consideration in investigations of primary school leadership and not just as an outcome variable. Factoring in instruction as an explanatory variable in scholarship on school leadership involves moving away from views of teaching as a monolithic or unitary practice. When it comes to leadership in primary schools, the subject…

Perspectives on English Teacher Development in Rural Primary Schools in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ping, Wang

2013-01-01

Questionnaires are used to examine Chinese rural primary school English teachers' needs and challenges and perceptions in the implementation of Standards for Teachers of English in Primary Schools as professional development in rural school contexts in China. A total of 300 teachers participated in the research. Their feedback illustrates that…

Music without a Music Specialist: A Primary School Story

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Vries, Peter A.

2015-01-01

This case study focuses on generalist primary (elementary) school teachers teaching music in an Australian school. With the onus for teaching music moving away from the specialist music teacher to the generalist classroom teacher, this case study adds to a growing body of literature focusing on generalist primary school teachers and music…

Development of Program to Enhance Team Building Leadership Skills of Primary School Administrators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sairam, Boonchauy; Sirisuthi, Chaiyuth; Wisetrinthong, Kanjana

2017-01-01

Team building leadership skills are important to understandings of how the primary school administrators might work towards creating more effective teamwork in the school. This research aimed 1) to study the components of team building leadership skills needed for primary school administrators, 2) to examine the current states and desirable…

Melinda: De Facto Primary School Music Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Vries, Peter

2013-01-01

A series of reviews dating back to the 1960s and a body of research literature points to the inadequate delivery of music education by generalist primary school teachers in Australian schools. Despite recommendations for specialist music teachers to teach music in all Australian primary schools to counter this ongoing trend, such an approach has…

The Effects of Servant Leadership on Teachers' Organizational Commitment in Primary Schools in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cerit, Yusuf

2010-01-01

This study examines the effects of servant leadership behaviours of primary school principals on teachers' school commitment. The research data were collected from 563 teachers working in primary schools in Duzce. Servant leadership behaviours of principals were measured with a servent organizational leadership assessment scale, and the teachers'…

The Changing Roles of Science Specialists during a Capacity Building Program for Primary School Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herbert, Sandra; Xu, Lihua; Kelly, Leissa

2017-01-01

Science education starts at primary school. Yet, recent research shows primary school teachers lack confidence and competence in teaching science (Prinsley & Johnston, 2015). A Victorian state government science specialist initiative responded to this concern by providing professional learning programs to schools across Victoria. Drawing on…

Changing Teaching and Learning in the Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webb, Rosemary, Ed.

2006-01-01

In this topical book, leading academics in primary education evaluate New Labour's Education policy. They draw on the findings of the latest research to discuss the impact of policies on primary school practice and on the views and experiences of primary school teachers and pupils. Current issues and initiatives are analyzed to identify the extent…

Reflective Teaching Practices in Turkish Primary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tok, Sukran; Dolapcioglu, Sevda Dogan

2013-01-01

The objective of the study is to explore the prevalence of reflective teaching practices among Turkish primary school teachers. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used together in the study. The sample was composed of 328 primary school teachers working in 30 primary education institutions in the town of Antakya in the province of…

Prospective Primary School Teachers' Misconceptions about States of Matter

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tatar, Erdal

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify prospective primary school teachers' misconceptions about the states of matter. The sample of the study was 227 fourth-year prospective primary school teachers in a Department of Primary Education in Turkey. Researcher asked from every participant to write a response to an open ended question about…

A Survey of Rural Primary School Music Education in Northeastern China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sun, Zuodong; Leung, Bo Wah

2014-01-01

China has been instituting national basic education curriculum reforms since 2001. This study provides an updated understanding of present-day, rural primary school music education in Northeastern China's Tonghua region. A total of 126 rural primary music teachers and 674 students from 28 primary schools in the region were surveyed using a…

Construction Know-How: Making the Best Possible Decisions Regarding School Construction and Renovation Projects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Argon, Joe, Ed.; Spoor, Dana L.; Cox, Susan M.; Brown, Andrew; Ray, Jennifer

1998-01-01

Presents a series of articles that examine decision making in school construction and renovation projects. Topics include preparing for a construction project, purchasing windows that provide protection at a reasonable cost, choosing the best flooring and carpeting, and dealing with deregulation. An industry roundtable discussion on project…

13th Annual School Construction Report, 2008

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramson, Paul

2008-01-01

School construction completed in 2007--including new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and major retrofit of existing buildings--totaled almost $20.8B, a signifi cant increase over the $20.1B spent on construction completed in 2006. This marks the seventh year in the last eight that annual construction exceeded $20B. During the eight…

Traps and Treasures: How To Stay Safe and Avoid the Perils of School Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marshall, Colin A.

2002-01-01

Provides steps school administrators can take to ensure safe construction: stay visible, update students, separate students and construction workers, engage workers in the educational process, monitor student movement, observe construction workers, barricade work areas, watch for stored materials, check emergency exits daily, conduct fire drills,…

The causal effect of increased primary schooling on child mortality in Malawi: Universal primary education as a natural experiment.

PubMed

Makate, Marshall; Makate, Clifton

2016-11-01

The primary objective of this analysis is to investigate the causal effect of mother's schooling on under-five health - and the passageways through which schooling propagates - by exploiting the exogenous variability in schooling prompted by the 1994 universal primary schooling program in Malawi. This education policy, which saw the elimination of tuition fees across all primary schooling grades, creates an ideal setting for observing the causal influence of improved primary school enrollment on the under-five fatality rates of the subsequent generation. Our analysis uses data from three waves of the nationally representative Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2000, 2004/05, and 2010. To address the potential endogeneity of schooling, we employ the mother's age at implementation of the tuition-free primary school policy in 1994 as an instrumental variable for the prospect of finishing primary level instruction. The results suggest that spending one year in school translated to a 3.22 percentage point reduction in mortality for infants and a 6.48 percent reduction for children under age five years. For mothers younger than 19 years, mortality was reduced by 5.95 percentage points. These figures remained approximately the same even after adjusting for potential confounders. However, we failed to find any statistically meaningful effect of the mother's education on neonatal survival. The juvenile fatality estimates we find are weakly robust to several robustness checks. We also explored the potential mechanisms by which increased maternal schooling might help enhance child survival. The findings indicated that an added year of motherly learning considerably improves the prospect of prenatal care use, literacy levels, father's educational level, and alters fertility behavior. Our results suggest that increasing the primary schooling prospects for young women might help reduce under-five mortality in less-industrialized regions experiencing high under-five fatalities such as in sub-Saharan Africa. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 36117 - No Child Left Behind School Facilities and Construction Negotiated Rulemaking Committee-Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-24

... visit; Brief update on school facilities FY11 budget; Review any language drafted by Committee members... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs No Child Left Behind School Facilities and... of Indian Affairs is announcing that the No Child Left Behind School Facilities and Construction...

76 FR 2617 - No Child Left Behind School Facilities and Construction Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-14

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs 25 CFR Chapter I No Child Left Behind School... Indian Affairs is announcing that the No Child Left Behind School Facilities and Construction Negotiated... Affairs and Collaborative Action, Office of the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs, 1001 Indian School...

Qualified School Construction Bonds: One School District's Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morstad, Lisa Zimmerman

2010-01-01

Qualified school construction bonds (QSCBs) are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These bonds allow school districts to finance capital projects at no or very low interest rates. In a nutshell, bondholders accept a lower interest rate because the corresponding federal tax credit they receive subsidizes that lower interest…

Leadership for Primary Schools: An Examination of Innovation within an Austrian Educational Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heißenberger, Petra

2016-01-01

This study examined relationships between the work of innovative school principals and innovative primary schools determined by defining eight areas of school leadership: Instructional Development, Classroom Management, School Organization, Social Interaction, Personnel Development, Cooperation, Infrastructure and School Marketing. A questionnaire…

The Country School as an Historic Site and the Movement to Improve Rural Schools in North Dakota. Country School Legacy: Humanities on the Frontier.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rylance, Dan

Country schools were important in the growth and development of North Dakota. While most of the early schools were constructed of wood, some were constructed of stone, sod, or logs. Standardization was established by 1915, and the white framed one-room school was duplicated in every township of the state until the end of World War II. A former…

School Based Factors Affecting Learning of Kenyan Sign Language in Primary Schools for Hearing Impaired in Embu and Isiolo Counties, Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rwaimba, Samuel Muthomi

2016-01-01

This was a descriptive survey study design which sought to establish the school based factors that affect the learning of Kenyan Sign Language in primary schools for learners with hearing impairment in Embu and Isiolo counties in Kenya. The target population was all teachers teaching in primary schools for learners with hearing impairment in the…

Primary school teacher as a primary health care worker.

PubMed

Nayar, S; Singh, D; Rao, N P; Choudhury, D R

1990-01-01

School children (1608) were examined for three items (nails, scalp hairs and teeth) relating to personal hygiene and relevant infective conditions from two sets of villages i.e. one set where primary school teacher was working as primary health care worker (Group I) and the other set where Community Health Volunteer (CHV) was delivering primary health care (Group II). The objective was to evaluate the efficiency of school teachers' role vis-a-vis CHVs' in imparting health education to school children. Out of 1608 school children, 801 belonged to Group I villages and the remaining 807 to Group II villages. From the results, it was evident that children of Group I villages were better with respect to all the items related to personal hygiene and infective conditions excepting scalp infections, where difference was not statistically significant, indicating teachers' superiority over the CHVs' in imparting health education to school children.

Examining School Culture in Flemish and Chinese Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhu, Chang; Devos, Geert; Tondeur, Jo

2014-01-01

The aim of this research is to gain understanding about school culture characteristics of primary schools in the Flemish and Chinese context. The study was carried out in Flanders (Belgium) and China, involving a total of 44 Flemish schools and 40 Chinese schools. The School Culture Scales were used to measure five school culture dimensions with…

Cooperative Learning in Science: Follow-up from primary to high school

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thurston, Allen; Topping, Keith J.; Tolmie, Andrew; Christie, Donald; Karagiannidou, Eleni; Murray, Pauline

2010-03-01

This paper reports a two-year longitudinal study of the effects of cooperative learning on science attainment, attitudes towards science, and social connectedness during transition from primary to high school. A previous project on cooperative learning in primary schools observed gains in science understanding and in social aspects of school life. This project followed 204 children involved in the previous project and 440 comparison children who were not as they undertook transition from 24 primary schools to 16 high schools. Cognitive, affective, and social gains observed in the original project survived transition. The implications improving the effectiveness of school transition by using cooperative learning initiatives are explored. Possibilities for future research and the implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Ohio School Design Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio School Facilities Commission, Columbus.

This manual presents guidance to facility designers, school administrators, staff, and students for the development of school facilities being constructed under Ohio's Classroom Facilities Assistance Program. It provides critical analysis of individual spaces and material/system components necessary for the construction of elementary and secondary…

An Inside Look at School Reform: What We Have Learned about Assessing Student Learning in a Nongraded Primary School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Tracey E.; Baker, Scott

This paper provides background information on school reform and describes efforts to implement an assessment system for students with disabilities in 12 nongraded primary classrooms. Background information briefly covers the school restructuring movement, the history of nongraded primary education, alternative assessment strategies which focus on…

Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Parents' Involvement in Homework: Practices and Perceptions from Eight Johannesburg Public Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ndebele, Misheck

2015-01-01

This paper examines socio-economic factors influencing parental involvement in homework at the Foundation Phase in eight Johannesburg public primary schools. The research was conducted among over 600 parents from schools in different geographical and socio-economic areas such as the inner city, suburban and township. Two primary schools were…

Mathematics Performance and Principal Effectiveness: A Case Study of Some Coastal Primary Schools in Sri Lanka

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egodawatte, Gunawardena

2012-01-01

This mixed method research study is situated in the school effectiveness research paradigm to examine the correlation between the effectiveness of urban, primary school principals and their students' performance in mathematics. Nine, urban, primary schools from Negombo, a coastal fishing area in Sri Lanka, were selected; their student achievements…

Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of a National Primary School HIV Intervention in Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maticka-Tyndale, Eleanor; Wildish, Janet; Gichuru, Mary

2007-01-01

This study examined the impact of a primary-school HIV education initiative on the knowledge, self-efficacy and sexual and condom use activities of upper primary-school pupils in Kenya. A quasi-experimental mixed qualitative-quantitative pre- and 18-month post-design using 40 intervention and 40 matched control schools demonstrated significant…

Analysing the Correlations between Primary School Teachers' Teaching Styles and Their Critical Thinking Disposition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sen, Özgür

2018-01-01

This study aims to analyse the correlations between teaching styles primary school teachers prefer to use and their critical thinking disposition. The research was conducted with the participation of 380 primary school teachers teaching in schools located in Ankara. The study employs relational survey model. In this study "Teaching Styles…

Primary School Teachers' Views on Intergenerational Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Polat, Soner; Kazak, Ender

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the views of primary school teachers on intergenerational learning (IGL). The study group consists of eight primary schools in the central district of Düzce during the 2013-2014 academic year and 13 teachers who teach in these schools. Participants were selected among teachers working in Düzce's city…

Developing and Implementing a Mobile Conservation Education Unit for Rural Primary School Children in Lao PDR

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansel, Troy; Phimmavong, Somvang; Phengsopha, Kaisone; Phompila, Chitana; Homduangpachan, Khiaosaphan

2010-01-01

In this article, the authors examine the implementation and success of a mobile conservation education unit targeting primary schools in central Lao PDR (People's Democratic Republic). The mobile unit conducted 3-hour interactive programs for school children focused on the importance of wildlife and biodiversity around the primary schools in rural…

Positioning the School in the Landscape: Exploring Black History with a Regional Australian Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeegers, Margaret

2011-01-01

This paper deals with a project establishing an Indigenous Australian artists-in-residence program at a regional Australian primary school to foreground its Black History. Primary school students worked with Indigenous Australian story tellers, artists, dancers and musicians to explore ways in which they could examine print and non-print texts for…

Trigger Happy: The Troubling Trend of Primary School Closures in Glasgow City Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koch, Joshua F.

2010-01-01

This paper examines the continuing trend of school closures in Glasgow, Scotland. Particular attention will be paid to Stonedyke Primary School, which Glasgow City Council was proposing to close at the time of this research. Current statistical data and research is used to better examine the current crisis Stonedyke Primary faces. Furthermore,…

Effects of Continuing Professional Development on Group Work Practices in Scottish Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thurston, A.; Christie, D.; Howe, C. J.; Tolmie, A.; Topping, K. J.

2008-01-01

The present study investigated the effects of a continuing professional development (CPD) initiative that provided collaborative group work skills training for primary school teachers. The study collected data from 24 primary school classrooms in different schools in a variety of urban and rural settings. The sample was composed of 332 pupils,…

Analyzing the Learning Styles of Pre-Service Primary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özdemir, Muhammet; Kaptan, Fitnat

2017-01-01

The purpose of this research is to analyze the learning styles of pre-service primary school teachers by various variables. The universe of the research is composed of 2136 pre-service primary school teachers study in freshman (first year) and senior (fourth year) classes of Faculty of Education School Teaching department in Gazi University,…

The Effects of Servant Leadership Behaviours of School Principals on Teachers' Job Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cerit, Yusuf

2009-01-01

This article examines the effects of servant leadership behaviours of primary school principals on teacher job satisfaction. The population of this study is 29 primary schools in Duzce, Turkey. Data were collected from 595 teachers working in primary schools in Duzce province of Turkey. Servant leadership behaviours of principals were determined…

Children's Experiences of the First Year of Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Einarsdottir, Johanna

2010-01-01

This article describes a study with first grade children and their views on the primary school curriculum, as well as their influence on decision-making in school. The study was conducted with 20 six- and seven-year-old children in one primary school in Reykjavik, Iceland. The data gathered includes varied research methods such as group…

Tipping Points: Teachers' Reported Reasons for Referring Primary School Children for Excessive Anxiety

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hinchliffe, Kaitlin J.; Campbell, Marilyn A.

2016-01-01

The current study explored the reasons that primary school teachers reported were tipping points for them in deciding whether or not and when to refer a child to the school student support team for excessive anxiety. Twenty teachers in two Queensland primary schools were interviewed. Content analysis of interview transcripts revealed six themes…

Narrative Skills and Genre Knowledge: Ways of Telling in the Primary School Grades.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hicks, Deborah

1990-01-01

Primary school children, after viewing a silent film, were asked to narrate a segment of the film and recount its events both as a news story and as an embellished story. The results indicate that primary school children have only nascent ability to apply genre knowledge to school language tasks. (55 references) (Author/JL)

Perceptions of Learning: Interviews with First and Second Graders in a Hungarian Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Habók, Anita; Babarczy, Anna

2018-01-01

The paper discusses children' attitudes towards school and learning soon after entering primary school in Hungary. First and second grade primary school students (N = 33) were interviewed. The interviews explored the following questions: What are the teachers' and the children's roles in the classroom? What is learning? Where do children learn?…

Changes in physical activity during the transition from primary to secondary school in Belgian children: what is the role of the school environment?

PubMed

De Meester, Femke; Van Dyck, Delfien; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Deforche, Benedicte; Cardon, Greet

2014-03-19

Key life periods have been associated with changes in physical activity (PA). This study investigated (1) how PA changes when primary school children transfer to secondary school, (2) if school environmental characteristics differ between primary and secondary schools and (3) if changes in school environmental characteristics can predict changes in PA in Belgian schoolchildren. Moderating effects of gender and the baseline level of PA were investigated for the first and third research question. In total, 736 children (10-13 years) of the last year of primary school participated in the first phase of this longitudinal study. Two years later, 502 of these children (68.2%) agreed to participate in the second phase. Accelerometers, pedometers and the Flemish Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to measure PA. School environmental characteristics were reported by the school principals. Cross-classified regression models were conducted to analyze the data. Self-reported active transport to school and accelerometer weekday moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) increased after the transition to secondary school while self-reported extracurricular PA and total PA decreased. Pedometer weekday step counts decreased, but this decrease was only apparent among those who achieved the PA guidelines in primary school.Secondary schools scored higher on the school environmental characteristics: provision of sports and PA during lunch break, active schoolyards and playgrounds and health education policy but lower on sports and PA after-school than primary schools. Changes in the school environmental characteristics: active commuting to school, active schoolyards and playgrounds and health education policy resulted in changes in self-reported extracurricular PA, total PA , pedometer/accelerometer determined step counts and accelerometer determined MVPA. Moderating effects were found for baseline PA and gender. PA changed after the transition to secondary school. In general, secondary schools seem more likely to foster strategies to promote PA during school hours than primary schools who seem more likely to foster strategies to promote PA after school. Changes in school environmental characteristics may contribute to changes in PA. Thus, if confirmed in future studies, efforts are needed to implement these components in schools as early as possible to positively affect the change in PA.

School Environment and Satisfaction with Schooling among Primary School Pupils in Ondo State, Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aina, Stephen Ileoye

2015-01-01

Modern school environments put emphasis on adequate and qualitative facilities to promote conducive teaching and learning environments, the deplorable conditions of the primary schools has become worrisome to the state government and education stakeholders. The study investigated the school environment and pupils' satisfaction with schooling in…

Nutrition Knowledge and Training Needs in the School Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Anna Marie

The nutrition environment in schools can influence the risk for childhood overweight and obesity, which in turn can have life-long implications for risk of chronic disease. This dissertation aimed to examine the nutrition environment in primary public schools in California with regards to the amount of nutrition education provided in the classroom, the nutrition knowledge of teachers, and the training needs of school nutrition personnel. In order to determine nutrition knowledge of teachers, a valid and reliable questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge. The systematic process involved cognitive interviews, a mail-based pretest that utilized a random sample of addresses in California, and validity and reliability testing in a sample of university students. Results indicated that the questionnaire had adequate construct validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability. Following the validation of the knowledge questionnaire, it was used in a study of public school teachers in California to determine the relationship between demographic and classroom characteristics and nutrition knowledge, in addition to barriers to nutrition education and resources used to plan nutrition lessons. Nutrition knowledge was not found to be associated with teaching nutrition in the classroom, however it was associated with gender, identifying as Hispanic or Latino, and grade level grouping taught. The most common barriers to nutrition education were time, and unrelated subject matter. The most commonly used resources to plan nutrition lessons were Dairy Council of California educational materials. The school nutrition program was the second area of the school nutrition environment to be examined, and the primary focus was to determine the perceived training needs of California school nutrition personnel. Respondents indicated a need for training in topics related to: program management; the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; nutrition, health and wellness; planning, preparing, and serving meals; and communication and marketing. Those employed in residential child care institutions expressed a strong need for training specific to this type of program. Overall, the results of this dissertation contribute to the body of knowledge about nutrition in the school environment and raise interesting questions to be examined in future studies.

30 CFR 817.151 - Primary roads.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... section. (a) Certification. The construction or reconstruction of primary roads shall be certified in a... authorizes land surveyors to certify the construction or reconstruction of primary roads, a qualified registered professional land surveyor, with experience in the design and construction of roads. The report...

30 CFR 816.151 - Primary roads.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... this section. (a) Certification. The construction or reconstruction of primary roads shall be certified... State which authorizes land surveyors to certify the construction or reconstruction of primary roads, a qualified registered professional land surveyor with experience in the design and construction of roads. The...

Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Headley, Clea; Campbell, Marilyn A.

2013-01-01

This study examined primary school teachers' knowledge of anxiety and excessive anxiety symptoms in children. Three hundred and fifteen primary school teachers completed a questionnaire exploring their definitions of anxiety and the indications they associated with excessive anxiety in primary school children. Results showed that teachers had an…

The Prevention Disaster Program of Flood in 2013 for the 4th Grade Students of Kawatanaka Primary School, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan and Underflow Channels Revealed in 2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawamata, Sanae; Murata, Mamoru

2017-12-01

The Typhoon No. 18 caused flood on September 15, 2013 in the Kawata River basin, Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture. The Kawata River is a raised river bed of 36.7 m with banks to 40.5 m above sea level. The heavy rain did not destroy the banks but made the river level 39.4 m high and then pressed the underflow channel. As the Kawatanaka primary school is located at 36.2 m height, it was not submerged although the underflow channel overbanked the adjacent playground. An educational program on the prevention and reduction for natural disaster, which consists of science, social studies and presentation, was conducted to 18 students of the 4th grade in the period of integrated study in the Kawatanaka primary school from September 17, 2013. On the first day, flow current markings from 625 holes, 30 cm to 1 mm in diameter, on the playground were observed. The flow currents showed direction from SE to NW. On the basis of their observations on the flow currents that water runs from high to low, the students considered the phenomena as a result of tilting of the ground. They conducted activity as their homework to confirm their hypothesis to know if there is any tilt in the ground. They took plastic bottle filled with water and reviled that the ground had 1 to 2 degrees’ tilt to the NW during the experiment. On the bases of the difference between E to W flow of the Kawata River and their SE to NW estimated current flow on the playground and the fact that the bank of the river was not destroyed, the students suggested that the heavy rain had pressed the underflow channels. The suggested channels were found on the playground, where new school buildings were constructed in 2016, by one of the students who studied the program in 2013.

Does Teaching English in Saudi Primary Schools Affect Students' Academic Achievement in Arabic Subjects?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aljohani, Othman

2016-01-01

The global trend of introducing second language learning, namely, English, in primary schools is increasing. In Saudi Arabia, where English has never been taught in primary schools, the government to implement English as a second language at the primary level in 2005; however, this generated controversy. Opposition to the learning of English has…

Who Drops out from Primary Schools in China? Evidence from Minority-Concentrated Rural Areas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lu, Meichen; Cui, Manlin; Shi, Yaojiang; Chang, Fang; Mo, Di; Rozelle, Scott; Johnson, Natalie

2016-01-01

One of the Millennium Development Goals is to ensure universal access to primary education by 2015. However, primary school dropout remains a challenge in many developing countries. While official statistics in China report aggregated primary school dropout of only 0.2%, almost no independent, survey-based studies have sought to verify these…

Norovirus prevention and the prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in kindergartens and primary schools in Changzhou, China: Status of the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and requirements.

PubMed

Qi, Rui; Ye, Chao; Chen, Cong; Yao, Ping; Hu, Feifei; Lin, Qin

2015-08-01

We estimated the status of norovirus infection and prevention in kindergartens and primary schools and identified poor areas for which future education is needed. We evaluated the knowledge, attitude, behavior, requirements of outbreak prevention, and rate of asymptomatic carriers. Two self-administered questionnaires were conducted for data collection. Five hundred seventy-four teachers from kindergartens and primary schools and 3,114 students from primary schools in Changzhou city were sampled for questionnaire investigation. In addition, 511 rectal swabs from healthy children were taken for norovirus detection. Twenty-one of 511 children were asymptomatically infected with norovirus. The rate of asymptomatic norovirus infection children in kindergartens was 2.7% and 4.7% in primary schools. Nineteen of 21 positive samples were GII strains, the other 2 were GI strains. In addition, we found that primary schools were less prepared to prevent norovirus outbreaks than kindergartens. Settings in the suburban counties needed more education on norovirus prevention. The results of this study emphasize the need for training of primary schools and suburban schools about norovirus prevention. Asymptomatic norovirus infection should receive more attention. Copyright © 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hilton College Farm School, Natal, South Africa.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beveridge, Sue

1989-01-01

The Hilton College Farm School is a primary school providing for the educational needs of children in a rural area of Natal, South Africa. Described are the school's historical development, funding sources, staffing, and development of an affiliated pre-primary school. (JDD)

Investigating the interrelationships among conceptions of, approaches to, and self-efficacy in learning science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Lanqin; Dong, Yan; Huang, Ronghuai; Chang, Chun-Yen; Bhagat, Kaushal Kumar

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations between primary school students' conceptions of, approaches to, and self-efficacy in learning science in Mainland China. A total of 1049 primary school students from Mainland China participated in this study. Three instruments were adapted to measure students' conceptions of learning science, approaches to learning science, and self-efficacy. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were adopted to validate three instruments. The path analysis was employed to understand the relationships between conceptions of learning science, approaches to learning science, and self-efficacy. The findings indicated that students' lower level conceptions of learning science positively influenced their surface approaches in learning science. Higher level conceptions of learning science had a positive influence on deep approaches and a negative influence on surface approaches to learning science. Furthermore, self-efficacy was also a hierarchical construct and can be divided into the lower level and higher level. Only students' deep approaches to learning science had a positive influence on their lower and higher level of self-efficacy in learning science. The results were discussed in the context of the implications for teachers and future studies.

Development of Listening Comprehension Tests with Narrative and Expository Texts for Portuguese Students.

PubMed

Santos, Sandra; Viana, Fernanda Leopoldina; Ribeiro, Iolanda; Prieto, Gerardo; Brandão, Sara; Cadime, Irene

2015-03-03

This investigation aimed to develop and collect psychometric data for two tests assessing listening comprehension of Portuguese students in primary school: the Test of Listening Comprehension of Narrative Texts (TLC-n) and the Test of Listening Comprehension of Expository Texts (TLC-e). Two studies were conducted. The purpose of study 1 was to construct four test forms for each of the two tests to assess first, second, third and fourth grade students of the primary school. The TLC-n was administered to 1042 students, and the TLC-e was administered to 848 students. The purpose of study 2 was to test the psychometric properties of new items for the TLC-n form for fourth graders, given that the results in study 1 indicated a severe lack of difficult items. The participants were 260 fourth graders. The data were analysed using the Rasch model. Thirty items were selected for each test form. The results provided support for the model assumptions: Unidimensionality and local independence of the items. The reliability coefficients were higher than .70 for all test forms. The TLC-n and the TLC-e present good psychometric properties and represent an important contribution to the learning disabilities assessment field.

A Social Constructivist Approach to Preparing School Counselors to Work Effectively in Urban Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martinez, Robert R.; Dye, Lacretia; Gonzalez, Laura M.

2017-01-01

In this article a social construction framework is used to improve the capacity of school counselors and trainees to work effectively with African American and Latina/o students in urban schools. Three key theoretical tenets of the social construction worldview are presented as a new lens for thinking about the "meaning-making" process…

State and Federal Policies for School Facility Construction: A Comparison of Michigan and Ohio

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Thomas E.

2015-01-01

Background: The Ohio School Facilities Commission was set up in response to litigation compelling the state to achieve a more equitable distribution in the quality of school facilities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was a federal policy to stimulate the United States economy and support school facility construction. These two…

Purpose, Passion and Play: Exploring the Construct of Flourishing from the Perspective of School Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cherkowski, Sabre; Walker, Keith

2016-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify and elaborate on the construct of flourishing in schools as understood through the stories and explanations provided by a small group of public school principals. Framed within a positive organizational perspective, the specific objectives of this study are: to identify how school leaders…

Monuments to the Republic: School as a Nationalising Discourse in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bilgi, Sabiha

2014-01-01

This article examines the cultural construction of the school in Turkey in relation to the construction of Turkish nation-ness. By looking at how the modern school was fit together with a network of interrelated discourses available in early twentieth-century Turkey, the article investigates the ways in which the school became an object of thought…

The Design of Secondary Schools--A Case Study, Singapore.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liew Kok-Pun, Michael; And Others

Land scarcity dominates the thinking of school planners in Singapore. Techniques for optimizing the use of land for schools include (1) the construction of multi-storied or high-rise schools; (2) operation of a double-shift system and, in some cases, a triple-shift system; (3) multiple use of educational spaces; and (4) construction of several…

Suggested Steps for Planning and Building a New School Building.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oregon State Board of Education, Salem.

Many school board members are inexperienced in the construction process and unaware of the steps to be taken in school building construction. For this reason, this step-by-step outline attempts in a few short paragraphs under each step in the planning, bonding, and building stages to offer suggestions and advice to the school board members.…

Rich Schools, Poor Schools. Hidden Resource Inequalities between Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poesen-Vandeputte, Mayke; Nicaise, Ides

2015-01-01

Background: There has been relatively little analysis of school context including a large number of elements from the broader social, political and economic influences. However, primary schools in Flanders (Belgium) are supposed to consider their school context when implementing the Flemish policy on equal opportunities in education. Purpose: In…

Bonds Boom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reynolds, Cathryn

1989-01-01

The combined effect of the "Serrano" decision and Proposition 13 left California school districts with aging, overcrowded facilities. Chico schools won a $18.5 million general obligation bond election for facilities construction. With $11 billion needed for new school construction, California will need to tap local sources. A sidebar…

Cost Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kennedy, Mike

2009-01-01

When Fayette County (Kentucky) school officials began putting together estimates for upcoming renovation projects at two elementary schools, they based their projections on their district construction projects from 2007. But by February, when construction bids were opened for the renovations of Cassidy and Russell Cave elementary schools, the…

[Analysis on absentees due to injury during 2012-2013 school year from 32 primary schools in Hubei province].

PubMed

Tan, Li; Yan, Weirong; Wang, Ying; Fan, Yunzhou; Jiang, Hongbo; Yang, Wenwen; Nie, Shaofa

2014-09-01

To analyze absentees due to injury among primary school pupils in Hubei, 2012-2013; and to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of injuries. A total of 32 primary schools in Qianjiang city and Shayang county were sampled to conduct injury absenteeism surveillance, and the total number of students was 21 493. The surveillance contents included absent dates, genders, grades, initial or return absent, and the detailed absent reasons. The classification of injury was based on the 10th Revision of the international classification of diseases developed by WHO. Data from 2012-2013 school-year were extracted from the surveillance system for analysis. The total surveillance period was 182 days, of which the fall semester was 98 days and the spring semester was 84 days. The absenteeism rate and injury rate in different characteristics of primary school students were compared by χ² test, and the possible risk factors of injury were preliminary explored by calculating the RR (95% CI) value. The total daily injury absenteeism rate was 8.26/100 100 during 2012-2013 school-year in 32 primary schools in Hubei province, which was higher in fall semester (9.16/100 000), Qianjiang area (9.63/100 000), rural primary schools (13.44/100 000), boys (9.57/100 000), 1-2 grades (10.41/100 000), and the differences were significant (P < 0.05). The total injury rate was 0.46%. Rural primary schools (RR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.46-3.70), boys (RR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.23-2.87), and 3-4 grades (RR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.10-3.09) were identified as high-risk factors, while using city primary schools, girls, and 5-6 grades as references, respectively. The injury absenteeism rate and injury rate were more higher in rural primary schools, boys and low or middle grades in Hubei province during 2012 to 2013 school year, so monitoring and preventive measures should be focused on those students.

Health, safety and environment conditions in primary schools of Northern Iran.

PubMed

Behzadkolaee, Seyed Mohammad Asadi; Mirmohammadi, Seyed Taghi; Yazdani, Jamshid; Gorji, Ali Morad Heidari; Toosi, Ameneh; Rokni, Mohammad; Gorji, Mohammad Ali Heidari

2015-01-01

People spend a considerable part of their childhood time in the schools, a phase that coincides with their physical and mental growth. A healthy educational environment is vital to student's health and wellbeing. This study is a descriptive study conducted in 100 primary schools (both state and nonprofit schools) from Sari's Districts 1 and 2 in Iran. Sampling was performed by census and data were collected using the standard questionnaire by direct interview. Data were analyzed by Excel and SPSS software (Version 20.0. IBM Corp, Armonk), NY: IBM Corp using independent numerical T2 testing. Significant relationship was observed between the kind of schools (P = 0.045) and their locations (P = 0.024), however the health, safety and environment (HSE) ratings among boys only versus girls only schools were similar (P = 0.159). Interestingly private and nongovernment schools and primary schools from Sari's districts one had consistently higher HSE ratings. The differential and higher HSE ratings in primary schools run by Private organizations and primary schools from Sari's districts one could be due to manager's awareness and implementation of recommended HSE standards, schools neglecting and overlooking these standards had lower HSE ratings. It is necessary that schools with lower HSE ratings are made aware of the guidelines and necessary infrastructures allocated to improve their HSE ratings.

Active travel and physical activity across the school transition: the PEACH project.

PubMed

Cooper, Ashley R; Jago, Russell; Southward, Elissa F; Page, Angie S

2012-10-01

Physical activity in youth decreases with age, with the transition from primary to secondary school being a key period for change. Active travel to school has been associated with higher physical activity in youth compared with those who travel by car. This study investigated whether change in travel mode to/from school was associated with change in physical activity among young people transitioning from primary to secondary school. One thousand three hundred and seven final year UK primary school children (11.0 ± 0.4 yr) were recruited, of whom 953 (72.9%) were followed-up 1 yr later in their first year of secondary school. Physical activity was measured by accelerometer, and travel mode to/from school was self-reported. Change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) associated with change in travel mode between primary and secondary school was measured in 500 children who provided valid accelerometer data and used a consistent travel mode to/from school at each time point. Total MVPA was slightly higher in secondary school than primary school (60.6 ± 21.6 vs. 63.1 ± 23.6 min, respectively, P = 0.017). Daily MVPA increased by 11.4% in children who walked both to primary and secondary school (63.4 ± 22.0 vs. 70.6 ± 23.0 min, P < 0.001). In those who changed from walking to car travel, MVPA decreased by 15.5% (62.5 ± 22.0 vs. 52.8 ± 21.5 min, P = 0.003), whereas adoption of bus travel was associated with smaller reductions. A change from car travel to walking was associated with 16.1% more daily MVPA (50.1 ± 14.3 vs. 58.2 ± 20.6 min, P = 0.038). Change from active to passive transportation to school may contribute to the decline in physical activity seen between primary and secondary school.

Long-Term Effects of Primary Schools on Mathematics Achievement of Students at Age 17

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vanwynsberghe, Griet; Vanlaar, Gudrun; Van Damme, Jan; De Fraine, Bieke

2017-01-01

In the field of educational effectiveness research, school effects are generally studied in the short term (i.e. during the same phase of schooling). The aim of this study is to investigate long-term primary school effects on students' achievement in mathematics at the end of secondary education. We also investigate which primary school…

The Effective Management of Primary Schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria: An Analytical Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adeyemi, T. O.

2009-01-01

This study investigated the management of education in primary schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria. As a correlational research, the study population comprised all the 694 primary schools in the State. Out of this, a sample of 320 schools was selected through the stratified random sampling technique. Two instruments were used to collect data for the…

Changes in Student Populations and Average Test Scores of Dutch Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luyten, Hans; de Wolf, Inge

2011-01-01

This article focuses on the relation between student population characteristics and average test scores per school in the final grade of primary education from a dynamic perspective. Aggregated data of over 5,000 Dutch primary schools covering a 6-year period were used to study the relation between changes in school populations and shifts in mean…

A Multidimensional Approach to Determinants of Computer Use in Primary Education: Teacher and School Characteristics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tondeur, J.; Valcke, M.; van Braak, J.

2008-01-01

The central aim of this study was to test a model that integrates determinants of educational computer use. In particular, the article examines teacher and school characteristics that are associated with different types of computer use by primary school teachers. A survey was set up, involving 527 teachers from 68 primary schools in Flanders. A…

Communication Strategies in Primary Schools in Botswana: Interventions Using Cooks, Teacher Aides and Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mokibelo, Eureka B.

2016-01-01

This paper examines the micro planning activities that schools engage in to address learners' needs to make education work in rural primary schools of Botswana. The national language plan prescribes the use of English and Setswana only as languages of instruction at the primary school level. However, this plan is not practical in some regions…

Developments in Motivation and Achievement during Primary School: A Longitudinal Study on Group-Specific Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hornstra, Lisette; van der Veen, Ineke; Peetsma, Thea; Volman, Monique

2013-01-01

To gain insight in developmental trajectories of motivation during upper primary school, the present study focused on how different aspects of students' motivation, i.e., task-orientation, self-efficacy, and school investment develop from grade three to six of primary school and how these developments differ for boys and girls, and students with…

Influence of Leadership Styles on Teachers' Job Satisfaction: A Case of Selected Primary Schools in Songea and Morogoro Districts, Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Machumu, Haruni J.; Kaitila, Mafwimbo M.

2014-01-01

This study reports on the kind of school leadership style that best suits for promoting teachers' job satisfaction in primary schools in Tanzania. The study employed cross sectional research design with samples of 200 teachers from 20 selected primary schools in Songea and Morogoro districts. Interviews, documentary analysis and questionnaires…

Improving Achievement in Science in Primary and Secondary Schools. Improving Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, 2005

2005-01-01

This report is based on inspections of science in primary and secondary schools carried out between September 2000 and March 2004. In addition to schools inspected as part of the generational cycle, HMI also visited other primary and secondary schools to observe and describe aspects of best practice. The report also draws on other major sources of…

The Effect of Organizational Trust on the Culture of Teacher Leadership in Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Demir, Kamile

2015-01-01

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of the level of trust of primary school teachers towards their organization in relation to their perceptions of the school having a culture of teacher leadership. Participants of the study consisted of 378 teachers working in Burdur public primary schools. The data collection tool used two…

Role of school teachers in identifying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among primary school children in Mansoura, Egypt.

PubMed

Awadalla, N J; Ali, O F; Elshaer, S; Eissa, M

2016-11-02

There is a knowledge gap in primary school teachers that affects their ability to detect attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study measured primary school teachers' knowledge about ADHD, and implemented a training programme to improve early detection of ADHD. The prevalence and risk factors of ADHD were also studied. The training programme was implemented through a 2-day workshop for 39 primary school teachers who completed a validated Arabic version of the ADHD Rating Scale for 873 primary school children. The children's parents completed the questionnaire to explore ADHD risk factors. The teachers' pre-training knowledge scores of ADHD ranged from 17.9 to 46.2%. Post-training, their scores improved significantly to 69.2-94.9%. Prevalence rate of ADHD was 12.60%. On logistic regression, independent predictors of ADHD were female gender, unemployed fathers and rural residence. In conclusion, ADHD is a significant health problem among primary school children in Mansoura, Egypt. Efforts should be made to improve teachers' knowledge about ADHD and control modifiable risk factors.

New Horizons for Primary Schools in Jamaica: Inputs, Outcomes and Impact. Revised

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lockheed, Marlaine; Harris, Abigail; Gammill, Paul; Barrow, Karima; Jayasundera, Tamara

2006-01-01

The New Horizons for Primary Schools (NHP) was implemented in 72 government schools in Jamaica, from 1998-2005. The program provided support to schools on the basis of needs identified through the preparation of a School Development Plan (also called a School Improvement Plan). This independent evaluation report first compares the schools in the…

Changing from primary to secondary school highlights opportunities for school environment interventions aiming to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour: a longitudinal cohort study.

PubMed

Marks, Jennifer; Barnett, Lisa M; Strugnell, Claudia; Allender, Steven

2015-05-08

There is little empirical evidence of the impact of transition from primary to secondary school on obesity-related risk behaviour. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a change of school system on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in pre-early adolescents. Fifteen schools in Victoria, Australia were recruited at random from the bottom two strata of a five level socio-economic scale. In nine schools, students in year 6 primary school transitioned to a different school for year 7 secondary school, while in six schools (combined primary-secondary), students remained in the same school environment from year 6 to year 7. Time 1 (T1) measures were collected from students (N=245) in year 6 (age 11-13). Time 2 (T2) data were collected from 243 (99%) of the original student cohort when in year 7. PA and sedentary behaviour data were collected objectively (via ActiGraph accelerometer) and subjectively (via child self-report recall questionnaire). School environment data were collected via school staff survey. Change of behaviour analyses were conducted longitudinally i) for all students and ii) by change/no change of school. Mixed model regression analysis tested for behavioural interaction effects of changing/not changing school. Sixty-three percent (N=152) changed schools from T1 to T2. Across all students we observed declines in average daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (-4 min) and light PA (-23 min), and increases in average daily sedentary behaviour (16 min), weekday leisure screen time (17 min) and weekday homework screen time (25 min), all P<0.05. Compared to students who remained in the same school environment, students who changed school reported a greater reduction in PA intensity at recess and lunch, less likelihood to cycle to/from school, greater increase in weekday (41 mins) and weekend (45 mins) leisure screen time (P<0.05) and greater encouragement to participate in sport. School staff surveys identified that sport participation encouragement was greater in primary and combined primary-secondary than secondary schools (P<0.05). Transitioning from primary to secondary school negatively impacts on children's PA and sedentary behaviour, and has further compounding effects on behaviour type by changing school environments.

Biofortified Cassava with Pro-Vitamin A Is Sensory and Culturally Acceptable for Consumption by Primary School Children in Kenya

PubMed Central

Talsma, Elise F.; Melse-Boonstra, Alida; de Kok, Brenda P. H.; Mbera, Gloria N. K.; Mwangi, Alice M.; Brouwer, Inge D.

2013-01-01

Background Biofortification of cassava with pro-vitamin A can potentially reduce vitamin A deficiency in low-income countries. However, little is known about consumer acceptance of this deep yellow variety of cassava compared to the commonly available white varieties. We aimed to determine the sensory and cultural acceptability of the consumption of pro-vitamin A rich cassava in order to identify key factors predicting the intention to consume pro-vitamin A rich cassava by families with school-aged children in Eastern Kenya. Methods Sensory acceptability was measured by replicated discrimination tests and paired preference tests among 30 children (7–12 yr) and 30 caretakers (18–45 yr) in three primary schools. Cultural acceptability was assessed with a questionnaire based on the combined model of The Theory of Planned Behavior and The Health Belief Model in one primary school among 140 caretakers of children aged 6 to 12 years. Correlations and multivariate analyses were used to determine associations between summed scores for model constructs. Results Caretakers and children perceived a significant difference in taste between white and pro-vitamin A rich cassava. Both preferred pro-vitamin A rich cassava over white cassava because of its soft texture, sweet taste and attractive color. Knowledge about pro-vitamin A rich cassava and it's relation to health (‘Knowledge’ ((β = 0.29, P = <.01)) was a strong predictor of ‘Health behavior identity’. Worries related to bitter taste and color (‘Perceived barriers 1’ (β = −0.21, P = .02)), the belief of the caretaker about having control to prepare cassava (‘Control beliefs’ (β = 0.18, P = .02)) and activities like information sessions about pro-vitamin A rich cassava and recommendations from health workers (‘Cues to action’(β = 0.51, P = <.01)) were the best predictors of intention to consume pro-vitamin A rich cassava. Conclusions Pro-vitamin A rich cassava is well accepted by school children in our study population. PMID:24023681

Concrete Masonry Designs: Educational Issue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hertzberg, Randi, Ed.

2001-01-01

This special journal issue addresses concrete masonry in educational facilities construction. The issue's feature articles are: (1) "It Takes a Village To Construct a Massachusetts Middle School," describing a middle school constructed almost entirely of concrete masonry and modeled after a typical small New England village; (2)…

Tackling Behaviour in Your Primary School: A Practical Handbook for Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reid, Ken; Morgan, Nicola S.

2012-01-01

"Tackling Behaviour in the Primary School" provides ready-made advice and support for classroom professionals and can be used, read and adapted to suit the busy everyday lives of teachers working in primary schools today. This valuable text sets the scene for managing behaviour in the primary classroom in the context of the Children Act 2004…

Primary School Teacher Perceived Self-Efficacy to Teach Fundamental Motor Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Callea, Micarle B.; Spittle, Michael; O'Meara, James; Casey, Meghan

2008-01-01

Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are a part of the school curricula, yet many Australian primary-age children are not mastering FMS. One reason may be a lack of perceived self-efficacy of primary teachers to teach FMS. This study investigated the level of perceived self-efficacy of primary school teachers to teach FMS in Victoria, Australia. A…

Learning about What Constitutes Effective Training from a Pilot Programme to Improve Music Education in Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogers, Lynne; Hallam, Susan; Creech, Andrea; Preti, Costanza

2008-01-01

The new primary strategy in England has raised the profile of foundation subjects, including music, yet many primary school teachers lack skills and confidence in their ability to teach music. This research explores a year-long programme of training across 16 primary schools in England that sought to improve music education. The programme involved…

Characteristics of competence and civic education materials curriculum in primary school in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harmanto; Listyaningsih; Wijaya, R.

2018-01-01

Civic education is a compulsory subject within the structure of the primary school curriculum, junior high, and high schools in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the characteristic of the subject matter and competence of civic education in primary schools in Indonesia. The approach used in this study is a qualitative research. The results showed that the subjects of civic education at Indonesia serves as education, legal, political and educational value. Civic education as an education program in primary schools as a primary vehicle and have the essence of a democratic education carried out in order to achieve competency in the civic aspects of Intelligence, civic responsibility, and civic participation. Core competencies in civic education in primary school psychological-pedagogical competence of learners to integrate fully and coherently with the planting, development, and strengthening moral values of Pancasila; values and norms of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia 1945; values and the spirit of unity in diversity; as well as the insight and commitment of the Republic of Indonesia.

When the School Bell Rings... Juvenile Crime or Constructive Time? After-School Programs Are the Answer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carpenter, Tim; Cornelius, Aisha; Francis, Ann Potter; Parsons, Lena

Noting that the after-school hours are peak hours for Illinois juveniles to be either victims of crime or involved in criminal activity, this report provides evidence that making quality after-school programs available to all youth who need them will reduce crime and provide constructive activities for youth. The report details statistics on…

Constructing Identities: The Ethno-National and Nationalistic Identities of White and Turkish Students in Two English Secondary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faas, Daniel

2008-01-01

This article investigates how 15-year-old white and Turkish students in two Inner London comprehensive schools, one in a predominantly working-class area (Millroad School) and the other in a more middle-class environment (Darwin School), construct their identities. Drawing on mainly qualitative data from documentary sources, focus groups and…

The Implementation of Schools' Policy in the Development of the Local Content Curriculum in Primary Schools in Pacitan, Indonesia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maryono

2016-01-01

This study aims to describe the culture and local potential in Pacitan, East Java, as well as the implementation of local content in primary schools in the area, and some factors that support and hinder their implementation. This research is a qualitative case study. There were five primary schools used as samples obtained through purposive…

Did the Vikings Really Have Helmets with Horns? Sources and Narrative Content in Swedish Upper Primary School History Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stolare, Martin

2017-01-01

The topic of this article is history education in upper primary school. Traditionally, the history subject has had a narrative orientation at this school level in Sweden, but it is also pattern that is discernible internationally. The recent Swedish upper primary school syllabus places more emphasis on the procedural aspects of the subject. In…

Replicating Impact of a Primary School HIV Prevention Programme: Primary School Action for Better Health, Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maticka-Tyndale, E.; Mungwete, R.; Jayeoba, O.

2014-01-01

School-based programmes to combat the spread of HIV have been demonstrated to be effective over the short-term when delivered on a small scale. The question addressed here is whether results obtained with small-scale delivery are replicable in large-scale roll-out. Primary School Action for Better Health (PSABH), a programme to train teachers to…

The Effect of Free Primary Education Policy on Late School Entry in Urban Primary Schools in Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ngware, Moses W.; Oketch, Moses; Ezeh, Alex C.; Mutisya, Maurice

2013-01-01

Late school entry is driven by several factors, one of the key ones being the cost barrier to schooling. Policies such as free primary education (FPE) that advocate for universal coverage are therefore partly aimed at removing the cost barrier. The Kenyan Government, like many in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), introduced FPE in 2003 with the aim of…

Exploring the Mediating Effects of Trust on Principal Leadership and Teacher Professional Learning in Hong Kong Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Lijuan; Hallinger, Philip; Walker, Allan

2016-01-01

This study attempted to identify effects of trust between principal leadership and teacher professional learning in Hong Kong primary schools. To verify the potential mediating effects of trust as a component of school capacity, survey data with a sample of 970 teachers from 32 local primary schools was used. Two questionnaires were combined to…

Reducing Physical Violence Toward Primary School Students With Disabilities.

PubMed

Devries, Karen; Kuper, Hannah; Knight, Louise; Allen, Elizabeth; Kyegombe, Nambusi; Banks, Lena Morgon; Kelly, Susan; Naker, Dipak

2018-03-01

We tested whether the Good School Toolkit reduces physical violence from peers and school staff toward students with and without disabilities in Ugandan primary schools. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial, with data collected via cross-sectional surveys in 2012 and 2014. Forty-two primary schools in Luwero District, Uganda, were randomly assigned to receive the Good School Toolkit for 18 months, or to a waitlisted control group. The primary outcome was past week physical violence from school staff, measured by primary 5, 6, and 7 students' (aged 11-14 years) self-reports using the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse Screening Tool-Child Institutional. Disability was assessed through the six Short Set Washington Group questions on functioning. Analyses were by intention to treat. At endline, 53% of control group students with no functional difficulties reported violence from peers or school staff, versus 84% of students with a disability. Prevalence of past week physical violence from school staff was lower in intervention schools than in the control schools after the intervention, in students with no functional difficulties (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = .41, 95% confidence interval [CI .26-.65]), students with some functional difficulties (aOR = .36, 95% CI .21-.63), and students with disabilities (aOR = .29, 95% CI .14-.59). The intervention also reduced violence from peers in young adolescents, with no evidence of a difference in effect by disability status. The Good School Toolkit is an effective intervention to reduce violence perpetrated by peers and school staff against young adolescents with disabilities in Ugandan primary schools. Copyright © 2017 The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Camden active spaces: does the construction of active school playgrounds influence children's physical activity levels? A longitudinal quasi-experiment protocol.

PubMed

Smith, Lee; Kipps, Courtney; Aggio, Daniel; Fox, Paul; Robinson, Nigel; Trend, Verena; Munnery, Suzie; Kelly, Barry; Hamer, Mark

2014-01-01

Physical activity is essential for every facet of children's health. However, physical activity levels in British children are low. The school environment is a promising setting to increase children's physical activity but limited empirical evidence exists on how a change in the outdoor physical school environment influences physical activity behaviour. The London Borough of Camden is redesigning seven existing school playgrounds to engage children to become more physically active. The primary aim of this project is to evaluate the impact of the redesigned playgrounds on children's physical activity, well-being and physical function/fitness. This project will use a longitudinal quasi-experimental design. Seven experimental schools and one control school will take part. One baseline data collection session and two follow-ups will be carried out. Between baseline and follow-up, the experimental school playgrounds will be redesigned. At baseline, a series of fitness tests, anthropometric and questionnaire measurements, and 7-day objective physical activity monitoring (Actigraph accelerometer) will be carried out on children (aged 5–16 years). This will be repeated at follow-up. Changes in overall physical activity levels and levels during different times of the day (eg, school breaks) will be examined. Multilevel regression modelling will be used to analyse the data. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-review publications and scientific presentations. Ethical approval was obtained through the University College London Research Ethics Committee (Reference number: 4400/002).

Problems, Pitfalls, and Benefits of Portfolios.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Bernice A.

1998-01-01

Two groups of student teachers, one school-based and one university-based, were introduced to portfolio construction. School-based students received more guidance in and time for portfolio construction. Surveys and interviews indicated that the extra time and guidance helped school-based students, who benefited more from portfolios than…

Schools That Sustain: Lessening the Environmental Impact of New Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peele, Katherine N.; Malone, Sara

2002-01-01

Discusses sustainable school design and its benefits to the environment, offering examples of illustrative schools. Provides suggestions on site selection (such as using smaller sites and recycling existing buildings), sharing facilities with the community, and construction elements that improve environmental impact (such as flexibility,…

Zero Energy Use School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Brian, Ed.; And Others

The economic and physical realities of an energy shortage have caused many educators to consider alternative sources of energy when constructing their schools. This book contains studies and designs by fifth-year architecture students concerning the proposed construction of a zero energy-use elementary school in Albany, Oregon. "Zero energy…

Support for School Construction: Blending Sales Tax with Property Tax.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haney, David W.; Schmidt, Mark

2002-01-01

Describes how opinion by North Dakota's attorney general allows school district and city of Jamestown to collaborate in the issuance of bonds for school construction and renovation projects, three-quarters of the revenue for which is raised by a voter-approved city sales tax. (PKP)

Indoor air quality in primary schools in Kecioren, Ankara.

PubMed

Babayiğit, Mustafa Alparslan; Bakir, Bilal; Tekbaş, Omer Faruk; Oğur, Recai; Kiliç, Abdullah; Ulus, Serdar

2014-01-01

To increase the awareness of environmental risk factors by determining the indoor air quality status of primary schools. Indoor air quality parameters in 172 classrooms of 31 primary schools in Kecioren, Ankara, were examined for the purpose of assessing the levels of air pollutants (CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, and formaldehyde) within primary schools. Schools near heavy traffic had a statistically significant mean average of CO and SO2 (P < 0.05). The classrooms that had more than 35 students had higher and statistically significant averages of CO2, SO2, NO2, and formaldehyde compared to classrooms that had fewer than 35 students (P < 0.05). Of all classrooms, 29% had 100 CFU/100 mL and higher concentrations of microorganisms, which were not pathogens. Indoor air quality management should continually be maintained in primary schools for the prevention and control of acute and chronic diseases, particularly considering biological and chemical pollution.

Conflicts in Schools, Conflict Management Styles and the Role of the School Leader: A Study of Greek Primary School Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saiti, Anna

2015-01-01

Conflict may occur in any organization (and hence school) and, for schools, conflict management style is a joint activity and the degree of its effectiveness determines the type of impact of conflict on school performance. This empirical study investigates the potential sources of conflict in Greek primary schools, determine appropriate approaches…

Effects of family-togetherness on the food selection by primary and junior high school students: family-togetherness means better food.

PubMed

Kusano-Tsunoh, A; Nakatsuka, H; Satoh, H; Shimizu, H; Sato, S; Ito, I; Fukao, A; Hisamichi, S

2001-06-01

To see how different foods were selected depending on family-togetherness at breakfast and dinner, we investigated the meals of eight thousand primary and four thousand junior high school students by questionnaire. About 70% of primary school children but less than 50% of junior high school children ate breakfast with their family. The food, eaten by children who ate meals together with their family, took more time for cooking and was more traditional with rice as the staple. Food eaten by children who did not eat with their family lacked both preparation time and staple base. Family-togetherness affects the foods of primary school children more than those of junior high school students.

Evaluation of compliance with the self-regulation agreement of the food and drink vending machine sector in primary schools in Madrid, Spain, in 2008.

PubMed

Royo-Bordonada, Miguel A; Martínez-Huedo, María A

2014-01-01

To evaluate compliance with the self-regulation agreement of the food and drink vending machine sector in primary schools in Madrid, Spain. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of vending machines in 558 primary schools in 2008. Using the directory of all registered primary schools in Madrid, we identified the presence of machines by telephone interviews and evaluated compliance with the agreement by visiting the schools and assessing accessibility, type of publicity, the products offered and knowledge of the agreement. The prevalence of schools with vending machines was 5.8%. None of the schools reported knowledge of the agreement or of its nutritional guidelines, and most machines were accessible to primary school pupils (79.3%) and packed with high-calorie, low-nutrient-dense foods (58.6%). Compliance with the self-regulation agreement of the vending machines sector was low. Stricter regulation should receive priority in the battle against the obesity epidemic. Copyright © 2013 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Associations between plasma concentrations of PCB 28 and possible indoor exposure sources in Danish school children and mothers.

PubMed

Egsmose, Emilie Lund; Bräuner, Elvira Vaclavik; Frederiksen, Marie; Mørck, Thit Aarøe; Siersma, Volkert Dirk; Hansen, Pernille Winton; Nielsen, Flemming; Grandjean, Philippe; Knudsen, Lisbeth E

2016-02-01

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitously present in the environment and are suspected of carcinogenic, neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects. Significantly higher plasma concentrations of the congener PCB 28 occur in children compared to adults. Exposure in schools may contribute to this difference. To determine whether increased blood plasma concentrations of PCB 28 in Danish school children and mothers are associated with living in homes or attending schools constructed in the PCB period (1959-1977). PCB 28 was analyzed in plasma samples from 116 children aged 6-11years and 143 mothers living in an urban and a rural area in Denmark and participating in the European pilot project DEMOCOPHES (Demonstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale). In Denmark, PCBs were used in construction in the period 1950-1977, and year of construction or renovation of the homes and schools was used as a proxy for indoor PCB exposure. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between potential PCB exposure from building materials and lipid adjusted concentrations of PCB 28 in plasma, with and without adjustment for potential confounders. Among the 116 children and 143 mothers, we were able to specify home construction period in all but 4 children and 5 mothers leaving 111 children and 138 mothers for our analyses. The median lipid adjusted plasma PCB 28 concentration was 3 (range: 1-28) ng/g lipid in the children and 2 (range: 1-8) ng/g lipid in the mothers. Children living in homes built in the PCB period had significantly higher lipid adjusted plasma PCB 28 concentrations compared to children living in homes built before or after the PCB period. Following adjustment for covariates, PCB 28 concentrations in children were 40 (95% CI: 13; 68) percent higher than concentrations of children living in homes constructed at other times. Furthermore, children attending schools built or substantially refurbished in the PCB period also had significantly higher (46%, 95% CI: 22; 70) PCB 28 concentrations compared to children attending schools constructed before or after the PCB period, while their mothers had similar concentrations. Adjustment for the most prevalent congener, PCB 153, did not change this effect of home or school construction. When both home and school construction year were included in the models, the increase in lipid adjusted plasma PCB 28 for children living in or attending schools from the PCB period was no longer statistically significant. The individual effect of home and school construction periods could not be evaluated further with the available data. Our results suggest that PCB exposure in the indoor environment in schools and homes constructed during the PCB period may contribute significantly to children's plasma PCB 28 concentration. Efforts to minimize PCB exposure in indoor environments should be considered. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Factors Causing Poor Passing Rates and High Dropout Rates among Primary School Girls in Malawi

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mzuza, Maureen Kapute; Yudong, Yang; Kapute, Fanuel

2014-01-01

Factors that cause poor examination passing rates and high dropout rates among primary school girls in Malawi were analysed. First hand data was collected by conducting a survey in all the three regions of Malawi. The respondents to the questionnaire were girls (402) who are repeating the last class in primary schools (Standard 8), primary school…

The Impact of the Advent of English in Primary Schools on the Development of College English in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Jun; Dai, Zhongxin

2011-01-01

This article discusses the impact of the advent of primary English on the development of College English in China. The advent of English in primary schools as a teaching subject has brought about a downward shift of focus of the English education system in China. Basic English education will be accomplished in primary and secondary schools. The…

School and University Partnerships: The Role of Teacher Education Institutions and Primary Schools in the Development of Preservice Teachers' Science Teaching Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petersen, Jacinta E.; Treagust, David F.

2014-01-01

Science in the Australian primary school context is in a state of renewal with the recent implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Science. Despite this curriculum renewal, the results of primary students in science have remained static. Science in Australia has been identified as one of the least taught subjects in the primary school…

"It's Better to Learn about Your Health and Things That Are Going to Happen to You than Learning Things That You Just Do at School": Findings from a Mapping Study of PSHE Education in Primary Schools in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Formby, Eleanor

2011-01-01

This article reports on recent findings from a mapping study of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education in schools in England, focusing on the data derived from primary school participants. It is based on a nationally representative survey of 923 primary school PSHE education leads, and follow-up in-depth interviews and discussion…

The social construction of communication climate: An analysis of at-risk students in alternative high school

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souza, Tasha Jean

1998-12-01

Alternative high schools affect more potential high school dropouts than any other school or program and are designed to meet the needs of students who have had difficulty in conventional schools. This study examines the communication climate and constructions of caring in an alternative school for at-risk students by using a qualitative analysis grounded in the theoretical perspective of social constructionism. Observations and interviews were conducted over a six month time period. The first two chapters provide a review of literature and a detailed account of the methods used to conduct the study. Chapter Three describes the socially constructed nature of the school and the participants and the dialectical tensions of communication climate revealed from the analysis. The six dialectical tensions of communication climate are: (1) freedom/restraint, (2) disengagement/engagement, (3) personal communication/impersonal communication, (4) disconfirmation/confirmation, (5) equality/inequality, and (6) ambiguity/clarity. Although the school climate is comprised of each of these tensions, the data suggest that the interaction within the majority of classes created some common characteristics of the general communication climate at the school and can be characterized as one of freedom, disengagement, personal communication, disconfirmation, equality, and ambiguity. Chapter Four describes how caring was constructed and communicated. Although some students perceived some teachers as caring about students and about student learning, half of the students interviewed thought they were not learning or not learning much. Finally, Chapter Five provides a summary of the findings and a discussion of the results. The results of this study contribute to an understanding of the social construction of communication climate and caring in general, and within an alternative school for at-risk students, in specific. The results contribute to the understanding of the complexity of the jointly produced nature of communication climate and reveal the potential effect of communication climate and constructions of caring on teachers' instructional methods, teacher and student interaction, and student learning. Such information can aid pragmatically in the development or modification of programs designed to serve at-risk students, and theoretically in the understanding of the co-constructed nature of communication climate.

Children's Behavioral Adjustment in Pre-Primary Schools in Tanzania: A Multilevel Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shavega, Theresia J.; Brugman, Daniel; van Tuijl, Cathy

2014-01-01

Research Findings: The present study concerns children's behavioral adjustment in the context of pre-primary schools in Tanzania. Twenty teachers and 320 children from 20 pre-primary schools participated in the study. Teacher-child relationships, children's behavioral adjustment, and teachers' cultural beliefs were reported by teachers; classroom…

Do Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Primary School Predict Adolescent Victimisation Trajectories?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lester, Leanne; Cross, Donna

2014-01-01

Chronic victimisation in adolescence is a traumatic experience with potential negative long-term health consequences. Given that victimisation has been shown to increase over the transition from primary to secondary school, longitudinal data from 1810 students transitioning from primary to secondary school were used to identify victimisation…

Primary School Teacher Candidates' Geometric Habits of Mind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Köse, Nilu¨fer Y.; Tanisli, Dilek

2014-01-01

Geometric habits of mind are productive ways of thinking that support learning and using geometric concepts. Identifying primary school teacher candidates' geometric habits of mind is important as they affect the development of their future students' geometric thinking. Therefore, this study attempts to determine primary school teachers' geometric…

Science and Technology Teachers' Views of Primary School Science and Technology Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yildiz-Duban, Nil

2013-01-01

This phenomenographic study attempts to explicit science and technology teachers' views of primary school science and technology curriculum. Participants of the study were selected through opportunistic sampling and consisted of 30 science and technology teachers teaching in primary schools in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Data were collected through an…

Job Satisfaction of Catholic Primary School Staff: A Study of Biographical Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Nobile, John J.; McCormick, John

2008-01-01

Purpose: This study's purpose is to examine the relationships between the biographical characteristics gender, age, years of experience and employment position, and job satisfaction of staff members in Catholic primary schools. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data were collected from 356 staff members from Catholic primary schools. Research…

Hope or Despair? Learning in Pakistan's Primary Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warwick, Donald P.; Reimers, Fernando

This book reports on the research findings of the Pakistan Study, a collaboration between the Harvard Institute for International Development and other organizations in Pakistan. The focus is primarily on what affects student learning in Pakistan's government-sponsored primary schools. Chapter 1 discusses primary schools in Pakistan and the…

Strengthening the Creative Transformational Leadership of Primary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kallapadee, Yadapak; Tesaputa, Kowat; Somprach, Kanokorn

2017-01-01

This research and development aimed to: 1) study the components and indicators of creative transformational leadership of primary school teachers; 2) study the existing situation, and the desirable situation of creative transformational leadership of primary school teachers in the northeastern region of Thailand; 3) develop a program to strengthen…

Developing Primary Leadership in England: Adopting an Interpretivist Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Wei; Brundrett, Mark

2011-01-01

This paper aims to investigate the perceptions of primary school leaders about the efficacy of the National College programmes. The findings from six contextually different primary schools reveal that the programmes were perceived to have exerted the least influence on school leaders' personality change and pupil outcomes because many generalised…

Problem Solving Strategies among Primary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yew, Wun Thiam; Lian, Lim Hooi; Meng, Chew Cheng

2017-01-01

The purpose of this article was to examine problem solving strategies among primary school teachers. The researchers employed survey research design to examine their problem solving strategies. The participants of this study consisted of 120 primary school teachers from a public university in Peninsula Malaysia who enrolled in a 4-year Graduating…

Pre-Service Primary School Teachers' Logical Reasoning Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marchis, Iuliana

2013-01-01

Logical reasoning skills are important for a successful mathematical learning and in students' future career. These skills are essential for a primary school teacher, because they need to explain solving methods and solutions to their pupils. In this research we studied pre-service primary school teachers' logical reasoning skills. The results…

Primary Teacher Identity, Commitment and Career in Performative School Cultures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Troman, Geoff

2008-01-01

The research reported here maps changes in primary teachers' identity, commitment and perspectives and subjective experiences of occupational career in the context of performative primary school cultures. The research aimed to provide in-depth knowledge of performative school culture and teachers' subjective experiences in their work of teaching.…

Case Study on Quality Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Habib, Zahida

2011-01-01

Quality of Education, especially at Primary level, is an important issue to be discussed at the International Forum. This study highlights the quality of primary education through a comparison of the quality of Community Model Schools and Govt. Girls Primary Schools in Pakistan. Community Model Schools were established under Girls Primary…

The Development of Visionary Leadership Administrators in Thai Primary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yordsala, Suwit; Tesaputa, Kowat; Sri-Ampai, Anan

2014-01-01

This research aimed: 1) to investigate the current situations and needs in developing visionary leadership of Thai primary school administrators; 2) to develop visionary leadership development program of Thai primary school administrators, and; 3) to evaluate the implementation of the developed program of administrators visionary leadership…

The effect of increased primary schooling on adult women's HIV status in Malawi and Uganda: Universal Primary Education as a natural experiment.

PubMed

Behrman, Julia Andrea

2015-02-01

This paper explores the causal relationship between primary schooling and adult HIV status in Malawi and Uganda, two East African countries with some of the highest HIV infection rates in the world. Using data from the 2010 Malawi Demographic Health Survey and the 2011 Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey, the paper takes advantage of a natural experiment, the implementation of Universal Primary Education policies in the mid 1990s. An instrumented regression discontinuity approach is used to model the relationship between increased primary schooling and adult women's HIV status. Results indicate that a one-year increase in schooling decreases the probability of an adult woman testing positive for HIV by 0.06 (p < 0.01) in Malawi and by 0.03 (p < 0.05) in Uganda. These results are robust to a variety of model specifications. In a series of supplementary analyses a number of potential pathways through which such effects may occur are explored. Findings indicate increased primary schooling positively affects women's literacy and spousal schooling attainment in Malawi and age of marriage and current household wealth in Uganda. However primary schooling has no effect on recent (adult) sexual behavior. Copyright © 2014 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

An analysis of the DuPage County Regional Office of Education physics exam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muehsler, Hans

In 2009, the DuPage County Regional Office of Education (ROE) tasked volunteer physics teachers with creating a basic skills physics exam reflecting what the participants valued and shared in common across curricula. Mechanics, electricity & magnetism (E&M), and wave phenomena emerged as the primary constructs. The resulting exam was intended for first-exposure physics students. The most recently completed version was psychometrically assessed for unidimensionality within the constructs using a robust WLS structural equation model and for reliability. An item analysis using a 3-PL IRT model was performed on the mechanics items and a 2-PL IRT model was performed on the E&M and waves items; a distractor analysis was also performed on all items. Lastly, differential item functioning (DIF) and differential test functioning (DTF) analyses, using the Mantel-Haenszel procedure, were performed using gender, ethnicity, year in school, ELL, physics level, and math level as groupings.

WebQuests: a new instructional strategy for nursing education.

PubMed

Lahaie, Ulysses

2007-01-01

A WebQuest is a model or framework for designing effective Web-based instructional strategies featuring inquiry-oriented activities. It is an innovative approach to learning that is enhanced by the use of evolving instructional technology. WebQuests have invigorated the primary school (grades K through 12) educational sector around the globe, yet there is sparse evidence in the literature of WebQuests at the college and university levels. WebQuests are congruent with pedagogical approaches and cognitive activities commonly used in nursing education. They are simple to construct using a step-by-step approach, and nurse educators will find many related resources on the Internet to help them get started. Included in this article are a discussion of the critical attributes and main features of WebQuests, construction tips, recommended Web sites featuring essential resources, a discussion of WebQuest-related issues identified in the literature, and some suggestions for further research.

Do Local Contributions Affect the Efficacy of Public Primary Schools?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jimenez, Emmanuel; Paqueo, Vicente

1996-01-01

Uses cost, financial sources, and student achievement data from Philippine primary schools (financed primarily from central sources) to discover if financial decentralization leads to more efficient schools. Schools that rely more heavily on local sources (contributions from local school boards, municipal government, parent-teacher associations,…

Interdisciplinary Approach to Building Construction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Harry

The paper discusses the interdisciplinary approach used by the Amity High School House Construction Project to develop a construction cluster in a small high school, to give students on-the-job training, and to teach them the relevancy of academic education. The project's monthly plan of action is briefly described. Suggested activities,…

Rising to New Heights.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agron, Joe

1997-01-01

Provides summarized data from the 23rd Annual Official Education Construction Report on school construction costs across the United States. It shows where the money is being spent, how much, and where construction is taking place; assesses future projections; and highlights types of retrofits put in place by school districts and colleges. (GR)

Storytelling as Action: Constructing Masculinities in a School Context.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moita-Lopes, Luiz Paulo

2003-01-01

Examines how masculinities were constructed in a Brazilian mother tongue fifth grade classroom, highlighting stories students told one another in this context. An ethnographic approach allowed naturally occurring stories to be audiotaped. Stories told in schools helped construct hegemonic masculinity by drawing on coherent systems available in…

Constructive Conflict: How Controversy Can Contribute to School Improvement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uline, Cynthia L.; Tshannen-Moran, Megan; Perez, Lynne

2003-01-01

Examines constructive conflict within the context of a comprehensive Midwestern U.S. high school engaged in significant reform efforts, focusing on constructive conflict as a means to promote individual and organizational learning and growth. Data from observations and interviews indicated that to produce superior results, principals and teacher…

Knowledge Construction and Knowledge Representation in High School Students' Design of Hypermedia Documents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Pearl; McGrath, Diane

2003-01-01

This study documented the processes of knowledge construction and knowledge representation in high school students' hypermedia design projects. Analysis of knowledge construction in linking and structural building yielded distinct types and subtypes of hypermedia documents, which were characterized by four features of knowledge representation: (a)…

Energy-Smart Choices for Schools. An HVAC Comparison Tool. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, Inc., Washington, DC.

A CD ROM program provides comparison construction cost capabilities for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in educational facilities. The program combines multiple types of systems with square footage data on low and high construction cost and school size to automatically calculate HVAC comparative construction costs. (GR)

Indoor environmental quality in a 'low allergen' school and three standard primary schools in Western Australia.

PubMed

Zhang, G; Spickett, J; Rumchev, K; Lee, A H; Stick, S

2006-02-01

To investigate indoor environmental quality in classrooms, assessments were undertaken in a 'low allergen' school and three standard primary schools in Western Australia. Dust allergens, air pollutants and physical parameters were monitored in the four schools at four times (summer school term, autumn holiday, winter school term and winter holiday) in 2002. The levels of particulate matter (PM(10)) and volatile organic compounds were similar between the four primary schools. Although slightly decreased levels of dust-mite and cat allergens were observed in the 'low allergen' school, the reductions were not statistically significant and the allergen levels in all schools were much lower than the recommended sensitizing thresholds. However, significantly lower levels of relative humidity and formaldehyde level during summer-term were recorded in the 'low allergen' school. In conclusion, the evidence here suggests that the 'low allergen' school did not significantly improve the indoor environmental quality in classrooms. Practical Implications School is an important environment for children in terms of exposure to pollutants and allergens. By assessing the levels of key pollutants and allergens in a low allergen school and three standard primary schools in Western Australia, this study provides useful information for implementation of healthy building design that can improve the indoor environment in schools.

School Buses & Seat Belts: A Discussion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alaska State Dept. of Education, Juneau.

Safety belts are not installed in school buses for several reasons. School buses are constructed differently from automobiles in terms of (1) the locations of doors and instrument panels relative to passengers, (2) outer construction, (3) seat design and padding, and (4) visibility on the road. Under current regulations, bus seats are constructed…

Optimizing Value and Avoiding Problems in Building Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brevard County School Board, Cocoa, FL.

This report describes school design and construction delivery processes used by the School Board of Brevard County (Cocoa, Florida) that help optimize value, avoid problems, and eliminate the cost of maintaining a large facility staff. The project phases are examined from project definition through design to construction. Project delivery…

The Development and Validation of an Inventory of Effective School Function.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Jacquelyn; Michael, William B.

1995-01-01

The Effective School Function Inventory was constructed to operationalize the major constructs of efficient school operation. An analysis with 124 teachers identified 4 meaningful factors: (1) supportive collegial interaction; (2) cooperative facilitation of goal attainment in learning/sharing; (3) morally oriented leadership; and (4)…

34 CFR 222.19 - What other statutes and regulations apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... for federally connected children with disabilities), 8007 (construction), and 8008 (school facilities...) or section 8008 (school facilities). (ii) Section 75.605 does not apply to payments under section... renovations or to construct new school facilities. (2) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department...

34 CFR 222.19 - What other statutes and regulations apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... for federally connected children with disabilities), 8007 (construction), and 8008 (school facilities...) or section 8008 (school facilities). (ii) Section 75.605 does not apply to payments under section... renovations or to construct new school facilities. (2) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department...

34 CFR 222.19 - What other statutes and regulations apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... for federally connected children with disabilities), 8007 (construction), and 8008 (school facilities...) or section 8008 (school facilities). (ii) Section 75.605 does not apply to payments under section... renovations or to construct new school facilities. (2) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department...

34 CFR 222.19 - What other statutes and regulations apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... for federally connected children with disabilities), 8007 (construction), and 8008 (school facilities...) or section 8008 (school facilities). (ii) Section 75.605 does not apply to payments under section... renovations or to construct new school facilities. (2) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department...

Modular Building Supplement: A Quick, Quality Solution for Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodmiller, Brian D.; Schendell, Derek G.

2003-01-01

This supplement presents three articles on modular construction that look at: "Fast Track Expansion for a New Jersey School" (involving a modular addition); "Precast Construction Helps Schools Meet Attendance Boom" (precast concrete components are quick, durable, and flexible); and "Airing HVAC Concerns" (poor indoor air quality in prefabricated…

Some remarks on a current study involving preservice elementary teachers and some basic astronomical phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gangui, Alejandro; Iglesias, María; Quinteros, Cynthia

2011-06-01

Recent studies have shown that not only primary school students but also their future teachers reach science courses with pre-constructed and consistent models of the world surrounding them. These ideas include many misconceptions which turn out to be robust and hence make difficult an appropriate teaching-learning process. We have designed some tools (and show here results with a questionnaire) that proved helpful in putting in evidence some of the most frequently used alternative models on a few basic astronomical notions. We have tested this questionnaire with preservice elementary teachers from various normal schools in Buenos Aires and made a first analysis of the results. The collection of data recovered so far shows that some non-scientific conceptions are indeed part of the prospective teachers' (scientific) background and, therefore, that the issue deserves special attention during their formal training.

To catch a comet: Technical overview of CAN DO G-324

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obrien, T. J. (Editor)

1986-01-01

The primary objective of the C. E. Williams Middle School Get Away Special CAN DO is the photographing of Comet Halley. The project will involve middle school students, grades 6 through 8, in the study and interpretation of astronomical photographs and techniques. G-324 is contained in a 5 cubic foot GAS Canister with an opening door and pyrex window for photography. It will be pressurized with one atmosphere of dry nitrogen. Three 35mm still cameras with 250 exposure film backs and different focal length lenses will be fired by a combination of automatic timer and an active comet detector. A lightweight 35mm movie camera will shoot single exposures at about 1/2 minute intervals to give an overlapping skymap of the mission. The fifth camera is a solid state television camera specially constructed for detection of the comet by microprocessor.

Is there a relationship between primary school children's enjoyment of recess physical activities and health-related quality of life? A cross-sectional exploratory study.

PubMed

Hyndman, Brendon; Benson, Amanda C; Lester, Leanne; Telford, Amanda

2017-03-01

Issue addressed An important strategy for increasing children's physical activity is to enhance children's opportunities for school recess physical activities, yet little is known about the influence of school recess physical activities on children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between Australian primary school children's enjoyment of recess physical activities and HRQOL. Methods The study consisted of children at two Australian primary schools (n=105) aged 8-12 years. The Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play questionnaire was used to measure school children's enjoyment of school recess physical activities. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 was used to measure children's HRQOL. Researchers applied linear regression modelling in STATA (ver. 13.0) to investigate the relationship between children's enjoyment of school recess physical activities and HRQOL. Results It was discovered that primary school children's enjoyment of more vigorous-type school recess physical activities and playing in a range of weather conditions was associated with children's improved HRQOL. Conclusion The findings from this study suggest that health providers and researchers should consider providing primary school children with opportunities and facilities for more vigorous-intensity school recess physical activities as a key strategy to enhance children's HRQOL. So what? Considering a social-ecological model framework of the key predictors of children's enjoyment of school recess physical activities may provide valuable insight for school health providers into the multiple levels of influence on children's HRQOL when developing school settings and activities for school recess.

The Impact of Personal Background and School Contextual Factors on Academic Competence and Mental Health Functioning across the Primary-Secondary School Transition

PubMed Central

Vaz, Sharmila; Parsons, Richard; Falkmer, Torbjörn; Passmore, Anne Elizabeth; Falkmer, Marita

2014-01-01

Students negotiate the transition to secondary school in different ways. While some thrive on the opportunity, others are challenged. A prospective longitudinal design was used to determine the contribution of personal background and school contextual factors on academic competence (AC) and mental health functioning (MHF) of 266 students, 6-months before and after the transition to secondary school. Data from 197 typically developing students and 69 students with a disability were analysed using hierarchical linear regression modelling. Both in primary and secondary school, students with a disability and from socially disadvantaged backgrounds gained poorer scores for AC and MHF than their typically developing and more affluent counterparts. Students who attended independent and mid-range sized primary schools had the highest concurrent AC. Those from independent primary schools had the lowest MHF. The primary school organisational model significantly influenced post-transition AC scores; with students from Kindergarten - Year 7 schools reporting the lowest scores, while those from the Kindergarten - Year 12 structure without middle school having the highest scores. Attending a school which used the Kindergarten - Year 12 with middle school structure was associated with a reduction in AC scores across the transition. Personal background factors accounted for the majority of the variability in post-transition AC and MHF. The contribution of school contextual factors was relatively minor. There is a potential opportunity for schools to provide support to disadvantaged students before the transition to secondary school, as they continue to be at a disadvantage after the transition. PMID:24608366

The impact of personal background and school contextual factors on academic competence and mental health functioning across the primary-secondary school transition.

PubMed

Vaz, Sharmila; Parsons, Richard; Falkmer, Torbjörn; Passmore, Anne Elizabeth; Falkmer, Marita

2014-01-01

Students negotiate the transition to secondary school in different ways. While some thrive on the opportunity, others are challenged. A prospective longitudinal design was used to determine the contribution of personal background and school contextual factors on academic competence (AC) and mental health functioning (MHF) of 266 students, 6-months before and after the transition to secondary school. Data from 197 typically developing students and 69 students with a disability were analysed using hierarchical linear regression modelling. Both in primary and secondary school, students with a disability and from socially disadvantaged backgrounds gained poorer scores for AC and MHF than their typically developing and more affluent counterparts. Students who attended independent and mid-range sized primary schools had the highest concurrent AC. Those from independent primary schools had the lowest MHF. The primary school organisational model significantly influenced post-transition AC scores; with students from Kindergarten--Year 7 schools reporting the lowest scores, while those from the Kindergarten--Year 12 structure without middle school having the highest scores. Attending a school which used the Kindergarten--Year 12 with middle school structure was associated with a reduction in AC scores across the transition. Personal background factors accounted for the majority of the variability in post-transition AC and MHF. The contribution of school contextual factors was relatively minor. There is a potential opportunity for schools to provide support to disadvantaged students before the transition to secondary school, as they continue to be at a disadvantage after the transition.

Discover Primary Science: Developing Primary Science in Ireland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horner, Margaret; Palmer, Marion

2007-01-01

"Discover Primary Science" is a major project in primary science education in Ireland. In 2006-2007 it involves 2400 primary schools, 45 host centres, and two government departments. However, it started out as a local initiative taken by one state agency in 2002 involving four Institutes of Technology and 40 primary schools. The aim of…

Long-Term Effects of Primary Schools on Educational Positions of Students 2 and 4 Years after the Start of Secondary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vanwynsberghe, Griet; Vanlaar, Gudrun; Van Damme, Jan; De Fraine, Bieke

2017-01-01

Although the importance of primary schools in the long term is of interest in educational effectiveness research, few studies have examined the long-term effects of schools over the past decades. In the present study, long-term effects of primary schools on the educational positions of students 2 and 4 years after starting secondary education are…

Investigation Regarding the Pre-Service Trainings of Primary and Middle School Principals in the United States: The Case of the State of Michigan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gumus, Emine

2015-01-01

The purpose of this research is to determine the requirements of being a school principal and investigate the pre-service trainings of primary and middle school principals in the United States. In accordance with this aim, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 primary and middle school principals from the state of Michigan. In this…

Construct and Predictive Validity of Social Acceptability: Scores From High School Teacher Ratings on the School Intervention Rating Form

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Judith R.; State, Talida M.; Evans, Steven W.; Schamberg, Terah

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct and predictive validity of scores on a measure of social acceptability of class-wide and individual student intervention, the School Intervention Rating Form (SIRF), with high school teachers. Utilizing scores from 158 teachers, exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor (i.e.,…

School Facilities Construction Expenditures Have Grown Significantly in Recent Years. Report to the Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bovbjerg, Barbara D.

This report examines how states and local school districts have been dealing with the issues facing their public school facilities, including: (1) the trends since 1990 in elementary and secondary school construction expenditures and how these expenditures were divided between land, buildings, and equipment; (2) trends since 1990 in the amount of…

[Research on health education and promotion in Spanish nursery and primary schools. A systematic review of studies published between 1995 and 2005].

PubMed

Davó, Mari Carmen; Gil-González, Diana; Vives-Cases, Carmen; Alvarez-Dardet, Carlos; La Parra, Daniel

2008-01-01

To identify the characteristics of health education and promotion interventions in Spanish nursery and primary schools, through the studies published in scientific journals. We performed a review of studies on health education and promotion interventions in Spanish nursery and primary schools, published from 1995 to 2005. The information sources were Medline (through Pubmed), Cinhal, Eric, Sociological Abstracts, Science Citation Index, and Isooc (CSIC). Studies performed in Spanish nursery and primary schools that incorporated health education and promotion interventions were selected. The studies' general features, main subject and aims, methodology, the kind of intervention described, and compliance with the criteria for Healthy Schools were analyzed. Only 26 of the 346 articles identified met the inclusion criteria. Health education programs focussed more on disease prevention than on health promotion and only a few studies were performed in nursery and primary schools. The criteria for health promotion in schools were included in 5 articles (19.2%). The importance of health institutions (n = 7; 26.9%) and universities (n = 8; 30.8%) as promoters of programs was notable. The most frequent subject was smoking (n = 11; 42.3%). Teachers play a lesser role in health promotion in schools than health institutions in the implementation and dissemination of health programs. Research into health promotion in nursery and primary schools is scarce.

Superfund Record of Decision (Region 2): Love Canal/93rd Street, New York (third remedial action), September 1988

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The Love Canal/93rd Street School site consists of approximately 19 acres and includes a school and an adjacent vacant lot. The site is located in Niagara Falls, New York, less than one mile northwest of Love Canal and is within the Love Canal Emergency Declaration Area. Hooker Chemicals and Plastics Corporation disposed of over 21,000 tons of various chemicals at the Love Canal site from 1942 to 1953, when the site was deeded over to the City of Niagara Falls Board of Education. Sampling has revealed that approximately 6,000 cu yds of soil are contaminated. During the 1950s, home constructionmore » accelerated in the area. Specifically, in 1950, the 93rd Street School was built, and in 1954, the 99th Street School was built adjacent to the middle portion of the Canal. Prior to construction of the 93rd Street School, a drainage swale crossed the site. Between 1938 and 1951, the swale was partially filled with soil and rock debris, followed by sand and fly ash materials. In 1980, the 93rd Street School was closed due to public health concerns related to the potentially contaminated fill material. The primary contaminants of concern affecting soil are VOCs, including toluene and xylenes, other organics including dioxins, PAHs and pesticides, and metals including arsenic and lead.« less

Attractor States in Teaching and Learning Processes: A Study of Out-of-School Science Education.

PubMed

Geveke, Carla H; Steenbeek, Henderien W; Doornenbal, Jeannette M; Van Geert, Paul L C

2017-01-01

In order for out-of-school science activities that take place during school hours but outside the school context to be successful, instructors must have sufficient pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to guarantee high-quality teaching and learning. We argue that PCK is a quality of the instructor-pupil system that is constructed in real-time interaction. When PCK is evident in real-time interaction, we define it as Expressed Pedagogical Content Knowledge (EPCK). The aim of this study is to empirically explore whether EPCK shows a systematic pattern of variation, and if so whether the pattern occurs in recurrent and temporary stable attractor states as predicted in the complex dynamic systems theory. This study concerned nine out-of-school activities in which pupils of upper primary school classes participated. A multivariate coding scheme was used to capture EPCK in real time. A principal component analysis of the time series of all the variables reduced the number of components. A cluster revealed general descriptions of the components across all cases. Cluster analyses of individual cases divided the time series into sequences, revealing High-, Low-, and Non-EPCK states. High-EPCK attractor states emerged at particular moments during activities, rather than being present all the time. Such High-EPCK attractor states were only found in a few cases, namely those where the pupils were prepared for the visit and the instructors were trained.

Ability Grouping Practices in the Primary School: A Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hallam, Susan; Ireson, Judith; Lister, Veronica; Chaudhury, Indrani Andon; Davies, Jane

2003-01-01

Surveys how British primary schools group their students for different school subjects, such as according to class ability or mixed ability grouping. Finds that most schools used the class ability groupings, either in mixed or ability groupings. Includes references. (CMK)

Exploring primary school headteachers' perspectives on the barriers and facilitators of preventing childhood obesity.

PubMed

Howard-Drake, E J; Halliday, V

2016-03-01

Headteachers of primary schools in England are a crucial partner for childhood obesity prevention. Understanding how this works in practice is limited by their views being underrepresented or missing from the evidence base. The aim of this study was to explore primary school headteachers' perspectives on childhood obesity and the perceived barriers and facilitators of prevention. A qualitative study with a purposive sample of 14 primary school headteachers from the Yorkshire and Humber region of England was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. An extensive range of barriers and facilitators emerged within four key themes; understanding childhood obesity, primary school setting, the role of parents and external partners. A lack of knowledge, awareness and skills to deal with the sensitivity and complexity of childhood obesity across all school stakeholders presents the most significant barrier to effective action. Headteachers recognize primary schools are a crucial setting for childhood obesity prevention; however their school's often do not have the capability, capacity and confidence to make a meaningful and sustainable impact. To increase headteachers' ability and desire to prevent childhood obesity, schools require specialist and tailored training, resources and support from external partners such as public health teams and school nursing services. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A Case Study of What Experiences Contribute to the Ideas of Energy Held by Primary School Students in Trinidad and Tobago

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maharaj-Sharma, Rawatee; Sharma, Amrit

2014-01-01

This case study explored what experiences contribute to the ideas of energy held by 30 purposively selected primary school students from one primary school in Trinidad and Tobago. The 30 students were selected from across all levels of the primary system. The study used the Interview About Events (IAE) approach to explore students' ideas about…

Environmental and nutrition impact of achieving new School Food Plan recommendations in the primary school meals sector in England

PubMed Central

Wickramasinghe, Kremlin; Rayner, Mike; Goldacre, Michael; Townsend, Nick; Scarborough, Peter

2017-01-01

Objectives The aim of this modelling study was to estimate the expected changes in the nutritional quality and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) of primary school meals due to the adoption of new mandatory food-based standards for school meals. Setting Nationally representative random sample of 136 primary schools in England was selected for the Primary School Food Survey (PSFS) with 50% response rate. Participants A sample of 6690 primary students from PSFS who consumed school meals. Outcome measures Primary School Food Plan (SFP) nutritional impact was assessed using both macronutrient and micronutrient quality. The environmental impact was measured by GHGEs. Methods The scenario tested was one in which every meal served in schools met more than half of the food-based standards mentioned in the SFP (SFP scenario). We used findings from a systematic review to assign GHGE values for each food item in the data set. The GHGE value and nutritional quality of SFP scenario meals was compared with the average primary school meal in the total PSFS data set (pre-SFP scenario). Prior to introduction of the SFP (pre-SFP scenario), the primary school meals had mandatory nutrient-based guidelines. Results The percentage of meals that met the protein standard increased in the SFP scenario and the proportion of meals that met the standards for important micronutrients (eg, iron, calcium, vitamin A and C) also increased. However, the SFP scenario did not improve the salt, saturated fat and free sugar levels. The mean GHGE value of meals which met the SFP standards was 0.79 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.81) kgCO2e compared with a mean value of 0.72 (0.71 to 0.74) kgCO2e for all meals. Adopting the SFP would increase the total emissions associated with primary school meals by 22 000 000 kgCO2e per year. Conclusions The universal adoption of the new food-based standards, without reformulation would result in an increase in the GHGEs of school meals and improve some aspects of the nutritional quality, but it would not improve the average salt, sugar and saturated fat content levels. PMID:28381419

Environmental and nutrition impact of achieving new School Food Plan recommendations in the primary school meals sector in England.

PubMed

Wickramasinghe, Kremlin; Rayner, Mike; Goldacre, Michael; Townsend, Nick; Scarborough, Peter

2017-04-05

The aim of this modelling study was to estimate the expected changes in the nutritional quality and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) of primary school meals due to the adoption of new mandatory food-based standards for school meals. Nationally representative random sample of 136 primary schools in England was selected for the Primary School Food Survey (PSFS) with 50% response rate. A sample of 6690 primary students from PSFS who consumed school meals. Primary School Food Plan (SFP) nutritional impact was assessed using both macronutrient and micronutrient quality. The environmental impact was measured by GHGEs. The scenario tested was one in which every meal served in schools met more than half of the food-based standards mentioned in the SFP (SFP scenario). We used findings from a systematic review to assign GHGE values for each food item in the data set. The GHGE value and nutritional quality of SFP scenario meals was compared with the average primary school meal in the total PSFS data set (pre-SFP scenario). Prior to introduction of the SFP (pre-SFP scenario), the primary school meals had mandatory nutrient-based guidelines. The percentage of meals that met the protein standard increased in the SFP scenario and the proportion of meals that met the standards for important micronutrients (eg, iron, calcium, vitamin A and C) also increased. However, the SFP scenario did not improve the salt, saturated fat and free sugar levels. The mean GHGE value of meals which met the SFP standards was 0.79 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.81) kgCO 2 e compared with a mean value of 0.72 (0.71 to 0.74) kgCO 2 e for all meals. Adopting the SFP would increase the total emissions associated with primary school meals by 22 000 000 kgCO 2 e per year. The universal adoption of the new food-based standards, without reformulation would result in an increase in the GHGEs of school meals and improve some aspects of the nutritional quality, but it would not improve the average salt, sugar and saturated fat content levels. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Adaptive Behavior of Primary School Students with Visual Impairments: The Impact of Educational Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Metsiou, Katerina; Papadopoulos, Konstantinos; Agaliotis, Ioannis

2011-01-01

This study explored the adaptive behavior of primary school students with visual impairments, as well as the impact of educational setting on their adaptive behavior. Instrumentation included an informal questionnaire and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Participants were 36 primary school students with visual impairments. The educational…

Application of Total Quality Management System in Thai Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prueangphitchayathon, Setthiya; Tesaputa, Kowat; Somprach, Kanokorn

2015-01-01

The present study seeks to develop a total quality management (TQM) system that can be applied to primary schools. The approach focuses on customer orientation, total involvement of all constituencies and continuous improvement. TQM principles were studied and synthesized according to case studies of the best practices in 3 primary schools (small,…

(Mis)Conceptions about Geometric Shapes in Pre-Service Primary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Žilková, Katarína; Guncaga, Ján; Kopácová, Janka

2015-01-01

During the last reform, Slovakia has reduced geometry in curriculum in primary mathematics education. Pre-school education schools devote more time to geometry in curriculum, but this is not mandatory for all the children. In the primary schools, teachers devote very little lessons time to this problem. These lessons are mainly focused on…

An Assessment of Well-Being of Principals in Flemish Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Devos, G.; Bouckenooghe, D.; Engels, N.; Hotton, G.; Aelterman, A.

2007-01-01

Purpose: The goal of this inquiry is to indicate which individual, organisational and external environment factors contribute to a better understanding of the well-being of Flemish primary school principals. Design/methodology/approach: Data from a representative sample of primary schools in Flanders (n = 46) were gathered through questionnaires…