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1 – 10 of over 6000Aims to examine and present the beliefs of elementary and secondary school principals and teachers concerning their school’s climate. Investigates four parameters related to school…
Abstract
Aims to examine and present the beliefs of elementary and secondary school principals and teachers concerning their school’s climate. Investigates four parameters related to school climate, namely: communication, collaboration, organizational structure, and students. Both elementary and secondary principals and teachers indicated that the climate in their particular schools is satisfactory with an overall mean of 2.33 on a three‐point Likert‐type scale. The lowest mean was given to the parameter organizational structure (2.26), the second to the parameter students (2.29) and the third to the parameter collaboration (2.31). Therefore, one could conclude that the above areas are in most need of improvement. Based on gender, one general comment would be that men seemed to feel worse about their particular school’s climate than women. Further, more experienced teachers had slightly different views when compared with less experienced teachers in two parameters of the questionnaire (organizational structure and students).
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Parts of a recent (1989) Educational TestingService publication are reprinted here: a reportof a comparative survey (by tests) of mathematicsand science education among…
Abstract
Parts of a recent (1989) Educational Testing Service publication are reprinted here: a report of a comparative survey (by tests) of mathematics and science education among 13‐year‐olds in Canada, Ireland, Korea, Spain, the UK and the USA.
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The lockdown of schools to control the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adversely affected elementary and secondary school students in China. However, little…
Abstract
Purpose
The lockdown of schools to control the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adversely affected elementary and secondary school students in China. However, little evidence is available that documents their perceptions toward the use of e-learning under the pandemic context. This study aims to explore (1) the underlying determinants influencing the students' intentions to continue e-learning and (2) the role that the COVID-19 pandemic plays in this decision. This study extends the expectation–confirmation model (ECM) through a mixed-methods study.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a mixed-methods approach. Phase 1 draws conclusions and extracts significant elements related to e-learning during the pandemic by analyzing students' user reviews from platforms. Based on the findings, the authors identify the relevant variables and develop an extended ECM by integrating attitudes and the perceived threat of COVID-19. In Phase 2, the research model is empirically validated using data collected from 36,920 elementary and secondary school students in China. This study uses a mixed-methods approach. Phase 1 draws conclusions and extracts significant elements related to e-learning during the pandemic by analyzing students' user reviews from platforms. Based on the findings, the authors identify the relevant variables and develop an extended ECM by integrating attitudes and the perceived threat of COVID-19. In Phase 2, the research model is empirically validated using data collected from 36,920 elementary and secondary school students in China.
Findings
In Phase 1, the results reveal that students' most concern elements in the COVID-19 pandemic are user perceptions toward e-learning and threat perceptions of COVID-19. In Phase 2, the results reveal that perceived usefulness and attitude are the most significant factors in students' intention to continue. The perceived threat of COVID-19 indirectly influences their intention to continue.
Originality/value
The study extends the ECM with a mixed-methods study to understand students' perceptions toward e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study can be helpful in related studies in the context of COVID-19-related diseases or other novel scenarios.
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Toshiya Chichibu and Toshiyuki Kihara
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the lesson study (LS) processes and evaluate their effectiveness in Japanese elementary and secondary (middle and high) schools, through a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the lesson study (LS) processes and evaluate their effectiveness in Japanese elementary and secondary (middle and high) schools, through a school survey by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research of Japan (NIER).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors randomly selected 1,000 elementary schools and 1,000 middle schools and 500 high schools in Japan. Survey items are methods of LS, and indicators of building professional learning communities (PLC) through LSs, close communication between teachers, high quality instruction by teachers, and test scores of students of the school.
Findings
Based on the school survey in elementary and middle schools, almost all schools set up a school‐wide committee, a research theme, and a schedule for LS, and LSs were implemented as part of a school‐wide lesson study from which an action research report is produced. On the other hand, in high schools, almost all the schools implemented LSs, but each LS is independent and implemented specifically for the professional development of the individual teacher who undertakes the research lesson. The authors consider LS as a way to facilitate a PLC in the school. There are correlations between the methods of LS and the indicators of a PLC in elementary and middle schools. However, the effectiveness of LS differs between elementary and middle schools. With respect to the research theme and the organization and discussion of lesson plans, LS methods in middle schools are developed into LS methods in elementary schools. The LS methods may be developed gradually both in elementary and middle schools.
Originality/value
Statistical data of LS in Japanese elementary and secondary schools are presented for the first time, demonstrating the effectiveness of LS.
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School libraries in the United States have existed since the founding of private schools and academies in New England, such as Phillips-Andover and Phillips-Exeter in the late…
Abstract
School libraries in the United States have existed since the founding of private schools and academies in New England, such as Phillips-Andover and Phillips-Exeter in the late 18th century. The development of public secondary school libraries, however, did not occur until early in the 20th century. While New England's academies were national leaders in secondary school education, New England's public schools lagged behind their counterparts in the Central region of the United States in the development of school libraries. The first national standards for secondary school libraries was adopted by and published by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1918 from a study and report by the Committee on Library Organization and Equipment (CLOE), chaired by Charles C. Certain. The 1918 standards were entitled, “Standard Library Organization and Equipment for Secondary Schools of Different Size.” (NEA, 1918) This was the first attempt to quantify high school library facilities by identifying standards for a good high school library. In 1920, the American Library Association (ALA) endorsed and published these standards, which have become known as the “Certain Standards,” in honor of the committee chair. The “Certain Standards” addressed the need for high school libraries to become an integral part of the school by setting goals, planning, and establishing quantified collections, seating, and equipment. These standards also called for creating a library classroom and for hiring a qualified librarian (with 1 year of postgraduate study and one year of internship) (NEA, 1918; ALA, 1920). Most importantly, this document identified the role of the librarian as a professional who was not expected to do clerical work, but who “… should have the ability to work for and with teachers” (NEA, 1918; ALA, 1920, p. 12). Therefore, the standards movement began as an effort to quantify library facilities and to provide qualified librarians in secondary schools which became the focus for improving school libraries throughout the 20th century (Roscello, 2004).
Naseer Ahmad Salfi and Muhammad Saeed
This paper seeks to determine the relationship among school size, school culture and students' achievement at secondary level in Pakistan.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to determine the relationship among school size, school culture and students' achievement at secondary level in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was descriptive (survey type). It was conducted on a sample of 90 secondary school head teachers and 540 primary, elementary and high school teachers working in the government boys secondary schools of Punjab province. Data was collected through three sources: first, statistics on education from Education Management Information System (EMIS) Punjab; second, annual results of grade 9 and 10 students of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) Punjab; and third, a questionnaire which contained 39 items at five‐point rating scale and ten items in yes/no form. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were ensured through experts' opinions and pilot testing in early 2006; the overall reliability was established at 0.967.
Findings
There was a significant correlation between school size and school culture, and school size and students' achievement. Small schools revealed positive school culture and performed better than medium and large schools.
Originality/value
The policy makers, administrators and managers, and teachers at secondary level may improve school culture by bringing schools to a reasonable size, which may improve the students' achievement in Pakistan. The findings may be useful for other countries of almost similar socio‐economic status to improve the quality of teaching‐learning at secondary level.
The transition from elementary to secondary school involves major changes for students that are reflected socially, academically, and environmentally. Increased emphasis on social…
Abstract
The transition from elementary to secondary school involves major changes for students that are reflected socially, academically, and environmentally. Increased emphasis on social interactions, school procedures, and academics make high school potentially stressful. For students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), these new academic and social challenges may be particularly anxiety-producing as they reluctantly leave familiar surroundings and friends and transition to high school.
Many of the characteristics of students with ASD may be incompatible with the demands of life in high school. This paper examines the skills that are required for students to be successful in high school and compares them to the skills of many adolescents with ASD. Following a description of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, the paper presents an overview of curriculum analysis and possible curricular changes to assist these students in high school. To enhance the support of the curriculum, subsequent information in this chapter includes the use of visual supports and the implementation of technology. Additional strategies are then presented including information on peer tutoring, and the use of social scripts and social stories. The final section discusses components of high school that may prove challenging, such as block scheduling and the use unstructured time. It concludes with a description of the effective secondary teacher and a look at future directions for this topic.
Kathleen L. Lane, E. Jemma Robertson and Marona Amandla Leaura Graham-Bailey
The issue of school violence and antisocial behavior in public schools is, in fact, one of the most pressing concerns in education today. Schools have responded by designing…
Abstract
The issue of school violence and antisocial behavior in public schools is, in fact, one of the most pressing concerns in education today. Schools have responded by designing, implementing, and evaluating multi-level models with progressively more intensive levels of support. The foundation of these models is the primary, or universal, prevention program. To date, most investigations have occurred in elementary schools thereby providing limited insight into intervening in secondary schools. This chapter reviews the literature base of school-wide interventions with primary level efforts conducted in secondary schools with an emphasis on methodological considerations. Content includes the findings of a systematic literature review, a discussion of quality indicators in relationship to primary prevention efforts, and recommendations for future inquiry.
Edward J. Fuller, Liz Hollingworth and Michelle D. Young
This chapter analyzes 2011 survey data from a sample of Texas principals who were asked about their perceptions of their working conditions such as: support and facilities;…
Abstract
This chapter analyzes 2011 survey data from a sample of Texas principals who were asked about their perceptions of their working conditions such as: support and facilities; salary; resources; autonomy to make decisions; testing and accountability pressures; and relationships with supervisors. Respondents were also asked about their intentions to stay or leave their particular school. Researchers and policymakers agree effective and stable school leadership is critical to school improvement efforts, but we know little about how various working conditions impact principal effectiveness and turnover. This work is important because in-depth knowledge of the causes of principal turnover in general and how principal working conditions impact turnover in particular is a pre-requisite to creating policies and support mechanisms to support principals in small and mid-sized districts.