Seeking information about preconceived notions of the educational needs of children who are gifted, we asked 285 undergraduates in prerequisite classes for teacher education to complete questionnaires. Topics addressed included the need for special services for children who are gifted, perceptions of forms of service delivery in elementary schools, and egalitarian versus elitist issues in gifted education. Preferences among our respondents fell in favor of services carried out in general...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Misconceptions, Educational Needs, Elementary School Students, Academically Gifted,...
First Nations people have both a Constitutional and a Treaty right to education; however, the Crown's jurisdictional obligations to provide educational services have not lead to similar educational opportunities and attainment achievement for First Nations students as compared to Canadian students in provincial schools. Canada's Auditor General, in 2000, stated that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada could not demonstrate that it reached the objective to assist First Nations students on reserve...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, American Indians, Educational Needs, Educational Attainment,...
This study addressed a major concern expressed by the Director of Academies of The Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust/National Training Agency (NTA) Jamaica. Its purpose was to identify the entrepreneurial competency gaps that may exist between the desired behavior of training instructors and the behavior that presently exists among the instructors who participate in institution-based enterprise activities. This study first identified the entrepreneurial competencies that the...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Program Effectiveness, Foreign Countries, Public Agencies, Entrepreneurship, Surveys,...
There is a high incidence of today's gifted students independently interacting with their global community through technology tools. Teachers of the gifted (GT teachers) must possess an understanding of technology processes and concepts in order to engage their students through instructionally meaningful and appropriate lessons. Although many educators would like to use technology tools as an instructional medium, two obstacles prevent GT teachers from integrating technology into the...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Academically Gifted, Educational Technology, Technology Integration, Computer...
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived effectiveness of leadership in a Missouri rural K-8 school with a high incidence of poverty that consistently met federal and state accountability mandates. The concepts of accountability as measured by student achievement, the unique educational needs of children from poverty, and the challenges of the rural school location were viewed through the lens of leadership. Ten practices of leadership that lead to consistent student achievement...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Case Studies, Rural Schools, Educational Needs, Mentors, Poverty, Academic...
In earlier research into the attitudes of professionals to continuing professional education, four factors have stood out as occurring in virtually all results--professional improvement and development, professional service, collegial learning and interaction, and personal benefits and job security. Two other factors emerged once only in different studies--professional reflection and professional role clarification. The study reported here on the continuing education needs of country-based...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Professional Continuing Education, Foreign Countries, Legal Education (Professions),...
This study evaluated the manpower-training program for teaching personnel in mid-western Nigeria by the National Teachers' Institute. Overall, 240 participants involved in the training program who were randomly selected from the area constituted the sample for the study. A questionnaire designed by the authors was the major instrument used for data gathering. Analyses of the results showed that the programs are fairly effective in upgrading the skills and knowledge of the participants. It was...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Foreign Countries, Program Evaluation, Developing Nations,...
Are there students with physical disabilities who are so severely impaired that their culture can not be taken into consideration? Growing numbers of preschool and school age children with such disabilities are from non-European countries including Africa, South America, East Asia, and the Caribbean Islands. In addition, children who are American Indian/Alaska Natives, African American, or Hispanic are also represented in special education programs. Psychologically, familiar food, music, and...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Physical Disabilities, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Foreign...
World dilemmas such as poverty, immigration, globalization, technology, transportation, and transnational endeavors define the notion of "global village" in the same way that multicultural populations currently in all nations are described. No longer are nations as homogeneous as they were even a decade ago. In classroom settings the study of international education is similar to teaching with a multicultural perspective in terms of an emphasis on inclusiveness of diverse populations...
Topics: ERIC Archive, International Education, Global Approach, Educational Change, Foreign Countries,...
Although the mixed heritage population of the U.S. continues to grow, few (if any) attempts have been made to examine educational needs specific to this group of children, especially from the family's perspective. This article uses ethnographic data to examine the experiences of one mixed heritage family--with an African American father and a Chinese American mother--in an urban middle school. The data revealed that the family experienced several sources of tension from the school, from the...
Topics: ERIC Archive, African Americans, Educational Needs, Ethnography, Chinese Americans, Middle Schools,...
After over 40 years of education reform policies and strategies, America continues its need for systemic education reform. The greatest challenge confronting the nation remains within large urban metropolises where large numbers of minority students attend underfunded and low-performing schools with low standardized test scores and high dropout rates. African American children and youth constitute over 50% of all students in urban school systems. The social work profession has a long history of...
Topics: ERIC Archive, African American Children, Urban Schools, Educational Needs, Standardized Tests,...
The ever increasing availability of mathematics education software and internet-based multimedia learning activities presents teachers with the difficult task of deciding which programs are best suited for their students' learning needs. The challenge is for teachers to select pedagogical products that not only promote significant mathematical learning but also offer user-friendly functions, and are useful in the classroom. With the aim of assisting teachers in the selection process, this...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Mathematics Education, Multimedia Materials, Computer Software, Data Analysis,...
Immigrant students who attend high schools in small Canadian cities are likely to be few in each school. Consequently, they receive limited English as a second language (ESL) services and support by school personnel. This study aimed to acquire a deeper understanding of the organization and provision of ESL services in high schools in a small city with few immigrant students. Results indicate that the limited ESL support and services available in these schools pose challenges to the educational...
Topics: ERIC Archive, High Schools, Educational Needs, School Personnel, Immigrants, Second Language...
Training in Cognitive Therapy (CT) includes theoretical and didactic components combined with clinical supervision. An introductory course in CT might satisfy training needs in psychotherapy and help in the selection of those trainees who wish to continue to an advanced training level. Predictors of success at such an introductory course have been reported to be the abilities to learn and to relate successfully in group situation. Professional background as reflected on previous clinical and...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Introductory Courses, Educational Needs, Advanced Courses, Supervision, Cognitive...
This paper looks at the diffusion and applications of mobile phone technology in Asia and Africa, compared with North America. It indicates that Asian distance education can be the global leader in the development of educational uses for the mobile phone; and it considers the potential for mobile learning in Africa and other developing regions. The paper concludes that it would be a serious disservice to learners and instructors if Asia and Africa were to cast their lot with Web-based learning....
Topics: ERIC Archive, Distance Education, Foreign Countries, Networks, Telecommunications, Physical...
This inquiry examined graduate students' and preservice teachers' e-mail communication as they made decisions about supporting the instructional needs of children at-risk in a community of practice summer literacy camp. The correspondence gradually evolved from impersonal to interpersonal communication over a ten-week time span, and influenced the preservice teachers' responses. Seven themes were identified in the graduate students' messages that ranged from questioning and complaining to...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Graduate Students, Preservice Teachers, Electronic Mail, Letters (Correspondence),...
Preparing administrators with the capacity to improve instruction for all learners is critical for recruiting and retaining special education teachers. However, recent research points out the need to improve skills of current and future administrators for this role. To address these concerns the special education and administrator preparation programs at a western university designed and conducted research to determine how well preservice principals were being prepared to improve instruction...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Administrator Education, Educational Needs, Program Improvement, Focus Groups,...
This paper presents a lifespan perspective of sexuality issues for individuals with developmental disabilities. Individuals with developmental disabilities are human beings who have historically been denied the right to express their sexuality or engage in sexual relationships due to misconceptions or negative attitudes. Using a hypothetical case to illustrate the challenges experienced by individuals with disabilities, human rights violations and the need for education and appropriate sexual...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Negative Attitudes, Developmental Disabilities, Sexuality, Misconceptions, Civil...
This paper presents the findings from research conducted with two samples of teachers from Estonian Vocational Schools. The first sample comprised a group of teachers who had received professional development directly related to the management of students with special educational needs in vocational education settings. Their attitudes and expectations of students with special educational needs were compared to those of a larger second sample of similar teachers who had not received training in...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Vocational Schools, Educational Needs, Inclusive Schools, Disabilities, Foreign...
An empirical investigation of international research relating to special educational needs is reported. Two international arenas were identified: a North American and a British/European. Articles from 2004 were analysed with regard to 1) sex of authors, 2) country of institutional affiliation of authors, 3) themes and 4) perspectives. The analyses suggest that, to a large extent, research is still nationally oriented. Female authors were most common in 11 of the 12 journals. The thematic...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Investigations, Research Methodology, Special Education,...
One of the main challenges facing primary mainstream teachers in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stems from the current educational movement towards inclusion. It is an international phenomenon, a process that emphasizes providing special education services to students with special educational needs within the regular classrooms. The purpose of the study was to identify perceptions about educating students with special educational needs in the mainstream education setting. The...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Questionnaires, Teacher Competencies,...
Intelligence testing is an important part of any individualized education plan; however, a verbal test measure may not be appropriate for the child with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or the inability to speak. A child with a physical disability may not be able to point accurately or build a tower with blocks; a child with a visual impairment may not be able to identify the colors in the small boxes contained in the test, and a child who is unable to speak may not have the same...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Intelligence, Educational Needs, Visual Impairments, Physical Disabilities, Testing,...
Many researchers conclude that assistive computer technology (ACT) has the potential for improving educational outcomes and improving the quality of life for those with disabilities (Blackhurst & Edyburn, 2000; Fisher & Frey 2001; Lewis, 1993; Lindsey, 1993). While it is recognized that ACT can have a positive impact on learning for students with learning problems, the process for the integration of assistive technology into the curriculum is more complex. A well documented gap exits...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Strategic Planning, Learning Problems, Educational Objectives, Learning Disabilities,...
With the passing of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act into law alongside the move away from academic selection for post-primary pupils by 2008 and a far reaching review of the curriculum, education in Northern Ireland is about to face its most radical change in fifty years. Issues relating to Inclusive Education are now pressing and in addressing such change, it is recognized that pre-service programmes must be reviewed to ensure that student teachers are equipped to teach...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Preservice Teacher Education, Student Teachers, Educational Needs, Inclusive Schools,...
The purposes of this study were to investigate female juvenile delinquents and at-risk girls' perceptions of their new school experience at a residential alternative education program in Singapore. Participants' views about the three key components of the alternative school are presented. Student characteristics and services offered at the school are also included. Implications and suggestions are made for the planning and implementation of effective programs and services for girls engaged in...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Nontraditional Education, Delinquency, Females, Early Adolescents, Foreign Countries,...
Educating a student with special needs became an interest in Jordan at the end of the 1960s. This article provides an overview of the general and special education systems in Jordan. Historical and demographical information is included for the purpose of placing the education of children in Jordan within the context of its land and the population of Jordan. The general education system and special Education system in Jordan is reviewed in depth. Issues related to the current practices and...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Special Education, Disabilities, Special Needs Students, General...
The authors of this article examined how pre-service teachers can use children's and young adult literature about disabilities to enhance understanding of individual differences through a bibliotherapeutic approach. An introduction to bibliotherapy is provided along with related literature from the field. Strategies for using children's and young adult literature to enhance the understanding of issues associated with disabilities are presented along with one teacher candidate's application of...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Childrens Literature, Adolescent Literature, Disabilities, Young Adults,...
This article presents the results of two studies on the applicability and use of universal design in higher education. In Study 1, the instructional climate for students with disabilities was assessed through a survey of 271 faculty members and teaching associates (TAs) and focus groups with 92 additional faculty members and TAs. Survey respondents ranked universal design for learning (UDL) as the most needed training topic. A web-based, self-paced professional development tool called FAME...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Focus Groups, Disabilities, Access to Education, Professional...
The UK's 2001 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act has charged learning technologists with the responsibility of ensuring that electronic teaching materials can be accessed by disabled students. In an attempt to explore how learning technologists are developing practices to produce accessible electronic materials this paper will present a review of the accessibility literature and identify key issues that may influence the "accessibility" practices of learning technologists....
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Educational Technology, Communities of Practice, Foreign...
There are many competencies necessary for success as a 4-H agent. The 4-H Professional Research, Knowledge, and Competencies (PRKC) Model organizes competencies into six domains: (a) Youth Development, (b) Youth Program Development, (c) Volunteerism, (d) Partnerships, (e) Organizational Systems, and (f) Equity, Access and Opportunity (National 4-H Professional Development Task Force, 2004). Previous research (Harder & Dooley, 2007; Seevers, Baca & VanLeeuwen, 2005) identified...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Youth Programs, Needs Assessment, Extension Agents, Program...
This article describes and analyzes data from the first annual Inclusion Institute (AAII) held during the 2006-2007 academic year at Arcadia University, and raises questions about the essential processes needed to create inclusive schools. In particular, our analysis focuses on the need to redirect our attention from the individual needs of particular students and toward the social and civil rights of all students, including those with disabilities. The innovative, team-based professional...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Inclusive Schools, Civil Rights, Disabilities, Teachers, Parents, Administrators,...
Feelings of self-doubt and insecurity about one's effectiveness are frequently reported by mental health professionals, regardless of their experience level. In novice therapists, feelings of incompetence (FOI) are a central feature in the development of their professional identity. A first-person perspective of FOI will provide insight into its impact and its potential resolution. Ten novice therapists discussed their FOI during a 45-90 minute semi-structured interview. The authors analyzed...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Allied Health Personnel, Competence, Self Esteem, Interviews, Grounded Theory,...
In 2005 a South Australian university inaugurated a new provision of higher education programs in a regional city. Previously, would-be university students in the area had only the options of off-campus study, moving away from home to become internal students, or not pursuing university studies at all. The initiative provided the opportunity to study the effects of the new university presence on its students, university staff and the wider community, and at the same time to learn much that...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Higher Education, Educational Needs, Distance Education, Focus Groups, Foreign...
This study was an investigation of the educational needs of tuk-tuk drivers when using English to communicate with tourists in Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya, an old capital of Thailand. The samples included 30 tuk-tuk drivers at five famous places where tourists require tuk-tuk drivers' services in Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya, for example at the train station, the bus station, a bus stop in front of the Ayutthaya district office, Hua-Ror and the Chao-Phrom market. Six participants were drawn from each...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Informal Education, Tourism, Lifelong Learning, Foreign Countries,...
Education has three main roles: it is developmental because it develops the unique qualities of a child; it differentiates between learners because it treats every child as an individual, appreciating individual differences; and it is integrative because it accommodates people of varying backgrounds (culture, beliefs and values) thereby allowing for a cooperative approach in problem solving (Abosi, 1996). It is therefore absolutely necessary that the components of the curriculum for teacher...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Play, Inclusive Schools, Disabilities, Social Values, Special Education, Teaching...
The number of immigrants of color residing in the United States reached 13.5 million in March 2005, the highest in U.S. history. By 2010 the number of Black immigrants and their children is estimated to reach five million, and will represent twelve percent of the Black population in the United States. To date, the majority of Black immigrants in the United States are from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Haiti, and Jamaica, but substantial numbers of immigrants also come from various African...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Development, History, Foreign Countries, Educational Researchers,...
This study investigated the educational needs and barriers for diverse African refugee students in two inner-city high schools in Manitoba. Forty African refugee students, two principals, eight teachers, four parents, and four community leaders participated in the study. Five focus groups, individual interviews, and school and classroom observations were used to collect date. Results revealed that academic, economic, and psychosocial challenges facing African refugee students adversely affected...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Community Leaders, Educational Needs, Focus Groups, Foreign Countries, Economic...
Response to Intervention (RtI) is sweeping the country, changing the way children's educational needs are recognized and met. RtI was introduced through special education legislation as part of IDEA 2004 and offered an alternative approach for identifying students with learning disabilities (Bender & Shores, 2007). RtI is designed to bring together information about the child's strengths and needs with evidence-based instructional approaches that support the child's success. Key components...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Early Intervention, Academically Gifted, Teaching Methods,...
Educators often exclude socially maladjusted children (SMA) from a proper education due to serious disruptive behavior. Never the less, these children are entitled to services under section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. While SMA children are indeed difficult to educate, review of the associated literature suggests that methods to remediate and manage behavior patterns exists. This paper will explore effective education for SMA children and effective ways to manage their behavior...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Behavior Problems, Behavior Patterns, Disabilities, Social...
The author discusses three threats to the American way of life: the first threat is related to human and technological growth; the second is a new division of labor; and the third threat is security and safety. The author suggests two solutions to address these challenges: (1) better technological planning and decisions based on technological literacy; and (2) creating better technology through increased ingenuity, innovations and inventions. The ability to adopt, adapt, invent and evaluate...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Creativity, National Security, Population Growth, Technological Literacy, Technology...
Based on the findings of a national survey conducted in 2004 designed to examine the support systems for both learners and tutors engaged in tertiary-level Web-based English education in mainland China, this paper reports the findings of secondary analysis by identifying the tensions in the current learner and tutor support systems. For "learner support", four tensions were analyzed: (1) vigorous institutional learner support efforts versus learner utilization of the provisions; (2)...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Distance Education, Foreign Countries, Internet, National Surveys, College...
This article chronicles the evolution of legislation for Texas open-enrollment charter schools to their implementation by demonstrating how these schools have (or have not) used their freedom from state-mandated requirements to develop innovative learning environments as well as to bring innovative curricula into the classroom. The investigative focus was on an analysis of Texas open-enrollment charter school legislation, from 1995 (74th legislative session) to the 77th legislative session in...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Charter Schools, Disadvantaged Youth, Teacher Persistence, Labor...
Pregnancy among all teenagers is a major challenge facing the United States. A literature review indicated little research on the incidences of pregnancy and parenting among teenagers with disabilities, similarities and differences in their educational needs when compared to their non-disabled peers, and how programs address their specific educational needs regarding pregnancy and parenting. Our investigation includes a review of literature related to teen pregnancy, pregnant and parenting...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Child Rearing, Disabilities, Pregnancy, Adolescents, Early...
This study used an open-ended structured interview to investigate seven parents' of students with disabilities perceptions of charter schools and why they chose this type of school to educate their child. Findings showed a general theme of parents believing that the traditional area public school did not meet their child's needs in terms of size, academics, and addressing the student's unique educational needs. When commenting on the positive aspects of charter schools, parents indicated the...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Charter Schools, School Activities, School Size, Disabilities,...
Transition from primary to secondary school has been a focus of concern regarding pupil anxiety, social integration, lack of progression and under-achievement, particularly for children/young people with special educational needs (SEN). Previous studies often over-depended on data from professionals and treated all SEN as similar. This study gathered data specifically from children/young people with autistic spectrum disorders and their parents (contrasting this with the views of...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, School Activities, Social Integration, Autism, Young Adults,...
Few studies explore the specific sources of stress, and the coping strategies applied by teachers of children with special educational needs, particularly in small countries such as Greece. The present study investigated the specific work-related stressors affecting special educational needs teachers in Greece and the coping strategies applied by them. 158 One hundred fifty eight special education teachers participated in the study, recruited from Athens (n = 113), and other urbanised areas of...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Coping, Measures (Individuals), Foreign Countries, Special...
The purpose of this study was to describe New Mexico secondary agricultural education teachers' perceptions of the importance and their level of competence on state special needs inclusion competencies and skills for teaching students with special needs. Additionally, this study sought to determine pre-service and in-service training needs for working with students with special needs. A census of New Mexico agricultural education teachers received a mail questionnaire during spring and summer...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Needs, Inclusive Schools, Agricultural Education, Disabilities, Teaching...
This study identified events during the life of Booker Taliaferro Washington and during the early years of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School that may have contributed to the development of agricultural and industrial education for African Americans. Washington's experiences as a former slave and his observations of life for African Americans in the South in the late 1800's may have shaped his philosophy of agricultural and industrial education. Washington believed that agricultural and...
Topics: ERIC Archive, African American Students, Agricultural Education, African American Education,...
This paper synthesized studies of professional development for middle school content area teachers and the teachers' subsequent implementation of literacy strategies. Four studies were identified as having a majority of participants teaching English/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies in grades 6 through 8. Articles meeting the criteria included two qualitative studies of the impact of professional development on implementation of literacy strategies, one ethnographic study of the...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Professional Development, Middle School Teachers, Literacy, Teacher Characteristics,...
It is no longer a question whether or not technology should be used in the classroom. The emphasis is ensuring that teachers use technology effectively to create new opportunities for students to learn and raise their achievement. The use of technology in the classroom requires teachers to be knowledgeable and competent in ICTs and to integrate them into the curriculum, align them with student learning goals, and use them to engage learners in a quest for meaningful academic development. This...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Teachers, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Competence, Computer Uses...