Exploring decision making in school exclusion

The disproportionate exclusion of certain groups of pupils in England, and for specific behaviours, remains an issue of national importance. The current research aimed to explore the role that Head Teachers play in this process, given that they have sole legal responsibility to decide if a pupil’s behaviour meets the subjective criteria for persistent disruption. Head Teachers’ views were sought to answer the following: How do Head Teachers navigate the decision-making process to exclude for Persistent Disruptive Behaviour? What factors do Head Teachers consider when making these decisions? Do Head Teachers consult others during the decision-making process? A partially-mixed sequential dominant phase methodology was employed, where qualitative data analysis contributed the greatest amount of information pertaining to the research questions. A survey collecting demographic information was sent to Head Teachers across England. This survey also collected quantitative data, in the form of self-reported measures of the extent to which Head Teachers consulted others, and how well-equipped they felt in decision making for Persistent Disruptive Behaviour. Maximum variation sampling, using the demographic information provided in the survey, was used to select Head Teachers for interviews. Analysis of qualitative data, using thematic analysis, suggested that Head Teachers’ confidence in the education system, position on exclusion, principles and pressure from the system informed how they navigated decision making. Head Teachers’ consideration of what a pupil needs, personal approach, school approach and external help and hinderances were themes extracted from the data which related to the factors Head Teachers deem important in decision making. Isolation and Professional vs Personal (relationships) were themes that addressed who and how Head Teachers consulted others during decision making. Quantitative analysis of data showed there was not a statistically significant relationship between the extent to which Head Teachers consult others, and the extent to which they feel well-equipped in the exclusion decision-making process. These findings highlight the complex nature of decision-making in which a Head Teacher must engage, which is shaped by a range of individual, group and systemic factors. This research provides previously unexplored information about Head Teachers’ decision making and how this influences school exclusions for Persistent Disruptive Behaviour. Important implications for Educational Psychology practice are noted, including the role of professional supervision to Head Teachers, and these findings are discussed with relevance to contributions to school practice and the development of policy

Memory in the religious education classroom (Part 2 :The arts and the testing effect)

This is the second part (of a two-part paper) about memory, its place in the religious education classroom and the way it might inform the practice of religious education. The argument is put forward that memory and rote learning are under-utilised in the religious education classroom. Engagement with memory may offer ways to improve student knowledge of foundational content in religious education. Part two offers the arts, namely music performance, as a source of inspiration to religious educators for embracing memory. In piano performance and in other disciplines that utilise motor skills, memory is applauded and approved. Memory should be similarly approved in the religious education classroom. Finally, drawing on cognitive and educational psychology, consideration is given to the testing effect as evidence that memorisation may be under-utilised in the religious education classroom

SEVERAL METHODS TO ASSESS GROUNDWATER SURFACE-WATER INTERACTIONS IN LOLO CREEK, MONTANA

This study addressed potential groundwater surface-water interactions along the lower reach of Lolo Creek in Lolo, Montana as part of a larger ongoing study conducted by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) Groundwater Investigation Program (GWIP). The GWIP focus is to address the causes of late summer dewatering along the lower reaches of Lolo Creek. This study’s work attempts to: (1) identify gaining/losing reaches along a 6.5 km stretch and (2) test several methods for investigating groundwater and surface-water interactions. The methods included measuring incremental streamflow, hydraulic gradients, one-dimensional temperature profiles, and collection and evaluation of radon-222. Four sites were chosen along a 6.5 km stretch of Lolo Creek for monitoring streamflow and stage in conjunction with a paired shallow piezometer. The piezometers were instrumented with a transducer and two thermistors at different depths. Stream discharges were measured monthly at each site between June and November 2016 and show a gain of 0.028 to 0.11 m3/s (1 to 4 ft3/s) for the uppermost reach, loss of 0.23 m3/s for the second reach, and loss of 0.14 to 0.28 (5 to 10 ft3/s) for the third reach. Hydraulic gradients are negative at each site with the highest values at the downgradient site and the smallest values at the site that is closest to bedrock. Temperature profiles at the two lowest sites show downward conduction of surface water into groundwater with downward fluxes ranging from 0.33 m/day to 0.53 m/day at the second lowest site and 0.55 m/day to 0.85 m/day at the lowest site. The thermographs from the uppermost site show very little downward conduction of surface water with fluxes ranging from 0.05 to 0.09 m/day. Radon-222 sampling show very low concentrations (~10 pCi/L) at the lowest site with elevated concentrations (40-90 pCi/L) between the uppermost site and the second lowest site. A radon box model developed by Cook et al (2003) was used to estimate gas transfer velocity and an average velocity was determined to be 24 cm/hr. All data are available through MBMG’s Ground Water Information Center at www.mbmggwic.mtech.edu (Appendix I)

Generalized Quadratic Revenue Functions

In this paper we focus on specification of revenue functions in their dual price space. We consider two distance functions, both dual to the revenue function: Shephard output distance function and the directional output distance function, both in price space. The former is multiplicative, satisfying homogeneity, the latter is additive satisfying transitivity. Functional equation methods yield translog specification for the Shephard case and quadratic for the directional case. Monte Carlo evidence suggests that the quadratic specification more precisely represents technology.

Comparative Growth and Survival of Juvenile Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)Cultured in Copper and Nylon Net Pens

Bio-fouling on net pens has been a major concern for the marine aquaculture industry. As cage systems increase in size, so does the surface area for the attachment of colonial organisms that create drag on the net, reduce water flow important to fish health, and increase operational expenses due to net cleaning. To solve this problem, the International Copper Association (ICA) has been developing copper alloy netting for sea cages. Copper netting has unique properties that minimize bio-fouling, reduce the risk of fish escapement, prevent predators from entering the net pen, and is recyclable. To test the alloy netting, an experiment was conducted to compare juvenile cod cultured in traditional nylon nets with cod grown in Seawire copper netting ([email protected]). Six, 0.78 m3 cages were each stocked with 200 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) averaging 29 ± 2.2 g and grown for 4 months in coastal waters of New Hampshire, USA. Results of the study indicated no significant differences in cod growth, survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), or Fulton’s condition factor (K) between the fish grown in the copper alloy and nylon nets. A chemical analysis was conducted on the cod and indicated no differences in copper levels in muscle, liver and gill tissues taken from the net treatments. Nylon nets with antifouling paint accumulated significantly more bio-fouling than the copper nets. Materials that were in direct contact with the copper netting (plastic cable ties) fouled heavily with hydroids indicating minimal leaching to the environment. This study describes some of the beneficial attributes of copper netting, however future studies need to be conducted over a longer period of time, on a larger scale, and in a more energetic environment to definitively test the utility of this new product

Indigenous Technical Knowledge: Analysis, Implications and Issues

This review of the discussions of a workshop analyses indigenous technical knowledge (ITK), examines its potential for rural development, and outlines implications and issues. ITK is compared with institutionally organised science and technology. It can be seen in terms of stock and process: a rich but underutilised stock of knowledge; and the potential of processes through which knowledge can be generated, assimilated, and transmitted. Implications include the use of new methods for eliciting ITK, changes in the values and reward systems of professionals and officials concerned with rural development, and the need for further research and analysis