Talking across the divide: English teachers respond to the NCEA.

The implementation of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement as a single, senior secondary school qualification in New Zealand has been a fraught process marked by a good deal of acrimonious debate. This article reports on a research project that brought together two groups of secondary English teachers, one self-described as in favour of the NCEA and one as opposed to it. Both groups were invited to describe aspects of their practice, share their views on aspects of the NCEA and engage in a focus group where they explored these views with other teachers. Certain predictable trends were found in the responses of both groups but there was also an interesting degree of convergence. On the basis of this convergence, a possible way forward for reform of the NCEA is suggested

[Review of] Susan Guyette. Community-Based Research: A Handbook for Native Americans

Community-Based Research has a clear sense of purpose: This handbook is intended as a practical research guide for an era of self-determination in community development (xvii). The author seeks to provide the means for research to be planned, designed, and implemented by community members with the research priorities set by the community that lives the socio-economic conditions, rather than by an outsider who studies the community for informational purposes (2)

On Pottery

One of my life’s most poignant moments came during my first lesson at the potter’s wheel. I’ll never forget how my teacher laid his hands over mine and helped direct the pressure needed to guide the clay into center. That moment when the clay ‘found’ center was absolutely electric. It tickled my innermost being in much the same way as feeling the faint kick of our first child in my expectant wife’s womb. Life yet-to-be-born was announcing itself

Diversity and the Undertreatment of Pain

The undertreatment of pain is a major public health problem and has enormous costs -- to the individual, the health care system and society. Undertreatment is complex and many studies have clarified the factors that may contribute. Clinicians who become aware of these factors are better able to assess accurately, treat appropriately, and educate about pain. Among other factors, undertreatmentof pain has been associated with race, sex, ethnicity, and culture

Book review: The Blue Coat

The article reviews the book "The Blue Coat" by Elizabeth Smither