Language Assessment in Practice

Language Assessment in Practice by Lyle Bachman and Adrian Palmer is a defining text within the field of language assessment. With an expected readership of students, language teachers with varying experience, applied linguists, professional language testers, materials developers and textbook writers, Language Assessment in Practice is ambitious at its core. Nonetheless, the authors‘ logical approach and straightforward writing style make this a highly accessible text for all members of its intended audience. In an inviting first chapter titled ―Objectives and Explanations, or why we need another book about language testing,‖ Bachman and Palmer explain their reasons for taking on this project, especially in light of their earlier, formative work Language Testing in Practice (Bachman & Palmer, 1996). Using Bachman‘s articulation of the Assessment Use Argument (AUA) as its organizing theoretical framework, Language Assessment in Practice represents a distinct departure from the earlier text. At nearly twice the number of pages of text (excluding the projects in the final chapters of both books), and incorporating extensive resources available online, this volume represents a significant evolution in the authors‘ thinking about assessment

Critical pedagogy in English universities: the relationship between theory and practice

Higher education in England has become increasingly marketised and bureaucratised over the last 30 years. The economic purpose of higher education put forward by government policy instrumentalises the work being done in universities through league tables and quality frameworks, promoting competition and surveillance. These changes impact on pedagogy, the student experience, and the role of academics. Aiming to explore the pedagogical practice of self-identifying critical pedagogues in English universities in this era of marketisation, this research focused on the pedagogical practice and decision-making of ten critical pedagogues from eight different universities in England. In an attempt to implement a research approach that was congruent with critical pedagogy, this research was informed by a critical qualitative research approach, which involved participant observations and reflective dialogues with participants focusing on their practice. As a result of thematic analysis, a framework for conceptualising different manifestations of critical pedagogical practice emerged, identifying hegemonic co-investigators, critical co-investigators, and critical experts. Effects of the marketisation of the university at the macro, meso and micro levels affected self-identifying critical pedagogues’ ability to put their pedagogical beliefs and values into practice, often leading to strategic compromise (Skelton, 2012a) and feelings of isolation. Analysis suggests that critical educators often focus on implementing either a critical curriculum or a critical pedagogy and feel that they are isolated and misunderstood by their colleagues. Building a community in the classroom and within their institution was seen as important to implementing a critical pedagogical approach, and while participants practiced critical pedagogy in different ways, the purpose underpinning their practice united them as they push at the boundaries of the university

Expanding Capacity to Serve Multilingual Learners: A University-School District Partnership

In a time of new teacher certification requirements in New York, school districts are grappling with how to meet the regulatory expectations imposed by Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154. One way that schools are solving staffing challenges is by forging new collaborations with university partners to expand their collective capacities to serve Multilingual learners (MLLs). In this article, we document a partnership between SUNY New Paltz’s Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program and the Pawling Central School District during the 2017-18 academic year. We describe the partners’ distinct roles in the university-district collaboration, and discuss the logistical considerations and challenges they faced, with respect to program design, hybrid instruction, meeting certification requirements, and working with established university systems. We conclude by identifying components that ultimately made the partnership a success

A value chain analysis of interventions to control production diseases in the intensive pig production sector

Value chain analysis (VCA) calculated the financial effects on food chain actors of interventions to improve animal health and welfare in the intensive pig sector. Two interventions to reduce production diseases were studied. A generic chain diagram of linkages between stakeholders and value-added dimensions was designed. Data on structure and financial performance were collected for the sector. The production parameters and financial effects of the interventions were then described to illustrate impact on the supply chain. The effects of the interventions were also assessed at market level using economic welfare analysis. The sectors in Finland and the UK are small in farm numbers and few companies produced much of the output in a largely vertically-integrated structure. The most beneficial intervention in financial terms to farmers was improved hygiene in pig fattening (around +50% in gross margin). It was calculated to reduce the consumer price for pig meat by up to 5% when applied at large, whereas for improved management measures, it would reduce consumer price by less than 0.5%. However, the latter added value also through food quality attributes. We show that good hygiene and animal care can add value. However, evaluation of the financial and social viability of the interventions is needed to decide what interventions are adopted. The structure of supply chains influences which policy measures could be applied. Of the two interventions, improved pig hygiene had the largest potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The studied interventions can also provide new business opportunities to farms, slaughterhouses and food sector companies. More evidence is needed to support public policies and business decision-making in the sector. For this, evidence on consumer attitudes to production diseases is needed. Nevertheless, the study makes an important contribution by showing how improvements in health and welfare benefit the whole chain

How can rural businesses thrive in the digital economy? A UK perspective

Unlocking the digital potential of the UK's rural areas is important for the future of rural businesses, rural communities and the UK economy as a whole. The use of digital technologies is yielding new opportunities for businesses, including those located rurally, to enhance business growth and economic development, which significantly contributes to UK prosperity. However, businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in rural areas are often digitally disconnected due to inferior digital connectivity and digital exclusion, including lack of internet access and lower levels of digital literacy. Therefore, this paper provides a better understanding of the rural digital economy, highlighting key digital challenges and opportunities for rural businesses in the UK. An extensive review of both academic and non-academic literature is conducted to identify key digital challenges, digital opportunities, and solutions to overcome the digital disadvantage for rural businesses in the UK in the digital age. Our review emphasises the effectiveness of public sector market interventions in developing broadband infrastructure and smarter digital training and skills development to help address digital deprivation in rural areas. A series of policy recommendations is then formulated to support rural business growth in the digital age and contributing to debates regarding smart rural development in rural areas. This paper has potential limitations due to a non-systematic literature review. Therefore, we recommend applying a systematic review as well as empirical and place-based research to explore the emerging themes of this study for future research

Measuring Parent Perceptions of School Climate

Parents' attitudes about their children’s schools matter. Their views can shape their children’s attitudes about school, affect their levels of family-school engagement, and influence their residential and school enrollment decisions. This paper describes the development of a survey scale to assess parent perceptions of the climate of their child’s school. Our comprehensive scale development process incorporated feedback from academics and potential respondents from the outset of the design process to enhance scale quality. We conducted three studies with national samples of parents (n = 385; n = 253; n = 266) to gather evidence of scale score reliability and valid score inferences based on convergent/discriminant validity. Through confirmatory factor analysis we identified a theoretically grounded factor structure that fit the data well. Interestingly, we found no evidence that parental response patterns distinguish between academic and social elements of school climate. Furthermore, we found that parents of younger children, on average, had a more positive perception of the school’s climate than parents of older children. We conclude by discussing how researchers and Pre-K – 12 schools and districts can use the scale to aid school improvement efforts

Assessing the association between pre-course metrics of student preparation and student performance in introductory statistics: Results from early data on simulation-based inference vs. nonsimulation based inference

The recent simulation-based inference (SBI) movement in algebra-based introductory statistics courses (Stat 101) has provided preliminary evidence of improved student conceptual understanding and retention. However, little is known about whether these positive effects are preferentially distributed across types of students entering the course. We consider how two metrics of Stat 101 student preparation (pre-course performance on concept inventory and math ACT score) may or may not be associated with end of course student performance on conceptual inventories. Students across all preparation levels tended to show improvement in Stat 101, but more improvement was observed across all student preparation levels in early versions of a SBI course. Furthermore, students' gains tended to be similar regardless of whether students entered the course with more preparation or less. Recent data on a sample of students using a current version of an SBI course showed similar results, though direct comparison with non-SBI students was not possible. Overall, our analysis provides additional evidence that SBI curricula are effective at improving students' conceptual understanding of statistical ideas post-course regardless student preparation. Further work is needed to better understand nuances of student improvement based on other student demographics, prior coursework, as well as instructor and institutional variables.Comment: 16 page

Production diseases and farm animal welfare :what do the public think?

PhD ThesisThe intensification of animal production has been associated with an increased incidence of production diseases, which can negatively impact upon farm animal welfare (FAW). While there is considerable research focused on public attitudes towards improved FAW, it is not clear whether this relates specifically to a reduction in diseases related to animal production systems. This research therefore seeks to establish public attitudes towards FAW with a specific focus on production diseases, and whether the incidence of diseases and interventions associated with these represent a barrier to their increased use. Systematic review methodology combined with evidence synthesis was applied to integrate existing knowledge regarding consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for, and attitudes, towards FAW with a specific focus on the reduced incidence of animal production diseases. Four databases were searched and screened and identified 54 studies evaluating WTP and 80 studies investigating attitudes. Meta-regression based on random effects meta-analysis explored heterogeneity in WTP whilst a thematic analysis was used to explore attitudes towards FAW. An evidence-gap was highlighted in relation to attitudes towards and WTP for production diseases associated with the intensification of production, with only 7% of WTP and 26% of attitudes studies investigating aspects in relation to this, primarily in relation to antibiotic use. This evidence gap was used to inform a European survey (n=2,330) exploring risk-benefits associated with and acceptability of production diseases and associated interventions in intensive pig and poultry production systems. Several risks and benefits of both the systems and the interventions were identified, relating to both human and animal health concerns, with the most preferred interventions being those that were perceived as being more natural. Whilst legislation will ensure that these interventions will deliver safe food the results highlight the need for effective communication of the risks and benefits of the management practices within these systems.European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (grant agreement n°613574), as part of the PROHEALTH projec