The Strengths & Challenges of Community Organizing as an Education Reform Strategy

Based on a literature review, examines the role of community organizing in ensuring the long-term sustainability of school and district reform efforts by addressing patterns of inequality in underserved communities; effective strategies; and challenges

The Strengths and Challenges of Community Organizing as an Education Reform Strategy: What the Research Says

Outlines the advantages of community organizing as a reform strategy, such as its ability to address power relationships and build political will for broad reform; evidence of impact; effective strategies, including working via alliances; and challenges

Methods and Techniques for Production of Genetically Modified Maize at Monsanto Global Seed

The development of transgenic plants for agricultural purposes consumes much time and energy but is well worth the battle. From the laboratory perspective, hours are spent trying to force plant cells to uptake new DNA. Several methods are available for this practice, including Ti-plasmid mediated transformation, microprojectile bombardment, and electroporation. Each method depends primarily on the organism one wishes to transform. Once the gene of interest has been inserted, the seed from these transgenic plants goes to pilot stations to be grown in nurseries and yield production fields and tested for resistance against many elements. The final product is put through a series of government and health rules and regulations before finally allowed to be marketed

Socratic Circles are a Luxury : Exploring the Conceptualization of a Dialogic Tool in Three Science Classrooms

Research has shown that dialogic instruction promotes learning in students. Secondary science has traditionally been taught from an authoritative stance, reinforced in recent years by testing policies requiring coverage. Socratic Circles are a framework for student-led dialogic discourse, which have been successfully used in English language arts and Social studies classrooms. The purpose of this research was to explore the implementation process of Socratic Circles in secondary science classes where they have been perceived to be more difficult. Focusing on two physical science classes and one chemistry class, this study described the nature and characteristics of Socratic Circles, teachers’ dispositions toward dialogic instruction, the nature and characteristics of student discussion, and student motivation. Socratic Circles were found to be a dialogic support that influenced classroom climate, Social skills, content connections, and student participation. Teachers experienced conflict between using traditional test driven scripted teaching, and exploring innovation through dialogic instruction. Students experienced opportunities for peer interaction, participation, and deeper discussions in a framework designed to improve dialogic skills. Students in two of the classrooms showed evidence of motivation for engaging in peer-led discussion, and students in one class did not. The class that did not show evidence of motivation had not been given the same scaffolding as the other two classes. Two physical science teachers and one chemistry teacher found that Socratic Circles required more scaffolding than was indicated by their peers in other disciplines such as English and Social studies. The teachers felt that student’s general lack of background knowledge for any given topic in physical science or chemistry necessitated the building of a knowledge platform before work on a discussion could begin. All three of the teachers indicated that Socratic Circles were a rewarding activity, beneficial to students, which they would use in the future

The rhetoric of state assessment: Educational politics in the public school system

In this thesis I explore the rhetoric behind the assessment push nation-wide and, particularly, in California. I take a close look at what politicians, educators, and citizens say about public education and their views of the current educational reform: whether they are speaking in support of or opposition to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. I look specifically at the finances of public education in California, the impact and current outcome of NCLB, and propose new reforms as suggested by those intimately involved in education

Embracing Resistance at the Margins: First-Generation Latino Students\u27 Testimonios on Dual/Concurrent Enrollment High School Programs

Despite moderate gains in equal educational opportunities over the past 60 years, low-income students of color continue to lag behind their middle-class, White peers. This is particularly true for first-generation Latina/o students who: (a) have the highest K-12 drop-out rate than any other ethnic group in U.S. schools; (b) are underrepresented in high quality, rigorous secondary curricular tracks; and (c) continue to be overrepresented in two-year institutions and postsecondary vocational schools. Using a conceptual framework comprised of critical race theory (CRT), social theory, and community cultural wealth theory it was clear that the U.S. education system is still plagued by systemic and endemic racism. Contrary to the predominate neoliberal discourse that emerged in the education field after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, it is clear that meritocracy is a myth and students continue to face disproportionate opportunities to learn. One of the current school reform initiatives being used to help underrepresented students not only gain access to four-year institutions but also persist to the attainment of a Bachelor\u27s of Arts (B.A.) degree are dual/concurrent enrollment high school programs. Multicultural and antiracist educators argue that these programs may fall short of reaching their intended outcomes if the teaching staff does not utilize culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy. Research findings show that students of color learn best in environments where they feel welcomed and valued. At the time of this study very little evidence existed showing whether or not dual/concurrent enrollment programs were reaching their intended outcomes for underrepresented students. In addition, the literature was unclear to what extent, if at all, culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy were being integrated into these programs. Using testimonio narrative inquiry (TNI) as methodology the researcher attempted to address this gap in the literature. The primary method for data collection was in-depth interviewing. In total, six Latino students were interviewed on three separate occasions for 90 minute intervals. First, individual narratives were developed by analyzing and coding the data within each individual case. Next, a collective narrative emerged by analyzing and synthesizing the major themes across the cases. The major finding of this study indicates that significant improvements need to take place in order for dual/concurrent enrollment programs to be a viable pathway for first-generation Latina/o students to persist to the attainment of a B.A. degree

Pastoral Leadership: The Importance of Succession Planning Development and Transition in Our Local Churches

A pastoral succession plan will address the issues of who will be responsible for leading the respective congregation if something happens to the current Pastor. Without clear direction, leaders leave their flocks in precarious positions. The problem is that churches may not have a concise succession plan to identify a qualified leader to take up the leadership mantle. The study will lay the foundation from a biblical perspective on the importance of identifying a leader’s successor and the advantages of providing a smooth transition for the assembly. The research will stress the importance of pastors not only identifying their successors but having a clear transition strategy that has been vetted and approved. The researcher will conduct online surveys and interview pastors regarding their succession plans. The study will address the role church governance plays if the current leader is incapacitated or unable to carry out their pastoral leader responsibilities. The data collected and analyzed will compare how succession planning has been utilized and its impact on successful leadership transition. Data analysis and interpretation will address the importance of proper transition planning and provide a template for leadership succession planning

The impact of grouping for reading instruction on student attitude and self-concept

Researchers have found a parallel between types of grouping and attitudes of students regarding reading. The majority of students placed in the lower reading group in their classrooms have had negative perceptions and overall attitudes about reading. Research has indicated that the curriculum taught in these lower reading groups has differed from those in medium and higher groups due to different skills and practice that teachers have felt were required for students to succeed. Teachers\u27 overall expectations have been found to be lower for those in lower academic groups in school. Students who have had motivation, self-efficacy, self worth, competence, and the skills to set goals and to try new strategies have tended to have good perceptions about reading. Grouping has also been seen to affect interactions with others. The literature was analyzed to determine the exact perceptions of students when being placed or after being placed in reading groups. The research has indicated that flexible grouping tends to have more positive effects than other forms of grouping. The findings point to needed training of teachers for managing grouping arrangements in the classroom, and show a strong relationship between grouping arrangements and overall perceptions of reading