Search

This study explored how 14 higher education and student affairs (HESA) professionals navigated institutional policy vacuums to address interpersonal racial conflict between students. Grounded in perspectives of policy vacuums, findings revealed that HESA professionals learned about racial conflict by referring to their own personal, professional, and academic training. Additionally, they employed strategies that were often self-generated and informal to address racial conflict. The paper concludes with a discussion of the findings, specifically highlighting that relying on HESA professionals' dispositions is an insufficient way to address racial conflict and that more institutional support is necessary to train racially responsive HESA professionals.

Antiblackness is a persistent feature of American society with continued implications for the experiences, outcomes, and well-being of Black communities. In the wake of widespread protests against antiblack police brutality and heightened awareness of racial injustices in 2020, federal, state, and local political actors swiftly began a concerted effort to maintain the illusion of racial progress within the United States. These efforts, which we identify as manifestations of what Carol Anderson (2016) describes as White rage, have taken the form of educational censorship policies that have been successfully enacted in at least 18 states. This study interrogates the policy development process of two such censorship policies in Texas and North Dakota. Drawing on Black critical theory and insights from critical policy analysis, we demonstrate the ways that antiblackness was made legible in the policy development process and conclude with recommendations for combatting the further spread of antiblack educational censorship.

Policy implementation has presented the Nigerian educational system with countless obstacles cum problems. This research explored the principles and problems of policy implementation reconsiderations for effective secondary school administration. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population was 286 principals. The study sample was 229 principals drawn through a simple random sampling, representing 80% of the population. An instrument, principles and problems of policy implementation for effective secondary school administration was utilized for data collection. Cronbach alpha established a reliability coefficient of 0.89. Mean and standard deviation were used for data collection, while a t-test was utilized to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The researchers found that the principles of policy implementation for effective secondary school administration are founded on ensuring a positive and clear policy statement, flexibility in the policy statement, fact-based policy statement, effectiveness in policy statement communication, openness to review, and properly documented in writing. It was recommended that school principals provide copies of the school policy to all the teachers. The principals should not be subjective in implementing policy for effective school administration. The implication of the study is that principals should adopt effective principles for policy implementation.

Universities and their employability-related staff must address the inequities that claim diversity as a disadvantage and a barrier to securing work integrated learning and graduate employment. With increases in equity groups enrolling at university there is a need to ensure access to employability opportunities. Graduate employability should be an accolade for students however it is not accessible, and ubiquitous for all. Student parents and carers are an invisible cohort that needs to be identified, and supported with their employability as they are a significantly growing population in higher education. This provocation will present the current landscape at university and offer three recommendations: the integration of career development learning and work experiences; data-informed systems and procedures; and collaboration and research into 'employability for inclusion.' This is required to build staff capability and organisational capacity and prepare our future workforce that is representative of today's society.

The current National Curriculum 2012 for English (VI- X) in Bangladesh incorporates both listening and speaking skills for its English education. Textbooks have also been designed in accordance with the policy which is set by the National Curriculum and Textbook Broad (NCTB). The English textbook, titled "English for Today" (EfT), was designed in alignment with the current National Curriculum for English (VI-X) for students in grades 6 through 10. The target of the EfT is to achieve students' competency in integrated four skills of English language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. However, although the listening module is now in policy and classroom practice, it is not assessed in school or in public exams at the secondary level (Kabir, 2020). This study explores the perceptions of policy and practice of listening in secondary English education in Bangladesh. This study may be significant as little research has been done in Bangladesh on listening skill and its significance for language competence, let alone on the teaching of listening in connection to language learning. This qualitative study is based on in-depth interview data collected in 2019. The interviews included pertinent participants of policymakers and secondary English teachers. The findings indicated that there was a disconnect in curriculum, classroom practice and assessment in secondary English education.

Public colleges and universities are a key driver of social and economic mobility, yet they also face increasingly challenging financial and political environments. In this essay, I discuss four key areas in which state higher education policy can influence student success and equity: the amount of funding provided, funding allocation mechanisms, tuition policies, and policies related to admissions and enrollment. I then conclude with some key policy questions going forward.

This study examines how inequality manifested during the emergency remote COVID-19 transition in higher education. We use 35 in-depth interviews with college students, conducted virtually, in real-time, during spring 2020 lockdowns, to examine how the transition impacted their lives. Students in the sample from lower-income backgrounds reported significant basic needs insecurity, financial instability, and academic struggles. Latino and Black students in the sample, in particular, reported financial instability, mental health crises, and academic struggles. Meanwhile, affluent white students and affluent Asian students in the study tended to face only minor setbacks or even flourish during this time. University and government policies exacerbated the negative experiences of marginalized students, often due to faulty assumptions that all college students have families who provide for their needs. While the particulars of this crisis were unusual, and this study took place at one institution of higher education, these findings suggest that higher education administrators must consider the implications of policies on the most disadvantaged students.

International college students (ICS) in the United States (US) face challenges reporting and accessing services in cases of sexual harassment because they are not aware of the US laws that prohibit sexual violence. This lack of awareness, along with cultural barriers, may influence the odds of help-seeking among ICS in the US who experience sexual harassment. Minimal research to date has captured ICS' knowledge and perceptions of Title IX regulations in the US which protect people from discrimination based on sex and gender in educational programs. Our study examined ICS' knowledge and perceptions of Title IX through in-depth discussions with 13 ICS at a US university. Overall, ICS were not well-informed about Title IX and encouraged colleges to unpack the legal nature of Title IX for ICS who may not have encountered something similar to Title IX as it is "uniquely American." Practical implications for improving campus resources are discussed.

Asian international students continue to suffer from sexually harassing behaviors on college campuses. However, there has been little to no reporting of the incidents that cause their distress. Drawing on narratives of Asian international students in a predominantly white institution, the current study examines the barriers that these students face while reporting a case formally to the institutional representatives. The findings suggest that the severity of the case, lack of departmental support, fear of retaliation and peer relationship are among the major factors that hinder them from making a formal report. Implications of this study lie in informing the institutional policies and departmental practices to design more inclusive environment for the international students.

In 2015, Pakistan committed to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4's provision of quality education for all. Target 4.7 of this Goal acknowledges that delivering quality education means ensuring that students develop a set of attributes characterised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in terms of global citizenship, and by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development using the nomenclature of global competence. There is ongoing debate regarding the agendas of the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; however, from a pragmatic perspective, both are already influencing domestic education policies. This article explores the extent to which this is the case in Punjab, Pakistan. A deductive thematic analysis of relevant education policies was undertaken to identify language reflective of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Programme of International Student Assessment Global Competence Framework. The analysis, based on meta themes identified by Vaccari and Gardinier, revealed the inclusion of language from these international agendas, as well as the reflections of local culture. Although this research was specific to Punjab, the findings may provide insights into how countries are adopting and/or contextualising these international agendas.

This article examines the administrative and bureaucratic barriers faced by trans and nonbinary high-school students in the School District of Philadelphia. Despite strong gender-inclusive policies like the district's Policy 252, student interviews, first-hand observation, and document analysis reveal a variety of stress points that trans and nonbinary students still regularly face. This paper explores those "sticking points" individually and in detail through student experiences, from name and pronoun changes to bathrooms and written records, encouraging greater awareness among classroom teachers and school staff. Ultimately, the persistence of student challenges even amidst supportive policy -- itself far from a guarantee in many school districts -- suggests that gender inclusivity is not subject to single solutions, but rather requires care-filled consideration of stress points in our own distinct and ever-evolving contexts.

Background: Early childhood development (ECD) is pivotal in addressing educational inequality and reducing income disparities in South Africa. Government initiatives to integrate ECD into the education system underscore a positive trajectory. Aim: This study assesses the impact of relocating ECD to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa on practitioner employment. Specifically, it investigates the challenges ECD practitioners face concerning compliance with DBE norms and standards, including qualifications, professional body registration and adherence to educator conditions outlined by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). Setting: The study is conducted in South Africa, focussing on Gauteng, to examine the ramifications of relocating ECD to the DBE. Methods: Conducted as a qualitative study, this research examines the potential implications for practitioner employment by conducting interviews with practitioners from both formal and informal settings. Results: The study indicates that the anticipated policy shift has created uncertainty regarding their employment status among ECD practitioners. This uncertainty may compound sectoral challenges, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention and support. Conclusion: Addressing the concerns highlighted by this study is imperative before the transition of the ECD sector to a new ministry in South Africa. Additionally, government initiatives to formalise informal ECD centres and broaden access to subsidies are crucial for enhancing sectoral performance. Contribution: This research sheds light on the challenges confronting ECD practitioners amid policy changes in South Africa, stressing the necessity of government backing in formalising the sector and bolstering subsidy accessibility for improved performance within the South African ECD landscape.

This paper presents the findings from a research project to analyse 30 years of the "Research in Learning Technology" journal (1993 to 2022). The analysis explores the content of the articles in terms of key topics and their relationship with sector events and policies, discussing key terms such as virtual learning environment, massive open online courses (MOOCs) and virtual reality (VR). It also considers how the terminology used to describe the field has changed over time, starting with a focus on the computer and expanding to include a range of common terms such as e-learning, technology enhanced learning (TEL) and digital. Between 1993 and 2015, issues of the journal were accompanied by editorials. This analysis considers how the role of the editorials helped to shape and establish the journal and influence the field of learning technology to take a more research and theory-based approach. Finally, an analysis of the locations of the authors who have published in the journal has demonstrated a shift from a predominantly UK-based journal to one with more international reach.

Purpose: This study seeks to review the literature on contemporary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education practices to frame approaches that can be used to prepare STEM pre-service teachers. Design/methodology: This study used a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA 2020 statement. Following some eligibility criteria 79 studies were selected for synthesis. Data were analysed qualitatively, and Excel spreadsheet was used for the quantitative aspects. Findings: This synthesis revealed diversity in the conceptualization of STEM education. Despite a lag in global STEM education research, countries such as South Africa and Tanzania have published research areas like STEM education practices, STEM teacher education, and technology adoption for STEM education. The synthesis also showed that aspects of policy, instruction, STEM-teacher professional development, STEM teacher education approaches, student activities, and the nature of support for STEM education are important considerations for developing effective models for framing pre-service teacher preparation. Originality/value: This study is the original work of the researchers. The study draws from global STEM education practices and assesses the geographical distribution of literature on STEM teacher education practices in African countries to frame a six-point approach that can be used to enhance effective STEM teacher education practices.

It is considered necessary to support the participation of children socially, and media tools having a significant effect on individuals today should reflect child participation. The aim of this study was to examine the right to participate in cartoons prepared for primary school children. The study was conducted with a descriptive survey model. The sample of this study was determined by criterion sampling and consists of a total of 10 cartoons on the TRT Children's channel for primary school children. The data were collected with a checklist and were analysed with descriptive analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that in the cartoons, child-led participation was the most common level of participation, while collaborative participation was the least common. Furthermore, it was determined that the qualities of participation in cartoons were mostly related, voluntary and respectful and the safe and sensitive to risk were the least.

This study aimed to examine the implementation of STEM education in the university-based STEM centers in Ethiopia. To this end, a descriptive survey research method was employed, and data was collected from 11 coordinators of the STEM centers and 54 STEM educators through questionnaire, interview and observation. Data was analyzed by using both quantitative and narrative techniques. Results of the study uncover that there were variations among the STEM training centers in implementing the program, partly due to absence of a national scheme; irregular and uneven implementation of STEM initiative; inadequate support system; absence of regular monitoring and evaluation; absence of collaborations and commitments of key stakeholders, and the limitations of separate STEM disciplines taught in different classes. Recommendations, hence, call for developing a STEM national curriculum with implementation strategies, strengthening regular monitoring and evaluation of the implementation process, allocation of adequate resources and facilities, broadening of STEM pedagogy ecosystem, fostering collaborations and commitments of stakeholders who are key to the success of STEM initiative, strengthening preparation of STEM educators and teachers, integrating the STEM disciplines in K-12 education programs to stimulate students' passion and interest in science and technology from the earliest level of exposure.

This study investigates in-depth information about the factors influencing the digital transformation of an educational establishment to becoming a high-performance education organization through the dimensions of digital enterprise architecture, digital transformation, and high-performance education organization using structural equation modeling (SEM) as a tool to verify the model. A sample of 520 staff members, selected using a multi-stage random sampling method from 22 departments under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Head Office), Ministry of Education, Thailand, answered an online questionnaire. The results revealed that the model was valid and fit with the empirical data. The results also showed that business architecture, data architecture, application architecture, technology architecture, security architecture, human capital architecture, and infrastructure architecture had a direct and indirect influence on the context of digital transformation and high-performance education organizations. There was technology architecture and human capital architecture that had an indirect influence on high-performance education organization; other than that, there was none. All hypotheses (H1-H10) were supported by statistical criteria. These results indicate that digital enterprise architectures are essential development tools influencing an organization toward becoming a high-performance education organization.

The purpose of the study reported on here was to explore the implementation of learner integration and its challenges in a selected former Model C school. This is an expansion of the findings of a larger study, "Understanding and enhancing of learner integration in a selected ex-model C school" by Theresia Joakim Kanyopa. Based on South Africa's history, the term "former Model C" (also ex Model C) is still commonly used to describe those schools that were formerly Whites-only but are now multiracial schools. Learner integration is a major issue in global contemporary education practice. Contemporary literature on learner integration in former Model C schools reveals complex impediments. Some of the impediments are essentially beyond the capabilities and competencies of learners, teachers and principals. In this article we argue that the lack of an effectively designed practice is central to the impediments to learner integration. This was a qualitative case study grounded within the critical research paradigm, hence the critical emancipatory research (CER) theoretical framework was adopted. We used purposive and convenience sampling to select the research site and participants. Four Grade 11 learners (2 boys and 2 girls) were purposively selected because of their availability and willingness to participate in the study. Their ages were between 16 and 19 years. Data were generated through interviews and reflective writing. Importantly, to achieve successful learner integration in former Model C schools, we affirm that these schools must revise their practices, programmes and policies to create an integrative learning environment that ensures learner safety and an environment that supports, develops end enhances their academic goals. The findings from the study indicate that learner integration in former Model C schools can be successfully done by valuing the learners' diversities regardless of their backgrounds, ethnic groups, status or races.

Teaching physical sciences in English as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) has presented numerous challenges, particularly for learners who are not proficient in the language. The South African government is increasingly considering the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction for subjects such as physical sciences, sparking debates regarding the effectiveness of indigenous languages in teaching and learning. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' perceptions regarding the use of Tshivenda scientific language for the concept of electricity. Utilizing qualitative interpretative case study methodology, the researcher conducted interviews with two grade 10 teachers, three parents, and two groups of grade 10 learners from selected schools to investigate their views on using Tshivenda scientific language register to teach physical sciences. The findings indicate that stakeholders view the adoption of scientific language registers in Tshivenda as a positive initiative. They believe it will provide learners who struggle to understand physical sciences when taught in English with an opportunity to learn effectively in a language they are familiar with. Therefore, the study recommends expanding the development of scientific registers in Tshiven?a to cover other topics in physical sciences.

This research is motivated by the level of school resilience which is not yet good, so school principals must increase school resilience with their leadership. Therefore, this research aims to analyze and describe the leadership of school principals in setting direction, developing human resources, and redesigning organizations to increase school resilience. The method used in this research is qualitative research with an ethnographic approach, which helps provide an in-depth and detailed picture of the school's daily habits in implementing school resilience. This research uses data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews and documentation by carrying out data analysis techniques using description, analysis and interpretation. The results of this research explain that in carrying out the three leadership roles of the school principal, namely setting direction, developing people, and redesigning the organization, through school habits (culture), private schools will be able to create a level of resilience in the school environment. Even in unfavorable conditions, school principals can survive by carrying out leadership roles using existing school habits.

Inclusive education has grown into a worldwide process of educating all students, confirming a commitment to universal guidelines and values of inclusiveness and diversity. It involves recognizing and eliminating roadblocks that limits students, especially disadvantaged ones, from participating and flourishing in their endeavors. More importantly, the complexities of diversity concerns have improved as the concept of inclusive education has shifted its emphasis from facilitating children with disabilities towards educating all students. Inclusive pedagogy serves EVERY learner with individual differences, engaging everyone despite their socioeconomic status, capacities, native tongue, cultural background, religion, gender, racial background, disabilities etc. promotes their worth, egalitarianism, and equity for everyone. It supports and values everyone who participates in a classroom and acknowledges that we all learn from one another even the teacher, who can learn from the students. Inclusive pedagogy welcomes various cultures, creates suitable atmospheres for the interaction of div ew erse opinions, and assigns different tasks that require students to reflect thoughtfully regarding equitable and multicultural issues. Government initiatives and policy serves as the best practices for the nation. As beautifully quoted by Kothari Commission (1964-66), 'Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classroom'. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) in 2004, students of differently-able are to be enlightened in an atmosphere that is least restrictive (LRE) alongside classmates without special needs in the nearby schools to fullest extent with appropriate measures in educational system. Certain Pedagogical Practices can be employed in the classroom instead of just teaching syllabus through talk-chalk method to cater the needs of everyone in order to develop them fully so that they ALL can become future contributors of the society, nation and world. A promising approach with utmost dedication towards these future generations has to be implemented religiously by mentors every day in the classroom to uplift them, energized them towards their own goals by not following the traditional approach 'One Size Fits All'.

This study explores the perceptions of second language (L2) educators on the surge of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, and their potential impact on language education. We surveyed over 100 L2 instructors, asking questions about their ideas for AI-proofing assignments, their policies, and their perceptions of how this tool will impact the profession. Data was collected through an anonymous survey and analyzed with a mixed-method approach through a constructivist lens. The results show mixed feeling: ranging from excitement for the pedagogical potential of ChatGPT to fear for potential academic dishonesty and job security in some. The results analysis provides insight into L2 educators use and policies of ChatGPT. The quantitative data highlighted that instructors' levels of excitement or concern about the adoption of ChatGPT in language education correlate with their personal experience with the tool, in line with Bax's (2003) normalization framework. Those with prior interaction with ChatGPT showed more enthusiasm for its educational potential than those without. Interestingly, this study found no significant difference in attitudes across different age groups or years of teaching experience. The qualitative data show that L2 educators anticipate wide use of ChatGPT in their students' assignments, yet a large majority (90%) is confident in their ability to identify students use of Chat GPT and Google Translate in their work. This study also reviews the current use and policies regarding MT and ChatGPT, highlighting a significant number of instructors prohibiting their uses. The results also highlight different ways instructors have been AI proofing their assignments and how they are currently using ChatGPT in their professions. In conclusion, this study advocates for a proactive use of these tools emphasizing the importance of adopting innovative pedagogies, a student-centered classroom approach, and certain ethical considerations.

Over the past 2 decades, worldwide research has established that the district office of education matters. Various policy initiatives are directing district offices to shift from limited managerial functions and begin to directly support learner instruction. The intention of this article, therefore, was to tease the question: How do school inspectors provide instructional leadership support to schools in Zimbabwe? Guided by the instructional leadership conceptual framework, we employed a qualitative research methodology in which we used 2 case studies focusing on 6 officers purposively drawn from 2 district offices in the Masvingo province of Zimbabwe. Data collection tools used were document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that school inspectors carried out school staffing; spearheaded need-driven circuit-level and district-level professional development; instituted supervision of schools; supported school development efforts; and ensured stakeholder and partner engagement. But school inspectors provided limited support to scaffold learner instruction. To improve district instructional leadership support at school level, we recommend strategic human and material resource mobilisation and utilisation. Inevitably, more research is needed to allow deeper insight into the observed inadequacies of the current district office in Zimbabwe.

In 2012, the Vietnamese government enacted the institutional autonomy policy to support the reform process of the higher education system. The autonomy policy signifies the transfer of decision-making authority from ministries to public universities to increase university performance and competitiveness in the globalized knowledge economy. This paper examines the nature of autonomy as a new form of governance in Vietnamese higher education through the lens of agency theory. I used thematic analysis to analyze policy documents released by the Vietnamese government between 1993 and 2021. The findings indicate autonomy means Vietnamese public universities have authority to make decisions on primary activities; yet they must be accountable for their decision-making and responsible for funding sources. The study contributes to the literature on comparative and international higher education by providing a better understanding of autonomy in a post-Soviet context and informing a transformative approach to policy practices for the higher education reform.

Stuttering, the repetition of voice, syllable or sentence, is a speech and social communication disorder that negatively affects the fluency of speech. Students who stutter are often socially isolated in school, and also experience high anxiety and communication difficulty at different levels. With the study reported on here we investigated teachers' opinions about the difficulties they experience when supporting students who stutter, and how educational regulations are implemented. In this descriptive study the qualitative research method was employed. This method enables an in-depth investigation of participants' opinions and thoughts. Interview notes and observation data were analysed using descriptive and document analysis. Teachers' opinions are described along 4 main themes, namely recognition and intervention, providing cooperation, in-class communication environment, and academic support. The findings in the study show that teachers and peers have a great influence on stuttering children's access to quality education and their social acceptance.

Access to education for peasants in the history of Brazilian society has always been denied, with the absence of public policies for peasants, as the result of a political and social process of denial of minority groups. The text address the issue of closure of schools in the countryside as a growing social phenomenon that has been expanding in the countryside of Brazil. Thus, the general objective of this text is to analyze the issue of the right to education for peasants, focusing on the high number of school closures in the countryside, seeking to understand the consequences for the peasantry. The closure of this institutions has become a problem that effects the importance of the countryside in Brazil, given that access to education is a right for everyone, including those who live and are from the countryside. However, public management has closed activities in schools in the countryside, making it difficult the access to education for peasants. The research has a qualitative character, where initially a survey and bibliographic review was carried out supported by Magalhães (2017), Ribeiro (2012), Brasil (2010), Diniz (2010), Nogueira (2019), Silva (2018) and other authors. In a second segment, data was collected on the number of schools closed in Brazil between the years of 1997 to 2022, and finally, data and information processing and analysis thereof. The results indicate that the closure of schools in the countryside violates the right to human development of the peasantry, as it is understood that the uprooting of peasant culture, the lack of educational policies for the countryside and the cutting of spending on education are linked to the closure of these institutions.

State legislation serves as a guide and critical influence on the evaluation and identification of students with dyslexia across the United States. The state of Texas has numerous laws and regulations concerning dyslexia, guided by the Texas Administrative Code, Texas Education Code, Texas Occupations Code, and the Texas Education Agency's dyslexia handbook (National Center on Improving Literacy [NCIL], 2021). This article is an analysis of publicly available statewide data to assess the impact federal and state legislative policies have had on the prevalence rate of students with dyslexia in 839 urban and rural school districts in Texas. 839 school districts from the 2016-2017 to 2022-2023 school years were extracted from the Texas Education Agency's Public Education Information Management System. Researchers focused on the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Corrective Action to the TEA (OSEP, 2018), the TEA state dyslexia handbook revisions (TEA, 2021), and the unique prevalence of rural school districts in Texas (Simmons et al., 2021). Analysis focused on implications for dyslexia evaluation and identification practices for school districts and evaluators within the state.

In June 2022, the Norwegian Expert Commission on Learning Analytics delivered an interim report to the Norwegian Minister of Education and Research. Motivated by the need to establish a solid foundation upon which to regulate and promote the use of learning analytics in the Norwegian educational sector, the Ministry asked the Expert Commission to investigate the relevant pedagogical, ethical, legal, and privacy issues. Addressing primary, secondary, higher, and vocational education, the interim report surveys the field of learning analytics and the regulatory environment across the contexts and analyzes its challenges and opportunities for Norwegian education. Four dilemmas -- data, learning, governance, and competence -- signal where greater knowledge, awareness, and reflection are needed, as well as the nature of necessary policy and regulatory choices. In this practical report, we offer insights on the use, development, and regulation of LA in different countries, describe the Expert Commission mandate, work method, and dilemmas, and conclude with a reflection on the relationship between research on learning analytics and the challenges that arise when implementing learning analytics in practice. This practical report is relevant for those interested in developing policies or practices surrounding the use of learning analytics at the local or national level.

This article provides a chronological analysis of the historical development of social studies in Ghana with a focus on the impact of international donor agencies. The influence of donor agencies on the introduction and implementation of social studies in the Ghanaian general education curriculum shows that post-colonial countries struggle with developing curriculum that is independent of colonial powers and germane to national needs. This article delves into the introduction and implementation process of social studies education highlighting five influential reforms in Ghana that happened between 1951 and 2007. This study provides an overview of Ghana's key educational reforms and the most important factors that influenced those reforms. Studying the past and present social studies education curriculum and its historical context in Ghana offers educational leaders insights and cautions to guide and inform future reforms in social studies education, ideally to avoid similar problems.

Rwanda started teaching English to support sustainable development and deliver the five key pillars that would help Rwandans transition from their existing way of life to the society they all desire and are happy to be a part of. As a follow-up to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development, the government ensured the standardisation and teaching of English. In order to assist the implementation of English teaching nationally, the theoretical paper explains how the 4Rs Framework--relationship-building, recognition, responsibilities, and reciprocity--combine to generate synergy among many stakeholders and cross-sectoral collaboration. The study presents literature on Rwanda's Vision 2050, education for sustainable development, and teaching using English as a medium of communication. It is founded on a critical literature review. The article discusses options for national transformation while emphasising the importance of locally rooted collaboration. The 4Rs technique is intended to foster discussion among important players about the issues and problems facing the area of education in emergencies rather than serving as a rigid theoretical framework. The study shows the connections between and tensions among the various "Rs," as well as the efficiency of the 4R dimensions in encouraging the teaching of English. The study considered ways to get beyond the approach's drawbacks and difficulties to support sustainable schooling in Rwanda. This framework encourages the creation of a synergistic educational ecosystem that equips students with the information, skills, and attitudes required to actively participate in Rwanda's path to sustainable development.

Sexual harassment in universities undermines gender equity, safety, and learning. This study assessed the level of implementation of the anti-sexual harassment policy and the influence of implementation of the policy on gender protection of students and staff of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria. The study was hinged on the feminist theory. The feminist theory considers the plight of any person or people not just women, with a view to destabilizing systems of power and oppression, especially in an academic environment as in this context. The study adopted cross sectional survey research design. The population comprised of 450 students and 200 members of staff (100 teaching and non-teaching staff each) making a total of 650 participants, using a stratified random sampling to ensure proportional representation from the 10 selected faculties. Data was collected using questionnaires and gathered data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results identified gaps in initial awareness and understanding of the anti-sexual harassment policy among students and staff which constituted a setback for the implementation. It was equally noted that the policy development process lacked inclusivity, and implementation activities were perceived as insufficient. Since the implementation process was faulty, the policy has not been able to significantly achieve gender protection on the Campus. The students had uncertain views on the policy's impact, while staff had mixed opinions. The study recommended the need to strengthen policy implementation by way of improving communication channels, transparency, stakeholders' involvement, and monitoring while punitive measures must be enforced when necessary.

This paper seeks to contextualize the profound impact of neoliberal policies on the teaching profession. Employing an intrinsic case study design, this investigation delves into the intricate dynamics experienced by educators in five different Basic High Schools (BHSs) located in Ankara, Türkiye. A comprehensive understanding was gained through semi-structured interviews with 21 teachers and three school counselors at BHSs, supplemented by observations of various processes at the research sites. The qualitative data were content analyzed by coding meaningful segments, generating initial themes related to teachers' classroom and school practices and their engagement with the curriculum, as well as their perceptions of working conditions. After consulting two professors for feedback, the final coding identified two main themes: 'teacher responsibilities' and 'teachers' working conditions.' The study uncovers that the core of teacher responsibilities revolved around preparing students for university entrance examinations, emphasizing the cultivation of test-taking skills. Despite this primary objective, BHS teachers had to implement the national formal curricula, resulting in extended working hours and responsibility overload. Paradoxically, these educators find themselves in a predicament of being inadequately compensated and grappling with issues related to employment rights. In essence, the convergence of extensive workload, insufficient remuneration, and problems regarding employee rights cause the deskilling of teachers and hinders BHS teachers' ability to fulfill their vital roles as transformative and reflective educators. [This article includes an extended summary in Turkish.]

This research aims to compare the social studies curricula of Thailand and New York State, USA, analyze their similarities and differences, and propose guidelines for improving the Thai social studies curriculum. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, using documentary analysis of the Thai Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (Revised B.E. 2560) in the social studies, religion, and culture learning area, and the New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework. The findings revealed that the social studies curricula of Thailand and New York State differ in many aspects, including their fundamental philosophies, goals for student development, curriculum structures, learning content, and instructional approaches. The Thai curriculum emphasizes cultivating morally good citizens with a love for the nation, while the New York curriculum focuses on developing knowledgeable, skilled citizens who actively participate in a democratic society. In today's rapidly changing world, the development of Thailand's social studies curriculum should foster 21st-century skills, digital citizenship, and a sense of global citizenship among learners while maintaining Thai identity and values. Policy-level recommendations include creating a new vision, designing a flexible curriculum, developing online platforms, and integrating artificial intelligence. At the practical level, suggestions include creating community learning innovations, using the city as a classroom, developing a competency-based curriculum, and building learning communities with local partners.

Purpose: This paper presents a qualitative systematic review of Swedish research on vocational education and training (VET) at the upper secondary school level over the past 20 years. The review is based on a theoretical model on curriculum making as social practice that may serve as model for comparative studies between countries. By introducing the model, the ambition is to open for new perspectives on VET curriculum in policy and practice. Questions regarding key themes and the interplay of discourses and processes across multiple sites in the education system have not been addressed in previous systematic reviews of Swedish VET research. Methods: The methodological approach in the present paper is a qualitative systematic research review with an integrative and interpretative purpose and research design. The qualitative review is based on the conceptual model of curriculum making as social practice, seeking to capture the inherent complexity and porous boundaries of education systems and movements of ideas, discourses and actors between sites of activity. The model is used for mapping the research, and a content analysis for identifying main themes and emphases and exploring and discussing the potential gaps that may inform future international research studies. Findings: The results show that the research is focused on the micro and nano sites of curriculum making, with connections to macro site activities of national curriculum policy enactment. Research focusing on the macro site of activity has an emphasis on national policy and policymaking regarding the relationship between academic and vocational knowledge/programmes and apprenticeship and employability. In the micro and nano sites of activity -- which comprise the majority of the research -- the main themes are vocational knowing and identity, teaching, learning and assessment practices and work-based learning. Conclusion: An observation is the absence of principals and middle leaders as actors and informants in the studies. There is little evidence of actors moving between sites of activity and the meso site of activity only comprise a very small part of the research. In this respect, there is a potential gap to be explored, not least regarding how local curricula and syllabi are made and shaped in terms of the influence of representatives from local authorities, companies, trade unions, employer associations, universities and regional agencies. Curriculum making as social practice has the potential to be used for comparative international studies and as a framework that takes national differences in VET education systems into account.

Purpose: To advocate educational improvement science (EIS) as an emerging transdisciplinary field, I reflect on the three major pathways of educational advancement in human history, discern the misuses and pitfalls of reform, and theorize how education can be improved to better serve its mission. Design/Approach/Methods: Employing a multiperspectival approach, I critically re-examine educational reforms and improvements worldwide and conceptualize the emerging transdisciplinary field through an extensive literature review, etymological analysis, international comparisons, and socio-historical,-cultural and-philosophical reflections. Findings: In this paper, I advance the concept of neo-improve mentalism for EIS by elucidating its philosophical assumptions, disciplinary fundamentals, and theoretical frameworks through historical and comparative lenses. I identify and construct disciplinary knowledge of EIS comprising two categories, namely, subject matter knowledge and profound knowledge, adopted from improvement science. I then highlight three methodological approaches of EIS and the building of professional improvement communities empowering individual and institutional improvement capabilities. I propose that EIS is the art of the improving organization for classes, schools, and/or more broadly defined educational agencies. Originality/Value: This study recognizes the significance of EIS and research thereon, especially discipline-building and exploration based on local characteristics in a global vision, and the cultivation of new frontiers of educational research and practices.

Extant literature about the history and impact of federal financial aid is robust, however, financial aid eligibility and its connection to persistence for continuing students is an area less understood. As a result, this study describes how at-promise students articulate their knowledge of federal financial aid policy during COVID-19. We interviewed 14 students who were on financial aid warning, a status defined by federal financial aid policy regulations, to examine what students understand about their financial aid standing and the criteria to keep their funding. Findings suggest students were often confused about financial aid eligibility criteria, even though they confidently expressed incorrect information about financial aid policies. Moreover, students were uncertain about how to connect with institutional financial aid resources and did not understand that financial aid advising extended beyond their first semester. This study fills multiple gaps in the literature and articulates how institutions can improve students' understanding of financial aid policy through multiple modes of communication, intentional interventions, and clearer policies. Implications such as the inclusion of Financial Aid counselors and departments in retention support are discussed. [The pagination cited on the .pdf (p1-24) is incorrect. The correct pagination is p2-24.]