Abstract/Notes: Two waves of reform have been conducted in China since the 1980s to transform its early childhood curriculum into a Western-style, progressive model. Western curricula and programs such as the Montessori method, the project approach, the Reggio Emilia method, and the high/scope method have been imported and adopted all over the country. But the top-down reforms and these “imported” ideas have been challenged by scholars and practitioners. Aiming to understand how practices in kindergartens measure up with the reform objectives, the present study investigated the teachers’ beliefs and practices in five Shenzhen kindergartens’ literacy instruction. Altogether, ten early childhood classrooms were observed for one school week, and the ten classroom teachers were interviewed about the observed Chinese teaching practices. The teachers and teaching assistants of the ten classes (N = 20) were also surveyed about their teaching beliefs and practices. The results indicated a remarkable belief-practice gap as well as a policy-practice gap. Most of the curriculum reform ideas were expressed by the teachers in their self-reported beliefs but had not been implemented in their teaching practice. The traditional Chinese model with the teacher directing the whole-class session was still dominating. Slight differences were also found among the ten classes, which reflect the cascading effects of curriculum reform. These findings suggest that curriculum reforms should take into consideration the culture, language, teachers, parents, resources available, and the prevailing education system.

Language: English

DOI: 10.2753/CED1061-1932440601

ISSN: 1061-1932, 1944-7119

Abstract/Notes: School reform is an important national and international concern. The Montessori alternative school system is unique in that it is well-aligned with the science of healthy development and learning, has strong social–emotional and academic outcomes, is virtually unchanged in over a century, can be applied across all the school years, and still attracts considerable attention and allegiance—yet it remains Bon the margins^ (Whitescarver and Cossentino Teachers College Record, 110, 2571–2600, 2008) of the bulwark educational system, as often shunned as admired. Why does Montessori persist (and increasingly in the public sector) and why does it elicit such sharply contrasting reactions? This article reviews several reasons why it is admired, such as evidence of Montessori’s effectiveness, its alignment with educational psychology research, and its broad scope. The points of research alignment are presented as natural corollaries of Montessori’s central premise: independence, or self-determination. After discussing these extrinsic and intrinsic reasons why Montessori is admired, the article concludes with speculation as to why it is also shunned—namely its incommensurability with conventional education culture and what might be a consequence: frequent poor implementation. The incommensurability of evidence-based alternatives with the conventional system is also posed as a reason for radical school reform.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10648-019-09483-3

ISSN: 1040-726X, 1573-336X

Abstract/Notes: Abstrakt Dyskusje wokół wartości pedagogiki Marii Montessori w świetle współczesnych badań psychologicznych koncentrują się często na obszarze poznawczym czy też społecznym w rozwoju dziecka. Poniższy artykuł jest natomiast próbą znalezienia podobieństw w zakresie proponowanego wizerunku młodego człowieka ukształtowanego drogą określonych działań stymulujących w metodzie Montessori a koncepcji umysłu przyszłości Howarda Gardnera. Celem pedagogiki Montessori jest wychowanie człowieka potrafiącego zachować wolność i dyscyplinę wewnętrzną, myślącego niezależnie i krytycznie, odnoszącego się z szacunkiem do siebie i innych, dbającego o ład i harmonię w sobie i wokół siebie. Oddziaływania edukacji w myśl założeń H. Gardnera powinny rozwijać u młodego człowieka sposób funkcjonowania, który zapewni mu produktywne życie w pokojowej wspólnocie ludzi. Umysł człowieka odpowiadającego na potrzeby współczesności zawiera pięć istotnych elementów: myślenie kategoriami określonej dyscypliny wiedzy, zdolność do syntezy, zdolność do rozumienia innych ludzi, kreatywność oraz respektowanie zasad etycznych. Obie propozycje opierają się na interdyscyplinarnym myśleniu twórców, uwzględniającym aspekt antropologiczny, psychologiczny i edukacyjny w refleksji nad rozwojem człowieka. Obie również dotykają takich zagadnień jak dbanie o siebie i otoczenie (ekologia, współodczuwanie), kształcenie narzędzi myślenia w celu osiągnięcia jak największej niezależności w myśleniu, intencjonalne przygotowanie otoczenia promujące troskę o środowisko. W stylistyce opisu propozycji wychowania i edukacji odnaleźć można u obu twórców bogatą metaforykę ułatwiającą odbiorcy recepcję opisywanych idei. Wzywania i potrzeby globalnego świata stawiają kolejne pytania dotyczące optymalnej edukacji. Formułowanie odpowiedzi na te pytania jest procesem dynamicznym, dostarczającym wciąż nowych rozwiązań.

Language: English

DOI: 10.14632/eetp_36.1

ISSN: 1896-2327, 2353-7787

Abstract/Notes: This article explores the history and pedagogy of Janusz Korczak within the context of his contemporary early Twentieth-Century European Innovative Educators which include Maria Montessori, Homer Lane, A.S. Neill, and Anton Semyonovitch Makarenko. The pedagogies of the aforementioned are compared and contrasted within the literature.

Language: English

ISSN: 1554-5210

Abstract/Notes: Early childhood (EC) is the right period to start emphasizing on teaching young children about diversity, equity and inclusion. The new vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030 target to boost educational system through continuous invest in and teachers' education and professional training focused on integrating multicultural education into the curricula. The current study dealt with two main dimensions: The first dimension revealed the different curricula, teaching strategies, and assessment of children's learning in kindergartens in the public and private sectors. The second dimension focused on investigating how these applied curricula take into account the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion for children from different cultural backgrounds. The current study used the descriptive analytical approach through the application of the questionnaire, which targeted a number of government and private kindergartens in various major cities in the Kingdom. The results revealed the interest of private kindergartens in applying modern and diverse curricula in terms of teaching and assessment strategies and in terms of respect for diversity, equity and inclusion for all children, which meets their different needs. Teachers in private kindergartens expressed their confidence and competence to teach children from different cultures, and that the applied curricula ensure respect for their cultural backgrounds in terms of teaching methods that are free of racism in any form. Continuous professional training and the employment of teachers from different cultures contributed to raising the cultural awareness of children in private kindergartens compared to government ones. The current study recommended decision-makers to update the curricula in government kindergartens in line with the global trend towards integrating children from different cultures and backgrounds in the classroom.

Language: English

ISSN: 0827-3383, 1917-7844

Abstract/Notes: Today’s education has three impediments to meaningful and sustainable educational reform; first, the lack of precise and accurate anthropology of learners; second, dilemma between constructivism-leading academy and behaviorism-dominating classrooms; third, the lack of philosophy of education in theory and practice. The Montessori system was built upon the Christian theological anthropology, which uncovers that the main source of failure in our education is humanity’s original sin and sins preventing us from fulfilling the Imago Dei or the reciprocating self. This article highlights why the Montessori method is a feasible school reform model by briefly examining Montessori’s anthropology centering on Imago Dei, teacher’s respect for the child resulting in education through being and embodiment, and systematized teacher-training system.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/10656219.2020.1841049

ISSN: 1065-6219

Language: English

ISSN: 0519-0959

Abstract/Notes: The realities of child development defy efforts to categorize children's abilities and attainments within the conventional graded structure. Pupil readiness varies, and children progress in all subjects at different rates. The development of multiage or cross-age groupings, sometimes coordinated with youngsters in tutoring programs, has produced promising outcomes, especially in the affective and social skills areas. (26 references) (MLH)

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/019263659507956805

ISSN: 0192-6365

Abstract/Notes: Проблема повышения уровня преподавания в сфере общего и профессионального образования является одной из наиболее значимых в современной педагогике. В связи с этим современные дидакты внимательно изучают наследие своих выдающихся предшественников, – педагогов прошлого. К числу таких ученых, оставивших неповторимый след в педагогической науке и практике, относится американская учительница Хелен Паркхерст (1886-1973). Статья написана в связи с 135-летием со дня рождения Х. Паркхерст.Американская учительница-новатор Хелен Паркхерст, наряду с Марией Монтессори, нарушила монополию мужчин на право считаться крупным ученым в области педагогики. Ее педагогическая деятельность включала в себя стремление к постоянному профессиональному самосовершенствованию, поиску новых путей в решении встававших перед ней педагогических проблем. Ее главным методическим достижением стала разработка Дальтон-плана, в соответствии с которым она успешно перестроила работу в одной из американских школ. Методическая новация Паркхерст получила одобрение со стороны вначале педагогов США, а затем повсюду в мире. В СССР в 1920-1930-х гг. этот метод также активно использовался, правда, без особого успеха. Применение Дальтон-плана в советской школе нашло отражение в ряде произведений художественной литературы (М. Г. Розанов, Н. И. Кочин). Методические идеи Хелен Паркхерст в наши дни крайне востребованы и активно используются в современной образовательной практике многих стран мира, в том числе в России. В то же время их позитивный потенциал еще не вполне изучен и освоен, поэтому наследие Х. Паркхерст заслуживает дальнейшего внимательного исследования дидактами и историками педагогики. / The problem of raising the level of teaching in the field of general and vocational education is one of the most significant in modern pedagogy. In this regard, modern didactic students are carefully studying the legacy of their outstanding predecessors, teachers of the past. The American teacher Helen Parkhurst (1886-1973) is one of these scientists who left an inimitable mark on pedagogical science and practice. The article was written in connection with the 135th anniversary of the birth of H. Parkhurst. The American teacher-innovator Helen Parkhurst, along with Maria Montessori, violated the monopoly of men on the right to be considered a major scientist in the field of pedagogy. Her pedagogical activity included the desire for constant professional self-improvement, the search for new ways in solving the pedagogical problems that confronted her. Her main methodological achievement was the development of the Dalton Plan, according to which she successfully restructured work in one of the American schools. The methodical innovation of Parkhurst was approved first by educators in the United States, and then all over the world. In the USSR in the 1920-1930s. this method was also actively used, however, without much success. The use of the Dalton plan in the Soviet school was reflected in a number of works of fiction (M. G. Rozanov, N. I. Kochin). The methodological ideas of Helen Parkhurst are extremely in demand these days and are actively used in modern educational practice in many countries of the world, including Russia. At the same time, their positive potential has not yet been fully explored and mastered, so the legacy of Helen Parkhurst deserves further careful study by didactics and historians of pedagogy.

Language: Russian

DOI: 10.32744/pse.2022.2.31

ISSN: 2307-2334

Abstract/Notes: Using 232 studies, this meta analysis reviewed the research on the achievement effects of the nationally disseminated and externally developed school improvement programs known as "whole-school" or "comprehensive" reforms. In addition to reviewing the overall achievement effects of comprehensive school reform (CSR), the meta analysis considered the specific effects of 29 of the most widely implemented models. It also assessed how various CSR components, contextual factors, and methodological factors associated with the studies mediate the effects of CSR. The analysis concludes that CSR is still an evolving field and that there are limitations on the overall quantity and quality of the research base. The overall effects of CSR, though, appear promising and the combined quantity, quality, and statistical significance of evidence from three of the models in particular set them apart from the rest. Whether evaluations are carried out by the developer or by third-party evaluators and whether these evaluators use one-group pre-post designs or control groups are especially important factors for understanding differences in CSR effects. Schools implementing CSR models for five years or more showed particularly strong effects, but the models benefited equally schools of higher and lower poverty levels. A long-term commitment to research-proven educational reform is needed to establish a strong marketplace of scientifically based models capable of bringing comprehensive reform to the nations schools. One appendix lists studies included in the meta analysis, and the other discusses CSR design characteristics. (Contains 1 figure, 5 tables, and 74 references.) (SLD) Also included in JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3516091

Language: English

DOI: 10.3102/00346543073002125

ISSN: 0034-6543, 1935-1046