International Perspectives on Educational Policy, Research and Practice – serie

A volume in International Perspectives on Educational Policy, Research and Practice. Series Editor: Kathryn M. Borman, University of South Florida.

A volume in International Perspectives on Educational Policy, Research and Practice. Series Editor: Kathryn M. Borman, University of South Florida.

In this book, noted Nordic researchers and teacher educators provide insights into early childhood discourses and practices in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. In addition to these insiders’ perspectives, an American scholars explore Nordic themes, trends, and practices as they emerge in the book's chapters on such varied topics as Nordic childhoods, children's perspectives, preschool teacher education reforms and developments, transition from preschool to primary school, learning through play, caregiving and instruction.

In this book, noted Nordic researchers and teacher educators provide insights into early childhood discourses and practices in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. In addition to these insiders’ perspectives, an American scholars explore Nordic themes, trends, and practices as they emerge in the book's chapters on such varied topics as Nordic childhoods, children's perspectives, preschool teacher education reforms and developments, transition from preschool to primary school, learning through play, caregiving and instruction.

This is a book about four rural secondary schools of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, a newly independent Central Asian state of the former USSR. Utilizing case study methods, we describe and discuss how teachers, administrators and students are attempting to survive the proclaimed “transition” to democracy and a market economy within their particular schools and communities. We view this work primarily as a cultural study of schools and school life, not a work about the national education system. There is in fact a growing volume of other writings on issues and problems in education in Central Asia, some of which we have ourselves contributed to (see DeYoung, 2004; Reeves, 2004). The focus in this study, however, involves school, individual, and group lives and dynamics in and around the four village schools we studied during 2004 and 2005. Two of the four schools are in Chui Oblast; one in Naryn Oblast, and one in Batken Oblast. One Chui school lies within an economically and demographically stable community by Kyrgyz standards; the other school faces more serious economic and migratory issues. Our Naryn school is located in an isolated livestock-breeding region of Kyrgyzstan high in the Tien Shan mountains near China. Finally, we describe community and school situations in an agricultural community in the south that is characterized by considerable poverty-driven labor migration. Our work involved schools in the small town of Shopokov, and the villages of Tash Dobo, At-Bashy and Ak-Tatyr. These are all actual places on the map of Kyrgyzstan – if your map is detailed enough. In several cases, nearby smaller schools are also discussed as they relate to our primary institutions.

This is a book about four rural secondary schools of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, a newly independent Central Asian state of the former USSR. Utilizing case study methods, we describe and discuss how teachers, administrators and students are attempting to survive the proclaimed “transition” to democracy and a market economy within their particular schools and communities. We view this work primarily as a cultural study of schools and school life, not a work about the national education system. There is in fact a growing volume of other writings on issues and problems in education in Central Asia, some of which we have ourselves contributed to (see DeYoung, 2004; Reeves, 2004). The focus in this study, however, involves school, individual, and group lives and dynamics in and around the four village schools we studied during 2004 and 2005. Two of the four schools are in Chui Oblast; one in Naryn Oblast, and one in Batken Oblast. One Chui school lies within an economically and demographically stable community by Kyrgyz standards; the other school faces more serious economic and migratory issues. Our Naryn school is located in an isolated livestock-breeding region of Kyrgyzstan high in the Tien Shan mountains near China. Finally, we describe community and school situations in an agricultural community in the south that is characterized by considerable poverty-driven labor migration. Our work involved schools in the small town of Shopokov, and the villages of Tash Dobo, At-Bashy and Ak-Tatyr. These are all actual places on the map of Kyrgyzstan – if your map is detailed enough. In several cases, nearby smaller schools are also discussed as they relate to our primary institutions.

The book has two parts. Through a series of four interconnected studies, the first focuses on the youths’ perceptions. We, meaning the reader and I, accompany them on their way into the new school, in chapter 1, and listen to evaluations of their academic and social experiences. In chapter 2, we learn about their informal social adaptation in various life settings, emphasizing gender differences in coping mechanisms. From here, we proceed to public opinion formation in the course of preparation for first-time voting in a new political culture (chapter 3). Perceptions of the military, in chapter 4, as the last stage of compulsory postsecondary civic engagement for Israeli youngsters, close this section. The second part places in the limelight the reactions of the educational system to catering to the needs of these immigrants who excel. Chapter 5 dwells on teachers’ perspectives on the challenge they present, exploring differences in these perspectives according to their years of experience and subject matter area. Chapter 6 examines the organizational modus operandi of several schools, eliciting field-based models for handling immigrant students. Evolving from the latter, chapter 7 offers an anthropological approach for training teachers to work optimally with immigrant and culturally diverse students. The programmatic epilogue offers an operational model for materializing the potential to enhance global participation for immigrants as well as locals, ensuing from the inter-cultural encounter. Research procedures that are common to a number of studies are explained upon first mention. To aid in the visualization of adaptive patterns emerging from this large body of data—on both immigrant youth and educators in the receiving society—tables summarizing findings are provided for all but chapter 7. In addition to the comparative component, each chapter also includes an assessment of globalization proneness in light of its specific topic.

The book has two parts. Through a series of four interconnected studies, the first focuses on the youths’ perceptions. We, meaning the reader and I, accompany them on their way into the new school, in chapter 1, and listen to evaluations of their academic and social experiences. In chapter 2, we learn about their informal social adaptation in various life settings, emphasizing gender differences in coping mechanisms. From here, we proceed to public opinion formation in the course of preparation for first-time voting in a new political culture (chapter 3). Perceptions of the military, in chapter 4, as the last stage of compulsory postsecondary civic engagement for Israeli youngsters, close this section. The second part places in the limelight the reactions of the educational system to catering to the needs of these immigrants who excel. Chapter 5 dwells on teachers’ perspectives on the challenge they present, exploring differences in these perspectives according to their years of experience and subject matter area. Chapter 6 examines the organizational modus operandi of several schools, eliciting field-based models for handling immigrant students. Evolving from the latter, chapter 7 offers an anthropological approach for training teachers to work optimally with immigrant and culturally diverse students. The programmatic epilogue offers an operational model for materializing the potential to enhance global participation for immigrants as well as locals, ensuing from the inter-cultural encounter. Research procedures that are common to a number of studies are explained upon first mention. To aid in the visualization of adaptive patterns emerging from this large body of data—on both immigrant youth and educators in the receiving society—tables summarizing findings are provided for all but chapter 7. In addition to the comparative component, each chapter also includes an assessment of globalization proneness in light of its specific topic.

This book is a defense of linguistic pluralism and language policies and practices in education that sustain that ideal. Educational meanings and models are influenced by different populations and different social and historical contexts. International comparisons can shed interesting light on the issues. Therefore, the purpose of the book is to provide scholars an international comparative understanding of language policy, its relation to educational practice, and current debates within the field. The book is divided into three sections dealing with the general topical areas of policy, practice, and controversy.This book will be of interest to policy-makers, scholars, and graduate students in the areas of bilingual education, language policy, and sociolinguistics.

This book is a defense of linguistic pluralism and language policies and practices in education that sustain that ideal. Educational meanings and models are influenced by different populations and different social and historical contexts. International comparisons can shed interesting light on the issues. Therefore, the purpose of the book is to provide scholars an international comparative understanding of language policy, its relation to educational practice, and current debates within the field. The book is divided into three sections dealing with the general topical areas of policy, practice, and controversy.This book will be of interest to policy-makers, scholars, and graduate students in the areas of bilingual education, language policy, and sociolinguistics.

Being a “student” has been and remains a highly desirable status for young people and their families in Kyrgyzstan. “Giving their children education” (dat detyam obrazovaniye) – meaning “higher education” - has become an imperative for many parents, even in a time of serious economic and social decline. The numbers of universities and university enrollments have increased dramatically – in fact quadrupled – since Kyrgyz independence from the former USSR in 1991. All this is happening just as the overall system of secondary education has basically collapsed. School quality and outcomes of learning for most Kyrgyz youth have become increasingly marginal – even as those who run universities widely proclaim quality improvements and desires/intentions to join international higher education space. The book thus seeks to explain the manifest versus the latent functions of higher education in Kyrgyzstan. Relying on explanations of lived experience, the research attempts to explain how the seeming contradiction of a declining resource and intellectual base of universities yet appeals to parents and students as the system continues to expand with easily compromised accountability measures. The study approaches these topics by seeking to define what it now means to be a university student in Kyrgyzstan, as well as what many state universities have turned into" in contrast in contrast to how they were remembered by those who attended and taught within them two decades ago. The work also considers a number of private and inter-governmental universities which are allowed to operate in Kyrgyzstan and award both state and international diplomas. I portray the different organizational and ideological pursuits of these universities as they contrast with those of the state universities.Lost in Transition is an empirical look at higher education reform in Kyrgyzstan, employing several methodological strategies. These include a student survey given to over 200 students at five different universities; surveys and interviews with senior instructors and administrators at these same institutions; and a two-year case study of a student and faculty cultures and subcultures at one particular national university particular university faculty in one of the larger state universities. The case study utilized participant observation, ethnographic interviews, document analysis, and social media.

Being a “student” has been and remains a highly desirable status for young people and their families in Kyrgyzstan. “Giving their children education” (dat detyam obrazovaniye) – meaning “higher education” - has become an imperative for many parents, even in a time of serious economic and social decline. The numbers of universities and university enrollments have increased dramatically – in fact quadrupled – since Kyrgyz independence from the former USSR in 1991. All this is happening just as the overall system of secondary education has basically collapsed. School quality and outcomes of learning for most Kyrgyz youth have become increasingly marginal – even as those who run universities widely proclaim quality improvements and desires/intentions to join international higher education space. The book thus seeks to explain the manifest versus the latent functions of higher education in Kyrgyzstan. Relying on explanations of lived experience, the research attempts to explain how the seeming contradiction of a declining resource and intellectual base of universities yet appeals to parents and students as the system continues to expand with easily compromised accountability measures. The study approaches these topics by seeking to define what it now means to be a university student in Kyrgyzstan, as well as what many state universities have turned into" in contrast in contrast to how they were remembered by those who attended and taught within them two decades ago. The work also considers a number of private and inter-governmental universities which are allowed to operate in Kyrgyzstan and award both state and international diplomas. I portray the different organizational and ideological pursuits of these universities as they contrast with those of the state universities.Lost in Transition is an empirical look at higher education reform in Kyrgyzstan, employing several methodological strategies. These include a student survey given to over 200 students at five different universities; surveys and interviews with senior instructors and administrators at these same institutions; and a two-year case study of a student and faculty cultures and subcultures at one particular national university particular university faculty in one of the larger state universities. The case study utilized participant observation, ethnographic interviews, document analysis, and social media.

COVID-19 has had massive social, political, and economic consequences, not least in education. Schools and universities globally closed their doors and sought to provide educational services to students in other, alternative ways. This book is a collection of essays about how different institutions and systems of education around the world have attempted to meet the challenges created by COVID-19. It reports the impact of the pandemic in both developed and developing nations and at all levels of education. The collective responses and lessons learned are analyzed to explain the relative success of different coping strategies.

COVID-19 has had massive social, political, and economic consequences, not least in education. Schools and universities globally closed their doors and sought to provide educational services to students in other, alternative ways. This book is a collection of essays about how different institutions and systems of education around the world have attempted to meet the challenges created by COVID-19. It reports the impact of the pandemic in both developed and developing nations and at all levels of education. The collective responses and lessons learned are analyzed to explain the relative success of different coping strategies.

The editors of Emerging International Issues in Student Affairs Research and Practice situate developing issues in student affairs through research, new and emergent methodologies, pedagogies, and practices. The text aims to encourage intercultural perspectives and opportunities across student affairs research and practice, while calling upon international student affairs practitioners, faculty, and staff to engage in international evidence-based research that provides a foundation toward a collective consensus of the field. To accomplish these goals, the editors invited predominant practitioners in student affairs practice and student affairs scholars from across the globe to engage in discourse, share their insights, and offer implications to the student affairs profession at the international level. The editors do this by dividing the text into two parts: Part I: Theoretical, Historical, Cultural, and Ideological Considerations in International Student Affairs and Part II: Emergent International Issues and Practice in Student Affairs.In Part I, the text addresses larger contexts, theories, and frameworks for understanding some of the most recent concerns and issues that have surfaced among international higher education leaders, student affairs professionals, and scholars. The section highlights discourse on directions and praxis that relate to the internationalization of student affairs and the resulting implications. Part II amplifies the larger international issues that have recently surfaced through the context of student affairs practice. International scholars and practitioners share timely concerns and matters that influence the profession on a global scale. This section highlights specific ways that practitioners can think about their work moving forward and implications that can shape research and the profession in the future.Collectively, these chapters represent a snapshot in time. Written early in the third decade of the 21st century, they emerge from one of the most distinctive—and some would say, one of the most unrelenting and tragic—recent periods of human history. The confluence of the pandemic and other global issues is exerting extensive pressure on higher education in general and the practice of student affairs in specific. Consequently, sustained, significant change seems inevitable. As a text within the series, International Perspectives on Educational Policy, Research and Practice—a series that aids to be a leading forum for global discussion on educational issues, urgent problems, successful experiences, and reflections from educational researchers and practitioners around the world—the editors believe the text is both timely and consequential.

The editors of Emerging International Issues in Student Affairs Research and Practice situate developing issues in student affairs through research, new and emergent methodologies, pedagogies, and practices. The text aims to encourage intercultural perspectives and opportunities across student affairs research and practice, while calling upon international student affairs practitioners, faculty, and staff to engage in international evidence-based research that provides a foundation toward a collective consensus of the field. To accomplish these goals, the editors invited predominant practitioners in student affairs practice and student affairs scholars from across the globe to engage in discourse, share their insights, and offer implications to the student affairs profession at the international level. The editors do this by dividing the text into two parts: Part I: Theoretical, Historical, Cultural, and Ideological Considerations in International Student Affairs and Part II: Emergent International Issues and Practice in Student Affairs.In Part I, the text addresses larger contexts, theories, and frameworks for understanding some of the most recent concerns and issues that have surfaced among international higher education leaders, student affairs professionals, and scholars. The section highlights discourse on directions and praxis that relate to the internationalization of student affairs and the resulting implications. Part II amplifies the larger international issues that have recently surfaced through the context of student affairs practice. International scholars and practitioners share timely concerns and matters that influence the profession on a global scale. This section highlights specific ways that practitioners can think about their work moving forward and implications that can shape research and the profession in the future.Collectively, these chapters represent a snapshot in time. Written early in the third decade of the 21st century, they emerge from one of the most distinctive—and some would say, one of the most unrelenting and tragic—recent periods of human history. The confluence of the pandemic and other global issues is exerting extensive pressure on higher education in general and the practice of student affairs in specific. Consequently, sustained, significant change seems inevitable. As a text within the series, International Perspectives on Educational Policy, Research and Practice—a series that aids to be a leading forum for global discussion on educational issues, urgent problems, successful experiences, and reflections from educational researchers and practitioners around the world—the editors believe the text is both timely and consequential.

This Handbook is a comprehensive reference book for libraries, scholars, and comparative and international studies researchers. It contains 33 chapters on all major educational topics, including research using all qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with research from 23 countries and all inhabited continents. Here you as a scholar will find research from countries not usually known for published educational schooling topics. The globalization of educational research has not typically kept pace with the globalization of economies or communication technologies. This Handbook includes expanded research capabilities from both developed and less developed countries throughout the world.

This Handbook is a comprehensive reference book for libraries, scholars, and comparative and international studies researchers. It contains 33 chapters on all major educational topics, including research using all qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with research from 23 countries and all inhabited continents. Here you as a scholar will find research from countries not usually known for published educational schooling topics. The globalization of educational research has not typically kept pace with the globalization of economies or communication technologies. This Handbook includes expanded research capabilities from both developed and less developed countries throughout the world.

Drop-out, Push-out, or Walk-out?: (Re)imagining Education for Young Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents delves into the pressing issues of social justice and equity for pregnant learners and school-aged mothers within international contexts. Based on an award-winning dissertation, this book centers on the experiences of pregnant learners and student mothers in southern Malawi, situating in-school pregnancy as a global phenomenon affecting both the 'Global North' and the 'Global South.' Despite re-admission and continuation policies, many young mothers still drop out of primary and secondary schools after pregnancy. Existing research confirms that school climates are often hostile and intolerant towards pregnant learners and student mothers. This book challenges the assumption that these young women are simply dropping out, arguing instead that they are being pushed out by structural forces within schools and society.To address the existential threats to schooling post-pregnancy and reimagine inclusive, continuation-oriented education for pregnant learners and student mothers, this book amplifies the voices of mothering and pregnant adolescents. Employing a novel methodological approach rooted in Ubuntu, the book challenges conventional paradigms about who belongs in schooling spaces and what education looks like for pregnant and mothering students. It also provides insights into the socio-economic, historical, cultural, and political contexts for schooling and pregnancy, as well as its global implications for women’s and girls’ education.Key arguments includeSystemic "push-out": The departure of pregnant and mothering students is both institutionally influenced and a personal decision due to structural inequalitiesInside-outside schooling supports: Support for schooling post-pregnancy goes beyond the curriculum, drawing connections between home-based and school-based support systemsSouthern-based indigenous knowledges: The book centers on young women's stories, showcasing non-normative ways of navigating schooling post-pregnancy by offering the “Critical Afro-Feminist Education” (CAFE) framework as a unique form of theorizing through African indigenous perspectivesContinuation-oriented alternative education: Challenging normative approaches to education and utilizing communal structures for alternative education options, such as night schools, to create transformative spacesReconstructing studenthood and belongingness: Redefining what it means to be a student and challenging deficit constructions of student motherhood.Drop-out, Push-out, or Walk-out?: (Re)imagining Education for Young Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents is a significant contribution to the field of comparative and international education, offering new knowledge and practical recommendations for researchers, educators, policymakers, and advocates supporting pregnant and mothering students.

Drop-out, Push-out, or Walk-out?: (Re)imagining Education for Young Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents delves into the pressing issues of social justice and equity for pregnant learners and school-aged mothers within international contexts. Based on an award-winning dissertation, this book centers on the experiences of pregnant learners and student mothers in southern Malawi, situating in-school pregnancy as a global phenomenon affecting both the 'Global North' and the 'Global South.' Despite re-admission and continuation policies, many young mothers still drop out of primary and secondary schools after pregnancy. Existing research confirms that school climates are often hostile and intolerant towards pregnant learners and student mothers. This book challenges the assumption that these young women are simply dropping out, arguing instead that they are being pushed out by structural forces within schools and society.To address the existential threats to schooling post-pregnancy and reimagine inclusive, continuation-oriented education for pregnant learners and student mothers, this book amplifies the voices of mothering and pregnant adolescents. Employing a novel methodological approach rooted in Ubuntu, the book challenges conventional paradigms about who belongs in schooling spaces and what education looks like for pregnant and mothering students. It also provides insights into the socio-economic, historical, cultural, and political contexts for schooling and pregnancy, as well as its global implications for women’s and girls’ education.Key arguments includeSystemic "push-out": The departure of pregnant and mothering students is both institutionally influenced and a personal decision due to structural inequalitiesInside-outside schooling supports: Support for schooling post-pregnancy goes beyond the curriculum, drawing connections between home-based and school-based support systemsSouthern-based indigenous knowledges: The book centers on young women's stories, showcasing non-normative ways of navigating schooling post-pregnancy by offering the “Critical Afro-Feminist Education” (CAFE) framework as a unique form of theorizing through African indigenous perspectivesContinuation-oriented alternative education: Challenging normative approaches to education and utilizing communal structures for alternative education options, such as night schools, to create transformative spacesReconstructing studenthood and belongingness: Redefining what it means to be a student and challenging deficit constructions of student motherhood.Drop-out, Push-out, or Walk-out?: (Re)imagining Education for Young Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents is a significant contribution to the field of comparative and international education, offering new knowledge and practical recommendations for researchers, educators, policymakers, and advocates supporting pregnant and mothering students.

A look at the challenges facing education in Central Asia. In many ways, the story of education since the beginning of the transition in Central Asia is integrated with similar processes in other parts of the former Soviet Union. It may not explain everything, but understanding the challenges throughout the 15 former republics is helpful in understanding the progress and setback in the Central Asian Republics. Most importantly, the Central Asia republics have demonstrated their independence in the adherence of Western-recommendations; they have articulated their demand for respect on their own terms, and not just as the recipient of strategies developed elsewhere. One would hope that this sense of independence and of autonomy of spirit would continue, but that it would not interfere; with the universal principles that pertain to all modern societies: those of equality of opportunity, and the necessity for achieving consensus over what to teach about history that is fair to all citizens.