Educational Studies, Research, and Technology Department Books

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  Freedom of Choice: Vouchers in American Education

  James Carl

  This book reveals that, far from being the result of a groundswell of support for parental choice in American education, the origins of school vouchers are seated in identity politics, religious schooling, and educational entrepreneurship.

  As the most radical form of "school choice," vouchers remain controversial in education today. The U.S. Congress, for example, voted to phase out vouchers in Washington, D.C., schools, much to the consternation of participating parents and conservative observers. What are vouchers really about—academic achievement or political and social agendas?

  Inserting much-needed historical context into the voucher debates, Freedom of Choice: Vouchers in American Education treats school vouchers as a series of social movements set within the context of evolving American conservatism. The study ranges from the use of tuition grants in the 1950s and early 1960s in the interest of fostering segregation to the wider acceptance of vouchers in the 1990s as a means of counteracting real and perceived shortcomings of urban public schools.

  The rise of school vouchers, author Jim Carl suggests, is best explained as a mechanism championed by four distinct groups—white supremacists in the South, supporters of parochial school in the North, minority advocates of community schools in the nation's big cities, and political conservatives of both major parties. Though freedom was the rallying cry, this book shows that voucher supporters had more specific goals: continued racial segregation of public education, tax support for parochial schools, aid to urban community schools, and opening up the public school sector to educational entrepreneurs.

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  Educating Gifted Students in Middle School: A Practical Guide. 2nd

  Susan Rakow

  Understanding and meeting the needs of gifted students in middle school offer unique challenges. This newly revised and expanded second edition of Educating Gifted Students in Middle School updates the practical information about meeting these needs offered in the award-winning 2004 edition. A new chapter on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)areas as well as a completely revised chapter on English/language arts for gifted and advanced learners in the middle grades are key components of the new edition. The impact of current reform movements, Response to Intervention, new relevant research, updated information on middle school boys and other special populations, changing middle grade configurations, and 21st-century skills are added to the already thorough discussions of the first edition. Resources, references, and suggested curriculum materials have all been updated. The focus of this second edition continues to be on helping teachers, administrators, and parents to understand gifted middle school students, implement effective program models, define the role of the gifted teacher, identify best practices for the classroom, and apply curriculum ideas that are effective and research-based. Educating Gifted Students in Middle School focuses on creative, practical, and realistic school solutions that create a vital and responsive school community for all students.

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  Teaching to the Top: Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Gifted Middle Schoolers

  Susan Rakow

  It is no secret that teaching to the middle leaves out too many students. While teachers try conscientiously to meet the needs of all, the more able ones, variously known as gifted, talented, high achievers, or accelerated learners, are all too often overlooked. In this book, author Susan Rakow, a veteran middle school teacher with nationally recognized expertise in gifted education, provides a strong rationale for the need to make provisions for gifted and high-potential learners and follows with specific and practical information and ideas on curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

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  Career Psychology in the South African Context, 2nd ed.

  Graham Stead and Watson M. B.

  A historical perspective of career psychology in South Africa. Introduction to career theories. An overview of career theory. The career choice theory of John Holland. The career development theory of Donald Super. Career development and systems theory. Introduction to career counseling. Career counseling practice. Career decision making and career indecision. The career development of women. Career assessment. Introduction to career education, career information and organizational psychology. Career education in South Africa. Career information - sources, services and classification. Career development in organizations. Indigenisation of career psychology in South Africa.