Logistical Issues With OER Initiative in a K-12 Environment

2017 ◽  
pp. 98-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alesha Baker ◽  
Tutaleni Asino ◽  
Ying Xiu ◽  
Jose L. Fulgencio
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Student Empowerment ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Access To Knowledge ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Open Textbooks

The arguments in favor of OER are many: ranging from cutting costs to a more equal distribution and access to knowledge globally. While there is a body of literature on the benefits and challenges to OER, what is often missing are cases of implementations that those who wish to adopt can emulate or learn from. In this chapter, we present a case study of a K-12 school district that is currently engaged in implementing open textbooks using mobile devices. We examined their process, and the logistical issues they have faced. Our findings reveal how a digital divide, student's preferences for a textbooks and perceptions of student empowerment all play a logistical role in adoption of OER.

Changing the Landscape: A Look at a Market District as an Emerging Model of K-12 Schooling

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-100
Author(s):  
Ann Allen ◽  
Marytza Gawlik
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Charter Schools ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Governance ◽  
Market Model ◽  
School Board Members ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
K 12

Despite research indicating significant challenges of market-based schooling, charter schools remain a growing trend in the United States. In this article, we examine an emerging market model: a K-12 system of charter schools under one charter board meant to serve as a city’s school district. To assess the fit of the market model, we employed a qualitative case study design, using interviews with school board members and the superintendent, and document analysis of school governance documents including the district’s bylaws, organizational charts, and state law. We analyzed our findings against a theory of school governance and found that despite the intent of local actors to create a school district that served all students, the market approach to whole-district schooling created gaps in service. This article raises important insights into the use of market models and the underlying philosophy of governance in shaping educational offerings for students, families, and communities.

An unlikely destination

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marla Israel ◽  
Nancy Goldberger ◽  
Elizabeth Vera ◽  
Amy Heineke
Keyword(s):  
Public School ◽  
School District ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Sustainable Leadership ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Public School Educators ◽  
K 12

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a university-multi-school district partnership that positively affected the lives of P-12 immigrant, migrant and refugee students and their parents through an iterative collaboration of talent and resources among institutions. Design/methodology/approach This is a case study describing a university-school partnership grant-funded program detailing the processes, products, and implications for policy and practice. Findings University faculty and public school educators must work through intentional, contextually informed partnerships. It is through these partnerships that scarce resources of time, talent, and funds can be used wisely to build sustainable systems to educate students in K-12 schools and prepare future leaders for this work. Research limitations/implications This is a case study limited to the suburban Chicagoland area. Generalities to other communities cannot be directly made. Originality/value This study builds on the extant literature of university-school district partnerships and sustainable leadership theory by exploring the processes for creating iterative and individualized structures that benefit both university and public school districts. This study implores universities to re-examine priorities and purpose, especially within schools and colleges of education, in order to remain viable, relevant institutions for positive school improvement.

Tennessee Education Savings Account: Tipping the Scales From Equity to Choice

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 98-110
Author(s):  
Erin Curtin
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
School Choice ◽  
State Level ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Comprehensive Education ◽  
Policy Window ◽  
Federal Poverty Line ◽  
Scholarship Program ◽  
Shelby County ◽  
K 12

This article provides an analysis of Tennessee’s newly signed Education Savings Account policy, a school choice initiative. The policy provides vouchers, in the form of a debit card, to students in grades K-12 who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty line and are zoned to attend a Nashville, Shelby County, or Achievement School District school. Using the Policy Window Framework the author uncovers that the policy was created in a federal and state-level political convergence, which attempted to place equity at the forefront of the issue. However, using Levin's Comprehensive Education Privatization Framework, we can see that neoliberal ideals of choice and efficiency conquer equity in the finalized policy. The author predicts the outcomes of this new policy using this framework in tandem with 3 case studies: Louisiana Scholarship Program, DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, and Tennessee’s Individualized Education Accounts.

The Digital Divide and K-12 Student Computer Use

10.28945/2926 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Morgan ◽  
Craig A. VanLengen
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Limited Basis ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The Impact

The divide between those who have computer and Internet access and those who do not appears to be narrowing, however overall statistics may be misleading. Measures of computer availability in schools often include cases where computers are only available for administration or are available only on a very limited basis (Gootman, 2004). Access to a computer and the Internet outside of school helps to reinforce student learning and emphasize the importance of using technology. Recent U.S. statistics indicate that ethnic background and other demographic characteristics still have substantial impact on the availability and use of computers by students outside of the classroom. This paper examines recent census data to determine the impact of the household on student computer use outside of the classroom. Encouragingly, the findings of this study suggest that use of a computer at school substantially increases the chance that a student will use a computer outside of class. Additionally, this study suggests that computer use outside of the classroom is positively and significantly impacted by being in a household with adults who either use a computer at work or work in an industry where computers are extensively used.

Commentary on “Validation Methods for Aggregate-Level Test Scale Linking: A Case Study Mapping School District Test Score Distributions to a Common Scale”

2020 ◽  
pp. 107699862095666
Author(s):  
Alina A. von Davier
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Aggregate Level ◽  
Validation Methods ◽  
Common Scale ◽  
Scale Linking ◽  
Score Distributions

In this commentary, I share my perspective on the goals of assessments in general, on linking assessments that were developed according to different specifications and for different purposes, and I propose several considerations for the authors and the readers. This brief commentary is structured around three perspectives (1) the context of this research, (2) the methodology proposed here, and (3) the consequences for applied research.

Asian American Dropouts: A Case Study of Vietnamese and Chinese High School Students in a New England Urban School District

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phitsamay Uy
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
New England ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Dropout Rates ◽  
School Students ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Asian American Student ◽  
K 12

In the world of K–12 education, the growing numbers of dropouts are a major concern. This article examines the dropout rates of Chinese and Vietnamese high school students. Using logistic regression analysis, this article examines the influence of ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) on dropout rates. The distinct contribution of this analysis lies within the intraethnic comparisons within the Asian American student population and its use of longitudinal data. The results of the study support existing research that gender and SES are related to dropout rates. Moreover, an interesting interaction between ethnicity and SES exists.

scholarly journals Adventure Code Camp: Library Mobile Design in the Backcountry

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ward ◽  
James Hahn ◽  
Lori Mestre
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Mobile Web ◽  
Process Outcomes ◽  
Mobile Design ◽  
Web App ◽  
Software Services

<p>This article presents a case study exploring the use of a student Coding Camp as a bottom-up mobile design process to generate library mobile apps. A code camp sources student programmer talent and ideas for designing software services and features.  This case study reviews process, outcomes, and next steps in mobile web app coding camps. It concludes by offering implications for services design beyond the local camp presented in this study. By understanding how patrons expect to integrate library services and resources into their use of mobile devices, librarians can better design the user experience for this environment.</p>

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