The impact of online technical education on schooling outcomes: Evidence from Brazil

This paper studies the impact of online technical education offered to complement regular academic instruction in high school on student schooling outcomes. Using a regression discontinuity design with an oversubscribed large-scale online technical course in Brazil, we find that students who score above the cutoff on the online technical education admission exam are less likely to drop out of high school, while their performance on standardized tests in math and Portuguese is similar to that of students just below the admission exam cutoff. Overall, we provide evidence that complementing high school regular instruction with technical education in an online format can be an effective public policy to increase students work readiness as it reduces the dropout rate from secondary education without negatively affecting students academic proficiency.

What’s missing from the nation’s report card

This study re-envisions the Nation’s Report Card from a “whole child” perspective that considers not just students’ academic achievement, but also their physical and mental health. Jaekyung Lee’s integrated analysis of the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the National Survey of Children’s Health datasets reveals that many of our children and youth are not in good shape, getting the average grade of C, with grades of B+ for physical health, C for socioemotional wellness, and D for academic proficiency. The analysis also shows that better health and wellness measures are associated with higher achievement. In addition, the states with stronger “whole community” scores, which measure protective and nurturing family-school-neighborhood environments, produce students who do better on all measures.

The Development of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Based on Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)

<p>This study aims to produce design, to know the profile and to determine the level of effectiveness of the Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) based on Computer-Based Test (CBT) to Test of English For Academic Proficiency (TEAP) IKIP PGRI Pontianak. The development research method is the ADDIE development design model. The research subjects were students of the eighth semester English study program and the lecturers and staff who served at UPT Bahasa of IKIP PGRI Pontianak. Data collection tools used interviews and TEAP user questionnaires then analyzed with the formula from Khabibah. PHP-based CBT profile in the form of a web that can be accessed online and integrated with multiple-choice item analysis. This study found that TEAP requires a system that can automatically be correcting, storing test results, analysing test results and distributing test certificates. The results showed that the effectiveness level of the respondents' opinion of the test participants with a percentage score of 77% in good category and from the opinion of respondents who implement TEAP is very effective and can analyze the level of difficulty, difference power and distractor analysis properly and quickly. This illustrates that PHP-based CBT is suitable for the TEAP program.</p>

Effects of PM2.5 on Third Grade Students’ Proficiency in Math and English Language Arts

Fine particulate air pollution is harmful to children in myriad ways. While evidence is mounting that chronic exposures are associated with reduced academic proficiency, no research has examined the frequency of peak exposures. It is also unknown if pollution exposures influence academic proficiency to the same degree in all schools or if the level of children’s social disadvantage in schools modifies the effects, such that some schools’ academic proficiency levels are more sensitive to exposures. We address these gaps by examining the percentage of third grade students who tested below the grade level in math and English language arts (ELA) in Salt Lake County, Utah primary schools (n = 156), where fine particulate pollution is a serious health threat. More frequent peak exposures were associated with reduced math and ELA proficiency, as was greater school disadvantage. High frequency peak exposures were more strongly linked to lower math proficiency in more advantaged schools. Findings highlight the need for policies to reduce the number of days with peak air pollution.

Defining Science Literacy in General Education Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors

This article describes a project focused on identifying science instructors’ conceptions of science literacy and using these conceptions to develop a brief science literacy student self-assessment (SCILIT). We present the rationale and process we used to elicit instructors’ conceptions of science literacy, crafted in a meaningful way with input by faculty and graduate student science experts. Next, we explain how we developed a novel student SCILIT self-assessment based on those expert conceptions. We describe our initial efforts using SCILIT in undergraduate general education science courses to explore students’ self-perceived science literacy. We discuss the use of SCILIT self-assessment to assess potential progression of students’ self-rated science literacy over the course of an academic term, and how this student self-assessment relates to instructor ratings of academic proficiency and science literacy. Finally, we reflect on the use of SCILIT self-assessment to guide instruction and assessment in general education science courses for non-science majors.

Fluency: Deep Roots in Reading Instruction

Over the past two decades, reading fluency has been increasingly recognized as an important instructional variable for success in reading. Yet, this has not always been the case. This article presents a historical review of the nature and role of fluency instruction in the United States. The roots of oral reading fluency began in an age when texts and other forms of entertainment and information were limited. Historically, in America, oral reading was the predominant means for conveying ideas and passing the time at home with the family. In the 1800s, American education’s primary method of instruction emphasized the need for being able to read aloud with expression and fluency, in order to hold the listeners’ attention and convey information. As texts and other forms of information became more available, oral reading became deemphasized, and silent reading was viewed as a better approach to developing readers’ comprehension at the cost of fluency development. With continued research and national reports that indicate the significant contributions of oral reading fluency to reading comprehension and academic proficiency, it is clear that the roots of oral reading run deep, and that fluent reading development is important to learners’ academic achievement and reading comprehension.

EAP NEED ANALYSIS FOR LECTURERS: THE CASE OF A STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN PADANG, INDONESIA

Purpose of the study: The research aims to identify the need and level of English Academic Proficiency (EAP) of lecturers in Padang, Indonesia, in using English. Methodology: From a total of 365 lecturers in the entire six faculties at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, Indonesia, 92 lecturers were selected randomly as respondents for this research. To collect data, a questionnaire was used to gather the lecturers’ perception of the need for EAP programs, which is related to their ability in four language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) and on the EAP test. Main Findings: A majority of lecturers needed an EAP course to improve their professionalism and competences. They preferred speaking and writing for future careers or activities such as writing English books, journals, and reports, participating in international events, becoming credible academic staff, developing teaching profession, and other individual competences to improve their professionalism. This study found a majority of their ability in EAP was in the levels of elementary and intermediate. Applications of this study: This study suggests that if Indonesia expects its policy of teaching profession reform to be successful, intensive and consistent lecturers’ development and programs must be well-organized, and sufficient resources must be allocated so that all faculty members, especially those under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, can meet the objectives. Novelty/Originality of this study: No specific reports on EAP need analysis for lecturers in Indonesia are found. The current need to design an EAP program need-based analysis assessment would help instructors to communicate their research in both written and oral English successfully. This program should aid academics to report on their research not only in written form but also in spoken language.