To its credit, the new National Curriculum Statement (NCS) for GET (General Education and Training) recently revised into a new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in RSA has put a premium on the inclusion of environmental learning as an integrated component of all subject areas in the primary school phase of learning. This is in…

Reform and improvement are imperative in the current South African education system. Monitoring of school and learner achievement is an essential for establishing praxis for school improvement. Diversity of culture and South Africa's 11 official languages make it difficult to develop valid monitoring systems. Limited resources, time constraints…

This study examines some aspects of the quality of Alternative Basic Education (ABE) provision in Ethiopia. Educational indicators of quality were formulated under two general topic areas of ABE programme process and content, and pupil learning outcomes. A qualitative-interpretative research approach and survey design was used to collect data from…

This paper evolved from my perception of an "unpleasant attitude" shown by primary school teachers towards research in general and my inquiry in particular during a study conducted in selected schools in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Teachers' negative attitudes led to their refusal to participate in a survey and the subsequent…

This research explores beginning teachers' perceptions of creative practice and investigates the complexities of developing creative processes within Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and the primary classroom (pupils aged 5-11 years of age). The term "beginning teachers" refers to trainees within the first few months of their teacher training…

The United Kingdom (UK) Government's 2003 Workforce Remodelling Act (DfES, 2003) contained nine key points aimed at supporting teachers and schools to raise educational standards without adding additional workload responsibilities. In September 2005 planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time was introduced. This allows for all teachers to…

This article presents research undertaken among male teachers and it explores their perceptions and experiences of working in early years contexts. It examines prevalent, contrary discourses and their impact on the construction of male teachers' identities. Public discourses in relation to male teachers reveal contradictions and ambiguities…

This article examines the complex ways in which teacher constructions of their experiences of teaching in a rural, disadvantaged context shape their taken-for-granted understandings of barriers to basic education. This article attempts to deconstruct these value-laden understandings of barriers to education. We draw on Foucault's notion of…

A hearing teacher for whom American Sign Language is a second language identifies nine strategies developed for reading and telling stories to deaf children. These include: ask obvious questions related to the story, portray written dialog as conversation, emphasize points by saying the same thing with different signs, and adapt the story to…

Describes activities of a deaf awareness week in a deaf-education program within a public elementary school. Emphasis is on exposure to deaf culture and history in age appropriate activities, involvement of the entire school and community, and a Friday night sleep-over at the school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and staff. (DB)

Nine brief articles describe components of an intensive literacy program for students who are hearing impaired: reading to children, dialog journals, shared reading and writing, creative writing, independent reading, guided reading and writing, journals and logs in science, language experience, and reading for research. (DB)

Describes an innovative program at the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School which integrates literacy skill development with auditory and speech services for students who are deaf. The program uses visual phonics; connects sign language, spoken English, and printed English; has listening/literacy centers and an assistive devices center; and…

Suggests ways that schools and parents of young children with hearing impairments can work together to build math skills. Ideas for early math experiences that can be naturally included in everyday routines are presented in descriptions of five learning centers, focusing on logic and problem solving, time and money, fractions, conservation of…

Describes the classroom environment and activities of a class of eight students (ages 3-12) with hearing loss and at least one other disability. The importance of positioning and the skills the students learn through toys (stimulation and learning), dressing (self-help skills), and lunch (making decisions) are discussed. (CR)

Discusses how teachers can teach science to elementary students with deafness. Urges the need to provide scientific knowledge in an accessible language and to encourage "hands on" experiences with a variety of materials. Addresses how science can increase competency in reading and writing English. (CR)