The number of students enrolling in post-secondary institutions in the U.S. has slowly been rising over the last 10 years, yet gaps continue to exist in terms of who attends college and persists through graduation. Minority and low income students often lack the guidance needed to navigate the college enrollment process and as a result, remain underrepresented at U.S. colleges and universities. The prospect of attending college is frequently ruled-out based on fears surrounding college costs and lack of awareness and exposure to financial aid programs. This dissertation study looked at the impact of increased school counselor outreach on FAFSA completion and college enrollment in a large urban school district in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Researchers found robust treatment effects on both FAFSA completion .103 (sd=.01) and college enrollment .117 (sd=.01) suggesting a strong correlation between student contact with a school counselor and these two essential tasks for successful college matriculation. The opportunity gap was narrowed for all groups measured with the greatest improvement noted for African American, Asian, and Native American students. / Graduation date: 2013

In 2006 South Africans celebrated the twelfth anniversary of a democratic South African. A paradigm shift in education was a prerequisite and the government introduced an inclusive education system. The aim of this investigation was to make a contribution to the understanding of educational needs of learners who experience barriers to learning and to provide guidelines on how to support them. This research will however attempt to examine how educators manage inclusion in the classroom, their competencies and the strategies they need to be competent inclusive teachers. The data is based on focused group interviews, observation and document analysis. The researcher selected Maloka primary school as the research site. The subjects that were chosen were 2 Grade 5 classrooms and 6 educators. The main themes identified in the interviews were among others availability of resources, strategies need and problems encountered in teaching inclusive classes. The conclusion reached is that inclusive education is here to stay so the Department of Education and all other stakeholders should join hands and make it work. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

In South Africa, the linguistic hegemony of English over the African languages in the academic field reproduces unequal power relationships between their speakers. The present study shows that an intervention shaped by a counterhegemonic ideology can change the attitudes of Black university students, key players in spearheading social change. Usign statistical analysis and survey methodologies, this research explored the hegemonic role of English as the only language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in the discipline of Computer Science (CS) at Rhodes University. The study found that those speakers of an African language who are the most disadvantaged by the use of English as LoLT are also the most likely to resist a more extensive use of their mother tongue as an alternative. A group of such students were involved in the development and use of an online glossary of CS terms translated, explained and exemplified in an African language (isiXhosa). This experience increased the support for the use of African languages as additional LoLT, even in the Englishdominated field of study of Computer Science. This is an initial step towards promoting linguistic equality between English and African languages and social equality between their speakers.

Global consensus on the importance of gender equity in education is perhaps one of the greatest agreements reached in the twentieth century. However, for countries in the sub Saharan African region where disparities of gender are wide and primary education takes priority, secondary education continues to remain in the periphery. As countries make progress towards the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE), the concerns for gender equity and equality have become associated with school access and pupil retention. Yet, patterns and trends in school enrollment suggest that disparities of gender are more complex. As lessons are learned from the achievements and challenges of attaining UPE, it is increasingly apparent that gender disparities within education occur in, within and beyond access to schooling. In other words, the challenge of making education gender equal goes beyond school access and school enrollment. Kenya is a signatory to the 1990 Jomtein Declaration on Education For All (EFA). It is also among the few countries in the sub Saharan Africa region with a significantly reduced gender gap in primary and secondary education. This is in tandem with the third of the eight Millennium Development Goals whose aims bear a broad social and economic development agenda. While education equity is important in Kenya and tremendous progress has been made in primary education, beyond the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE) there is an even more significant target; gender equity in education both in primary and secondary education by 2015. The attainment of this target requires more than access to schooling and for this reason it poses great challenges to governments and schools. In light of the progress made in Kenya and the need for more equitable education beyond primary education, this study conceives a need for an incisive examination of education equity priority areas in Kenya. The study argues on the need for a shift of concern and debate from primary education to secondary education because the gains of UPE only become meaningful when education equity is secured in secondary education. The study underscores that beyond school access and retention, education output and outcomes need to become prominent variables because they gauge trends and patterns and the quality of gains made where education is claimed to be both accessible and equitable. Using case study method, the study makes a critical interpretation of the schooling experiences, educational choices, preferences and aspirations of girls taking secondary education in single-sex schools in Murang’a district, Kenya. The study shows that girls schooling experiences are not homogenous and that there are contradictions in the ways that girls experience their schooling and make educational choices. It also shows that girls do not necessarily stand good chances with their education simply because they are enrolled in single-sex schools. The study reveals individual subjectivities and schooling culture to be at the centre of the differences between schools and the schooling experiences that girls have. The two have impact on how girls perceive themselves and their abilities, the preferences they nurture and the educational choices they make. The study draws attention to nuances in access and equity within girls’ education. It draws out issues and nuances linked to gender access, equity and equality with respect to school, teacher and subject access. Though the study is not generaliseable, it shows that in contexts where female access and survival is secured, there is need for attention to be paid to the environments that nurture educational choices and preferences so that the high rates in school access become translated into equally high educational output and outcomes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation and sustainability of Free Primary Education (FPE) in Swaziland in terms of the interplay between policy and practice. The study was undertaken in four schools in the Manzini region of Swaziland. The schools were purposively sampled on the basis of their location. The participants consisted of the head teacher, a teacher and a parent, and six learners from each of the schools. Two Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) officials were also included; a regional inspector for primary schools stationed at the Manzini Regional Education Offices (REOs) and a senior official stationed at MoET headquarters. A qualitative approach and a case study design were used. The participants were interviewed using semi-structured interview schedules, while the learners were engaged in focus group interviews at each school which were conducted according to a focus group interview schedule. Documents were also used as data sources. Data was analysed using a thematic and document analysis approach. The findings revealed a disconnection between policy and practice. FPE implementers are not well versed on the policies they are supposed to implement as they were not included in the policy-making process. Moreover, no consideration had been given to the legal framework underpinning FPE. It was found that the sustainability of FPE is threatened by certain indirect costs of schooling as well as the top-up fees that are being charged illegally by some schools, resulting in some learners dropping out of school – defeating the purpose of FPE and violating their right to access education. It would appear that the most contentious issue for FPE in Swaziland is the top-fee, although the head teachers were of the view that the FPE grant paid by government is inadequate for running schools and therefore top-up fees are necessary. Problems were also identified with the embezzling of school funds by head teachers. These issues have led to tension between schools and the MoET / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The research centres on the degree to which the no-fee-paying policy is influencing the financial management of schools in Soshanguve. The no-fee-paying policy stems from the Education Laws Amendment Act 24 of 2005 according to which the levying of mandatory fees was abolished at public schools that are declared no-fee-paying institutions. The state funded these newly declared no-fee-paying schools in order to create greater access to quality education and to improve the educational resources and equipment in impoverished schools. According to the findings of this research, there is little or no financial management in the former underprivileged schools in Soshanguve. This lack of proper financial management in these schools appears to be due to the lack of capacity within both the schools and the school governing bodies themselves. In addition, there appears to be a lack of equality and equity between the formerly underprivileged schools and the advantaged schools. In the words of Fiske and Ladd (2004b:248), equality and equity seem to be elusive. Schools in the cities are still advantaged since the parents are paying fees and schools are managing their funds, while parents in the township schools (especially in Soshanguve) have been found to be unsupportive financially. This is probably because communities around the schools are, in the main, poverty stricken. / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

This study explores the management of equity in medical schools in South Africa using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Notions and models of equity are discussed and student and staff profiles in medical schools are contrasted with national and international profiles. in-depth unstructured interviews are conducted with select senior and executive management members at national, institutional and faculty of medicine levels to identify the challenges and best practices associatd with promoting equity in medical schools in five broad areas, namely, staff, students, curriculum, research, and policies and practices. The study shows significant contextual differences between medical schools and their universities resulting in divergent trends in the student and staff profiles. Historically Black medical schools continue to provide access to aproximately 68% of African MBChB students. Postgraduate students remain predominantly White men and although more female than male students are enrolled for MBChB, the few females entering postgraduate training are segregated in particular areas of specialisation. Redressing the historically determined prevailing inequities in medical schools, in terms of race, gender and class, is inextricably linked to different management ideologies, management policies and practices, economic factors and discipline specific power dynamics. To manage equity inmmedical schools more efficiently, it is recommended that a single, separate budget be allocated to medical schools for staff appointments and student training. The management of academic health complexes should be under the jurisdiction of a national, joint Department of Education/Department of Health structure. Such a structure should, at a national level clarify, co-ordinate and monitor equity in medical schools and ensure that policies and practices in medical faculties are aligned to national strategic transformation frameworks and equity goals of higher education and health. Monitoring could include analyses of student applications, admissions, failure, drop-out and graduation rates of students. The establishment of a comprehensive database of South African medical doctors by race, gender, area of specialisation and location of practice is needed to track trends and shifts. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

This study reports on the practice of inclusive education in three rural disadvantaged communities within the Eastern Cape. The research focused on the development of inclusive educational practices such as teaching, assessment and support in inclusive education. Recognizing the changing needs in the teaching profession and consequently the changing needs of both in service and pre-service educators, this project was conceived as providing an insight into the response of educators to the challenges of inclusive education and the meanings that these experiences have for educators who have had practical exposure to inclusive education. The need to acknowledge barriers which have implications for planning, expectations and effectiveness of implementing inclusive education in this specific context is acknowledged. In South Africa direct support service delivery is only to a few advantaged schools and communities. Learners who are economically and environmentally disadvantaged are excluded even though they have an equal right to effective support. / Educational Studies / M. A.(Educational Management)

South Africa, a country in transition, is characterised by drastic policy shifts in the social, economic and political arenas. These policy shifts are also directed towards educational reform. The South African Schools Act of 1996 is the first step towards educational change. Other changes focus on the curriculum, new appraisal procedures for educators, and the establishment of the South African Council for Educators. All of the above constitute a new working paradigm for school principals. This study sought to determine the influence of this changing school environment on school principals. It looked at how principals perceive the change and examines the impact of change on their management role. A literature study was made of the restructuring process in the USA and in England and Wales. The transformation of the South African education system was also examined. A qualitative investigation was pursued with secondary school principals. Data gathering was done through participant-observation, questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Data was analysed, discussed and later synthesised. The major findings with respect to the SA Schools Act are: * * The lack of capacity of governing body members to participate meaningfully at meetings. Principals believe the ban on corporal punishment has weakened their authority. * School fees and fundraising pose a problem to some principals. * Most principals welcome the code of conduct for learners. * Schools have not developed language policies. * Principals accept the freedom of conscience clause in the Act. * SRC's are not very effective. The other findings are: * * * Power relations between and among various stakeholders impact negatively on school management. A breakdown in the culture oflearning and teaching especially in former DET and HOD schools. Teachers are not adequately trained to handle OBE and the new system of assessments. The study concluded with recommendations being made to improve the situation. / Educational Leadershiup and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

A Constituição Federal prevê a igualdade de condições para o acesso e permanência na escola. A história da educação superior brasileira é marcada pela desigualdade social. A cultura de avaliação de programas vem se institucionalizando no Brasil. A presente pesquisa apresenta uma avaliação da eficácia do Programa de Auxílio Estudantil da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – Câmpus Curitiba, por meio de estudos comparativos do coeficiente acadêmico e da permanência entre os estudantes beneficiados pelo Programa e os não-beneficiados. Expõe um breve histórico do Ensino Superior e da Assistência Estudantil no Brasil. A questão social apresentada é a permanência dos estudantes em situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica no ensino superior. E para o seu enfrentamento, normas foram editadas e ações desenvolvidas, inclusive o Programa de Auxílio Estudantil da UTFPR. Discute conceitos da avaliação de Programas Sociais e da Governança Pública. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, no qual foram coletados dados do sistema acadêmico da instituição e do Programa de Auxílio, complementados por um questionário aplicado aos ex-alunos bolsistas graduados e desistentes. Construiu-se um sistema de indicadores, concluindo-se pela eficácia do Programa de Auxílio Estudantil. Traz como resultado, a superioridade dos coeficientes acadêmicos dos estudantes bolsistas em relação aos não bolsistas, bem como uma taxa de evasão inferior dos bolsistas em relação aos demais estudantes do Câmpus. / The Federal Constitution predicates equal conditions to the access and permanency in the school. The Higher Education History in Brazil is spotted for social inequality. The programs evaluation growth has becoming systematized in Brazil. This study presents an evaluation of the efficiency of the Student Scholarship Program of the Federal Technological University of Paraná—Curitiba, through comparative studies between Scholarship Program students and the rest of the student body focusing on grades and student retention. The study offers a brief overview of Brazilian Higher Education and Student Scholarship Programs. The social issue examined is the retention of students in positions of socioeconomic vulnerability in higher education. In order to confront these issues, standards were edited and actions were developed, including the Student Scholarship Program of UTFPR (Federal Technological University of Paraná). The study discusses evaluation procedures of Social Programs and Public Governance. This is a case study in which the university’s academic and the Scholarship Program databases are used as a corpus, and in which a questionnaire for former students, both graduated and withdrawn from the program, serves as compliment. A system of indicators was constructed, and its conclusion is presented through the efficiency of the Student Scholarship Program. The case study results demonstrate higher academic grades from scholarship students in relation to non-scholarship students, as well as higher retention rates for scholarship students in relation to the rest of the student body on campus