This thesis can be described as an in-depth study of the politics of the secondary school curriculum - and, in particular, of the comprehensive school curricu.1unl - 1r: the twelve-year period from 1976 to 1988. It is, in effect, a contribution to contemporary history - an analysis of the Great Debate in education which began in 1976 and ended officially in 1977 while, in reality, continuing unabated in the succeeding years. The eight chapters of the thesis consider: the evolution of the comprehensive school curriculum from 1944 to 1976; the increasingly harsh criticisms of the comprehensive system and its teachers in the early 19705; the origins and authorship of the so-called Yellow Book and of James Callaghan's Ruskin College Speech; the moves towards a 'common' or 'core' curriculum for the secondary age range; the increasingly energetic thrust towards central control of the curriculum; the issues of differentiation, vocationalization and privatization; and the origins of the curriculum proposals in the 1988 Education Reform Act. It is argued that although there was clear evidence of disillusionment with the education system in general - and with the comprehensive reform in particular - in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was the economic crisis of 1973-75 which finally caused the role and purpose of education to be subjected to close scrutiny by all political groupings in this country. The Callaghan initiative of 1976 was essentially the response of right-wing Labour to that IJ.; crisis, with an attempt to build a new consensus around more central control of the curriculum, greater teacher accountability and the more direct subordination of the secondary curriculum to the perceived needs of the economy. The 1988 Education Act can be seen as an expression of the often contradictory aims and objectives of right-wing groupings within the Conservative Party, with the debate about the desirability or otherwise of a centrally imposed national curriculum being a dear example of conflict within New Right ideology about the role of the state in a free market Society.

The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) model is one way to organize physical activity (PA) opportunities around specific target populations and points of intervention. It is recommended that physical education teachers serve as Directors of Physical Activity (DPA), given their expertise and experiences in the school setting. PURPOSE: This study examined the current role of physical education teachers in providing PA opportunities for students by implementing the CSPAP. The effects of professional development (PD) on teacher efficacy (TE) toward the implementation of the CSPAP were also investigated. METHODS: Using a collective case study approach, 30 physical teachers (Male=9; Experience 17.47) completed a survey on PA opportunities and self-efficacy. Twelve of the physical education teachers then participated in the DPA certification process, which consisted of a one-day workshop with 12-months of online support and follow-up to track their implementation of the CSPAP. Participants who engaged in the DPA certification participated in a series of in-depth interviews, as well as observations and site visits. Over twelve months the researcher inductively reflected on the data with the intent of forming concepts, hypotheses, and theories through organizing themes and teacher vignettes. Descriptive statistics and a MANCOVA were calculated to determine group differences while a series of RM-MANCOVA's were used to determine pre/post differences. Regression analyses were employed to determine the predictors of change in PA. RESULTS: Qualitative results revealed six themes and three teacher vignettes. RM MANCOVA's revealed no significant difference between pre/post experience, however, regression analyses revealed significant predictors of offering PA opportunities. It was identified that group, TE and PD were both significant predictors when providing PA opportunities: (a) before and after school (F(8, 21) = 2.65, p < .05, R² adj. = .31), (b) with family and community members (F(8, 21) = 2.62, p < .05, R² adj. = .31), and (c) for staff wellness (F(8, 21) = 3.80, p<.01, R² adj = .44). CONCLUSION: Physical education teachers are capable and willing to provide PA opportunities, beyond those offered during physical education, by assuming the role of a DPA. The frequency of these opportunities is influenced by TE and PD.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-182). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the professional development component of Comprehensive School Reform on the mathematics achievement of third and fifth grade students attending selected Title I schools in Virginia. A qualitative research design was used to examine data from a focus group of four technical assistance providers, six principal interviews, and thirteen teacher surveys. This study involved participants of the 2003 cohort of the Comprehensive School Reform process during a 3-year period from 2003 through 2006. A set of questions was developed for each group of participants to acquire their perceptions of the components of professional development that impacted instruction and enhanced student achievement in mathematics. A constant comparative method was used to analyze key words and direct quotes from the focus group interview, principal interviews, and teacher surveys. Triangulation of these data was utilized to identify emergent themes. The findings revealed that the professional development component of Comprehensive School Reform had a significant impact on classroom instruction and student achievement in mathematics. Findings also revealed that the technical assistance provider served as a coach and resource for professional development. Findings indicated that professional development included data analysis and research-based instructional strategies as contributing factors for increased student achievement. The Virginia Standards of Learning pass rates of spring 2006 showed significant gains in the mathematics achievement of students in Grades 3 and 5 attending the Title I schools participating in Comprehensive School Reform. It was evident in the findings of this study that professional development significantly impacted the mathematics achievement of students attending the 2003 Comprehensive School Reform cohort of selected schools in Virginia. This information will serve as a resource for administrators of Title I schools in Virginia that have not met the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ motivational beliefs for involvement in a Comprehensive School Health approach (locally called Healthy Active Schools, or HAS) at their child’s school. Literature suggests that parents’ role construction and parents’ self-efficacy are the most salient influences on parents’ decision to become involved at their child’s school. Twelve parents involved at two urban public elementary schools were interviewed. Questions were based on Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s model of parental involvement (1995, 1997, 2005c). Qualitative multiple case study analysis additionally utilized Penner’s (2002) model of sustained volunteerism and Bandura’s collective efficacy theory (1997, 2000; Goddard, Hoy, & Woolfolk-Hoy, 2004) to clarify findings. Results suggest most parents’ strong active role construction and negative valence grounded their parent-focused role orientation. School case study analysis revealed that the principal’s leadership, the structure of the HAS committee and the school’s climate uniquely influenced parents’ beliefs. Individual parent case analysis revealed four distinct patterns of parents’ motivational beliefs for HAS involvement. Future research is warranted to further examine the decisive impact of parents’ health and prosocial values on their decision to become involved specific to a CSH approach type of involvement. Additional case studies in local schools, school districts and provinces are recommended to illuminate unique contextual influences and the potential for the emergence of collective efficacy; including consideration for parents’ belief construct general invitations from the school would contribute to gaining a deeper understanding within this domain. Finally, the link between parents’ motivational beliefs of empowerment and their sustained motivation for involvement needs to be explored further.

The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ motivational beliefs for involvement in a Comprehensive School Health approach (locally called Healthy Active Schools, or HAS) at their child’s school. Literature suggests that parents’ role construction and parents’ self-efficacy are the most salient influences on parents’ decision to become involved at their child’s school. Twelve parents involved at two urban public elementary schools were interviewed. Questions were based on Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s model of parental involvement (1995, 1997, 2005c). Qualitative multiple case study analysis additionally utilized Penner’s (2002) model of sustained volunteerism and Bandura’s collective efficacy theory (1997, 2000; Goddard, Hoy, & Woolfolk-Hoy, 2004) to clarify findings. Results suggest most parents’ strong active role construction and negative valence grounded their parent-focused role orientation. School case study analysis revealed that the principal’s leadership, the structure of the HAS committee and the school’s climate uniquely influenced parents’ beliefs. Individual parent case analysis revealed four distinct patterns of parents’ motivational beliefs for HAS involvement. Future research is warranted to further examine the decisive impact of parents’ health and prosocial values on their decision to become involved specific to a CSH approach type of involvement. Additional case studies in local schools, school districts and provinces are recommended to illuminate unique contextual influences and the potential for the emergence of collective efficacy; including consideration for parents’ belief construct general invitations from the school would contribute to gaining a deeper understanding within this domain. Finally, the link between parents’ motivational beliefs of empowerment and their sustained motivation for involvement needs to be explored further.

The author of the paper: Egle Zineviciene The theme of the paper: Gymnasium and comprehensive school students’ self-evaluation The place of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture. The department of preparation of the paper: professional pedagogics and psychology. Akademija, 2006 The size of the paper: 68 p. The paper comprises: 5 tables, 5 illustrations, 10 appendixes. Additional literature: 43 The object of the analysis: Gymnasium and comprehensive school students’ self-evaluation The methods of the analysis: 1. The questionnaire of achievements’ motivation, which is supposed to define the orientation whether to positive or negative side. (S. Sarason, I. Levis) 2. The scale of self-evaluation (Dembo – Rubinstein). 3. The scale of anxiety. (Kondratas). 4. The analysis of pretence levels (Dembo – Rubinstein). The results of the analysis: Self- evaluation is one of the most important factors ensuring the success of learning. The self-evaluation is formed not only by their learning or its results. It is very important that every child in the class would feel safe, loved and respected, that a teacher would induce his self- sufficiency and individuality. While doing the research it turned out that both the gymnasium and the comprehensive school pupils evaluate themselves insufficiently however gymnasium students evaluate themselves worse than comprehensive school pupils. The girls evaluate themselves worse than fellows both in gymnasium and... [to full text]

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This study explored the extent to which teacher stress management and wellness could be mediated by the comprehensive school health [CSH] model, and in turn, if improvements in staff wellness could strengthen engagement and sustainability in CSH. CSH is a framework for promoting wellbeing within school communities, encouraging lifelong engagement in healthy living practices. The research explored the relationship between decreasing teacher stress, improving teacher wellness, and establishing effective, sustainable CSH. Grounded theory methodology was used to explain phenomena of interest to the researcher (CSH and teacher stress and wellness) through interpretation of the perspective and context of those who experienced it (Birks & Mills, 2011). Grounded in field data collected through constructivist design and focused on participants’ perspectives, feelings, and beliefs (McMillan & Schumacher, 2010), in tandem with relevant research literature and researcher memos, an enhanced understanding of CSH and teacher wellness was constructed. Data collection and analysis uncovered the richness of participants’ lived experiences and built understanding of CSH implementation and sustainability. The study suggests that an interdependent relationship exists between CSH and teacher wellness, and emphasizes the importance of relationship building at all stakeholder levels in education. Relationship building encourages shared responsibilities among stakeholders to address challenges and teacher supports, and inspire action to establish effective and sustainable school cultures of wellness. In combination with connections to passion, purpose and ownership, change possibilities and sustainability are enhanced. Healthy stakeholder relationships may be a prerequisite to not only CSH sustainability, but perhaps the success and staying-power of any change initiative in education. Considering the reports of teacher workload and stress, and minimal evidence addressing improvement and empowerment through wellness supports, the results provide important suggestions for enhancing CSH and addressing the fundamental building blocks of change and sustainability: establishing trust, cultivating ownership, and building mutually respectful relationships across the hierarchy of education. The study opens the door for longitudinal exploration of a comprehensive approach to CSH, from teacher education to K to 12 initiatives, observing teacher health outcomes, student health outcomes, the interplay between those and learner outcomes, and determinants of effective and sustainable school cultures of wellness.

The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ motivational beliefs for involvement in a Comprehensive School Health approach (locally called Healthy Active Schools, or HAS) at their child’s school. Literature suggests that parents’ role construction and parents’ self-efficacy are the most salient influences on parents’ decision to become involved at their child’s school. Twelve parents involved at two urban public elementary schools were interviewed. Questions were based on Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s model of parental involvement (1995, 1997, 2005c). Qualitative multiple case study analysis additionally utilized Penner’s (2002) model of sustained volunteerism and Bandura’s collective efficacy theory (1997, 2000; Goddard, Hoy, & Woolfolk-Hoy, 2004) to clarify findings. Results suggest most parents’ strong active role construction and negative valence grounded their parent-focused role orientation. School case study analysis revealed that the principal’s leadership, the structure of the HAS committee and the school’s climate uniquely influenced parents’ beliefs. Individual parent case analysis revealed four distinct patterns of parents’ motivational beliefs for HAS involvement. Future research is warranted to further examine the decisive impact of parents’ health and prosocial values on their decision to become involved specific to a CSH approach type of involvement. Additional case studies in local schools, school districts and provinces are recommended to illuminate unique contextual influences and the potential for the emergence of collective efficacy; including consideration for parents’ belief construct general invitations from the school would contribute to gaining a deeper understanding within this domain. Finally, the link between parents’ motivational beliefs of empowerment and their sustained motivation for involvement needs to be explored further.