This qualitative case study examined a single phenomenon that of a decade of public school reform efforts via legislated takeover in an urban poor minority school district, 1999-2009. The Harrisburg School District (HSD) is situated within the Capitol City of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and educates one of the highest rates of poverty and minority populations in the country. The HSD has the lowest student achievement scores in the state, despite 10 years of restructuring efforts, a legislated state takeover given over to Mayoral control, increased funding, and leadership reorganization. A contextual critique of political and sociological factors was conducted, illuminating an overview of conditions, events and retrospective perceptions. Two types of data were collected, documents and participant interviews. Documents collected included: media sources, legislation, community postings, district and Department of Education documents, university studies, student achievement data, cases studies conducted during the 10 year era, and literature related to individuals that had involvement in the governance of the district. 25 individuals were interviewed to obtain their perceptions of events across the decade. Respondents represented those of high to low governance, employees and community members. Documents and impressions were analyzed through both a circulatory and constant comparative method. Timelines, chronologies and perceptions were merged, converged, deconstructed and reconstructed producing continuum themes of hope and despair and back again. Results revealed three eras: 1) A period of Great Expectations, 1998-2001, prior to and during the early takeover, where community involvement was active, test scores were beginning to rise and state support with increased funding was available; 2) A period of Rough Terrain, 2002-2008, the disillusion and desolation of the takeover, where constituents were uninvolved, funding improvements not realized, and participants expressed oppression, disenfranchisement, and allegations of powerful elites making profit; and 3) A period of Rising Hope, 2007-2009, the metamorphosing of the takeover, where community involvement in the politics of ousting the more than 2-decade incumbent mayor produced hope in the change that was coming, making conditions more tolerable. Despite efforts, student achievement remained the lowest in the state. / Educational Administration

The aim of this paper is to examine how teachers experience their possibilities to develop democratic teaching in high school and how they reflect upon their position of power within the teaching situation. Four professional high school teachers have been interviewed for the study. The theoretical perspective of the study is an intersectional view on power and a view on democratic teaching which is partly built on the high school curriculum, but mainly defined by deliberative conversations, anti-oppressive education and norm-critical education. The result of the study is focused on three themes, which were shown in the analysis of the interviews. These themes are: choices of teaching content,  authority of the teacher and democratic teaching. The conclusion of the study is that there is no fixed manual or one single method, for democratic teaching. However, if possibilites are created through educational politics, teacher tranining, existing norms at the school, and individual teachers ability to reflect upon their own position of power, democratic and anti-oppressive education is possible.

A pesquisa O Ensino de Ciências no Ensino Fundamental: ressignificando a formação de professores analisou dois Projetos Pedagógicos de cursos de Pedagogia, quanto ao ensino de Ciências, estabelecendo relações com as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o curso dessa área; investigou como está sendo desenvolvido o ensino de Ciências nas escolas de Ensino Fundamental que recebem estagiárias dos cursos de Pedagogia e analisou depoimentos de alunas estagiárias de Pedagogia acerca do que estudaram/aprenderam/ensinaram, a partir da disciplina de Metodologia de Ciências, visando ao desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico. A tese que sustentou o trabalho desenvolvido foi a seguinte: o desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico e alfabetizado cientificamente para o século XXI deve perpassar o ensino de Ciências dos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Autores como Borges, Freire, Gandin, Hodson, Hurd, Krahe, Kindel, Nóvoa, Reis, Rossato, Santos e Tardif & Lessard fundamentaram o trabalho que foi realizado como Estudo de Caso sobre o ensino de Ciências, por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva. Com base no referencial teórico utilizado, ficou evidente que, por intermédio do ensino de Ciências, é possível o desenvolvimento de um pensamento crítico, tanto em cursos de formação docente quanto na educação básica, por meio de diferentes estratégias didáticas: desenvolvimento do raciocínio, estímulo à curiosidade, trabalhos em grupo, discussões que envolvam controvérsias científicas, produção de textos argumentativos, dramatizações, saídas de campo, entre outras. A pesquisa encerra na crença de que o ensino de Ciências promove o desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico e alfabetizado cientificamente para o século XXI; promove a compreensão do outro para uma convivência melhor e, acima de tudo, permite o resgate do humano daquele que vê no outro o seu semelhante. / This study presents the research “The Teaching of Science in Elementary Education: giving new meaning to teachers’ education”. Two Pedagogy Course pedagogical projects related to the teaching of science were analysed, establishing connections with the national curriculum guidelines for courses in this area. We investigated how the teaching of science in elementary schools, that receive pedagogy student teachers is being developed. From students teachers, who studied / learned / taught the discipline of science methodology, we collected and analyzed testimonials about pedagogy training practices aiming at the development of a critical subject. The thesis that sustained this project was as follows: the development of a critical and scientifically literate subject for the 21st century must pervade the teaching of science in the first years of elementary school. Authors such as Borges, Freire, Gandin, Hodson, Hurd, Krahe, Kindel, Nóvoa, Reis, Rossato, Santos & Tardif and Lessard substantiate the project that was performed as a case study about the teaching of science, by means of a qualitative descriptive study. Based on the theoretical framework used, it became evident that through the teaching of science, it is possible to develop critical thinking, both in teacher education courses and basic education, through different didactic strategies: developing thinking, stimulating curiosity, group work, discussions involving scientific controversies, production of rational texts, drama, field trips, among others. The research project finishes on the belief that the teaching of science promotes the development of a critical and scientifically literate subject for the 21st century, an understanding of each other for better living and, above all, allows for redemption of those who see in others their neighbor.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Research in the field of Critical Math Education (CME) has suggested the urgent need to develop didatic material in which real situation should be emphasized in order to accomplish significative learning. To contribute to CME, this thesis aims to present pedagogical activities to teaching financial math based on CME. Teaching Financial Math, in a CME approach, means to explore and to develop student's competences in a critical and participative way, emphasizing the use of math in daily life situation. More than learning mathematical techniques or calculus awareness, this proposal aims to build up on competences associated with learning reflection. In this way, this proposal takes in consideration the use of texts, reports and news available in print or online media that refers to the use of math in everyday situation in which students can get engaged in their social or profissional life. The present pedagogical proposal offers tools and ways of conducting students to learn how to identify, to interpret, to evaluate and to criticize the math usages in the world as well as being critical, responsible and free citizens of their actions. It is also important to highlight that it is the math teacher's responsability to make students aware of some financial math concepts as way of understading the reality in which they get involved. The contents in this pedagogical proposal discuss themes such as interest rate, rates, taxes, applications, investment and loans, in order to students to learn how financial math is applied socially or in everyday situation. It also suggests that the activities proposed should be solved by using digital spreadsheets, particularly by the Microsoft Excel software, because it offers more tools and features than a tradicional calculator. / Pesquisas em educação matemática crítica (EMC) têm apontado a necessidade urgente de produção de materiais didáticos que enfatizem situações reais vivenciadas pelos alunos para que a aprendizagem se torne mais significativa. Tendo em vista contribuir com as pesquisas em EMC, nesta dissertação são apresentadas sugestões para o ensino da Matemática Financeira (MF) por meio de uma proposta pedagógica orientada pela EMC. Ensinar MF, na perspectiva da EMC, significa explorar e desenvolver competências que tornem os estudantes participativos e críticos no modo como a MF formata as suas vidas. Muito mais do que aprender técnicas matemáticas ou desenvolver capacidade de cálculo, busca-se desenvolver competência associada à reflexão e a crítica. Dessa forma, justifica-se a abordagem de ensino de conteúdos de MF, a partir da inserção de reportagens ou de textos, coletados por meio de informações disponíveis na mídia impressa ou digital, que refletem as diferentes situações vivenciadas pelos alunos e que poderão ser úteis em algum momento da vida social e/ou profissional dos estudantes. A presente proposta pedagógica, apresentada nesta dissertação, tem como finalidade fornecer ferramentas e meios para que os alunos aprendam a atuar no mundo em que se inserem, levando-os a identificar, interpretar, avaliar e criticar a matemática, de modo que tal formação contribua para serem cidadãos livres, responsáveis e críticos de suas ações. É fundamental que, ao aplicar a presente proposta, o professor objetive conscientizar os alunos para a importância dos conceitos de MF como instrumento e para compreender a realidade em que se inserem. Os conteúdos propostos, nas atividades pedagógicas, contemplam o estudo sobre conceitos de juros, taxas, aplicações e empréstimos, para que os alunos aprendam como a MF é utilizada socialmente. Ainda, sugere-se a resolução dos exemplos propostos, por meio de planilhas eletrônicas, em particular, por meio do software Microsoft Excel, por este oferecer mais recursos do que uma calculadora.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-09-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:52:37Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_fp_me_bauru.pdf: 1107755 bytes, checksum: d16421d9e90b3994910560aa33a40cb3 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo buscou conhecer e analisar a contribuição da educação ambiental (EA) na atuação de professores envolvidos na educação de jovens e adultos (EJA), com relação à inserção dos alunos daquela modalidade de ensino na sociedade. Com intuito de analisar o contexto e interpretar os fenômenos presentes nas escolas de EJA envolvidas nesse estudo, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva utilizando-se como técnicas de coleta de dados a análise documental, entrevistas, aplicação de questionários e observação de campo. Para desempenharmos esta tarefa, realizamos estudos em 20 escolas caracterizando os 78 alunos e 21 professores do programa de educação de jovens e adultos e adultos de escolas da regição do centro expandido de São Paulo. No delineamento do perfil dos professores foram considerados os aspectos pessoais, profissionais e sociais envolvidos na escolha da profissão. O perfil dos 78 alunos da EJA foi traçado com base nos pontos de vista do aluno e do professor, observando a importância da EJA na consolidação das expectativas dos estudantes. Biscaremos, ainda, identificar as concepções e práticas dos professores, relativs à EA no contexto da EJA. Para auxiliar na consolidação da pesquisa caracterizamos 23 escolas localizadas na região do centro expandido da cidade de São Paulo, nas quais estes professores atuam, com relação aos seguintes aspectos: localização, ponto de referência e acessibilidade a partir do marco zero da cidade de São Paulo, a Catedral da Sé. Consideramos que uma articulação da EA na EJA seja importante no processo de formação de sujeitos críticos, questionadores e participantes da atual realidade, no entanto, observamos que naquelas escolas eram escassas as oportunidades de teorização e debate, pois os professores atuantes naquele contexto educacional, aparentemente, não tiveram uma formação que os... / This study sought to understand and analyze the contribution of environmental education (EE) in the performance of teachers involved in youth and adult education (EJA), regarding the inclusion of students in that mode of education in society. In order to analyzed with this study, we conducted descriptive qualitative research using techniques such as data collection by way of analysis, interviews, questionnaires and field observation. To accomplish this task, we conducted studies in 20 schools featuring 78 students and 21 teachers, the education program for youth and adults of the expanded center of São Paulo. In the delineation of the profiles of the teachers, We considered a personal, professional and social choice for the teaching profession. The profile of the 78 students of EJA was drawn up based on the views of the student and the teacher regarding the importance of adult education in the consolidation of the students' expectations. We seek also to identify the concepts and practices of teachers concerning the EA in the context of adult education. To consolidate the research featured, the study looked at twenty-three schools located in the central region of the expanded city of Sao Paulo, where these teachers work. It concentrated on the following aspects: location, point of reference, and the accessibility of concentrated on the following aspects: location, point of reference, and the accessibility of the ground zero of the Sao Paulo city, the Sé Cathedral. We believe that an articulation of EA in the EJA is important for the formation process of critical, questioning and participating in the current reality, however, observed in adult education, opportunities to theorize and debate because the teachers working at the education context, apparently had no training that prepared them for this. Thus we find, therefore, that teachers need more information, on the subject, which ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

A pesquisa O Ensino de Ciências no Ensino Fundamental: ressignificando a formação de professores analisou dois Projetos Pedagógicos de cursos de Pedagogia, quanto ao ensino de Ciências, estabelecendo relações com as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o curso dessa área; investigou como está sendo desenvolvido o ensino de Ciências nas escolas de Ensino Fundamental que recebem estagiárias dos cursos de Pedagogia e analisou depoimentos de alunas estagiárias de Pedagogia acerca do que estudaram/aprenderam/ensinaram, a partir da disciplina de Metodologia de Ciências, visando ao desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico. A tese que sustentou o trabalho desenvolvido foi a seguinte: o desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico e alfabetizado cientificamente para o século XXI deve perpassar o ensino de Ciências dos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Autores como Borges, Freire, Gandin, Hodson, Hurd, Krahe, Kindel, Nóvoa, Reis, Rossato, Santos e Tardif & Lessard fundamentaram o trabalho que foi realizado como Estudo de Caso sobre o ensino de Ciências, por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva. Com base no referencial teórico utilizado, ficou evidente que, por intermédio do ensino de Ciências, é possível o desenvolvimento de um pensamento crítico, tanto em cursos de formação docente quanto na educação básica, por meio de diferentes estratégias didáticas: desenvolvimento do raciocínio, estímulo à curiosidade, trabalhos em grupo, discussões que envolvam controvérsias científicas, produção de textos argumentativos, dramatizações, saídas de campo, entre outras. A pesquisa encerra na crença de que o ensino de Ciências promove o desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico e alfabetizado cientificamente para o século XXI; promove a compreensão do outro para uma convivência melhor e, acima de tudo, permite o resgate do humano daquele que vê no outro o seu semelhante. / This study presents the research “The Teaching of Science in Elementary Education: giving new meaning to teachers’ education”. Two Pedagogy Course pedagogical projects related to the teaching of science were analysed, establishing connections with the national curriculum guidelines for courses in this area. We investigated how the teaching of science in elementary schools, that receive pedagogy student teachers is being developed. From students teachers, who studied / learned / taught the discipline of science methodology, we collected and analyzed testimonials about pedagogy training practices aiming at the development of a critical subject. The thesis that sustained this project was as follows: the development of a critical and scientifically literate subject for the 21st century must pervade the teaching of science in the first years of elementary school. Authors such as Borges, Freire, Gandin, Hodson, Hurd, Krahe, Kindel, Nóvoa, Reis, Rossato, Santos & Tardif and Lessard substantiate the project that was performed as a case study about the teaching of science, by means of a qualitative descriptive study. Based on the theoretical framework used, it became evident that through the teaching of science, it is possible to develop critical thinking, both in teacher education courses and basic education, through different didactic strategies: developing thinking, stimulating curiosity, group work, discussions involving scientific controversies, production of rational texts, drama, field trips, among others. The research project finishes on the belief that the teaching of science promotes the development of a critical and scientifically literate subject for the 21st century, an understanding of each other for better living and, above all, allows for redemption of those who see in others their neighbor.

A pesquisa O Ensino de Ciências no Ensino Fundamental: ressignificando a formação de professores analisou dois Projetos Pedagógicos de cursos de Pedagogia, quanto ao ensino de Ciências, estabelecendo relações com as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o curso dessa área; investigou como está sendo desenvolvido o ensino de Ciências nas escolas de Ensino Fundamental que recebem estagiárias dos cursos de Pedagogia e analisou depoimentos de alunas estagiárias de Pedagogia acerca do que estudaram/aprenderam/ensinaram, a partir da disciplina de Metodologia de Ciências, visando ao desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico. A tese que sustentou o trabalho desenvolvido foi a seguinte: o desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico e alfabetizado cientificamente para o século XXI deve perpassar o ensino de Ciências dos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Autores como Borges, Freire, Gandin, Hodson, Hurd, Krahe, Kindel, Nóvoa, Reis, Rossato, Santos e Tardif & Lessard fundamentaram o trabalho que foi realizado como Estudo de Caso sobre o ensino de Ciências, por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva. Com base no referencial teórico utilizado, ficou evidente que, por intermédio do ensino de Ciências, é possível o desenvolvimento de um pensamento crítico, tanto em cursos de formação docente quanto na educação básica, por meio de diferentes estratégias didáticas: desenvolvimento do raciocínio, estímulo à curiosidade, trabalhos em grupo, discussões que envolvam controvérsias científicas, produção de textos argumentativos, dramatizações, saídas de campo, entre outras. A pesquisa encerra na crença de que o ensino de Ciências promove o desenvolvimento de um sujeito crítico e alfabetizado cientificamente para o século XXI; promove a compreensão do outro para uma convivência melhor e, acima de tudo, permite o resgate do humano daquele que vê no outro o seu semelhante. / This study presents the research “The Teaching of Science in Elementary Education: giving new meaning to teachers’ education”. Two Pedagogy Course pedagogical projects related to the teaching of science were analysed, establishing connections with the national curriculum guidelines for courses in this area. We investigated how the teaching of science in elementary schools, that receive pedagogy student teachers is being developed. From students teachers, who studied / learned / taught the discipline of science methodology, we collected and analyzed testimonials about pedagogy training practices aiming at the development of a critical subject. The thesis that sustained this project was as follows: the development of a critical and scientifically literate subject for the 21st century must pervade the teaching of science in the first years of elementary school. Authors such as Borges, Freire, Gandin, Hodson, Hurd, Krahe, Kindel, Nóvoa, Reis, Rossato, Santos & Tardif and Lessard substantiate the project that was performed as a case study about the teaching of science, by means of a qualitative descriptive study. Based on the theoretical framework used, it became evident that through the teaching of science, it is possible to develop critical thinking, both in teacher education courses and basic education, through different didactic strategies: developing thinking, stimulating curiosity, group work, discussions involving scientific controversies, production of rational texts, drama, field trips, among others. The research project finishes on the belief that the teaching of science promotes the development of a critical and scientifically literate subject for the 21st century, an understanding of each other for better living and, above all, allows for redemption of those who see in others their neighbor.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T16:19:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciana Rezende Fernandes.pdf: 1385405 bytes, checksum: 84df7317710e186cb9e88e921eb9f2cc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-17 / This study is characterized as a critical case study of qualitative nature. It consists in the development of several critical activities, focusing on gender and sexuality issues, in two groups of English for beginners at the Centro de Línguas of Universidade Federal de Goiás in 2010. The activities dealt with situations experienced by women and by the female students themselves, when discussing women‟s double shift; different forms of experiencing gender, when dealing with the Saturday routine of two transvestites; and alternative family arrangements, other than those enforced by the hegemonic standard, when presenting families of homosexual couples. The intention was to observe the reactions of the students to the critical issues, the possibilities and challenges of carrying out critical teaching for beginners, and my attitude as a teacher researcher when addressing these critical issues in the classroom. The theoretical background is centered in the following topics and authors: Critical Applied Linguistics (COX; ASSIS-PETERSON, 1999; FERREIRA, 2006; MOITA LOPES, 1999, 2006; PENNYCOOK, 1998, 2001, 2006); gender and sexuality (LOURO, 2007, 2010; MOITA LOPES, 2002); critical teachers (GIROUX, 1997; SCHÖN, 1983, 2000; SMYTH, 1991; VAN MANEN, 1995, 2007, 2008). The students‟ reactions to the critical issues were varied, among which we can point out comments, jokes, gestures and expressions of embarrassment, detachment from the subject, silence, refusal in doing the activity, omission of the issue, denial, and active participation in carrying out the oral or written activity. The feasibility and the relevance of carrying out critical teaching for beginners were demonstrated by the reflections performed by the students in written and oral activities, indicating the development of a more pluralistic approach to gender and of their linguistic competence. As for my attitude when addressing critical issues, I believe I have achieved reflection on action (SCHÖN, 1983, 2000; VAN MANEN, 1995, 2008) by assuming a political attitude in the choice of the issues and in the planning of the critical activities to be carried out in the classroom. However, I had difficulty in performing reflection in action (SCHÖN, 1983, 2000; VAN MANEN, 1995, 2008) since I had a tendency not to react to critical events that occurred in the classroom. Thereby, I think I have reached the fourth moment of Smyth‟s critical reflection (1991) since I reconstructed my practice, that is, when shifting the focus of my lessons towards critical activities and issues, but I was not able to reconstruct my action with regard to the attitude of not reacting to critical events. / Este estudo caracteriza-se como um estudo de caso crítico de natureza qualitativa. Consiste no desenvolvimento de algumas atividades críticas, focando os temas gênero e sexualidade, em duas turmas de inglês para iniciantes do Centro de Línguas da Universidade Federal de Goiás no ano de 2010. As atividades realizadas abordaram situações vivenciadas por mulheres e pelas próprias alunas, ao discutir a jornada dupla de trabalho das mulheres; diferentes formas de vivenciar gênero, ao tratar da rotina de sábado de dois travestis; e arranjos familiares alternativos, diferentes dos reforçados e impostos pelo padrão hegemônico, ao apresentar famílias de casais homossexuais. A intenção era observar as reações de alunas/os aos temas críticos, as possibilidades e os desafios da realização de ensino crítico em níveis iniciantes e minha atitude como professora pesquisadora ao abordar esses temas críticos em sala. O embasamento teórico centrou-se nos seguintes tópicos e autoras/es: Linguística Aplicada Crítica (COX; ASSIS-PETERSON, 1999; FERREIRA, 2006; MOITA LOPES, 1999, 2006; PENNYCOOK, 1998, 2001, 2006); gênero e sexualidade (LOURO, 2007, 2010; MOITA LOPES, 2002); professoras/es críticas/os (GIROUX, 1997; SCHÖN, 1983, 2000; SMYTH, 1991; VAN MANEN, 1995, 2007, 2008). As reações de alunas/os em relação aos temas críticos foram variadas, dentre as quais se destacam comentários, chacotas, gestos, constrangimento, distanciamento do tema, silêncio, recusa em fazer a atividade, omissão do tema, negação e participação ativa na realização da atividade oral ou escrita. A viabilidade e a relevância da realização de ensino crítico em turmas iniciantes foram demonstradas pelas reflexões realizadas pelas/os alunas/os nas atividades orais e escritas, apontando para o desenvolvimento de uma visão mais pluralista sobre gênero, além do desenvolvimento linguístico. Quanto à minha atitude ao abordar temas críticos, realizei reflexão sobre a ação (SCHÖN, 1983, 2000; VAN MANEN, 1995, 2008) ao assumir uma atitude política na escolha dos temas e planejamento das atividades críticas a serem realizadas em sala. No entanto, tive dificuldade em realizar reflexão na ação (SCHÖN, 1983, 2000; VAN MANEN, 1995, 2008), já que apresentava uma tendência a não reagir diante de eventos críticos ocorridos em sala de aula. Assim, posso dizer que alcancei o quarto momento da reflexão crítica de Smyth (1991) ao reconstruir minha prática, ou seja, ao mudar o enfoque de minhas aulas para atividades e temas críticos, mas não fui capaz de reconstruir minha ação com relação à atitude de não reação diante de eventos críticos.

With the transition to a new philosophy of education in post-apartheid South Africa a paradigm shift began from banking education to outcomes-based education. South Africa looked to other countries for a framework on which to build its curriculum. The first post-apartheid curriculum as well as the subsequent revised curriculum seems to be a contentious matter as outcomes-based education as practised in South Africa is widely criticised by educationists. This study endeavours to interrogate the structure and underlying principles of the current curriculum to gain an understanding of whether and how critical consciousness, learning support materials and environmental education feature in the national curriculum. The purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of what happens in South African environmental education classrooms especially with regard to the construction of meaning and the prospects for Freirean critical education. The research questions elucidate the nature of critical education and its capacity to inform the sociology of learning in environmental education within the South African context. The research purpose is therefore exploratory and descriptive. The research questions emerge from the literature review which informs the study and also conceptualises the key tenets of the inquiry. The literature study reveals that there is adequate mention in policy documents regarding the importance of learning support materials in teaching and learning, but there seems to be a gap in the literature about how learning support materials are currently used in South Africa to develop critical consciousness particularly in environmental education classrooms. This research attempts to address this gap. The research conducted falls within the conceptual framework of critical pedagogy. It is however the humanist approach asserted by Paulo Freire that premises the study. The research design and philosophy of the study is delineated and the researcher’s role in the research process is elucidated. An ethnographic case study positioned within the qualitative approach serves as the methodology by which the research questions are explored. The choice of methodology and the ontological premise of the study are accounted for and issues of quality are discussed with regard to credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. The purpose of this study was not to find solutions and no definitive answers were sought or obtained. The findings of the study point to three critical contentions and the following was established: Firstly, that although the National Curriculum Statement pays lip service to some of the ideals of Freirean pedagogy, it is inherently behaviourist in that it has clearly defined outcomes and assessment standards that learners should attain regardless of learner diversity. Secondly, that the manner in which the educator facilitates the learning support materials is the determining factor in the attainment of the set learning outcomes by the learners. Thirdly, that the manner in which knowledge transmission happens in a lesson influences the development of critical consciousness in learners. The findings only serve as suggestions and the reader is invited to look at the possibilities that Freirean pedagogy has to offer and what might be possible in environmental education classrooms. The findings of the study cannot be generalised and have to be interpreted and applied by the reader within a specific context of teaching and learning. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Humanities Education / unrestricted

abstract: ABSTRACT Closing the achievement gap between low-income, marginalized, racially, and linguistically diverse students has proven difficult. Research has outlined the effects of funding on student achievement in a manner that focuses the attention on dollars expended, in order overcome barriers to learning. Arizona has long been recognized for its education funding disparity, and its inability to balance fiscal capacity in a manner that serves to improve educational outcomes. This dissertation examines how Arizona funds its education system. It measures horizontal inequity in a robust manner by examining those fiscal capacity resources directly related to learning and poverty. Recognizing districts with higher concentrations of special needs students will impact fiscal capacity at the district level, this dissertation applies a non-linear analysis to measure how English language learners/ limited English proficient (ELL/ LEP) student proportionality impacts federal and state revenue per pupil, ELL expenditures per pupil, and total expenditures per pupil. Using the Gini Ratio, McCloone Index, Coefficient of Variation, and Theil inequality index, this dissertation confirms that significant education funding disparity exists across Arizona’s school districts. This dissertation also shows the proportion of English language learners is negatively related to local revenue per pupil, and ELL expenditures per ELL pupil. Arizona has characteristically funded the public education system inequitably and positioned its students in a manner that stratifies achievement gaps based on wealth. Targeted funding toward ELLs is in no way meaningfully related to the proportion of ELLs in a district. Conceptually the way in which equity is defined, and measured, may require re-evaluation, beyond correlated inputs and outputs. This conceptual re-evaluation of equity must include the decision making process of administrative leaders which influence the quality of those resources related to student learning. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Policy and Evaluation 2018