Since the 1980s, a variety of pre-school approaches has
existed within the ACT Public School System. These approaches
are in theory based on different educational ideologies and
principles.
The Field Study Project evaluates and compares three
different educational models; existing classroom processes
and procedures, and student achievements in a 'traditional',
a modified Montessori and a Weikart pre-school currently
operating in the ACT Public School System.
Using selected criteria, an analysis of the three educational
models, an ecological survey and student assessments
were carried out to make the evaluations and comparisons.
The analysis of the three educational models indicate
different program orientations and instructional preferences
in the different models.
The ecological survey results suggest that the
'traditional', the modified Montessori and the Weikart approaches
identify with the models they are based on. Nevertheless,
educational trends and orientations are similar in the three
programs, which are predominantly cognitively oriented. In
contrast, teaching styles differ slightly. It is significant
that the teacher in the 'traditional' program fulfills a more
nurturing role, while her colleagues in the modified
Montessori and the Weikart programs fulfill more instructional
roles.
The evaluation and comparison of the student assessments
seems to indicate that there are no significant differences
in achievement in drawing, specific cognitive tasks and in
self-concept development between matched groups of learners
in the three pre-schools.
The findings support the notion that middle class children
enrolled in approved pre-schools develop cognitive abilities
regardless of the type of program they attend.
The evaluation and comparison of the three existing
approaches in the ACT suggests that the pre-school organisation
in the ACT Public School System is still strongly committed
to the 'traditional' model, and makes only minor attempts to
change educational patterns in pre-school education.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218784 |
| Date | January 1985 |
| Creators | Bleeker, Maryke, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Maryke Bleeker |
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