Search

One critical objective of high-quality education is to provide citizens literate in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to ensure economic success (as reported by Newcombe (Harnessing spatial thinking to support STEM learning (OECD Education Working Papers, No. 161), OECD Publishing, Paris, 2017). Many studies have found a correlation between STEM skills and spatial ability. A meta-analysis of studies (as reported by Hawes et al. (in Davis (ed), Spatial reasoning in the early years: Principles, assertions, and speculations, Routledge, New York, 2015) reported that interventions to teach spatial skills resulted in significant improvement, approximately doubling the number of people with spatial skills associated with being an engineer. Most educational programs lack a focus on spatial skills, especially in early years when children are developing their spatial sense of the world and building a foundation for later, more complex, spatial skills. Little research exists showing what young children do when allowed to explore materials with little or no adult direction. This qualitative study was designed to address that gap and provide evidence of spatial skills in young children, specifically toddlers (12–36 months old). A variety of common household materials were set out during free play time, and educators provided minimal guidance while children played. Trained videographers recorded for 10 h (twice a week for 1 h over a 5-week period). Video was open coded for spatial actions children displayed with the materials. The initial codes were then reviewed for common themes and compared to those found in previous studies. Results show that toddlers demonstrated a wide range of spatial skills without educator direction and stayed engaged for long periods of time. Based on these results, implications are presented for educators to support spatial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes early efforts underway at City College, New York, to introduce a disability studies content into an otherwise traditional special education programme. The paper draws on previously funded research projects that merged humanities-based disability studies in education, prior teaching experiences and excerpts from the writing of City College Master’s students in special and general education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between admission status and college performance. In particular, we analyze admissions data from Hamilton College and find that students who applied through the Early Decision Plan II program have significantly lower GPAs and are less likely to receive departmental honors, fellowships, and outside scholarships than those admitted through the regular decision process. However, the results for Early Decision Plan I students are less consistent. These students have lower outcomes for some measures of academic achievement, but not others, than regular decision students. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Information about several papers discussed at the New York State Planning Conference for the Exceptional is presented. 35 of the leading New York State educators of exceptional children met in Syracuse, New York to discusse mutual problems and to devise ways of improving the educational programs in the schools of the state in order to meet the needs of handicapped children.

The article provides information about the 52nd Annual International Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children to be held in New York City on April 14-19, 1974. The responses received by the Advisory Committee have been distributed to the committees and are now in the final review and scheduling process. Detailed planning is required in the total convention week with time line commitments which make extensions impossible. A criteria is also established for accepting papers, including those which contribute to the teacher learner environment, those which speak to innovative teaching practices, research applicable to instructional programs, and presentations which deal with expanding educational options for exceptional children.