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This essay aims to problematize US accreditation of teacher education. Foucault's notion of problematization is used as a theoretical framework to explain how accreditation emerged in the past as a solution to perceived educational problems and how and why the accreditation process has evolved into a problem today. The discussion centers on four main themes: (1) teachers as technicians; (2) academic freedom; (3) distrusting teacher educators; and (4) an emphasis on outcomes. The essay concludes with a suggestion that accreditation has failed to ensure teachers' readiness for the classroom, arguing that the accreditation process is based on accountability and the promise of performance while being unable to allow for new understandings and possibilities for teacher education.

The globalization of education has increased large-scale education reforms worldwide. Over the past 15 years, Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) have invested significant resources in reforming their education systems. This has led to extensive borrowing of pedagogical approaches to initiate and implement educational change. This article evokes several cultural learning scripts to identify the challenges that arise when pedagogical approaches are adopted and implemented. Specifically, problem-based learning (PBL) is examined against the backdrop of these cultural scripts to examine the cultural complexities of PBL in a GCC context. Discussion is provided that addresses several fundamental concerns that should be considered in order to reduce the cultural challenges and improve the implementation of PBL in GCC contexts. trends towards collaborative tools, while also describing opportunities and challenges with digital literacy. Finally, teachers described strategic approaches to assessment in light of the ill-structured problems posed by PBL. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.

Nations transfer educational reform models for the systematic improvement of education. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Gulf Cooperation Council states, which have implemented primarily Western decentralized reform models to overhaul their educational systems. This article reports non-empirical research, written as a conceptual analysis that examines the current situation of the educational reform in Qatar. The theory of education transferring serves as a conceptual framework to scrutinize Qatar's recent educational change to Project-based Learning. This illustrates the shift from the initial decentralized reform to its current centralized state. Contextual factors that influence decentralization are discussed.

One feature of deprived communities is a lack of social capital. Yet, research reports that social capital contributes to poverty reduction and positively impacts schools and student educational outcomes. In South Africa, there is a deficit in social capital in under-resourced and underperforming schools that limits students' educational opportunities and achievement. Partners for Possibility (PfP) responds to the lack of social capital in South African schools by partnering school principals and business leaders to develop support structures such as collaboration, networking, and professional learning communities. Findings from a site visit, conversational interviews, and examining participants' portfolios indicate that PfP provides opportunities for developing three types of social capital: structural, cognitive, and relational. These produce options that would otherwise be unavailable to these students. The discussion raises issues about social capital as a resource for development and offers suggestions for further research.

Few studies examine plagiarism in a Middle Eastern context, specifically from the perspectives of preservice teachers. As future gatekeepers of academic integrity, preservice teachers need to understand plagiarism. This study surveyed 128 female preservice teachers in one university in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The survey explores preservice teachers regarding their understandings and reasons for academic plagiarism and their responses to particular scenarios. Findings indicate that preservice teachers have a thorough comprehension of plagiarism and suggest a lack of knowledge of citing sources, weak writing skills, a lack of time, and not knowing the research process as reasons for plagiarism. Informants' responses to six scenarios are presented to illustrate their perspectives further. Discussion addresses language and cultural issues to contextualize the study.

Under the facade of globalization, educational neocolonialism occurs through the transferring of educational theories and practices from the global north to the global south, potentially challenging and undermining indigenous intellect and epistemic formations. Neocolonialism is supported through the global importing of educational products that create a form of "neocolonialism of the willing." In this essay, a theoretical framework for examining neocolonialism within educational contexts is used to develop the argument that the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, as a global educational accreditor, is an instrument of neocolonialism that uses its power to grant or deny accreditation to disseminate American understandings of teacher education.

Worldwide accreditation systems for higher education are used by institutions and programmes to demonstrate their legitimacy to deliver quality education. Although there are many perceived benefits and criticisms of accreditation and little empirical research on its impact for improvement, there is still an increasing demand for this form of quality assurance. This essay applies the lens of idolatry to provide a distinctive perspective and offer insight into accreditation. The theory of idolisation and nine characteristics of idols provides a means to understand accreditation power over institutions, its demands, its impact on institutions and professors and its ability to shape and legitimise a particular understanding of education and academic disciplines.

The Internationalization of Higher Education (IHE) has expanded significantly in quantity, scope, and complexity over the past two decades, advancing into a complex system able to influence and control numerous aspects of higher education. IHE has led to international ranking and university reputation concerns, increasing interest in accreditation among non-US universities. For many non-US universities, acquiring academic accreditation for programs is a top priority. However, accreditation as a top-down mandate creates close supervision from outside higher education. This non-empirical essay draws upon Foucault's concept of governmentality to identify the mechanisms used by accreditation to control higher education institutions and programs and explains how these mechanisms monitor, influence, and maintain control of academic programs. The discussion illustrates how accreditation under the facade of quality assurance and improvement uses standardization and accountability coupled with various mechanisms to wield control over higher education institutions and programs.

UNESCO reports enrollment in higher education in the Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council region doubled from 5.1 million in 2000 to 10.7 million in 2015. Despite significant budgets and the world's lowest teacher-to-student ratio, higher education in this region is plagued by student underachievement. This study identifies academic underachievement factors among undergraduate students at risk at a national university in the GCC. As part of the Intrusive Intervention Program, students were required to complete an Academic Success Plan that delineated academic, personal, social, career, and other academic underachievement reasons. Based on 5,040 students' responses that indicated their academic underachievement causes, findings reported that students perceived academic factors as the most recurrent reason for academic underachievement. In contrast, social adjustment causes were found to be the least recurrent. Specific causes are reported under each category and discussion is provided against gender, nationality, major, and classification.

Launched in 2014, Teach for Qatar (TFQ) is a local non-governmental organization under Teach For All (TFALL) that recruits and prepares graduates and professionals as teaching fellows in the Qatari government schools. This qualitative exploratory study used semi-structured interviews to identify TFQ Fellows' challenges they faced and the resources available during their teaching in Qatar's Government Schools. Findings indicate that these TFQ Fellows experienced similar challenges that TFALL participants face worldwide and regional, including unreal expectations, unexpected workloads, and unmotivated and unprepared students. It was reported that TFQ provides a comprehensive and valuable resource and support system that enabled these individuals to complete their 2-year commitment. The discussion offers additional insights into the TFQ program and how these findings might benefit teacher education programs and programs like TFQ.

The Internationalization of Higher Education has led to uneasiness among non-US universities about their international reputation, ranking, and local legitimacy generating a growing interest in US accreditation. Specifically, non-US Colleges of Education pursue accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) to validate program quality, obtain positive recognition, and gain perceived benefits. This essay contends that under the facades of internationalization and quality assurance, CAEP uses four approaches to internationalization to replicate US teacher education programs outside US borders. The process legitimizes particular educational practices while simultaneously delegitimizing and rejecting local practices establishing teacher education programs that look and perform similar to US programs designed for an American setting. Discussion is provided that advances the conversation about IHE and accreditation including the unique consequences that emerge for non-US teacher education programs and the indigenous people and culture.

Globalization presents Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with opportunities for economic growth and transformation, as many of these nations face economic challenges such as the need for a diversified knowledge-based economy because of the finite resource of hydrocarbons. This requires the development of human capital providing workers with new and advanced skills and competencies. Education has become increasingly important on national agendas in the GCC, leading to an increase in transferring educational reforms often founded on Human Capital Theory (HCT). This article examines how HCT is embedded in the development of knowledge economies and reforms in many GCC countries and identifies the possible differences between western understandings of Human Capital Development (HCD) and GCC nations. In particular, the article addresses cultural preservation, specifically identity and language, against the backdrop of HCD in the GCC nations. Discussion centers on HCD from a local perspective raising concerns about HCT as a guiding educational theory in the GCC. This is followed by several suggestions for policymakers to consider when developing an education system that includes the skills deemed necessary for economic development while simultaneously preserving national identity and the Arabic language.

The use of mobile devices in the university classroom is not limited to Western cultures. Rather universities in the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) face similar problems regarding smartphone usage in classrooms. This study utilizes Tindell and Bohlander's (2012) survey to compare results regarding cell phones and text messaging in a small private US university to those in a Middle Eastern University located in a GCC country. The authors surveyed 300 randomly selected undergraduate students representing 26 majors located in seven different colleges to gain an understanding of their smartphones use in university classrooms. Comparison with US students demonstrates these students share a great deal of similarities although several findings indicate differences. To address the similarities and difference, the authors discuss globalization and relevant issues regarding the role culture plays in the use of this technology.

Worldwide there is an increase in competition between higher education institutions seeking to ascertain their position in the world ranking, resulting in universities introspectively reflecting on their image and student satisfaction. This is especially the case in the Gulf Cooperation Countries, where there has been significant growth in higher education institutions. This study examines the factors that influence Qatar University's image among undergraduate students and predicts factors impacting students' satisfaction, influencing the university's image. Results from 2,618 students' responses to a 57-item student satisfaction questionnaire indicate that the university's services are factors that influence students' view of QU, and the students' satisfaction directly contributes to a positive perception of Qatar University. The impact of university services on students' perception of QU is further discussed based on gender, nationality, student classification, and major.

Research has established that class attendance and High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) play a significant role in student academic success in higher education. The study uses census data and records of 969 undergraduate students at Qatar University to investigate the impact of HSGPA, attendance, and socio-demographic factors on academic performance in higher education in DFW courses (grades D, F, or withdrawal). Findings indicate that increased attendance decreases the likelihood of getting DFW, and there was a strong negative relationship between high-school performance and the probability of getting DFW. This study highlights the importance of class attendance in a four-year institution and that high school academic performance acts as a foundation for their performance in a higher educational institute. These findings open pathways for modifications of institutional policies governing institutional academic decisions.

Research indicates that principals are critical in school reform since the implementation of policies and practices is to a large extent determined by the role that principals play in educational change. This study examines the principal selection process used in Qatar for the government schools and identifies knowledge and skills necessary for effective principals from the perspectives of policy makers, principals and teachers working in these schools. Qualitative interviews were held with three policy makers, 21 principals and 82 teachers in focus groups. Findings provide insight into the principal selection process and demonstrate that principals should develop their decision-making skills, should advance as instructional leaders and, since government schools are very diverse, principals must be able to manage issues of nationality, culture and equality. Recommendations are offered to improve the principal selection process for principals working in Qatar or other countries in the Gulf Region.

Qatar's transition from a hydrocarbon-based to a knowledge-based economy spurred the development of Education City, which houses several International Branch Campuses and one home-grown university, Hamad bin Khalifa University. Through the case study of EC, this paper seeks to improve our understanding of higher education policy borrowing and the complex process of indigenisation. Using secondary data from prior studies, it offers a discussion on the key stages and challenges in Qatar's effort to indigenise higher education and outlines areas for further research. This paper uses Phillips and Ochs four-stage Model of Policy Borrowing in Education, as a guiding conceptual model. The paper is constructed as follows: first, a discussion on international branch campuses in Education City; second, outlining the conceptual model; third, a discussion on Education City through the conceptual model; and finally, the case of the home-grown university, Hamad bin Khalifa University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qatar is in the midst of a systemic education reform, Education For a New Era, steered by RAND's (a nonprofit research organization) analysis and report of Qatar's Educational system. Driven by a neoliberal agenda, the reform includes international curricula, curriculum standards, teacher licensure, and professional standards for school leaders and teachers produced by international educational consulting firms. These organizations offer policies and practices often limited to an instrumental discourse where technical rules control knowledge with the purpose of controlling the environment. Furthermore, the assessments on reform are limited to post hoc explanations of failure and success centering on test scores and other accountability measures eluding some of the more critical questions and issues important for reformers to consider. In this discussion, we draw upon several concepts from critical pedagogy to raise questions regarding Qatar's neoliberal educational reform and when appropriate, call upon our own experiences teaching and researching in Qatar. This dialogue is neither intended to provide solutions to problems of the Qatari Educational reform nor to point out successes or failures. Rather, it deliberately uses critical pedagogy concepts to raise questions that may have not been considered in order to provide reformers with insight and new knowledge that could prove useful for effective educational reform.

Globalization requires the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) to experience numerous economic, social, and educational changes. In particular, Qatar's unprecedented economic growth has created a flow of high- and low-skilled expatriate workers resulting in a significant imbalance between nationals and expatriates. The implications are evident in Qatar's government schools where approximately 72% of teachers are expatriates and 99% of the principals are Qatari nationals. Although diversity can enrich schools, it could create conflicts that might hamper the school's success. Despite the large body of research on school leadership and student diversity, little is written about principals and faculty diversity especially within the GCC. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore 20 Qatari principals' perspectives regarding their understandings of diversity and experiences with faculty diversity. Findings demonstrate that principals perceive diversity in terms of nationality. They experienced positive and negative influences of diversity and are confronted with challenges that often center on ethnical and cultural issues. Principals addressed how they manage the issues of nationality, culture, and equality. The study suggests that school leadership in a multicultural society such as Qatar demands more competencies to manage faculty diversity. Several recommendations are offered for principals for working with a diverse faculty.

Research indicates that principals play a significant role in schools influencing student achievement and teacher effectiveness. This is particularly true in times of educational reform. Qatar has been engaging in a significant educational reform since 2004. This study examines the knowledge and skills needed for effective principals from the perspectives of policy makers, principals and teachers working in Qatar's independent schools. Interviews with 3 policy makers, 21 principals and 82 teachers in focus groups indicated the knowledge and skills needed by principals are already embedded in the National Professional Standards for School Leaders but participants indicated a concern as to the degree these are implemented by principals in Qatar's schools. More importantly, a large majority of all participants specified a need for principals to develop leadership knowledge and skills regarding working with diverse faculty, students and parents. Recommendations based on these findings are provided in order to develop more effective principals in the context of Qatar's independent schools.

US higher education accreditation agencies provide external quality evaluation for institutions and programmes to deliver quality control and assurance. Although there is ample discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of the accreditation process, this article reviews the academic literature to consider the impact that accreditation might have on the academic freedom of the teaching staff. Specifically, this article centres on how standardisation, assessments and the fundamental elements of accreditation affect academic freedom in higher education and how these might dilute academic freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An early admission call-up was used to attract high-achieving students to a private university in Lebanon. The call-up, which is essentially an offer of admission before the student takes any formal steps, was administered to the top 25th percentile ranked students of main feeder schools at a private university in Lebanon. Data were accrued for students who applied for admission from 2000 to 2006. The early admission call-up was made in spring of 2006, the analysis compared the top 25th percentiles academically ranked students of previous years not given the early admission call-up. In addition, the analysis compared those below the 25th percentile score subgroup. Results showed that students who were given an early admission call-up enrolled at higher rates than those at the top 25th percentile rank in previous years. It was shown that those at the top 25th percentile score had higher high school averages as compared to candidates from previous academic years. (Contains 4 tables and 2 figures.)

Although an established alternative form of American education, the concept of home schooling is just beginning to surface in China. Few Chinese have knowledge of home schooling yet alone consider this form of education. However, graduate students studying in the field of education are aware of this unusual alternative to traditional schooling, one that leads to many questions and discussion. Findings from interviews with twenty-four graduate students (former teachers in Chinese schools) present their understandings, concerns, and perspectives of home schooling. These include implications of a one-child policy, concerns about socialization, changing roles for Chinese women, cultural values, economic issues and lessons Chinese teachers could learn from home schooling. Findings provide a unique Chinese-Marxism perspective on home schooling and discussion addresses the potential of home schooling in the PRC.

Traditionally, education in various forms has been used as a tool to change values and behavior in children regarding the environment. This study reports findings from the We Love Reading Program that utilizes the reading of Social Stories in various communities in Jordan to address the environmental problems of Jordan. Results indicated the effectiveness of this informal educational intervention showing a significant increase in children's knowledge about environmental issues and a positive change in behavior related to electricity and water consumption and littering, as reported by parents. The authors provide several recommendations on how Social Stories and appropriate curriculum can be used in schools and community to create awareness in students regarding environmental issues.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of neoliberalism and the accreditation of educational leadership programs in one Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country by contextualizing the accreditation process and closely examining the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards used by NCATE, now CAEP, to accredit educational leadership programs in the GCC. By using Habermas' knowledge constitutive interests (KCIs) and evoking notions of floating signifiers, the paper develops an understanding of the use of Western-developed standards in a country that is different than the one in which these standards were conceived and how the discourse of accreditation standards shapes understandings and meanings of educational leadership. Design/methodology/approach: A critical discourse analysis of the ELCC standards is conducted using a two-prong strategy that applies Habermas' KCIs and evoking the notions of floating signifiers as a theoretical framework. Findings: Understanding that knowledge is bounded by cultural circumstances, findings indicate that the ELCC standards contain all three KCIs, and various floating signifiers are embedded within the ELCC discourse that are problematic in a culture that is vastly different than the one in which these standards were conceived. Originality/value: There are a few, if any, studies that have examined neoliberalism and accreditation in a GCC country. In particular, there are no studies that have examined the ELCC standards being used outside the USA. The research provides educators with an insight into the different forms of knowledge and understanding of the surplus of meaning of various concepts that are used within the ELCC professional standards outside the country where the standards were conceived without due regard for contextualization. The study provides discussion on how the discourse of the ELCC standards shapes understandings and meanings of educational leadership and educational leaders.