"This body of research not only passes academic muster but is the best guidepost in existence for activists who are trying to use the ballot initiative... process for larger policy and political objectives."--Kristina Wilfore, Executive Director, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center and FoundationEducated by Initiative moves beyond previous evaluations of public policy to emphasize the educational importance of the initiative process itself. Since a majority of ballots ultimately fail or get overturned by the courts, Smith and Tolbert suggest that the educational consequences of initiative voting may be more important than the outcomes of the ballots themselves. The result is a fascinating and thoroughly-researched book about how direct democracy teaches citizens about politics, voting, civic engagement and the influence of special interests and political parties. Designed to be accessible to anyone interested in the future of American democracy, the book includes boxes (titled "What Matters") that succinctly summarize the authors' data into easily readable analyses.Daniel A. Smith is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida.Caroline J. Tolbert is Associate Professor of Political Science at Kent State University.

Access to education increased enormously in the past century, and higher proportions of people are completing primary, secondary, or tertiary education... than ever before. But efforts to universalize the provision of high-quality schooling face major problems. In Educating All Children (which grew out of a multidisciplinary project undertaken by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences), leading experts consider the challenges of achieving universal basic and secondary education globally. The contributors discuss the current state of education and how to measure global educational progress, the history of compulsory education, political and financial obstacles to expanding education, the role of educational assessment and evaluation in developing countries, cost estimates for providing universal education (and why they differ so widely), the potential consequences of expanded global education, and the relationship between education and health.The research suggests that achieving universal primary and secondary education is both urgently needed and feasible. Will the international community commit the necessary economic, human, and political resources? The challenge, say the editors, is "as inspiring and formidable... as any extraterrestrial adventures--and far more likely to enrich and improve life on earth."

This book is written to address the state of affairs in the education of our children and youth in today’s public schools. It will provide a... comprehensive support model that is geared towards providing a detailed picture of the support systems that are involved and should be involved in providing quality education for all children regardless of race, color, creed, language, national origin and/or disabling conditions. Additionally, this book will provide guidelines for the inclusion of all children in the educational arena. The area of conceptualization, the understanding of self as an educator and a learner, and the role of interagency collaboration in planning an educational foundation for all learners will be identified in the support model of this book. The book’s premise is that if we want to change the situation and/or the climate that facilitates education, it means changing the curriculum and pedagogy in individual classrooms, as well as the school practices and the ideologies encircling them. The book will be a very valuable contribution towards this effort since it will focus on all components of education (i.e., the "self," family, schools, community, and government). Based on current research and pedagogical efforts to make quality education for all children a systemic affair, this book will serve as a stimulating text for early childhood providers, counselors, general and special educators, and service agencies.

''The field of educare, and the countless numbers of children who use its services, will continue to benefit from the efforts of Bergen, Reid, and... Torelli to help guide us all through the 21st century with new concepts, new terminology, and new optimism.''-- From the Foreword by Bettye M. Caldwell, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas Little RockThis is the revised and updated edition of the bestselling textbook on caring and educating infants and toddlers. The authors use case studies and new research to show educators how to transform curricula for very young children into a dynamic, responsive experience. The insightful text includes a focus on play, attention to the physical and social environments, and advice for accommodating children with different development levels, backgrounds, personalities, and special needs. The second edition of this popular resource features discussion of: * NAEYC s most recent standards. * State standards and assessments. * Eco-friendly classroom materials. * Environments for children with disabilities. * Developmentally appropriate curriculum. * Cultural diversity and non-English speaking families. * Mental health issues for infants and toddlers.This book is an essential tool for early childhood educators and educarers, administrators, parents, and all involved in the care and development of very young children.

This book looks at the socialization process and persistence to graduation from the perspectives of black students at American universities today. The... students’ perceptions discussed include what it meant to them to have a pre-college experience, the importance of expectations, the pain caused by racism, and how they were able to find "safe spaces" in what many considered a "hostile environment." Black Students’ Perceptions documents and addresses what it means to be a black person getting an education in a predominantly white university.

"A must read for anyone interested in creating educationally sound campus environments. This book provides both a comprehensive review of environmental... theory and practical strategies for enhancing student learning."—Nancy J. Evans, associate professor and coordinator, Higher Education Program, Iowa State University"Practitioners and students of all ages will greatly benefit from reading this synthesis of learning environment research and theory. The book draws on an impressively broad array of literature, and yet is organized for practical use."—Will Barratt, associate professor of counseling, Indiana State UniversityMany books explore the effects of environments on people, but there are few that examine the complexities of campus settings and how they contribute to student learning and success. Educating by Design fills the information gap by providing a comprehensive model for creating student-friendly and learning-supportive campus environments.Authors C. Carney Strange and James H. Banning draw from decades of research and experience to present an integrated framework for assessing and understanding academic environments. They describe the key concepts defining effective person-environment interactions and examine how these principles work through four different environmental components: physical, aggregate, organizational, and socially constructed. They also discuss the four conditions for successful learning: inclusion, safety, involvement, and community. Filled with engaging anecdotes and practical examples, this long-awaited volume helps academic administrators and student services professionals to plan effective programs and build supportive learning communities.

Autism spectrum disorders span a wide range of complex characteristics, developmental disabilities, behaviors, and functioning levels, from mild to... severe. This diverse range contributes to the difficulty in designing effective educational and treatments programs, as each individual requires specific needs. Educating Children and Youth with Autism, Second Edition is an educator-oriented guide dedicated to providing professionals and educators with current information, guidelines, and resources on ASD. Table of Contents 1. Understanding and Responding to the Needs of Children and Youth with ASD 2. Assessment of Students with ASD 3. Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Successful Learning Outcomes for Students with ASD 4. Management of Students with ASD 5. The Communicative Context of Autism 6. Promoting Social-Communicative Competence of Children with Autism in Integrated Environments 7. A Sensory-Processing Approach to Supporting Students with autism spectrum disorders 8. Inclusion of Students with ASD in General Education Settings 9. Transition Planning for Students with ASD: Building Bridges to the Future 10. Self-Determination and Learners with ASD 11. Efficacious Interventions and Treatments for Learners with ASD