Teachers in primary schools deal with a wide range of issues every day. This book helps teachers to understand those issues, and how they fit in with recent government policies and initiatives. Each chapter looks at: * relevant statements of policy or initiative * how these statements fit into the context of specific schools * the challenges they present for those involved in schools * how schools can respond to these challenges * learning across contexts Each chapter has been written by one practitioner and one academic and between them the chapters cover the whole range of Australian primary schools.

In this text Etta Hollins presents a powerful process for developing a teaching perspective that embraces the centrality of culture in school learning. The six-part process covers objectifying culture, personalizing culture, inquiring about students' cultures and communities, applying knowledge about culture to teaching, formulating theory or a conceptual framework linking culture and school learning, and transforming professional practice to better meet the needs of students from different cultural and experiential backgrounds. All aspects of the process are interrelated and interdependent. Two basic procedures are employed in this process: constructing an operational definition of culture that reveals its deep meaning in cognition and learning, and applying the reflective-interpretive-inquiry (RIQ) approach to making linkages between students' cultural and experiential backgrounds and classroom instruction. Discussion within chapters is not intended to provide complete and final answers to the questions posed, but rather to generate discussion, critical thinking, and further investigation. Pedagogical Features Focus Questions at the beginning of each chapter assist the reader in identifying complex issues to be examined. Chapter Summaries provide a quick review of the main topics presented. Suggested Learning Experiences have been selected for their value in expanding preservice teachers' understanding of specific questions and issues raised in the chapter. Critical Readings lists extend the text to treat important issues in greater depth. New in the Second Edition New emphasis is placed on the power of social ideology in framing teachers’ thinking and school practices. The relationship of core values and other important social values common in the United States to school practices is explicitly discussed. Discussion of racism includes an explanation of the relationship between institutionalized racism and personal beliefs and actions. Approaches to understanding and evaluating curriculum have been expanded to include different genres and dimensions of multicultural education. A framework for understanding cultural diversity in the classroom is presented. New emphasis is placed on participating in a community of practice. This book is primarily designed for preservice teachers in courses on multicultural education, social foundations of education, principles of education, and introduction to teaching. Inservice teachers and graduate students will find it equally useful.

This publication sheds light on the evidence base that can be used to redesign initial and continuing teacher education to help practitioners effectively teach diverse students.

Paul P.W. Achola and Vijayan K. Pillai address factors associated with wastage in primary school education and the solutions to ameliorate low participation in primary education. The book provides an examination of the factors associated with wastage, exploring the interconnectedness of non-enrollment, repetition and dropout. The authors demonstrate that reducing poverty through empowerment programs and citizen participation in school decisions are critical to improving primary school participation.

Education is the driving force behind any strong economy and a prerequisite for social and economic growth. It creates opportunities and provides societies with a better educated and skilled workforce which is necessary for stimulating development (Govender and Steven, 2004). Education is a key strategy for bringing about the changes necessary to ensure economic, cultural and social development as well as environmental protection and food security (Gasperini, L., 2000).

Offers advice for closing the achievement gap of low-income African American students in urban schools -- Focuses on issues of assessment for K-12 students and teachers of color -- Explores the declining number of teachers of color in the United States and its relation to school failure among African American and Latino students -- Outlines a curriculum for teacher education programs to help them produce culturally aware and effective teachers -- Examines how colleges of education can reverse the cycle of failure for students of color by producing teachers who are culturally responsive -- Concludes with a summary of the work and recommendations of such scholars as James A. Banks and Sonia Nieto.

Challenges in Early Years and Primary Education focuses on the teaching and learning of children in early years and primary school settings and creates awareness and a deeper understanding of current and critical education issues such as wellbeing, global education, online teaching, and teaching and learning in a multicultural society. This book encourages the development of the underpinning knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, recognising good mental health and the solid principles of working with children, families and other professionals. Through discussions on a range of interrelated factors that contribute to children’s development, and learning and progressive participation, expert contributors explore ways to respond to and ameliorate the effects of the pandemic and other possible challenges that education professionals and children might face in the future. Challenges in Early Years and Primary Education is ideal reading for educational practitioners including teachers and anyone working in aligned educational settings, as well as students in the field of early years and primary education.