http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/educational_policy/ Read scientific research on educational policies and academic achievement. en-us Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:05:01 EST Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/educational_policy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118110656.htm An analysis of quality of cardiac care following the public release of data on measures of care at hospitals in Ontario, Canada, did not result in significant system-wide improvement in hospitals' performance on most quality of care indicators, according to a new study. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118110656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123193103.htm The smoking ban in Wales has not displaced secondhand smoke from public places into the home. A study of 3,500 children from 75 primary schools in Wales found that they were exposed to similar amounts of secondhand smoke before and after legislation, which should reassure those worried that exposure to smoking at home could increase following the ban. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123193103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083654.htm In a new study, the amount of television viewed by many young children in child care settings doubles the previous estimates of early childhood screen time, with those in home-based settings watching significantly more on average than those in center-based daycares. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064442.htm Giving insecticide-treated bed nets to nearly 18,000 mothers at prenatal clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented an estimated 414 infant deaths from malaria, researchers conclude. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064442.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119194124.htm Merely observing someone publicly blame an individual in an organization for a problem -- even when the target is innocent -- greatly increases the odds that the practice of blaming others will spread with the tenacity of the H1N1 flu. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119194124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094833.htm Students placed by their universities in coed housing are 2.5 times more likely to binge drink each week than students placed in all-male or all-female housing. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117124003.htm Daily physical exercise at school positively improves students' body composition and exercise capacity. This is especially true of students with a low socioeconomic status. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117124003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116103840.htm An experiment into the use of social media has shown that Twitter, an online blogging service, can act as an exceptional communication tool within academia. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116103840.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091115123711.htm Children as young as 12 have a strong sense of their personal futures and can reflect thoughtfully on what life might hold for them, according to new research. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091115123711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm A study of more than 120 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse US elementary school children shows that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early and that those biases can be damaging. Specifically, the study illustrates that when children become aware of bias about their own racial or ethnic group, it can affect how they respond to everyday situations, ranging from interacting with others to taking tests. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123616.htm College athletes who use performance-enhancing substances may be at heightened risk of misusing alcohol and using recreational drugs as well, according to new research. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123616.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110141846.htm When NASA's space shuttle Atlantis launches for the International Space Station on Nov. 16 it will carry a butterfly experiment that will be monitored by thousands of K-12 students across the nation. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110141846.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202847.htm You can improve your second-language listening ability by watching the movie with subtitles -- as long as these subtitles are in the same language as the film. Subtitles in one's native language, the default in some European countries, may actually be counter-productive to learning to understand foreign speech, according to a new study. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145258.htm A new national poll has found that a majority of adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves or their children have been unable to do so. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145258.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121220.htm A professor of library and information science says that comic books are just as sophisticated as other forms of literature, and children benefit from reading them at least as much as they do from reading other types of books. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104152302.htm As flu season approaches, parents around the country are starting to face school closures. But how bad should an influenza outbreak be for a school to shut down? A study by epidemiologists tapped a set of Japanese data to help guide decision making by schools and government agencies. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104152302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105132456.htm School-based physical education plays a key role in curbing obesity and improving fitness among adolescents from low-income communities, according to a new study. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105132456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104161837.htm Two findings from a new national study reveal the power of mentors, particularly those in the teaching profession: for all teen students, having an adult mentor meant a 50 percent greater likelihood of attending college; for disadvantaged students, mentorship by a teacher nearly doubled the odds of attending college. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104161837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029161530.htm The relationship between a teacher and class is important for the learning achievement of pupils and their pleasure in learning. A Dutch researcher discovered that these teacher-class relationships are very stable over the course of a school year. Consequently if teachers get off to a bad start, it is almost impossible to put things right. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029161530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102355.htm According to research from Sweden, a preschooler's gender determines how he or she is treated and responded to in play and learning activities, and when the children's possibilities become expanded, it is usually a result of the children's and not the teachers' initiative. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090526.htm Gossip in the workplace can be a weapon in reputational warfare or a gift and can offer clues to power and influence not found on organizational charts. New research details how the weapon is wielded -- and its influence muted -- in a rare study that catches this national pastime on video. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028112751.htm Research in Spain reveals that schoolchildren see the victims as "passive persons and socially incompetent", and the abusers as "strong, brave and extrovert individuals." Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028112751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028134639.htm An education professor says the underlying similarities between teaching, research and music can be a powerful metaphor for education and qualitative inquiry. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028134639.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924123312.htm To adequately prepare today's students for tomorrow's global economy, one teacher education expert favors "transcultural education," which he defines as an experience that goes beyond the traditional rite-of-passage trip to western Europe. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924123312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025162457.htm Existing research has shown that rates of binge eating are almost identical between white and African-American adult women. A new study finds that among college age women, rates are higher among Caucasian women. When do rates begin to match up, and why? Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025162457.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114351.htm More students than ever before have been accepted onto science and engineering related degree courses this autumn, according to the University and Colleges Admissions Service in the UK. Science is also now the most popular subject at school according to a new poll of children aged 5 to 18. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114323.htm A recent study found women graduating from community college with a two-year degree earn 45.8 percent more annually than high school educated women. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114323.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021133902.htm Researchers found the obesity prevention efforts in the El Paso region were the most effective in Texas in decreasing the prevalence of childhood obesity. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021133902.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021100502.htm Britain's children and young people are potential agents of change for the development of more sustainable communities in the UK, according to new research. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021100502.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020111625.htm The U.S. National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program should adopt a new set of nutrient targets and standards for menu planning, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020111625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014122045.htm Small classes in early grades improve test scores in later grades for students of all achievement levels, but low achievers get an extra boost. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014122045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013162752.htm Can social networking sites help people make wise health decisions? A new study says it depend on people's willingness to take action on the information they gain from the sites. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013162752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014193215.htm Increased hand hygiene in primary schools is only a short-term measure in preventing infections such as H1N1 from spreading. Researchers have found stricter hand hygiene practices are difficult to maintain in a school setting. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014193215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133111.htm As Congress debates the public health care option, a recent study reveals greater public support for reducing health care disparities among socio-economic groups (i.e. by income or education) than among racial groups. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161858.htm Despite evidence that low-cost diarrhea treatments such as lower osmolarity oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplements could drastically reduce the number of deaths among children, little progress has been made in implementing these life-saving techniques. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091009104649.htm Providing small classes for at least several consecutive grades starting in early elementary school gives students the best chance to succeed in later grades, according to new research. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091009104649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007081351.htm A new study finds that US children are routinely exposed to even more violence and abuse than has been previously recognized, with nearly half experiencing a physical assault in the study year. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007081351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006191320.htm Contracting private providers of health care services and giving cash incentives to patients are two strategies that have been proposed to increase access to health care in low income countries. In two new reviews of public health care policies in poor and middle income countries, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of these approaches for increasing use of health care services. The cash incentives review is the first ever systematic review on this subject. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006191320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181723.htm New research explores the wide disparities in advanced high school course-taking (such as Advanced Placement courses) among race, poverty, and gender groups in Florida. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164225.htm College students make strategic choices about where to vote, most prefer absentee ballots, and they are especially likely to vote absentee if their homes are in swing states, according to a new study of student absentee voting in the 2008 presidential election. The researchers found that students from swing states preferred home-state voting by an 8-to-1 ratio. Even students from non-swing states preferred to vote back home, by a 2-to-1 ratio. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124741.htm Racial segregation in the schools is fueling the learning disparity between young black and white children, while out-of-school factors are more important to the growth of social class gaps, according to a new study. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124741.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930194300.htm The increasing use of smart drugs or "nootropics" -- to boost academic performance -- could mean that exam students will face routine doping tests in future, suggests a recent paper. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930194300.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102528.htm Results of a new study warn against glamorizing celebrity suicides in the media. The study has found evidence that the increasing reach and influence of the media, combined with a growing number of people assigned celebrity status, could increase the probability of widespread suicide pandemics. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930121512.htm In a first-of its-kind study, epidemiologists have found that, on average, guns did not protect those who possessed them from being shot in an assault. The study estimated that people with a gun were 4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault than those not possessing a gun. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930121512.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102534.htm New findings indicate that less than half of medical students say they are adequately trained to navigate health care system. A research paper reports that medical students could benefit from intense curriculum that teaches more medical economics and better explains insurance strategies. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102534.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922095806.htm The Switch program -- "Switch what you Do, View, and Chew" -- has been shown to be capable of promoting children's fruit and vegetable consumption and lowering 'screen time'. Researchers tested the program and report that it offers promise for use in youth obesity prevention. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922095806.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095337.htm Educators should learn from the "Just-In-Time" and "Lean" production techniques used by the automotive industry if they are to add value to the student experience as quickly and effectively as possible. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095337.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922162249.htm A majority of medical schools surveyed report they have experienced incidents of students posting unprofessional content online, including incidents involving violation of patient confidentiality, with few schools having policies to address these types of postings, according to a new study. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922162249.htm