Annamari Ylonen

Market‐oriented school reform in England and Finland: school choice, finance and governance

This paper explores the introduction of market‐oriented reforms into school‐based education in England and Finland. The contexts into which reforms were introduced differed, with a fully comprehensive system being in place in Finland but not in England; the motives were also different; and different trajectories have since been followed. Whilst there are apparent similarities, with choice and diversity having a high political profile in each country, the policy mix varies: two different models can be discerned, with the Finnish reforms being characterised by more regulatory control in relation to school access and choice, but less in relation to the financing of schools by local authorities. It is argued that the mediating role played by local authorities in jurisdictions with high levels of decentralisation means that the legislative framework needs to be taken into account when examining policy implementation and educational outcomes.

Using Lesson Study to Develop Teaching Approaches for Secondary School Pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties: Teachers' Concepts, Attitudes and Pedagogic Strategies.

This paper reports the findings from a project focused on teaching secondary aged pupils with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) using Lesson Study methodology – a collaborative approach for teachers to assess, evaluate and plan a sequence of lessons that focuses on the learning of one to two focus pupils identified as having MLD. The research aimed to examine the beliefs and attitudes of participating teachers about inclusion, teaching efficacy and the concept of MLD. It also aimed to examine what pedagogic approaches were developed through Lesson Study and whether these approaches represented a distinctive pedagogic approach for pupils with MLD. The study found that the views of teachers about inclusion reflected a conditional concept of inclusion and that their attitudes to inclusion were stronger in principle than in practice. Their concepts of MLD meanwhile reflected the uncertain place of intellectual abilities in defining the category and doubts about differentiating MLD from low attainment. Analysis of pedagogic approaches used by participating teachers at the end of the programme indicated a holistic model of approaches that go beyond cognitive adaptations to include input modes, grouping and learning relationships, while also indicating a continuum model of pedagogy for pupils with MLD in which pedagogy is not distinct but an extension and intensification of general approaches.

Professional learning of teachers through a lesson study process in England

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss findings from a development and research project using the lesson study (LS) method in England, which had the overall aim of improving learning opportunities for pupils identified as having moderate learning difficulties (MLD). MLD is one of the most prevalent areas of special educational needs in the UK and the project is the first UK attempt to use LS with pupils with identified learning difficulties. The contexts, mechanisms (processes) and outcomes of the lesson studies carried out at the project schools are discussed and analysed.Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines and discusses how teachers carried out lesson studies in 14 secondary schools and evaluates the lesson study processes in their school contexts by using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The methodology uses a realist evaluation approach which links contexts, mechanisms and outcomes in order to develop and test a programme theory.Findings – The teachers reported positive p...

Moderate Learning Difficulties: Searching for Clarity and Understanding.

The concept of moderate learning difficulties (MLD) is not clearly understood in its definition and in its general use. Nevertheless, as a distinct area of special educational needs (SEN) this category has constituted about a quarter of all of those pupils identified as having SEN in England. This paper reports the analysis of findings from an ongoing research project in an attempt to improve understanding of the MLD category. Pupils (aged 12–14 years) identified as having MLD were compared with others in the same classes identified as having either specific learning difficulties or low attainments in terms of literacy, reasoning and dispositional measures. The paper shows that the label of MLD is often used in an over-generalised way in schools and that although there are some differences in reasoning and literacy abilities between those identified as having MLD and those who have not, no such differences were found in learner self-concept and in pupils’ attitudes to education and learning questioning the current definition of MLD which includes associated low self-esteem. Reasons for lack of clarity in the definition/category of MLD are discussed, as are implications for future use of the term.

Student ambassador experience in higher education: skills and competencies for the future?

Lifelong learning, where individuals keep modifying, renewing and updating their existing skills and competencies, is an essential requirement in the knowledge economy. Yet research has shown that employers often find it hard to hire individuals who are equipped with sufficiently rounded competencies in areas such as commitment, enthusiasm and timekeeping. The Student Ambassador (SA) scheme offers university students the opportunity to undertake relatively well-paid and flexible part-time jobs around widening participation initiatives, which, in general, focus on raising aspiration and attainment of young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds. This article examines research evidence into the SA scheme in South-East London and, in particular, focuses on analysing whether the scheme offers students an ideal part-time job opportunity while in higher education. It will be seen that SAs not only gain complex transferable skills while earning money, but also engage in something that they perceive to be a h...

Using lesson study to assess pupils’ learning difficulties

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to make the case for the novel use of lesson study (LS) for assessment purposes, in addition to its typical use to develop teaching and for professional development. The specific use of LS for assessment in this paper is for pupils experiencing learning difficulties in order to enhance understanding of their needs. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains briefly the origins and principles of LS and draws on evidence from various studies for why and how it can be used for assessment purposes. The key role of formative assessment in the LS process is connected to the parallel developments of dynamic assessment and the response to instruction approach to the assessment of pupils with learning difficulties. Findings – The paper concludes with an account of how the assessment use of LS can be translated into practical assessment procedures. Originality/value – The value of the paper is in the original and explicit explanation and justification of the use of LS pr...

Lessons in learning gain: insights from a pilot project

Abstract ‘Learning gain’ has become an increasingly prominent concept in debates about the effectiveness of higher education across OECD countries. In England, interest has been heightened by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)’s major research initiative on learning gain, launched in 2015, and by the new Teaching Excellence Framework which assesses learning and teaching and student outcomes. HEFCE’s novel research initiative has funded a set of experimental projects across the English higher education sector for the first time. This paper presents preliminary findings from one such project at the University of East Anglia (UEA). The project trials and evaluates three approaches to identifying and measuring learning gain using data from cohorts of students across different discipline areas during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. It builds upon previous work carried out at UEA in developing self-efficacy assessments and applying concept inventories. Student marks provide a simple comparator as a third approach to measuring learning gain.

Disciplinary differences and other variations in assessment cultures in higher education: exploring variability and inconsistencies in one university in England

Abstract This article argues that differing disciplinary assessment cultures are likely to be an important factor in explaining differences in student marks and grades both within and between higher education institutions. Using institution-wide data on undergraduate student marks over the last five years in one UK higher education institution we demonstrate variability in the distribution of marks in terms of the ‘distance travelled’. This issue was further explored via interviews with senior teaching-active staff. We suggest that the distribution of marks is likely to reflect different disciplinary assessment cultures as well as complexity in the process of marking and assessment. These findings signify that it will be highly challenging, if not impossible, to establish nationally comparable learning gain measures using student mark data because of the underlying inconsistencies in the process of awarding marks. In the current higher education context, with the ongoing implementation of the Teaching Excellence Framework, it remains important to debate and further investigate these issues with all stakeholders, including students.

A design-based trial of Lesson Study for assessment purposes: evaluating a new classroom based dynamic assessment approach

This paper is about a design-based research project which evaluated the novel use of Lesson Study for assessment (LSfA) purposes. It starts by explaining the principles and design of LSfA procedures based on a Lesson Study model and dynamic assessment principles. It outlines the training and support provided to six Lesson Study teams in three primary and three secondary schools, each involving two class teachers and the school’s SEN coordinator. The evaluation findings focused on the LSfA processes and procedures, for example, the outcomes of LSfA for teacher confidence and knowledge, assessment capabilities and continued benefits. The LSfA process was seen to involve processes such as honest and constructive observations, analysing lessons to see what to change and using knowledge about learning difficulties. Some of the context factors that supported and inhibited the process are also outlined. Analysis of the pre-post LSfA pupil assessments showed a decrease in identifying areas of pupil difficulties and an increased identification of enabling factors. This is interpreted as evidence for the LSfA having dynamic assessment potential. The paper concludes with an account of how the LSfA procedures were adapted in response to this evaluation and suggestions for future development and research.