Mary Lee Smith
Biographic Data
| ID | 3829042 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mary Lee Smith |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mary Lee |
| FAMILY NAME | Smith |
| SIGNATURE | SMITH M L |
| AFFILIATIONS | Arizona State University |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 324 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 20 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1973 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
Multiple Methodology in Education Research
The Construction Zone
Narrative research has become part of the landscape of education inquiry, yet its theory and practice are still debated and evolving. This article addresses the construction of narratives using literary elements common to nonfiction and fiction writings. The authors discuss these elements and use four narratives to illustrate them. They address how literary elements intersect with more familiar practices of generating and analyzing evidence to re…
English Language Learners in a Comprehensive High School
The comprehensive high school has changed little over the past few decades, in spite of the rising numbers of immigrant children populating U.S. public schools. Critics claim that high school traditions and structures consign English language learners to marginal positions and inferior academic opportunities. In our intensive analysis of 8 English language learners in a comprehensive high school, we found the criticisms to hold true and came to a…
Political spectacle and the fate of American schools
Validity and Accountability in High-Stakes Testing
In this article, the authors argue that the cultures of accountability and validity are at odds. Calls for accountability arise from the polis, or political community. Validity is the standard of quality that professionals place on tests. When the polis demands that tests serve high-stakes accountability functions, professional testing standards often are compromised. In accountability contexts, test results decide which students are retained in …
Put to the Test
Evidence from an extensive qualitative study of the role of external testing in elementary schools led to propositions about the effects of such tests on teachers. Data from interviews revealed that teachers experience negative emotions as a result of the publication of test scores and determine to do what is necessary to avoid low scores. Teachers believe that scores are used against them, despite the perceived invalidity of the tests themselves…
Meanings of Test Preparation
From a qualitative study of the role of external testing in elementary schools, a typology of meanings of test preparation was constructed. Based on long-term, intensive observation and interaction with two elementary schools and the analysis of clinical interviews, we found eight types of orientation toward preparing pupils to take mandated, high-stakes achievement tests. These included (a) ordinary curriculum with no special preparation, (b) te…
Standards of Competence
A multisite investigation of local school districts and states led to the formulation of five propositions that address the nature of competency testing reforms. Two propositions address the determination of standards and examine the extent to which such procedures are affected by political and practical considerations. Another pair of propositions center on implementation of such testing reforms; lopsided organizational activity and nominal atte…
Predilections, Opinions, and Prejudices
Kindergarten Readiness and Retention
The issues concerning teachers' beliefs about and use of retention were explored in a qualitative study. Clinical interviews with teachers, participant observation in kindergarten classes, analysis of documents, and interviews with parents revealed that teachers' beliefs about the development of school readiness could be described and ordered along a dimension of nativism, that these beliefs relate to their use of retention as a solution to unrea…
Kindergarten Readiness and Retention
The issues concerning teachers’ beliefs about and use of retention were explored in a qualitative study. Clinical interviews with teachers, participant observation in kindergarten classes, analysis of documents, and interviews with parents revealed that teachers’ beliefs about the development of school readiness could be described and ordered along a dimension of nativism, that these beliefs relate to their use of retention as a solution to unrea…
Publishing Qualitative Research
Americanae nace como un proyecto conjunto que surge dentro de la Red Europea de Información y Documentación sobre América Latina (REDIAL), y que ha afrontado la Biblioteca de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID). Esta nueva biblioteca virtual hace más accesibles los libros digitales de tema americanista a los investigadores y usuarios interesados de cualquier parte del mundo
Characteristics of Pupils Identified as Learning Disabled
This study was aimed at describing the characteristics of school-aged children whom educators had identified as learning disabled (LD). A probability sample of 800 was selected from the population of all children served as learning disabled in the state of Colorado. A coding form was used by trained coders to extract relevant features from the case files of the children. The sample was characterized by (1) distributions of single variables (e.g.,…
Ask not for whom the bell tolls
Meta-Analysis of Research on Class Size and Its Relationship to Attitudes and Instruction
Features of 59 studies of this relationship were coded and quantified and 371 findings were transformed into a common metric for statistical integration. Analysis, based on a logarithmic model, revealed a substantial relationship between class size and teacher and pupil attitudes as well as instruction. Favorable teacher effects (workload, morale, attitudes toward students) are associated with smaller classes as are favorable effects on students …
Meta-Analysis of Research on Class Size and Achievement
Factors influencing the evaluation of educational programs
"An exercise in mega-silliness"
Meta-analysis of psychotherapy outcome studies
Results of nearly 400 controlled evalua- tions of psychotherapy and counseling were coded and integrated statistically. The findings provide convincing evidence of the efficacy of psychotherapy. On the average, the typical therapy client is better off than 75% of untreated individuals. Few important differ- ences in effectiveness could be established among many quite different types of psychotherapy . More generally, virtually no difference in ef…
Notes on `Perspectives on Counseling Bias
Meta-analysis of psychotherapy outcome studies
Results of nearly 400 controlled evalua- tions of psychotherapy and counseling were coded and integrated statistically. The findings provide convincing evidence of the efficacy of psychotherapy. On the average, the typical therapy client is better off than 75% of untreated individuals. Few important differ- ences in effectiveness could be established among many quite different types of psychotherapy . More generally, virtually no difference in ef…
Put to the Test
Evidence from an extensive qualitative study of the role of external testing in elementary schools led to propositions about the effects of such tests on teachers. Data from interviews revealed that teachers experience negative emotions as a result of the publication of test scores and determine to do what is necessary to avoid low scores. Teachers believe that scores are used against them, despite the perceived invalidity of the tests themselves…
The Construction Zone
Narrative research has become part of the landscape of education inquiry, yet its theory and practice are still debated and evolving. This article addresses the construction of narratives using literary elements common to nonfiction and fiction writings. The authors discuss these elements and use four narratives to illustrate them. They address how literary elements intersect with more familiar practices of generating and analyzing evidence to re…
Kindergarten Readiness and Retention
The issues concerning teachers’ beliefs about and use of retention were explored in a qualitative study. Clinical interviews with teachers, participant observation in kindergarten classes, analysis of documents, and interviews with parents revealed that teachers’ beliefs about the development of school readiness could be described and ordered along a dimension of nativism, that these beliefs relate to their use of retention as a solution to unrea…
Publishing Qualitative Research
Americanae nace como un proyecto conjunto que surge dentro de la Red Europea de Información y Documentación sobre América Latina (REDIAL), y que ha afrontado la Biblioteca de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID). Esta nueva biblioteca virtual hace más accesibles los libros digitales de tema americanista a los investigadores y usuarios interesados de cualquier parte del mundo
Meta-Analysis of Research on Class Size and Its Relationship to Attitudes and Instruction
Features of 59 studies of this relationship were coded and quantified and 371 findings were transformed into a common metric for statistical integration. Analysis, based on a logarithmic model, revealed a substantial relationship between class size and teacher and pupil attitudes as well as instruction. Favorable teacher effects (workload, morale, attitudes toward students) are associated with smaller classes as are favorable effects on students …
Validity and Accountability in High-Stakes Testing
In this article, the authors argue that the cultures of accountability and validity are at odds. Calls for accountability arise from the polis, or political community. Validity is the standard of quality that professionals place on tests. When the polis demands that tests serve high-stakes accountability functions, professional testing standards often are compromised. In accountability contexts, test results decide which students are retained in …
Standards of Competence
A multisite investigation of local school districts and states led to the formulation of five propositions that address the nature of competency testing reforms. Two propositions address the determination of standards and examine the extent to which such procedures are affected by political and practical considerations. Another pair of propositions center on implementation of such testing reforms; lopsided organizational activity and nominal atte…
Characteristics of Pupils Identified as Learning Disabled
This study was aimed at describing the characteristics of school-aged children whom educators had identified as learning disabled (LD). A probability sample of 800 was selected from the population of all children served as learning disabled in the state of Colorado. A coding form was used by trained coders to extract relevant features from the case files of the children. The sample was characterized by (1) distributions of single variables (e.g.,…
Meanings of Test Preparation
From a qualitative study of the role of external testing in elementary schools, a typology of meanings of test preparation was constructed. Based on long-term, intensive observation and interaction with two elementary schools and the analysis of clinical interviews, we found eight types of orientation toward preparing pupils to take mandated, high-stakes achievement tests. These included (a) ordinary curriculum with no special preparation, (b) te…
English Language Learners in a Comprehensive High School
The comprehensive high school has changed little over the past few decades, in spite of the rising numbers of immigrant children populating U.S. public schools. Critics claim that high school traditions and structures consign English language learners to marginal positions and inferior academic opportunities. In our intensive analysis of 8 English language learners in a comprehensive high school, we found the criticisms to hold true and came to a…
Notes on `Perspectives on Counseling Bias
Meta-analysis of psychotherapy outcome studies
Results of nearly 400 controlled evalua- tions of psychotherapy and counseling were coded and integrated statistically. The findings provide convincing evidence of the efficacy of psychotherapy. On the average, the typical therapy client is better off than 75% of untreated individuals. Few important differ- ences in effectiveness could be established among many quite different types of psychotherapy . More generally, virtually no difference in ef…
Factors influencing the evaluation of educational programs
"An exercise in mega-silliness"
Meta-Analysis of Research on Class Size and Achievement
Ask not for whom the bell tolls
Meta-Analysis of Research on Class Size and Its Relationship to Attitudes and Instruction
Features of 59 studies of this relationship were coded and quantified and 371 findings were transformed into a common metric for statistical integration. Analysis, based on a logarithmic model, revealed a substantial relationship between class size and teacher and pupil attitudes as well as instruction. Favorable teacher effects (workload, morale, attitudes toward students) are associated with smaller classes as are favorable effects on students …
Characteristics of Pupils Identified as Learning Disabled
This study was aimed at describing the characteristics of school-aged children whom educators had identified as learning disabled (LD). A probability sample of 800 was selected from the population of all children served as learning disabled in the state of Colorado. A coding form was used by trained coders to extract relevant features from the case files of the children. The sample was characterized by (1) distributions of single variables (e.g.,…
Publishing Qualitative Research
Americanae nace como un proyecto conjunto que surge dentro de la Red Europea de Información y Documentación sobre América Latina (REDIAL), y que ha afrontado la Biblioteca de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID). Esta nueva biblioteca virtual hace más accesibles los libros digitales de tema americanista a los investigadores y usuarios interesados de cualquier parte del mundo
Standards of Competence
A multisite investigation of local school districts and states led to the formulation of five propositions that address the nature of competency testing reforms. Two propositions address the determination of standards and examine the extent to which such procedures are affected by political and practical considerations. Another pair of propositions center on implementation of such testing reforms; lopsided organizational activity and nominal atte…
Predilections, Opinions, and Prejudices
Kindergarten Readiness and Retention
The issues concerning teachers' beliefs about and use of retention were explored in a qualitative study. Clinical interviews with teachers, participant observation in kindergarten classes, analysis of documents, and interviews with parents revealed that teachers' beliefs about the development of school readiness could be described and ordered along a dimension of nativism, that these beliefs relate to their use of retention as a solution to unrea…
Kindergarten Readiness and Retention
The issues concerning teachers’ beliefs about and use of retention were explored in a qualitative study. Clinical interviews with teachers, participant observation in kindergarten classes, analysis of documents, and interviews with parents revealed that teachers’ beliefs about the development of school readiness could be described and ordered along a dimension of nativism, that these beliefs relate to their use of retention as a solution to unrea…
Put to the Test
Evidence from an extensive qualitative study of the role of external testing in elementary schools led to propositions about the effects of such tests on teachers. Data from interviews revealed that teachers experience negative emotions as a result of the publication of test scores and determine to do what is necessary to avoid low scores. Teachers believe that scores are used against them, despite the perceived invalidity of the tests themselves…
Meanings of Test Preparation
From a qualitative study of the role of external testing in elementary schools, a typology of meanings of test preparation was constructed. Based on long-term, intensive observation and interaction with two elementary schools and the analysis of clinical interviews, we found eight types of orientation toward preparing pupils to take mandated, high-stakes achievement tests. These included (a) ordinary curriculum with no special preparation, (b) te…
Validity and Accountability in High-Stakes Testing
In this article, the authors argue that the cultures of accountability and validity are at odds. Calls for accountability arise from the polis, or political community. Validity is the standard of quality that professionals place on tests. When the polis demands that tests serve high-stakes accountability functions, professional testing standards often are compromised. In accountability contexts, test results decide which students are retained in …
Political spectacle and the fate of American schools
English Language Learners in a Comprehensive High School
The comprehensive high school has changed little over the past few decades, in spite of the rising numbers of immigrant children populating U.S. public schools. Critics claim that high school traditions and structures consign English language learners to marginal positions and inferior academic opportunities. In our intensive analysis of 8 English language learners in a comprehensive high school, we found the criticisms to hold true and came to a…
The Construction Zone
Narrative research has become part of the landscape of education inquiry, yet its theory and practice are still debated and evolving. This article addresses the construction of narratives using literary elements common to nonfiction and fiction writings. The authors discuss these elements and use four narratives to illustrate them. They address how literary elements intersect with more familiar practices of generating and analyzing evidence to re…
Multiple Methodology in Education Research
Psychology (16 works) · Mathematics education (11 works) · Pedagogy (8 works) · Sociology (8 works) · Social Psychology (6 works) · Qualitative research (5 works) · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies (5 works) · Epistemology (4 works) · Political science (4 works) · Social Psychology (4 works)