Interchange
The Interchange titles listed below may be of particular interest to early years practitioners.
Copies can also be obtained by writing to the SEED Research Unit Dissemination Officer, SEED, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.
No 39 - Methods of Teaching Reading
The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department commissioned this review of current research in reading in a climate of continuing concern about reading standards and debate about the reading process and methods of teaching reading.
No 46 - Educational Provision for Children with Autism in Scotland
There is a growing body of evidence that children with autism and Asperger syndrome have specific needs which require a different focus and approach from those adopted for children with other types of special educational need. In response to this, The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department commissioned the University of Birmingham to investigate the educational opportunities for children with autistic spectrum disorders in Scotland.
No 50 - Early Intervention: Key Issues from Research
The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department commissioned this review of the UK and international literature on the use of early intervention schemes. The pre-school and early years of schooling were becoming the focus of increasing attention and a review of existing literature was required. It presents evidence on the most appropriate time to intervene, the effectiveness of alternative strategies and reported longer-term benefits.
No 53 - Cost of pre-school education provision
In September 1997, The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department Educational Research Unit commissioned a study on the cost of pre-school education in Scotland. A detailed exploration of eleven pre-school establishments, drawn from the public, private and voluntary sectors within both rural and urban areas, was undertaken to identify the range and variety of factors which affect the financial cost of provision across different establishments and sectors.
No 55 - Baseline Assessment Literature Review and pre-school Record Keeping in Scotland
Over the past year the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department has collaborated with a number of academics and practitioners in looking at baseline assessment. As part of the work, a national survey was commissioned to identify current assessment and record-keeping practices in a representative sample of all pre-school centres. In addition, an international review of literature on baseline assessment was undertaken.
No 57 - Accelerating Reading Attainment: The Effectiveness of Synthetic Phonics
In 1992/93, a research team from the University of St. Andrews School of Psychology began a study of the teaching of reading in the early stages of primary school. The final stage of the study (1997/98) was part-funded by Clackmannanshire Education Authority and The Scottish Office Educational Research Unit.
No 65 - Uptake and Perceptions of Early-years' Qualifications
The research also set out to gain a detailed and in-depth understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the various HNC and SVQ qualifications and training packages currently available, and make recommendations as to how these qualifications should evolve.
No 68 - All Day Provision for 3 and 4 Year Olds
The study focused exclusively on what constitutes good all-day provision rather than a comparison of all- and part-day provision. When the project was commissioned there was increasing demand for provision to meet the needs of working parents and a recognition that, although there had been a rapid expansion in part-time pre-school education provision, this may not meet demands for provision from working parents.
No 69 - Pre-School Educational Provision in Rural Areas
The aim of the study was to establish the particular factors in rural areas in delivering the Scottish Executive pledge of universal provision of pre-school education for 3 and 4 year olds.
No 71 - Early Intervention in Literacy and Numeracy
The aim of the evaluation was to determine the impact of the developments on pupils, classrooms and the range of stakeholders. Researchers also had to consider the concept of 'best value' which local authorities were expected to implement as a way of improving local government performance in the delivery of services to local communities throughout Scotland.
No.73 - Early Education and Childcare Workforce Survey
Report of a survey of the characteristics of the early education and childcare sector and its workforce.
No.75 - Children's Experiences of Disability: A Positive Outlook
This Interchange presents the findings of a study designed to explore disabled children's understandings of disability, and brothers' and sisters' views about having a disabled sibling. The study was part of a research programme funded by The Scottish Executive and carried out at the Social Work Research Centre at Stirling University. The research lasted two years and was completed in August 2000.
No.78 Transitions in the Lives of Children and Young People: Resilience Factors
'This report describes effective strategies, in the fields of health, education and social work, for helping children cope with periods of transition and change through the promotion of resilience. The report draws on an extensive review of the international literature on the promotion of resilience.'