Boys' underachievement in education has now become a global concern, taxing the minds of governments across the Western world. Boys and Schooling in the Early Years represents the first major study of its kind to focus specifically on young boys and achievement. It makes a powerful argument for the need to begin tackling the problem of boys' lower educational performance in the early years.

This book includes one of the most detailed and up-to-date analyses of national evidence regarding gender differences in educational achievement - from the early years through to the end of compulsory schooling. Together with original and in-depth case studies that vividly capture the differing experiences and perspectives of 5-6 year old boys, the book sets out the nature of the problems facing them in education and highlights a number of practical ways in which these issues can begin to be addressed.

This is essential reading for all those working in the early years, who are concerned about boys' lower levels of achievement, and want to know what they can do about it.

Boys' underachievement in education has now become a global concern, taxing the minds of governments across the Western world. Boys and Schooling in the Early Years represents the first major study of its kind to focus specifically on young boys and achievement. It makes a powerful argument for the need to begin tackling the problem of boys' lower educational performance in the early years.

This book includes one of the most detailed and up-to-date analyses of national evidence regarding gender differences in educational achievement - from the early years through to the end of compulsory schooling. Together with original and in-depth case studies that vividly capture the differing experiences and perspectives of 5-6 year old boys, the book sets out the nature of the problems facing them in education and highlights a number of practical ways in which these issues can begin to be addressed.

This is essential reading for all those working in the early years, who are concerned about boys' lower levels of achievement, and want to know what they can do about it.

This book offers a fascinating yet disturbing account of the significance of racism in the lives of five and six year old children, drawing upon data from an in-depth study of an inner-city, multi-ethnic primary school and its surrounding community. It represents one of the only detailed studies to give primacy to the voices of the young children themselves - giving them the space to articulate their own experiences and concerns. Together with detailed observation of the children in the school and local community, it provides an important account of how and why they draw upon discourses on race in the development of their gender identities. The book graphically highlights the understanding that these children have of issues of race, gender and sexuality and the active role they play in using and reworking this knowledge to make sense of their experiences.

The use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), most commonly a medical sciences research tool, is a hotly debated topic in Education. This book examines the controversial aspects of RCTs in Education and sets out the potential and pitfalls of the method. Drawing on their own extensive experience of running RCTs, and their work at the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation (CESI) at Queen's University, Belfast, the authors provide a thorough practical introduction to the use of randomised controlled trials in education. Using real data sets, chapters equip the reader with all of the key knowledge and skills required to design, run, analyse and report an RCT. Coverage includes: * Step-by-step guidance on analysing data * How to assess the reliability and validity of results * Advice on balancing the demands of various stakeholders Essential reading for postgraduate and more experienced researchers, as well as teachers and educationalists seeking to increase their knowledge and understanding of the use of such methods in education.

Get the most out of your grantmaking Authors Paul Connolly (Vice President, Conservation Company) and Carol Lukas (President, Fieldstone Alliance) synthesize the most recent capacity-building practice and research into a collection of strategies, steps, and examples that funders can use to get started on or improve their funding to strengthen nonprofits. Who this book is for: Funders new to capacity building, looking for step-by-step guidance Funders with years of capacity building experience, looking for new approaches and examples of other funders' approaches A range of grantmakers, including venture philanthropists, community foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, and government funders Funders wishing to expand their work to address community needs locally, nationally, or outside the U.S. Consultants, trainers, management support organizations, and other capacity builders Benefits you'll get: Learn compelling reasons for investing in capacity building Understand the basic types of capacity building activities Find out what other foundations are doing Get a range of costs for various types of support Clarify your roles and responsibilities in using power and resources, developing expectations, and coordinating with others Follow a 4-step process to develop, implement, and evaluate a grantmaking plan for capacity building Choose among 7 widely-used strategies for building the capacity of nonprofits Discover how to coordinate the roles of funder, nonprofit organization, and capacity builder This hands-on guide also includes dozens of examples, worksheets, and contact information for organization assessment tools, capacity building providers, and publishers. Get Strengthening Nonprofit Performance and build the capacity of nonprofits and ultimately, the communities they serve.

Get the most out of your grantmaking Authors Paul Connolly (Vice President, Conservation Company) and Carol Lukas (President, Fieldstone Alliance) synthesize the most recent capacity-building practice and research into a collection of strategies, steps, and examples that funders can use to get started on or improve their funding to strengthen nonprofits. Who this book is for: Funders new to capacity building, looking for step-by-step guidance Funders with years of capacity building experience, looking for new approaches and examples of other funders' approaches A range of grantmakers, including venture philanthropists, community foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, and government funders Funders wishing to expand their work to address community needs locally, nationally, or outside the U.S. Consultants, trainers, management support organizations, and other capacity builders Benefits you'll get: Learn compelling reasons for investing in capacity building Understand the basic types of capacity building activities Find out what other foundations are doing Get a range of costs for various types of support Clarify your roles and responsibilities in using power and resources, developing expectations, and coordinating with others Follow a 4-step process to develop, implement, and evaluate a grantmaking plan for capacity building Choose among 7 widely-used strategies for building the capacity of nonprofits Discover how to coordinate the roles of funder, nonprofit organization, and capacity builder This hands-on guide also includes dozens of examples, worksheets, and contact information for organization assessment tools, capacity building providers, and publishers. Get Strengthening Nonprofit Performance and build the capacity of nonprofits and ultimately, the communities they serve.

The use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), most commonly a medical sciences research tool, is a hotly debated topic in Education. This book examines the controversial aspects of RCTs in Education and sets out the potential and pitfalls of the method. Drawing on their own extensive experience of running RCTs, and their work at the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation (CESI) at Queen's University, Belfast, the authors provide a thorough practical introduction to the use of randomised controlled trials in education. Using real data sets, chapters equip the reader with all of the key knowledge and skills required to design, run, analyse and report an RCT. Coverage includes: * Step-by-step guidance on analysing data * How to assess the reliability and validity of results * Advice on balancing the demands of various stakeholders Essential reading for postgraduate and more experienced researchers, as well as teachers and educationalists seeking to increase their knowledge and understanding of the use of such methods in education.

When four singers discover a curious vocal technique called The Fifth Voice, they reveal a prize that changes their lives. But the death of Ken, their inspirational coach and mentor, leaves them grief-stricken and uncertain about the future. Vince, Danny, Henry and Neil dream of becoming a championship-winning quartet, but can they achieve anything without Ken? Besides, Vince's health is fragile, Danny has a new baby and a wife who's not coping, Henry has a new love, and Neil could be about to make it in the movie business. They're on the verge of abandoning the dream. Until one day Neil receives a letter from Ken, and everything changes. They reunite in their desire to answer two very big questions. Can they realise the full power of The Fifth Voice? And is Ken still controlling their destiny? `Compelling characters painted with extraordinary skill. Thoroughly recommended.' - Tim Brooke-Taylor. `The romance of amateur music-making meets the fickle glamour of Hollywood in a funny and truly endearing story. A brilliant follow-up to 'The Fifth Voice'.' - Mike 'Flowers' Roberts - creator of The Mike Flowers Pops.

The lives of four singers are far from harmonious. Danny's marriage is on the rocks, while Vince is struggling with a debilitating illness. Henry is having a mid-life crisis, and Neil is at war with his father. But when they sing together none of that matters. Because something magical happens. On a mission to compete against the best quartet singers in Britain, they turn to veteran entertainer, Ken, who inspires them to discover a curious vocal technique called The Fifth Voice. Over the course of a year and several adventures, they make discoveries about the power of music and friendship that help each of them shape the rest of their lives. And when they eventually find The Fifth Voice, they discover a prize much greater than the one they imagined. 'The Fifth Voice' is a poignant and comic tale of four lives and a single passion. 'A funny, touching and charming tale' DAVID NOBBS - Bestselling author of 'The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin' 'A great story, full of memorable characters - a cappella as a metaphor for life!' DEKE SHARON - 'Pitch Perfect', 'The Sing Off', The House Jacks, CASA Founder. 'An enchanting human study, a compelling musical story' JOHN PALMER - Musical Director, The Royal Harmonics. 'I got caught up in the lives of the characters...the more I think about it, the more I want to read it again!' TIM BROOKE-TAYLOR - The Goodies, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

This book provides a refreshing and user-friendly guide to quantitative data analysis in education for students and researchers. It assumes absolutely no prior knowledge of quantitative methods or statistics. Beginning with the very basics, it provides the reader with the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to undertake routine quantitative data analysis to a level expected of published research. Rather than focusing on teaching statistics through mathematical formulae, the book places an emphasis on using SPSS to gain a real feel for the data and an intuitive grasp of the main concepts and techniques involved. Drawing extensively upon up-to-date and relevant examples, the reader will be encouraged to think critically about quantitative research and its potential as well as its limitations in relation to education. Packed with helpful features, this book: provides illustrated step-by-step guides showing how to use SPSS, with plenty of exercises to encourage the reader to practice and consolidate their new skills makes extensive use of real-life educational datasets derived from national surveys in the US and UK to illustrate key points and to bring the material to life has a companion website that contains all of the educational datasets used in the book to download as well as comprehensive answers to exercises and a range of other useful resources that are regularly updated. The book will therefore appeal not only to undergraduate and postgraduate students but also to more established and seasoned educational researchers and lecturers and professors who have tended to avoid or shy away from quantitative methods.