Browsing by Author "Abdul-Majied, Sabeerah"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Data driven decision making: A multisite case study in early childhood centres in Tobago [PowerPoint presentation]
    (2013-07-22) Abdul-Majied, Sabeerah; De Lisle, Jerome; Herbert, Susan; Gayah-Batchasingh, Alicia; McMillan-Solomon, Sabrina; Mohammed, Rhoda; Glasgow-Charles, Kimberly; Thornhill, Ann
    Data-based decision making is a critical part of the education scenario at all levels. Decisions informed by data are likely to be more effective and relevant to the immediate indigenous context. Data-based decision making has become a critical component of effective equity-focused instruction even at the early childhood level. In Trinidad and Tobago, the early childhood care and education (ECCE) provision is designed to foster collaborative data-driven inquiry by teachers. Standards for regulating early childhood services stipulate written policies for curriculum development and assessment that include record keeping, observation and planning. The Ministry of Education also provides documents for record keeping and administrative support for data collection. Teachers in Tobago, however, sometimes report that record keeping is difficult and that they receive little support. This multi-site qualitative case study was therefore designed to investigate the types of data collected, how data were used, and factors that facilitate or inhibit data use practices at three early childhood centres in Tobago. The study is informed by the system-based data use model proposed by Schildkamp and Kuiper (2010). Key findings are that though much data were collected, data use was most effective when school practices were guided by a philosophy that was culturally specific and child-centred. Additionally, seven teacher characteristics that support data-based decision making were identified
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    "Don't Treat Me Like I'm Bad": Social Competence and Teacher Roles in Young Children's Development at Three Primary Schools in Trinidad
    (School of Education, UWI, St. Augustine, 2010) Abdul-Majied, Sabeerah
    This study shares the perspectives and experiences of members of staff from two established special education institutions in Trinidad and Tobago on the issue of how they are responding to national calls for inclusive education. Methodology within the case study tradition included narrative analysis of responses to open-ended questions, observations, document analysis, and the critical experiences of the co-researchers. Findings reveal resilience as one characteristic displayed by the staff of special schools in addressing inclusive education. There is also a concern about whether social justice is possible with an inherited elitism. Staff identified challenges, which include building and sustaining collaborative relationships, resourcing and utilizing technology for education, culturally responsive teaching, early identification and intervention, and teacher preparation. Recommendations for moving forward include more local and Caribbean-wide practices that address culturally responsive curricula, action research-based interventions, a continuum of professional development systems targeting teacher dispositions, and public mobilization regarding the role of education in social justice
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Teachers' views of quality teaching/learning at the infant level in a new primary school
    (School of Education, UWI, St. Augustine, 2013) Abdul-Majied, Sabeerah; Cain, Margaret
    This study sought to gain an understanding of the quality of teaching and learning provided at a newly built primary school. This school was intended to provide a setting for high-quality education for young children, and was equipped with modern physical facilities. A qualitative approach was used to obtain teachers' views of the quality of teaching and learning provided at the Infant level of the school. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The questions that guided the study were: (a) What are teachers' views about factors that support quality teaching and learning in the Infant Department of a primary school? and (b) What are teachers' views about factors that inhibit quality teaching and learning in the Infant Department of a primary school? The findings indicated that the quality of teaching and learning provided in the Infant level classrooms was influenced by a number of factors related to the home/school connection, critical school support, teacher attributes, and student attributes. New findings about educational change issues that could facilitate quality teaching when moving to a new school setting also emerged