A summary of research in reading readiness

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston UniversityPurpose: To measure the various abilities presented in the readiness workbooks of basal reading series and to relate the findings to reading achievement of Grade One in January; to measure, also, the knowledge of letter names and sounds and relate the findings to reading achievement of Grade One in January. Materials Used: Workbooks of nine systems were analyzed to discover types and frequency of suggested exercises. Four general areas were in evidence; auditory discrimination, language development, motor skills, and visual discrimination. Groups tests were constructed to include exercises comparable to the published ones with ceilings in all areas beyond the workbook material. In addition to these four tests, the Boston University Individual Test and the Boston University First Grade Success Study (January Test) were given. Intelligence was measured by the Otis Quick Scoring Mental Ability Test which had been given in October [TRUNCATED

First-Past-the-Post means that many constituencies are foregone conclusions, so how much power do voters really have?

Of the many indicators of various kinds hosted on the constituency pages of the Democratic Dashboard , none gets such a reaction as the Voter Power Index. In this article, Carl Cullinane explains how, because of the UK’s First Past The Post electoral system, some voters come to wield far more influence than others. Not only is this unfair, but the inequity that comes about because of the division between safe seats and marginal seats also has a corrosive effect on democracy, he argues

Comprehensive in name only: social selectivity and school places

England’s top comprehensive schools are often socially selective, writes Carl Cullinane. He outlines the evidence that supports this claim as well as the implications of current policy, and explains what needs to change in order to ensure a fairer admissions process, so that more disadvantaged pupils can access the best schools

The latest Commons Political Reform Committee report illustrates popular opinion on voter engagement measures

The House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Committee recently released a new report evaluating a range of ideas to increase political engagement and to stem the tide of apathy towards democracy. Democratic Audit’s Carl Cullinane runs the rule over the report, assessing its recommendations and findings on voting, registration and voter information

The Scottish Independence Referendum, how will it all unfold?

After days, weeks and months of argument, controversy and preparation, Scotland will go to the polls tomorrow, with a long day of voting and a long night of counting ahead. Carl Cullinane outlines the nuts and bolts of how Scotland’s big day will go

Introducing the Democratic Dashboard

Last week saw the launch of the Democratic Dashboard, a new site aimed at engaging and informing voters about the local areas before the election. In this post, Carl Cullinane introduces the Dashboard, and discusses how it helps us to understand the changing nature of party politics in the run up to the forthcoming election

What a fairer tuition fees system would look like and how it may be achieved

Carl Cullinane explains why a system of stepped fees and restored maintenance grants would reduce average levels of debt, and target resources at those from low-income households who need it the most, at a more moderate cost to the taxpayer