Teacher opinions regarding the perception management levels of school administrators

The purpose of this research is to determine the levels and use of perception management by school administrators. The study group consists of teachers working in Private Primary School and Secondary Schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Nicosia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the 2016–2017 academic year. The sample of the study is composed of 282 teachers representing the universe selected by the method of easy reachable case sampling. As a means of collecting data in the survey, “Personal Information Form” by Kline (An easy guide to factor analysis, Routledge, New York, 1994) and “Manager Perception Management ent Scale” developed by Uylas (Yönetici Alg? Yönetimi Ölçe?i, Türkiye Ölçme Araçlar? Dizini, 2017a, Okul Yöneticilerinin Sosyal-Duygusal E?itim Liderli?i ve Alg? Yönetimine ?li?kin Ö?retmen Görü?leri, T.C. Abant ?zzet Baysal Üniversitesi, E?itim Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Bolu, 2017b) was used. The obtained data were analyzed in an analysis program. In the research, the values of perception management use levels of managers according to teacher opinions were examined. According to the results and comments obtained from the research, some of the proposals developed for researchers and educators working in the field of education management are as follows. Towards practical; trainings can be given on how school administrators can use perception management for successful perception management practices in educational organizations. In interviews to select school administrators, choosing school administrator with high perception management skills can be prioritized. Towards newstudies; including multidimensional evaluation of all elements of educational organizations such as managers, parents and servants in new researches to be conducted and comparison of teachers ‘and administrators’ views. This study has brought out suggestions that can be implemented in other stages of education.     

Evaluation of administrative and supervisory performance of the directors of Special Education Institutions according to the teachers

In this research, the criticism of the performance of the managers of the Institutions of Special Education by the teachers was investigated. In this context, the school principals in the teaching process; planning, organizing, decision making, coordination, evaluation and supervision were questioned about the behaviors of the school in the eyes of the teachers and the suggestions of the teachers. The research was conducted in the Special Education Institutions in Nicosia. In the sample, interview questions were asked regarding the productivity and application levels to 13 teachers in 8 schools. In the findings of the research, the level of implementation of the administrators who work in the Special Education Schools in their behaviors related to the management processes is quite good. Feedback has been received at such a level that managers can appreciate both bilateral relations and each stage of the management process. As a result of the research carried out, change and development are necessary, even though the Director of the Special Education Institutions is considered sufficient in terms of planning, decision making and coordination in bilateral relations and increasing in-service training for teachers and principals nowadays, and training for the awareness of teachers’ communication and democratic attitudes is necessary.

     

An investigation of universal values and disability awareness in course books

Course books are medium to transfers values in education. Disability awareness plays a great role to catch equity, access among learners and making social justice. This way of thinking is essential to be reflected in the education systems and course books are indicators in the reflections of curriculum as a technology and instruction integration. This research study aims to investigate universal values and disability awareness in course books. In this respect, the research is essential to state current situation in the curriculum in considering the universal values and disability awareness. Documentary analysis conducted to gather data and thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate data. The research study revealed that there is a need to conduct efforts to increase disability awareness in course books, because universal values in courses books are partial.

     

Paternalist leadership style of the organizational trust

This study aims to evaluate the effect of paternalist administrators on the organizational trust of teachers working in their context. The notions of paternalist leadership style, trust, and organizational trust are explained based on literature. The study is based on qualitative research approach. Despite this, the short version of “Paternalist Leadership Scale”, developed by Cheng in 2004 and a short version prepared in 2014 is used initially. Administrators with paternalist leadership characteristic were established with the help of this scale. Later, open ended questions, developed by the authors, were asked to teachers in the schools as organizations of those administrators with the aim of establishing their “trust for the administrator and for the organization”. The sample of the research was made up of 30 teachers working at 5 primary schools of the North Cyprus Ministry of National Education during the 2016–2017 school year. It was observed in the findings that in the eyes of the teachers social characteristics of individuals were most important in creating and enhancing the feeling of trust. In addition, it was observed that personal characteristics were some of the defining factors in developing trust. The conclusion was reached that teachers working with paternalist administrators had positive communications with school administrators and colleagues, and that they carried out their relationships within the rules of good manners and kindness. Again, in the eyes of teachers, it was established that paternalist administrators were eager to renew themselves. Finally, paternalist administrators were found, with a high percentage, to be quite qualified in establishing organizational trust. In conclusion, based on the findings of this study, it can be said that administrators with paternal leadership qualities are qualified in creating organizational trust; therefore, it will be important to train administrators in developing their paternal leadership styles.     

A comparative cultural study of mathematics education at Northern Cyprus and Turkmenistan secondary schools

This study was aimed at investigating the opinions of secondary school supervisors about mathematics education as a cross cultural study at the secondary schools of Northern Cyprus and Turkmenistan. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit responses from three supervisors from inside of the Northern Cyprus and eight educational supervisors from province of Turkmenistan (totalling eleven participants from two countries) about mathematics education in both countries to make a cross cultural comparison. Findings of the study indicated major challenges such as short duration of the control period, ignorance about the facilities and conditions, coincidental selection of the topics and classes, teacher’s unawareness of the evaluation criteria, and incompetence of supervisors in the field of mathematical inspection. It was further found that the difference between both the countries on the matter of control of the mathematics education is not very big. The study has positive significance for Ministry and Department of Education, Education Supervisors, administrators, researchers and teachers on effectively implementing mathematics education.     

Genetic distance,trade, and the diffusion of development

The determinants of countries' long‐term income differences feature prominently in the literature. Spolaore and Wacziarg (The diffusion of development, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2009 , 124, 469–529) argue that cultural differences, measured by countries' genetic distance, are an important barrier to the diffusion of development from the world's technological frontier. We revisit their findings in three ways. First, we successfully reproduce their results and confirm the robustness of their baseline findings. Second, we estimate their models for different time periods and find that the impact of genetic distance on income differences did not significantly change over time. Finally, we explore one of the underlying mechanisms of technology adoption and show that bilateral trade is one channel through which cultural differences retard the diffusion of development.     

Being leader in global citizenship at the information technology age

Information technology sheds a light for the personal and professional development of human beings. In this respect, there is an intensified need for people to upgrade their skills for adapting themselves to the new century. This research aims to evaluate potential of higher education students on leadership. Qualitative research nature was conducted to the research. Thematic analysis was done to analyze data and themes are revealed. Research results revealed that continuos innovation, level of master by developing continually, creating originality relating to itself, obeying the ethics rules are potential to be leader and global citizenship at the information technology age.     

Development of education rights for disabled children in Northern Cyprus and evaluation of grants for their families

This paper focuses on the evaluation of education rights of disabled children and grants for families to foster social integration. In this respect, it is essential to conduct a research to set situation analysis on the social inclusion and development for equal life. Qualitative research nature was conducted in order to understand perceptions and experiences on current situation on rights and possible ideas for further development. In this respect, research study revealed that there is an intensified need to conduct project and studies to enhance rights and education facilities of disabled children and services for their families.

     

War and well-being in transition: Evidence from two natural experiments

This paper assesses the effect of the Russo–Georgian conflict of 2008 and the Ukrainian–Russian conflict of 2014 on the well-being of minorities in Russia. Using the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS), we find that the well-being of Georgians in Russia suffered negatively from the 2008 Russo–Georgian conflict. We show that the conflict has no direct effect on the labor market outcomes of Georgians, and therefore, we attribute the negative effect of conflict on well-being to more indirect channels such as fear, altruism, or sympathy. In comparison, we find no general effect of the Ukrainian–Russian conflict of 2014 on the Ukrainian nationals’ happiness. However, the life satisfaction of Ukrainians who reside in the southern regions of Russia in close proximity to Ukraine is negatively affected. We also show that the negative effect of conflict is short-lived with no long-term legacy. Additionally, we analyze the spillover effects of conflict on other minorities in Russia. We find that while the well-being of non-slavic and migrant minorities who have recently moved to Russia is negatively affected, there is no effect on local minorities who have been living in Russia for at least ten years.