Gatekeeping in child welfare: a comparative study of intake decisionmaking by social workers in Canada and Sweden

This article details findings from social workers in Sweden and Canada, illuminating similarities and differences in gatekeeping in child welfare and child protection. Analysis revealed different patterns of inclusion and exclusion. Swedish child welfare includes a greater readiness to intervene with more resources and measures. Gatekeeping is assessment driven and focused on family preservation. In Canada, only the most needy children are eligible for a limited range of services. Gatekeeping is structure driven and narrowly focused on protection. Analyses of evidence-based research to improve outcomes for children and families must include comparisons of how different structural orientations influence management of referrals at intake. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.     

Variable Sampling Interval Cumulative Count of Conforming Chart with Runs Rules

The cumulative count of conforming (CCC) chart is effective in detecting very low fraction of nonconforming items for high yield manufacturing processes. In this study, a combination of runs rules and variable sampling interval feature is proposed to a lower sided CCC chart by inspecting the items one by one. The performance measures of the control chart are derived by using the Markov chain approach. The numerical comparisons show that the performance of the CCC chart can be improved by adding the runs rules and varying the sampling interval.     

Language in the process of labour market rationalisation: A sociohistorical approach across twentieth-century Spain

This article analyses the role of linguistic skills in the process of defining professional classifications in Spain during 1919–1980. The aim is to determine the social evaluation of the skills involved. To retrace the classifications, a total of 114 official documents were examined, establishing a chronological division into three major stages: 1920–1940, 1940–1960 and 1960–1980. The first period (1920–1940) shows efforts toward the initial objectification of working conditions and salary scales, revealing social prejudices and tacit conventions shaping the employment hierarchy, while the second one (1940–1960) indicates the extent to which office work stood out over manual work. Finally, the third stage (1960–1980) shows processes of language rationalisation, which entailed attempts to standardise positions based on required skill sets.     

越南胡志明市及周边地区大学汉语教学情况调查与对策研究

本文采用实地考察、数据统计分析等方法对胡志明市及周边地区有汉语教学的5所大学的具体情况进行了调查,调查总人数为364人.结果显示:目前越南大学汉语培养的类型主要有汉语语言专业与非汉语语言专业两类,招生条件日趋灵活,招生数量呈逐年上升的趋势;学生方面,汉语学习的动机主要是为工作服务,学习态度与策略需要改善与协助;教师方面,博士学位教师及外籍教师资源少,有的学校甚至没有;教材方面,由于一些客观原因未能及时更新,教材及参考书籍缺乏.针对目前的汉语教学现状,本文提出以下对策:组织丰富、有效的活动,以帮助学生改善学习态度和策略;通过更多的渠道营造语言环境;越南本土教师积极参加编写具有针对性、统一性的教材;携手创办汉语书架,以丰富汉语参考资料.