Dennis Alonzo

The role of assessment in developing students’ self-regulation is well-documented in the literature, but the knowledge base remains fragmented. We synthesised research on the role of assessment in developing students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) from 2010 to 2024, addressing variables, key evidence, and barriers related to assessment and SRL. A comprehensive search across three databases yielded 562 articles, with 32 selected for detailed analysis following the PRISMA guidelines and a three-stage thematic synthesis process. Findings underscored the pivotal role of assessment in fostering SRL among students. Key findings highlight the importance of high-quality feedback, student-centred learning and assessment practices, and the integration of technology-enhanced assessments in promoting SRL. However, several barriers, such as negative teacher feedback practices and insufficient students’ self-assessment skills, must be addressed to fully realise the potential of assessment in supporting SRL. The review contributes significantly to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of effective assessment practices and identifying areas for future research. These insights have important implications for both theory and practice, suggesting actionable steps for educators and policymakers to enhance assessment practices and support the development of SRL skills in diverse educational contexts.

As of July 29th this year, the journal had received 556 new submissions, a 30% increase on end of July 2025. The editorial team is truly grateful for the interest that colleagues have shown in the ...

Background: Academic perseverance is important for educational success, yet research has focused mainly on individual and proximal environmental factors, with limited attention to broader socioeconomic contexts. Aims: This study examined whether national economic inequality was associated with students' academic perseverance and whether this association varied by family socioeconomic status (SES). Samples: Data were drawn from four Programme for International Student Assessment cycles conducted in 2000, 2012, 2018 and 2022, comprising 1,374,393 15‐year‐old students from 73 countries. Methods: Economic inequality was indexed using lagged national Gini coefficients. Country‐level correlations and three‐level weighted multilevel models were estimated, with students nested within schools and countries. Models adjusted for GDP per capita, population, unemployment, gender, age and immigrant background. Cross‐level Gini × SES interactions tested moderation by family SES. Results: Economic inequality was moderately to strongly positively correlated with country‐level mean academic perseverance across the four waves ( r = .47–.61). In multilevel models, higher national inequality was also associated with higher individual‐level academic perseverance after adjustment for covariates, explaining approximately 1% of the variance. The Gini × SES interaction was significant in three of the four waves: the positive association was approximately 1.5–1.8 times stronger among lower‐SES students than among higher‐SES students. Conclusions: Economic inequality was associated with greater academic perseverance, particularly among lower‐SES students. These findings suggest that its educational correlates may be more complex than uniformly negative accounts imply and warrant further research into the underlying mechanisms and longer‐term consequences.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global concern due to its persistence, ubiquity, and potential ecological and health risks. Although various MP separation techniques exist, flotation has gained attention as a promising approach adapted from mineral processing. This study provides a systematic review, bibliometric analysis, and meta-analysis of MP removal using flotation, covering 31 papers published between 2015 and 2024. Research output has grown rapidly since 2020, with China (including Hong Kong) as the leading contributor with strong international collaborations. Bibliometric mapping highlighted hotspots such as polymer type, particle size, contact angle, and nanobubbles. Meta-analysis showed that flotation achieved high removal efficiencies across water and solid matrices, though performance varies with polymer properties, surfactants used, and experimental design. Studies focused on solid particles remain limited, reflecting greater methodological challenges than in water systems. Critical discussion emphasized the need for standardized protocols, scaling from laboratory to field applications, and integration with wastewater treatment. This review identified knowledge gaps and emerging trends that can inform the future development of flotation as an effective technology for mitigating MP pollution.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is an environmental concern that needs to be addressed by some mining industries because of its high concentrations of metals and acidity that destroy affected ecosystems. Its formation typically persists beyond the operating life of a mine site. Its management is even more challenging for sites that are abandoned without rehabilitation. In this study, a legacy copper–gold mine located in Sto. Niño, Tublay, Benguet, Philippines, generating a copper- and manganese-rich AMD (Cu, maximum 17.2 mg/L; Mn, maximum 2.90 mg/L) at pH 4.59 (minimum) was investigated. With its remote location inhabited by the indigenous people local community (IPLC), a novel limestone-based hybrid passive treatment system that combines a limestone leach bed (LLB) and a controlled modular packed bed reactor (CMPB) has been developed from the laboratory and successfully deployed in the field while investigating the effective hydraulic retention time (HRT), particle size, and redox conditions (oxic and anoxic) in removing Cu and Mn and increasing pH. Laboratory-scale and pilot-scale systems using simulated and actual AMD, respectively, revealed that a 15 h HRT and both oxic and anoxic conditions were effective in treating the AMD. Considering these results and unsteady conditions of the stream in the legacy mine, a hybrid multi-stage limestone leach bed and packed bed were deployed having variable particle size (5 mm to 100 mm) and HRT. Regular monitoring of the system showed the effective removal of Cu (88.5%) and Mn (66.83%) as well as the increase of pH (6.26), addressing the threat of AMD in the area. Improvement of the lifespan of the system needs to be addressed, as issues of Cu-armoring were observed, resulting in reduced performance over time. Nonetheless, the study presents a novel technique in implementing passive treatment systems beyond the typical treatment trains reported in the literature.