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Exploration of Factors that Influence the use of Psychological Testing in the Treatment and Evaluation of Children: Development of a Clinical Decision-Making Model
Get PDFMental health disorders are on the rise among children. Within the field of clinical psychology, psychological testing is considered a professional competency and a formative diagnostic tool. Simultaneously, testing can help clarify differential diagnosis, guide treatment for both medical and mental health conditions, and provide accurate monitoring of treatment over time. Although there is substantial evidence supporting the use of testing in practice, there is limited scientific data linking these same benefits to the assessment process. One explanation for this is that studying psychological assessments is a challenging task, given the complexities of the process. Subsequently, many have described conducting psychological assessment as a continual, dynamic, decision-making process. However, what attributes to a psychologist’s clinical judgment when choosing to conduct testing remains unclear. The purpose of this clinical research project was to explore the contributing factors behind clinical child psychologists’ decision-making in relation to determining the necessity of conducting assessments with children. An analysis of the existing literature was conducted for psychological assessment methods with children, clinical decision-making in psychology, and healthcare related fields. The findings of this research project suggested several patterns across the literature. Specifically, the emerging factors suggested that clinical psychologists’ decision-making closely resembles a Naturalistic Decision Making model, in turn, a clinical decision-making model for clinical child psychologists was proposed. Finally, after analyzing factors weighing into effective clinical decision-making, a proposed model of action steps outlining psychological assessment methods with children was created to inform clinical practice
A Meta-Synthesis of the American and the European Standards for the Accreditation of Counseling Training Programs
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how the European Standards for the accreditation of counseling training programs compare to CACREP standards and to each other. The differences and commonalities between standards have been defined through a meta-synthesis of integrated findings from a large body of inter-related qualitative studies and reinterpretation of the synthesized data.
This qualitative meta-synthesis research was intended to contribute to the process of counseling globalization by exploring the unique cultural features and aspects of the European and the U.S. accrediting systems for counseling training programs. This research revealed 1) the commonly recognized areas that were accepted by both sides; 2) the areas that require further development in the European countries in order to successfully promote the counseling profession; 3) the areas that display unique characteristics based on cultural perceptions and historical backgrounds; and, 4) the areas that require CACREP to reconsider their standards regarding universal applicability. These specific qualities and needs of each analyzed professional counseling community were addressed with regards to the upcoming necessity to develop the unified global standards for counseling training and practice.
The findings of this research may underpin the formation of the prospective unified standards for the global counseling training. The qualitative comparison of this meta-synthesis can be used for the discussion of how the worldwide professional counseling community can be effectively consolidated in the future
Into the Cloud: How Professional Development and Leadership Relate to Technology Implementation
Get PDFThe skills necessary for 21st century society and the information age require that schools reevaluate their mission, vision, and goals to reflect how they will prepare students for the demands of a world in which immediate access to droves of information has led to increased value placed on what Tony Wagner (2008) has defined as the “seven survival skills”: critical thinking and problem-solving; collaboration and leading by influence; agility and adaptability; initiative and entrepreneurship; effective communication; accessing and analyzing information; and curiosity and imagination. For many districts and schools, the response has been adding technology to the menu of initiatives. Though on the surface adopting technology presents itself as a technical issue, the real challenge of technology implementation is alignment with learning goals and targets as a way to impact teaching and learning. It is this aspect of technology implementation that still remains a mystery as efforts fall short due to a lack of purpose, inadequate goal-setting, insufficient professional development (PD) and personalized supports, and a failure to evaluate progress. This program evaluation follows Modern Mind CUSD through its efforts in a districtwide 1:1 technology initiative and evaluates the relationship between professional development, leadership, and technology implementation. Through the analysis of multiple data types and sources, strategies in the arenas of context, conditions, culture, and competencies (Wagner et al., 2006) were identified alongside a policy recommendation to rebuild the evaluation process and tools in order to provide targeted feedback and support for teachers and administrators. By doing so, Modern Mind CUSD will have the capacity to sustain the use of technology as a way to support personalized learning goals not only for students but for all stakeholders involved
The Relationship Between the Next Generation Content Area Reading Professional Development Program on the Effectiveness of Teaching Literacy Strategies in High School Biology Classes
Get PDFThe need for effective content area reading teachers have continued to increase since the introduction of one public school districts’ Content Area Reading Professional Development (CAR-PD) in 2006. In 2011, modifications were made to improve the program, and it became known as the Next Generation Content Area Reading Professional Development (NGCAR-PD). The purpose of this program evaluation is to investigate the relationship between NGCAR-PD certified Biology teachers and their ability to implement reading strategies with science content effectively. The context of this inquiry is a mid-sized public school district that has implemented the program since 2006 at the middle and high school level with content area teachers. This study demonstrates that the expected outcomes of a program completer do not match the actual results. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed that specific improvements were needed for the NGCAR-PD program for teachers to be effective when implementing reading comprehension strategies with students in content area classrooms
CREATING COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY: EXPLORING NETWORK ACTIVITY AMONG SHELTERS AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE SOUTH-SIDE OF CHICAGO
Get PDFWe may not all agree that the homeless community is increasing and that their essential needs to survive such as food, healthcare and housing are quality of life rights for everyone. We must adopt the compassion of the medical industry and understand the importance of how community programs and services impact their survival. The sense of urgency to address the issues of homelessness does not appear to be moving as fast as other government agendas hindering families and individual’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency. It is expected that the priorities within this population are addressed immediately, it should be understood that all homeless are priority.
Studies show that there is a focus on services for special groups within the homeless community. Individuals with various disabilities, women, and children just to name a few are groups that shelters, and homeless providers work with first. They create case-plans supporting them with services, housing placement, and programs. The case plan is to ensure that after an intake and assessment, participants are connected to programs, resources, and services that should encourage and help them on their path to self-sufficiency and sustainability. The plan is a network of organizations forming support systems that include housing, community organizations, hospitals, and other organizations serving homeless clients using collaborative efforts. To understand their relationships and how they support the homeless community; this study explores the network of service systems, the levels of organizations networking together, and how service providers create comprehensive wrap-around services addressing the needs of the homeless
The Study of Black American Male School Principals’ Life Experiences and How They Affect Black American Male Students in Their Schools to Close the Academic Achievement Gap
Get PDFABSTRACT
This qualitative study was conducted to inform the present educational system concerning what is known about Black American male former principals and district leaders and how they affected Black American male students in closing the academic achievement gap. The context of this inquiry was an examination of three Black American male former principals/district leaders in one region of the United States, and the study focused on how they used their life and professional experiences to help Black American male students in their schools to close the academic achievement gap. Three themes were acknowledged in this investigation: the impact of having a strong Black American male in their lives, ensuring effective professional development was offered in the schools they led, and the importance of a diverse and culturally competent faculty that included Black teachers
Middle School Algebra as a College and Career Readiness Indicator
Get PDFA goal of historic and current educational policy in American public schools has been to increase middle school student completion of Algebra I. The purpose of this study was to investigate equitable strategies for mathematics acceleration of diverse populations of middle school students. The context of this inquiry was a mid-sized school district that offers accelerated mathematics pathways to select middle school students throughout the district. My study demonstrated outcomes that align with current college and career readiness literature and support school-wide implementation of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) system
Utilizing Proper Behavior Modification Support Models to Narrow the Academic Achievement Gap Among At-Risk Students
Get PDFInstances where minority and/or economically disadvantaged students are the unfortunate recipients of the majority of discipline referrals and suspensions may be traced throughout the history of American public schools. The purpose of this study is to determine whether various student support systems implemented with fidelity, intensity, and intentionality, while supplemented with tailored support strategies, had a positive impact on the behavioral and academic outcomes among at-risk students. The context of this inquiry is a large middle school located in a medium sized public-school district in North America. This mixed-method, quasi-experimental, formative evaluation, demonstrates outcomes of decreased levels of discipline referrals and higher levels of academic performance among “at risk” students
We Don\u27t Work For Free : Tenured Faculty Engagement In Assessment Initiatives On A Unionized Community College Campus
Get PDFThis case study, which included faculty and administrator interviews as well as an exploration of institutional documents and faculty meeting spaces, examined what influences a tenured faculty member’s decision to engage with assessment initiatives at Midwest Community College and what senior leaders can do to successfully engage tenured faculty in these efforts. Principal-agent theory (PAT) offers an important and helpful framework for considering how senior leadership can successfully engage tenured faculty in student learning outcomes assessment on this specific unionized community college campus. The findings of this study suggest that senior leaders must leverage both incentives and monitoring to successfully engage tenured faculty in institutional efforts to assess student learning outcomes. In addition to incentives and monitoring, the faculty and senior leaders in this case study spoke to the need for acknowledging the value of assessment work, demonstrating respect for faculty’s engagement in institutional assessment processes, and giving inherent meaning to what faculty do. The findings of this study have direct implications for collective bargaining agreements, tenure processes, hiring practices, and senior leaders’ own behavior towards and relationships with tenured faculty. Specific recommendations for action are provided, as well as implications for further research
