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THE STUDENTS CAME BACK DIFFERENT: UNDERSTANDING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS WORKING WITH CULTURALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING TRAUMA BEFORE AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Full text linkIn an increasingly diverse educational landscape, literature implies that understanding how school counselors navigate the intersection of cultural diversity and the challenges posed by the pandemic is of paramount importance. Examined in this dissertation are the experiences of school counselors when working with culturally diverse students both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, termed for the purpose of this research as the “Blip”. In this study, the lived experiences of practicing school counselors are drawn upon to shed light on the evolving nature of their roles, responsibilities, and the impact of trauma and cultural responsiveness on their efficacy and practice. Using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, this researcher explores the ways in which school counselors' perceptions, interventions, and supports when working with culturally diverse students have transformed in response to the pandemic. Findings were not only the challenges but also the opportunities for enhancing culturally competent counseling practices in the context of COVID-19. The insights garnered from this study offer valuable guidance for educators, policymakers, and counselor training programs as they seek to optimize the support systems available to culturally diverse students in a post-pandemic educational landscape
Voter Psychology and Women Congressional Candidates
No full textWhy are there substantially fewer women than men in the U.S. Congress? Furthermore, why does an asymmetrical gap exist on political party lines with substantially more Democratic women in Congress than their Republican counterparts? Past literature suggests that voters perceive women candidates to be more liberal; however, this has not been tested experimentally in today’s polarized political environment. I answer these questions by evaluating voters’ opinions regarding women candidates. Specifically, I evaluate whether voters hold biases differently based on their political party affiliation and their identity-based ideology (hostile views toward members of the opposing political party) and if this affects voter choice in primary Congressional elections. I employ a survey experimental design and manipulate the gender of the candidate’s name to find if this leads to different results in the treatment and control groups. Other indicators will be held constant, such as the candidate’s political party affiliation, policy positions, and last name. One significant finding is that independents who leaned toward a political party were influenced by gender heuristics. Additionally, independents who leaned Republican were more likely to think of the woman candidate as more liberal than the man candidate. Alternatively, independents who leaned Democratic were more likely to perceive the women candidate as more conservative than the man candidate. These findings suggest that gender heuristics have more of an influence on self-described independents than previously expected. In future research, more diversity in responses may be seen if more explicit instructions about primary elections are included and if multiple candidate options are provided. Additionally, future research should evaluate the role of independents’ perceptions of candidates and if this affects voter choice. Accounting for this will help researchers to better understand if independents’ attitudes towards women candidates affect overall voting patterns and subsequently the gender-partisan gap in the U.S. Congress
Positive and Negative Aspects of Take-Home Unit Programs
No full textAcross the nation, law enforcement agencies work each day to fulfill the mission of protecting and serving. The job of the law enforcement officer is complicated and occurs in all manner of environments, under any conditions. Officers use an array of tools and technology to fulfill the mission. Of substantial importance are the vehicles used to transport officers and equipment. Agencies are tasked with the acquisition, fitting, and maintenance of the fleet vehicles that officers use each day. Getting the best value and use of each vehicle is the goal of fleet managers. Balancing the cost against the benefit of each vehicle added to the fleet, and making vehicles and equipment last longer is becoming more important in a difficult economy. Though it may seem frugal for a fleet manager to assign vehicles on a shared basis, the constant use of the vehicles significantly reduces the service life of the unit. One solution to this problem is for law enforcement agencies to institute a take-home car program. By implementing a take-home unit program an agency can see benefits for the citizens, agencies, and the employees.LEMI
The Impact of Law Enforcement Take-Home Vehicles: A Win for the Agency and the Community
No full textOver the years, there has been controversy regarding whether or not “take-home vehicles” were beneficial to law enforcement organizations, municipalities, and the officers and supervisors assigned to those vehicles. While there are many advantages listed in numerous sources, there are disadvantages listed in numerous sources as well. Law enforcement organizations across the country have struggled with budgetary shortfalls, and every city, county, and federal organization continuously competes with other entities within their organization for precious dollars every year. While trying to be fiscally responsible to their organizations, many outside of police department administrations do not know of the fierce competition to recruit and retain high-level employees. While pay and other incentives are important to many potential applicants, a well-thought-out vehicle take-home policy could provide the needed edge to recruit and retain good officers. Other benefits include increased visibility, expedited response times, and longevity of the fleet, among many other things that will be listed in this document. While the benefits are present, there are numerous challenges involved in implementing a take-home vehicle program. Starting a successful program has a substantial cost, which requires a commitment from city, county, or administrative leaders. Many times, it requires a “mass” purchase of new vehicles to provide each officer with a vehicle. Once implemented, if proper policy and guidelines are not established, abuse of the program could occur, including unauthorized use of the vehicle, increased maintenance costs, and improper care of the vehicle.LEMI
Women in Law Enforcement: The Underrepresentation of Women in Leadership and the Barriers They Face
No full textHistorically, police agencies around the country have unconsciously failed to tap into the more unrepresented population in the American workforce, women. Although the number of women recruits has minimally increased over the years, the anticipated level of growth has continued to be met with roadblocks in this male-dominated industry, such as gender discrimination, unhealthy work-life balance, and increased scrutiny. To mitigate these issues and others, departments around the country should continue to work towards finding plausible solutions to these challenges, making women feel protected and included in a male-dominated field. The position women play in law enforcement is critical when acknowledging the role they play through effective communication, mentorship, and diverse perspectives. Prioritizing and outlining solutions to addressing these issues and challenges are critical in fostering an inclusive and efficient workplace.LEMI
Evaluating Maude’s and Hooker’s HMAV Bounty Tracks After Leaving Tahiti on September 22, 1789
No full textThis study evaluated two competing claims of the HMAV Bounty’s voyage between Tahiti on September 22, 1789, and its arrival almost four months later at Pitcairn Island on January 15, 1789. Henry Maude’s proposed track has Bounty sailing westward until reaching the southern Lau Group of the Fiji Islands before reversing course then arcing southeast toward Pitcairn Island. Conversely, Brian Hooker envisioned Bounty steering southeast towards “Isles said to be dic.d by the Spaniards 1773.” While both trajectories cover similar distances of over 4,400 nautical miles, their hypotheses are based on the antipodal accounts from John Adams, last surviving mutineer, and Jenny, the most traveled woman of Bounty. This article begins with an historical background of the mutiny, Bligh’s incredible open-boat voyage to Coupang, Timor, and HMS Pandora’s search and capture of those mutineers self-exiled on Tahiti. Next, Maude’s and Hooker’s qualifications are given before examining competing Bounty trajectories with Google Earth Pro
The Utility of the Inventory of Offender Risk, Needs, and Strengths (IORNS) in the Prediction of Treatment Completion, Supervision Compliance, and Recidivism With Individuals Convicted of a Sexual Offense
No full textForensic psychologists are often tasked with evaluating individuals with sexual offense histories, including their risk of committing additional offenses, and providing opinions or recommendations regarding treatment and community supervision. Over the past three decades, research has been conducted to develop recidivism estimates for all types of crimes and identify risk factors associated with recidivism.
The Inventory of Offender Risks, Needs, and Strengths (IORNS; Miller, 2006b) is a self-report risk assessment measure that evaluates static and dynamic risk factors, as well as protective factors, relevant to reoffending. It was developed to aid forensic clinicians and supervision officers in the treatment and management of justice-involved individuals. The current study investigated the ability of the IORNS index and scale scores to predict treatment completion, supervision compliance, and recidivism with individuals who have sexually offended.
The sample consisted of 211 males and females convicted of sexual offenses and serving community supervision in Southeast Texas. In regression analyses, the Overall Risk Index (ORI), the Static Risk Index (SRI), and the Protective Strengths Index (PSI) accounted for a unique portion of the variance in overall recidivism. The IORNS’ index scores were also significant predictors of treatment termination (AUCs ranging from .33 to .76) and probation revocation (AUCs ranging from .32 to .77). Results examining scale scores provide evidence for treatment and supervision targets (a developmental focus of the IORNS). Several dynamic risk scales were significant predictors of treatment completion and community supervision success, with AUCs ranging from .60 to .71. Additionally, the importance of attending to protective factors is highlighted in the results, with the scales and indices related to protective strengths producing some of the largest effects for successful treatment and probation outcomes (AUCs ranging from .33 to .36).
These results provide further support for the utility of the IORNS in predicting important outcomes such as recidivism, treatment termination, and success under community supervision. The findings also support the IORNS as a valid tool for establishing personalized recommendations for treatment and supervision needs. Continued examination of the utility of self-reported risk and protective factors in predicting treatment and community supervision outcomes is warranted
Identification of Miocene Fauna and Depositional Environment of Push and Rush Creek, Texas
Full text linkPush and Rush creek are a pair of interconnected creeks that make up a paleontological locality located in Tyler County, Texas. From here on the fossils collected from these creeks will be referred to as PRC. The locality is located north of the Big Thicket National Preserve and east of Woodville Texas. Together they run northeast to Steinhagen Lake. The PRC cuts through a vertebrate fossil rich portion of the Fleming Group (14-12 mya). Over a thousand fragmentary fossils collected from PRC are housed at the Sam Houstin State University Natural Science and Art Research Center (NSARC). The project presented here aims to identify all fauna in the NSARC/PRC collection to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Identifications are based on physical characters, including both qualitative (e.g. general shape and texture, presence and absence of characters) and quantitative (e.g. length, width, and thickness) characters. Characters were compared with previously identified Miocene specimens housed at The Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections at The University of Texas at Austin and by using published descriptions of fossils from nearby sites in the Fleming Group, such as Toledo Bend Reservoir and the Cold Spring locality. Those localities represent the early and late depositional environments of the Lagarto Formation, a subdivision of the Fleming Group. To date 124 specimens are identified to at least the Family level, including six orders of vertebrates (Testudines, Rodentia, Crocodilia, Proboscidea, Artiodactyla, and Perissodactyla). The Miocene records dramatic changes in the environment and fauna of North America, such as the spread of grasslands, the radiation of Equids, and change in sea level. More clearly defining the Miocene biostratigraphy of Texas, therefore, will allow for a better understanding of these events across the continent. Comparing the depositional environments of the Miocene localities in East Texas will also better define the Texas coastline during and after the Miocene Thermal Maximum. In addition, a comprehensive taxonomic list for the PRC will help biostratigraphic relationships of the PRC fauna and help clarify the distribution of fauna during the middle Miocene of Texas
News Media Reporting Of Police Body-Worn Camera Footage: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Full text linkAttention to police body-worn camera (BWC) footage has surged in recent years,
especially following the high-profile police-involved deaths of Michael Brown and Laquan McDonald in 2014. The implementation of BWCs has been a significant response to calls for police reform, particularly regarding accountability and transparency, as recommended by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. While BWC use is often discussed in the context of police use of force, limited scholarly attention has been given to how BWC footage is framed in media coverage. This study aims to fill this gap by examining media reporting on police BWC footage over a four-year period (May 2019–May 2023).
The findings reveal how media narratives about police misconduct and law enforcement justifications shape public perceptions of police accountability. The study also explores the impact of BWC footage on the public’s trust in law enforcement, noting how its release— or absence—can affect transparency and further contribute to public discourse on police reform. These findings align with existing literature, highlighting the role of media in shaping societal attitudes toward law enforcement. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the
need for further research on the framing of police misconduct in the media and its influence on ongoing reform effort
SORTING OUT THE BUSINESS: SUPPORT NEEDED FOR THE AGRIBUISNESS PROGRAM OF STUDY IN TEXAS AGRICULTYRE, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-BASED AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHERS
Full text linkThe purpose of my study is to determine the gaps to be filled, for school based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers to teach and add the agribusiness program of study to their agricultural program. SBAE teachers were assessed on what needs and classroom support they will require to successfully teach courses based on the agribusiness program of study and their perspectives of the agribusiness program of study. A quantitative Q methodology study was used to determine the viewpoints of SBAE teachers. SBAE teachers were asked to sort statements from the Q set based off agribusiness and agriculture education literature. The PQMethod software was used to analyze the data using factor extraction, factor rotation, and factor analysis. The results indicated four factors. From the findings SBAE teachers surveyed can be found to be Opportunity Aware Educators, FFA Motivated Educators, Professional Development Motivated Educators, and Future Outlook Motivated Educators. With more professional development for agribusiness, SBAEs teachers will understand the benefit of teaching agribusiness and know the importance of the program of study, resulting in more programs having this program of study