OSU Journals (Oklahoma State University)
Not a member yet
7480 research outputs found
Sort by
African American delinquent youth: Overcoming zero-tolerance policies and finding educational success
Get PDFA critical need exists for research on high school failure, dropping out, and therelationship between these actions and zero-tolerance mandates. In this article, the authors summarize the findings of a qualitative case study among seven African American male high school students at-risk of school failure who refused enrollment in alternative education. Five themes emerged in explaining their persistence in successfully obtaining a traditional high school diploma. Using statements froma qualitative interview, the article highlights the obstacles they faced and their determination to complete school in a traditional high school setting. A discussion will offer suggestions on how to successfully serve these particular students, as well as ways to advocate and support their educational needs and decisions
A qualitative exploration of gender in the context of methamphetamine use on the U.S.-Mexico border
No full textIn-depth interviews were conducted with 70 male and 30 femalemethamphetamine drug users in the U.S. -Mexico border of Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas. Topics included types of methamphetamine used, settings, as well as family, social and environmental influences. Interviews were taped, transcribed and translated. Content analysis was conducted and found women tended to buy or get drugs with people they knew and trusted. The differences suggest that although venue-based interventions may be appropriate for male methamphetamine users, personal network interventions may be more appropriate among females
Violence prevention in early childhood: Effectiveness of a violence prevention curriculum for Head Start teachers
Get PDFYouth in the U.S. are victims of, perpetrators of, and exposed to violence. A tool of violence prevention is early childhood education. Teachers of Head Start in rural, heavily Hispanic, South Texas are recruited to receive a newly developed violence prevention training program. This was done utilizing a quasiÂ-experimental design with a control group and two experimental groups. Of the 107 teachers involved in the program, 84 completed both the pre-test and post-test instruments. The effectiveness of the training in influencing knowledge and attitudes is tested here. Analysis of the data indicates that knowledge and attitudes are influenced both by the training and by having had prior exposure to violence. The results of this study suggest that violence prevention education enhances both knowledge and feelings of competency regarding ability to deal with violence. This study indicates that there is a need for further development and implementation of violence prevention curricula for both teachers and children involved in early childhood training programs such as Head Start
Creating a crime wave: The 1990
Get PDFThis study examines the emergence of crime as the nation's "most important problem" for the first time in U.S. polling history in 1994. By comparing polling data, news coverage waves, and crime statistics, the analysis challenges the argument that shifting media coverage is driven by public sentiment. It does so by demonstrating that a dramatic change in public opinion polls was precipitated by an unprecedented news coverage wave at a time when crime levels were actually falling. The study thus underscores the leading role media can play in the emergence of social problems and casts doubt on the notion that escalating expenditures for the American criminal justice system are driven principally by public demand
Occurrence of Goldfish, Carassius auratus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Little River System of Southeastern Oklahoma
Get PDFFirst Report of Anchoradiscus triangularus (Ancyrocephalidae) from Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus (Perciformes: Centrarchidae) from Southeastern Oklahoma
Get PDF
Small Town, Big Discussions: Perceptions of the Big Topics Youth Development Program
No full textIn response to the surge of outward migration of individuals from rural communities, the Rural [Name] Initiative [State] University conducted a study on the Big Topics Youth Leadership Program seeking to improve and revitalize its rural community. Seven individuals, who were all former participants of the program during high school, comprised the cohort for this study and were interviewed to understand how they perceived the program impacted them and their lives due to their participation. Five themes emerged providing insight and understanding to the value and benefit participants gained from their participation. The five included: a) expansion of critical thinking, b) widening of perspective, c) formulation and expression of opinions, d) relationship building, and e) preparedness for the future. Findings suggest all participants perceived the program to be worthwhile and valuable to their overall personal and long-term development. Recommendations for future research related to this program and similar programs are provided