The LAIR at East Texas A&M
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Informing the Principalship: Educators\u27 Lived Experiences with Received Professional Development for English Language Learners and the Impact on Instructional Practices and Student Outcomes
No full textThe purpose of this narrative inquiry was to explore the lived experiences of educators’ received professional development (PD) for English language learners and the subsequent impact on daily instructional practices and student outcomes. As demographics change in some regions of the United States, teachers and leaders of education struggle to conquer the challenges of a diverse classroom of learners, specifically when teaching English language learners (ELLs). The findings of this study offer insight into the lived experiences of teachers who teach ELLs and have engaged in PD for ELLs. The eight participants in this study engaged in semistructured interviews and answered open-ended questions. Participants expounded upon their lived experiences teaching ELLs, the ability of ELL PD to build teacher capacity, and the factors of ELL PD that impact daily classroom instruction. Findings from this study revealed the following major themes: instructional barriers, rapport building with students, teacher preparation, expert modeling, hands-on PD, administrative support, frequency of ELL PD, and follow-up of PD
Entrepreneurship Education and the Entrepreneurial Intent of Students at a Community College in Texas
No full textDespite the applicability of entrepreneurship education to various disciplines across college campuses, the offering tends to be exclusive to the business school (The George Washington University Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, 2015). This structure excludes most nonbusiness majors from exposure to entrepreneurship, despite research suggesting entrepreneurship education may influence intention, and thus behavior (Honig & Karlsson, 2004). Therefore, the current organizational structure for the subject may deprive nonbusiness majors from vital tools for starting and building a successful business (European Commission, 2008).The purpose of this study was to identify and to validate the relationships among intention toward entrepreneurship; mediating variables that occur before intention, including entrepreneurship education, if any; and other demographic variables. Regression analysis tested the effect of entrepreneurship education on the intention toward entrepreneurship of U.S. postsecondary students at a Texas community college. A survey adapted from the Entrepreneurial Intentions Questionnaire (EIQ; Liñán & Chen, 2009) asked quantifiable questions about the entrepreneurial intent of postsecondary students at this Texas community college with prior entrepreneurship education and compared them to the responses of students who lacked entrepreneurship education. The previously validated EIQ is based on the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) and uses the mediating variables of entrepreneurial attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to predict intention toward entrepreneurship. This study merged prior entrepreneurship education with those other mediating variables to test whether all variables correlate and whether prior entrepreneurship education increases entrepreneurial intention scores.The following research questions formed the basis for the investigation: (1) Does the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) predict entrepreneurial intentions of students at a large Texas community college? (2) Does prior entrepreneurship education increase the entrepreneurial intention of those Texas community college students
Determination of the Initial–Final Mass Relation for White Dwarfs with Helium Atmospheres
No full textWhite dwarfs are the final stage of stellar evolution for over 95% of stars. White dwarfsare classified into spectral types based on atmospheric composition. In particular, DA white dwarfs have hydrogen atmospheres, while DB white dwarfs have helium atmospheres. The initial-final mass relation relates the mass of a white dwarf to the mass of the progenitor star. The initial–final mass relation for DA white dwarfs is well understood and has been studied extensively. In contrast, DB white dwarf masses are harder to measure accurately and are thus only recently suitable for initial-final mass relation work. In this study we seek to construct a semi–empirical initial–final mass relation for DB white dwarfs. To accomplish this, we start by defining a sample of open cluster DB white dwarfs for which there are good spectra. In our case we had 8 white dwarfs in our sample. Next, we collect available astrometry and photometry data for each white dwarf in the sample. Collaborating with a research group at the University of Montreal we obtain temperatures and surface gravities for each DB white dwarf. Finally, with these data and adapted software we obtain the initial and final masses of the white dwarfs and construct the DB semi–empirical initial–final mass relation. Of our eight white dwarfs, only six of them had reasonable initial and final masses. The initial-final mass relation for DB white dwarfs appears to be lower than the best 3-piece fit for the initial-final mass relation for DA white dwarfs. However, data are still sparse and uncertainties in cluster membership and atmosphere abundances remain. Further spectroscopic and photometric analyses will be necessary to overcome these uncertainties
Teacher Perceptions for a Successful Student Transition from Junior High to High School at an Urban North Texas Public School District: A Narrative Inquiry
No full textThe entrance into ninth grade is a critical time for urban high school students. A successful transition is needed to ensure that students do not fall behind and graduate on time with their cohort. There was a need to study the perceptions of teachers to better understand specific issues surrounding the transition to high school. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the past experiences of eighth-grade and ninth-grade teachers in an effort to understand more about the transition from eighth grade to ninth grade in an urban school district. To investigate the perceptions of junior high and high school teachers, the researcher used narrative inquiry to gain the stories of teachers regarding students’ transitions from eighth grade to ninth grade. The data generated themes specific to answering the three research questions. The three themes from the eighth-grade teachers were (a) the need for smaller class sizes, (b) teaching student’s life and academic skills, and (c) providing opportunities for students and parents to visit the high school. The two themes from the ninth-grade teachers were (a) need for a summer bridge camp for ensuring successful transitions and (b) provide formal freshman year mentoring program. The three themes derived from all eight participants were (a) continuous interventions, (b) ninth grade needs to happen in a traditional high school setting, and (c) involving parents more during the transition process. The implications affect both school boards at the policy level and secondary school programming at the practice level. The data led to recommendations for future research to broaden and deepen the amount of understanding about the phenomenon of the transition from middle to high school in urban schools
pH Dependent Chelation Study of a Series of Modified Hexapepetides with Zn(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) Using Electrospray Ionization-Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry
No full textPrevious studies performed on an alternative metal-binding peptide (amb1A) which possess a 2His-2Cys motif in its primary structure prompted the design of a series of modified hexapeptides. Replacement of the His and Cys potential binding sites with Gly as well as amidation of the C-terminus was adopted. These modifications mirrored variations to a series of heptapeptides with a Tyr amino acid residue that has been published. This study investigated the effectiveness of the 2His-2Cys motif to pH-dependent Zinc(II), Nickel(II), and Cobalt(II) metal ion binding to the hexapeptides. It also provided insights into the influence of a lack of Tyr residue on metal chelation in the peptides studied in this work. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of species of interest were carried out through the use of the electrospray ionization – ion mobility – mass spectrometry (ESI-IM-MS) which allowed for the native state study of ions in the gas-phase. Results indicated pH-dependent metal chelation over pH 7.0-9.4 as well as specificity for metal binding by select peptides. Structural changes to the peptides were also evident due to the correlation of both experimental and theoretical collision cross sections
Do Majority Group Members Experience the Minority Spotlight Effect?
No full textThe minority spotlight effect (MSE) arises when people feel more attention on them when they are the sole member of their in-group, or a group related topic is discussed (Otubanjo, 2019). The current study examined if people belonging to majority groups experienced the MSE. The research consisted of two studies. Study one, a two (solo-status: Solo-White vs. racially diverse) × two (group salience: non-salient vs. salient) between-subjects design was employed. Participants imagined being the only White American student in a group of African Americans (Solo-White). Second, participants imagined being one of many White American students in a racially diverse group (racially diverse). For each of these two scenarios, the participants were assigned to either a non-salient or salient group. In the non-salient group, participants imagined a typical day in the classroom. In the salient group, participants imagined their professor making a race-relevant statement that makes their racial group salient. Results indicated that White students reported they would expect feeling the spotlight more when they were the only White student in the classroom and when the professor made a statement about privilege. For Study two, a two (solo-status: solo-male vs. gender-diverse) × two (group salience: non-salient vs. salient) between-subjects design was employed. First, the participants imagined being the only male student in a group of female students (solo-male). Second, participants imagined being one of many male students in a gender-diverse group (gender-diverse). For each of these two scenarios, the participants were assigned to either a non-salient or salient group. In the non-salient group, participants imagined their professor made a statement on climate change. In the salient group, participants imagined their professor made a gender-relevant statement. Results for Study two indicated male students reported they would anticipate feeling the spotlight more when they were the only male and when the professor made a statement about the gender wage gap. This study adds to research on solo-status and the MSE.Keywords: Group salience, Solo-status, Spotlight effect, Targeted social referencing
A Comparative Analysis of School Board Members’ and School Principals’ Perceptions of Islamic School Board Effectiveness in the United States of America
No full textThere is a need to fill the gap in school board literature by examining Islamic school board members’ and their principals’ perceptions of school board effectiveness. The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure and compare ratings of school board effectiveness of Islamic school boards by board members and school principals. The instrument for measurement was based on Smoley’s (1999) model for effective school boards. The instrument was used to measure principals’ and school board members’ perceptions about six areas of school governance: (a) making decisions; (b) functioning as a group; (c) exercising authority; (d) connecting to the community; (e) working toward board improvement; (f) acting strategically. 55 board members and 26 principals participated in the study. Results of the Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire developed by Smoley (1999) revealed principals had greater perceptions than board members of board effectiveness in the areas of making decisions and functioning as a group. Demographic characteristics indicated both group members being highly qualified. Board members were primarily of male, and most principals were female. Board members were professionals in fields other than education; the majority of principals belonged to the field of education. Schools locations spanned the country, and varied in student populations, grade levels offered, and size of their board
A Review of Potential Factors Promoting Fish Movement in Inter-basin Water Transfers, with Emergent Patterns from a Trait-based Risk Analysis for a Large-scale Project in China
No full textInter-basin water transfers create new pathways between previously disjunct systems and communities. If fish movement occurs, it can lead to invasion or altered regional connectivity patterns, which could induce biotic/genetic homogenisation or synchronisation. Understanding ecological factors promoting movement is critical for predicting potential impacts during project planning, to assess ongoing effects, and to develop mediation strategies. Potential characteristics influencing movement rates were reviewed, including intrinsic traits that increase passive entrainment or active dispersal rates, extrinsic traits of the connected environments and their interactions. In order to examine patterns among these potentially influencing characteristics, a trait-based screening method for movement and invasion risk was developed to analyse linked communities in a database from a large-scale inter-basin water diversion in China. Groups of fishes that scored high in the risk assessment were compared with worldwide examples of entrainment in inter-basin water transfer systems or smaller-scale diversions to examine emergent patterns of shared ecological characteristics. Specific traits that were most often shared in these groups, indicating a higher likelihood of movement in water diversions, include the following: a smaller body size, high adult or larval abundance, migratory behaviour, generalist and pelagic habitat preferences, and a high reproductive output. The synthesis of factors identified in this research can be used to guide future empirical studies to fill knowledge gaps regarding ecological impacts of inter-basin water transfers or other smaller-scale diversions on local communities and ecosystems
Combined Opportunistic and Equilibrium Life-history Traits Facilitate Successful Invasions of the Shimofuri Goby \u3ci\u3e(Tridentiger Bifasciatus)\u3c/i\u3e
No full textThe life-history traits of a non-native population of Shimofuri goby (Tridentiger bifasciatus) were investigated in Nansi Lake, which is a storage lake on the East Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project, China. The results were analyzed in combination with data from other non-native populations of this species to reveal the life-history traits that caused its successful invasions. Mature gonads in April and May suggest that the species spawns in this period, and cohort tracking and age analysis revealed that individuals had a one-year lifespan. The relative fecundity was 2,825 ± 614 eggs/g. A short lifespan and high fecundity are opportunistic lifehistory traits that may enhance population establishment by promoting population increase. The male-biased sex ratio (except in April and May when the males guarding the nests) and sexual size dimorphism observed in this population may be important for males protecting nests and eggs, which is a typical equilibrium trait that facilitates establishment by increasing offspring survival. Non-native populations of this species in the San Francisco estuary system have been reported to batch spawn, have a lifespan of two years, and spawn during March and August, which in comparison with the population in Nansi Lake suggest that the species’ life-history traits are phenotypically plastic. We propose that the combined equilibrium and opportunistic characteristics of the species’ life-history traits and their plasticity facilitates successful invasions. Our results provide crucial information when evaluating the invasion risk of a species from its life-history traits
Lawrence Edward Pickard, Oral History Index
No full textThis is an index of an oral history interview with Lawrence Edward Pickard. It was conducted February 27, 2020. The interviewer is Marcia Lair.
This interview focuses on Lawrence Edward Pickard’s memories of growing up in Pecan Gap, Texas.
Lawrence Edward Pickard was born on March 3, 1954 to Lawrence Edward and Nina Amalie Lassiter Pickard. He grew up in Pecan Gap, Texas. He recalls memories such as the family’s first television, protests against the first stop sign installed in Pecan Gap, and the segregation of local schools. He also discusses farming and how he bought the first round hay baler in Delta County.
Pickard graduated from Fannindel School and married Karen Jones Pickard. Pickard has been involved in his local community by serving as Mayor Pro Tem of Pecan Gap, as a board member of the Delta County Water Board, the Fannindel School Board, and the Giles Cemetery Association. In addition, Pickard teaches Sunday School at his church.https://lair.etamu.edu/scua-oral-history-all/1056/thumbnail.jp