5870 research outputs found
Sort by
Metaphysical Times Imbolc 2021
Get PDFThis item includes 1 PDF file with 9 pages, a title page, and a table of contents.This item is a newsletter titled the Metaphysical Times. This issue talks about topics ranging from astrology and smudging to the origins of the Imbolc Pagan holiday. Additionally, the newsletter discusses the recent Krampus parade and the other recent successes in the community
Relationships Between Student Selection Criteria and Student Success Among Radiologic Technology Graduates at Two-Year Technical Colleges in the Southeastern United States
Get PDFHaving enough allied health professionals to accommodate the needs of facilities that care for the growing aging population is a concern for allied health educators. To address the high workforce demands for health science careers, schools offering medical imaging programs seek competitive selection models that predict success. To improve the chances of students completing and succeeding in health science programs, health science education programs require a competitive selection process. This process seeks to identify students who possess the academic ability to succeed. Using the input-environment-output model, the purpose of this retrospective correlational study was to determine the predictive validity among selective math grade point average (GPA), science GPA, and standardized test scores from the Psychological Service Bureau (PSB) Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), and RADT 1085 Radiographic Equipment Final GPA and outcome of interest, passing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) radiography credentialing exam. Using logistic regression, two independent variables—PSB-HOAE/TEAS Score and BIOL 2114L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab—were found to be significant predictors of passing the ARRT radiography credentialing exam on the first attempt. Proportions tests for the PSB-HOAE and TEAS found no significant difference between the proportion of students who passed on the first attempt.I. Introduction 1 -- Statement of the Problem 3 -- Purpose of the Study 3 -- Research Questions 4 -- Significance of the Problem 4 -- Theoretical Framework 7 -- Methodology 8 -- Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations 11 -- Definition of Terms 12 -- Summary 16 -- II. Literature Review 17 -- Literature Review Process 18 -- Historical Perspective of Radiologic Technology Education 18 -- Programmatic Accreditation 20 -- ARRT Radiography Credentialing Exam 21 -- 2-year Technical Colleges 22 -- Technical College System of Georgia and Radiologic Technology Programs 23 -- Competitive Selection 24 -- Schools of Interest 25 -- Selection Criteria 27 -- Predictor Variables (Input Variables) 28 -- Psychological Service Bureau Health Occupations Aptitude Exam 28 -- Test of Essential Academic Skills 30 -- Grade Point Average and Standardized Tests 31 -- Predictor Variable (Environmental Variable) 33 -- RADT 1085 Radiologic Equipment 33 -- Dependent Variable (Outcome Variable) 34 -- ARRT Radiography Credentialing Exam 34 -- Theoretical Framework 35 -- The IEO Assessment Model for Higher Education 35 -- Summary 36 -- III. Methodology 37 -- Research Design and Rationale 37 -- Sample and Setting 40 -- Population 40 -- Schools of Interest 41 -- Technical College A 42 -- Technical College B 43 -- Technical College C 43 -- Technical College D 43 -- Technical College E 44 -- Sampling and Sampling Procedure 44 -- The Dataset 44 -- Sample Size 45 -- Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection 45 -- Independent Variables 47 -- Psychological Service Bureau 47 -- Test of Essential Academic Skills 47 -- Math GPA 47 -- Science GPA 48 -- RADT 1085 48 -- Instrumentation 48 -- Pilot Survey 49 -- Program Director Questionnaire 50 -- Validity and Threats to Validity 55 -- Ethical Procedures 55 -- Summary 56 -- IV. Results 57 -- Research Questions 57 -- Data Collection 58 -- Findings 59 -- Logistic Regression 60 -- Proportions Testing 67 -- Summary 68 -- V. Discussion 69 -- Research Questions 70 -- Study Summary 70 -- Key Findings 71 -- Research Question 1 72 -- Standardized Tests 72 -- Math Courses 73 -- Science Courses 73 -- RADT 1085 Radiographic Equipment 74 -- Research Question 2 75 -- Conclusions 75 -- Limitations 76 -- Recommendations 76 -- Implications 77 -- Recommendations For Future Research 79 -- Summary 79 -- References 81 -- Appendix A: Technical College A Campus 1 Program Effectiveness Data 91 -- Appendix B: Program Director Survey Instrument 93 -- Appendix C: Instructional Faculty Consortium Committee Meeting Minutes 105 -- Appendix D: Technical College A Campus 2 Program Effectiveness Data 107 -- Appendix E: Technical College B Program Effectiveness Data 109 -- Appendix F: Technical College C Program Effectiveness Data 111 -- Appendix G: Technical College D Program Effectiveness Data 113 -- Appendix H: Technical College E Program Effectiveness Data 114 -- Appendix I: Competitive Selection Criteria Data Form 116 -- Appendix J: Valdosta State University IRB Approval 118 -- Appendix K: Permission to Use, Modify, and Publish Instrument 120 -- Appendix L: TCSG Permission Granted Letter 123 -- Appendix M: TCSG Revised Permission Granted Letter 125 -- Appendix N: Central Georgia Technical College IRB Approval Letter 127Ott, Kenneth D.Waugh, C. KeithOtt, Lynda DeeCollins, Kevin S.Ed.D.Adult and Career Educatio
Autism Spectrum Disorder Identification Card Programs: Public Attitude and Themes
Get PDFLegislators passed laws giving individuals the option to obtain a state-issued autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification card or add a designation to state-issued identification cards or driver’s licenses that inform first responders or others they have ASD. This qualitative study aims to measure public attitude and the value of ASD identification card laws and programs to inform public administrators and broader adoption efforts.
The target population of this study was active Facebook users posting comments on ASD-related public pages. A total of 570 comments were sampled from three pages. Overall, the data suggest strong public support for ASD identification cards, with 71.05% of commenters indicating a moderately positive or very positive attitude towards the programs. Additionally, the qualitative analysis resulted in the development of three themes: recommendations, reasons for positive sentiment, and reasons for negative sentiment.
The findings suggest the cards can address some of the main difficulties associated with ASD, such as bridging communication deficits; however, some commenters are skeptical that the cards will prove useful or sufficient for all circumstances. This skepticism possibly derives from the fact that none of the programs described directly address a fundamental characteristic of ASD: as the name indicates, it is a spectrum.
As well-intentioned as ASD card programs and first responder training initiatives are, case studies demonstrate they will likely not be enough. Public administrators must reinvent emergency response services, and perhaps create a new mental health social worker response teams, to alleviate the policing burden of being mental health care workers. Only then will police resources be able to focus on their primary duties while the right professionals can assist those with mental health care challenges adequately.
Keywords: autism, identification cards, police training, ASD, first responders, autism public attitudesChapter I: Introduction 1 -- Statement of the Problem 1 -- Purpose Statement 6 -- Theoretical Framework 6 -- Public Opinion and Policy 7 -- Community Policing 8 -- Mindblindness 11 -- Theoretical Framework Summary 12 -- Organization of the Study 12 -- Summary 14 -- Chapter II: Review Of Literature 16 -- Autism and First Responders 17 -- First Responder Training 23 -- Theory of Mind and Mindblindness 35 -- Public Opinion and Public Policy 39 -- Community Policing 41 -- Autism Identification Card Laws and Programs 43 -- Social Media Research 47 -- Summary 51 -- Chapter III: METHODOLOGY 53 -- Data Collection and Sampling 53 -- Ethics 56 -- Data Analysis Software 57 -- Data Processing 58 -- Automatic Sentiment Coding 58 -- Inductive Coding 59 -- Limitations of the Study… 61 -- Hypotheses 64 -- Summary 65 -- Chapter IV: RESULTS 66 -- Introduction 66 -- Data Collection 67 -- First Research Question: Sentiment Analysis 68 -- Second Research Question: Emergent Findings 71 -- First Theme: Recommendations 71 -- Second Theme: Prevailing Reasons for Positive Sentiment 72 -- Third Theme: Prevailing Reasons for Negative Sentiment 73 -- Case Studies 75 -- Second Research Question: Answers Based on Emergent Findings 77 -- Summary 78 -- Chapter V: CONCLUSION 80 -- Overview 80 -- Interpretation of Outcomes 80 -- Research Question 1 80 -- Research Question 2 82 -- First Theme: Recommendations 82 -- Second Theme: Reasons for Positive Sentiment 85 -- Third Theme: Reasons for Negative Sentiment 86 -- Reason for Disparities 89 -- Recommendations 90 -- Conclusion 92 -- References 96 -- Appendix A: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Exemption 109Peterson, Bonnie E.Peterson, James W.Rabidoux, Greg R.D.P.A.Public Administratio
A Case Study of Georgia’s 21 County Correctional Institutions
Get PDFThe Georgia prison system has a lack of inmate bed space and must outsource their excess inmates to 21 local option county correctional institutions and four private prisons located throughout the state under contractual arrangements. Host county governments receive a supplemental unpaid inmate labor force to perform public work. Inmates in private prisons do not work outside the prison walls. Private for-profit prison services corporations can easily determine their financial success through profit and loss statements but Georgia county governments and their correctional institutions do not have these types of financial documents and their financial success is difficult to ascertain. The objective of this research project was to explore the 21 county correctional institutions to understand them in greater detail, determine if their operations were financially successful, educate decision makers and the public about this obscure and unique method of incarceration, and perhaps develop a theory regarding operating these types of correctional facilities. A qualitative multiple case study was conducted of the 21 county correctional institutions through review of public documents and telephone interviews with their wardens and finance officials. The participation rate from the wardens was 100%. The major findings were all the studied county correctional institutions experienced significant annual losses when audited revenues were compared to audited expenses except for one. But when cost avoidance was factored in of not having to hire additional county employees or contractors to perform the work that inmates perform, all the counties experienced a significant “profit.” Hosting and operating an optional county correctional institution brings significant financial benefits to the host county as well as the state.
Keywords: Outsourcing state inmates, Outsourcing public services, Georgia prison system, County correctional institutions, Resource dependence theory, Public financeChapter I: INTRODUCTION 1 -- Project Overview 2 -- Historical Perspective of the Georgia Prison System 2 -- Convict Lease System 4 -- Chain Gangs and County Work Camps 5 -- Growth of Georgia's Prison System 8 -- State Prisons 14 -- County Correctional Institutions 14 -- Private Prisons 16 -- Georgia's Use of Resource Dependence Theory and Outsourcing 17 -- Problem Statement 19 -- Purpose Statement 20 -- Research Questions 22 -- Significance of the Study 22 -- Chapter II: LITERATURE REVIEW 24 -- Resource Dependence Theory 24 Strategic Managerial Actions 26 -- Theory Issues and Concerns 29 -- Theory Application 30 -- Outsourcing Public Services in General 30 -- Evolution of Outsourcing Public Services 33 -- Opponents of Outsourcing Public Services 40 -- Principal-Agent Issues of Outsourcing Public Services 43 -- Results of Outsourcing Public Services – A Mixed Bag 44 -- Outsourcing Public Services and Decision Making 44 -- Outsourcing Government Inmates in Particular 46 -- Evolution of Outsourcing Government Inmates 47 -- Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Government Inmates 51 -- The Private Sector Begins to House Government Inmates 52 -- Results of Outsourcing Government Inmates – A Mixed Bag 57 -- Opponents of Outsourcing Government Inmates 60 -- Chapter Summary 62 -- Chapter III: METHODOLOGY 64 -- Research Approach and Design 65 -- Role of the Researcher 67 -- Data Collection Method 69 -- Data Recording 70 -- Data Analysis 72 -- Verification of Validity and Reliability of the Findings 72 -- Ethical Considerations 73 -- Limitations 75 -- Chapter Summary 76 -- Chapter IV: FINDINGS/DISCUSSION 78 -- Demographic Characteristics of Counties that Host Correctional Institutions 79 -- Correctional Institutions' Wardens 82 -- Facility Attributes 83 -- Use of Inmates 91 -- Financial Performance 94 -- Summary of Findings as Compared to the Research Questions -- and Literature Review 98 -- Generalization of Results and Theory Development 101 -- Chapter Summary 104 -- Chapter V: CONCLUSION 106 -- REFERENCES 111 -- APPENDIX A: Listing of State Prisons, County Correctional Institutions, and -- Private Prisons 127 -- APPENDIX B: Map of State Prisons, County Correctional Institutions, and -- Private Prisons 130 -- APPENDIX C: Utilization Rates of State Prisons, County Correctional Institutions, -- and Private Prisons 132 -- APPENDIX D: Interview Questionnaire/Data Recording Instrument 134 -- APPENDIX E: Institutional Review Board Exemption Form 141 -- APPENDIX F: Informed Consent Statement 143 -- APPENDIX G: Demographic Characteristics of Counties Data Set 145 -- APPENDIX H: Correctional Institutions' Warden Data Set 148 -- APPENDIX I: Facility Attributes Data Set 150 -- APPENDIX J: Use of Inmates Data Set 152 -- APPENDIX K: Correctional Institutions' (CI) Financial Performance Data Set 154Prine, RudyMartin, JosephYehl, Robert ShermanD.P.A.Public Administratio
Strategies and Practices used by Veteran Educational Leaders to Identify African American Students for Gifted Education in Rural Georgia Middle Schools
Get PDFSince the end of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Department of Education has made efforts to provide services for the nation’s most academically advanced students (Colangelo et al., 1999). In the 1930s, the U.S. federal government stopped pushing educational advances to challenge academically advanced students because of the financial strain of the Great Depression (Colangelo et al., 1999). However, during World War II, there was a shortage of educated men in the country, which worked to the advantage of high ability students because universities offered early entrance programs for academically advanced students. These programs continued to the Korean War (Colangelo et al., 1999). Thus, when the former Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik in 1957, the United States realized it needed to do more to challenge and educate America’s most capable and brilliant youth (VanTassel-Baska, 2018) and tried to identify and educate the country’s brightest students (Colangelo et al., 1999). Since its implementation, educators have met gifted education with great enthusiasm and criticism (Ford, 2011).
Keywords: middle school; gifted education; critical race theory; theory of multiple intelligence; rural education; African Americans;Chapter I INTRODUCTION 1 -- Statement of the Problem 2 -- Purpose 3 -- Research Questions 3 -- Significance of Study 3 -- Conceptual Framework 4 -- Personal Interest 4 -- Existing Literature 6 -- Summary of Methodology 7 -- Limitations 7 -- Chapter Summary 9 -- Definition of Terms 10 -- Chapter II LITERATURE REVIEW 12 -- Introduction 12 -- Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence 13 -- Gifted Identification Tests 17 -- Critical Race Theory 22 -- Gifted Education Programs 26 -- Gifted Education in Rural Communities 29 -- Potential Barriers 34 -- Strategies for Recruitment and Retention 36 -- Teacher Preparation Programs 39 -- Multicultural Education 43 -- Chapter Summary 46 -- Chapter III METHODOLOGY 47 -- Research Questions 48 -- Research Design 48 -- Setting 49 -- Role of Researcher 51 -- Participants 51 -- Data Collection 53 -- Interviews and Documentation 53 -- Instrumentation 55 -- Data Analysis 55 -- Document Data Analysis 56 -- Validity and Credibility 57 -- Ethical Considerations 58 -- Chapter Summary 59 -- Chapter IV PROFILES 60 -- Participants 60 -- Table 1 61 -- Charlotte 62 -- Evelyn 67 -- Kim 73 -- Daniel 76 -- Olivia 79 -- William 83 -- Catherine 87 -- Chapter Summary 91 -- Chapter V FINDINGS 92 -- Purpose 92 -- Research Questions 92 -- Significance 93 -- Themes 93 -- Table 2 95 -- Theme I 97 -- Theme II 102 -- Theme III 106 -- Theme IV 111 -- Chapter Summary 114 -- Chapter VI DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSION 116 -- Research Questions: Final Summary 118 -- Connection the Findings to Conceptual Framework 127 -- Implications of the Study 129 -- Limitations of the Study 131 -- Recommendations for Future Research 133 -- Final Conclusion 134Tsemunhu, RudoRieger, AlicjaLairsey, JohnEd.D.Education in Leadershi
Exploring the Experiences and Retention Decisions of African-American Male College Students
Get PDFThis qualitative study captured the stories of African-American male students, who participated in the African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) program at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the south, to better understand how racial climate effected their college experiences and retention decisions. The data collected from this PWI revealed a steady increase in the African-American student enrollment and retention rate. However, the Black male student population has experienced a dramatic decrease in retention. Critical race theory and Tinto’s model for student departure provided theoretical framework for this study. In addition, a review of campus climate and the Black student college experience are included in the literature review. An adaption of Seidman’s (2019) three-interview series, or a semi-structured interview approach, was used to collect data from the participants. Using the research questions as a guide, the results of the study revealed that students enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to navigate through a diverse environment at a PWI and they learned to manage perceived racist behaviors by changing their perceptions. In addition, targeted programs for minorities, such as AAMI, proved to be a great network for support as students acclimated to college. Lastly, mindset was explored as an emerging theme. In addition to networks of support, mindset was shared as a reason that these students returned to this institution, and that the racial climate was not a factor. Evidence from the study provided a better understanding of the Black student experience at a PWI from the perspective of African-American male students. As a result, decision-makers may be better equipped to manage engagement and retention, especially for students of color.
Keywords: African-American college students, Black male students, racial climate, student engagement, retentionCHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 -- Purpose and Significance of the Study 3 -- Research Design 4 -- Conceptual Framework 5 -- Personal Identity and Positionality 7 -- Exploratory Studies 9 -- William’s Story 9 -- Ashley’s Story 10 -- Definition of Terms 12 -- CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW 14 -- Theoretical Framework 14 -- Critical Race Theory 15 -- Tinto’s Student Departure Theory 17 -- How Climate Change Affects Diversity 20 -- The College Experience of Black Males Matter 23 -- The African-American Male Initiative 24 -- The Side Effects of the College Experience for African-American Students 28 -- The Importance of Mindset 28 -- Sense of Belonging and the African-American College Experience 31 -- How Student Engagement Transforms Lives 32 -- Conclusion… 36 -- CHAPTER III: METHODS 38 -- Research Design… 38 -- Research Goals and Questions 39 -- Setting 40 -- Participants 41 -- Data Collection 43 -- Data Analysis 44 -- Validity 45 -- Research Ethics 47 -- Conclusion… 48 -- CHAPTER IV: RESULTS 49 -- Research Design and Questions 50 -- Data Collection 50 -- Data Analysis 51 -- Profiles of the Participants 52 -- Kelvin… 52 -- Tyler 54 -- Nathan 55 -- Trevor 56 -- David 58 -- Michael 59 -- Research Results 61 -- A Contemporary View on Race 62 -- Dealing with Racially Motivated Interactions 64 -- Programming with a Purpose 68 -- Kelvin… 68 -- Tyler… 70 -- Nathan… 71 -- Trevor… 72 -- David… 73 -- Michael 74 -- Other Campus Programming 75 -- Networks of Support 77 -- The Perception of Racial Climate from African-American Male College Students 81 -- The Story of a Small College Town… 83 -- The Choice to Return… 8. 5 -- Emerging Themes 89 -- Mindset 90 -- Michael 90 -- Tyler… 92 -- David… 94 -- Trevor… 96 -- Nathan… 96 -- Kelvin… 97 -- Diversity Matters 100 -- Peer Mentorship 102 -- Simultaneous Incubation… 105 -- Conclusion… 108 -- CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION 109 -- Background and Purpose 109 -- Research Design and Questions 111 -- Data Collection and Analysis 111 -- Results of the Research Study 112 -- Racial Identity and the College Experience 112 -- Programming and Networks of Support 116 -- Racial Climate and its Effect on Retention 120 -- Summary of Emerging Themes 123 -- Limitations of the Study 126 -- Future Research Recommendations 127 -- Research Question Results and Emerging Themes 129 -- Conclusion… 131 -- REFERENCES 133 -- APPENDIX A: Statistics from Campton State University 142 -- APPENDIX B: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Report 144 -- APPENDIX C: Messages to Participants, Research Flyer, and Statement of Consent 146 -- APPENDIX D: Virtual Background Used for Interviews 150 -- APPENDIX E: Interview Guide 152 -- APPENDIX F: Emerging Themes 155Archibald, JamesWorkman, JamieMammadov, SakhavatEd.D.Education in Leadershi
A Performance Analysis of Florida’s Workforce Development Programs
No full textThis dissertation investigated the performance of Florida’s workforce development programs over a ten-year period. The state’s system for coordinated training and employment services consists of programs operating and reporting according to the federal workforce initiative standards. They served as the focus of this performance analysis. A methodical literature review revealed a lack of directed studies of performance trends. This project adds to the body of research surveying outcomes through a state case study. A quantitative examination of data revealed trends in performance and correlations among core programs. The study also identified noteworthy performance changes within the statewide system since the reauthorization of the most recent federal initiative. The study found that Florida improved its performance in the rate of program participants entering the workforce but saw no significant increases in the average earnings of program completers. The Adult and Dislocated Worker programs maintained positive averages across most measures. The Youth Worker program saw increases in all measures. In addition, Florida consistently achieved its negotiated performance goals and increased attainment of the goal to serve participants with barriers to employment. This project provides empirical research that may be beneficial to future planning as it identifies statistically significant performance changes in the system over time. Findings from this study are useful to fully understanding the state’s progression in the desired outcomes. In addition, as Florida is one of the highest federally funded states in workforce service delivery initiatives, implications from this project could expand the scope of essential research on statewide workforce systems participating in the federal initiative.
Keywords: FloridaChapter I: INTRODUCTION 1 -- Overview of the Federal Workforce Initiative 1 -- State Implementation 6 -- Florida’s Workforce Development System 9 -- Purpose Statement 11 -- Conceptual Framework 12 -- Research Questions 16 -- Chapter II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 17 -- Prior Research on the Topic 17 -- National Studies 17 -- Studies of Select States 19 -- Florida Research 22 -- Research of Performance Measures 24 -- Studies on Common Measures 26 -- Gaps and Limitations 28 -- Chapter III: METHODOLOGY 31 -- Study Design 31 -- Key Terms 32 -- Data Collection 35 -- Performance Indicators 36 -- Negotiated Goals Outcomes 38 -- Priority Population Outcomes 38 -- Data Analysis 38 -- Analyzing Indicators 39 -- Statistical Tools 40 -- Observations 40 -- Additional Methods Considerations 41 -- Chapter IV: RESULTS 43 -- Presentation of Findings 43 -- Part 1: Performance in the Common Measures 44 -- Part 2: Attainment of Negotiated Goals 50 -- Part 3: Serving Priority Populations 57 -- Chapter V: DISCUSSION 65 -- Project Summary 65 -- Interpretation of Results 65 -- Summary of Findings 69 -- Limitations and Recommendations for Future Study 71 -- Study Implications 73 -- Conclusion 74 -- REFERENCES 76 -- APPENDICES 81 -- APPENDIX A: Common Measures and Comparison Figures 80 -- APPENDIX B: T-Tests and Correlation Tables 87.Anderson, Joy L.Hinton, PatriciaMcIntyre, Roger N.D.P.A.Public Administratio
