49 research outputs found
Prepared for the institute series on "Environmental Law" sponsored by the State Bar of Texas' Environmental Law Section and held in Houston on February 23-24, 1978
No full text392 pagesThe State Bar of Texas' Environmental Law Section co-sponsored a two-day institute on Environmental Law in Houston on Thursday and Friday, February 23 and 24, 1978. This book was prepared for that institute. The purpose of the institute and, therefore, the articles in this booklet, is to provide a broad, but detailed, overview of recent important developments in the Environmental Law area
An Assessment of Succession Planning at the State Bar of Texas
No full textSuccession Planning is a growing trend in both the public and private sector as the nation's population continues to age and more senior managers retire. A growing labor gap exists between the younger employees and the experience necessary to fill vacant positions. The State Bar of Texas is among the many employers who have experienced high turnover rates and increasing retirements. To address the potential labor gap, the Bar created the Fellows Program as a means to attract and retain top talent for future leadership positions.
This applied research project assesses the State Bar of Texas Fellows Program based on the practical ideal type framework developed through a literature review. The ideal type model for succession planning programs contains seven categories: Top Management Participation and Support; Needs Driven Assessment; Formal Professional Development Opportunities; Focused Individual Attention; Dedicated Responsibility; Extension to all Levels of the Organization; and Existence in the Strategic Plan.
The Fellows Program Assessment is performed through the case study research design and uses multiple sources of evidence. Document analysis, participant observation, and focused interviews enhance the validity of the research through a triangulation of data. The assessment results indicate that the Fellows Program addressed one of the seven model categories listed above. Future recommendations include greater communication with leadership on the goals of the program and a more thorough study of the training needs of the participants, as well as greater accountability and assigned responsibility.Public Administratio
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Leverage of professional sport teams : reconciling host communities' expectations and realities
No full texttextLocal governments have spent an estimated $15 to 18 billion in public subsidies to professional sport teams over the last two decades. Once a team has selected its home and a financing package is approved, cities rarely implement tactics necessary to realize these benefits, and teams aren’t made to deliver on their promises. At the same time, other benefits may be ignored by city leaders and residents. This research project is comprised of two related studies that address the following issues related to the public subsidization of professional sport teams: (1) how do a community’s expectations about hosting a team compare with the actual outcomes it experiences; and (2) what factors enable and inhibit the use of a professional sport team to accomplish community development goals. The first study is a qualitative examination of community expectations related to hosting the Corpus Christi Hooks, the double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Using media and public document analysis, participant observation, and stakeholder interviews, the following categories of benefits were identified: economic development, community self-esteem/image, entertainment/leisure, and social welfare. The community successfully leveraged the baseball referendum to pass broader economic development and affordable housing measures. The city also has developed a successful event attraction strategy around its professional sport facilities and has experienced improved community self-esteem. However, the city has done little to leverage the team, and expected benefits have failed to materialize. The second study explores the process of sport team leverage. Using an action research approach, the efforts of a community health coalition to partner with the Hooks to address obesity prevention through a cause-marketing program was examined. Professional teams have a range of unique assets to contribute to a cause-marketing program. In this case, the team was reluctant to contribute its assets to the program. Consequently, the partnership resulted in a limited community relations program that failed to fully deliver benefits to the health coalition and the team. The following factors were identified as affecting the team’s involvement: the issue’s importance and salience, competition among local nonprofit organizations, the coalition’s leadership and brand equity, and the team’s stability and resources.Kinesiology and Health Educatio
Teaching outdoor and adventure activities: describing, analysing and understanding a primary school physical education professional development programme
No full textBackground: Primary schools need well informed and highly motivated teachers to meet the evolving demands of the education system. Professional development is essential to equip primary school teachers to change practice to meet these challenges (Guskey, 2003; Villegas-Reimers, 2003). The purpose of this study was to describe, analyse and understand teachers’ and children’s experiences of a contextualised, whole school professional development programme (PDP) in primary physical education.
Research Design: A case study methodology was employed informed by social constructivist theory. The study was broken into four phases. Phase one described the case and provided an in-depth professional development needs analysis of the teachers. Phase two resulted in the development of a school specific, contextualised PDP on Outdoor and Adventure Activities. This programme was based on features of effective professional development (e.g. Armour & Duncombe, 2004; Desimone, 2009; Garet et al, 2001; Guskey, 2002; 2003; O’ Sullivan & Deglau, 2006; Wayne et al., 2008) and was informed by professional development instructional models (Caffarella, 2002; Collins et al, 1991; Joyce & Showers, 1988; Maldonado, 2002). Phase three was the implementation of stage 1 of the PDP, this phase included a process evaluation. Phase four involved stage 2 of the PDP, where the teachers taught the O&AA unit with less intense support. It included both process and impact evaluation of the PDP. Teachers were supported for one hour during their timetabled physical education lesson each week for six weeks during stage 1 and again at stage 2. Further support was provided when requested by teachers outside of these times.
Methods: The research methods selected were primarily qualitative due to the exploratory nature of the study however quantitative methods were used in order to provide a more generalist picture when relevant. This mixed methods approach allowed for i) an in-depth understanding of the research environment and ii) a full analysis of how the PDP was impacting primarily on the teachers, but also on the children. The methods of data collection employed were specific to the research questions in each phase and included questionnaires, physical health and fitness measurements, focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews, field notes, lesson evaluations and systematic observations of teachers and children.
Analysis: All quantitative data were analysed using SPSS for Windows, version 14.0. Data were presented descriptively as means, standard deviations and percentages and where appropriate gender- and age-specific means and standard deviations were calculated. The Pearson, chi-square statistics with standard residuals was used to investigate any categorical relationships in the data. Paired sample t-tests, or Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to compare differences. All qualitative data were coded and categorised using constant comparative technique, facilitating the identification of similarities and differences, the grouping of data into categories and the development of propositional statements.
Findings: A single, suburban mixed gender primary school [Principal, teachers: N=28 (year 1), N=27 (year 2) and pupils: N=780 (year 1), N=800 (year 2)] participated in the study. Prior to the PDP the teachers taught a narrow programme of physical education using direct teaching styles. Teachers reported lacking content knowledge and confidence in teaching O&AA (pedagogical content knowledge). Children, prior to the PDP, enjoyed physical education and expected lessons to include moderate to vigorous levels of physical activity. They met normative standards for physical fitness for their age and gender. However, they described their physical education experiences as predominantly ‘games’ and recreational rather than educational. Both the teachers and the children had a confused understanding of physical education with discourses focussing on health and physical activity.
Following implementation of the PDP the findings indicated that for the PDP to be effective and change to occur key features were necessary (described using the developed propositional statements). These were: a) The teachers reported that the provision of resources played a strong role in the adoption of the PDP; b) The support provided by an external expert through modelling lessons, explaining activities and providing feedback impacted positively on teachers’ teaching; c) The support allowed teachers to build on their content knowledge and they gained confidence to use already developed classroom pedagogical strategies in the physical education context; d) Organisational changes within the school, such as timetabling and access to equipment, were necessary for the PDP to be successful: e) The PDP impacted positively on children’s perceived learning and engagement in physical education lessons; f) Both teachers and children began to re-conceptualise physical education, from a games orientated, recreationally focused subject towards an understanding of physical education as a subject where teaching and learning happened; g) Collegiality and collaboration amongst teachers in physical education, and in other subjects, was an outcome of the PDP and was an important change strategy.
Conclusion: This research confirms the importance of resource provision, contextualised and individualised support to develop teachers’ content and pedagogical content knowledge in the design of a PDP. It also provides evidence of the teachers themselves being an important resource and the need for future professional development to incorporate opportunities to facilitate communication and collaboration and formalise communities of practice. Teacher change is underpinned by the features of the PDP and the research indicates that change is multi-directional. Although the literature highlights the necessity to focus on the learning outcomes of the child in designing PDPs, it is imperative that we do not ignore the learning outcomes of teachers. If there is no teacher learning, this could potentially limit children’s learning
Tending the Bar in Texas: Alcoholism as a Mitigating Factor in Attorney Discipline.
No full textThis Comment describes the nature and scope of alcoholism and chemical dependency in the legal profession. It reviews the current state of the law regarding alcoholism as a mitigating factor in attorney discipline. Addictive illnesses manifest themselves in ways which leave afflicted attorneys unable to practice law in accordance with professional rules of conduct. The majority of attorney-discipline cases involve alcoholism or chemical dependency. An attorney whose illness remains untreated will likely become the subject of grievance-committee investigations. For disciplinary cases involving alcoholism, a suggested analysis includes establishing a nexus between illness and misconduct. Additionally, it includes a causal connection between recovery from the illness and cessation of the misconduct. This Comment proposes a direction for the development and application of attorney-disciplinary policies in Texas when alcoholism is a mitigating factor. It specifically addresses the need for rule changes and program development. State bars responded to the problem of substance abuse in the profession by suggesting and approving relevant disciplinary-rule changes. They created Lawyers Assistance Programs, monitoring and diversion programs, and increased education requirements. By establishing the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, the state bar began to recognize the problem of substance abuse among its members. To protect the public and maintain the integrity of the profession, amendments to the Rules should facilitate the earliest possible identification of impaired attorneys. Substance-abuse education should be a required component of continuing legal education and law school curricula. Although Texas acknowledges a problem exists, ignorance and fear continue to fuel denial and enabling within the profession. This endangers the lives and careers of attorneys and clients. The practice of law is a self-regulating profession. It is time for Texas attorneys to fully and competently tend the Texas bar
Teachers’ emotional intelligence : the impact of training
No full textA growing number of studies have suggested that teachers' personal competencies, and
more specifically Emotional Intelligence (EI), are particularly important for teacher
effectiveness. Recently, there has also been a growing recognition of the importance of
social-emotional competencies to students' learning and academic achievement.
However, there has been a neglect of emotions in the field of teaching, and little is
known about the impact of training aimed at developing teachers' EI on their EI levels
and their practice. The current study investigates the impact of a teacher- centered EI
training on teachers' EI in Israel. The study followed a two-year EI training in one
school, employing group workshops and personal coaching. The study used a mixed
methodology, making use of pre-post EQ-i assessment and semi-structured interviews.
The findings illustrate that the training programme was perceived by the participants to
have enhanced their EI competencies, as defined by the Bar-On model. Most participants
integrated these competencies into their personal, professional and group identities and
modified their EI-related behaviours.peer-reviewe
The marketing of small professional service enterprises: physicians services in Puerto Rico
No full textThis research utilizes the Model for Marketing in Small Professional Service Firms, based on Carson's Model for the Development of Small Firm Marketing, to examine the marketing of Physician Services in Puerto Rico. To achieve its objectives, a combination of quantitative(survey) and qualitative (cases) research is used. From the literature a series of statements is generated to form hypotheses that are tested utilizing the results of a questionnaire survey of 105 physicians in Puerto Rico. The results suggest a possible change of attitude of service providers towards marketing and its use. They reveal that physicians in Puerto Rico are in agreement with the marketing concept but most do not adopt "traditional" techniques of marketing- preferring to focus on the physician/patient relationship. Analysis of eight cases demonstrates the importance of this relationship and suggests that though is seen as important in attracting and retaining patients, most physicians do not see this as marketing, which is perceived to be mostly "advertising" and "selling." Many are cautious not to "commercialise" their practice and any differences in their behaviour can be explained by the way they believe the physician/patient relationship is best enhanced. The research proposes a Model for Marketing Solo Professional Service Firms that depicts the_ relation between the changes, over time, in the personal life cycle of the service provider/owner manager and the stages in the life cycle of the business practice. The model suggests that throughout there is a need to focus on one aspect of marketing for the practice, which may change over time, and that the elements determining the marketing activities at a particular time, how they are undertaken and why they are utilised, are constantly evolving. Thus the marketing practices of small professional firms appear to be contingent on both the external and internal environment of the practice
OPPORTUNITY COSTS OF WATER LEASING: IRRIGATION, INSTREAM FLOW, AND WETLAND CONSIDERATIONS IN THE LARAMIE BASIN, WYOMING
No full textFlood irrigation in the Laramie Basin of southeast Wyoming has created many wetlands that rely directly on irrigation inputs for water. The Laramie Basin is a proposed water source for enhancing Platte River instream flows, to the benefit of endangered cranes, terns, plovers, and sturgeons. Increasing irrigation efficiency, or retiring irrigated lands would transform Laramie Basin agriculture and cause a high fraction of the Basins wetlands to be lost. This study explores the limitations of traditional water transfer tools when regional instream-flow requirements compete for water with local irrigation-dependent wetlands. A rotating short-term water lease program is proposed. The program would allow Laramie Basin producers to contribute to instream flow without causing permanent wetland damage or loss. Short-term water leasing programs could allow agricultural communities to contribute to regional environmental water needs without sacrificing local, agriculturally-based ecological resources. An estimate of minimum water costs, advantages and disadvantages of short-term water leasing are discussed.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,
Impact Assessment in the EU: The State of the Art and the Art of the State. CEPS Paperbacks. January 2006
No full textPolicy-makers increasingly see impact assessment as the philosopher’s stone that will enhance the quality of EU legislation in the years to come, leading Europe back onto the Lisbon track. But does the EU’s impact assessment model actually possess the virtues ascribed to it? This new book by Andrea Renda offers a scorecard analysis of the first 70 Extended Impact Assessments performed by the European Commission, and concludes that the procedure has only produced a sea of disappointment. Renda’s analysis of international best practices reveals that impact assessment is far from being a panacea, especially when built on shaky methodological and organisational grounds. The book proposes ten roadmaps to improve the current model, aiming to contribute to the upcoming review of the EU’s impact assessment model, scheduled for early 2006
Institutional factors affecting irrigation performance in Pakistan: research and policy priorities
No full textThe strong irrigation tradition has sustained the broad based community interest in irrigation. The result is a very complex institutional milieu in which a set of formally established irrigation rules and organizations exists side by side with an intricate set of social institutions. The two sets act like a dual system often in conflict with each other. The authors, while analyzing the present institutional barriers, have highlighted the importance of irrigation rules and procedures in the institutional framework.Irrigation management, Performance evaluation, Institutions, Poverty, Legislation, Food Security and Poverty, Institutional and Behavioral Economics,
