Analisis Soal Ujian Sekolah Berstandar Nasional Matematika Sekolah Menengah Pertama Tahun Ajaran 2018/2019

Ujian Sekolah Berbasis Nasional (USBN) merupakan program pemerintah dalam rangka melaksanakan evaluasi capaian kompetensi siswa yang dilakukan sekolah dan pengakuan atas prestasi belajar. Namun, proses pelaksanaan USBN dengan anggaran yang tidak sedikit ternyata belum se-ideal yang seharusnya. Aturan pembuatan soal USBN yang menyatakan bahwa 75%-80% butir soal USBN dibuat oleh guru-guru atau tutor yang dikonsolidasikan Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran (MGMP) menimbulkan pro-kontra, mengingat kualitas guru yang belum merata di Indonesia. Kualitas soal USBN pun dipertanyakan. Urgensi tersebut mendorong peneliti untuk melakukan analisis terhadap soal USBN, dengan tujuan meninjau kesesuaian soal USBN antara kisi-kisi yang sudah ditetapkan oleh pemerintah dengan butir soal USBN yang disusun oleh daerah (Kabupaten), meninjau kategori tingkat keterampilan berpikir pada soal USBN, dan meninjau prediksi obstacle siswa pada option pilihan ganda. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah kisi-kisi soal dan soal USBN Matematika Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) salah satu kabupaten di Jawa Barat Tahun Ajaran 2018/2019, pedoman kategori tingkat keterampilan berpikir siswa, serta pedoman wawancara. Metode penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kualitatif dan studi literasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kualitas soal USBN belum optimal karena 28,57% kisi-kisi USBN tidak sesuai dengan soal USBN, kategori tingkat keterampilan berpikir pada soal USBN masih didominasi oleh soal LOTS sebanyak 88,57% (indikator taksonomi Bloom) dan 91,43% (indikator stimulus, multiple layers of thought, unfamiliar contex, real-life situation, dan non repetitive), serta pilihan jawaban yang tersedia pada soal pilihan ganda USBN belum memperhatikan prediksi obstacle siswa

AKULTURASI PSIKOLOGIS PARA SELF-INITIATED EXPATRIATE DI YOGYAKARTA

Expatriation has become a phenomenon that can be found in many parts of the world as entering globalization era. Expatriation has been done not only by employees that were assigned by their company but also by individuals who choose to develop their capabilities by having cross cultures experiences and become a self-initiated expatriate. Cross cultures experienced as two different cultures had direct contact and lead to changes in one self is called psychological acculturation. There are many studies about self-initiated expatriates that were found in any other countries around the world but researcher haven�t found any study about psychological acculturation in Yogyakarta. The aim of this study was to find meaning and process of self-initiated expatriate psychological acculturation in Yogyakarta. This study used phenomenological qualitative approach to comprehend meaning of self-initiated expatriate psychological acculturation in Yogyakarta. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews with six self-initiated expatriates that has built a new life in Yogyakarta with their spouse. The research findings showed that respondents chose to be self-initiated expatriates in Yogyakarta to seize an opportunity of a better living in Yogyakarta. In acculturation process, they develop two kinds of coping, adopting new culture and maintaining original culture. They combined both cultures values in their selves that caused changes in their cognitive, behavior and attitude and became an integrated self as a result. Further findings showed that coping variation was selected by considering their condition, situation, needs and interests

Rat thyroid gland expresses the long form of leptin receptors, and leptin stimulates the function of the gland in euthyroid non-fasted animals

Leptin is an adipose tissue-secreted hormone, which decreases caloric intake and increases energy expenditure. Some effects of leptin on energy balance seem to be mediated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis. The present study was designed to ascertain whether i) rat thyroid gland expresses the long form of leptin receptor (ObRb) and ii) the prolonged leptin administration (daily subcutaneous injections of 24 nmol/kg leptin for 6 consecutive days) affects thyroid-gland function in this species. Coupled RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemical findings demonstrated the expression of Ob-Rb as mRNA and protein in the thyroid gland of normal rats. Prolonged leptin treatment raised thyroid-gland weight, and morphometry showed that in the enlarged glands the volume of the follicle epithelium was increased, while that of colloid remained unchanged, so that epithelium/colloid ratio was markedly lowered. In leptin-administered rats, the plasma concentration of TSH was decreased, while those of thyroid hormones (free T3 and total T4) were notably raised. Collectively, these findings suggest that systemically administered leptin stimulates growth and secretion of thyroid gland in the rat, through a direct mechanism involving Ob-Rb

From government to governance: Polish regional development agencies in a changing regional context

This article charts the evolving role of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in Poland. It argues that changes to regional institutional and policy environments, linked to processes of regionalisation, EU accession, and the administration of European Union structural funds, have prompted increasing diversification of RDA activities. Moreover, questions of democratic accountability and economic efficiency are becoming increasingly pointed. Has regionalisation boosted the democratic accountability and regional orientation of agencies? Has administrative reform simplified agencies' delivery of development programmes? What influence has the administration of structural funds had on this? The article explores these issues, stressing generally that theoretical analyses of RDA activities must take increasing account of agency "positioning," i.e., their role and purpose in an increasingly crowded and complex regional policy arena. Future scenarios for the evolution of RDAs in Poland are also outlined