School Uniform Requirements: Effects On Student Academic Performance

The research question addressed in this capstone and subsequent case study were: Do school uniform requirements have an effect on overall student academic performance at one area charter school? In order to gain insight into the complex topic of uniforms, a literature review was conducted. Topics explored included worldwide perspectives on school uniforms, school uniforms in American public schools, the various reasons for and against uniform implementation, and the factors that comprise academic achievement. Upon completing a literature review, a case study was conducted at an area K-8 charter school. The author used a mainly qualitative approach to the case study, by interviewing key stakeholders at the charter school and surveying staff and students in various grade levels. All interview and survey questions were developed to better understand individuals’ opinions towards uniforms in general and in relation to academic success. Additional quantitative measures were taken to analyze data related to uniform infractions and official handbook guidelines on uniforms. Results of the case study revealed that the uniform debate is all encompassing, affecting all individuals within the school community, and entirely subjective in nature. Ultimately, the research question was inconclusive. However, as seen in academic literature and through the author’s own case study, proponents believe that uniforms create community, which, in turn, eliminates negative behaviors and allows for students to focus on academic performance

Economic Development 101: A guide for locally elected officials

Developing a fitting and sustainable economy is a challenge all communities face, but some are more equipped to manage. This guide provides an overview of Economic Development methods and strategies with the intention of beginning the conversation about how and why we do economic development. Goals and strategies change over time, and while we study and learn more about what our efforts do, and do not do, there will always be new challenges.University of Illinois ExtensionOpe

Open storm water treatment : as a component for sustianble city development

Det finns en negativ trend inom stadsutveckling som innebär bortprioriterande av naturlika områden till fördel för typiska stadsstrukturer. Ett människocentrerat tankesätt utger ramen för den utpräglade staden, där ogenomträngbara markmaterial pryder marken. Till följd sker ett avbrytande av vattnets naturliga kretslopp och skapar ett bestående problem gällande hur vattnet i staden hanteras. Marköversvämningar, vattenföroreningar och i värsta fall allvarlig skada på stadens infrastruktur är återkommande till följd av städers typiska dagvattenhantering. Öppna dagvattensystem presenteras ofta som en lösning på den negativa trenden. Istället för konventionella lösningar efterliknar öppna dagvattensystem vattnets naturliga kretslopp och medför mervärden som gör staden mer hållbar ur ett socialt, ekologiskt och ekonomiskt perspektiv. I arbetet utreds hurvida öppna dagvattensystem kan fungera som komponent för en hållbar stadsutveckling. Arbetet är uppdelat i en teoretisk och en praktisk del. Kapitel 1 består av en litteraturstudie som syftar till att presentera en bild av hur problemet uppstått samt huruvida öppna dagvattensystem kan vara en lösning på problemet. Efter en övertygelse om potentialen av hållbarhet och öppna dagvattensystem följer ett resonemang kring definitionen av ordet utveckling. Slutsatsen av litteraturstudien i kapitel ett är att öppna dagvattensystems förmåga att bidra till hållbar utveckling grundas i att stoppa den negativa trenden genom att implementera öppna dagvattensystem i nybebyggelse samtidigt som insatser måste göras i befintlig bebyggelse där problem redan finns. Kapitel 2 består av en undersökning av öppna dagvattensystem ur ett praktiskt perspektiv genom en omgestaltning i befintlig bebyggelse med erkänd problematik gällande dagvattenhantering. Målet med omgestaltningen är att ge en djupare förståelse för öppna dagvattensystem, och samtidigt fungera som underlag för att ge svar på hurvida öppna dagvattensystem kan fungera som komponent i en hållbar stadsutveckling. I kapitel 3 förs avslutningsvis en diskussion kring resultatet av litteraturstudien och gestaltningen där reflektioner ger svar på hurvida öppna dagvattensystem kan fungera som en komponent för en hållbar stadsutveckling.There is a negative trend in urban development, were natural areas are being eliminated in favour of typical urban structures. A human-centric mindset sets the framework for the generic city where impermeable surfaces adorns the ground. As a consequence, the interruption of the natural cycle of water causes a consistent problem of how the water in the city is handled. Flooding, water pollution and in worst case serious damage to the city’s infrastructure are recurring due to the typical water treatment in cities. Open storm water treatments are often presented as a solution to the negative trend. Instead of conventional solutions, open storm water treatment imitate the natural cycle of water, brining added values that makes the city more sustainable, socially, ecologically and economically. This thesis investigates whether open storm water treatment can serve as a component for sustainable urban development. The work is divided into a theoretical and practical approach. In Chapter 1, a literature study presents a picture of how the problem has arisen and how Open storm water treatment could be a part of the solution. Following a conviction of the potential of sustainability and open storm water treatment the author is forced to argue about the word development. The author believes, in the light of the literature study that open storm water treatment could contribute to a sustainable development if ending the negative trend by implementing open storm water treatment by new exploitation while efforts must be made in existing areas where the problem already exists. In Chapter 2, the author investigates open storm water treatment from a practical embodiment through a design in an existing area with recognized problems regarding storm water management. The aim of the design is to provide a deeper understanding of open storm water treatment, while providing the basis to give answers to how open storm water treatment can serve as a component for sustainable urban development. Finally, Chapter 3 draws a discussion of the results of the literature study and the design, where reflections provide answers to how open storm water treatment can serve as a component for sustainable urban development