Role theory and the enactment of teacher leadership

This study used an online survey to examine whether self-reported teacher leadership is related to role theory as it pertains to role conflict and role ambiguity. A multi-stage clustered sampling process resulted in a sample of 147 certified teachers from ten North Carolina public schools, grades K-12. The sample was predominantly female (75%) and White (88%), with more diversity across age, years of teaching experience, teaching assignment, and education level. Overall teacher leadership, defined as teachers participating in a community of teacher learners to influence others for improved instructional practices in the classroom, the school, and the profession, in decision-making, and in advocating for students and schools, was measured on a 6-point scale (M= 4.43; SD = .87). There was evidence of role conflict (M = 3.04; SD = 1.05) and role ambiguity (M = 2.69; SD = .82). Correlations revealed significant negative relationships between teacher leadership and role conflict, RS (147) = -0.30, p = .000, and between teacher leadership and role ambiguity, RS (147) = -.46, p = .00. Both role conflict and role ambiguity persisted after controlling for intervening variables in linear regression models. The results of this study imply that overall teacher leadership can be increased by reducing role conflict and role ambiguity. Further analysis indicated that teacher leadership may be composed of more than one construct and the effects of role conflict, role ambiguity, and demographic or professional variables differ with the different teacher leadership constructs

Comparative thermal properties of aryl-B-Glucosidase isozymes in Neurospora crassa

Thin layer gel filtration of crude conidial washes from 26 different strains of Neurospora crassa demonstrated three distinct areas of 8-glucosidic activity. The area farthest from the origin was the largest enzyme, aryl-B-glucosidase "Y". The second, smaller isozyme "W" was located closer to the origin, and the third, smallest, newly discovered isozyme, designated "V", was closest to the origin. The new aryl-B-glucosidase "V" was present in extremely low concentration, and required 9-12 hours incubation with substrate (4-methyl-umbelliferyl-B-D-glucopyranoside) in order to note activity. Attempts to purify and isolate "V" were only partially successful

Expansion of nurse anesthesia educational programs: where are the barriers?

CRNAs have been a major contributor to direct patient anesthesia care for more than 100 years. All indicators suggest a greater need for nurse anesthetist services in the future. Our ability to meet this increased demand will depend on wise decisions in accreditation and professional agendas and support of all CRNAs in this critical issue. As stated by AANA Past President Linda Williams, CRNA, JD, students represent only 10% of our membership but they represent 100% of our future. Let's unite all forces to secure a future in which CRNAs will be indispensable healthcare providers throughout the 21st century

Faculty Research Productivity and Organizational Structure in Schools of Nursing

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between faculty research productivity and orga-nizational structure in schools of nursing. The need for nursing research has been widely recognized by members of the nursing profession, yet comparatively few engage in conducting research. Although contextual variables have been investigated that facilitate or inhibit nursing research, the relationship between organizational structure and nursing research productivity has not been examined. This problem was examined within the context of the Entrepreneurial Theory of Formal Organizations. A survey methodology was used for data collection. Data on individual faculty research productivity and organizational structure in the school of nursing were obtained through the use of a questionnaire. A random sample of 300 faculty teaching in 60 master's and doctoral nursing schools in the United States was used. The Instruments for data collection were Wakefield-Fisher's Adapted Scholarly Productivity Index and Hall's Organizational Inventory. The data were analyzed using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients and multiple correlation/regression tech-niques. The overall relationship between faculty research productivity and organizational structure in schools of nursing was not significant at the .002 level of confidence. Although statistically significant relationships were not identified, scholarly research productivity and its subscale prepublication and research activities tended to vary positively with procedural specifications in a highly bureaucratic organizational structure. Further research may focus on identification of structural variables that support highly productive nurse researchers

Contribution of Nursing Education Programs to the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in North Carolina.

Registered nurses play an important role in ensuring the delivery of quality health care, and their education is one key to achieving the goals of the Affordable Care Act. This article explores the contributions that nursing education programs in North Carolina can make in helping this legislation achieve its objectives

Type and frequency of children's fears : a comparison of self-care and adult-care children

Self-care and adult-care children were compared on the frequency with which they reported experiencing fear, on the types of fears that they reported having, and on how they coped with fear. Responses were obtained from 72 matched pairs of self-care and adult-care children. The children were matched on age, sex, race, family composition, and SES. A matched pairs t test indicated that more self-care children report having after-school fears than do adult-care children. But no differences were found for any of the other four measures of fear. Based on a review of the literature on types of children's fears and on children's methods of coping with fears, typologies were constructed and children's responses were coded according to these typologies. Chi-square analyses of the fear and coping responses indicated that there were significant differences between self-care children and adult-care children. Children in adult-care reported more fears of animals and of being alone or separated from family than did self-care children, who reported more fears than adult-care children of interactions with people, of violence, and of imaginary creatures, the dark, and scary TV shows. The most common method of coping with fears for children in both groups was avoidance/escape; but more self-care children reported using it than did adult-care children. Instead, children in adult-care reported using more internal self-control methods of coping with fear

A performing and teaching guide to the clarinet excerpts in five major works for band

Most clarinetists perform at some point in their playing careers, whether as students, amateurs, or professionals, in bands and/or orchestras. While many published resources exist for clarinetists wanting to study or perform orchestral music, almost nothing is available in published form for the band clarinetist. The purpose of this study is to afford clarinetists and band directors a resource for the study and performance of the clarinet parts in major works for band. These works include Hammersmith: Prelude and Scherzo by Gustav Holst, Licolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger, Theme and Variations Op. 43a by Arnold Schoenberg, Symphony in B-flat by Paul Hindemith, and Slnfonletta by Ingolf Dahl

Examining mood, coping, and social support in the context of athletic injuries

It has recently been estimated that approximately 17 million injuries occur each year in the United States as a result of individuals' participation in sports or physical activity (Booth, 1987). Unfortunately, there is a dearth of empirically derived knowledge about the psychological processes and behavioral outcomes that follow athletic injuries (Brewer, 1994). This research focused on the psychosocial variables associated with athletic injuries, rehabilitation adherence and physical recovery. Specifically, time changes in mood, coping strategies, and social support were examined following the occurrence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among 25 recreational athletes. In addition, the above mentioned psychosocial variables were also examined as predictors of injury rehabilitation and recovery

Examining elementary literacy teachers' perceptions of their preparedness to implement the English language arts common core state standards

The purpose of this study was to examine elementary literacy teachers' perceptions of their preparedness to implement the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards (ELA CCSS). Preparedness was defined as teachers' perceived levels of knowledge of the standards and its components; efficacy to implement changes; and actual changes to their instructional practices. A survey was developed based on the literature and administered to 158 elementary school teachers in two districts. Findings from the study document the nature of their professional development and identify areas where additional development opportunities are necessary. Discussion focuses on the need to provide more time and supports to teachers as they deal with the challenges of the new standards