Success at last : one teacher\u27s growth in understanding of writer\u27s workshop

Writer\u27s workshop is an approach to teaching writing that corresponds to the whole language philosophy. Much of the literature published on the topic of whole language, and specifically writer\u27s workshop, describes the ideal classroom environment. However, whole language in the intermediate classroom is often given less attention in professional books and journals than the primary classroom receives (Gannon-Smith, 1991). As a reading and language arts teacher of sixth grade students, I have been interested in teaching writing through the use of writer\u27s workshop. There are some general whole language themes which can be used to build a motivating writing environment for intermediate grades

A Racial Impact Analysis of SB 30: Medicaid Expansion

Virginia is the second worst state in providing Medicaid to its citizens. The focus of this report is to provide a racial equity impact analysis of Senate Bill (SB) 30, the Senate legislative vehicle for the appropriations of the budget submitted by the Governor of Virginia for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. SB 30 included a provision called “Marketplace Virginia” as an alternative to traditional Medicaid expansion in Virginia. This compromise bill would have covered an estimated 430,000 Virginians who fall in the Medicaid coverage gap by assisting them in purchasing private insurance. This report provides a racial equity impact analysis of the failure of the Virginia General Assembly to pass SB 30. The racial and ethnic impact of this proposed, but failed, legislation is important because minorities in Virginia disproportionately face disparities in health care access and quality. This racial impact analysis captures and reports the potential impact of this legislation by race in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The primary recommendation includesraising eligibility requirements to a minimum of 100 percent of the federal poverty level. Virginia’s current eligibility requirements are so strict that although it is ranked 7th in per capita personal income, Virginia ranked 43rd in Medicaid enrollment as a proportion of the state’s population and 47th in per capita Medicaid spending

Physiotherapy or self-selected exercise in multiple sclerosis: a comparative evaluation of community-based interventions

Multiple Sclerosis is a major cause of neurological disability in the population of the UK with an incidence of 2,500 new cases diagnosed each year. The estimated number of people affected with MS in the UK is currently believed to be 85,000. (MS Trust 2006). The disease affects those in the prime of their lives as well as those more advanced in years. The reality of living with a progressive neurological condition requires self-management strategies as well as professional involvement. One method of encouraging self-management is the use of exercise to ameliorate some of the problems presented by MS and thus to encourage independence. This study was developed to compare the effects of a home-based physiotherapy exercise programme against readily accessible self-selected exercise opportunities. It was conducted entirely in the community with a convenience sample of 40 subjects recruited from the caseload of the Rehabilitation Medicine Service in Lincolnshire, 39 people eventually completed the study. The participants were of mixed MS presentations but were capable of fulfilling the exercise requirements of the study. The study was in two parts, a pre-exercise phase and an exercise phase. Assessments were carried out at three stages during the study at week 1, week 12 and week 36. A baseline assessment taken at study onset, focused on physical function using the Amended Motor Club Assessment, (AMCA), as the primary outcome variable. The Health Assessment Questionnaire, (HAQ) and Timed Walk were also used to assess function. Muscle tone and muscle strength, were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, (MAS), and the Medical Research Council, (MRC), strength scale. Psychological state was gauged using the MSQOL 54 and a Numerical Rating Scale. Symptom presentation was assessed using the Guys Neurological Disability Scale, (GNDS). The participants were given a journal at week 1 and this remained with the participant until week 36. It was returned to the researcher after the final assessment. Indications of psychological state and exercise experiences were extracted from the journals where unfettered comments regarding the regimes and any other MS or personal issues were recorded. The first and second assessments were carried out by the investigator. The third assessment was completed by one of the two independent physiotherapy assessors. Phase one of the study, the pre-exercise phase, extended over 12 weeks during which time educational material plus the MS Trust booklet “Tips to Living With MS” was distributed. This time also provided a washout period negating the effects of previous exercise involvement. In phase two the participants joined their respective exercise groups. Group 1 participants received the home physiotherapy programme consisting of a three-part exercise regime administered over eight weeks. The regimes included exercises in lying, sitting, standing with a strengthening element using red, medium strength theraband. The group 2 participants selected their own activity regime providing it was compatible with their exercise capabilities. The activities selected included progressive walking, gym attendances, swimming, Pilates, yoga and motorcise, a motorised cycling routine. The exercise phase lasted for 24 weeks. Total study involvement lasted for 36 weeks. The results from the pre exercise phase indicated that there were no improvements in physical or psychological function except a perceived improvement in symptom presentation as shown by a significant improvement in the GNDS score. This could be attributable to the nature of the information offered and the previous extensive knowledge already in the possession of the participants. Exercise positively influenced the AMCA, the primary outcome variable in both groups but the benefit of one approach over the other was not conclusively demonstrated. Physiotherapy appeared to produce significantly better results than self-selection in the HAQ, the NRS, lower limb tone, and lower limb strength. The Timed Walk did not improve in either group. Neither group showed improvement after exercise on the GNDS. The MSQOL 54 was affected but significant differences were only seen in one domain in each of the two groups. Supporting evidence from analysis of the participants’ journals indicated the desire for exercise and showed subjectively how those in the study benefited from it. These results did not offer definitive proof as to the most beneficial regime but they provided compelling evidence to support the relevance of exercise to those with MS to maintain physical and psychological wellbeing. A follow-up questionnaire was issued to each participant 26 weeks after the study completion to assess whether they had continued to exercise. Of the 39 people who completed the study, 34 responded to the follow-up questionnaire. Of these 34 people, 33 were still engaging in some type of exercise indicating that the changes necessary to embed the new behaviour had been successfully achieved

Prolonged Exposure to non-school related media use and violence among urban youth

Youth violence is a pervasive and ongoing public health concern. Based on the paradigm of resilience, the purpose of this quantitative study was to test the relationship between prolonged (3 or more hours) of non-school related media use and youth violence. Secondary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were utilized for this study. Logistic and multiple regression models were used to test whether exposure to prolonged non-school related media (video games and TV) use was associated with violent behavior, and whether there was a relationship between prolonged exposure to non-school related media use and electronic bullying among urban youth (N = 1228). Prolonged exposure to both types of non-school related media use was associated with violent behavior (carrying a weapon, physical fighting, perpetrating physical bullying), and playing video and computer games 3 or more hours per day was positively associated with electronic bullying. However, 3 or more hours of TV viewing per day was not associated with electronic bullying. Policy makers, constituents, and parents may benefit from a greater understanding of media exposure and urban youth violence. The knowledge gained from this study may promote positive social change within family systems by increasing parental awareness of what youth do in their unstructured free time and how this impacts subsequent behaviors. Public health professionals, community organizations, and social service agencies in urban communities could incorporate the results to create a culture that supports youth leadership programs that focus on limited use of non-school related media and on violence prevention

Inclusive business models in South Africa's land reform: great expectations and ambiguous outcomes in the Moletele land claim, Limpopo

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThis dissertation focuses on strategic partnership initiatives or ‘inclusive business model’ arrangements initiated between land restitution beneficiaries and private sector interests. It explores to what extent the introduction of strategic partnerships since 2005 reflects a dominant underlying land reform policy narrative premised on the superiority of large-scale commercial farming that contradicts other policy statements emphasizing support for small-scale farming. The effects of a hegemonic notion of “viability” – framed in terms of the large-scale commercial farm model - on partnership initiatives in the large Moletele claim in the Hoedspruit area of Limpopo Province is the primary concern of the study. I adopt a political economy perspective to examine both processes and the range of outcomes of the commercial partnerships established on Moletele land. Informed by this perspective, I explore the strategies pursued by, and the alliances formed between differently positioned actors that are engaged in contestations and negotiations over access to resources within these partnerships, which I conceptualize as “arenas of struggle”. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed (mixed method approach), by means of a small sample of claimant households and in relation to joint ventures established between claimants and different private sector partner

Teaching international social work in a global classroom

Social work educators are challenged with preparing students for international social work and work with immigrant and refugee populations. This pilot project aimed to develop an online global classroom to teach an international social work course to social work students participating from five different locations: United States (N=25), South Africa (N=4), Mexico (N=11), Hong Kong (N=6), and Australia (N=2). Qualitative data were collected from students regarding their experiences in this global classroom. Thematic analysis revealed the development of rich authentic learning, where their interactions with international classmates led to a transformative learning experience and a beginning sense of social work in a global context. Implications for future leaning and teaching of social work content across global borders are discussed