2012-13 Arkansas Test Results

In early August, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) released the 2012-2013 test score results. The following brief will highlight the results of these tests, compare achievement scores over time, and provide a glimpse of regional achievement results for the following exams: Benchmark Exam (Grades 3-8) End-of-Course Exam (Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, and Grade 11 Literacy). Iowa Test of Basic Skills (Grades 1-9

Against Doom and Gloom

Popular economic literature has been overcome by competition for trendy titles and unique subject matter. After all, authors dealing with topics other than the current financial crisis must provide publishers a reason to put out the book, and prompt readers to want to look at it. Yet, Matt Ridley seems to rise above it all in his most recent book, The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves (excepting, perhaps, his provocatively titled prologue). Ridley, a journalist by trade, has previously written about the fields of genetics and evolution and his skills make him a natural at answering two questions: how did we get to such prosperity as we have today, and where are we going? His title asserts his straightforward approach to the subject at hand: he offers a view of the future through the lens of the past. Ridley’s tone gives evidence of his journalism background; he uses the assembly of facts as a platform, from which he offers a cohesive explanation. Avoiding spiraling intrigue, Ridley’s research leads us to answers about our future

Streaming Algorithms Via Reductions

In the streaming algorithms model of computation we must process data in order and without enough memory to remember the entire input. We study reductions between problems in the streaming model with an eye to using reductions as an algorithm design technique. Our contributions include: * Linear Transformation reductions, which compose with existing linear sketch techniques. We use these for small-space algorithms for numeric measurements of distance-from-periodicity, finding the period of a numeric stream, and detecting cyclic shifts. * The first streaming graph algorithms in the sliding window\u27 model, where we must consider only the most recent L elements for some fixed threshold L. We develop basic algorithms for connectivity and unweighted maximum matching, then develop a variety of other algorithms via reductions to these problems. * A new reduction from maximum weighted matching to maximum unweighted matching. This reduction immediately yields improved approximation guarantees for maximum weighted matching in the semistreaming, sliding window, and MapReduce models, and extends to the more general problem of finding maximum independent sets in p-systems. * Algorithms in a stream-of-samples model which exhibit clear sample vs. space tradeoffs. These algorithms are also inspired by examining reductions. We provide algorithms for calculating F_k frequency moments and graph connectivity

In the Aftermath of the Financial Crisis of 2008: What Have We Learned?

In the aftermath of the financial crisis and economic recession of 2008, it is important to reflect not only on its causes, but also on specific policies that can help countries to move towards sustained economic growth. This publication provides a compendium of lectures that intend to do this. The focus of the discussion is around the U.S. (first two chapters) and Latin America (last chapter), which enhances our understanding of the forces at play and the necessary policies that need to be implemented in different regions of the world. Dr. Lee Ohanian points to the strange differences between the U.S. recession and other recessions around the world. The problems in the U.S. markets arose from misallocations of labor, rather than falling productivity around the world. His conclusion is that the data show that these errors were caused by policy, not a misshapen financial sector. Next, a case for the misalignment of the recession and the beginning of the financial crisis is made by Dr. Scott Sumner. The recession fueled the financial crisis, and not the other way around. While there was a misallocation of resources brought about by bad policy, smoother roads will be found when all, including policy makers, take the Efficient Market Hypothesis more seriously. Dr. Sumner concludes that a forward looking monetary policy approach is needed. Finally, Álvaro Vargas Llosa gives a perspective of the effects of the recession in Latin America. While many have suffered, the region has done relatively well in terms of growth in comparison to other previous financial crises. However, this growth might prove ill-timed if it encourages bad policies to continue in some countries. He recommends specific policies for the region to avoid the mistakes from the past and provides a course of action for U.S.-Latin America relations

Improved Streaming Algorithms for Weighted Matching, via Unweighted Matching

We present a (4 + epsilon) approximation algorithm for weighted graph matching which applies in the semistreaming, sliding window, and MapReduce models; this single algorithm improves the previous best algorithm in each model. The algorithm operates by reducing the maximum-weight matching problem to a polylog number of copies of the maximum-cardinality matching problem. The algorithm also extends to provide approximation guarantees for the more general problem of finding weighted independent sets in p-systems (which include intersections of p matroids and p-bounded hypergraph matching)

Evolution of Preprofessional Pharmacy Curricula

Objectives. To examine changes in preprofessional pharmacy curricular requirements and trends, and determine rationales for and implications of modifications. Methods. Prerequisite curricular requirements compiled between 2006 and 2011 from all doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs approved by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education were reviewed to ascertain trends over the past 5 years. An online survey was conducted of 20 programs that required either 3 years of prerequisite courses or a bachelor’s degree, and a random sample of 20 programs that required 2 years of prerequisites. Standardized telephone interviews were then conducted with representatives of 9 programs. Results. In 2006, 4 programs required 3 years of prerequisite courses and none required a bachelor’s degree; by 2011, these increased to 18 programs and 7 programs, respectively. Of 40 programs surveyed, responses were received from 28 (70%), 9 (32%) of which reported having increased the number of prerequisite courses since 2006. Reasons given for changes included desire to raise the level of academic achievement of students entering the PharmD program, desire to increase incoming student maturity, and desire to add clinical sciences and experiential coursework to the pharmacy curriculum. Some colleges and schools experienced a temporary decrease in applicants. Conclusions. The preprofessional curriculum continues to evolve, with many programs increasing the number of course prerequisites. The implications of increasing prerequisites were variable and included a perceived increase in maturity and quality of applicants and, for some schools, a temporary decrease in the number of applicants