Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Classroom

This action research study investigates the relationship between culturally responsive teaching and the impact on student engagement. For six weeks, the researcher implemented culturally responsive teaching strategies in a virtual first-grade classroom. The participants included fourteen six- and seven-year-olds who attended public school in Northern Virginia. The instruction was completed in a virtual setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start and conclusion of the study, students were given a survey to measure the class climate. Student engagement was observed daily and documented on a weekly observation tally sheet. The study found that implementing culturally responsive teaching in the classroom improved student engagement and built a positive class culture. The researcher recommends further studies on culturally responsive implementation in a physical classroom across multiple grade levels to validate the study results

Psychosocial and Behavioral Determinants of Medication Nonadherence Among African Americans with Hypertension: A Dissertation

The overarching goal of this dissertation was to elucidate the psychosocial and behavioral determinants of medication nonadherence among African Americans with hypertension. One in three Americans in the United States has hypertension, and the prevalence of hypertension among African Americans is among the highest in the world. In addition to healthy behaviors such as following a low-salt and low-fat diet, getting regular exercise, and reducing stress, patients with hypertension must also adhere to antihypertensive medications. Poor medication adherence may be driven by psychosocial and behavioral factors; however, the impact of these factors on medication adherence is unclear especially within the African American community. To date, a paucity of research has examined the relationship between psychosocial and behavioral factors such as reported racial discrimination, John Henryism (a measure of active coping and an unhealthy response to stress) and home remedies with medication nonadherence. However, each of these factors has individually been linked with poorer health outcomes among African Americans. Using data from the TRUST study (2006-2008) the association between these constructs and medication adherence was assessed within our sample of 788 African Americans and a comparison group of 137 White participants with hypertension. Ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the association between racial discrimination, John Henryism, home remedies, and medication adherence. The findings from this research indicated more reported racial discrimination, higher John Henryism scores, and greater use of home remedies were associated with lower medication adherence. These findings yield new knowledge about medication adherence and provide practical insights about the psychosocial and behavioral determinants of medication adherence

A NOVEL REVIEW OF HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 110 KDA: A BASIS FOR RESEARCH AND CONTINUED EXPERIMENTATION THROUGH BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Heat shock protein 110 kDa, Hsp110, is a distinct cellular protector, different in form and function from Hsp70, a close relative of Hsp110. Functioning primarily as a holdase or in tandem with other molecular chaperones, a review of current accomplishments elucidates the uniqueness of this protein and the continued mysteries that surrounds it. Found only in eukaryotes, Hsp110 has been linked to many diseases, ranging from parasitic infection to neurodegenerative disorders. While still lacking, studies of this protein have provided much in the realm of speculation on the mechanisms behind Hsp110s’ contribution to different pathologies. This review will serve as an introduction to present thinking and provide preliminary data investigating the form and function of this chaperone

Cultural mistrust, occupational aspirations and achievement motivation of black students

The purpose of this study were three-fold: First, this study examined occupation prestige ratings of African American adolescents using a modified version of the Hatt-North (1947) Occupation Prestige Scale. A second purpose investigated the effects of cultural mistrust on occupation prestige preferences, as well as aspirations and expectations. Finally, this study examined the effects of cultural mistrust and achievement motivation on the occupational aspirations of Black youth

A Test of the Efficacy of a Brief, Web-Based Personalized Feedback Intervention to Reduce Drinking Among 9th Grade Students

Alcohol use increases substantially during the transition from middle school to high school. This study tested a brief, web-based personalized feedback program aimed at reducing risk factors for drinking, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences among 9th grade students. At a 3-month follow-up, students in the intervention group showed positive results relative to those in the control group on variables associated with reduced risk, including positive alcohol expectancies and positive beliefs about alcohol. Students in the intervention group also reported a reduction in drinking frequency and alcohol-related consequences relative to those in the control group. There were, however, no differences in normative beliefs regarding peer drinking or quantity of weekly drinking between the two groups. Results indicate that a brief, web-based personalized normative feedback program delivered in the school setting is a promising approach to reducing alcohol use and the associated consequences among 9th grade students

Commenting on Student Writing

This Article, written by the five-person faculty in the legal research and writing program at Western New England College, discusses the process of critiquing student work. They share some ideas they have discussed in order to promote good legal writing

Reducing Alcohol Use Among 9th Grade Students: 6 Month Outcomes of a Brief, Web-Based Intervention

This study tested a brief, web-based personalized feedback program aimed at reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences among 9th grade students (N = 513). Results indicated no differences between the control group and intervention group on either frequency of drinking or alcohol-related consequences at the 6-month follow-up. Reductions in alcohol use and the associated consequences found at the 3-month follow-up were not sustained across the academic year. Results indicate brief, web-based feedback programs may not be sufficient to provide a sustained impact on alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences over time, suggesting either booster sessions or adjunctive interventions, such as parent-based interventions, may be warranted for this age group

Parental Predictors of Adolescent Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Consequences

This study examined parental factors as predictors of alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences among 9th grade students (N = 296). Perception of parental disapproval of teen drinking and perceived quality of parent-child general communication were significant predictors of adolescent alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences. Implications for parent education are discussed

Commenting on Student Writing

This Article, written by the five-person faculty in the legal research and writing program at Western New England College, discusses the process of critiquing student work. They share some ideas they have discussed in order to promote good legal writing

Commenting on Student Writing

The Authors from Western New England College School of Law discuss perspectives on and approaches to responding to student writing