Selecting criteria for the evaluation of secondary school assistant principals based upon item discrimination power

This study was conducted for the purpose of identifying discriminating, reliable, and valid criteria for evaluating secondary school assistant principals which could be used by local schools in constructing a new or refining an existing evaluation instrument. Data were collected by having 805 principals, assistant principals, superintendents/central office supervisors and teachers complete a 50-item questionnaire to determine which criteria had the ability to separate high assistant principal performance from that of average and below average performance;Forty-four assistant principals from 16 school districts located in Iowa, Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, and Michigan volunteered to participate in this research effort. Each of these assistant principals were evaluated by 15 or more raters;Major findings of this study include: (1) all 50 items on this questionnaire discriminated or measured differences between the job performance of the assistant principals being rated at the.05 level of significance, (2) 25 items on the instrument discriminated at the.01 level of significance, (3) 2 or more evaluator groups had significantly different means for 30 of the 50 items, (4) assistant principals were ranked significantly lower by principals than the other rater groups on 16 of the items, (5) central office supervisors/superintendents ranked assistant principals higher than the principal rating groups on 14 items, (6) the rater groups most frequently agreeing with one another were the teacher rating group and the superintendent/central office supervisor rating group;It is recommended that items being used for assistant principals\u27 performance evaluations be selected carefully so that evaluating items are matched with the particular job responsibility for the assistant principal. It is further recommended that as many persons as possible be involved in the evaluation process so as to offset personal bias

Interview with Maude Edwards

An interview with Maude Edwards regarding her experiences in a one-room school house.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/ors/1093/thumbnail.jp

The prevalence and impact of Fusarium Head Blight pathogens and mycotoxins on malting barley quality in UK

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium and Microdochium species can significantly affect the yield of barley grain as well as the quality and safety of malt and beer. The present study provides new knowledge on the impacts of the FHB pathogen complex on the malting and brewing quality parameters of naturally infected barley. Quantitative real-time PCR and liquid chromatography double mass spectrometry were used to quantify the predominant FHB pathogens and Fusarium mycotoxins, respectively, in commercially grown UK malting barley samples collected between 2007 and 2011. The predominant Fusarium species identified across the years were F. poae, F. tricinctum and F. avenaceum. Microdochium majus was the predominant Microdochium species in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 whilst Microdochium nivale predominated in 2009. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone quantified in samples collected between 2007 and 2009 were associated with F. graminearum and F. culmorum, whilst HT-2 and T-2, and nivalenol in samples collected between 2010 and 2011 correlated positively with F. langsethiae and F. poae, respectively. Analysis of the regional distribution and yearly variation in samples from 2010 to 2011 showed significant differences in the composition of the FHB species complex. In most regions (Scotland, the South and North of England) the harvest in 2010 had higher concentrations of Fusarium spp. than in 2011, although no significant difference was observed in the Midlands between the two years. Microdochium DNA was significantly higher in 2011 and in the North of England and Scotland compared to the South or Midlands regions. Pathogens of the FHB complex impacted negatively on grain yield and quality parameters. Thousand grain weight of malting barley was affected significantly by M. nivale and M. majus whilst specific weight correlated negatively with F. avenaceum and F. graminearum. To determine the impact of sub-acute infections of the identified Fusarium and Microdochium species on malting and brewing quality of naturally infected samples, selected malting barley cultivars (Optic, Quench and Tipple) were micromalted and subjected to malt and wort analysis of key quality parameters. F. poae and M. nivale decreased germinative energy and increased water sensitivity of barley. The fungal biomass of F. poae and F. langsethiae correlated with increased wort free amino nitrogen and with decreased extract of malt. DNA of M. nivale correlated with increased malt friability as well as decreased wort filtration volume. The findings of this study indicate that the impact of species such as the newly emerging F. langsethiae, as well as F. poae and the two non-toxigenic Microdochium species should be considered when evaluating the quality of malting barley. © 2014

Pupillary size changes during information processing overload

Pupillary size changes were investigated during a one-bit and two-bit information processing task. For an information processing task, a random list of the digits two and three and a random list of the digits one, two, three, and four were presented visually on a digital readout by means of a paper tape reader for a one-bit and two-bit task, respectively. The subject's required response was to depress a pushbutton switch corresponding to the digit presented on the digital readout. For both the one-bit and two-bit tasks, pupil diameter increased with an increasing information processing rate, reached a maximum at maximum information processing capacity, and rapidly constricted as maximum information processing capacity was exceeded.http://archive.org/details/pupillarysizecha00edwaLieutenant, United States Navy ReserveApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Providing demonstrable return-on-investment for organisational learning and training

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present a holistic approach to training, that clearly demonstrates cost savings with improved effectiveness and efficiencies that are aligned to business objectives. Design/methodology/approach – Extending Kirkpatrick’s evaluation framework with Phillips’s return-on-investment (ROI) concepts, the paper conveys a number of successes; including trainee satisfaction and the capturing of improved knowledge and skills. Findings – The paper includes case studies of how, and to what extent this knowledge has been applied with examples of resulting efficiency savings. The paper shows that there is growing agreement that one of the primary drivers, if not the key driver of long-term organisational effectiveness, is the ability of an organisation to learn effectively. The methodology requires some additional assessment and course preparation to establish a basis from which to demonstrate learning effectiveness. The financial benefits of the applied learning are far greater than the additional preparatory costs. Practical implications – Learning organisations that anticipate, react to change and learn, are likely to maintain a competitive advantage. These organisations are constantly looking for more effective and efficient ways of training. Paradoxically, other organisations will often slash training budgets in times of hardship, as training departments are unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programmes. Originality/value – The paper presents a practical example of how training should be applied to truly demonstrate its value in the workplace

In vitro growth characteristics of Fusarium langsethiae isolates recovered from oats and wheat grain in the UK

Fusarium langsethiae is a fungus that has recently been implicated in the contamination of small-grain cereal crops such as oats, wheat and barley with high levels of HT-2 and T-2 toxins in many European countries. The epidemiology of this fungus is not well known and may therefore be a bigger problem than currently thought to be. A study was carried out investigating the in vitro growth characteristics of F. langsethiae isolates from contaminated oats and wheat at various temperatures; 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. Results indicated similar growth trends of oats and wheat isolates of F. langsethiae. Wheat isolates grew significantly (p<0.001) faster than oat isolates although this difference may have been confounded by the age of cultures, with oat isolates collected one year earlier. The estimated optimum growth temperature for all isolates was 24 °C. Isolates were macro-morphologically categorized as having lobed or entire colony margins, and either possessing one of the following colony colours: white, orange or purple. Since the estimated optimum growth temperature of F. langsethiae is typical in temperate summers when small-grain cereals are flowering, it is possible that this species can infect, colonise and possibly contaminate the developing grains with HT-2 and T-2 toxins which are of food safety concern

An analysis of software quality management at AWE plc.

A detailed question set is required to test and measure the true extent that a software quality management system is adopted and implemented across a large company like AWE plc. The analysis of the gathered data reveals specific topics of weakness that can also reflect the cultural acceptance or resistance that management groups have towards the adoption of quality systems. Having identified detailed problems and barriers, effective strategies and programmes can be deployed to improve the level of implementation and, therefore, the effectiveness of a software quality management system. This paper presents the question set used and the subsequent results obtained from the implementation assessment for 55 software systems at AWE plc. The data is collated into management groups and the associated cultures discussed. The topics of weakness are highlighted together with the very specific actions that are least undertaken. A range of improvement actions is also presented

Achieving business excellence in software quality management

Many companies have had difficulties in achieving success with software process improvement initiatives or have had adverse experiences in implementing quality systems. With a plethora of standards available and the numerous frameworks to apply best practice, none appears to act as a panacea to guarantee fulfilment or realise a true Return-on-Investment. This paper proposes a holistic approach to software process improvement, describing a range of supporting tools and methods highlighting a true understanding of the customer base and associated cultures. The research aim was to develop and evaluate a demonstrably effective and efficient software quality management methodology suitable for a technical company. To be effective the methodology must deliver real process improvement conformance to the best practice quality standards. To be efficient the methodology must deliver a real Return-on-Investment. A range of case studies are described including audits, self-assessment, training, system design, marketing, and the people skills associated with a consultation process are all examined in detail. Each case study provided a further opportunity to measure and analyse the success or otherwise of that method for further refinement. The research methodology has demonstrated its success as the data collected during these case studies show that steady improvement in implementing the software quality system has occurred year on year. This success has been validated by third party ISO 9001 assessments and has led to an enhancement in reputation. The approach has overcome cultural resistance and changed working practices. With a philosophy of customer care, consultation, and active engagement, practitioners adopt best-practice quality management principles. The cost effectiveness of this methodology means its adoption could be considered by any organisation whether large or small

The Ursinus Weekly, May 17, 1948

Derstine promoted to associate editor • Male students elect ten men to serve as 1949 student council representatives • Armstrong selected most popular prof • Curtain Club elects Tischler president • Kimes and Drummer named to head dining room staff • Life comes to life; photos Ursinus coeds • Honorary degrees to be given to six • Who\u27s who member listed to speak at seventy-eighth annual commencement • Dr. Dobbs Ehlman to speak at baccalaureate service • Rosicrucians elect Pechter as president for new year • History prize for women established by Dr. White • Love letters lack punch? Read this! • Men\u27s May pageant loaded with talent • Weekly discovers wizard cartoonist • Godshall-Bart look to Ursinus future • Navy offers commissions to qualified college grads • Trackmen second in triangular meet • Bears trim Fords 12-2 behind steady hurling by Landes • Curtis holds lead as loop nears end • Bears stopped cold by Greyhound nine • Coeds continue win streak by downing Main Line lassies • Kennedy, R. Binder cop track crowns • Coeds bow to Quakerettes; victors in only one event • Beaver trips women golfers 5-0 • Landes pitches, bats diamond squad to 12-0 whitewash of Juniata Indians • Fords trim bruins 9-0 in tennis battle • Girls jayvee team defeats Bryn Mawr in hitting fray • AVC elects Stein chairman; discusses plans for fall • Dr. Philp serves as judge of New England festivals • \u2751 renames three leaders; Thalheimer to hold money • Office releases statement affecting school veterans • Y officers name commission heads • Program listed by grads for Alumni Day on May 29https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1640/thumbnail.jp