Principal and Teacher Reports of Principal Leadership: An Examination of Congruence and Predictive Validity

Principals influence school characteristics including morale and teacher turnover, but the utility of different methods of measuring principal behavior is unclear. Using data from public schools in the National Study of Delinquency Prevention in Schools, I examined relations between school-level teacher reports and principal self-reports of leadership, which better predicted student-reported rule clarity and fairness, and whether agreement or congruence between reports of principal leadership predicted school morale, organizational focus, and teacher turnover. The data used are from 263 schools and thousands of respondents; limitations of the study include the measures of principal leadership used, which are not strictly parallel and the age of the data used. I hypothesized that correlations between teacher and principal reports would be small and positive, that teacher reports of leadership would better predict rule clarity and fairness, and that congruence between reports would predict better school morale, better organizational focus, and lower teacher turnover

PUBLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPALS OF COLOR: AN EXPLORATION OF TRENDS IN AND PREDICTORS OF REPRESENTATION, AND INFLUENCE ON SCHOOL-LEVEL OUTCOMES

U.S. public schools are changing and becoming more diverse, but principals and educators are still largely White. As the number of students of color served by public schools grows, the continuing disparities in outcomes between students of color and their White counterparts is an area of increasing concern. Some research indicates that teachers of color may support positive outcomes for their students of color, but far less research examines principals of color, their representation, and their effect on student of color outcomes. This study aims to address this gap by exploring trends in the representation of principals of color, predictors of change from a White principal to a principal of color, and effects of change to a principal of color on student outcomes using three collection waves of Schools and Staffing Survey data (2003-2012). Descriptive analyses are used to explore the percentages of principals of color and change over time and in schools with different characteristics (e.g., SES level, size, etc.). Logistic regression is used to determine which school-level predictors significantly predict change from a White principal to a principal of color. Finally, schools that experienced change from a White principal to a principal of color are matched with “control” schools that experienced continuing White principals using propensity score matching, and ANCOVAs were completed to compare outcomes between the sets of schools. Results indicate that principals of color are still best represented in urban schools with high percentages of students and teachers of color and students receiving free and reduced meals. However, this trend is shifting with more principals of color serving in suburban schools with fewer students and teachers of color. The percentage of students of color predicts change from a White principal to a principal of color. While schools that experience change from a White principal to a principal of color have fewer suspensions than schools with continuing White principals, other school-level outcomes appear similar for the groups

The Western Australian New Music Archive: performing as remembering

The curation of WANMA is guided by, and confronts the challenges presented by, such a broad definition, with a focus on constructing a representative canon of Western Australian new music history from 1970 to the present day. A drawback of the Western Australian music collection at the State Library of Western Australia (SLWA), and indeed of many other Australian music collections (such as that at the Australian Music Centre and UWA’s Callaway Collection)

Evaluating Communication Tools and Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Vermont Head Start Classrooms

Introduction: We designed a program for four Head Start classrooms that aimed to: 1) Provide classrooms a tool that would facilitate communication with families about nutrition, 2) Educate families about the MyMeal tool, and 3) Increase fruit and vegetable consumption by providing families with fresh fruits and vegetables Fruit and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet, and sufficient consumption helps reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Eating behaviors during childhood are highly parentally influenced and function as the foundation for future eating patterns. Studies have shown that the extent to which fruits and vegetables are present and accessible in the home correlates with the amount of fruit and vegetables eaten by children.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1210/thumbnail.jp

Exploring Occupational Therapy Student Stress: Professor and Student Perspectives

The purpose of this study was to identify occupational therapy student stress levels and determine factors influencing this emotional response. The study also sought to obtain the perspective of occupational therapy professors on this issue. This mixed-methods study utilized an online quantitative descriptive survey and a telephone or face-to-face qualitative open-ended interview. Online survey respondents included a nationwide sample of 340 occupational therapy professors and 459 occupational therapy students. Additionally, nine professors and five students served as the interviewees. All professors were certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and employed either full or part time as instructors in an Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredited entry level Master of Science or entry level doctoral educational program. All students were enrolled in an ACOTE accredited entry level master’s or entry level occupational therapy doctoral degree program. Findings demonstrated high stress levels in students caused by personal, financial, and academic pressures. Professors acknowledged student stress; however, the results indicated the need for enhanced understanding and communication regarding student stress. Students may benefit from more intense counseling and stress reduction measures. Additionally, professors and universities may need to enhance existing support systems for students. Professors are advised to be attuned to student stress levels and may need to adjust academic requirements accordingly. Further research is needed to determine avenues for diminishing student stress

Daphnia predation on the amphibian chytrid fungus and its impacts on disease risk in tadpoles

Direct predation upon parasites has the potential to reduce infection in host populations. For example, the fungal parasite of amphibians, B atrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( B d), is commonly transmitted through a free‐swimming zoospore stage that may be vulnerable to predation. Potential predators of B d include freshwater zooplankton that graze on organisms in the water column. We tested the ability of two species of freshwater crustacean ( D aphnia magna and D . dentifera ) to consume B d and to reduce B d density in water and infection in tadpoles. In a series of laboratory experiments, we allowed D aphnia to graze in water containing B d while manipulating D aphnia densities, D aphnia species identity, grazing periods and concentrations of suspended algae ( A nkistrodesmus falcatus ). We then exposed tadpoles to the grazed water. We found that high densities of D . magna reduced the amount of Bd detected in water, leading to a reduction in the proportion of tadpoles that became infected. Daphnia dentifera , a smaller species of D aphnia , also reduced B d in water samples, but did not have an effect on tadpole infection. We also found that algae affected B d in complex ways. When D aphnia were absent, less B d was detected in water and tadpole samples when concentrations of algae were higher, indicating a direct negative effect of algae on B d. When D aphnia were present, however, the amount of B d detected in water samples showed the opposite trend, with less B d when densities of algae were lower. Our results indicate that D aphnia can reduce B d levels in water and infection in tadpoles, but these effects vary with species, algal concentration, and D aphnia density. Therefore, the ability of predators to consume parasites and reduce infection is likely to vary depending on ecological context. We tested the ability of two species of freshwater crustacean ( Daphnia magna and D. dentifera ) to consume zoospores of the amphibian parasite, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and to reduce parasite density in water and infection in tadpoles. In a series of laboratory experiments, we allowed Daphnia to graze in water containing Bd, then exposed tadpoles to the grazed water. Our results show that Daphnia can reduce Bd levels in water and infection in tadpoles, but these effects vary with species, algal concentration and Daphnia density.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100311/1/ece3777.pd

A Pilot Study Investigating the Effects of the Summer Rodeo Season on Functional Movement Screening Scores of College Rodeo Athletes

Rodeo is well known for its high-velocity, high-impact atmosphere where athletes compete against the clock and uncooperative livestock. Many rodeo competitive related injuries are associated with insufficient muscular synergy, endurance, strength, and limb flexibility. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the difference between pre-summer rodeo functional movement screening (FMS) outcomes and post-summer rodeo FMS outcomes of rodeo athletes. METHODS: The researchers conducted pre-summer rodeo FMS assessments on collegiate rodeo athletes (n = 8). Athletes were instructed to complete their standard summer rodeo season without the integration of exercise modalities that may serve as corrective strategies for altered functional movement onset by the demands of rodeo performance. Rodeo athletes returned for post-summer rodeo season FMS testing upon the conclusion of their summer rodeo season. A paired-sample t-test (p \u3c 0.05) was employed to identify differences in pre- and post-summer rodeo FMS outcomes. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between pre- and post-summer rodeo season FMS scores. However, moderate effects sizes were identified between pre- and post-rotary stability (d = .725), pre- and post-deep squat (d = .725), and pre- and post-hurdle step (d = .725), and pre- and post-trunk stability (d = -.540). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the intensity and volume of summer rodeo season performance may contribute to alterations in rodeo athlete’s functional movement abilities. An FMS utilized to identify movement compensations/limitation of rodeo athletes prior to summer rodeo season, and the integration of exercise modalities that serve as corrective strategies for the presented movement compensations may assist in decreasing the chance of non-impact injury sustainmen

Sex-Specific Difference of Functional Movement Screening Scores Among Rodeo Athletes

Faulty movement patterns, especially in elite athletes, can lead to neuromuscular imbalances. Rodeo is an example of an injury prone sport that requires optimal muscular synergy, endurance, strength, and limb flexibility to succeed in rodeo performance. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) test has shown validity in identifying various neuromuscular imbalances, and subsequently, scientific findings support the FMS threshold score (less ≤ 14) as valid for injury risk screening in collision and team sports, firefighters, and the tactical professions. If an athlete has a composite score of 14 or less in conjunction with a previous injury, they are 15 times more likely to sustain an injury. FMS studies have indicated women are more proficient in lower leg raise, while men possess greater trunk stability. However, both men and women overall report no significant differences in mean scores for FMS. However, identifying FMS outcome differences between male and female rodeo athletes has yet to be examined. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current investigation was to identify sex-specific FMS outcomes for rodeo athletes. METHODS: Collegiate rodeo athletes (n = 85; 25 men, 60 women) completed a Functional Movement Screening Test to establish athlete specific movement pattern efficiencies. A MANOVA (p \u3c .05) was employed to examine differences in FMS outcomes between male and female rodeo athletes. RESULTS: Statistically significant main effect was reported between sex in overall FMS outcomes of rodeo athletes, F(8, 76) = 5, p \u3c .001; Wilks’ Λ = .655, η2 = .345. Specifically, a significant between-subjects effect recognized sex differences when performance Active Straight Leg Raise (p \u3c .001), Shoulder Mobility (p = .012), Truck Stability (p = 005), In-Line Lunge (p = 005), and Deep Squat (p = .029). No significant differences being identified between the sexes when assessing the Hurdle Step (p = .201), Rotary Stability (p = .739), nor Total FMS score (p = .820). CONCLUSION: These results suggest differences in FMS outcomes between sexes may be present among different rodeo events. Additionally, and specific to rodeo, FMS outcomes may be attributed to different physical demands associated with sex-specific events of rodeo. This information may also provide future researchers and practitioners insight into potential injury associated with low FMS scores of rodeo athletes

Investigating Morphosyntactic Variation in African American English on Twitter

Early work on African American English (AAE) perpetuated myths that the language variety was uniform across regions and that it was spoken primarily by working class men, due to being conducted in inner city areas and examining a specific set of linguistic features. These sociolinguistic myths negatively impacted not only the field of linguistics but also how the public viewed AAE. Since then studies have looked at a broader range of geographical areas and demonstrated distinct local differences. Here we build on this line of research by analyzing relative incidences of 18 morphosyntactic features in relationship to geographic and social factors, at scale. Our data is a corpus of 224M geotagged tweets, which is five orders of magnitude larger than previous social media studies of AAE. We use machine learning methods to automatically detect linguistic features and to identify common patterns of variation across the features. Our results show that, contrary to sociolinguistic myths of uniformity, there is clear variation in AAE across both geographic and social dimensions. Regionally, we see a distinct spatially contiguous southern core which aligns with national-level phonological and lexical variation in AAE, although it is less variable. Across social groups, there is higher AAE usage in the rural south and in Black-Hispanic contact communities – both of which are groups currently underrepresented in the literature. This work provides a significant advance in descriptive work on AAE morphosyntax, presenting the first national-level description and analysis of overall grammatical variation in AAE in order to answer key questions about variation in AAE. More broadly, our methods demonstrate how machine learning tools can be applied to large-scale real-world data to help us gain a more representative understanding of language in marginalized communities

Differences in Functional Movement Screening Score between College Rodeo Events

The sport of rodeo is recognized as a high velocity/intensity activity, with a wide range of varying dynamic movements occurring across difference rodeo events. High velocities and extreme dynamic range of motion movements, compound with uncooperative livestock, contribute to elevated risk of injury. While these factors generally attribute to rodeo injuries, little is known in regards to movement limitations of rodeo athletes. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of the current investigation was to identify movement pattern differences among rodeo events using the Functional Movement Screening (FMS) test. METHODS: College rodeo athletes (n = 85) from a mid-size university in the southwest region were selected as participants for this study. Athletes were categories according to their respected rodeo event: Steer Wrestling (n = 7), Breakaway Roping (n = 28), Goat Tying (n = 11), Barrel Racing (n = 20), Saddle Bronc Riding (n = 9), Tie Down Roping (n = 4), Bull Riding (n = 2), or Team Roping (n = 4). Following, all rodeo athletes completed an FMS test to establish movement efficiencies. A MANOVA was utilized to differentiate FMS scores between rodeo events. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant main effect between rodeo event and FMS outcomes of rodeo athletes, F(56, 382.72) = 1.777, p = .001; Wilk’s Λ = .288, partial η2 = .163. LSD Post hoc test revealed significant differences between various events for all dependent variables except the Hurdle Step Test. CONCLUSION: These results suggest different rodeo event specific movement pattern may affect FMS test results. Additionally, for the practitioner, these differences may serve as valid precursors to injuries per rodeo event