Making Caseloads Manageable: A Mixed Methods Study of Special Education Resource Teachers

Managing a caseload of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) is a demanding working condition for special education teachers (SETs). Large and unmanageable caseloads are important because of the connections to the instability of the SET workforce, including the longstanding SET shortage. Researchers have recommended hiring more SETs to reduce caseload sizes, yet the SET shortage makes this recommendation difficult. The purpose of this mixed methods explanatory design study was to examine the lived experiences of SETs who have large caseloads and perceive their workloads to be manageable. In the quantitative phase of the study, 119 Oregon resource SETs completed a survey with workload manageability items and demographics items, including questions about caseloads. Through a two-way ANOVA analysis, the results indicated that while there was no significant difference in perceived workload manageability among SETs with small or large caseloads, there was a significant difference among those with one to six or seven or more disabilities on their caseloads. In the qualitative phase, seven participants from the quantitative phase with larger caseloads than the mean and higher perceived workload manageability than the mean were interviewed. The interviews highlighted the themes of organization and support structures with the sub-themes of strategies, scheduling, administrative support, collegial support, and support staff. The quantitative results have implications for the field about the manageability of caseloads, and the qualitative results provide suggestions for school districts on low or no-cost methods to support SETs in managing their caseloads

A LANCASTERIAN APPROACH FOR SPECIFYING DERIVED DEMANDS FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Demand and Price Analysis,

Reducing stigma and punitive attitudes toward pedophiles through narrative humanization

Stigmatization and societal punitiveness about pedophilia has a range of potential consequences, such as the social isolation of people with sexual interest in children, and the formation of policies that are not consistent with empirical research findings. Previous research has shown that people with pedophilic sexual interests use societal thinking to self-stigmatize, which in turn may actually serve to increase their risk of committing a sexual offense. In this study, we compared two attitudinal interventions (first-person narrative vs. expert opinion) using a student sample(N = 100). It was hypothesized that both interventions would lead to reductions in stigmatization and punitive attitudes about pedophiles on an explicit (self-report) level, but that only the narrative intervention would lead to reductions of these constructs at the implicit level. Our findings supported both hypotheses. We further discuss the role of narrative humanization in this area, and offer suggestions for further research based upon the theoretical and methodological implications of the findings

Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions

This report supplies brief answers to some frequently asked questions regarding recess appointments. When the Senate is in recess, the President may make a temporary appointment, called a recess appointment, to any such position without Senate approval (Article II, Section 2, Clause 3)

Supreme Court Nominations Not Confirmed, 1789-2004

This report discusses Supreme Court nominations that were not confirmed between 1789 and 2004 (comprising 34 nominations). Over the course of United States history, approximately one-quarter of the presidential nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court have failed to place a new Associate or Chief Justice on the bench

Reorganization of the Minerals Management Service in the Aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

This report provides background and context on the origins of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) in the Department of the Interior (DOI). The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill refocused attention on MMS, which had previously endured management challenges. The report also discusses Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar's handling of conflicts within MMS, potential congressional options regarding MMS reorganization, historical examples of similar reorganization efforts, and information on related legislative initiatives

Homeland Security: Management Positions for the Proposed Department

This report analyzes the proposals in light of the provisions for appointment of that managerial hierarchy. It identifies the positions that would be created or transferred, existing units that would be transferred, new units that would be created, and provisions affecting the transfer of existing positions and the temporary filling of new positions. Potential problems are identified and options for congressional consideration are discussed

112th Congress

This report describes the ways that executive branch reorganization can occur as a result of Administration and congressional actions, and describes recent initiatives in the context of that typology. The report concludes with some observations regarding federal reorganization efforts