Experiences of New Teachers inInclusive Classrooms in BC

Current research states the need for special education training for preservice teachers; however, research examining best practice in special education training is limited due to a focus on preservice teachers and a lack of Canadian research. This phenomenologically informed study explores the experiences of new teachers in inclusive classrooms to gain an understanding of the knowledge and experiences these new teachers need so as to inform future teacher training practices. The participants include seven new teachers who teach in inclusive classrooms across British Columbia. Results indicate that due to the student diversity in their inclusive classrooms, these new teachers collaborated with colleagues, parents, and students to meet the academic, social, and behavioural needs of their students. Based on these new teachers’ experiences, initial recommendations are provided for teacher training institutions. Directions for further research are also discussed

A Constellation Model for Mentoring Undergraduates During COVID-19

Conceptualizing mentoring beyond a traditional one-to-one mentor-mentee model, we utilized a constellation framework with collaborative co-mentoring among faculty, staff, near-peers, and community partners. We conducted a multi-method study to examine faculty, staff, and students’ perceptions of mentoring relationships, and we focus in this article on participants’ perceptions of how the global pandemic changed their mentoring relationships. Analyses of the study’s surveys and interviews yielded four primary themes: 1) scaffolded, developmental programming and a diverse set of mentors in an interconnected constellation positively impacts students’ and mentors’ experiences during unexpected challenges like a pandemic; 2) skilled mentoring requires a dynamic, individualized balance of instrumental, psychosocial, and reciprocal mentoring practices, taking into account unique aspects of students’ identities; 3) reduction of in-person relational mentoring was associated with significant challenges, but occasionally offset by opportunities; and 4) gaps exist in the campus ecosystem, especially for students with minoritized identities and students who are not participants in cohorted programs. A case study of a multi-year, experientially rich, and academically rigorous program highlights the potential of collaborative, interconnected, globally oriented mentoring constellations to support students’ personal, academic, and professional development, particularly when mentors were agile and adapted to new contexts. Challenges incurred in implementing a constellation model for undergraduate mentoring included scalability and capacity, particularly during the pandemic and when forming new relationships. Click here to read the corresponding ISSOTL blog post

Water Quality Conditions and Restoration of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in the Tidal Freshwater James River: 2003-2004

In 2003-2004 wild celery (Vallisneria americana) whole shoots and seeds were transplanted into four sites in the Hopewell region of the tidal James River. The SAV transplants were sampled by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for survivorship and growth at bi-weekly to monthly intervals throughout the growing season. Concurrently, water quality sampling was conducted at bi-weekly intervals throughout the year for water column nutrients, chlorophyll a, suspended solids, water transparency and other chemical and physical constituents important for SAV growth. Objectives of the study were to: 1) expand the SAV transplanted plots within the study sites previously transplanted; 2) conduct water quality sampling using both fixed station and continuous underway Dataflow sampling; 3) evaluate techniques for assessing visual surface water algal conditions and water color characteristics; 4) evaluate the relationships between SAV transplant performance and water quality. SAV growth and survival were evident at all sites when the plants were protected from herbivory. Seeds obtained from wild stock and planted within the exclosures germinated and produced adult plants at each of the sites. The transplanted beds demonstrated limited impacts from hurricane Isabel with losses only evident at one transplant site. Water quality conditions in 2003 and 2004 were characterized by relatively low chlorophyll concentrations in comparison to 2002. River flow appeared to be inversely related to chlorophyll levels with a precipitous drop in chlorophyll evident for 2003 and 2004 (higher flow years) in comparison to 2002 (low flow year). Chlorophyll concentrations in 2003 and 2004 were well below the SAV habitat criteria (15mg/l) that have been associated with SAV growth to 1m. Proposed seasonal numeric chlorophyll limits under consideration by the Va. DEQ for the tidal freshwater James River (10 to 20 mg/l) would have been met in most areas in 2003 and 2004, but not in 2002. Turbidity levels were comparable among both high flow and low flow years. Water column nutrient concentrations did not vary greatly as river flow increased in 2003 and 2004 from lower flows in 2002. High ammonium concentrations found throughout this region in 2002 have not been evident since. Algal condition assessments conducted in 2004 showed little visual algal impairment. Several visual water color assessment techniques using the Flore-Ule color systems and Munsell color charts were also investigated. None were very suitable for quantifying algal and phytoplankton concentrations in this environment. This was partly due to the relative low phytoplankton concentrations present during most of this study period, the confounding effects of the varying ambient conditions, and partly due to the subjective nature of the assessment techniques themselves

Chronicles of Oklahoma

Article explores the history of five major Nations that partnered with the Confederate Army during the Civil War and offers a list of American Indian military units. Jessie Randolph Moore discusses how the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Creek Nations impacted the war efforts

Water Quality Conditions and Restoration of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in the Tidal Freshwater James River 2007

In 2007, wild celery (Vallisneria americana) and water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) were planted at sites in the Hopewell region of the tidal James River. The SA V transplants from 2007 and previous years were monitoried by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for survivorship and growth throughout the growing season. Nursery ponds were constructed at the VIMS campus for development of SA V transplant propagules. Water quality sampling was conducted at bi-weekly intervals throughout the year for water column nutrients, chlorophyll a, suspended solids, water transparency and other chemical and physical constituents important for SAV growth. Continuous water quality sampling was also conducted along the James River from the mouth of the Chickahominy River to the upstream limits of tidal water at Richmond. Objectives ofthis restoration and water quality study were to: 1) expand the SAV transplanted plots within the study sites previously transplanted; 2) conduct water quality sampling to determine the state of water quality in the tidal freshwater James relative to current water quality standards and SAV habitat requirements; 3) evaluate SAV transplant performance and compare to water quality conditions; 4) monitor SA V re-growth in the upper tidal James River. SA V transplant growth and survival occurred at all James River field sites at depths of approximately 0.4 m below low water. Seeds obtained from wild stock and planted within the exclosures germinated and produced adult plants in 2006 and these demonstrated re-growth in 2007. Water stargrass stocks originally collected from non-tidal areas of the James and planted into grow out nursery ponds at VIMS in 2006, along with nursery grown wild celery were replanted into tidal sites in 2007. Both species transplanted in 2007 also were successful and grew throughout 2007. SAV growth throughout the tidal freshwater James continued to expand in 2007 reaching over 300 acres. Powell\u27s Creek plantings continued to expand with coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) plantings mixed with recruited Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticilata) reaching over 60 acres. Water quality monitoring in the tidal James River in 2007 indicated that turbidity levels were again suitable for SA V growth to depths of 0.5 m in most areas. Seasonal light levels were at or near water clarity criteria for most transplant sites. Turbidity levels were highest in the upper section of the JMSTF1 segment and lower section of the JMSTF2 segment. When integrated along each of the freshwater segments (JMSTF1 and JMSTF2) using continuous underway spatial sampling, turbidity goals were met for all eight SA V growing season cruises. Summertime levels of chlorophyll were the highest recorded over the past five years. When integrated across the entire segments, average concentrations were found to be well above spring and summer limits of 15-23 Jlg r 1 and 10-15 Jlg r 1 for JMSTF1 and JMSTF2 respectively. Similarly, average seasonal concentrations at the transplant sites were above SA V growing season goals of 15 Jlg r1 • Nutrient levels generally were comparable with earlier years\u27 monitoring results, although dissolved ammonium concentrations were at or below detection for most of the year and a decreasing trend has been evident since 2002. Similarly dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) levels were very low throughout much of the year and all transplant sites met SAV growing season habitat requirements for DIP. Overall, the success of the SA V restoration in the tidal freshwater James River is encouraging, but the high levels of chlorophyll are of concern and warrant continued monitoring

Evaluation of the 2012 family violence amendments: synthesis report

This report sets out the overall findings of the evaluation of the 2012 family violence amendments. The evaluation examined the effects of amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)  that were intended to improve the family law system’s responses to matters involving family violence and safety concerns. Key messages Most separated parents don’t use family dispute resolution, lawyers or courts to resolve parenting matters after they separate Those parents who do use family law systems tend to be those affected by complex issues including family violence, mental ill-health, substance abuse and safety concerns for themselves and/or their children There has been an increased emphasis on identifying families with concerns about family violence and child abuse, however 29% of parents using family law system services reported never being asked about family violence or safety concerns Family law professionals indicated that better screening tools and approaches are required The reforms have supported sorting out parenting arrangements by agreement. This is likely to be due to a change in 2012 that means advisors tell parents that parenting arrangements should be in a child’s best interests Subtle changes in parenting arrangements are evident such as more parents with safety concerns reporting a shift away from overnight stays with fathers The proportion of children with court orders for shared care, where allegations of both family violence or child safety had been raised, fell after the reforms (from 19% to 11%) The proportion of court orders for shared care where neither family violence nor child safety was raised remained stable (22%): no significant change showed where only one issue was raised (17% pre-reform, 15% post-reform). Overall the main findings of the evaluation indicate that the 2012 family violence amendments are a step in the right direction in a reform agenda intended to improve the system’s response to family violence and child abuse concerns in post-separation parenting arrangements. See related content for seperate reports.   &nbsp

Chronicles of Oklahoma

Article provides a biographical tribute to Mabel Bourne Bassett, Commissioner of Charities and Corrections in Oklahoma. Jessie Randolph Moore and Mrs. Elsie D. Hand describe Bassett's numerous contributions to improving public welfare, which included organizing humane societies and working with the Red Cross during World War I