A Comparison of Sixth-, Seventh-, and Eighth-Grade Student Outcomes in Schools Configured K-8 Elementary Versus 6-8 Middle Schools as Measured by State Standardized Tests, Student Discipline Referrals, and Student Attendance

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students\u27 outcomes in relation to school configuration, specifically K-8 elementary schools as compared to 6-8 middle schools. Student outcomes focused on in this study were standardized test scores, number of out-of-school suspensions, and number of days absent. Race and gender served as moderator variables for all research questions. Quantitative data were obtained from a large central Florida school district and included 2016 Florida Standards Assessment scale scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Algebra 1 End-of-Course Examinations, 2015 Florida Standards Assessment scale scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics for students in Grade 8 during the 2015-2016 academic year, 2013 and 2014 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests 2.0 Reading and Mathematics developmental scale scores for students in Grade 8 during the 2015-2016 academic year, number of out-of-school suspensions, and number of days absent by student for the 2015-2016 academic year. The data were analyzed via two-way analysis of variances to determine if statistically significant differences existed in student outcomes based on school configuration. The literature review supported the need to align the educational environment with student development in order to maximize student outcomes. In the quest to accomplish this, many districts have employed a number of school configurations, including the K-8 elementary school configuration and 6-8 middle school configuration to best meet the unique needs of early adolescents. The large central Florida school district selected for this study was unique in that it employed both the K-8 elementary school and 6-8 middle school configurations to serve students in Grades 6 through 8. As can be seen by results of this study, school configuration, either alone or in conjunction with one of the moderator variables, was indicated in differences in Grades 6 and 7 FSA ELA scale scores, Grades 6 and 7 FSA Mathematics scale scores, Grades 7 and 8 FSA Algebra 1 EOC Examination scale scores, FCAT 2.0 Reading growth, Grades 6, 7, and 8 number of OSS by student, and Grade 7 number of days absent by student. One of the most noteworthy findings of this study was differences in FSA ELA, Mathematics, and Algebra 1 EOC scale scores due to the interaction of school configuration and race. In general, students classified as Black had better FSA outcomes when attending schools of the 6-8 middle school configuration. In contrast, students classified as White or Other had better FSA outcomes when attending schools of the K-8 elementary school configuration. Such findings indicated that the K-8 elementary school configuration may be only a part of the puzzle when considering how to best educate students in the early adolescent developmental period

Youth Mental Health Awareness, Hillsborough County, FL

Goal Statement: This social change portfolio aims to increase awareness of youth mental health and provide resources for easy access to mental health services, ultimately improving the psychological health outcomes of young people in Hillsborough County. Significant Findings: Numerous adolescents in Hillsborough County report experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. The youths also lack mental health awareness and assistance access. The portfolio suggests increasing mental health resources, school-based programs, and mental health awareness campaigns to address these issues

Effects of Clutter Height Distribution on Adaptive Clutter Erasure Performance

A new real beam interferometric processing technique, called Adaptive Clutter Erasure (ACE), is investigated for applicability to ground clutter suppression in airborne radar systems. By analysis and simulation, the viability of the ACE concept as a next generation clutter suppression technique is demonstrated to achieve performance enhancements commensurate with currently implemented techniques. Research results indicate the ACE concept provides a reliably consistent 10dB Signal-to-Clutter Ratio (SCR) advantage over the APG-63, an operational radar system used for baseline comparison. ACE system concept development and performance predictions are conducted in conformity with the physical and operational design parameters of the APG-63, namely the operating frequency band, typical tracking scenarios, aperture size and polarization, element spacing and weighting, and field pattern response. Performance degradations for the limited number of scenarios where ACE provides minimal or no advantage, i.e., scenarios including platform roll or large target depression angles, are as expected in the sense that simulation results are consistent with theoretically established principles

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 3, 2018

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 3, 2019

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 2, 2017

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Profile, 2017

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Profile is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 4, 2016

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 1, 2019

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 2, 2017

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University