The RUMERTIME Process as a Protective Factor in School Attendance Problems

The RUMERTIME Process (RP) is a five-step culturally responsive social-emotional, problem-solving, prevention-intervention strategy used to educate, equip, and empower students, educators, and families. The RP equips individuals with the abilities to recognize, understand, manage, express, and reflect on their thoughts, interactions, mindsets, and emotions (RUMERTIME) in relation to themselves, others, and the daily life challenges they face within multiple systems and settings. The RP is embedded within the Cultivating SEEDS System framework (CSS) and is utilized to equip culturally diverse communities, inclusive of students, family members, educators, and administrators, with the social-emotional skills to effectively solve student attendance problems (SAPs). The data shared in this practice intervention article are descriptive in nature and highlight the RP as a protective factor and explain its three goals. The paper consists of three parts: (a) introduction of the RP, which is embedded in the CSS framework; (b) description of implementation of the RP as integral to the Daytime Intervention Room (DIR) program; and (c) discussion of risk factors that qualified students to receive services through the DIR program as well as data that demonstrated how the RP performed as a protective factor. The DIR program was aimed at creating an alternative to out-of-school suspension (OSS) and the traditional punitive in-school suspension (ISS). The program was established in each of the four schools in an urban high-needs school district in the midwest region of the United States. The DIR program was intentionally designed to include multiple levels, stakeholders, and delivery support, thus creating a solid base for the holistic development of students, educators, and parents. In conjunction with the CSS framework, the DIR program sought to increase academic performance, decrease the number of behavior referrals, and improve attendance rates in this high-needs urban school district

Development of the Student Expectations of Online Learning Survey (SEOLS): A Pilot Study

The problem of attrition in online learning has drawn attention from distance education administrators and chief academic officers of higher education institutions. Many studies have addressed factors related to student attrition, persistence and retention in online courses. However, few studies have examined how student expectations influence student retention and persistence in online learning. There is a need for a systematic method of addressing the relationship between student expectations and persistence in online education. This study investigated the reliability of the Student Expectations of Online Learning Survey (SEOLS) as a tool for assessing student expectations for elements of online courses. The 44 items on the survey are distributed among 7 scales. The pilot study consisted of 17 students enrolled in online courses of a master’s level counseling program at a mid-sized Midwestern University in the United States. Results revealed good to excellent reliability indices for the scales that ranged from α = .64 to α = .95. Data from the pilot study indicated that the SEOLS is an instrument that can be used to reliably assess student expectations of the online learning environment. The authors present a discussion for use of the instrument and implications for future research

Development of the Student Expectations of Online Learning Survey (SEOLS): A Pilot Study

The problem of attrition in online learning has drawn attention from distance education administrators and chief academic officers of higher education institutions. Many studies have addressed factors related to student attrition, persistence and retention in online courses. However, few studies have examined how student expectations influence student retention and persistence in online learning. There is a need for a systematic method of addressing the relationship between student expectations and persistence in online education. This study investigated the reliability of the Student Expectations of Online Learning Survey (SEOLS) as a tool for assessing student expectations for elements of online courses. The 44 items on the survey are distributed among 7 scales. The pilot study consisted of 17 students enrolled in online courses of a master’s level counseling program at a mid-sized Midwestern University in the United States. Results revealed good to excellent reliability indices for the scales that ranged from α = .64 to α = .95. Data from the pilot study indicated that the SEOLS is an instrument that can be used to reliably assess student expectations of the online learning environment. The authors present a discussion for use of the instrument and implications for future research

School Counselors Perspectives of the Barriers and Facilitators Associated with their Involvement in the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Background: Childhood obesity has become a public health priority in the U.S. and is linked to a number of significant comorbidities including asthma, sleep apnea and depression. In addition, there is an increase in social isolation and peer victimization. Purpose: the purpose of this study was to explore Professional School Counselors (PSC) perceptions of the role they play in childhood obesity. Specifically, some of the barriers and facilitators that influence PSCs\u27 participation in the fight against childhood obesity were examined. Methods: An electronic survey was completed by 1088 (eight percent response rate) practicing K-12 school counselors nationwide. Results: About two-thirds of the professional school counselors in this study reported that working with students who present with obesity-related issues was part of their role and function. Another 81.3% stated that among three major barriers, lack of time was the most significant factor that prevented PSCs from working with students with obesity related issues. On the other hand, 90% of the PSCs in this study stated that they would be more involved in prevention/treatment of obesity related issues if they received more requests from parents, teachers and students with obesity related issues. Discussion: Childhood obesity continues to plague our nation\u27s children with consequences that extend well beyond the physical health of the student. Its impact is seen and felt in the thousands of classrooms across the U.S. The fight to eradicate childhood obesity can be broadened to include a well-trained and underutilized resource in the schools-professional school counselors. School counselors in this study suggested that given the opportunity and the resources they would become more engaged in the fight against childhood obesity. Translation to Health Education Practice: The findings of this study have implications for medical and health education practitioners in that they have additional allies in a setting where children and adolescents spend most of their day. PSCs are well-trained, uniquely positioned stakeholders who are willing and capable of collaborating with parents, students, medical personnel, and public health officials and workers. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC