Testing the Ability of Two Series of Models to Predict High School Graduation Status

The purpose of this study was to create and test two series of predictive models aimed at projecting high school graduation status. Secondary data were obtained in partnership with an urban school district. All of the predictor variables included in the models tested in this study were academic and nonacademic variables that were found to be significant predictors of high school graduation in previous empirical work. In the first series of models tested, individual academic and nonacademic variables were tested together along with school-level variables. Eighth and ninth grade variables were tested separately to avoid multicollinearity issues. The second series of models tested included similar individual-level academic and nonacademic variables, along with community-level predictors to analyze their ability to predict high school graduation status. Logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. The model including community-level predictors yielded a pseudo R-squared value of .40, approximating that 40% of the variance was explained by the predictors in the model. Most of the individual predictors included in the models yielded findings similar to those found in previous literature on high school graduation status projection; however, this was not true for all of the predictor variables included. These differences highlight the tension that can exist between generalizability and local specificity. Significant findings from studies utilizing large nationally-representative longitudinal datasets and other large data sources do not always generalize to settings with samples that differ demographically. This study represents a first step in a line of research aimed at developing a better understanding of high school graduation status, particularly in challenging school contexts

Equidade e acesso em escolas charter: Identificar problemas e soluções

School choice exists in American public schooling, even where official school choice policy is absent. Parents with means can elect to live in neighborhoods zoned for desirable schools, whereas parents without means are locked out of that opportunity. In their ideal, charter schools have the ability to expand access to desirable schools to families who previously had little choice in their children’s schools. However, issues of equity and access often limit options for the very families who are seeking them. This paper examines four such issues in charter schools—school diversity, access to transportation, application processes, and access to quality teachers as equity and access. The issues are problematized and case studies that have worked towards resolving these issues are examined.La elección de la escuela existe en la educación pública en los Estados Unidos, incluso cuando la política oficial de elección escolar está ausente. Los padres con medios pueden elegir vivir en vecindarios zonificados para escuelas deseables, mientras que los padres sin medios son bloqueados de esa oportunidad. En su ideal, las escuelas chárter tienen la capacidad de ampliar el acceso a las escuelas deseables a las familias que anteriormente tenían poca opción en las escuelas de sus hijos. Sin embargo, las cuestiones de equidad y acceso a menudo limitan las opciones para las mismas familias que las buscan. Este documento examina cuatro de estos temas en las escuelas chárter-diversidad escolar, el acceso al transporte, los procesos de solicitud, y el acceso a los docentes de calidad como la equidad y el acceso. Los problemas son problematizados y se examinan los estudios de casos que han trabajado para resolver estos problemas.A escolha da escola existe na educação pública nos Estados Unidos, mesmo quando a política oficial de escolha da escola está ausente. Significa que os pais podem optar por viver em bairros zoneadas para escolas desejáveis, enquanto os pais sem meios são bloqueados essa oportunidade. Em seu ideal, as escolas charter têm a capacidade de expandir o acesso à desejável para as famílias que anteriormente tinham pouca escolha nas escolas para seus filhos escolas. No entanto, questões de equidade e acesso muitas vezes limitam as opções para famílias que as procuram. Este artigo examina quatro dessas questões nas escolas diversidade Carta-escola, acesso a transporte, processos de aplicação e acesso a professores de qualidade como a equidade eo acesso. Os problemas são problematizados e estudos de caso que têm trabalhado para resolver estes problemas são discutidos

It\u27s Not Like He Was Being a Robot: Student Perceptions of Video-Based Writing Feedback in Online Graduate Coursework

Although much research has explored the impact writing feedback has on student learning, it has primarily focused on undergraduate coursework offered in traditional face-to-face settings. This work explores student perceptions of writing feedback they received in an online graduate-level research methods course. Using a seven-point framework based on undergraduate writing feedback literature, students received feedback on a semester-long research proposal writing project. We explored student perceptions of the feedback they received in both written and video formats. Interviews were conducted with participants in both studies to understand their perceptions of the feedback they received. Students perceived the feedback and revision process as being constructive, positively impacting their content knowledge about the research process, and as facilitating their growth as writers for research. Most participants preferred the video-based feedback they received. This was found to impact the relationship students formed with the instructor in the course and support student growth as writers for research

Community Insurgency: Constituency, School Choice, and the Common Good

This study explores the ways in which the democratic notion of the people may be enacted in the school choice arena. Through an investigation of a charter school movement in a rural and segregated district in the Deep South, we explore themes of the constituent paradox that enabled the community to move beyond individual interests towards an expression of the common good. It is argued that for the people to be invoked via the democratic claim, they must identify more deeply than the institutions of their representation and recognize an expanded form of individualism defined through participation over consumption

A radiological assessment of nuclear power and propulsion operations near Space Station Freedom

Scenarios were identified which involve the use of nuclear power systems in the vicinity of Space Station Freedom (SSF) and their radiological impact on the SSF crew was quantified. Several of the developed scenarios relate to the use of SSF as an evolutionary transportation node for lunar and Mars missions. In particular, radiation doses delivered to SSF crew were calculated for both the launch and subsequent return of a Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) cargo vehicle and a Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) personnel vehicle to low earth orbit. The use of nuclear power on co-orbiting platforms and the storage and handling issues associated with radioisotope power systems were also explored as they relate to SSF. A central philosophy in these analyses was the utilization of a radiation dose budget, defined as the difference between recommended dose limits from all radiation sources and estimated doses received by crew members from natural space radiations. Consequently, for each scenario examined, the dose budget concept was used to identify and quantify constraints on operational parameters such as launch separation distances, returned vehicle parking distances, and reactor shutdown times prior to vehicle approach. The results indicate that realistic scenarios do not exist which would preclude the use of nuclear power sources in the vicinity of SSF. The radiation dose to the SSF crew can be maintained at safe levels solely by implementing proper and reasonable operating procedures

The Effect of Complex Training on Muscle Architecture in Rugby League Players

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of variable-resistance complex training (VRCT) versus traditional complex training (TCT) on muscle architecture in rugby league players during a 6-week mesocycle. METHODS: Twenty-four rugby league players competing in the British University & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Premier North Division were randomized to VRCT (n = 8), TCT (n = 8), or control (n = 8). Experimental groups completed a 6-week lower-body complex training intervention (2×/wk), which involved alternating high-load resistance exercise with plyometric exercise in the same session. The VRCT group performed resistance exercises at 70% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) + 0% to 23% of 1RM from band resistance with a 90-second intracontrast rest interval, whereas the TCT group performed resistance exercise at 93% of 1RM with a 4-minute intracontrast rest interval. Muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle, and fascicle length (Lf) were assessed for the vastus lateralis (VL) and gastrocnemius medialis using ultrasound imaging. RESULTS: Both TCT and VRCT groups significantly improved VL MT and VL Lf compared with control (all P < .05). Standardized within-group changes in MT and Lf (Cohen dav ± 95% CI) were moderate for TCT (dav = 0.91 ± 1.0; dav = 1.1 ± 1.1) and unclear for VRCT (dav = 0.44 ± 0.99; dav = 0.47 ± 0.99), respectively. Differences in change scores between TCT and VRCT were unclear. CONCLUSIONS: VRCT and TCT can be utilized during the competitive season to induce favorable MT and Lf muscle architecture adaptations for the VL. TCT may induce greater muscle architecture adaptations of the VL, whereas VRCT may be of more practical value given the shorter intracontrast rest interval between resistance and plyometric exercises

The Effect of Complex Training on Physical Performance in Rugby League Players

Purpose: To compare the effects of variable-resistance complex training (VRCT) versus traditional complex training (TCT) on strength, power, speed, and leg stiffness (Kleg) in rugby league players during a 6-week mesocycle. Methods: Twenty-four rugby league players competing in the British University and Colleges Sport Premier North Division were randomized to VRCT (n = 8), TCT (n = 8), or control (CON; n = 8). Experimental groups completed a 6-week lower-body complex training intervention (2×/wk) that involved alternating high-load resistance exercise with plyometric exercise within the same session. The VRCT group performed resistance exercises at 70% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) + 0% to 23% of 1RM from band resistance with a 90-second intracontrast rest interval, whereas the TCT group performed resistance exercise at 93% of 1RM with a 4-minute intracontrast rest interval. Back-squat 1RM, countermovement jump peak power, reactive strength index, sprint times, and Kleg were assessed pretraining and post-training. Results: VRCT and TCT significantly improved 1RM back squat, countermovement jump peak power, and 5-m sprint time (all P < .05). VRCT also improved Kleg, whereas TCT improved 10- and 20-m sprint times (all P < .05). Between groups, both VRCT and TCT improved 1RM back squat compared with CON (both P < .001). Additionally, VRCT improved Kleg compared with CON (right leg: P = .016) and TCT improved 20-m sprint time compared with CON (P = .042). Conclusions: VRCT and TCT can be implemented during the competitive season to improve strength, power, and 5-m sprint time. VRCT may lead to greater improvements in reactive strength index and Kleg, whereas TCT may enhance 10- and 20-m sprint times

Critical Behaviour of a Fermionic Random Matrix Model at Large-N

We study the large-$N$ limit of adjoint fermion one-matrix models. We find one-cut solutions of the loop equations for the correlators of these models and show that they exhibit third order phase transitions associated with $m$-th order multi-critical points with string susceptibility exponents $\gamma_{\rm str}=-1/m$. We also find critical points which can be interpreted as points of first order phase transitions, and we discuss the implications of this critical behaviour for the topological expansion of these matrix models.Comment: 14 pages LaTeX; UBC/S-94/