An Examination of the Role of the Assistant Principal in High schools in Virginia That Are Restructuring

This study examined the assistant principalship in urban public high schools in Virginia that were restructuring. The study was designed to determine the role of the assistant principal, to identify how the role had changed as a result of restructuring, to identify concerns and issues to be considered for redefining the role, and to identify modifications to enhance the role. The literature review revealed that the role in general and in schools that were restructuring had been ignored. Themes identified for exploration included role definition, ambiguity, and conflict; changing relationships; decision making; shared leadership; job satisfaction; and career goals. A qualitative research design was employed. Four schools serving students in grades 9-12 participated. The primary method of data collection was interviews with 34 participants, including 4 principals, 12 assistant principals, and 18 teachers. Data were also collected through site visits and document analysis. Findings showed that the primary duties and responsibilities were curriculum/instruction, pupil personnel, and school management, with varying levels of involvement in other areas. In contrast to the literature, administrators identified instruction as the primary duty. They prioritized curriculum/instruction first in importance, followed by pupil personnel, reversing rankings reported in previous research. Teachers identified instruction and discipline as equally important. Other findings were (1) diversity in the role, (2) an increased workload, (3) more collegial relationships, and (4) a flattened hierarchy. Teacher participation in decision making strongly affected the role. Assistants\u27 attitudes toward risk-taking were important, and the assistant principal was becoming a leader of leaders. Concerns about role ambiguity and conflict were replaced by an orientation toward collaboration, shared decision making, shared vision, and student learning. Restructuring did not lead to greater dissatisfactions, perhaps because of the reorientation toward a shared vision. Assistant principals believed their role in attaining the goals of restructuring was related to supervising and monitoring instruction, having high expectations, being team players, creating an environment conducive to teaching and learning, and building trust. Among the implications are that (1) principals should consult assistants to identify experiences that tap their potential and to establish the assistant principalship as vital to school restructuring, and (2) early as well as ongoing training is essential

TEMPORAL ALLOCATION ALTERNATIVES FOR SOUTHEASTERN RED DELICIOUS APPLES

This study examines the economic feasibility of storing southeastern U.S. Red Delicious apples under various circumstances. Circumstances encompassed type of storage, potential market share in the storage periods, perceived level of quality, and opportunity cost of storage. Reactive programming was used to allocate shipments throughout the harvest and storage periods. Except for apples harvested in August, storage was found to be economically feasible under all situations studied. The greatest economic benefit to producers was shown to come from the synergistic effect of storage and improvement in perceived quality.Crop Production/Industries,

Long-Term Economic Development Strategies for a Growing Triangle Town

After a period of extremely rapid residential growth in the 1990s, the Town of Holly Springs needed to grow its employment and balance its tax base. Town leaders achieved this by partnering with economic development allies and by drawing on the strengths of the region. This piece shares the story of the Town’s first successful industrial recruitment, and offers a collection of lessons that may be applicable to planners and economic developers elsewhere

What is a Library Courtesy Clerk?

This is a first-hand case study of two years’ experience for Hagerty Library’s Courtesy Clerk. This position is charged with maintaining a safe, pleasant, and comfortable study environment, and began at a time when widespread eating in Hagerty was causing problems. Included are details on how this culture was changed through the use of positive language, sign placement, enforcement, and progressive discipline

S.B. 1074: Racial Profiling: Guarding Rights or Pacificating Special Interest?

Discusses the new Texas "racial profiling" law

Maritime Cybersecurity Strategies for Information Technology Specialists

Dependence on digital technology increases cyber-related risks for maritime industries. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard network is challenged with maritime cybersecurity, both economically and for national security. Grounded in the general systems theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies information technology (IT) specialists use to implement standard practices for ensuring cyber security. The participants included six IT specialists who have successfully implemented standard practices for maritime organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. Data were collected from individual semistructured interviews and a review of 12 external organizational documents available to the public from IT specialists. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and three major themes emerged (a) adhering to network compliance, (b) promoting adopting cybersecurity standards and best practices, and (c) enhancing cybersecurity awareness and policies. One recommendation is for organizations to provide a strategic plan, incorporate network segmentation, and adopt crucial strategies as best practices. The implications for positive social change include the potential reduction of unauthorized exposure to maritime industry operations, improved cybersecurity awareness to better cyber-related practices, and privacy protections for the targeted population

Maritime Cybersecurity Strategies for Information Technology Specialists

Dependence on digital technology increases cyber-related risks for maritime industries. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard network is challenged with maritime cybersecurity, both economically and for national security. Grounded in the general systems theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies information technology (IT) specialists use to implement standard practices for ensuring cyber security. The participants included six IT specialists who have successfully implemented standard practices for maritime organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. Data were collected from individual semistructured interviews and a review of 12 external organizational documents available to the public from IT specialists. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and three major themes emerged (a) adhering to network compliance, (b) promoting adopting cybersecurity standards and best practices, and (c) enhancing cybersecurity awareness and policies. One recommendation is for organizations to provide a strategic plan, incorporate network segmentation, and adopt crucial strategies as best practices. The implications for positive social change include the potential reduction of unauthorized exposure to maritime industry operations, improved cybersecurity awareness to better cyber-related practices, and privacy protections for the targeted population

Health Literacy and Cultural Competence

Low health literacy is common throughout the general population in the United States, and serves as an indicator for poor health outcomes across categories of race, socio-economic class, and ethnicity. The impact of low literacy can be measured by increased human suffering, and by financial burden. Multiple factors contribute to a higher rate of poor health literacy among certain groups that are already more vulnerable to health disparities. As an example of the complex issues surrounding health literacy, I consider the Hispanic population in North Carolina. The Spanish-speaking population in North Carolina continues to grow and to become more diverse. It sits at the intersection of many cultural issues, and faces potential barriers to health literacy that include limited English proficiency, illiteracy in the native language(s), cultural norms, and discrimination. In North Carolina, there is a need for health education among the Spanish-speaking population. Federal Title VI legislation requires that agencies funded with federal dollars, including those awarded through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau Block Grants, make their services available to those with limited English proficiency. However, limited English proficiency and limited health literacy continue to be barriers that prevent Latinos from receiving services and participating fully in their communities. Of particular concern is the health and wellbeing of children whose parents do not speak English well. I describe a practical application, in which a Spanish-language publication that is already funded by the NC Division of Child Development was adapted, via partnership with various community agencies, and disseminated to meet the needs of a broader audience. To meet the challenge of providing high-quality health communication materials, various community partners cooperated and shared their knowledge of the population and of techniques for dissemination that had been successful in the past. In this paper, I will explore factors that contribute to limited health literacy for Spanish-speakers, and assess strategies for utilizing, modifying and disseminating existing materials to reach a wider audience within current budget constraints.Master of Public Healt