From Words to Action : Alberta Can Afford a Real Poverty Reduction Strategy

The Edmonton Social Planning Council, Public Interest Alberta, and the Alberta College of Social Workers present Alberta's 2013 child poverty report card, which shows that despite an improving economy, in 2011 there were 84,000 children in Alberta (29,800 of whom were under the age of 6) living below the low-income measure (LIM After Tax).This year's report suggests reforms that would facilitate additional provincial investment in ending child poverty, and outlines the associated investment values. Other poverty indicators and suggestions for alleviating poverty are also included

We Must Do Better: It's Time to Make Alberta Poverty-Free

This report, authored by Jim Gurnett (in partnership with the ESPC, Public Interest Alberta, and the Bissell Centre), is a follow up to the We Can Do Better report released in 2009. We Must do Better overviews: the results of 5 poverty forums held across the province in 2009;recent statistics on poverty and unemployment in Alberta; and,potential public policy and program options that would help to reduce or eliminate poverty

Valuing a Spatially Diverse Non-Market Good: The Benefits of Reduced Non-Point Source Pollution in Green Bay, WI

This article presents an empirical approach to correcting for spatial interactions in stated preference data when valuing large-scale, spatially variable environmental improvements. This approach is presented in the context of a contingent valuation study estimating the benefits of reduced non-point source pollution in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The significant spatial variation of water clarity conditions in this large water body was captured using satellite-derived GIS data. This article focuses on two significant challenges: first, ensuring respondents are adequately informed of how the proposed change will impact their individual utility stream; second, dealing with the spatial effects within the estimation model. The GIS water clarity data were used to measure the initial conditions faced by each individual parcel. Including this information in the analysis significantly increased the estimated expected WTP of some individuals but decreased that of others. Some of the difference in aggregated benefits is likely due to issues of spatial correlation between properties that is unaccounted for in the simpler models.Water quality, non-point source pollution, contingent valuation, spatial correlation, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Valuing a Spatially Variable Environmental Resource: Reducing Non-point Source Pollution in Green Bay, WI

This article investigates the value of reducing non-point source pollution in Green Bay, WI. Using stated preference methods, we find the lower bound on the benefits of reducing runoff enough to universally increase water clarity by four feet is greater than $9 million annually. Using a unique survey design, we show that because current water clarity in Green Bay is spatially variable, the value that a household places on this universal improvement depends on the distance of the household's residence from the Bay and on the particular geospatial location of the residence. This has important implications for estimating aggregate benefits.

Accounting for Respondent Uncertainty to Improve Willingness-to-Pay Estimates

In this paper we develop an econometric model of willingness to pay that integrates data on respondent uncertainty regarding their own willingness to pay. The integration is utility consistent and does not involve calibrating the contingent responses to actual payment data, and so the approach can "stand alone". In an application to a valuation study related to whooping crane restoration, we find that this model generates a statistically lower expected WTP than the standard CV model. Moreover, the WTP function estimated with this model is not statistically different from that estimated using actual payment data, suggesting that when properly analyzed using data on respondent uncertainty, contingent valuation decisions can simulate actual payment decisions. This method allows for more reliable estimates of WTP that incorporates respondent uncertainty without the need for collecting comparable actual payment data.

A Reading Lesson Observation Framework for Elementary Teachers, Principals, and Literacy Supervisors

Henk et al present a framework which will provide reference points for assessment and help refine instructional practices in reading

The Writing Observation Framework: A Guide for Refining and Validating Writing Instruction

The Writing Observation Framework (WOF) is a new tool for enhancing writing instruction in schools. The WOF organizes principles of writing instruction In a way that improves the evaluation of teachers\u27 writing practices, encourages a shared philosophy of the writing process and its instruction, and assists schools in demonstrating the integrity of their writing programs

INDOT Network Pavement Data Collection Status

INDOT has significantly altered its corporate intent relative to the usage of pavement condition data, and that alteration is resulting in changes in how we collect, process, and use this data. This session will briefly present those changes, including the different distresses collected, data process changes, the effects of various data aggregation lengths, and the pavement-roadway program decision-support information derived from the data. These changes are ongoing

Achieving the Promise: Ending Poverty in Alberta

This report focuses on child and family poverty in Alberta during the post-recession period. Despite the incredible wealth in the province, there are still thousands of Albertans who are struggling to make ends meet. This report shows that more work needs to be done to ensure that Alberta is a more equitable place to live. It also recommends actions that can be taken by provincial and municipal levels of government to address child and family poverty in our province