The Impact of Principal Leadership Styles on School Accountability

This study examined the impact of principals’ leadership styles on the academic achievement of students as measured by the Mississippi Curriculum Test, Second Edition (MCT2). The 2013-2014 school year MCT2 mathematics and language arts scores were used as measures of student achievement and high-stakes testing. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ5x) was distributed to 420 principals. However, because of incomplete information given by the principals on the questionnaire, and the fact that the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) did not report MCT2 scores for particular schools, some of the principals’ information was not useful; thus leaving the researcher with a sample size of n = 110 participants. This study was guided by 2 research questions. Relationships were analyzed using the Multivariate test for Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) in which the variable of socioeconomic status was used as a covariate because it was found to result statistically different scores across group means. The research questions sought to determine what type of principal leadership style resulted in higher student achievement in mathematics and language arts. The findings of this study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences among the transformational, transactional, and passive avoidant leadership styles. It is imperative that principals draw from all leadership approaches (i.e. transformational, transactional, and passive avoidant approach) in their practice instead of focusing on just one type of leadership style. This is true especially in schools that serve a large percentage of students that come from families with low socioeconomic status since this study found that socioeconomic status had a statistical significant effect on student achievement. Only through the utilization of research-based practices will schools be able to raise the bar of student achievement by revamping the leadership style of the school’s ultimate instructional leader, the principal

Not That Kind of Adult Toy: A Post-Adolescent Predilection for Plastic Playthings

This project is an exploratory study of the practice of toy collecting by adults. It examines the way they conceptualize their use of toys, what attracts them to these objects, the organization of communities of toy collectors, how they use the toys, and ultimately, what the toys provide for them. Using first-hand accounts collected at two pop culture conventions, information gathered from fan websites, respondent accounts featured in several recent documentaries, and panel presentations at three separate conventions, this study seeks to complicate the expectations of who toy consumers are (they’re not just children), as well as demonstrate the way these fans combine both adult and childlike aspects of play into their activities. While the conception of the adult toy enthusiast is taking hold in popular culture, adult toy fans must still contest with a characterization of their hobby as odd and immature. To combat this tension and provide rationalization for their interest, toy enthusiasts employ a number of strategies involving the use of legitimizing language and activities. Ultimately, the following demonstrates that adult and child toy play do not encompass discrete categories, rather existing on a continuum of play throughout the life course

Natural Variation in Sensitivity to a Loss of Chloroplast Translation in Arabidopsis

This dissertation describes my role in an NSF-funded research project in the Meinke laboratory that began as a natural variation study and genetic analysis to uncover the nuclear genes involved in the differing responses of plant species to a loss of chloroplast translation. To identify these nuclear genes, we analyzed 152 natural accessions of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) on spectinomycin, an inhibitor of chloroplast translation, and crossed wild-type plants of the tolerant Tsu-0 accession with plants segregating for an embryo-defective (emb) mutation that eliminated chloroplast translation in the sensitive “Nossen” accession. Through this study, we found a single suppressor locus (ACC2), an enhancer of the suppressor, and additional modifiers that further increase embryo development. After determining that ACC2 suppresses the loss of chloroplast translation in emb mutants, we expanded our project to include a detailed analysis of defects in ACC2 and the consequences of various mutations on a class of proteins essential for growth and development in plants. Remarkably, some of the most sensitive accessions contain null alleles of ACC2, including “Nossen”. For the final part of my role in this project, I focused on using a candidate gene approach to identify additional genetic modifiers of this system. Overall, the project described throughout this dissertation utilized natural variation in Arabidopsis accessions to study the effects of mutations, especially deleterious mutations, on a protein (ACCase) that is essential for fatty acid biosynthesis in eukaryotes. We also developed an understanding of some of the mechanisms behind the diverse phenotypic responses plant species have when translation of the chloroplast genome is blocked. Furthermore, our identification of accessions hypersensitive to spectinomycin has led to a more efficient method for plastid transformation in Arabidopsis (Yu et al., 2017).Plant Science (Ph.D

Is there a reliable taphonomic clock in the temperate North Atlantic? An example from a North Sea population of the mollusc Arctica islandica

Two hundred and seventy-seven shells of the long-lived bivalve mollusc Arctica islandica, collected from the Fladen Ground, northern North Sea, were radiocarbon dated and their taphonomic condition assessed, in order to determine whether taphonomic condition might provide a reliable indication of time since the death of the animal. With nine stations from across the Fladen Ground sampled, some strong geographic biases in 14C ages were apparent, with living and modern (post-bomb pulse) material found in the northern part of the Fladen Ground while older material (first half of the last millennium and Early Holocene/Lateglacial) was concentrated in the central and western sites. Samples from the south and east Fladen Ground were sparse and were dominated by material from the second half of the last millennium. This south-north distribution is interpreted as the result of environmental change over millennial time-scales in the North Sea causing a gradual northward shift of living A. islandica populations and is not thought to be related to post mortem transport of shells to the south and east. Taphonomic condition, assessed using discriminant analysis and principal component analysis of five characteristics (amount of remaining periostracum, presence and condition of the ligament, extent of erosion at the shell margin, amount of bioerosion, and nacre condition), appeared to be a generally unreliable indicator of time since the death of the animal. Based on these five taphonomic characteristics, discriminant analysis placed 81.1% of post-bomb shells, 39.6% of shells from the period 0–500 yr BP, 68.0% of shells from the period 500–1000 yr BP and 20.0% of shells from the Early Holocene/Lateglacial group into the correct radiocarbon age grouping, providing no support for the idea that this method can be used to triage shells for chronology construction as an alternative to radiometric dating

Motherhood Together: Effects of an Adapted Prenatal Curriculum on Mother and Infant Outcomes

Background: Research shows that pregnant women experiencing housing insecurity are more likely to face barriers to prenatal care that can lead to negative health outcomes for both mother and infant. Previous studies have also shown that prenatal education programs provide pregnant mothers with the knowledge and resources that increase the likelihood of positive health outcomes. An interprofessional healthcare team in Central Arkansas modified an existing prenatal education program to create Motherhood Together, a program specifically tailored for pregnant women facing house insecurity. Methods: The purpose of this initial evaluation of the Motherhood Together program was to identify the feasibility of the program and preliminary outcomes. This evaluation sought to better understand the demographic composition of the population participating in Motherhood Together (n = 19), as well as the effect of the program on infant outcomes, health literacy, and maternal self-care. The overall participant experience and feedback to enhance the program was also obtained. Results: The average age of participants was 24.6 years old and 77.8% reported high school as their highest level of educational attainment. The majority of participants identified as Black/African American (77.8%) and 22.2% identified as White. Participants scored the experience of Motherhood Together sessions positively with an overall score of 3.75/4.00. Participants reported an average gestational age at delivery being 36.9 weeks with 25% reporting preterm births following the program. Multivitamins were reported as being taken by 100% of participants following participation. Conclusion: Tailoring the pre-existing educational program to create the Motherhood Together program was clearly feasible and continues to serve as a critical resource for improving equity in infant and maternal outcomes in central Arkansas

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF HOUSING COST BURDEN ON LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHEAST CENTRAL DURHAM

The health outcomes of low-income households in Southeast Central Durham are impacted in numerous ways by their neighborhood and built environment. At the core of these issues, we find that the cost burden of housing plays a major role on health outcomes. We have created a policy and program that will allow our target population to gain affordable housing while also increasing access to healthy food. Using analysis of our target population along with analysis of our stakeholders, we created a policy and program along with an engagement and accountability plan. Intertwining housing and access to healthy food has given us a foundation for addressing a cumulative burden. Implementing affordable loans with minority owned brokers as well as providing education lends to the sustainability of the program; along the same lines, working with local farmers to implement community-supported agriculture subsidies has a win-win impact.Master of Public Healt

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF HOUSING COST BURDEN ON LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHEAST CENTRAL DURHAM

The health outcomes of low-income households in Southeast Central Durham are impacted in numerous ways by their neighborhood and built environment. At the core of these issues, we find that the cost burden of housing plays a major role on health outcomes. We have created a policy and program that will allow our target population to gain affordable housing while also increasing access to healthy food. Using analysis of our target population along with analysis of our stakeholders, we created a policy and program along with an engagement and accountability plan. Intertwining housing and access to healthy food has given us a foundation for addressing a cumulative burden. Implementing affordable loans with minority owned brokers as well as providing education lends to the sustainability of the program; along the same lines, working with local farmers to implement community-supported agriculture subsidies has a win-win impact.Master of Public Healt

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF HOUSING COST BURDEN ON LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHEAST CENTRAL DURHAM

The health outcomes of low-income households in Southeast Central Durham are impacted in numerous ways by their neighborhood and built environment. At the core of these issues, we find that the cost burden of housing plays a major role on health outcomes. We have created a policy and program that will allow our target population to gain affordable housing while also increasing access to healthy food. Using analysis of our target population along with analysis of our stakeholders, we created a policy and program along with an engagement and accountability plan. Intertwining housing and access to healthy food has given us a foundation for addressing a cumulative burden. Implementing affordable loans with minority owned brokers as well as providing education lends to the sustainability of the program; along the same lines, working with local farmers to implement community-supported agriculture subsidies has a win-win impact.Master of Public Healt

Perceptions about the dialysis modality decision process among peritoneal dialysis and in-center hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background Patients reaching end-stage renal disease must make a difficult decision regarding renal replacement therapy (RRT) options. Because the choice between dialysis modalities should include patient preferences, it is critical that patients are engaged in the dialysis modality decision. As part of the Empowering Patients on Choices for RRT (EPOCH-RRT) study, we assessed dialysis patients’ perceptions of their dialysis modality decision-making process and the impact of their chosen modality on their lives. Methods A 39-question survey was developed in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder advisory panel to assess perceptions of patients on either peritoneal dialysis (PD) or in-center hemodialysis (HD). The survey was disseminated to participants in the large US cohorts of the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) and the Peritoneal DOPPS (PDOPPS). Survey responses were compared between PD and in-center HD patients using descriptive statistics, adjusted logistic generalized estimating equation models, and linear mixed regression models. Results Six hundred fourteen PD and 1346 in-center HD participants responded. Compared with in-center HD participants, PD participants more frequently reported that they were engaged in the decision-making process, were provided enough information, understood differences between dialysis modalities, and felt satisfied with their modality choice. PD participants also reported more frequently than in-center HD participants that partners or spouses (79% vs. 70%), physician assistants (80% vs. 66%), and nursing staff (78% vs. 60%) had at least some involvement in the dialysis modality decision. Over 35% of PD and in-center HD participants did not know another dialysis patient at the time of their modality decision and over 60% did not know the disadvantages of their modality type. Participants using either dialysis modality perceived a moderate to high impact of dialysis on their lives. Conclusions PD participants were more engaged in the modality decision process compared to in-center HD participants. For both modalities, there is room for improvement in patient education and other support for patients choosing a dialysis modality.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146147/1/12882_2018_Article_1096.pd