Perceptions of leaders, teachers, students and parents in high performing West Australian Catholic secondary schools within the context of tertiary entrance examinations

As for most of the developed world, Australia is no different in its scrupulous evaluation of school performance data. Annually much attention is given to data surrounding the performance of students, teachers and schools in high stakes Tertiary Entrance Examinations as students seek to qualify for a variety of university programs. So called ‘league tables’ are produced measuring school performance on a number of criteria which differ marginally from state to state. Such tables identify both successful and less successful schools. Notwithstanding the limitations of such comparisons and the fact that success is a relative term there is a great deal of interest in the factors that contribute to the attainment of success in the Tertiary Entrance Examination context. This qualitative study identifies and interprets the factors attributed to the success of nine selected secondary schools in the Catholic Education System of Western Australia that have consistently outperformed other ‘like’ schools (as measured by their socio-economic index) in the context of the state Tertiary Entrance Examinations. The schools in the study differed on factors such as socio-economic status, gender composition and geographic location. The purpose of the study was four-fold. Firstly, to identify characteristics of leaders in schools that have been identified as ‘successful’. Secondly, to identify characteristics of teaching that has resulted in high achievement in the Tertiary Entrance Examinations. Thirdly, to identify characteristics of the student contribution to their schools’ success; and finally, to identify the contribution and perceptions of parents in the selected high performing schools. Significantly, the study sought to obtain a ‘gestalt’ of effective schools by exploring whether the perceptions of each group contributed to a holistic understanding of the factors defining a successful school, in the context of the Tertiary Entrance Examination success. The qualitative research methodology utilized individual semi-structured interviews to gain data from principals and deputy principals in all nine schools. Semi-structured focus group interviews were employed with regard to heads of subject departments, teachers, students and parents across all nine schools. Within the qualitative epistemology, the theoretical perspective employed was an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The data collected was analysed using open coding. The use of four data sets allowed for data triangulation that provided a multi-dimensional and layered portrait of effective schools. Schools striving to attain the epithet ‘successful’ might make use of findings as a valuable commencement point. Practical strategies for authentic whole school improvement that sustains student achievement are presented

Parents: Active partners in the educational achievement of their children

Parents exercise a significant influence on student achievement and psychosocial functioning within the school environment. However, the best way to involve parents as active partners in the education of their children is not always evident. This article explores the perceptions of parents and their role in the academic achievement of students in nine high performing Catholic secondary schools in Western Australia. Initially, the review of literature focuses on three constructs: relational trust, parental involvement and policy documents for Catholic schools. Data collection involved a series of focus group interviews in which parents were invited to reflect not only on their role but also on the impact of school leaders, teachers and student peers on their sons and daughters achievement. The findings of the study are outlined under the following themes: the place of school leadership; the significant role of teachers in their child’s academic achievement; teachers knowing the students; the influence of school culture; and parental reflections on their own capacity to enhance the educational experience of their child

Abraham\u27s Legacy: An Empirical Assessment of (Nearly) First-Time Offenders in the Federal System

Congress has expressly directed the United States Sentencing Commission to ensure that the federal sentencing guidelines make allowances for sentences other than imprisonment for certain first-time offenders. The aim of this Article is to demystify the criminal history categories used in that process, to create a working definition of the first-time federal offender, and to establish whether, as an empirical matter, such individuals are commonly imprisoned in federal correctional facilities. The data shows that a substantial number of offenders who have no prior convictions are lumped together with offenders who may be recidivists or who may have prior violent felonies. This Article proposes modifications to the criminal history categories, recommending the establishment of a guided downward departure for true first-time offenders, or, in the alternative, creating a new criminal history category for those same offenders

Characterizing the Relationship Between Species Richness and the Seasonal Phenomenon of Tropical Fish Dispersal in New England Waters

The Gulf Stream exerts tremendous influence over oceanographic conditions in the Northwest Atlantic as it transports tropical water to higher latitudes. As the Gulf Stream’s path traverses the east coast of North America, there are implications for the biogeography of marine ecosystems within this range and beyond. While the meandering eddies and warm core rings generated by the Gulf Stream persist year-round, the seasonal warming of New England’s coastal waters afford many tropical species transported by the current temporary residence through the summer and fall. Many aspects that shape this phenomenon and its impact on coastal ecosystems remain a mystery. There is evidence that habitat choice by larval fish affects their distribution within tropical waters. Based on this evidence, tropical species incidence may serve as an indicator of critical nursery habitat and biodiversity hotspots for targeted conservation efforts. From 2015 to 2017, a biodiversity survey of Pleasant Bay, Massachusetts gathered incidence data to estimate species richness at unique sites within the estuary. This survey asserts that sampling species incidence may be a viable and efficient small-scale method to extrapolate native species richness and indicate desirable habitat for non-native tropical species. The distribution of teleost species is the result of many factors. To begin to address the conditions that shape observed richness, characteristics including sediment type and dominant benthic communities were applied as criteria to cluster survey sites for species richness analysis through sample-based rarefaction. The results of this study indicate that small-scale species incidence sampling can be used to highlight critical habitat for conservation protections. The evidence for habitat choice by juvenile fishes highlights the importance of evaluating biodiversity as an indicator for ecosystem health and resiliency. Paired with a broader citizen science network, characteristics including reported species frequency and a review of species life history, are beginning to reveal potential ecosystem impacts that result from the dispersal of expatriated species by the Gulf Stream. As climate change continues to alter marine coastal environments, furthering our understanding of the role expatriated species play in New England waters may improve the allocation of conservation effort and help anticipate future ecosystem changes