Teachers' perceptions of the factors that influence student achievement : a descriptive study

A substantial amount of research analyzing student academic achievement has beenconducted throughout the years. Hattie (2009) synthesized over 800 meta-analyses related toachievement. He organized this information into six broad groups that may influence studentachievement: Contributions of the Teacher, Contributions of the Curriculum, Contributions ofthe Teaching Approaches, Contributions of the Child, Contributions of the Home, andContributions of the School. While this knowledge is significant, there is no indication that thisevidence is being used in the schools and classrooms. Hattie expressed concerns about the gapbetween scientific evidence and practice in the schools.The overarching purpose of conducting this research was to gather information aboutwhat teachers perceive to be the factors that influence student achievement. Teachers have asignificant opportunity to influence student achievement. Thus, it is important for theirperceptions to align with research findings. When teachers’ perceptions align with the researchfindings, students may be educated in the most effective manner possible.For this study, participants were solicited from school districts that were willing toparticipate in a web-based survey to measure perceptions of factors that influence studentacademic achievement. Participants in this study included teachers working with elementary through high school students. There was even distribution of the participants who teach eachgrade level, with most participants having obtained either a Bachelor’s Degree or a Master’sDegree. The majority of the participants were female, veteran teachers that provide regulareducation services in traditional public schools. The sample had a disproportionate number ofparticipants in rural communities, with only a handful of nationally certified teachers.The online survey provider, Qualtrics, was used to create a survey for this research. TheTeachers’ Perceptions of the Factors that Influence Student Achievement Survey (see AppendixG) is a survey that was designed to gauge teachers’ perspectives regarding the factors thatinfluence student academic achievement. The survey first provided participants with an overviewof the survey questions, information about informed consent, and whom to contact if they hadany questions about the survey results. The survey gathered information on demographics,perceptions of the influence of each factor within the six broad categories, and rankings of mostimportant to least important factor within each group.The information gathered through this study suggests that teachers may not be aware ofthe current research findings regarding the factors that may impact student academicachievement. Results of this study suggested that teachers tend to evaluate most factors to impactstudent achievement in a positive direction

The impact of exposure to Early College students on community college student academic and social integration

Over the past decade, the nation has seen an increase in high school dropout rates as well as an increased need for a more skilled workforce. The Early College movement in North Carolina was a collaboration between public schools and colleges designed to address these needs. The program immersed child learners beginning in the 9th grade in classes and on campus with college students, many of whom were adult students (25 or older). Research and theory indicate there are significant differences between child and adult learners. These theories and research, along with intergroup contact theory and theories on student retention, provide a framework for the premise that the introduction of child learners into the predominantly adult population of the community college could have an effect on its student population. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between exposure to Early College students and the academic and social integration of community college students. The research questions were concentrated in four main areas: college student exposure to Early College students, college student academic and social integration, the relationship between exposure and integration, and the relationship between the degree of exposure and integration. North Carolina community college campuses (N = 4) were chosen for the study based on the proportion of Early College students in overall enrollment on campus and in the classroom. Participants (N = 258) completed two surveys, one designed to measure academic and social integration (Institutional Integration Scales, Pascarella & Terenzini, 1980), and the other a researcher-designed instrument to measure exposure to Early College students (Early College Student Behavior). The data collected for the exposure variable revealed that the quantity (number of listed interactions) of exposure was not related to integration but the quality of exposure (perceptions about classroom and campus behavior ratings) was related to integration. Additionally, the degree of exposure (the proportion of Early College students in class and on campus) had an impact on integration. Evaluation of the data collected on the relationship between the quantity of academic exposure and academic integration (rs = -.088, p = .16) and between the quantity of social exposure and social integration (rs = .101, p = .10) did not produce significant results. However, a moderate, positive correlation (r = .464, p < .001, r² = .22) was found between the quality of exposure to Early College students and academic integration, and between the quality of social exposure and social integration (r = .313, p < .001, r² = .10). In addition, the degree of class exposure (defined by the proportion of Early College students enrolled) had a significant impact on academic integration scores, F(1,254) = 49.38, p < .001; ?² = 0.16, and the degree of campus exposure had a significant impact on social integration scores, F(1,254) = 42.82, p < .001; ?² = 0.14. Overall, the results indicate further research is warranted and that measures to improve the successful integration of Early College students with college students can only be accomplished through creative collaborative efforts between both institutions

Classification of a species of Erwinia from the Oconaluftee River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

As part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) project from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), stream water was collected from near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and bacteria were cultured from it. One of the 30 bacterial isolates was then selected and subjected to a taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic approach of growth-based and DNA-based methods. The isolate was found to be a facultative anaerobe, Gram-negative, rod-shaped in cell morphology, and motile. The species showed a temperature growth range from 4?-30?, pH range of 4-7, and salinity tolerance of up to 3%. Metabolic analysis of the isolate indicated the strain to be catalase positive, oxidase negative, and it had the ability to ferment glucose and arabinose. Analyses using the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) showed the isolate to have the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Erwinia aphidicola at 92.7%. Genome sequencing and annotation indicated twelve conserved signature indels (CSIs) present, with 65 drug resistant related genes, eight transposable elements, fifty genes with a phage origin, and one pathogenesis related gene. Maximum likelihood and parsimony models using the 16S rRNA gene were used for phylogenetic analysis of the isolate and its closely related species in the genera Pantoea and Erwinia. Results indicated that the isolate is a strain of Erwinia billingiae, which was corroborated via sequencing of the full genome. Erwinia billingiae is an epiphyte associated with Rosaceous plants, and has been examined as a potential biological control to Erwinia amylovora the species that causes fire blight

Consumer problems related to color changes in textile products

This study was designed to review the types and prevalence of problems of color change in textile products as they occurred in consumer use. Selected drycleaners and retailers were asked to report their observations of consumer complaints of color changes. Of particular interest were those color changes caused by perspiration, anti-perspirants and deodorants, and atmospheric contaminants or combinations of these factors. The study was made in cooperation with the National Institute of Drycleanlng

Introducing the National Library for Health Skin Conditions Specialist Library

BACKGROUND: This paper introduces the new National Library for Health Skin Conditions Specialist Library . DESCRIPTION: The aims, scope and audience of the new NLH Skin Conditions Specialist Library, and the composition and functions of its core Project Team, Editorial Team and Stakeholders Group are described. The Library's collection building strategy, resource and information types, editorial policies, quality checklist, taxonomy for content indexing, organisation and navigation, and user interface are all presented in detail. The paper also explores the expected impact and utility of the new Library, as well as some possible future directions for further development. CONCLUSION: The Skin Conditions Specialist Library is not just another new Web site that dermatologists might want to add to their Internet favourites then forget about it. It is intended to be a practical, "one-stop shop" dermatology information service for everyday practical use, offering high quality, up-to-date resources, and adopting robust evidence-based and knowledge management approaches

Geographical inequalities in lung cancer management and survival in South East England: evidence of variation in access to oncology services?

This study aimed to determine whether the management and survival of patients with lung cancer varied among 26 health authorities in South East England. The Thames Cancer Registry identified patients diagnosed with lung cancer (ICD-10 codes C33-C34) between 1995 and 1999. After excluding death certificate only patients, 32,818 (81%) patients were analysed. The proportions of patients receiving active treatment varied among health authorities between 5 and 17% for non-investigative surgery, 4 and 17% for any chemotherapy, 8 and 30% for any radiotherapy and 15 and 42% for any active treatment. One-year patient survival ranged from 11 to 34%. There was evidence of health authority level variation even after adjusting for case mix. Patients whose first hospital attendance was at a radiotherapy centre were more likely to receive active treatment (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.21-2.46), chemotherapy (1.38, 1.06-1.79) or radiotherapy (1.86, 1.28-2.71). There was some evidence that patients whose first hospital attendance was at a radiotherapy centre survived longer. This study shows there is geographical inequality in the treatment given to lung cancer patients and patient survival in South East England. There was some evidence to suggest that these inequalities might be explained by variations in access to oncology services. Future studies should investigate the pathways and barriers to specialist care in this condition

Treatment delay of bone tumours, compilation of a sociodemographic risk profile: A retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bone tumours are comparatively rare tumours and delays in diagnosis and treatment are common. The purpose of this study was to analyse sociodemographic risk factors for bone tumour patients in order to identify those at risk of prolonged patients delay (time span from first symptoms to consultation), professional delay (from consultation to treatment) or symptom interval (from first symptoms to treatment). Understanding these relationships might enable us to shorten time to diagnosis and therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We carried out a retrospective analysis of 265 patients with bone tumours documenting sociodemographic factors, patient delay, professional delay and symptom interval. A multivariate explorative Cox model was performed for each delay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Female gender was associated with a prolonged patient delay. Age under 30 years and rural living predisposes to a prolonged professional delay and symptom interval.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are required for successful management of most bone tumour patients. We succeeded in identifying the histology independent risk factors of age under 30 years and rural habitation for treatment delay in bone tumour patients. Knowing about the existence of these risk groups age under 30 years and female gender could help the physician to diagnose bone tumours earlier. The causes for the treatment delays of patients living in a rural area have to be investigated further. If the delay initiates in the lower education of rural general physicians, further training about bone tumours might advance early detection. Hence the outcome of patients with bone tumours could be improved.</p

A multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of small stitches on the incidence of incisional hernia in midline incisions

Contains fulltext : 95575.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: The median laparotomy is frequently used by abdominal surgeons to gain rapid and wide access to the abdominal cavity with minimal damage to nerves, vascular structures and muscles of the abdominal wall. However, incisional hernia remains the most common complication after median laparotomy, with reported incidences varying between 2-20%. Recent clinical and experimental data showed a continuous suture technique with many small tissue bites in the aponeurosis only, is possibly more effective in the prevention of incisional hernia when compared to the common used large bite technique or mass closure. METHODS/DESIGN: The STITCH trial is a double-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial designed to compare a standardized large bite technique with a standardized small bites technique. The main objective is to compare both suture techniques for incidence of incisional hernia after one year. Secondary outcomes will include postoperative complications, direct costs, indirect costs and quality of life. A total of 576 patients will be randomized between a standardized small bites or large bites technique. At least 10 departments of general surgery and two departments of oncological gynaecology will participate in this trial. Both techniques have a standardized amount of stitches per cm wound length and suture length wound length ratio's are calculated in each patient. Follow up will be at 1 month for wound infection and 1 year for incisional hernia. Ultrasound examinations will be performed at both time points to measure the distance between the rectus muscles (at 3 points) and to objectify presence or absence of incisional hernia. Patients, investigators and radiologists will be blinded during follow up, although the surgeon can not be blinded during the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The STITCH trial will provide level 1b evidence to support the preference for either a continuous suture technique with many small tissue bites in the aponeurosis only or for the commonly used large bites technique