The use of item response theory in developing the Dynamic Indicators of Vocabulary Skills parallel forms.

The primary purpose of this study was to develop ten parallel-forms of the DIVS measures using a modified one-parameter model of item response theory (IRT). Secondarily, the IRT created forms were compared to the original forms. Data were collected on pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. The item responses first underwent preliminary analyses and poor and negatively discriminating items were removed. Then, the item characteristics were estimated and parallel-forms were created. The test information and test characteristic curves (TCC) for the newly developed forms are reported. The preexisting DIVS forms, which had been originally created by random assignment, were compared to the new IRT created forms. Overall, the IRT forms yielded vastly improved test characteristics. Implications for future studies are discussed

On‐line student feedback: A pilot study

This paper reports on the outcomes of two experimental trials of the use of on‐line questionnaires to assess student satisfaction with courses at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In the first year, eighteen course modules were selected from three departments, surveying a total of 1,100 student places. Students on ten of the courses were invited to complete the ‘experimental’ on‐line survey and the remainder were invited to complete the paper‐based questionnaires which have been in use for several years. In the second year, the scale of the experiment was increased, to include forty‐six courses across seven departments. Response rates were compared and possible barriers to completion of the on‐line questionnaire were considered Whilst electronic monitoring indicated that 95 per cent (first trial) and 80 per cent (second trial) of those contacted for the on‐line survey opened the introductory email, only 23 per cent (first trial) and 27 per cent (second trial) completed the on‐line survey, compared with a 60 per cent response rate on the paper‐based survey. The on‐line response is also slightly lower than that achieved by postal surveys of LSE students (30–50 per cent response rates). Whilst some technical difficulties could have acted as a barrier, motivation appeared to be the main barrier. Initial results from the second trial, which included two reminder emails and some small incentives, show that it is possible to increase the response rate, but this may still be unacceptably low for staff whose promotion prospects may be affected by results. A third trial has been proposed, looking at ways in which the process as a whole could be amended, to overcome the problem of ‘survey fatigue’ that the current system faces

Respected Pillars of the Community: A values-based profile of the British Market Maven

Market Mavens are consumers who are active purveyors of word of mouth (WOM) communication in society. In contrast to opinion leaders, mavens provide information that cuts across product categories, and advise on old and new products. Consequently, mavens can impact a wider number of social networks with WOM, and are therefore a valuable target for marketers. Despite much empirical work, a socio-demographic profile of the market maven remains elusive, and recently work has focused on those intrinsic characteristics that may distinguish mavens from others. However, no previous work has considered the possibility that personal values may be a distinguishing maven factor. Using the original market maven scale, the full Rokeach value survey and the List of Values (LOV), this research (n = 158) found mavens to place significantly more importance on several values than do non-mavens. Results suggest that mavenism has an external social dimension to sharing marketplace information that is not motivated out of self-interest, but by altruism and a genuine concern for others. Contrary to some previous research, this study shows that market mavens can be identified in a useful way to marketing practitioners. In addition to the obvious need for marketing communications to supply the maven with plenty of information about products and services, communications strategies need to focus on positioning brands around the values which reflect altruism, respect, helpfulness, and responsibility. In this way, the usefulness of market mavens and WOM communications can be harnessed successfully

Multi-State Plans Under the Affordable Care Act

New state health insurance exchanges that are developing under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will offer consumers a choice of private health plans known as qualified health plans (QHPs). Under the law, in every state, two of those must be multi-state plans or MSPs. These plans will be administered by the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The MSPs must meet the same requirements as other QHPs. As with other QHPs, people enrolled in the plans will be eligible for premium tax credits and cost sharing assistance if their income is less than 400 percent of poverty or $92,200 for a family of four. OPM, which also administers the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, must administer MSPs separately and must contract with both a non-profit insurer and one that does not provide abortion coverage. OPM will negotiate premiums, set rates, establish medical loss ratios and profit margins as well as certify and de-certify plans and make sure they have adequate networks of providers. OPM is expected to release its proposed rule on the MSPs this spring. This paper, based on interviews with federal and state policy makers and others, examines key implementation issues

Utilising 3D printing techniques when providing unique assistive devices : a case report

Background – The evolution of 3D printing into prosthetics has opened conversations about the availability, and cost of prostheses. This report will discuss how a Prosthetic team incorporated additive manufacture techniques into the treatment of a patient with a amputation to create and test a unique assistive device which he could use to hold his French horn. Case Description and Methods –Using a process of shape capture, photogrammetry, CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a suitable assistive device was designed and tested. The design was fabricated using 3D printing. Patient satisfaction was measured using a Pugh’s Matrix, and a cost comparison was made between the process used and traditional manufacturing. Findings – Patient satisfaction was high. The 3D printed devices were 56% cheaper to fabricate than a similar laminated device. Outcome and Conclusion – CAD and 3D printing proved an effective method for designing, testing and fabricating a unique assistive device

STEM for Everyone: A Mixed Methods Approach to the Conception and Implementation of an Evaluation Process for STEM Education Programs for Students With Disabilities

Some students with autism spectrum disorder and other learning differences may have superior visual acuity, increased attentional focus, and logical thinking abilities, lending to an affinity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. At the same time, economists report that, the United States will experience a 28.2% increase in STEM-related jobs between 2014 and 2024. Although students with disabilities (SWD) can help to fill those positions, 85% of SWD graduates are either underemployed or unemployed as they enter young adulthood. Thus, there is a need to develop, evaluate, and report outcomes of STEM preparation programs specifically tailored to SWD. This mixed-methods study was designed to develop an evaluation procedure to measure a STEM school’s program for SWD and to analyze the first two years of data to help shape the evaluation process. A comprehensive evaluation model of STEM education for children with learning differences was developed and tested. Implications for practice and future research are discussed

Respected Pillars of the Community: A values-based profile of the British Market Maven

Market Mavens are consumers who are active purveyors of word of mouth (WOM) communication in society. In contrast to opinion leaders, mavens provide information that cuts across product categories, and advise on old and new products. Consequently, mavens can impact a wider number of social networks with WOM, and are therefore a valuable target for marketers. Despite much empirical work, a socio-demographic profile of the market maven remains elusive, and recently work has focused on those intrinsic characteristics that may distinguish mavens from others. However, no previous work has considered the possibility that personal values may be a distinguishing maven factor. Using the original market maven scale, the full Rokeach value survey and the List of Values (LOV), this research (n = 158) found mavens to place significantly more importance on several values than do non-mavens. Results suggest that mavenism has an external social dimension to sharing marketplace information that is not motivated out of self-interest, but by altruism and a genuine concern for others. Contrary to some previous research, this study shows that market mavens can be identified in a useful way to marketing practitioners. In addition to the obvious need for marketing communications to supply the maven with plenty of information about products and services, communications strategies need to focus on positioning brands around the values which reflect altruism, respect, helpfulness, and responsibility. In this way, the usefulness of market mavens and WOM communications can be harnessed successfully

“I’ll be more prepared than most people”: Very young Canadian workers talking about their first jobs

We report on interviews with very young Canadian workers regarding their first jobs, with a focus on why they started working, the rewards and risks of their work, and their familial supports. Our participants were largely positive about their early work experiences, although they also raised concerns, e.g. about safety. We reflect on three inter-related themes emerging from their accounts: competence and vulnerability, independence and dependence, and protection and under-protection

Reading problems of the bottom third: grades one through six

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit