The Impact of Afterschool Tutoring on Reading Achievement of Elementary Students in a Mississippi Rural School Setting

The purpose of this study was to determine what impact a No Child Left Behind-related afterschool tutoring program had on reading achievement of elementary students in a Mississippi rural school setting. The research questions that guided this study were (1) Is there a significant difference between the 2008 and 2009 Mississippi Curriculum Test, 2nd Edition language arts scores of elementary students who participated in a No Child Left Behind-related afterschool tutoring program in a Mississippi rural school setting? and (2) Is there a significant difference between the 2009 Mississippi Curriculum Test, 2nd Edition language arts scores of elementary students who participated in a No Child Left Behind-related afterschool tutoring program and those students who did not participate in a No Child Left Behind-related afterschool tutoring program in a Mississippi rural school setting, while controlling for 2008 MCT2 language arts scores? To address the research questions, a causal comparative research design was used. The researcher collected the state\u27s language arts scores of 2008 and 2009 for elementary students who participated in the afterschool tutoring program and performed a paired sample t-test to answer research question one. To answer research question two, the researcher collected the state\u27s language arts scores of 2008 and 2009 for elementary students who participated in the afterschool tutoring program and for eligible students who did not participate in the afterschool tutoring program and performed a univariate analysis of variance. The results of this study were twoold. The scores of the participants improved. Results of the paired sample t-test analysis indicated a significant difference in the scores between the 2008 and 2009 Mississippi Curriculum Test, 2nd Edition language arts. On the other hand, results of the univariate analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant difference between the 2009 Mississippi Curriculum Test, 2nd Edition language arts scores of participants and nonparticipants. Recommendations for further research include conducting an experimental research design on afterschool tutoring and reading achievement in a rural school or rural schools, analyzing parental involvement while conducting research on afterschool tutoring and reading achievement in rural schools, and observing a regular classroom setting with comparison with an afterschool tutoring while conducting research on afterschool tutoring and reading achievement in rural schools

The effect of genetic background on phosphorus utilization for growth and bone integrity in pigs

Concern over the environmental impact of phosphate (P) excretion from pig production has led to reduced dietary P supplementation to these animals. These reductions may cause minor dietary P deficiency, a problem also seen in segments of the human populace. To examine how genetics influences P utilization, ninety-four gilts sired by two different genetic lines (PIC337 and PIC280) were fed either a P adequate diet or a 20% P deficient diet for 14 wk. Blood samples were collected and BW recorded monthly following an overnight fast. Upon completion of the study, radial bones with attached ulnae, intermediate carpals, and kidney tissue samples were collected. After 12 wk on the experimental diets, an additional 28 pigs (approximately 100 kg BW) produced by the same breeding strategy as described above, were moved into individual stainless steel metabolism crates (1.2 m x 2.4 m). Twice daily, feces and urine were collected from each metabolism crate for P balance analysis. Dietary treatment, sire, and their interaction significantly affected plasma 1, 25 (OH) 2 vitamin D and PTH concentrations, growth performance, bone strength, and gene expression in the kidney. The PIC337 sired pigs consumed more feed and gained more weight than their PIC280 sired counterparts (P \u3c 0.05). Regardless of sire line, pigs fed the P deficient diet had lower (P \u3c 0.05) plasma P concentrations and were less efficient at converting feed to BW (P \u3c 0.05). The P deficient pigs had increased (P \u3c 0.05) plasma concentrations of 1, 25 (OH)2 vitamin D and decreased concentrations of PTH after 4 wk. While plasma 1, 25 (OH)2 vitamin D concentrations were elevated (P \u3c 0.05) in all the P deficient animals, this increase was larger among the PIC337 sired pigs. As expected, P deficiency resulted in weaker bones with lower percent ash (P \u3c 0.05). Among the P adequate pigs, the bones of PIC337 sired pigs were stronger (P \u3c 0.05) and had higher (P \u3c 0.05) ash percentage compared to PIC280 sired pigs. Increased (P \u3c 0.05) levels of the CYP27B1 and PTHR mRNA were seen in P deficient pigs. Those animals housed in metabolism crates fed the P deficient diet had lower dietary P intakes, as well as lower fecal P excretion compared to pigs fed the P adequate diet (P \u3c 0.01), though there were no significant differences based on sire line or the interaction of sire line and dietary P in any of the P balance indices measured. These data suggest differing mechanisms of regulation of P utilization between these genetic lines.;In order to examine the impact of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the calcitonin receptor gene (CALCR) previously shown to be associated with bone integrity on P utilization in growing pigs, forty-two gilts were fed either a P adequate diet or a 20% P deficient diet for 14 wk. Plasma P concentrations of animals receiving the adequate diet were higher than their deficient counterparts at 8 wk and subsequent samplings until trial completion (P \u3c 0.05). P adequacy also resulted in increased concentrations of 1, 25 (OH)2 vitamin D and decreased PTH concentrations at 8 wk (P \u3c 0.05). P deficiency reduced bone strength and mineral content, regardless of genotype (P \u3c 0.05). Among pigs fed the P adequate diet, the 11 and 22 genotypes had higher bone modulus and ash percentage compared to their P deficient counterparts (P \u3c 0.05). However, these differences were not observed within animals having the 22 genotype. Neither dietary treatment nor CALCR genotype effected growth performance. These data suggest that this CALCR SNP is associated with the regulation of P utilization. Elucidating the genetic mechanisms responsible for P utilization would have important implications to for both animal and human health

CAREER PATHWAYS OF BS LEGAL MANAGEMENT GRADUATES: A K-MODE CLUSTER ANALYSIS THROUGH THE LENS OF KRUMBOLTZ'S SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

This research focuses on the career history of BS Legal Management graduates about the Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making by Krumboltz. The research aims to explore the factors interplaying in graduates' career history by conducting descriptive-correlational research and K-Mode Clustering analysis. Seventeen graduates surveyed in this study covered employment status, job characteristics, and career satisfaction. Results show that there are distinct clusters concerning career outcomes, underpinning both prevalent patterns and individual trajectories among graduates. These results suggest that whereas many respondents secure positions pertinent to their field of study, variability in career paths is notable, conditioned by contextual factors, educational experiences, and unanticipated circumstances. It shows the value of university education in many job positions, even those not directly related to legal management. High satisfaction levels are reported in many careers, which supports Krumboltz's contention that adaptability and learning are critical roles in career development. The findings offer a wealth of information relevant to curriculum development and career counseling in the instruction of legal management—this being an argument for a view that students need to be prepared for diverse career possibilities and embrace dynamism in career journeys within the modern job market. JEL: J24, M12  Article visualizations