EXAMINING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS’ RESPONSES TO LARGE-SCALE ASSESSMENT

This study examined factors at the school, district, and provincial level that influenced school administrators’ responses to large-scale assessment. To understand administrators’ perspectives, 5 secondary and 4 elementary administrators from a suburban school district in southern Ontario, Canada were interviewed. Key factors noted by administrators included school improvement planning (elementary versus secondary), departmental structures and teacher resistance within schools, lack of professional development opportunities, inadequate resources and direction from districts, ministry initiative overload, lack of an easily identifiable provincial assessment and evaluation policy document, and pressure to reach provincial achievement targets. The findings underscore the need for greater initial and ongoing professional development for school administrators as well as more thoughtful support from district leaders and provincial policy-makers.

The Reliability and Validity of the Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey: A Replication Study

Objective: The study re-examined the validity and reliability of the Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey (PTOPS) using a geographically different and larger patient population, random sampling, and mail survey methodology. Background: Measurement of patient satisfaction in physical therapy is in tis infancy. Development and refinement of theory and measurement methodology are imperative. Replication of reliability and validity is an important component of questionnaire development. Design: This study used a methodological design with descriptive elements. It employed a survey of a random sampling of subjects from 20 outpatient clinics throughout the Gulf South United States. Method: 2,309 patients 21 years of age or older who lived in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana were mailed PTOPS questionnaire, yielding 1,175 usable responses and a 60% usable response rate. Principal components analysis explored the dimensions of satisfaction, and Cronbach alpha scores investigated inter-item reliability. Regression analysis investigated predictive validity. Results: The construct of four original dimensions found in the PTOPS (Enhancers, Detractors, Costs, Location) remained consistent with this sample and methodology. Cronbach alpha scores indicated high levels of inter-item reliability. Regression analysis suggested that all four dimensions were predictive of overall patient satisfaction. Conclusion: The PTOPS retained excellent reliability and validity when used in a different locale, with a mail survey methodology, and when using retrospective study techniques

Analysis of prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in primary infections in the United Kingdom

Objectives: To identify changes since 1994 in the prevalence of resistance to anti-HIV drugs in primary HIV-1 infections in the United Kingdom. Design: Retrospective and prospective assessment of viruses obtained from people recently infected with HIV. Setting: Multiple centres (patients enrolled in the UK register of seroconverters) and a single large HIV clinic (active case ascertainment). Participants: 69 patients infected with HIV between June 1994 and August 2000. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of key mutations associated with drug resistance in the reverse transcriptase and protease genes of HIV-1, by year of infection. Results: Between June 1994 and August 2000, 10 (14%) of 69 newly infected patients had one or more key HIV-1 mutations associated with drug resistance. The risk of being infected with drug resistant virus increased over time (adjusted relative risk per year 1.74 (95% confidence interval 0.93 to 3.27), P=0.06). The estimated prevalence of drug resistance in those infected in 2000 was 27% (12% to 48%). Conclusions: Transmission of drug resistant HIV-1 in the United Kingdom seems to be increasing. New approaches to encourage safer sexual behaviour in all sectors of the population are urgently needed. What is already known on this topic: The emergence of HIV drug resistance in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy is common. Transmission of virus variants resistant to anti-HIV drugs has been documented. What this paper adds: The prevalence of transmitted HIV drug resistance in the United Kingdom is increasing, exceeding 20% in 2000. New approaches to encourage safer sexual behaviour are urgently needed

James W. Drake to S. G. Miller (3 June 1862)

Description of the Battle of Seven Pines, including names of fallen & wounded soldiers, details of equipment & Federal troops captured, and fortifications installed & expectations of the Union\u27s next approachhttps://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1612/thumbnail.jp

Law and Legislation in Ohio

A discussion of the current Ohio health insurance law regarding the uninsured and underinsured and what the Ohio legislature is trying to do about it. Jane Campbell discussed adopting a system similar to the Canadian health care system, creating an Ohio health care trust fund, and helping those in high-risk health care categories. Ray Miller addressed indigent health care and the Hagan bill. Grace Drake said that universal health care has not been successful where it has been tried, so the focus should be on the working poor and uninsured

Immigrant Families: Welfare Reform Restricts Programs that Support Working Families

A key goal of the 1996 welfare law is to provide incentives and support that will help low-income people join the workforce, and become financially secure. Yet for many working-poor immigrant families, the law has had the opposite effect. It has restricted their eligibility for programs that can promote upward mobility, such as health care coverage, food stamps, and other safety-net programs of special importance to low-wage, working families. This paper provides a statistical portrait of changes in well being among immigrants and their children, examples of state strategies, and implications of these changes for federal policy