Two Miles Down a Ten Mile Road: Instructional Technology and the Impact of Lottery Funding in Georgia

Abstract pending

Staff Development and Student Achievement: Making the Connection in Georgia Schools

The purpose of this study is to examine the connection between staff development and student achievement and to develop a base of knowledge for improving staff development in Georgia. Since 1985, the state has appropriated funds for staff development under the Quality Basic Education Act, one of the most comprehensive statewide initiatives for school improvement in the United States. In fiscal year 1998, Georgia appropriated over $35 million for staff development in schools and school districts. The Georgia Department of Education has collected information about uses of resources, levels of participation, and accomplishments of effectiveness of staff development in Georgia schools have not been conducted. Indeed, evaluations of staff development programs at a state level are rare. This study provides information to policy makers about whether or not state staff development funds are used in such a way as to have an impact on student achievement. The study also provides information that can be used to help schools maximize the effectiveness of their staff development efforts.While staff development can be defined in a number of ways, for this study we used the following definition: An organized learning opportunity for teachers to acquire knowledge and skills to help them become more effective teachers. Staff development activities may consist of activities such as a single workshop, a conference, a workshop series, summer institutes, college coursework, or organized peer coaching and study group sessions. A staff development activity may be sponsored by many entities including a school, the school district, Regional Education Service Agencies, state agencies, teacher academies, colleges, or professional networks and organizations.In this study we ask the question, "Do differences in the ways schools and school districts provide staff development for their teachers account for some of the variation in student achievement across Georgia schools?" The general strategy for the investigation was to select a sample of higher and lower achieving schools across a full range of socio-economic status, to gather data on staff development in these schools, and to test the extent to which the characteristics of staff development varied in the two groups of schools. Sixty schools in 35 districts participated in the study. At each school, we interviewed school administrators, conducted a focus group discussion with six to ten teachers, and surveyed teachers in the school (1,150 teachers responded). At the district office, we interviewed the staff development coordinator, personnel director, and finance director to determine the context in which staff development occurred at the schools

Data Utilization Study

Abstract pending

Economic and Social Benefits of Gender Parity in Employment and Education

This thesis seeks to examine the ways in which women are disadvantaged in their participation in formal employment and participation and attainment in education relative to men across the world. Furthermore, this analysis examines the economic impacts of inequalities in education and employment at a macroeconomic level and on an individual level. Most data is compiled from various Non-Governmental Organizations that fund and orchestrate global research on gender equality. The results of this research consistently indicate that women continue to face systematic disadvantages in employment, wages, occupation, upward mobility in occupations, hours worked, entrepreneurship, burden of unpaid work, educational attainment, and types of education. Furthermore, it was found that the economic impacts of the lack of gender parity in employment are extremely large and significant. In many areas of the world regional economies could see substantial growth from women increasing their participation in the economy to the same rate as men. Similar economic returns could be seen from increased female educational attainment, both on the societal and individual level. Aside from the economic impacts from education and employment parity, there are also social benefits for women who can gain more autonomy and decision making power through access to education and employment. Overall, there are important benefits to gender parity in education and employment, but achieving these goals will require substantial commitment and efforts from governments, organizations, and the population in general. Many systemic factors impede forward progress for women and they can only be addressed through continued policy implementation and other initiatives that incentivize and normalize gender equality in education and employment

Reshaping The Message: Marketing The Quest For Marriage Equality In Mississippi

The case for marriage equality is one that is becoming more and more prevalent in the States. Currently 17 states allow for the performance and recognition of same-sex marriages. The other 33 have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage. Of the 17 states that have same-sex marriage 3 of those made marriage constitutional through popular vote. This thesis sought to provide evidence and tactics for an Integrated Marketing Communications campaign that would advocate for the passing of a hypothetical ballot measure amending Mississippi\u27s current status on same-sex marriage. This thesis compiles the research of multiple research institutions and polling services focused on the state of same-sex individuals and their families in the US and Mississippi, the state of same-sex marriage in the US and Mississippi, and the nature of research regarding LGBTQ subjects. Research also included an overview of the voting atmosphere in Mississippi and an overview of the IMC tactics that were successful for the 3 states that gained marriage equality through a ballot measure: Maine, Maryland, and Washington. From the research gathered it was discovered that a focus on the positive messages surrounding same-sex marriage would be the best way to garner support for same-sex marriage in Mississippi. 2.6% of Mississippians identify as LGBT, and 26% of same-sex couples in the state are raising children. It was also found that a significant number of Mississippians shape their attitudes around knowing someone who is LGBT or hearing positive/negative messages from friends, religious leaders, and family. Therefore the resulting campaign focused on spreading stories of positivity

Report on the Expenditure of Lottery Funds Fiscal Year 1999

Abstract pending

Race and Attitudinal Perception; A Comparative Ethnological Analysis of Black Students at Two Universities.

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