E-asTTle as a catalyst for change : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Education - Teaching and Learning at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

This thesis studies the introduction and use of the formative assessment tool e-asTTle (Assessment for Teaching and Learning) in a low decile, high Māori school and the impact it has on teacher practice and student achievement. The project’s aim was to identify if teachers, through using the data from the tool, moved to an evidence based teaching model which supported increased student achievement in reading and mathematics. Identifying a major shift in teaching practice and corresponding rise in student success would support the assertion unpinning the study, that e-asTTle is a catalyst for change. The data for this study was gathered during the first quarter of the school year. Teachers of Year 7, 8 and 9 students volunteered to complete a confidential online survey. The focus of the survey was to identify previous and current assessment practices, changes to practice and prompted teachers to reflect on the usefulness of data in supporting their teaching practice. Beginning of the year and mid-year student assessment score data in reading and mathematics was gathered and compared to identify shifts in achievement of each year group. These shifts were then compared to e-asTTle nationally expected shifts to identify the level of progress. The results suggest that the introduction of the e-asTTle tool into the school supported teachers to change to formative assessment, evidence-based teaching practice. This change had a positive effect on student achievement with accelerated progress occurring in reading and mathematics. However, the results also identified a much lower level of progress for Year 7 students, which is consistent with trends identified in national research data on the transitioning of students between primary and secondary schools. Based on this data a recommendation was made to study the transitioning of students between the local primary schools and the study school, and the impact it may be having on learning and achievement, particularly in mathematics. Should the results of the study support it, a programme could be put into place that met identified student needs and supported their successful integration into the school. Although evidence of accelerated progress met the study’s brief, the continued low level of achievement of the students in reading compared not just to all schools but to other decile one, high Māori roll schools, is a concern that needs to be addressed

Is militant Islamism a busted flush in Indonesia?

In the late 1990s, Indonesia - the world’s most populous Muslim nation - began a transition from authoritarian rule. At the time, many commentators expressed concern about the security threat posed by militant Islamist extremists in the wake of Suharto’s downfall. Initially, Indonesia did witness a proliferation of Islamist paramilitary groups and a heightened security environment. Yet, in the decade and more since then, the dire threat predictions have largely failed to materialize. In fact, Indonesia today in coordination with international partners has reduced its potential climate of threat at least strategically. This outcome raises some interesting questions. First, has Indonesia really contained its paramilitary/extremist threat? Secondly, if so, how and what lessons, if any, can we draw from this? The following paper examines the ways in which Indonesia’s security concerns have actually diminished.Publisher PD

Illustrations in American literature from Cooper to the present

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

B States at the Tevatron

The CDF and D0 experiments have produced a wealth of heavy flavour physics results since the beginning of Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron. We review recent measurements of B hadron states including excited B states (B^{**}, B_s^{**}) and the Bc+ meson. We also summarize the discoveries of the Sigma_b baryon states and the Xi_b baryon.Comment: Contribution to proceedings of Heavy Quarks and Leptons, Melbourne, 2008. 6 pages with 6 figures and 1 tabl

Physics of B0s Mesons and Bottom Baryons

We discuss the physics of B0s mesons focusing on CP violation in B0s -> J/Psi Phi decays at the Tevatron. We summarize measurements of the properties of bottom baryons at the Tevatron including the Sigma_b states and the Xi_b baryon. We also discuss the discovery of the Omega_b baryon.Comment: Contribution to proceedings of CIPANP 2009 conference, La Jolla, May 2009. 4 pages with 2 figure

Study Bugs do a poster presentation

The poster describes the concepts behind, and the development of, a series of short films which deliver study skills information to students using an informal, imaginative and slightly quirky style. The stars of the films are the study bugs, who have taken on a life of their own, presenting important information in their own inimitable style. The videos have been used in teaching sessions, at Derby and other universities, to reinforce taught content and engage students in discussion. The films are available online through YouTube and can be embedded into VLEs. They have had positive feedback from academics and students. The films are accessible to students from different academic and cultural backgrounds, highlighting core concepts in a straightforward manner

Nonprofit Organizations Improving Public Relations through an Analysis of Public Perceptions

Hilltop Neighborhood Child Care Center is a critical support system for low-income families. The internal perceptions and the external perceptions need to be identified to better serve the organization and the community (its publics). This organization-public relations (OPR) emphasis through interviews, surveys, and focus groups will be the basis of an organizational strategic plan and a public relations campaign

A review of the National Performance Framework in light of the Stiglitz Report recommendations

Contents: A review of the National Performance Framework in light of the Stiglitz Report recommendations -- Annex 1: A national performance framework (Chapter 8 of 'Scottish budget spending review 2007') -- Annex 2: The capabilities approach (reproduced from Sen and Alkire in the Stiglitz Report, p. 151) -- Annex 3: The equality measurement frameworkThis report is based on the 'Report by the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress' (Stiglitz Report, 2009) and 'More than GDP : measuring what matters' (2011).The aim of this paper is to review the structure of the Scottish National Performance Framework (NPF) against the 12 recommendations set out in the Stiglitz Report.Publisher PD