The Impact of Using Best Practices to Improve English Language Arts Standardized Test Scores in Rural Central Mississippi Schools

In recent years, the Mississippi Department of Education has made several changes in curriculum and policy to improve students’ literacy rates on standardized test scores. As a result of these changes, teachers have been offered more professional development training to educate them on best literacy practices to implement in the classroom. This study aims to identify best practices that teachers use in third-grade classrooms to improve students’ standardized test scores on the Third Grade Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) for English Language Arts (ELA). Upon obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, the student researcher obtained approval from administrators to conduct research in the Lowndes County School District. The student researcher compiled Third Grade MAAP ELA test scores data over three consecutive academic years (2016-2017, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019), surveyed those third-grade teachers on best practices used for ELA instruction, and compared the teacher survey results and test scores to determine what correlation exists, if any, to improve standardized ELA test scores

Correlation between Physics and Calculus Workshop Attendance and University Grades

The Student Learning Centre at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology offers various support services for students enrolled in first year calculus and physics courses; the most widely used of these services are focused workshops. The purpose of this study was to compare student academic performance between those who did and did not attend physics and calculus workshops. Data provided by the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis at UOIT was analyzed using pivot tables in MS Excel. Students enrolled in Physics I and Calculus I were categorized based on their Grade 12 physics and calculus marks, respectively. Students enrolled in Physics II and Calculus II were categorized based on their Physics I and Calculus I marks, respectively. Subgroups were then identified based on workshop attendance and correlated with first year university physics and calculus grades. Students within the same incoming grade category who did not attend any workshops served as the control group. A Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine if statistically significant differences existed between the performance of students who attended workshops and those who did not. Analysis found that students who attended workshops had greater success rates in all first year calculus and physics courses compared to their non-workshop attending peers

International Collaborations: Inspiring Active Learning in Higher Education

International collaborations can present various challenges; however, with strong leadership and support, as well as through leveraging a variety of online collaborative tools, the results can be great. In this paper, we discuss the process involved in the design, development, and utilization of an openly available active learning handbook that was created by colleagues at three institutions: one in Dublin, Ireland and two in Oshawa, Canada. We discuss the journey that inspired this collaborative project and address some of the unique issues around post-conference collaborations. To conclude, we highlight some applications of the handbook across our institutions and beyond

Preliminary economic evaluation of biopharming in New Zealand

From the academic literature, this report derives an economic model or framework for considering biopharming. This model is based on a cost-benefit approach to valuing changes in products and production methods. The model indicates the product dimensions that are likely to be affected by biopharming methods and how these dimensions may affect the costs and benefits of production. It also identifies the uncertainties in existing analyses. Finally, it demonstrates a method by which careful analysis of the economic costs and benefits of biopharming could proceed. Two potential products are discussed using this model: recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) produced in cow’s milk and low-GI potatoes

Clues on syntenic relationship among some species of Oryzomyini and Akodontini Tribes (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae)

Sigmodontinae rodents represent one of the most diverse and complex components of the mammalian fauna of South America. Among them most species belongs to Oryzomyini and Akodontini tribes. The highly specific diversification observed in both tribes is characterized by diploid complements, which vary from 2n=10 to 86. Given this diversity, a consistent hypothesis about the origin and evolution of chromosomes depends on the correct establishment of synteny analyzed in a suitable phylogenetic framework. The chromosome painting technique has been particularly useful for identifying chromosomal synteny. In order to extend our knowledge of the homeological relationships between Akodontini and Oryzomyini species, we analyzed the species Akodon montensis (2n=24) and Thaptomys nigrita (2n=52) both from the tribe Akodontini, with chromosome probes of Hylaeamys megacephalus (2n=54) of the tribe Oryzomyini. The results indicate that at least 12 of the 26 autosomes of H. megacephalus show conserved synteny in A. montensis and 14 in T. nigrita. The karyotype of Akodon montensis, as well as some species of the Akodon cursor species group, results from many chromosomal fusions and therefore the syntenic associations observed probably represent synapomorphies. Our finding of a set of such associations revealed by H. megacephalus chromosome probes (6/21; 3/25; 11/16/17; and, 14/19) provides phylogenetic information for both tribes. An extension of these observations to other members of Akodontini and Oryzomyini tribes should improve our knowledge about chromosome evolution in both these groups.Fil: Suarez, Pablo. Universidad Federal de Pará; BrasilFil: Nagamachi, Cleusa Yoshiko. Universidad Federal de Pará; BrasilFil: Lanzone, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Malleret, Matias Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: O'Brien, Patricia Caroline Mary. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Ferguson Smith, Malcolm Andrew. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Pieczarka, Julio Cesar. Universidad Federal de Pará; Brasi