The Effects of Continuous Improvement Practices Using State Value-Added Data for Reading Educator Program Enhancement

Louisiana’s value-added evaluation of teacher preparation programs has provided a salient impetus for program improvement; however, due to the nature of the assessment, teacher preparation programs need to use additional sources of data to identify actionable responses to the value-added results. This paper describes one teacher preparation program’s approach to continuous program improvement in reading education and describes some of the limitations and benefits of value-added assessment results for that purpose

Developmental deformities and biochemical disruptions in zebrafish (Danio spp) embryos and adults following exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perflurorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic (PFOS) are metabolites of perfluorinated chemicals, which are persistent compounds due to their chemical structure and inability to be broken down. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the mechanism of action of both compounds as developmental and adults toxicants. To determine possible mechanisms of action, various endpoints were assessed included: (1) presence of anatomical changes, (2) alterations in hatching and mortality, and (3) changes in acetylcholinesterase, and glutathione s- transferase activities. Zebrafish embryos and adults were ideal models to investigate developmental changes as well as perturbations in mature systems, due to ease of tracking desired changes. Results indicate disruption of hatching as well as a delayed response or death at 50 mg/L for both PFOA and PFOS. In addition, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by PFOA was observed in zebrafish muscle, while no noticeable changes were observed with brain AChE activity following exposure to PFOA. No changes were observed in brain and muscle tissue of zebrafish exposed to PFOS. Glutathione s- transferase (GST) induction was also observed at lower concentrations in PFOS, while no change in GST activity was observed in zebrafish livers following PFOA exposure

The Impact of Integrated Support and Context on Treatment Implementation and Child Outcomes Following Behavioral Consultation

Assuring treatment plan implementation following consultation is critically important because implementation is strongly related to outcomes. Treatment implementation has been hypothesized to be influenced by both the nature of the follow-up support provided and contextual variables. However, studies to date have not examined both issues while directly measuring implementation. This study examined treatment implementation following consultation for 48 teachers in public schools who had referred a student for intervention services in a randomized clinical field trial. Participating teachers in the experimental group received Integrated Support (IS). IS includes social influence, planning, and performance feedback elements. IS was compared to weekly follow-up meetings alone. Treatment implementation and child outcomes were markedly superior for IS as compared to weekly follow-up. Three school climate factors were found to be correlated with treatment implementation for the IS group, but not the weekly follow-up group. Participants rated treatment implementation, treatment acceptability, and consultant effectiveness positively and similarly across conditions. The implications of these findings for future work examining school culture, consultation and intervention are discussed

Refining The Experimental Analysis of Academic Skills Deficits: Part II. Use of Brief Experimental Analysis to Evaluate Reading Fluency Treatments

The technology of brief experimental analysis is just beginning to be used for identification of effective treatments for individual students who experience difficulty with oral reading fluency. In this study, the effect of a reading fluency treatment package was examined on easy and hard passages, and generalization was assessed on passages with high content overlap. The results suggest that the treatment package increased reading fluency for all 3 students. Effects were moderated by difficulty level for all 3 students. Results are discussed in terms of future refinements to the procedures, validation of the methods, and potential applications in clinical and school settings

Technique [Volume 89, Issue 20]

A legacy worth ending at public schoolsAquajackets race against nationally-ranked FSUBME to standardize admissions processBreaking the BubbleBynum leads Tech to ACC winsby the numbersCommittee proposes multiple fee hikesCouncil Clippings Senate and HouseDrag along a Date to Bosworth's latest flickEntertainment BriefsFaces at Georgia TechFaces in the CrowdFreshman course renamed, regrouped by majorGT Motorsports revs it up Down UnderLack of Bushisms in address a letdownLady Jackets face wrath of Tigers in ACC battleMen's tennis team fares well at ChampionshipsNews BriefsOUR VIEWS Consensus OpinionOUR VIEWS Hot or NotRamblin' with David NelsonResolution protects gay employeesRollins induces "Shock and Awe"Sport ShortsStudents deserve to see live hoopsTenth and Home gives modern look to family housingTheron impressively puts on new skin for MonsterThey may not be Barker's Beauties, but price is still right...Two BitsYOUR VIEWS Letters to the Edito

Technique [Volume 89, Issue 29]

Beyond the White and GoldBreaking the Bubbleby the numbersCheerleaders, dance team skip Final Four trip for chance at NCA gloryCirque delivers awe-inspiring AlegriaCouncil Clippings Senate and HouseEntertainment BriefsHeaded to the Alamodome? Check out the Jackets' competitionHOPE fee, book funding safe from cuts, for nowHOT or NOTHousing sign-ups flawed, need online treatmentJackets knock off Jayhawks in regional finalMorgan, Stojanovska honored by NCAANCAA Tournament NotebookNews BriefsOn the road to San AntonioOUR VIEWS Consensus OpinionProsecution undue for medical refusalPunisher continues comic book movie string with little successRancorous debate dominates budget sessionRunoff election pits Phuong vs. CaseSport ShortsStudent appears on, but doesn't need Movie & MakeoverStudent orgs prepare for move into CommonsStudents return to roots, host high school math tournamentStudents showcase films at Ferst CenterThrough the looking glass...Two BitsYOUR VIEWS Letters to the Edito