Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond Efficiency: An Impact Assessment Of The Uc Guidelines For Efficient Processing, Laurel Mcphee, Kate Dundon, Courtney Dean, Elvia Arroyo-Ramírez, Audra Eagle Yun

Journal of Western Archives

The Guidelines for Efficient Archival Processing in the University of California Libraries established shared principles and recommendations for increased processing efficiency in archives and special collections in the UC system. Since its publication in 2012, the Guidelines has become an influential resource for archival workflows nationwide. In this paper, the authors evaluate the Guidelines' impact over time on backlogs, collection management policy, and day-to-day archival practices across the UC libraries by assessing collections, processing practices, and staffing levels.

Middle School Administrator And Instrumental Music Teacher Perceptions Of The Danielson Framework For Teaching Observation Tool, Kimberly Hunt Hirschmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite continuous efforts to develop teacher observation and evaluation frameworks, one-size-fits-all evaluation tools may not be adequate for an instrumental music classroom. Since implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015, teacher evaluation has shifted from a high-stakes accountability model to models focused on feedback and professional growth. One popular model is the Danielson Framework for Teaching (FFT), which is utilized across all disciplines, including music. The current study proposes to fill a gap in the literature regarding the utility of the FFT to contribute to teachers' professional growth. This transcendental phenomenological study examines the perceptions of middle school …

Evaluating Nurse Comfort Levels Assessing For Depression In An Urban Hospital Setting, Jonathan Shafer, Riley R. Clubb

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Evidence shows that a fraction of nurses are uncomfortable assessing patients for depression. When depression assessments are uncomfortable for the clinician, there may be inconsistencies in practice which can negatively affect patient outcomes. An evidence-based survey was developed and distributed to nurses at an urban hospital in Missouri. The survey assessed nurse's confidence, frequency of assessment, and understanding in evaluating patients for depression. Seventy-three nurses took part in the confidential survey. Thirty percent of the participants reported that they sometimes ask about mood and twenty-one percent reported that they rarely ask about mood. Although results showed that nurses were not …

Comparing Online And Traditional Assessment Practices In Middle School Mathematics, Maxwell Krueger, Kathy Enger

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers across the world have been forced to explore different modalities of assessment, many of them virtual. Now that many of the most restricting policies for schools due to pandemic have been lifted, the use of these virtual assessments remain. Due to the recent nature of their use though means that not many studies have looked into the implications of these assessments on students let alone middle school students. This study aims to help fill in some of the gaps in this research. In this study, students will take one of two assessments …

Learning Stories As Assessment For Liberation, Helen Frazier

Occasional Paper Series

This paper illustrates the transformative power of learning stories as an alternative approach to in early childhood assessment. The author uses examples from her own classroom to demonstrate the use of formative assessment to foster attachment, pluralism and creativity.

Sexological Ecosystemic Assessment: A Systems Approach To Understanding Sexual Issues In Individuals And Couples, Stephanie Buehler

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Sexuality is a complex construct made up of the influence of systems upon the individual and counterinfluence of the individual upon systems, which can make sexual history taking problematic. The adaptation of Bronfenbrenner’s developmental ecological systems model has been employed to create a Sexological Ecosystemic Assessment. The Sexological Ecosystemic Assessment is described as a means of gathering and organizing information about an individual’s sexual development and current sexual expression across five subsystems that range from the microsystem, wherein interactions take place among and between family members and close caregivers, to the chronosystem, which is the effect of time across the …

Evaluating The Intersection Of Continuous Growth And Assessment In The Field Of English As A Second Language, Madison Johnson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This teaching portfolio contains a compilation of the author’s personal teaching experiences and research interests while in the Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program at Utah State University (USU). The sections of this portfolio highlight collaboration with current USU professors in the field of teaching English as a second language and the author’s personal experiences working in a second-grade elementary school classroom as well as teaching English in a community education setting. Much of the mentioned research focuses on the subfield of second language assessment. This is an area of interest to the author as an area for personal …

Analyzing The Use Of Agricultural Literacy Assessments: A Descriptive Study Of The Implementation Of The Judd-Murray And The Longhurst-Murray Agricultural Literacy Instruments, Taryn S. Whitaker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive snapshot of how the JMALI and LMALI agricultural literacy assessment instruments have been implemented within the United States. It was concluded that the greatest number of respondents used the assessment instruments as formal assessment diagnostic tools to determine agricultural knowledge and improve instruction. When assessments are used as intended, the likelihood they will effectively achieve their intended goals increases.

This study was the first step in determining how agricultural literacy assessments are currently being used. However, future research should focus on improving the collection of agriculture literacy assessment scores and …

Defining Best Practices And Validation For Curriculum Mapping, Hannah Smith, Jesse Chittams

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

The alignment of curriculum content with standards is a quality improvement measure used to identify gaps or overlaps in academic content. Curriculum mapping results, while commonly used, are rarely reported. Undergraduate faculty mapped 11 courses in a single timepoint using a web-based curriculum mapping tool. Quantitative results were calculated and compared to defined client needs categories. A validation analysis was performed by mapping one course in triplicate. Faculty feedback following the exercise was obtained by online survey. Three client needs categories were determined to be marginally out of range in the initial analysis of the quantitative mapping data. The curriculum …

A Basic Investment In Mercy: Problematizing Assessment In The Basic Course, Kate Swartz

Basic Communication Course Annual

This essay addresses the assessment aspect of the Basic Course; namely, it problematizes our reliance as instructors on traditional grading schema that interfere with our students’ best interests. I address this problem with a mercy-centered approach that uses an ungrading assessment method. In doing so, I acknowledge potential issues with this approach as well as argue for its expanded use as a merciful, beneficial way to provide feedback.

Assessment ‘Responsabilities’ In The Basic Course: Evaluating Public Speaking Rubrics, Miranda N. Rouse

Basic Communication Course Annual

Procedures and practices that are ableist in the educational system have been long overlooked. Speakers having differing abilities than neurotypical or able-bodied individuals is often not something that is considered in basic course assessment tools. This is important to address because although there are institutional policies and procedures in place to help students with differing abilities, instructors of public speaking have the autonomy or power to determine how such accommodations will affect the speech grade determined by the assessment tool. Power relations are significantly complicated in educational settings when strict hierarchies are imposed, and when instructors abuse their authority, which …

The Inclusion Of Classroom-Related Dispositions In Teacher Evaluations, David K. Griffin

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

This paper examines various approaches to evaluating the classroom teacher and discusses the inclusion of dispositions in the evaluation process. A random sample of 150 teachers were asked to complete an online survey focusing on the inclusion of dispositions in their formal evaluations. They were asked to report what specific dispositions were evaluated, and if the specific dispositions were operationally defined. A summary of their responses to the survey items is discussed.

Assessing Language Abilities In School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Practices Of Speech-Language Pathologists, Mckayla M. Sprague, Cassandra Callahan, Tyrell Perrigo, Ran An

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Through an online survey conducted with 64 certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) from 23 U.S. states, this study sheds light on the complex process of assessing language skills in school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The responses gathered reveal the significant challenges SLPs face, stemming from the vast diversity within the ASD spectrum. These insights strongly suggest a need for adopting assessment strategies that are not only more adaptable and thorough, but also deeply mindful of neurodiversity and the distinct communication skills present in children with ASD.

Comparing Cognitive Theories Of Learning Transfer To Advance Cybersecurity Instruction, Assessment, And Testing, Daniel T. Hickey Ph.D., Ronald J. Kantor

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The cybersecurity threat landscape evolves quickly, continually, and consequentially. This means that the transfer of cybersecurity learning is crucial. We compared how different recognized “cognitive” transfer theories might help explain and synergize three aspects of cybersecurity education. These include teaching and training in diverse settings, assessing learning formatively & summatively, and testing & measuring achievement, proficiency, & readiness. We excluded newer sociocultural theories and their implications for inclusion as we explore those theories elsewhere. We first summarized the history of cybersecurity education and proficiency standards considering transfer theories. We then explored each theory and reviewed the most relevant cybersecurity education …

Speech And Language Errors In An 8-Year-Old Spanish-English Bilingual Speaker: A Case Study, Alaniss Heredia

LSU Master's Theses

Despite the growing population of Spanish-English bilingual speakers with developmental language disorders and speech sound disorders (SSD) in the United States, there is limited research on assessment for this population. Research suggests that the linguistic environment in which the Spanish-English bilingual speakers are brought up should be considered when assessing and treating this population since the Spanish-English bilingual population is diverse. One result of such environments is differences in degrees of language exposure. For example, a child can be exposed to two languages but have more exposure in one than the other. This might lead to better proficiency in one …

Battle Of The Sections: Student Outcomes And Course Feedback Support Combined Prosection And Dissection Laboratory Formats To Maximize Student Success, Charles Coker, Robert S. Rogers, Blair Freed, Robert Steele, Monica Kinde, Galina Danilova, Schoen Kruse, Jennifer F. Dennis

Student Publications

Gross anatomy laboratories frequently utilize dissection or prosection formats within medical curricula. Practical examination scores are consistent across the formats, yet these examinations assessed larger anatomical structures. In contrast, a single report noted improved scores when prosection was used in the hand and foot regions, areas that are more difficult to dissect. The incorporation of prosected donors within "Head and Neck" laboratories provided an opportunity to further characterize the impact of prosection in a structurally complex area. Retrospective analysis of 21 Head and Neck practical examination questions was completed to compare scores among cohorts that utilized dissection exclusively or incorporated …

Application Of A Risk Assessment Framework To Evaluate Organizational Capacity In Extension, Lendel K. Narine, Andree' Walker Bravo

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This brief report outlines a risk assessment conducted at Utah State University (USU) Extension in 2023. The report provides a discussion on the need, value, and use of risk assessments. It also presents an adaptable methodological framework for conducting risk assessments in Extension and an overview of the risk assessment results. Results show the highest risk to USU Extension is related to recruitment and retention of employees, while other noteworthy risks include internal conflicts and low employee morale. The results of the risk assessment will be used to inform strategic planning in Extension. We recommend periodic risk assessments to ensure …

Information Literacy Across The Curriculum: A Faculty Professional Development Program, Jaime Corris Hammond

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

Information literacy is a set of skills that encompass conducting research, evaluating sources and authority, and ethically using information. While information literacy as a concept has existed for 50 years, higher education has struggled to meaningfully incorporate it into college curricula. The concept of “across the curriculum” instruction, most notably Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), empowers faculty to incorporate skills outside of their discipline to increase learning. This information literacy program uses the concept of “across the curriculum” instruction, an American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) High Impact Practice, to incorporate and contextualize these skills in a variety of …

Cross-Cultural Equivalence Of The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) Across Four African Countries In A Multi-National Study Of Adults, Amantia Ametaj, Christy Denckla, Anne Stevenson, Rocky Stroud, Jasmine Hall, Linnet Ongeri, Barkot Milkias, Jacob Hoffman, Lukoye Atwoli, Stella Gichuru

Internal Medicine, East Africa

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) has been widely used to screen psychological distress across many countries. However, its performance has not been extensively studied in Africa. The present study sought to evaluate and compare measurement properties of the K10 across four African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. Our hypothesis is that the measure will show equivalence across all. Data are drawn from a neuropsychiatric genetic study among adult participants (N = 9179) from general medical settings in Ethiopia (n = 1928), Kenya (n = 2556), Uganda (n = 2104), and South Africa (n = 2591). A unidimensional …

Applying Asset Management Principles To Urban Natural Areas In Portland, Patrick R. Key

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Portland, Oregon’s Parks & Recreation Bureau has developed a protocol to assess our managed natural areas using an asset management framework. We utilized traditional asset management best practices to create a rapid, actionable protocol that also establishes parity between natural asset assessments and our existing inventory of built asset assessments, such as playgrounds, bridges, and trails. The results of these natural area assessments will help inform resource allocation, planning for future fiscal needs, and prioritization of on-the-ground interventions.

Developing A Protocol For Assessing Natural Area Function In Portland, Oregon, Christa Von Behren

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

The Revegetation Program at the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services aims to use active adaptive management to steward natural areas in our portfolio, but we have lacked an adequate monitoring protocol to effectively implement this approach. We spent three years developing and testing a functional assessment protocol to assess progress toward management goals and to infer performance of different ecological functions. We completed our first data collection during the field season of 2022.

Assessment Of Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Located Within Or Adjacent To Miami-Dade County Parks, James G. Duncan

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Public interactions with urban forests can be a contentious issue and, in many cases, the protection of resources takes a backseat to stakeholders’ desire to use areas in ways that diminish the capability to manage resources and causes unintended consequences or direct impacts to sensitive resources. The assessment of impacts to sensitive forested areas located in parks was part of a Miami-Dade County legislative directive to provide enhanced guidelines for the protection of natural habitats. The assessment detailed historical and current issues at 18 environmental preserves located in or adjacent to the County’s park system and an implementation strategy for …

Assessment Of Professional Counseling Dispositions: A Content Validity Analysis, Patrick R. Mullen, Jacob Joseph, Kaitlin Jones Hinchey, Morgan Walker, Jennifer Niles

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Counselor educators evaluate the professional counseling dispositions of trainees throughout their development within training programs. There have been few consistent articulations of professional dispositions as many programs and measures define them differently. In our study, we developed the Assessment of Professional Counseling Dispositions (APCD) and performed a content validity study of the measure. Our findings provide evidence for the content validity of the APCD. We discuss these findings, their implications, and future research using the measure.

Morning Vs Afternoon Differences In Hydration Status Assessments, Karissa A. Mesquita, Jan-Joseph S. Rolloque, Marcos Keefe, Ryan Dunn, Casey Appell, Nigel Jiwan, Hui-Ying Luk, Yasuki Sekiguchi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

First-morning spot samples are commonly used to assess hydration status accurately. However, there is a lack of literature examining the accuracy of afternoon spot samples to assess hydration status compared to the morning samples and the relationships between variables, especially in the afternoon assessments. PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of using spot samples to monitor hydration status in both morning and afternoon and to identify relationships between each hydration assessment. METHODS: 24 participants (12 males; age: 21±2years, mass: 81.0±15.9kg; 12 females; age: 22±3 years, mass: 68.8±15.2kg) completed this study. Hydration measurements of urinary indices (urine color [U_{COL …}

Teaching And Learning In Stem With Computation, Modeling, And Simulation Practices, Alejandra J. Magana

Purdue University Press Books

Computation, modeling, and simulation practices are commonplace in the STEM workplace, yet formal training embedded in disciplinary practices is not as standard in the undergraduate classroom. Teaching and Learning in STEM With Computation, Modeling, and Simulation Practices: A Guide for Practitioners and Researchers gives instructors a handbook to ensure their curriculum bridges the gap between the classroom and workplace by equipping students with computational skills and preparing them for a rewarding career in STEM. Grounded in theory and supported by fifteen years of education research at the undergraduate level, this book provides instructional, pedagogical, and assessment guidance for integrating modeling …

Exploring The Experiences And Practices Of Midwestern High School English Teachers, Melea Shimkus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem under study was that in a state in the midwestern United States, there was a disparity in reading scores between secondary schools of similar demographics. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the strategies and approaches used by secondary teachers whose students’ reading achievements exceeded those of other students. Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge and Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy were used as the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected from one-on-one interviews with 10 participants and analyzed with open coding. The findings indicated how to combine content and pedagogy; feeling efficacious about teaching had …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Practices That May Contribute To Reading Proficiency In Massachusetts Elementary Schools, Melinda Bentley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sixty-eight percent of fourth-grade public school students in the United States performed below the National Assessment of Educational Progress proficient level on the 2022 reading assessment, yet Massachusetts fourth-grade students demonstrated better reading outcomes. The problem addressed through this study was a lack of knowledge regarding the practices used by third- and fourth-grade teachers that they perceive to improve reading proficiency in Massachusetts elementary students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to describe the practices perceived by third- and fourth-grade teachers to improve the reading proficiency of Massachusetts elementary students. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory framed the study because it …

Curriculum Minutes 02/08/2024, Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Distilling The Dispositions Necessary For Success In Curriculum And Instruction Roles, Winifred C. Nweke, Comfort Y. Afolabi, Tasha P. Perkins

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Curriculum and Instruction personnel, typically former teachers, take on roles within schools and districts in which they have some influence over curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices. It is paramount these educators embody the dispositions necessary to understand, examine, and address students’ multifaceted educational experiences and academic outcomes. Additionally, it is essential to prepare future Curriculum and Instruction personnel to possess the dispositions necessary for ensuring that all students have access to accurate, truthful, valuable, and representative curriculum. Thus, this study seeks to identify the dispositions necessary for teachers aspiring to Curriculum and Instruction positions. Through document analysis, we analyzed state-level …

A High-Leverage Practice Rubric For Conducting An Assessment-Focused Parent-Teacher Conference, Deana J. Ford, Sara E. Luke

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

This study addresses the critical need for systematic tools in teacher education programs to teach and assess High Leverage Practices (HLPs) effectively. While HLPs are established as foundational teaching practices, varying levels of research support their efficacy. Rubrics, widely used in higher education, are underexplored in terms of validity and reliability in education. Authentic assessment, characterized by real-life tasks, offers a solution to academic misconduct while providing learners with autonomy and engagement. This study introduces the High Leverage Practice Rubric for Assessment (HLPR-A) as an analytic rubric tailored for assessing special education preservice teachers during parent-teacher conferences, a crucial aspect …