Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Early Childhood Teachers’ Emergent Literacy Data Practices, Rachel E. Schachter, Gloria Yeomans-Maldonado, Shayne B. Piasta

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Despite a growing focus on access to and use of emergent literacy assessment in early childhood, little is known about early childhood teachers’ data practices and their associations with children’s emergent literacy skills. A questionnaire was used to confirm and elaborate findings from prior qualitative work (Schachter & Piasta, 2022) investigating U.S. teachers’ emergent literacy data practices. We focused on how teachers gathered data (data gathering), what they learned from those data (data knowledge), and how they used those data in their practice (data use) along with associations between the practices and children’s emergent literacy skills. Overall, teachers reported engaging …

Exploring How Student Athletes Balance Athletic, Academic, And Personal Needs Through Learned Needs Theory., Michael E. Rutledge Ii

Journal of Research Initiatives

The attempt to balance the requirements of athletic and academic demands prompts extensive research agendas from higher education and athletic stakeholders to examine how extrinsic and socio-environmental factors affect the desired outcomes of student athletes. Reputable motivation literature describes needs as the starting point of motivation and influences behaviors embedded within cultural and systematic structures. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand how sport participation influences athletic and academic performance through Learned Needs Theory (LNT). This study provides insight to processes of motivation that contribute to knowledge, practical implications, and research that translates to research-based approaches to increase …

Validating An Observational Coding System For The Dominance Behavioural System (Dbs) In Childhood, Jennifer Mullen

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The dominance behavioural system (DBS) is a biologically based system that underpins individual differences in motivation for dominance and power. However, little is known about the DBS in childhood. In a pilot study aimed at developing a behavioural coding system for dominance, a key facet of the DBS, we collected and coded observational data from 58 children, assessed at ages 3 and 5-6. Between these ages, dominance was moderately stable, to a degree comparable to other early child temperament traits. Consistent with study hypotheses, boys were more dominant than girls, and dominance was negatively associated with children’s behavioural inhibition, effortful …

Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (Tc3): Initial Validation Of A Clinical Measure For Transgender And Gender Diverse Adults Receiving Psychological Services, Natalie R. Holt, Terrence Z. Huit, Grant Shulman, Jane L. Meza, Jolene Smyth, Nathan Woodruff, Richard Mocarski, Jae Puckett, Debra A. Hope

Trans Collaborations Academic Papers

One key aspect of evidence-based psychological services is monitoring progress to inform treatment decision making, often using a brief self-report measure. However, no such measure exists to support measurement based care given the distinct needs of transgender and gender diverse people (TGD), a group facing large documented health disparities and marginalization in healthcare. The purpose of the present study was to develop and provide initial psychometric validation of a short, behavioral health progress monitoring self-report measure, the Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-in (TC3). TGD communities, providers identified as TGD-affirmative, and relevant academic experts contributed to item and scale development. The final …

Assessing Executive Function In Adolescence: A Scoping Review Of Existing Measures And Their Psychometric Robustness, Moses K. Nyongesa, Derrick Ssewanyana, Agnes M. Mutua, Esther Chongwo, Gaia Scerif, Charles R. J. C. Newton, Amina Abubakar

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: There is much research examining adolescents' executive function (EF) but there is little information about tools that measure EF, in particular preference of use, their reliability and validity. This information is important as to help both researchers and practitioners select the most relevant and reliable measure of EF to use with adolescents in their context.

Aims: We conducted a scoping review to: (a) identify the measures of EF that have been used in studies conducted among adolescents in the past 15 years; (b) identify the most frequently used measures of EF; and (c) establish the psychometric robustness of existing …

Teachers’ Experiences With A State-Mandated Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, Rachel E. Schachter, Tara M. Strang, Shayne B. Piasta

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

This study used an embedded mixed method design to examine teachers’ experiences with a state-mandated kindergarten readiness assessment during its inaugural year. Participants were 143 kindergarten teachers from one county in a Midwestern state. In general, teachers did not perceive the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment as useful for one of its intended purposes of guiding instruction. Our findings did not indicate an adversity to assessment in general. Rather, perceptions that the new KRA was less useful for practice seemed to stem from administration issues, problems with the content assessed by the KRA, and participants’ misunderstandings regarding the purpose of the KRA. …

Attune With Baby: An Innovative Attunement Program For Parents And Families With Integrated Evaluation, Sara Beth Lohre

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

Infants speak in their own language; sounds, screeches, cries, and howls that help them to communicate their caregiving needs. Unaware, parents may develop a checklist of caregiving approaches to the baby. The infant tells the adult directly what they need, and waits for the parent to respond. Infant talk may change from soft and quiet to loud and aggressive; coos and cries become crying and screams as the infant’s caregiver—communicating the intensity of emotion, urgency of their request, or their frustration with varied and sometimes inadequate, failed, or missing caregiving patterns the infant has no choice but to accept. When …

Variation In The Profile Of Anxiety Disorders In Boys With An Asd According To Method And Source Of Assessment, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley

Vicki Bitsika

To determine any variation that might occur due to the type of assessment and source used to assess them, the prevalence of 7 anxiety disorders were investigated in a sample of 140 boys with an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 50 non-ASD (NASD) boys via the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory and the KIDSCID Clinical Interview. Boys with an ASD were significantly more anxious than their NASD peers. Data collected from the boys with an ASD themselves showed differences in the severity and diagnostic criterion of anxiety disorders to data collected from the boys’ parents. There were age-related variations to …

An Investigation Of The Association Between Arithmetic Achievement And Symbolic And Nonsymbolic Magnitude Processing In 5-9 Year-Old Children: Evidence From A Paper-And-Pencil Test, Nadia Nosworthy

Faculty Publications

Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on basic number processing competencies (such as the ability to judge which of two numbers is larger) and their role in predicting individual differences in school-relevant math achievement. Children’s ability to compare both symbolic (e.g. Arabic numerals) and nonsymbolic (e.g. dot arrays) magnitudes has been found to correlate with their math achievement. The available evidence, however, has focused on computerized paradigms, which may not always be suitable for universal, quick application in the classroom. Furthermore, it is currently unclear whether both symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude comparison are related to children’s performance on tests …

An Investigation Of The Association Between Arithmetic Achievement And Symbolic And Nonsymbolic Magnitude Processing In 5-9 Year-Old Children: Evidence From A Paper-And-Pencil Test, Nadia Nosworthy

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on basic number processing competencies (such as the ability to judge which of two numbers is larger) and their role in predicting individual differences in school-relevant math achievement. Children’s ability to compare both symbolic (e.g. Arabic numerals) and nonsymbolic (e.g. dot arrays) magnitudes has been found to correlate with their math achievement. The available evidence, however, has focused on computerized paradigms, which may not always be suitable for universal, quick application in the classroom. Furthermore, it is currently unclear whether both symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude comparison are related to children’s performance on tests …

Student Affairs Program Evaluation: A Factor Analytic Solution, Oscar T. Mcknight

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This program and presentation addresses the use of factor analysis in program evaluation. Specific focus will highlight the development and selection of marker items. The goal is to label and interpret factors according to targeted questions of interest. Therefore, results are not only descriptive, but predictive - with practical application to student retention and satisfaction. Process is useful for benchmarking best practices; measuring student satisfaction and learning; tracking student participation; evaluating program results; determining future program or service needs; and, assessing effectiveness of delivered programs.

Cleveland Schools Social Skills Training Program Showing Positive Results, David Volosin, Oscar T. Mcknight, John Sikula

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This article reports on research conducted in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District by the Society for Prevention of Violence (SPV). A total of 1500 students and 150 teachers participated in a social skills training program. Statistically significant positive results were found over the course of the 2009 - 2010 school year. A positive change in the school environment was documented via a thirty-five item learning survey. Because of the positive results, during the 2010 - 2011 school year, SPV's social skills training program is being implemented in all three Parma middle schools.

Strategic Marketing For Economic Development: A Comparative Study, Megan Polak, Oscar T. Mcknight, Ronald Paugh

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This study surveyed economic development directors from 118 cities from within the continental United States. The research concern was their strategic economic development plan. Electronic surveys asked participants to identify strategic components of their economic development plan; first, by intent of focus and second by rank-order. Designated areas of economic development included: Retail, Commercial, Residential or Industrial. In addition, the survey inquired as to their planned marketing communication channel and expected reach (i.e. footprint). Findings suggested that most cities were seeking to promote "all areas equally" - industrial development surfaced as the area of economic development listed with the highest …

How Many Doctors Does It Take To Diagnose An Autism Spectrum Disorder?, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

No abstract provided.

Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Laura E. Knouse, Steven A. Safren

Psychology Faculty Publications

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults is a valid and impairing disorder for which psychopharmacological and psychosocial treatments are recommended. Self-report ratings scales for adult ADHD can serve several functions in clinical work with this population including screening, providing information, in a comprehensive assessment, and tracking treatment-related change. The use of two symptom-based ratings scales for screening and tracking treatment progress- the Current Symptoms Scale (CSS) [5] and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) [6] - is outlined for the practicing clinician. Key issues in the assessment of adult ADHD are briefly discussed, highlighting the role of rating scales within …

The Massillon Artful Living Project: Some Positive Results Are Evident, Oscar T. Mcknight, John Sikula, Gary Zoldesy

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

The Massillon Artful Living Project (ALP) was created to immerse developing minds in the fine arts and to enhance the creativity, social skills, and academic achievement of preschool children. The data analyses to date support program expansion. Also, feedback by teachers, parents, administrators and community arts providers are positive.

Are Honors Students Losing Place In Cyberspace?, Steffen Wilson, Sarah Carty, Bruce Maclaren

Steffen Wilson

No abstract provided.

Using Learning Outcomes Assessment In Honors As A Defense Against Proposed Standardized Testing, Steffen Wilson

Steffen Wilson

Learning outcomes assessment (LOA) is the self-assessment of self-created learning goals for students at the class, department, college, and university level. In higher education, LOA is being imposed upon us by our accrediting bodies (Eaton, Fryshman, Hope, Scanlon, & Crow, 2005; Lingenfelter & Lenth, 2005; Nichols, 1991, 1995; Wergin, 2005). This is difficult for us because LOA is not a part of the university culture, and there are very few people on most campuses skilled in the implementation of LOA. There is also very little in the way of release time and other resources that are being provided to implement …

We Know They Are Smart, But Have They Learned Anything?: Strategies For Assessing Learning In Honors, Steffen Pope Wilson, Rose M. Perrine

Steffen Wilson

The independent assessment of student learning, or outcomes assessment, is a topic of national interest and one that is currently being addressed by many institutions of higher education. Honors programs, like all academic units, are being asked to create outcomes assessment programs. We provide here a brief history of outcomes assessment and an overview of the basic steps required for creating an outcomes assessment program. We then discuss suggestions for implementing outcomes assessment in honors.

Parental Assessment Of College Character: Brand Identity And Consumer Behavior In Higher Education, Oscar T. Mcknight, Ronald Paugh, Emily Newton

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

The concept of character development in higher education enjoys considerable professional support. Moreover, commercial marketers are aggressively promoting brand image and brand character to differentiate their products and services. However, there is a paucity of research on the marketing of a university's brand character. This exploratory research examines parental assessment of college character , its conceptual components and hierarchical factor structure. A discussion highlights practical implications for the marketing of a college's brand character.

Assessing Expectations Of The First Year Student - Asap, Oscar T. Mcknight

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

A Rapid Assessment Model For Student Affairs: A Paradigm, Oscar T. Mcknight, Robin W. Gagnow, Sue Heimann

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

The Unification Of Marketing And Assessment In Higher Education: A Model, Oscar T. Mcknight, Ronald Paugh

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

A marketing assessment model that includes university outcome measures is presented. The model incorporates consumer expectations theory and marketing strategy. Findings indicate that student expectations vary among the undergraduate population. Marketing implications for student recruitment and retention efforts are offered

A Comparison Of Likert Response Formats In Student Affairs: The Abc's Of Assessment, Oscar T. Mcknight, Robin W. Gagnow, Sue Heimann

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

A Continuum Approach To Identification And Mentoring Of The Severely Discouraged For Successful Life Career Management, Marion Allen Smallwood

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to assess sensitivity levels of four career classification groups on attitudinal and specific action variables to the severe discouragement of youthful individuals. Youthful discouragement may be considered the leading cause of death among the young, ages 14 through 24 years of age. Subintentioned and deliberate acts of self-harm resulting from discouragement include death from reckless accidents, substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide, and victim-precipitated homicides.

Adults and peers in proximity of discouraged youth need to be trained appropriately in youthful selfharm prevention. An opinionnaire with three sections was used to assess participants’ sensitivity on attitudinal, …