Digital Commons Network^™

Building A Bridge: Challenging The Negative Perceptions Of School Resource Officers, Angel Estrada

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone addresses the negative perceptions of School Resource Officers (SROs) on local high school campuses. One common concern is that at risk students will have a higher rate of going to jail if they go to a school with a SRO. This capstone provides insight that counteracts such common stereotypes of the relationship between resource officers and the School to Prison Pipeline. An argument is made that schools can benefit from SROs because of the critical role they can play on campus. SROs function at a higher level than police officers or security guards. More specifically, SROs can serve …

Pbis: Moving Beyond A Focus On Behavior To Relationships, Sylvia Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

School-Wide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (SW-PBIS or PBIS) is a classroom management system that has become increasingly popular in our k-12 educational systems. PBIS was originally created for special needs students and it is now being enforced in schools with a majority of minority students. This classroom management method relies on a token rewards system that focuses on reinforcing positive behavior in the classroom. Issues with this classroom management system encompass it being a form of exclusionary discipline, a student conditioning system and not a culturally grounded/responsive system. For this Capstone Project, teachers and students were interviewed to better …

Let's Talk: Increasing Communication With Dual- Immersion Parents, Carmina Tirado

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In 2016, California passed Proposition 58, which repealed Proposition 227. The latter proposition, passed in 1998, prohibited the use of non- English instruction in public schools across California. Since then, bilingual education programs such as dual- immersion, or two-way immersion programs have seen a rise in enrollment. Due to its novelty, parental involvement is crucial for the success of the program. This Capstone project focuses on understanding the obstacles that parents of second language learner students, specifically those in dual-immersion programs face when it comes to their involvement. Several factors such as language barriers, parent/teacher misunderstanding, and time restraints, can …

Let’S Talk: Increasing Communication In The Dual-Immersion Setting, Iliana Izquierdo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In 2016, California passed Proposition 58, which repealed Proposition 227. The latter proposition, passed in 1998, prohibited the use of non- English instruction in public schools across California. Since then, bilingual education programs such as dual- immersion, or two-way immersion programs have seen a rise in enrollment. Due to its novelty, parental involvement is crucial for the success of the program. This Capstone project focuses on understanding the obstacles that parents of second language learner students, specifically those in dual-immersion programs face when it comes to their involvement. Several factors such as language barriers, parent/teacher misunderstanding, and time restraints, can …

Interns Matter: Maximizing Integration Of Interns Into Community Agencies, Valerie Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hope Services is a non-profit agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities in six counties. Over the years, there have been many agencies that have formed connections with Hope Services. One of these collaborative partnerships has been with CSU Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) integration of interns through their field placement program. However, recently former Hope Services South District Manager, Greg Dinsmore, witnessed a lack of utilization and integration of interns across all Hope Services agencies. Through firsthand experience as a mentor, he witnessed the benefits of utilizing interns and saw the need for further advocacy and support for the integration of interns …

Preschool Executive Function Predicts Childhood Resting State Functional Connectivity And Adhd And Depression, Elizabeth Hawkey

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Background: Measures of executive function (EF), such as the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, distinguish children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from control children, but less work has examined relationships to depression or brain network organization. This study examined whether early childhood EF predicted a new onset or worsening of ADHD and/or depression, and examined how early childhood EF related to functional connectivity of brain networks at school age. Methods: Participants were 247 children, enrolled at ages 3-6, from a prospective study of emotion development. The BRIEF Global Executive Composite (BRIEF-GEC) was used as the measure of EF in early …

The Fragility Of The Free American Press, Ronnell Andersen Jones, Sonja R. West

Northwestern University Law Review

President Donald Trump has faced criticism for attacking the press and for abandoning longstanding traditions of accommodating and respecting it. This Essay argues that the national discussion spurred by Trump’s treatment of the press has fallen short of capturing the true seriousness of the situation. Trump’s assault on the custom of press accommodation follows a generation-long collapse of other major press protections. In order to fully understand the critical juncture at which American press freedom now stands, we must expand the discussion beyond talk of a rogue president’s aberrant attacks on the press and consider the increasingly fragile edifice on …

The Trauma-Informed Youth Experience Panel, Leah Bennett

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Trauma-Informed Youth Experience Panel

Abstract

There are gaps in how the community supports and serves young men of color and their families who have been harmed by violence. The Trauma-Informed Youth Experience Panel is a project through the Community Organizing department of United Way of Santa Cruz County. The Trauma-Informed Youth Experience Panel project is the development, implementation, and evaluation of a panel of 4 community members who have experienced violence and trauma as youth in the community of Santa Cruz County.The purpose of the panel was to build the capacity of service providers in the county to understand …

Strengthening The Teacher Toolkit: Effective Autism Inclusion Methods, Roxanne Guel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on Autism inclusion methods. This is an important issue for teachers because they are often not given the tools and resources to effectively include their students with Autism Spectrum Disorders into a general education classroom. It is argued that some of the most effective methods include peer-mediated instruction, antecedent procedures, and school-wide organizational change. Considerations of the issue, should include the perspectives of both Special Education and General Education teachers. Three themes/action options emerged from an analysis of the data and were explored as ways to address the issue presented. Antecedent procedures are …

Monterey County Behavioral Health - "Transition To Integrated Care", Jose Francisco Barajas Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The rate of clients discharging from acute mental health services in Monterey County is low. According to Monterey County Behavioral Health Services Act (2017), “the demand for services has greatly increased with the ACCESS programs serving 90% more individuals in the past two years [2015-2016], and a 168% increase in the last 5 years [2011-2016].” The increase in demand for services has impacted staff psychiatrist and social workers in providing quality treatment services.

The Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau (MCBH), a division of Monterey County Health Department, has identified clients who’ve shown improvement in their mental health recovery and are …

Court Appointed Special Mentor (Casms) Instructional Manual, Mounia R. Munsinger

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

One hundred and twenty-five foster youth enrolled in CASA of Monterey County agency are not receiving the advocacy they need. As a result, the creation of the Instructional Manual within the department of the Court Appointed Special Mentor (CASM) was implemented. The Instructional Manual is a strategic educational project that will provide interns, especially CASMs, with simple and thorough guided information that can assist them with unanswered questions. Moreover, it will provide everyone within the agency with consistently communicated instructions on how to perform essential tasks for their job duties. In other words, it will standardize workplace practices, especially related …

Strengthening Families In Santa Cruz County, Yajaira Rubio-Mendoza

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parenting is very rewarding and enjoyable, yet it can be challenging and exhausting. Therefore, there is no right way to be a parent. At La Manzana Community Resources (LMCR), a family program of Community Bridges, there is a strong belief in strengthening families within the Santa Cruz County community. That is why LMCR provides various services such as, Triple-P Positive Parenting Program. Triple-P, funded by First 5, provides parents and caregivers parenting support ranging from birth to 12 years of age, with additional support for families with teens, and families of children with special needs. The …

Creating A More Proficient Food Process Allowing More Teaching Time For Children, Laura P. Pacheco

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Teachers of the Monterey County Office of Education Early Head Start and Head Start programs are having hard time to carrying out the process of separating food for children at their centers. Since, it is interfering with their teaching time, they are asking to find a solution to resolve this problem because they only have four hours to fulfill the Head Start program requirements. This report explains the process of a pilot project that was implemented in one of the Head Start centers during the months of April and May. This project consisted in taking food to centers already separated, …

Spanish-Speaking Parents In San Benito County Get Informed On Teen Drug Use, Alejandra Rocha

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Language can be a barrier to parents and their access to resources in the community. There is a high consumption of drugs amongst teens, and parents need to be informed. As an intern for Youth Alliance and the collaboration of the San Benito Probation Department a class was held for Spanish-speaking parents in the community. The information was presented in a PowerPoint format. Parents also received a copy of the PowerPoint that they could use for future reference. During this class parents were informed about the most common drugs their teens might be exposed to. This included both street drugs, …

Turning Point Career Exploration, Iliana Cardoso

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

According to the 2016-2017 Community Action Plan, Monterey County has a youth homicide rate of 23.32 per 100,000 in population compared to the California average of 8.06 per 100,000 (Monterey County Action Plan, 2017). Due to unstable homes, poverty, gang violence and other traumatic past experiences at-risk youth are at a higher exposure to unhealthy life challenges. Life-skills lessons can provide an opportunity for this adolescents to become a positive asset to their communities. This capstone focuses on providing the guidance, support, encouragement and readiness for the youth to find employment and become successful. The project “Turning Point Career …

Si Se Puede: Increasing Latino Parent Involvement And Student Academic Achievement, Jeanette Zavala

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parent involvement, despite class, race, gender, and socioeconomic status, has been strongly correlated with academic achievement. However, research has also indicated that there is a large gap between White and Latino student academic achievement. It is argued that Latino parents do want to be involved but are faced with many circumstances that do not allow them to be present in school. It is vital for teachers to do whatever is in their power to communicate and involve Latino parents. The focus of this Capstone Project is to explore what teachers are doing today to involve parents, but particularly, what teachers …

Healthy Choices For Healthy Teens, Veronica Leon Vega

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In Monterey County, the childhood obesity rate is 48.6% and is considered the fourth highest percentage of overweight/obese children among the 58 counties in California (UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2011). The Greenfield Union School District After School Education and Safety Program is a program designed to keep students safe, to provide homework support, and to provide enrichment and physically healthy activities. An educational intervention project was implemented at the After School Education and Safety Program to address obesity. The purpose of this project was to promote a healthy environment within schools and support the health and …

The Road To Postsecondary Education, Oscar Bacilio Ordonez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hispanic/Latino students pursuing postsecondary education is too low. Central Coast High School is an alternative School which provides students with a second chance in the path to graduation. The program to be held in this agency is an outreach program to educate and provide information for students about the importance of going to college. Another purpose is to encourage students to apply for college and explain the different types of financial aid available for them. The expected outcome of this program is to have about 75% of the twelve-grade level students invited to be present and participate. The implementation will …

Sit With Us: Benefits Of Inclusion, Spencer Smith

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone project is on understanding the benefits of an inclusive classroom setting. This is important because, there is a stigma that special education students hinder the learning of general education students, but the data provided in this paper will show otherwise. The primary stakeholders perspectives that were surveyed were three special education educators familiarized with an inclusive setting, one being a teacher and the other two teacher aides. Three ways to improve inclusion include co-teaching, increased training, and using technology to assist students. Based on the findings collected from the interviews and research formulated in this …

Sharing The Burden, Robert Livingston

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family caregivers of hospice patients experience an increased burden due to providing ongoing care. Research on the issue produces no consensus on evidence-based programs to alleviate the burden. Respite or relief services continue to be the primary solution applied to the problem. Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice supported a project to address caregiver burden. Hospice provides volunteers to families to reduce the caregiver burden. The project consists of outreach and recruitment to obtain new volunteers that continue to deliver respite within the community. Project duration lasted for approximately three months and was implemented by completing six tabling activities …

Latino Parents Struggling With Different Barriers With It Came To Engage In Their Children Education, Maria Parra

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

East Salinas has a higher percentage of Latino parents with struggling barriers with when it comes to engage in their children’s education. Nonprofit organizations like Building Healthy Communities serve as a solution to this problem by providing parents and community with resources information for the educational success of their children. They advocate and use equity justice for more fair and equitable education. Building a healthy community is a 10-year initiative that empowers Eastern Salinas. The implementation of this project was focused on the Padres Unidos Committee of Salinas by addressing different educational workshops and resources. They received advice, tools, motivation …

Reclaiming Childhood: Effects Of Homework On Elementary Students, Alyssa Bomarito

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone project is on homework and its effects on elementary students. This is an important issue because students are being placed under a great amount of pressure and are subject to unnecessary stress. An evidence based argument is offered that homework is not beneficial academically, mentally or emotionally for young students, and is therefore not justifiable for the stress and pressure it puts on them. The three primary stakeholder perspectives examined were those of teachers, students, and parents because of their relation to the issue and for the comparison of each participant's opinion. Scholarly literature was …

Translating Bridges Through Social Media For Parental Engagement, Janelle Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Recent studies show that children tend to do their best in school when their parents are engaged in their early childhood development. However, when parents do not instill the importance of education or engaged in their children’s education journey; than this can lead to numerous consequence. There is a higher chance that these children will continue to be unprepared for school, a higher chance of becoming truant students and a higher chance of dropping out of school at an early age. Unfortunately, parental engagement among Hispanic/Latino population has fallen short to support the academic success of their children. Hispanic/Latino parents …

Not So “Free”: Increasing Elementary Children’S Free Time, Annie Santos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Free play has been drastically decreasing recently and this is an issue for young children. Factors contributing to this decline include external influences, such as school, parents, and activities. This issue is important for children’s lives, impacting their health and developmental skills. This project works toward providing more opportunities for children to experience free play throughout their everyday lives. The primary stakeholder perspectives obtained were the parents of children who are directly affected by this issue. Based on an analysis of the data and relevant research literature, an action was untaken to respond to the lack of free play in …

Play It Forward: The Importance Of Cooperative Learning & Structured Play During Recess With A Focus In Special Education, Juan Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researcher investigated how teachers and administrators view the participation of students with special needs in recess opportunities and how to improve that participation. This is an important issue because students need the social aspect of playing with different children and going out of their comfort zones. This will help them as they grow older. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, the researcher used what he learned to formulate an action that responded to the focus issue in a way that inspired, informed, or involved a particular audience.

What Makes That Autistic Student Tick? Strategies For Classroom Behaviors, Amanda Puleo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Inclusion of autistic students in mainstream classrooms may make it difficult for teachers to identify and proactively address disruptive behaviors. That is, mainstream teachers may not know how to respond to these specific behaviors and their standard classroom management techniques may not work with autistic students. It will take commitment and hard work to identify strategies to regulate the disruptive behaviors of students with autism. To address this issue, the perspectives of directors and teachers who specialize in autism, as well as mainstream public or private school teachers were obtained through interviews. Three options for action emerged from an analysis …

Play It Forward: Cooperative Learning And Structured Play, Mary Rossi, Tyler Elwin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Cooperative learning and structured play (CLASP) are two things that have gone unappreciated in the modern educational setting. This is an important issue for many local low-income schools as the dropout rate is so high. CLASP ideals come with a wide array of positive outcomes that look to brighten the futures of affected youth. CLASP provides an incredible number of scholarly benefits: increased school involvement, higher grade point average,, improved interpersonal relationships, increased ability to work as a team, etc. This Capstone identifies these critical benefits and addresses the best way to properly utilize CLASP within the school setting. The …

The Utility Of Sonification, Colin St. John

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Sonification is the process of translating data sets into sound or music for artistic, scientific, or practical purposes. As a tool, sonification can facilitate the interpretation and comprehension of information by perceiving it in a traditionally unusual manner - aurally, through expressions and variations in volume, pitch, timbre, and more. However, each of these factors present their own limitations and strengths, due to their nature as well as due to human perception, which must be considered when creating an audio display. Through sonification, the line between artist and scientist is often blurred, as this field attracts a wide interdisciplinary following …

Exercise, Learning And Emotional Health: Interdisciplinary Approaches To Translational Action, Tessa L. Koschel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Exercise positively effects physical, psychological and neurological wellbeing. Though the population at large is becoming increasingly aware of the multi-faceted benefits of exercise, the majority of people fail to meet daily exercise recommendations. Largely, demands of everyday life such as work, school and family take priority over fitness. The issue therefore becomes a matter of time. In a world of media multi-tasking and immediate gratification, the challenge to health professionals becomes incorporation and manipulation of these consistencies to improve exercise uptake and adherence. Focus must shift from the idea of making additional time for exercise, to adding exercise to time …

Associations Among Benevolent Sexism, Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem, And Relationship Maintenance Strategies In Heterosexual Women, Carrie Underwood

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Past research shows that heterosexual women who endorse benevolent sexism (a sex-role attitude) tend to be highly invested in romantic relationships (Lee, Fiske, Glick, & Chen, 2010). Consequently, they may be more likely than other women to remain in relationships that are troubled. The current study aimed to shed light on this possibility by examining whether benevolent sexism was associated with the relationship maintenance strategies that women use in troubled relationships. I presented women with a scenario of a troubled relationship and manipulated the type of sexism the male partner in the scenario endorsed. Repeated measures ANCOVA revealed that women …