Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Organizational Culture And Generation Cohorts: A Comparative Analysis Between A Public And Private Organization, David A. Morgan

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The relationship between organizational culture type and generation cohort values has potential implications for how we understand a workplace environment. The examination of an organization’s culture through the prism of generation cohorts and their corresponding values is the focal point of this research question. Utilizing the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) to measure the current and preferred culture type within an organization, and identifying the generational cohorts whom measure these cultures allow empirical data to establish the relationship between these two variables. By examining these results through a public sector and a private sector organization, the claim that the two …

Is Texas Measuring Up To Federal Expectations? An Examination Of The No Child Left Behind Legislation On Texas Region One Education Service Center District Schools, Maricela De Leon

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This research paper presented information on student performance results for school children in Texas Region One – Title I district schools. By using recent data on student performance from a seven year period, 2003 to 2010, between district schools in Region One, the findings of the results is reflected to answer the question on whether district schools in Texas Region One –Title I schools reflect the intended No Child Left Behind act performance indicators as identified in the 2002 legislation.

Predicting College Success: An Analysis Of Graduating Students At The University Of Texas-Pan American, Esther G. Herrera

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Using inferential statistics, this thesis examines whether college experiences, pre-college experiences, and the institutional factors affect college success at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. Secondary data were used from the Graduating Student Survey administered by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at the University of Texas-Pan American for the years 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011. The findings indicate that college experiences do have an effect on college success (significant at .05 p-value); job after graduation serves as a better predictor of college success than competency; institutional factors also have a significant effect on college success, especially in …

School Type And Student Achievement: Does School Type Affect Student Achievement In Hidalgo County, Texas?, Krystal Estarei Garcia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study concentrates on identifying whether school type affects student achievement. Throughout this thesis, school type is the independent variable and student achievement is the dependent variable. School type was measured according to whether the school was classified as either a public school or charter school. In addition, school type was further defined according to the following variables: total academic and administrative staff, number of principals, number of assistant principals, school size, number of teachers, student teacher ratio, and student type. School expenditures, time, and method of teacher certification are the control variables. For the purpose of this thesis, student …

The Culturally Adapted Public Administrator: How Accredited Mpa Programs Are Preparing Administrators With Cultural Competency, Nicholas Weimer

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the extent to which National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) accredited Public Administration terminal professional degree programs address cultural competency in their curriculum, the amount of institutional diversity of these programs, and the relations among these quantities. The sample includes 74 university self-study reports. Cultural competency is the dependent variable of this study and syllabi/abstracts of courses taught constitute the major explanatory variable. Descriptive analysis reveals that 15.4% of the total courses in the sample address elements of cultural competency. The use of frequency statistics further reveal that …

Turnover Intent, Organizational Commitment, And Job Satisfaction: An Assessment Of Municipal Police Departments Within Hidalgo County, Texas, Joel Rivera

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

There is a paucity of research on turnover intent among police officers, particularly municipal police officers. This study examines the importance of turnover intent as it relates to job satisfaction and organizational commitment for municipal police departments within Hidalgo County, Texas. This research is important because attrition costs are among the largest expenses that municipal police agencies incur, and mitigation of that loss may benefit the municipal police agencies during times of financial hardships. This study found organizational commitment to be a predictor of turnover intent.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Fence: An Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of This Immigration Policy, Froylan Garza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the effectiveness of the U.S./Mexico border fence for illegal immigration. This topic is important because the recent mandate by Congress in 2006 to construct fencing along the southwest border between the U.S. and Mexico was met with great resistance from the border communities Texas that are directly affected by its construction (Haddal, et al. CRS, 2009). Border communities of the southwest region of the United States are ethnically diverse and rich in history and culture. Many of them hold annual celebrations in which their Latin culture, traditions, and history are honored. The …

We Know Not The Worth Of Water Until The Well Runs Dry: Assessing Municipal Water Use For Fifteen Incorporated Cities In Hidalgo County, Texas For The Years 1984-2005, Rosario Adriana Wilson

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This paper studied municipal water use in fifteen incorporated cities of Hidalgo County, Texas using historical water use data provided by the Texas Water Development Board's Texas Water Use Survey for the years 1984 to 2005. The cities studied were Alamo, Alton, Donna, Edcouch, Edinburg, Elsa, Hidalgo, La Joya, La Villa, McAllen, Mission, Mercedes, Pharr, San Juan, and Weslaco. This paper examined five key areas that supported this study: population growth, city sales tax revenue, Gross Domestic Product, water demand, and water use. This research concludes with a set of recommendations to assist municipal leadership as they prepare for the …

A Study Of Education Reform In Texas: State Mandated Testing Results, Effects, And The University Of Texas-Pan American, Monica M. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The study will use scores on TASP, and ACT as predictors of first year college success. First year college success will be measured by first-year year college grade point average and number of class hours dropped. We expect to find a high correlation between standardized test scores and college success. In order to continue yearly state test administration efforts, data needs to be found supporting that these efforts are sufficient. If this evidence is not present, then state mandated achievement testing needs to be reconsidered for use as a requirement for receipt of a high school diploma, school accountability, and …

Is The Maquila Industry A Factor Influencing Migration To Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico?, Maria Cristina Guzman

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis is divided into three chapters. Chapter one starts with the historical background of the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico and has a brief definition of migration explaining the factors that push or pull someone to make the decision to move. Chapter two contains the thesis statement, methods, and scope. In chapter three, there is a summary of the findings and conclusions. Analysis of the data collected through a survey conducted in 1997 among maquila workers reveals that a total of 51.01% of both the men and women's moves were influenced by the maquila industry. A similar pattern was …

The Battle To Be Mayor: A Case Study Of Interethnic Conflict In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Adrian Cruz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Mexican Americans and Anglos have lived in Texas for generations now. Historical data has shown that Anglos have dominated the political and economic structures in the state. A case study was conducted of the 1998 mayoral election that took place in a city located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The study investigated if there was evidence of Anglos supporting one candidate and Mexican Americans supporting the other.

Reducing Juvenile Graffiti Vandalism: A Study Of Community Policing Problem-Solving In San Benito, Texas, Yolanda Lopez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In 1997, in the small rural community of San Benito in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, at the southern tip of Texas, graffiti vandalism was the target of a community-police partnership. Supported in part by the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Offices, U.S. Department of Justice, the San Benito Police Department took action against graffiti and in doing so elicited the community's participation.

This thesis provides a brief overview of American policing with emphasis on an innovative and strategic management concept known as community-oriented policing and on problem-solving approaches. These efforts were undertaken by individual officers and community organizers to address …

The Summer Day Treatment Program, Luis Salanas Lopez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The Summer Day Treatment Proposal addresses the request for proposal from the Tropical Texas Center for MHMR and the Children's Mental Health Plan to provide services to “At Risk” youth within a local school district.

The proposal outlines the education, family empowerment, individual and group counseling and self esteem development made available to twenty at risk youth for four weeks at a cost of $10,106.00.

Correlation Between The Number Of Children A Woman Has In The Women, Infants, And Children Program And Their Ratings Of The Program, Elizabeth Trevino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This paper tests the proposition that W.I.C. is satisfactorily meeting the educational, prenatal care and management needs of the W.I.C. clientele. Specifically, the difference of satisfaction between women who have all their children in the program and women who do not have all their children in the program will be determined. The women with more than one child in the program may have more experience with the program and as a result, rate it higher. From a political perspective, the findings of this study are important to the government and taxpayers that are concerned with how well W.I.C. actually serves …

World Birding Center-Edinburg: An Application To The Meadows Foundation, Wendy Smith Sturgis

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The World Birding Center is a unique and innovative partnership among Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the cities of Brownsville, Mission, Weslaco, Harlingen, Edinburg, McAllen, Hidalgo, Roma, Rio Hondo and South Padre Island. The WBC is a first of its kind regional approach to nature conservation and birdwatching.

Edinburg's portion of the budget is 8.75%, and the City will fund salaries for a director and education coordinator and operations specific to the Edinburg center through the City's general fund.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department estimates 175,000 visitors annually. Direct local expenditures (based on an average visit of 6.3 days, …

Highway Safety Funding For The “El Protector” Program From The Texas Department Of Transportation, Colin Barto Ashburn

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The proposal is in response to the request for proposals from the Texas Department of Transportation. The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department's proposal is for funding of the “EL PROTECTOR” Program. The program seeks to reduce the Hispanic fatalities and injuries from alcohol-related crashes and non-seatbelt compliance.

If You Build It, Will They Come? The Effect Providing Recreation And Parks Has On Attracting New Businesses, Peter Bernard Lamont Jr.

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigates recreation and park's influence on the Rio Grande Valley's ability to attract businesses. Input was solicited from companies that initially located or relocated in the Rio Grande Valley within the last ten years. Quality of life is compared to six possible influences on the location/relocation decision. Recreation and parks is scored relative to five other indicators of the quality of life. Relative importance is determined through a Likert scale. Company types are broken down into manufacturing/distribution and technical/headquarters companies plus small and large companies. Company types and sizes are be compared against each other and the overall …

Development And The Environment: A Case Study About The First Attempted Creation Of A Texas Coastal Conservation District, Rene De La Rosa

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In 1991, the American General Insurance Corporation desired to create a $2.5 billion ``ecotourism'' resort in Willacy County, Texas. Unfortunately, the land the Corporation owned was located within the Coastal Barrier Resource System which does not allow federal flood insurance for any construction in the area due to it's proximity to ``Hurricane Alley''. American General's plan to build hinged on a three-pronged attack at the federal, state, and county levels. At the federal level, AG was shut out except for some minor concessions. At the county level, a municipal utility district (MUD) was established to help with building the infrastructure …

Colonia Outreach Assistance And Training (C.O.A.S.T.), Eunice Aida Garcia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This project examines the benefits of Educational and/or Job Training under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Title II-A and Title II-C programs for Colonia residents in Hidalgo County. The design will be a pretest-posttest non-randomized experiment, conducted by the County of Hidalgo Office of Employment and Training (CHOET). This paper will present the background of the study, describe the methodology, present facts about the living standards of the colonias within Hidalgo County, the procedures of the project, and the measurement of the project impacts.

A Management Role Perspective Of Adult Protective Services, Isaac Garza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the most important management roles, as viewed by Adult Protective Services supervisors and Adult Protective Services staff members in Region 11. A total of 6 supervisors and 51 staff members were mailed questionnaires on October 1, 1998. A total of 5 supervisors and 26 staff members completed and returned the questionnaires.

The study is limited by a lack of a consistent management role theory, limited to a basic method of aggregation, and limited to a specific population.

APS supervisors were found to believe the management roles of leader, monitor and disturbance handler as being most important to …

An Analysis Of Equity Preferences And The Relationship Between Belief And Behavioral Intent To Support Funding As A Basis For Regional Park Allocation Decisions In Brazoria County, Texas, Richard Mark Hansen

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study is to assist the Brazoria County Regional Park Planning Team determine what patterns of equity preferences for allocating park and recreation resources are important among residents of Brazoria County. Random samples of equity opinions were taken. Factor analysis was used to discover three important dimensions or areas of consideration within residents belief system for allocation of regional parks. Multiple regression was used to investigate relationships between belief in equity choices and behavioral intent to support funding for equity choices. Belief and behavioral intent to support funding were found to be significantly related for allocation of …

United States Policy Toward China's Most-Favored-Nation (Mfn) Status, Shengjun Yuan

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis reviews the historical process of the Sino-American trade relationship. It delves into the United States policy toward China's most-favored-nation (MFN) status, especially after the Tienanmen Incident in 1989. The thesis also discusses the issues related to the trade status.

In essence, the thesis analyzes the political motivation for the U.S. government to shape its trade policy toward China. It provides an in-depth analysis of possible consequences of revocation of China's MFN status if the U.S. adopts a get-tough policy in its relationship with Beijing.

Perceptions Of Competencies For Americorps Supervisors Within The Texas Agricultural Extension Service: An Exploratory Study, Ruben Javier Saldana

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

As a special project of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the AmeriCorps program requires special supervisional and management competencies on the part of supervising agents at the local level. This study tested 131 variables as indicators of high performance and surveyed all fourteen agent supervisors. Management areas were divided into structure, performance management, office management, and competencies. Exemplary supervisors were identified in a triangulation model that involved nominations by peers, immediate supervisors, and the AmeriCorps project director.

Findings were that the use of the plan of work and incorporation of project goals were highly related to high performance. Coaching behavior …

A Study Of Factors On The Performance Of The Texas Academic Skills Program Test, Billy B. Watkins

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

At least thirty percent of students who enter Texas public higher education each year have basic skills deficiencies and cannot perform effectively in college. The TASP Test was developed to identify these students. Moreover, this test must be passed in order to obtain a degree from a Texas public institution.

A survey of 150 entering freshmen from the University of Texas-Pan American was examined to identify variables that influence student performance on the TASP Test.

Chi-square tests uncovered academic, socioeconomic, and institutional bivariate relationships with TASP performance. Multiple regression analysis indicated that academic variables primarily predicted TASP performance.

Influence Of Social Context On Evaluation Of Municipal Service Delivery, Anahid Petrosian

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the influence of social context on the evaluation of municipal service delivery. It hypothesizes that those individuals who are more satisfied with their immediate surroundings also are more satisfied with the municipal services they receive. A stratified sample of 1.027 household telephone numbers in McAllen, Texas, was selected for this study. The telephone survey resulted in 542 successful interviews, representing a 52.4% response rate. The study's conclusions suggest that first, satisfaction with the neighborhood appears to affect the general level of satisfaction with public services. Second, there was no significant difference in services satisfaction level based on …

The Political Resources Model Of Representation: A Local Approach, Joe Manuel Cavazos

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of the study was to determine the applicability of the Political Resources Model of Representation to the Rio Grande Valley and to ascertain if political resources (poverty levels, educational attainment, and Hispanic representation) provide an adequate explanation of educational outcomes (ACT, TEAMS, and dropout rates).

The political Resources Model of Representation, used by Meier and Stewart, served as a theoretical framework for the study. Formerly, the model had been used at a national level and a state level. Representation variables were used to predict the applicability of the model to a region.

Political Resources variables were used to …

The New Deal Public Works Programs And Mexican-Americans In Mcallen, Texas, 1933-36, Irene Ledesma

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In an area like the Rio Grande Valley of Texas with a majority population of unskilled Mexican-Americans who generally worked for another group in trouble, the farmer, there was bound to be a high rate of unemployment during the Great Depression of the 1930's. Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration responded to unemployment with the several New Deal public works acts in 1933. The question then arises: what effect would such acts have on a majority group in an area where the minority population had political power?

Extensive use of county and city newspapers, a number of interviews, a short survey, and …