Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Evolution Of Education Policy In Missouri, Ivy Shen

Missouri Policy Journal

K-12 education policy refers to the laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern elementary and secondary education. It plays a critical role in shaping the quality and accessibility of learning for students. This paper examines the development of such a policy in Missouri. Specifically, the paper explores the governance and finance of public K-12 institutions, teacher preparation, and education for African American students. The paper concludes with key legislative issues that will likely shape Missouri education policy in the future.

Understanding Cyberbullying Behavior Pre- And Post-Covid-19: A Qualitative Assessment With Application To Missouri Policy, Sydney Tyler Lamb, Kristen N. Sobba

Missouri Policy Journal

Cyberbullying is a form of abuse that has become more prevalent with the increased use of social media and advancements in technology. The current study aimed to evaluate cyberbullying behavior and its impact on society before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to understanding Missouri policy within these two time frames. The variables included for the study were cyberbullying behavior/perpetration, cyber victimization, and demographics including age, gender, and race. A content analysis was conducted to examine the literature involving the aforementioned variables pre- and post-COVID. Each variable was separated into prior and current information sections to examine the literature …

Prison Privatization And Its Impacts On Inmate Quality Of Life: An Analysis Through Logan's Eight Dimensions Model, Hafsa Ahmed

Master in Public Administration Theses

This capstone paper delves deeply into the ramifications of prison privatization on inmates' quality of life in contracted immigration detention facilities. With the increasing inclination towards privatizing correctional institutions, especially immigration detention centers, a rigorous evaluation is indispensable to ascertain the ramifications of such privatizations on the welfare of incarcerated individuals. In this exploration, Logan's quality of confinement model is meticulously applied to selected immigration detention centers to scrutinize the living conditions and reveal profound insights into the quality of life experienced by inmates. This model allows a structured assessment of various dimensions such as safety, order, care, activity, management, …

Volume 40, Issue 1

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Narrative Policy Framework Analysis Of Lgbtq+ Adoptive Fathers’ Experiences In Georgia, Seft George Hunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face systemic discrimination and inconsistent policies when seeking to adopt, despite legal advancements and growing public support. Existing research has primarily focused on lesbian mothers or broadly on same-sex couples, with limited attention to LGBTQ+ fathers, especially those living in politically conservative states like Georgia. This gap in the literature limits the understanding of their adoption experiences and the development of responsive policies. The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore the barriers and success factors experienced by LGBTQ+ fathers in Georgia and to identify the federal, state, and local policies they viewed as …

Terrorism Financing In The Digital Age: The Illicit Exploitation Of Cryptocurrencies, Vesna Markovic

Justice, Law, and Public Safety Studies Department Faculty Articles

Terrorist groups rely on their ability to support their operations by financing training, securing infrastructure, transporting fighters, and acquiring weapons and munitions. This necessitates the pursuit of illicit funding sources to cover expenses. These funds cover the costs of logistics, use of safety, transportation of fighters, and acquisition of weapons and munitions to sustain their operations. In the past several decades, terrorist groups have employed various methods in their activities. In recent decades, terrorist groups have faced escalating challenges in this domain due to the tightening of oversight measures by law enforcement agencies targeting their financing channels. This has compelled …

Arab Americans’ Views Of Arab Lobbying Efforts Related To The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, Samar Farha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on ethnic lobbying has largely neglected the perspectives of Arab Americans, creating a disconnect between this community and their lobbying efforts. This gap is crucial because it threatens to widen the disconnect between Arab Americans and their lobbying groups, where effective lobbying depends on a unified message. Existing studies highlight this gap, pointing out the lack of unified organization and ongoing resource constraints that limit the influence of Arab American lobbyists on U.S. foreign policy. The purpose of this generic qualitative was to explore Arab Americans’ perceptions of their lobbying efforts and the factors shaping these perceptions based on …

Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol Policy And Related Health Impact Among College-Aged Individuals In South Carolina: A Scoping Review, Emily K. Luoma

Senior Theses

After the 2018 Farm Bill passed, loopholes were quickly found that led to the popularization of delta-8 THC, a derivative of delta-9 THC, more commonly known as marijuana. Use of this substance became particularly high in states that criminalized marijuana, such as South Carolina. This scoping review aimed to assess South Carolina’s current delta-8 policies in the context of health-related impacts among college-aged students. Comprehensively analyzing the results of relevant studies, it was determined that there are three commonly observed threats to public health that are direct outcomes of existing policies: 1) a lack of quality control standards; 2) misleading …

Financial Inclusion For Persons With Disabilities: Experiences Of Providers And Users Of Financial Products And Services In Kenya., Sheru W. Muuo, Bhavisha Virendrakumar, George Okello, Moses Chege, Vibian Angweny, Kenneth Gichohi, Hillary Kibet, Sally Nduta, Stevens Bechange, Elena Elena Schmidt

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background; Inclusion of persons with disabilities in financial products and services has been identified as an important step on the pathway to achieving the sustainable development goals. Evidence of how people with disabilities are included in financial products and services including strategies to improve their inclusion in low and middle-income countries is limited. We draw on qualitative data to to understand the experiences of providing and using financial products and services from the perspectives of persons with disabilities and representatives of different financial institutions in Nairobi and Migori counties of Kenya.

Methods ;Eighty-one persons with disabilities (49.4% < 35 years, 57% female) were purposively sampled to take part in 10 focus group discussions. Additionally, 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with financial institution representatives. Data were collected between July and September 2022 and analysed thematically.

Results ; Participants …

Research On Emergency Intelligence Risk Traceability From The Perspective Of Three Dimensional Space, Yizhou Liu, Wei Huang

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance]How to leverage the high value of intelligent intelligence technology and services for risk traceability analysis in the context of large-scale emergency situations is an urgent challenge that needs to be addressed in the governance of risks in an intelligent society. [Method/process]Based on the theory of ternary space, the risk of emergencies is divided into three dimensions: physical space, social space, and information space. Intelligent intelligence technologies such as large model causal relationship extraction, complex network analysis, and natural language processing are applied to collect and analyze emergency intelligence. A risk traceability model is constructed for seven elements including event …

Comparative Analysis Of Municipal Fragmentation: Economic Impacts Of St. Louis And Louisville Metro Regions Since 2000, Jason C. Sides, James A. Newman

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.

Missouri Policy Journal -Volume 2, Issue 2 (2025) -Full Issue, Lindenwood University

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.

Strengthening Local Health Systems And Governance For Universal Health Coverage: Experiences And Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic Response In Quezon City, Philippines, Esperanza Anita Escano-Arias, Ramona Asuncion D.G. Abarquez, Rolando V. Cruz, Rosalie Espeleta, Madeline Mae Ong, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Veincent Christian Pepito, Vida Gomez, Manuel M. Dayrit

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the Philippines's transition toward universal health coverage. However, some local government units in the country made use of the pandemic as a catalyst to strengthen their local health system, scale-up the provision of preventive and primary care services, and improve health governance to make it more prepared to face future pandemics and realize the aims of the country's new Universal Healthcare Act. This paper describes the response of the local government of Quezon City, Philippines, to COVID-19 and how it strengthened local health systems. We also discuss enablers such as partnerships, collaborations, and foresight to …

Protecting Female Workers Amidst The Controversy Of Cheap Labor Market: A Comparative Advantage Analysis In Southeast Asia, Dita Nur Safitri

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

In Southeast Asia, the cheap labor market is frequently mentioned as one of the comparative advantages that drive growth in the economy. However, this market frequently employs harmful labour practices against female workers. This study investigates the intersection of gender, labour practices, and economic advantages in the region, concentrating on the obstacles and protective measures for female workers. The key objective of this study is to examine how female workers are protected in Southeast Asia's low-wage labour markets, as well as to assess the effectiveness of these safeguards in preventing exploitation and improving working conditions. This study uses a comparative …

Supreme Court Gives States The Green Light To Go Ham: The Dormant Commerce Clause In Renewable Energy In Light Of National Pork Producers, Ellie Carl

Michigan Journal of Environmental & Administrative Law

Two years ago, the Supreme Court slaughtered the Dormant Commerce Clause in its decision in National Pork Producers v. Ross. While the case is not explicitly about environmental law, it significantly affects environmental laws and policies, especially pertaining to state renewable portfolio standards. These state policies are especially prone to Dormant Commerce Clause litigation, given the interstate nature of electric grids. This paper argues that the scope of the Dormant Commerce Clause in light of this decision is appropriate for ensuring that states have adequate wiggle room in renewable energy regulation, but not an excessive amount of leeway so …

Navigating Challenges: Public Community College Leadership In The Face Of Existential Crisis, Sarah Lynne Lupton-Houston

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

This study answers the question: "When faced with an existential crisis, indicated by declines in key performance indicators, how do public leaders make decisions?" The research uses the Garbage Can Model and Incrementalism combined theoretical framework to explore how public administrators navigate crises in complex, hierarchical, and bureaucratic structures where unpredictable challenges often demand adaptive responses. This study offers insights into decision-making processes that blend reactive, opportunistic choices with measured, gradual adjustments.

The findings from this research contribute to the field of public administration by examining the decision-making strategies used by leaders at public community colleges in Virginia during a …

Aging In Somerville: A Community Needs Assessment, Ceara Somerville, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the City of Somerville. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Somerville residents age 60 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to the Council on Aging’s (COA’s) objective to identify and serve the needs of all Somerville citizens 60 and older.

Does Name, Image, And Likeness Increase Gender Inequality In College Athletics?, Aimee Christenson

Political Science Theses and Capstones

In June of 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association adopted its first interim policy regarding Name, Image, and Likeness. From here, college athletes have been able to benefit from opportunities regarding their brand as an athlete. While this development has been historic in its expansion of rights to athletes, it highlights the inequities between male and female athletes. Title IX requires equal opportunity for male and female students. This research raises questions about whether NIL is increasing the disparity between male and female athletes. To answer this question, I looked at NIL data collected by Kyle Ems on the NIL …

Missourians’ Opinions And Behavioral Changes After The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade, Rana Jordan, Hisako Matsuo

Missouri Policy Journal

The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade and the rise in restrictive abortion laws across the United States has caused a division across all communities, including citizens, politicians, and healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to learn the opinions and behavioral changes of birthing people since the overturning of Roe. This study utilized a cross-sectional online survey to explore the opinions and behavioral changes of birthing people after the overturning of Roe. The survey instrument covered the opinions and behavioral changes of Americans regarding abortion access, birth control access, willingness to share information with healthcare provider(s), and use …

Restoring Trust: What The Missouri Supreme Court And Andragogy Can Teach The United States Supreme Court, Grant J. Shostak

Missouri Policy Journal

Confidence in the United States Supreme Court has reached an all-time low. Efforts by the Court to restore confidence, such as making a statement concerning ethics and adopting a non-binding code of conduct, seem ineffectual in restoring confidence. Andragogy, the art and science of teaching adults, may prove useful in helping to restore confidence in the Supreme Court. As the Supreme Court educates adults through its decisions, it may utilize and adapt andragogical concepts within the confines of the judicial setting to help restore confidence in its decisions and operations. The Missouri Supreme Court has implemented a number of andragogically-consistent …

Beyond The Suburban Ideal: Addressing Southern California’S Strained Affordable Housing Market Through Density Bonus Programs, Alissa Larue

School of Public Policy Capstones

This study examines how expanding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) could serve as an effective policy solution to address the housing affordability crisis. In San Diego, a Bonus Program has been implemented to incentivize the construction of affordable ADUs by relaxing burdensome regulations. A Differences-in-Differences approach using two-way fixed effects is employed to evaluate the program's effectiveness in promoting ADU development, using city-level data from San Diego and Los Angeles counties. ADU permit applications serve as a key indicator of policy impact. The findings strongly suggest that the Bonus Program influenced increasing ADU permit applications in San Diego. Because the model …

Reserve Officer Training Corps Officers’ Perspectives On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusionary Practices In Commissioning Minority Officers In The U.S. Military, Christopher Tompkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of research on Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) officers’ practices using diversity, equity, and inclusionary (DEI) in commissioning minority officers in the U.S. military. This deficiency of literature and research illustrates the necessity to explore ROTC officers' perspectives of practices in this context. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore ROTC officers’ perspectives on DEI practices related to commissioning minority officers in the U.S. military. The conceptual framework was grounded in critical race theory and aversive racism theory. The research question was focused on ROTC officers' perspectives on DEI …

Holding Ground In The Cerulean Tide: Minority Party Legislators' Strategies For Advancing Climate Policies In Landslide States, Sukjae Lee

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation addresses a key puzzle: Why do states sometimes adopt nationally polarized policies, such as climate change legislation, even when doing so does not align with strict partisan interests? The analysis focuses on “landslide states,” where a single party overwhelmingly dominates, and the minority party cannot realistically expect to gain a majority. In these environments, reduced partisan conflict allows minority party legislators to break from traditional partisan paths. As a result, I argue that electoral motivations drive them to signal moderation by advancing liberal policy agendas or incorporating provisions that minimize backlash from their core constituents in landslide states. …

How Do School-Level Dynamics Impact Mainstreaming Practices In American Schools?, Natalie M. Watson

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

How do school-level dynamics impact the everyday experiences of students with disabilities, compared to their abled peers? Extant research has mostly focused on the experiences of individual students with disabilities, and their teachers. We know far less about how school-level dynamics shape students’ experiences. Historically, American schools formally separated students with and without disabilities, though the specific mode varied over time -- ranging from explicit institutionalization to segregation in special education programs. At least since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, efforts to educate students with disabilities alongside their abled peers in mainstreamed settings have increased …

Do Political Party Voter Contact & Gotv Efforts Increase Voter Turnout?, Cody Gunsalus

Political Science Theses and Capstones

While the disconnect between potential voters and those who represent them has grown, parties have spent billions of dollars and millions of hours on voter contact. My question is how effective is pre-election voter contact in increasing voter turnout? What party is most effective at voter turnout? Does the impact of voter contact differ based on education? Is it more effective depending upon age or gender? And how has it changed over time? To address these questions, I analyze National Election Studies (NES) data. The NES has surveyed the national electorate in every national election since 1948. Preliminary analysis has …

Deportation And Immigration Enforcement In The United States: Analysis Of Regional And Country Variations, Exmond Ofori Sarpiah

Political Science Theses and Capstones

This study examines the motivations behind President Trump’s mass deportation policies due to the inflow of undocumented migrants from different regions in America. The study employs data visualization techniques, such as scatter plot and bar charts, to analyze regional and country variation trends in migrant removals and undocumented populations across global regions.

Challenges In Higher Education For Latino U.S - Born Children Of Undocumented Immigrants, Lupita Gomez Benitez

Senior Theses

Latino native-born children of undocumented immigrants in the United States occupy a unique position within American society. They are citizens by birth and therefore, entitled to all the rights of a regular citizen. However, society does not treat them as such due to their parents' legal status. This paper analyzes the barriers that these students face during the higher education process, specifically in South Carolina. The study uses a review of existing literature and qualitative interviews to uncover some of these challenges and why these students do not ask for help. The findings suggest that these students do have certain …

Deference Or Preference: Analyzing The Treatment Of Chevron U.S.A., Inc. V. Nrdc As A Precedent At The Supreme Court, Allison Dehart

Senior Theses

Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. is one of the most cited Supreme Court cases in history, with over 18,000 citations in federal courts alone (Merrill, 2012). It has reached doctrinal status and was widely considered a vital precedent, one that guided the fields of environmental and administrative law. However, in June of 2024, the Supreme Court released their opinion in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned Chevron. With the ubiquity of Chevron in US Courts, this decision caused widespread confusion and worry over what would replace the precedent. In an era where environmental …

"Health Gatekeepers": The Influence Of Women On Health Practices In Rural, Central Appalachia, Reese Lycan

Senior Theses

Women have historically assumed leadership roles in familial and community health promotion, intervention, and facilitation. While the role of women in family health is globally understood and the historical importance of female leadership has been documented, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding the role of women as “health gatekeepers”. Furthermore, when considering the Appalachian region, there are limited studies regarding women’s place in leadership as far as health is concerned. Therefore, this study employs a hermeneutic phenomenological framework to explore the lived experiences of women in relation to their family and community’s health in rural, Central Appalachia- a region …

Campaign Finance Reform At The State Level, Darren Borsini

School of Public Policy Capstones

Should restrictions on campaign financing in the United States be laissez-faire or stringent? This debate has been had at levels as high as the Supreme Court and as wide as the legislative chambers of all fifty states. This paper aims to create a broader understanding of campaign finance reform at the state level. Specifically, this paper analyzes state-level data on campaign finance reform adoption, educational attainment, and partisan lean to determine the strength of correlations between these variables. Additionally, this paper utilizes expert knowledge gained through interviews focused on campaign finance reform with a former FPPC chair and a California …