Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Socioeconomic Potential: Predicting Income Through The Moderating Effect Of Socioeconomic Status On Social Capital, Virginia K. Leiter

Theses and Dissertations

Social capital is an important predictor of socioeconomic attainment, defined here as household income, but it is less clear how this relationship may vary by socioeconomic status (SES). Coleman's (1988) theory of social capital suggests that context is likely to influence exchanges of capital. Indeed, theory and research suggest that SES may either intensify or compensate for social capital in its relation to socioeconomic attainment. I seek to identify and understand these potential interactions using data from 101,163 participants of the European Social Survey (ESS). Results indicate that while social trust and both absolute and relative social involvement--two common measurements …

The Impacts Of Local Schools On Experience Of Community, Ciera M. Galbraith

Theses and Dissertations

This study expands upon the research regarding the role of schools in the local community to include how they impact experience of community. Current literature and school-related legislation focus on schools as facilities for education and socialization; little research has been done to look at how schools may influence how individuals experience community. To look at the possibility of this relationship, this study uses the 2017 Rural Utah Community Study to examine how residents view local education, schools, and degrees in addition to their experience of community through community attachment, community satisfaction, and community desirability. I find that residents' views …

Lack Of Quality Civic Education In Public Schools In The United States, Sydney Ward

Ballard Brief

A lack of quality civic education affects nearly every K-12 student in the United States. The content and methods of civic education curriculum focus on memorization, lecture, and textbook learning, creating an ineffective learning method for students. Teachers are met with polarized classrooms and communities, creating hesitancy to approach political topics while inequity in funding between states and districts leaves schools without consistent resources or emphasis on civics. legislative policies and nonprofit organizations have dictated some of civic education's most recent standards and practices, though this federal approach has not been universally adopted in local classrooms. As a result of …

Child Labor In Myanmar, Alyssa Augustus

Ballard Brief

In Myanmar, there are approximately 1.1 million children between the ages of 5 to 17 involved in child labor. Domestic demand, familial poverty, Myanmar's education system, government laws, and filial piety perpetuate the employment of children. Child laborers suffer from physical health issues, are more likely to drop-out of school, and stall the growth of a skilled labor force in Myanmar. Focusing on educating child workers and re-funding the Myanmar Program on the Elimination of Child Labor can eliminate the number of children involved in the employment sector.

Exploring Differences Of Age And Gender On Perceived Experience Of Active Participation Cybersecurity Learning, James Lakko

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many organizations including the United States government have identified a shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the workforce. This thesis explores the effectiveness of escape room/simulation based learning in an active participation and immersive education to motivate pursuing cybersecurity. A survey was administered to the participants of the 2021 BYU Cybersecurity Camp regarding their experience in the Interactive Cybersecurity Experience (ICE). The ICE is a simulator/escape room that challenges participants to complete a Star Trek themed mission by overcoming cybersecurity obstacles. The three demographics that were surveyed included a camp for educators, a camp for boys, and a camp for girls. …

Racial Inequality In Public School Discipline For Black Students In The United States, Emily Peterson

Ballard Brief

Racial bias and limited teacher training all influence how teachers and administrators react to Black student misbehavior. In addition, recently implemented institutional practices like zero-tolerance policies and increased emphasis on school security have also contributed to increases in the rate of disciplinary measures, especially suspension, for Black students. Experience with school discipline can significantly harm student academic achievement and increase the likelihood of Black students dropping out of school. More involvement with school discipline on the student's part is also associated with more serious consequences including decreased likelihood of enrollment in higher education and increased likelihood of involvement with the …

Diary Of An Afghan Woman Collection - September 2021

TSOS Interview Gallery

Four women share with us their daily lives in Afghanistan. Join them as they express their love for the country, the people, and each other; and as they share with you their deepest fears and most intimate moments.

They refuse to be silenced as they journey through this new, uncharted chapter in Afghanistan's history.

We at TSOS are honored to provide a platform for their voices to be heard. We will post entries as we receive them. For safety purposes, names have been changed and only avatars (designed with input from each woman) will be used.

ZOYA

Zoya is a …

Educational Disparities Among Racial And Ethnic Minority Youth In The United States, Lauren Bushnell

Ballard Brief

While the gap in high school completion has narrowed over time. the percentage of Black and Hispanic high school graduates is still significantly less than that of their White counterparts. Throughout the nation, minority students experience disparities in their educational experience that directly impact their long-term learning and success. The most significant contributors to educational disparities amongst the nation's racial and ethnic minorities include poverty, segregation and racial school districting, inadequate language resources for English language learners. bullying. and lack of access to health resources. The consequences of educational disparities among these minorities include continued poverty, decreased college enrollment and …

Roboethics In Covid-19: A Case Study In Dentistry, Wendy C. Birmingham, Yaser Maddahi, Maryam Kalvandi, Sofya Langman, Nicole Capicotto, Kourosh Zareinia

Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic effects on the healthcare system, businesses, and education. In many countries, businesses were shut down, universities and schools had to cancel in-person classes, and many workers had to work remotely and socially distance in order to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures opened the door for technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence to play an important role in minimizing the negative effects of such closures. There have been many efforts in the design and development of robotic systems for applications such as disinfection and eldercare. Healthcare education has seen a lot …

Lack Of Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Women And Girls In East Africa, Lizzie Kearon

Ballard Brief

Women and girls in East Africa, as well as many other parts of the world, live in a culture where menstruation and reproductive health are not discussed. This is because menstruation and anything related to it is considered taboo. Both women and girls often do not understand the reproductive cycle of their bodies or know how to manage their menstruation. Girls commonly miss or drop out of school because they do not understand what is happening to them or are unaware of how to hygienically manage their natural cycle. The issue is perpetuated by menstrual hygiene products being expensive and …

Mental Health Concerns In Armenia, Morgan Rushford, Sara Jensen

Ballard Brief

Armenia is one of many countries whose population faces mental health struggles to a relatively high degree. However, the extent of these struggles is relatively unknown due to the country's underreporting of recent, accurate data on mental health statistics. Armenia's mental health crisis can be attributed to many factors. some of which include residual trauma from various events in the country's history (such as the Armenian Genocide and the earthquake of 1988), domestic violence, perpetuation of cultural stigmas that keep individuals from seeking help for mental illness, and lack of resources and healthcare infrastructure. A few of the most prominent …

Indigenous Adult Illiteracy In The Andean Region Of South America, Alexa Ballard

Ballard Brief

Indigenous adult illiteracy is often prevalent in poorer, less economically stable regions, such as the Andean Region of South America, specifically Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. The issue stems from several factors, such as language discrepancies, high dropout rates, and lack of access to quality education. Consequently, illiterate indigenous adults are more likely to suffer from poor health and low-quality employment. Women are more likely to suffer domestic violence and discrimination, and in general, illiteracy for both men and women contributes to decreased civic engagement and economic stability. Several programs currently exist to help illiterate individuals in the Andean Region, such …

Child Labor Trafficking In The Volta Region Of Ghana, Cadee Wambolt

Ballard Brief

Ghana's Lake Volta region is home to over 20,000 child slaves. Due to a combination of preexisting social problems and a distortion of old cultural practices. a dangerous cycle of human trafficking and child labor is occurring. Most of the child slaves on Lake Volta are doing work that is considered hazardous. In fact, Lake Volta attracts a lot of attention for its reputation as an especially traumatic and abusive avenue for child trafficking. Due to its particularly dangerous and abusive nature. these victims of child trafficking are subject to extreme levels of abuse. trauma. death and disease. and a …

Shurooq, Shurooq, Brandi Kilmer, Sherianne Schow, Nicole Taylor, Sasha Sloan

TSOS Interview Gallery

Shurooq fled Iraq and came to the United States when she was 12. Iraq was a beautiful place full of family and celebration. Her brother passed away from leukemia 1 1/2 years prior to coming to the States. Prior to his death, their father took him to Syria to for treatment. He passed in Syria. Although the family had applied for a medical visa to the United States, upon Shurooq’s brother’s passing, they received threats and knew they could not stay. The call came for the visa and all but her mother were able to come. Thankfully her mother arrived …

Educational Disparities Among Girls In India, Jenna Cook

Ballard Brief

There are great educational disparities among girls in India. Low literacy rates and lack of education are some of the inequalities found in this demographic. Many of these girls are raised without the expectation that they will complete their education, and since they become the mothers of the next generation, educational disparities become a cyclical. intergenerational issue. Many other factors contribute to the lack of education, such as cultural values, child marriage, a scarcity of feminine hygiene products, and child labor. The continued shortage of formal education among young females leads to poverty, decreased child well-being, health issues, and increased …

Lack Of Educational Opportunities For The Roma People In Eastern Europe, Morgan Selander, Emily Walter

Ballard Brief

The Roma people constitute one of the largest ethnic minorities in Europe, with 10 to 12 million Roma in the European Union as of 2016. Although they make up a large part of Europe, it has been difficult for the Roma people to fully integrate into society, causing educational gaps between Roma and native children. One contributing factor to this educational disparity is discrimination. both racial and social, against the Roma people: this is also closely tied to Roma placement in inferior, special education schools. Additionally. some cultural traditions of the Roma (such as their occupations, migratory patterns, and early …

Differences In Immigrant Education By Destination Country: An Analysis Of Turkish Immigrants' Perception Of And Performance In Math And Science, Lisa Turley Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines how the country to which Turkish immigrant students immigrate affects their educational outcomes – specifically, math and science test scores and four constructed variables that measure how much students enjoy math and science and their self-rated confidence in the subjects. I use data from the 2003, 2006, 2012, and 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) exams. I examine Turkish immigrant students living in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark.

My findings are consistent with prior research showing that immigrant student test scores vary by destination country. I also find that Turkish immigrant students’ perceptions of math …

What Are Stakeholders' Perceptions Of Rural School District Needs To Effectively Educate Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kari Lyn Pugh

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has continued to rise each year. This fact has significance in the area of education. The rise in prevalence of autism means an increase of students with autism in schools. Educators have the need to be prepared to provide an appropriate education for these students but may not have training or resources to be effective. Rural communities may have even more concerns about education for students with ASD due to geographic isolation and the lack of available educators in their area trained to support the specific needs of these students. To determine the …

Sexual Violence Against Female College Students In The United States, Lauren Wolters, Macy Smith

Ballard Brief

Sexual violence against female college students is a prevelant and deep-rooted issue across universities in the us. Despite an increase in attention from the federal government. it is predicted that 1 in 4 women will experience sexual violence as undergeradute students. A pattern of university negligence surrounding cases of sexual violence suggests that universities prioritize securing funding and protecting perpetrators over aiding victims and preventing sexual assault. Several other factors contribute to the occurence of sexual violence including dangerous fraternity traditions. extensive alcohol and drug use among college students, and vast normalization of sexual violence-but the only true cause of …

Elevated School Dropout Rates In Rural China, Mollie Bradley

Ballard Brief

Children in the rural provinces of northern and western China face challenges in obtaining educational opportunities that could aid them in overcoming their poverty-ridden upbringing. These challenges come due to inherent inequalities between the rural and urban regions of China. which stem from a historical diversion of resources from the western to eastern provinces. The factors that specifically affect students and their families as they strive to attend school and gain a quality education are the lack of properly trained and motivated teachers. the high cost of schooling borne by families. the economic inequality of rural and urban provinces, the …

Inadequate Residential Care For Children In Cambodia, Madison Coleman

Ballard Brief

Residential care institutions, or orphanages, are becoming increasingly more common in Cambodia. These institutions are not closely monitored by the Cambodian government. causing many children to be raised in unsafe and inadequate environments. The vast majority of the children living in these orphanages have at least one living parent but are being sent to live in an institution because their parents cannot afford to provide for their material needs or their education. The donations of time and money from foreigners. as well as the relative ease of implementing institutions rather than alternative care. also contribute to the increasing number of …

Linguistic Neglect Of Deaf Children In The United States, Mishonne Marks

Ballard Brief

Most deaf children in the United States are born to hearing parents who are not familiar with Deaf culture or American Sign Language (ASL). As a result. deaf children are in danger of experiencing linguistic neglect. meaning they do not receive sufficient language input. This linguistic neglect is typically unintentional and can be a result of deaf history, institutionalized oppression, current stigmas, and educational inequality. Linguistic neglect can result in deaf children experiencing decreased mental health, stunted cognitive development. poor academic performance. and employment difficulties. Several organizations are currently working to address and prevent linguistic neglect by spreading deaf awareness, …

Chronic Poverty Among Youth In The United States, Kara Reed

Ballard Brief

In the United States, 15.5 million children are living in poverty. The more time children spend in poverty, the more likely they are to continue to experience poverty as an adult. The cycle of intergenerational and chronic poverty is perpetuated by various factors. such as unsatisfied basic needs. lack of access to quality education, and issues related to underemployment and unemployment. As a result. youth in poverty are more likely to perform poorly in school, be exposed to and affected by crime. and experience health problems. Some leading practices for poverty focus on strengthening the quality of early childhood education. …

Learning Outlines And Teacher Training: A Difference-In-Differences Evaluation Of Pratham Government Partnerships In India, Victoria Beecroft

Undergraduate Honors Theses

India is working to improve learning in primary schools. In this paper, I evaluate the impact of partnerships between Pratham, an education-centered NGO, and Indian government schools. Using a difference-in-differences design to examine the impact of the partnership in Uttar Pradesh, I find a positive short-run effect (a 7% increase in test scores) using state-wide ASER data, and I find inconclusive effects using data restricted to government schools. Considering channels through which the partnerships may impact student learning, I conclude that the program shows potential to have positive, longer-term effects.

2020 Children's Story Cards, Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Arif: "I like being in school again."

Norina: "We laugh a lot but I also worry."

Nooda: "I came on a boat. It was a big boat!"

Madina: "I just want to live in a safe place..."

Shurangez: "Sometimes we didn't feel safe at school."

Alex: "I'm from Nigeria. Coming to Italy was very difficult-very, very difficult, a real struggle."

Danial: "I want to be a useful person and follow my dreams."

Firoz: "I am 13 years old and I am worried about my family."

Ali: "Ali lived in Afghanistan. One day while walking to school a bomb exploded near …

In An Era Of Uncertainty: Impact Of Covid-19on Dental Education, Wendy C. Birmingham, Man Hung, Frank W. Licari, Eric S. Hon, Evelyn Lauren, Sharon Su, Lori L. Wadsworth, Jane H. Lassetter, Tyler C. Graff, William Harman, William B. Carroll, Martin S. Lipsky

Faculty Publications

Purpose/Objectives:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemicarguably represents the worst public health crisis of the 21stcentury. However,no empirical study currently exists in the literature that examines the impact ofthe COVID-19 pandemic on dental education. This study evaluated the impactof COVID-19 on dental education and dental students’ experience.Methods:An anonymous online survey was administrated to professionaldental students that focused on their experiences related to COVID-19. Thesurvey included questions about student demographics, protocols for schoolreopening and student perceptions of institutional responses, student concerns,and psychological impacts.Results:Among the 145 respondents, 92.4% were pre-doctoral dental studentsand 7.6% were orthodontic residents; 48.2% were female and 12.6% students livedalone …

Homelessness In The United States, Cassie Hall

Ballard Brief

Homelessness is an issue for individuals all across the country who lack stable housing and the finances for other necessities like water. food and safety. Homelessness occurs for several reasons. including poverty, mental illness. and substance abuse. Many negative outcomes have been reported as a result of homelessness. including negative impacts on physical health, worsening of mental illness. worsening of substance abuse. and negative outcomes for children and youth. Several practices have been implemented to avoid such outcomes including emergency shelters. food kitchens. transitional housing, and Housing First approaches. Practices in Housing First have the greatest impact to report.

Girls' Access To Education In Ghana, Harper Forsgren, Asia Haslam, Shelby Hunt, Nathan Heim, Andrew Wirkus

Ballard Brief

Lack of access to education negatively impacts a person's development in a number of ways and leads to fewer opportunities and increased risks for the individual. Females are disproportionately affected by the lack of gender equality in Ghana's educational system. This inequality comes as a result of practices such as child marriage, child labor, inadequate training of teachers. the inability to accommodate for girls' menstruation cycles at school, and hidden costs of sending children to school. All of these factors are confounded by social norms that tend to see female education as less valuable and thus more disposable than male …

Usage Of Electronic Cigarettes Among Youth In The United States, Cade Hyde

Ballard Brief

Electronic cigarette usage among youth in the United States has been rising at an increasingly large rate in recent years. Usage rates of electronic cigarettes (hereafter referred to as e-cigarettes) doubled among high school students in a 4 year span from 2013 to 2017. The year following, the percentage of high school students using e-cigarettes doubled again: in 2018, 20.8% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes. as compared to 11.7% in 2017. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently 1 in 5 high school students consistently use e-cigarettes. making them the most-used type of …

Substance Abuse Among College Students In The United States, Sam Lofgran

Ballard Brief

College students are one of the largest groups of substance abusers in the United States. Many turn to substances to deal with mental illness and academic stress, particularly using study drugs to help with their academics. Students are exposed to drugs because of party culture and Greek life, where substance abuse is much more common. Substance abuse impacts many of these students' education, leading them to get lower grades and struggle academically. It also results in more emergency room visits due to substance abuse and addictions. Long-term drug abuse often leads to long-term health problems as well. Universities and outside …