Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

Broadening Students’ Perceptions Of Conflict: The Challenge Of Metaphorical Change, Justin D. Walton

Administrative Issues Journal

This qualitative investigation examined the semester long effects of a critical transformative pedagogy on students’ metaphorical understandings of conflict interaction. The study included five university conflict management seminars taught over a four year period. Findings revealed that (a) while most students entered the course with predominantly negative and oppositional perceptions of conflict, the use of a critical transformative pedagogy did indeed (b) help support new metaphorical understandings of conflict interaction and (c) supported instances of personal empowerment and expanded self-knowledge. Implications and suggestions for future research are considered.

Graduate Students’ Evaluation Of The Character And Caring Of Their Instructors, Dan Shepherd

Administrative Issues Journal

Recent research concludes that student-teacher relationships are foundational for greater instructional effectiveness and its concomitant increase in overall student achievement or learning. Similarly, research seems to demonstrate conclusively that trust is a vital component in the development of strong relationships. Recently, 488 current participants and recent graduates of an online and blended Master of Education program were surveyed about their perceptions of their instructors’ character and concern for them as individuals. Survey respondents were public school teachers. Based on the survey’s results, the personal qualities and characteristics that graduate students most seem to prefer in their instructors when determining their …

Rethinking Professional Development Training Through Mentoring Relationships, Tania Marie-Cecile Benoiton

Administrative Issues Journal

This proposal looks at teacher mentorship and how it is manifested in different school environments. Grid and Group Theory provides the basis of discerning the cultural forces at play within the respective school environments. The theoretical framework will highlight the data collection process. Rather than being a secondary asset, mentorship should become a primary resource for the professional development of teachers, novice and veteran alike. Each school faces challenges that are unique to their environment which calls for the use of inhouse resources to engage the educator on multiple levels. The proposal reports preliminary findings and concludes on with a …

An Exploration Of The Validity Of Inferences Made From The Interpersonal And Social Empathy Index (Isei), Kateeka Harris, Celia M. Wilson

Administrative Issues Journal

Social empathy is the ability to understand other people by perceiving or experiencing their life situations, thus providing an opportunity to gain insight into social inequalities. Institutions of higher education have unique opportunities to engage students in socially just educational conversations that challenge negative social biases of others who are not like them. The current study investigated the validity of the inferences made from the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index (ISEI), a common tool used to explore levels of empathy among college students. A comparison was then made between the original constructs described by the instrument developers (Segal et. al., …

The Challenge Of Organizational Change: Before, During, And After, Richard Parsells

Administrative Issues Journal

Aligning with the theme of this conference, this paper addresses actions, as reported in the literature, that are purported to assist organizations in successfully accomplishing change initiatives. This paper presents factors related to the development of a robust culture for the handling of change, actions to be taken during a change, and suggestions for action after a change. Implications for practice are explored.

Using Emergence Theory-Based Curriculum To Teach Compromise Skills To Students With Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Lance Fein, Don Jones

Administrative Issues Journal

This study addressed the compromise skills taught to students with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and related social and communication deficits. A private school in the southeastern United States implemented an emergence theory-based curriculum to address these skills, but no formal analysis was conducted to determine its effectiveness. Guided by cognitive development and constructivist theories, a concurrent, mixed-methods case study design was used to investigate the impact of this curriculum on teaching compromise skills to middle school students with ASD and related deficits. Teacher observations and compromise interventions were open coded and analyzed thematically using descriptive statistics. For the quantitative sequence, …

Performance Theory And Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness, Jeffrey Aulgur

Administrative Issues Journal

This abridged article reports on a review of the literature of performance theory and its relationship to the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Specifically, the article explores the challenges in defining organizational effectiveness in the Third Sector due to the wide disparity in the size, scope and mission of nonprofit organizations. The following theoretical models, and their application to the Third Sector, are explored: Agency Theory, Resource Dependency Theory, Group/Decision Process Theory, Stakeholder Theory, Institutional Theory, Policy Governance Theory and Contingency Theory. The review indicates there is not a single theory or hypothesis capable of meeting the challenges of nonprofit governance. …

An Analysis Of Fertilizer Markets In Bric Countries, Robert Lloyd

Administrative Issues Journal

Over the previous decade the collection of countries known as the BRIC nations has worked together to advance social and economic agendas. These four nations represent unique challenges and immense opportunities for MNC’s searching to expand their business into these countries. This paper reviews these opportunities and challenges in the context of the fertilizer industry and provides an overall outlook for this international market. Recommendations are provided for how an international business might succeed in each of the BRIC nations.

An Investigation Of Factors Contributing To All But Dissertation Status: Doctor Of Education Students, Jacqueline M. Gaffner, Celia M. Wilson

Administrative Issues Journal

Literature regarding advanced degree completion illustrates multiple factors attributing to completion or abandonment of dissertation research. Contributing factors are typically linked to the environment associated with the institution in which a doctoral candidate is enrolled, or personality characteristics held by individual candidates. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gather data from current doctoral candidates regarding factors that inhibited their completion of the doctor of education degree. Initial responses from participants appeared to confirm findings from similar research studies exploring dissertation non-completers. Most participants noted personal factors for non-completion, while a few mentioned institutional factors. In order to …

Leadership Opportunities In Education For Individuals With Disabilities, Sean Daniel Kinder

Administrative Issues Journal

This study examines the perceptions of individuals with disabilities concerning employment opportunities as administrative leaders in public school contexts. A discussion of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as well as the definition of what is considered a legal disability, as provided in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additionally, this piece explains Critical Disability Theory as a theoretical lens that provides perspective and highlights the methods used in the data collection process. It reports preliminary findings and concludes with a discussion of why this educational issue is of significance.

Experiential Learning Approaches To Principles Of Management, Robert Lloyd

Administrative Issues Journal

This paper describes a lesson plan that can be used in an undergraduate course in principles of management. The lesson plan helps students learn the basic concepts of management and the functions performed by managers – planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Through traditional lecture and classroom discussion, the students will better understand these concepts. This lesson plan also helps students recognize these functions through observation. Finally, to ensure that student’s have fully internalized each function of management, they will have the opportunity to apply the concepts through a group project. Upon completion of this lesson plan, the students should be …

The Trade-Offs Between Population Density And Households' Transportation-Housing Costs, Haizhong Wang

PSU Transportation Seminars

As metropolitan area governments and others promote density-promoting “smart growth” policies, finer analysis is needed to quantify the impact of such policies on households' transportation and housing costs. Existing research suggests that households in urban areas trade-off between housing costs and transportation costs, but does not explore how policies to increase urban densities might explicitly impact this balance. Furthermore, the research does not adequately distinguish between the effect of urban area density and the effects of other factors associated with urban area density (e.g metropolitan area size and household incomes) on housing costs. This research uses the 2000 Census Public …

Research Brief: "Receipt Of Employment Services Among Veterans Health Administration Users With Psychiatric Diagnoses", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that about four percent (4.2%) of VHA users with psychiatric diagnoses accessed employment services in a given year. VHA patients with a psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia had higher odds of accessing employment services relative to VHA users with other psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD, depression, and other anxiety disorders. In practice, veterans should be aware that receiving VHA employment services should not affect VA benefits and should discuss their medical and financial benefits with benefits advisors and other appropriate advisors. In policy, Policymakers could consider allocating funds to further study the efficacy and effectiveness of various employment services …

Outstanding Educational Performance Awards: Highlighting High-Achieving Arkansas Schools, 2015, Charlene A. Reid, Gary W. Ritter

Arkansas Education Reports

In this report, we are presenting a list of the top 25 schools in each area. In some cases, these “top 25 lists” will contain more than 25 schools as some schools’ GPA scores will be identical. This is not a new phenomenon, as we also exceeded 25 schools in previous reports when using the percent proficient and advanced metric as an indicator for student achievement; however, there are fewer ties using the more precise GPA measure.

Science exams were only administered in grades 5, 7, and to students completing Biology. There are very different performance patterns by grade: Fifth …

Warren County, Kentucky - Tax Records (Mss 548), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 548. Bound volume recording local taxes paid by residents of Warren County, Kentucky for 1939. Includes names and addresses of both white and African American residents.

Bowling Green, Kentucky - Improvement Assessment Bond (Sc 2945), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2945. City of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Improvement Assessment Bond, Winfield Acres Subdivision Water and Sanitary Sewer Project of 1969, with face value of $1,000, maturing 1 October 1990. Includes six $40 coupons and envelope. Also includes one $35 coupon for interest due on Improvement Assessment Bond, Thoroughbred Acres Subdivision Sanitary and Water Project of 1973, dated 1 April 1974 and maturing on 1 April 1993.

A Way Around The Divided House Majority, Charles L. Weise, Bruce A. Larson

Economics Faculty Publications

For observers of the U.S. Congress, the inability of Republicans to unite behind a candidate for speaker has been by turn fascinating, exasperating, and frightening. When and if a candidate is finally chosen, Republicans will breathe a sigh of relief, as will many commentators. The real crisis, however, will have just begun. [excerpt]

The Backstory: How Livablestreets Advocates Changed Boston, Jeffrey Rosenblum

PSU Transportation Seminars

Local grassroots advocacy organizations play a critical role in shaping the future of cities but receive very little attention in research, especially insofar as understanding the most effective tactics that should be used by these organizations to achieve their objectives. When LivableStreets Alliance was founded in 2005, The City of Boston had 3/8 of one mile of bicycle lanes. Over the past decade, we have seen a sea change. Boston has published a nationally-recognized Complete Streets Guide, MassDOT has incorporated cycle-track designs into several federally-funded projects, and highway overpasses are slated for removal. What is LivableStreets’ role in shifting policy, …

Building Capacity For Self-Management Interventions: The Challenges, Philip Mccallion, Lisa A. Ferretti

Social Welfare Faculty Scholarship

It has been five years since the Affordable Care Act was signed and much attention has been focused upon website problems, delays in implementation, litigation and less than universal expansions of Medicaid in different states, as well as successes in signing people up, and increases in the numbers of people covered by health insurance, particularly young adults and those with pre-existing conditions. Increased coverage is not the only outcome desired; transformations in the delivery of health care have also been purposefully advanced including achieving better health, better care and lower cost, and implementation of incentives and penalties related to addressing …

Walking Is A Right (Civil And Human), Robert Bullard

Faculty Scholarship

PowerPoint opening keynote presented at the National Walking Summit in Washington, DC last month. Here is link to the Summit. http://walkingsummit.org/keynote-speakers . Some of themes include - walking as a right, "outdoor apartheid," "walking while black," and connecting nature walks and health (walking is good for the mind, body, spirit and soul) run through the talk.

Democrats And Demography: America’S Changing Demographics And The 2016 Election, American Enterprise Institute, Brookings Mountain West

Brookings Mountain West Special Events

On October 13, Democratic presidential candidates took the stage in Las Vegas for their first primary debate of the 2016 election. This cycle, both Democrats and Republicans face a defining challenge: a new America with a rapidly changing demographic profile — in terms of race, ethnicity, generation, age, and region. What do these changes mean for both parties nationally, and in the Mountain West states in particular? What demographic challenges do both parties face in 2016?

This panel brought together a group of experts to discuss the changes, their significance, and the possibilities for political success. The discussion includes a …

Comments On Public Lands: Title Transfer Proposals, Chuck Howe

Challenging Federal Ownership and Management: Public Lands and Public Benefits (October 11-13)

3 pages.

Affordable Housing As A Prerequisite For A Safe, Healthy, Equitable Transportation System: Evidence From A Nationwide Evaluation Of Location Efficiency Within The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Lihtc) Program, Arlie Steven Adkins

PSU Transportation Seminars

Mountains of research over the last several decades show that how we get around and how much physical activity we get are closely linked with the built environment of the neighborhoods where we live. This means that the health, economic, and environmental benefits associated with active travel and transit are place-based and that affordable housing in walkable, location efficient places needs to be thought of as a critical component of planners’ efforts to provide safe, healthy, and equitable transportation systems. This talk will provide an overview of the links between affordable housing and transportation planning and present research findings from …

Research Brief: "Ptsd Treatment-Seeking Among Rural Latino Combat Veterans: A Review Of The Literature", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a scholarly article of the same name. It reviews a literature review of research conducted among rural Latino Veterans and the incidence of PTSD among these veterans.

Warren, Richard (Fa 825), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archive Project 825. This collection includes stories and history hidden in the construction and development of the local highways in Taylor County, Kentucky. Toll roads are also discussed. This project was completed by Richard Warren for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Artificial Reef Attributes And The Relationship With Natural Reefs: Evidence From The Florida Keys, William L. Huth, O. Ashton Morgan, Paul Hindsley

Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics

Natural or coral reefs represent extremely valuable ecosystems supporting an estimated 25 percent of all marine life, yet recent reports suggest that 75 percent of the world’s natural reefs are under threat from both natural and human stressors. In areas such as the Florida Keys that boasts an expansive mix of natural and artificial reefs, recreational diving on the system provides an important economic contribution to the local community but also potentially contributes to the stress of the existing natural reef system. We develop a revealed and stated preference modeling framework of diver behavior and find that deployment of an …

Economic Valuation Of Marine And Coastal Ecosystems: Is It Currently Fit For Purpose?, Nick Hanley, Stephen Hynes, David Patterson, Niels Jobstvogt

Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics

In this paper, we consider whether the current “state of the art” of environmental valuation is suitable for producing policy-relevant estimates of the benefits or costs of changes in marine and coastal ecosystems. We review recent changes in European legislation which has meant an increasing demand for economic valuation from the policy and regulatory community. The next section considers, at a more conceptual level, whether the economic “toolbox” and scientific evidence is up to the task of meeting the demand for more evidence-based policy. Finally, three case studies are used to explore the nature of the valuation task and review …

Strategic Insights: If You Want Peace, Prepare For War: Reflections On China's V–Day Parade, David Lai

Articles & Editorials

No abstract provided.

Strategic Planning Development Team Meeting Notes 10/5/2015, Strategic Planning Development Team

Resource Archive

The group continued discussions on the strategic plan's goals and initiatives, as well as how the next phase of the planning process, implementation, would be handled.

Detaining Dialogue: Framing Treatment During The 2013 Guantánamo Hunger Strike (Abstract), Kristen Traynor

Biennial Conference: The Social Practice of Human Rights

In recent years, prisoner treatment during the “War on Terror” has re-emerged as a prominent topic in news headlines and government debate. However, the media’s framing of such treatment toward prisoners at Guantánamo Bay has received scant scholarly attention compared to that of Abu Ghraib.

With a focus on elite and media framing of treatment during the prisoner hunger strike from February to August of 2013, the goal of this paper is to explain whether government portrayal of prisoner treatment influenced the way the media framed the situation or whether the media acted with more autonomy. In the study, I …