A validity study of six aspects of Utah's Alternate Assessment

Hager, Karen D Utah State University 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

This study evaluated empirical evidence across six aspects of validity of Utah's Alternate Assessment. Utah's Alternate Assessment is part of the state's educational accountability system, and it was designed to measure math and language arts achievement of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Each state is required to provide an alternate assessment for students unable to participate in the general accountability tests. However, little validity research has been conducted on these assessments. This study provides a model for prioritizing validity questions to conduct an initial validity study of a new assessment system. This research reflects the current understanding of validity as a unified concept that is comprised of many different aspects that must be evaluated together in order to make a judgment. The six aspects of Utah's Alternate Assessment that were examined in this study are (a) test content, (b) performance standards, (c) administration, (d) scoring, (e) generalization, and (f) decisions/impact. Results indicate that the strongest aspects of validity of this assessment system are test content, scoring reliability, and score stability. Serious weaknesses in fidelity of test administration were found, and the evidence suggests revisions are necessary on some components of the performance standards. Recommendations are provided to address these aspects. In addition, suggestions for continued development of this assessment system are provided. Test validation is an on-going process; therefore, recommendations for future validity research on Utah's Alternate Assessment are provided.

Relationships between classroom schedule types and performance on the Algebra I criterion-referenced test

Murray, Gregory V Utah State University 2012 해외박사(DDOD)

Public education has options with regard to educational settings and structures. States and school districts may select varying lengths for the school year, lengths for the school day, and lengths for individual class periods. In Utah, one measure of students' achievement is scores on the State's end-of-level criterion-referenced test (CRT) for Algebra I. Additionally, an option regarding educational structures is the schedule type used to deliver Algebra I classes. This study examined the relationship between student achievement as measured by Algebra I CRT scores, and the schedule type used to deliver Algebra I classes. The schedule types compared were the traditional daily schedule, trimester 3/3 schedule, trimester 2/3 schedule, and the block A/B schedule. This study sought to answer two research questions: (1) What is the relationship between mathematics instructional schedule type and student scores on Utah's CRT for Algebra I, for all students? and (2) What is the relationship between mathematics instructional schedule type and student scores on Utah's CRT for Algebra I, by individual grade levels? Data were obtained from the Utah State Office of Education and included the scores for 50,000 Utah students, from over 300 different schools, who took the identical Algebra I CRT at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Data were also obtained from each school district to determine the schedule type of each participating student. Both a multinomial logistic regression analysis and a <italic>t</italic>-test analysis were conducted to determine relationships between Algebra I CRT scores and schedule types. The results indicated significant differences in student achievement based on the schedule type overall and for individual grade levels. Generally, the earlier the grade level the higher the CRT score. Within individual grade levels, there were both statistically significant and nonsignificant differences. The schedule types that generally score the highest (trimester 3/3 and traditional) had more time in the mathematics classroom and the students' mathematics class met daily. The results suggest the value of daily time spent in the mathematics classroom and may assist educators when considering options available to foster student achievement.

Biogeochemistry of selenium in Pariette Wetlands, Utah

Jones, Colleen P Utah State University 2014 해외박사(DDOD)

Pariette Wetlands was constructed to provide wildlife habitat in an arid environment. Elevated levels of selenium (Se) have been detected in water, soil, and biota. Selenium concentrations have ranged from below detection limit to four times the water quality criterium limit. Here we report on three interrelated research topics: 1) selenium mass balance and flux in water, 2) selenium accumulation, concentration and volatilization of water and plant tissues; and 3) selenium sorption by upland and wetlands soils. 1) Mass balance and mass water flux of selenium for the Pariette Wetlands were studied. A comparison of inlet and outlet Se fluxes was used to determine the mass of Se stored. Selenium concentrations were higher at the inlet (2.1-16.3 mug L-1) than at the outlet (2.0-14.0 mug L-1). The average amount of Se retention and/or loss was 75%. 2) Elevated levels of selenium (Se) in water, soil, and biota of the Pariette Wetlands, Utah. Twelve sample sites were selected to determine the spatial and temporal variation of Se accumulation, concentration and volatilization. At the inlet, concentrations of waterborne Se during low-flow period (winter) were significantly higher than concentrations during high-flow irrigation season (summer). Se concentrations in water at the outlet were lower during the high-flow period ranging from. In contrast, plant tissue Se concentration was lower at the inlet and higher at the outlet. Selenium volatilization results indicated that there were spatial and temporal differences among samples sites. 3) The physical and chemical properties were compared for two soils in the Pariette Draw of Utah. It appears that Se mobility is associated with the distribution of soluble salts. We surmise that soluble Se is regulated by the solubility of a sodium selenate sulfate coprecipitate. Knowledge gained about the mass balance, storage of Se, and the associated biogeochemical processes in water, plants, and soils that contribute to the accumulation or loss of Se in the wetlands will be beneficial to future land management decisions to minimize the impact of Se exposure to wildlife.

Determining the relationship between students' scores using traditional homework assignments to those who used assignments on a non-traditional interactive CD with tutor helps

Tinney, Charles Evan Utah State University 2007 해외박사(DDOD)

By using the book "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" by Raymond A. Serway as a guide, CD problem sets for teaching a calculus-based physics course were developed, programmed, and evaluated for homework assignments during the 2003-2004 academic year at Utah State University. These CD sets were used to replace the traditionally handwritten and submitted homework sets. They included a research-based format that guided the students through problem-solving techniques using responseactivated helps and suggestions. The CD contents were designed to help the student improve his/her physics problem-solving skills. The analyzed score results showed a direct correlation between the scores obtained on the homework and the students' time spent per problem, as well as the number of helps used per problem.

The development and exploratory validation of the awareness of Social Justice for Individuals with Disabilities Scale

Kelsey, Daniel J Utah State University 2012 해외박사(DDOD)

A researcher in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Utah State University conducted exploratory research in the development and validation of a scale that measures an individual's awareness of disability-related social justice. No instrument currently exists that specifically and exclusively measures the awareness of disability-related social justice. The researcher analyzed the disability/rehabilitation, social justice and multicultural literature to establish which domains underlie an individual's awareness of disability-related social justice. Moreover, the researcher reviewed the methodologies utilized in constructing instruments that measure social justice and multicultural issues. Items for this new instrument were grounded in the literature and reviewed by experts. Final items were included in the new Awareness of Social Justice for Individuals with Disabilities Scale (ASJIDS). The ASJIDS was administered to undergraduate students at a Midwestern state university. Results obtained were evaluated through exploratory factor analysis to determine if the ASJIDS measured the domains supported in the literature. Additionally, the internal consistency of the ASJIDS was measured. In order to remove the barriers to social justice that individuals with disabilities experience, counselors, psychology professionals, rehabilitation counselors, and society as a whole, must first be aware of these social injustices and the role that society has in maintaining them, otherwise, counselors and society risk perpetuating these social injustices. The potential benefit of the ASJIDS is that it will increase awareness about the social injustices that many individuals with disabilities experience, thereby, resulting in the removal of these socially created barriers to social justice.

Collaborative Practices of Rural Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program (IPSE) Directors

Goode Dimond, Elizabeth Susanne Utah State University ProQuest Dissertations & The 2022 해외박사(DDOD)

Inclusive postsecondary education programs (IPSE) for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) are relatively new, having their formal beginning in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA; P.L. 110-315) of 2008. These programs vary greatly and are found in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the United States. Those programs in rural areas face unique barriers and have unique strengths that affect how they collaborate and with whom they collaborate. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to describe the collaborative practices of rural IPSE program directors. This study gathered the lived experiences of rural IPSE program directors collaborating with agencies on- and off-campus through semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Data were coded and analyzed for themes and patterns. These themes and patterns, as well as the essence of their collaborative experiences, are described and related to the Trainor et al. (2020) Framework for Transition.

The role of diet, erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition, and Alzheimer's- related genes in systemic inflammation in the Cache County Memory Study

Jalloun, Rola Adnan Utah State University 2015 해외박사(DDOD)

This project examined the association between dietary patterns, erythrocyte membrane fatty acids concentration, and Alzheimer's-related genes in systemic inflammation, as indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, in order to achieve more comprehensive knowledge of how nutrition and genetics influence systemic inflammation among the elderly residents of Cache County, Utah. First, the associations between dietary patterns defined by Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean dietary patterns (MED) and the risk of having a high level of CRP were examined. This study showed that a healthy dietary pattern score was associated with CRP levels; a higher score reflecting the ideal DASH diet and MED diet was associated with a 26% and 27% reduction in the risk of having high CRP levels respectively. This association appeared stronger among overweight and obese individuals. Second, the association between erythrocyte membrane fatty acids (EMFAs) and elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was examined. Those that had high EMFAs composition of palmitoleic acid and nervonic acids, both monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and dihomo-y-linolenic acid (DGLA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA-6), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), all polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), had an increased risk of having CRP elevation. In contrast, risk of CRP elevation was reduced in those that have highest levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) of margaric acid, stearic acid, and arachidic acid. These associations were generally observed to be stronger among women compared to men. Lastly, the study examined whether AD-related genes identified in previous genome-wide association studies are associated with elevated levels of inflammatory CRP. Results revealed a strong association between APOE-epsilon genotypes and CRP levels. Results also showed an association between major alleles of APOE rs439401, TOMM40 rs157580, and minor alleles MMP8 rs1892886, CR1 rs6656401, CR1 rs3818361, and CR1 rs4844609 that were associated with a risk of elevation of CRP. These associations were stronger among men compared to women. Reduction in the prevalence of AD could have tremendous importance; the results of this dissertation may help identify factors important to AD etiology and, in turn, provide valuable targets for prevention.

An Evaluation of Landscape, Climate, and Management Impacts on Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) In Agroecosystems

Christman, Morgan Elizabeth Utah State University ProQuest Dissertations & The 2022 해외박사(DDOD)

Bumble bees play pivotal roles in pollinating wild and cultivated plant communities. Unfortunately, bumble bee populations are declining due to disturbances such as landscape conversion and climate change. Additionally, traps used to monitor pest insect populations often capture bumble bees, leading to a concern that trap captures increase bumble bee mortality. First, I studied bumble bee communities based on land cover and weather variables in agricultural fields in Utah. Bumble bee communities were more diverse in agricultural fields with more agricultural land in the surrounding area, low temperatures, and high humidity during the growing season, and less diverse in fields with more urban land, high temperatures and low humidity. However, differences in species among sites suggest that all agricultural fields from this study have high conservation value for bumble bees; therefore, management strategies should maintain a variety of habitat types to promote resiliency of bumble bee assemblages. Next, I examined the effects of climate and landscapes on bumble bees in agricultural fields throughout the U.S. Bumble bee assemblages varied based on habitat characteristics, emphasizing that management practices should differ across the U.S. based on the local climate and landscapes in order to conserve bumble bees. I then measured the impact of trap captures on the size and development of field-released brown-belted bumble bee colonies. Only three brown-belted bumble bees were collected from traps, suggesting that these captures had negligible effects on the observed differences in weight and foraging activity. However, this does not mean that all bumble bee species are not affected. Finally, I evaluated the commercial potential of brown-belted bumble bees by determining if they can be successfully raised in a laboratory setting and by identifying the maximum temperature worker bumble bees can withstand before death. Brown-belted bumble bees can successfully be raised in a lab and can tolerate high temperatures, so they should continue to be evaluated for commercial purposes throughout the U.S. Overall, this research increased knowledge to provide more accurate management practices of bumble bee communities in agricultural systems throughout the U.S. and provided a foundation for developing brown-belted bumble bees as a commercialized pollinator.

The relationship of migration and retirement preparation in a cohort of middle-aged adults

Hodges, Linda Utah State University 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

Retirement preparation is an important issue in the United States. An aging workforce coupled with the population's high longevity has raised considerable concern that the nation's Social Security and Medicare programs cannot survive. At the same time, incentives that have previously encouraged private employers to sponsor pension plans are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the financial pressures of global competition and a changing economy. The situation is complicated further by the nation's highly mobile workforce and migration's potential to impact retirement preparation. The purpose of this research is to examine the extent of retirement preparation at approximately midcareer. The study is unique, because in addition to examining some of the known social, economic, and demographic characteristics that affect retirement preparation, it also tries to determine if the history of migration is an important determinant for retirement preparation at approximately midcareer. The study found that the migration-retirement preparation relationship is extremely complex. The findings suggest that there is something about a history of migration that appears to have slightly enhanced pension plan participation and the dollars accrued in pension plans at midcareer. The study demonstrates conclusively, however, that a history of migration had a negative effect on pension plan tenure accruals at midcareer. Current residential location appeared to have little influence; however, demographic characteristics, health, and human capital assets did have an influence on retirement preparation, and that influence can be demonstrated at midcareer.

A Case Study of the Driven 2 Teach Program: Site-Based Experiential Professional Development for History Teachers

Call, Hadyn Bowen Utah State University ProQuest Dissertations & The 2019 해외박사(DDOD)

Driven 2 Teach is a privately funded program for history teachers in the state of Utah. The program emphasizes the importance of teacher travel to educate history teachers in the places where history happened. This study investigated the program's influence on participant gains in learning about history and how to best teach about the past, social studies professional development, teacher beliefs, and changes in instructional practices. This study utilized a case study methodology, autoethnography, and six interconnected frameworks: Professional development, experiential education, site-based learning, pedagogical content knowledge, teacher beliefs, and professional learning communities. This study helps demonstrate the effectiveness of travel as a teaching method. Data from this study were used to answer the following questions: How do history teachers perceive their pedagogical content knowledge as changing as a result of participating in the Driven 2 Teach program? How do the experiences with Driven 2 Teach differ from other professional development experiences? How do history teacher beliefs about social studies education contribute to the changes in pedagogical content knowledge and instructional practice? How do these history teachers plan on changing instructional practices based on their new pedagogical content knowledge? The results of this study show that participants' knowledge of historical content and how to best teach that content increased significantly. This study also found that more social studies professional development is needed in the state of Utah. Teachers' confidence levels increased because of their experience with this program in regard to teaching history and social studies skills to their students. Participants, as a result of participation with Driven 2 Teach, are more likely to teach students' skills using social studies content rather than merely teaching social studies through rote memorization. Participants want to incorporate more hands-on learning experiences for students, and use more primary source documents in their lessons. Traveling together to historical sites and other important places with other social studies teachers enhanced the learning of all involved and increased the retention of what was learned. Participants benefited from both planned and unplanned events, and had experiences that made them realize even more, the importance of social studies education and incorporating multiple perspectives when learning about the past.