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Social Disorganization and Florida Public High School Academic Performance
Title
Social Disorganization and Florida Public High School Academic Performance.
Creator
Kanaan, David, Wan, Thomas, Wolf, Ross, Stevenson, Robyne, Mitchell, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Failing public high schools are a perpetual limitation to community sustainability. Conversely, economically disadvantaged communities more often produce schools with reduced academic performance. Unfortunately, comprehensive community-based remedies are generally outside the scope of a school district's control. Social disorganization theory attributes variations in crime and delinquency to a breakdown in communal structure and relationships. Applied in a similar manner, social...
Show moreFailing public high schools are a perpetual limitation to community sustainability. Conversely, economically disadvantaged communities more often produce schools with reduced academic performance. Unfortunately, comprehensive community-based remedies are generally outside the scope of a school district's control. Social disorganization theory attributes variations in crime and delinquency to a breakdown in communal structure and relationships. Applied in a similar manner, social disorganization has also been associated with lower student achievement.This research examined how social disorganization is associated with Florida public high school academic performance in a two phase analysis at the community and school district levels. In addition, the research tested a potential moderating effect of receiving the Five Star School Award, recognizing family and community involvement, and Florida public high school academic performance with social disorganization factors simultaneously considered. In the first phase, the study used a cross-sectional, non-experimental design analyzing secondary data by structural equation modeling (SEM) at the community-level. For the second phase, the study used a cross-sectional, non-experimental design analyzing aggregated secondary data in multiple linear regressions assessing statistically significant associations between social disorganization predictors and school academic performance variables at the school district-level. SEM analysis found a statistically significant and large negative association between the social disorganization factors residential mobility, single-parent households, socio-economic status and percentage of divorced or separated persons, and Florida public high school academic performance at the community-level. Also at the community-level, results showed that receiving the Five Star School award for satisfying family and community involvement criteria had a statistically significant but small positive association with Florida public high school performance when social disorganization factors were simultaneously considered. At the district or county level, multiple regression analyses found relevant negative associations between social disorganization predictors low median income and ethnic heterogeneity and school district average FCAT scores and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) percentages. The study results reinforce existing neighborhood deprivation and social disorganization literature and articulate the need for a community-based approach to improve high school academic performance. Finally, the research suggests prominent education policy reforms may exacerbate social disorganization in communities and proposes alternative policy implementations.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFE0006335, ucf:51548
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006335
Social Media Usage by Municipal Elected Officials for Open Government Community Engagement
Title
Social Media Usage by Municipal Elected Officials for Open Government Community Engagement.
Creator
Stoeckel, Sarah, Bryer, Thomas, Mitchell, David, Hu, Qian, Brown, Tim, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
As public administration has evolved with the technological advances in today's society, it can be challenging to ensure the demands of the public are being met in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement. Nonetheless, a focus on community remains at the forefront of public administration. When looking at technology and the community, the tool known as social media emerges. Social media has allowed people to interact in new ways and therefore, has allowed the government to interact...
Show moreAs public administration has evolved with the technological advances in today's society, it can be challenging to ensure the demands of the public are being met in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement. Nonetheless, a focus on community remains at the forefront of public administration. When looking at technology and the community, the tool known as social media emerges. Social media has allowed people to interact in new ways and therefore, has allowed the government to interact with citizens in ways they have not been able to in the past. In addition to attempting to modernize public administration, there has been an increased focus on building citizen trust through providing a more open government structure. The Open Government Directive issued by President Barack Obama focused on three tenets, which included transparency, participation, and collaboration. One of the ways government entities within the United States are strengthening these areas is through the implementation of various social media sites as a means to stay connected with citizens. With an increase of users utilizing social media tools for both information and connection, many government departments and agencies have incorporated social media use into their workplace as a function for their department. However, it is elected officials that are the ones who represent the citizens from their governmental role and thus, can aid in bridging the gap between citizens and government. Yet, there is little research on how elected officials, specifically in municipalities, are utilizing social media to connect with their constituents. This study discusses social media use by municipal elected officials and how it relates to open government community engagement. Open government community engagement is defined in terms of the three tenets of the Open Government Directive: transparency, participation, and collaboration encompassing the rungs of Arnstein's ladder of citizen participation. For this qualitative study, fifty-seven Florida municipal elected officials were interviewed regarding their social media use or lack thereof in terms of engagement with citizens. The interviews are followed-up with content analysis of social media sites. An ethnographic approach is utilized to uncover and develop common themes related to open government community engagement. The findings suggest while some municipal elected officials are utilizing social media well in terms of open government community engagement, there is a lack of clear understanding of social media use within the context of the Sunshine Law, as well as other barriers prohibiting utilizing social media for more of the participation and collaboration components. There are several reasons municipal elected officials opt to avoid social media altogether, while additional concepts related to open government limited engagement and closed government community engagement are explored. The concept of avoidance was addressed, especially as it pertained to the practical implications for both city administrators and elected officials.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0007377, ucf:52083
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007377
National Collegiate Athletic Association Strength and Conditioning Coaches' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Prevention and Recognition of Exertional Heat Stroke
Title
National Collegiate Athletic Association Strength and Conditioning Coaches' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Prevention and Recognition of Exertional Heat Stroke.
Creator
Valdes, Anna, Hoffman, Jay, Boote, David, Fisher, Thomas, Mitchell, Debby, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this study was to assess and determine the current level of knowledge that National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Strength and Conditioning Coaches (SCCs) possess regarding exertional heat stroke (EHS) prevention and recognition and to determine if SCC certification type had any effect. Major findings of this study support the view that SCCs need more preparation, education and training to increase their competency in preventing and recognizing EHS. Research found that...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to assess and determine the current level of knowledge that National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Strength and Conditioning Coaches (SCCs) possess regarding exertional heat stroke (EHS) prevention and recognition and to determine if SCC certification type had any effect. Major findings of this study support the view that SCCs need more preparation, education and training to increase their competency in preventing and recognizing EHS. Research found that there was no significant difference in scores on the EHS scale based on SCC certification (CSCS vs. SCCC) after accounting for experience, education or division but the CSCS certified professionals scored higher on all the factors as compared to SCCs without the CSCS.. The major key finding was that SCCs lacked essential knowledge to prevent or recognize EHS. Furthermore, the study defines relevant EHS prevention and recognition competencies that an undergraduate curriculum, graduate curriculum and professional certification providers, should include and emphasize in their preparation programs.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004766, ucf:49790
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004766