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- Title
- Infectious Disease Risks in Developing Countries: A Non-Market Valuation Exercise.
- Creator
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Samajpati, Shreejata, Gerking, Shelby, Dickie, Mark, Caputo, Michael, Roy, Joyashree, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This dissertation focuses on the non-market valuation of health-risks of malaria, an infectious disease that imposes a substantive public health burden across the globe, hitting particularly hard the tropical developing nations of Africa and Asia. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals include malaria control as a priority and large investments are underway to promote effective prevention and treatment. Despite such concerted supply-side efforts, malaria-related mortality and...
Show moreThis dissertation focuses on the non-market valuation of health-risks of malaria, an infectious disease that imposes a substantive public health burden across the globe, hitting particularly hard the tropical developing nations of Africa and Asia. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals include malaria control as a priority and large investments are underway to promote effective prevention and treatment. Despite such concerted supply-side efforts, malaria-related mortality and morbidity still abound due to a complex interface of factors like climate-change, poverty, inadequate control behavior, infection and prevention externalities, parasite resistance etc. This research project digs into the demand-side of the health problem, considers the "externality" dimension to prevention, and primarily asks the question: how do individuals in developing countries view competing disease-control (prevention) measures, viz. a publicly-administered community-level malaria control measure as against private preventive choices. A theoretical model is developed to help explore the public-private interplay of health risks of malaria. The malaria-endemic regions of Kolkata (India) and its rural fringes comprise the site for an empirical investigation. A field survey (Malaria Risk and Prevention Survey, October-December, 2011) incorporating a mix of stated and revealed preference techniques of health valuation is implemented. Risk-perceptions of respondents are elicited using a measurable visual-aid and individuals' perceived valuations of health-risk reductions, randomly offered with the public and private health treatments, are empirically ascertained. Using a Likelihood Ratio Test on the structural risk parameters, it is seen that individuals' valuations of health risk reductions are the same across the private and public treatments. The comparative valuation exercise, thus, corroborates the externality dimension to malaria control, calling for greater public action to combat malaria. The viability of such a scaled-up public malaria program, in the context of Kolkata, is discussed by comparing the public treatment willingness to pay estimates with the annual estimated costs that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the civic body in the city of Kolkata, maintains on account of vector control. Results from the comparative valuation exercises also support the idea that private prevention is generally responsive to prevention costs, indicating the importance of price incentives to induce greater prevention. The issues of health valuation and price sensitivity are further explored across various split-samples differentiated on the basis of socio-economic attributes, disease exposure, actual prevention efforts and perceived malaria risks of survey respondents. Such auxiliary exercises help analyze the valuation question in greater depth, and generate policy insights into the potential factors that shape private prevention behavior.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004594, ucf:49195
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004594
- Title
- AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED BREVARD STUDENTS TO DROP OUT AND WHY THEY RETURNED TO EARN THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED) DIPLOMA.
- Creator
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Spadaccini, Becky, Murray, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Dropping out of high school almost guarantees a life of hardship. The absence of a diploma contributes to poverty, increased crime rates and weakens the economy. To that end, school districts have a moral and ethical responsibility to bring an end to the dropout epidemic. This study was based on an analysis of more than 26,000 Brevard public school students. The researcher used 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 student data to determine the relationship between race, grade level, ESE status,...
Show moreDropping out of high school almost guarantees a life of hardship. The absence of a diploma contributes to poverty, increased crime rates and weakens the economy. To that end, school districts have a moral and ethical responsibility to bring an end to the dropout epidemic. This study was based on an analysis of more than 26,000 Brevard public school students. The researcher used 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 student data to determine the relationship between race, grade level, ESE status, ELL status, SES, type of promotion and dropping out of school. In addition, the researcher reviewed Student Exit Survey data and face-to-face interview data to determine why students dropped out and identified strategies students felt would have kept them in school. Finally, individual interview data were analyzed to understand the circumstances that encouraged participants to return to earn their diplomas. The researcher recommended use of data management and tracking systems for early identification of potential dropouts so intervention could be delivered at the onset of failure, assignment of trained adult leaders to monitor and intervene for students; enforcement of compulsory school attendance; creation of mechanisms to reduce absenteeism that do not lead to school failure; required intervention for students who are truant; identification and assignment of highly effective teachers to at-risk youth; intervention in classrooms that have high rates of student failure; use of relevant curriculum and employment of instructional practices proven to increase engagement; alignment of intervention strategies with researched practices; gathering of input and feedback from students to determine program effectiveness; creation of meaningful exit interview processes; utilization of survey data to identify and remove school-related barriers and collaboration with community agencies to find meaningful and genuine solutions for students in crisis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003578, ucf:48898
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003578
- Title
- Beauty and the Beast: The Attractiveness Bias in an Online Peer Mentoring Program.
- Creator
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Garcia, Carollaine, Jentsch, Kimberly, Jentsch, Florian, Fritzsche, Barbara, Burke, Shawn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The bias against attractiveness is fairly implicit and furthermore, powerfully impacts people's subsequent impressions of and behaviors toward others (Cash, Gillen, (&) Burns, 1977; Dion et al., 1972). Pallet, Link and Lee (2010) examined the effect of various facial spatial configurations on attractiveness and found that raters rated faces as most attractive when the eye-to-mouth ratio approximated 36% of the face length (the "golden ratio"), which coincides with the measurements of an...
Show moreThe bias against attractiveness is fairly implicit and furthermore, powerfully impacts people's subsequent impressions of and behaviors toward others (Cash, Gillen, (&) Burns, 1977; Dion et al., 1972). Pallet, Link and Lee (2010) examined the effect of various facial spatial configurations on attractiveness and found that raters rated faces as most attractive when the eye-to-mouth ratio approximated 36% of the face length (the "golden ratio"), which coincides with the measurements of an average and thus more attractive face. The present study examined the extent to which the distance of these objectively measured facial features affected mentors' perceptions of their prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s, the subsequent mentoring given to them, and the prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s' own behavior (e.g. seek feedback, request specific information).The gender composition of the mentor-prot(&)#233;g(&)#233; dyad was expected to moderate these relationships. I also examined whether, given the expected effects of facial measurements, withholding access to visual cues would affect mentor perceptions and behavior. Participants were 118 mentor/prot(&)#233;g(&)#233; dyads from a large Southeastern university who volunteered to participate in a formal online peer mentoring program. After seeing their prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s' profiles (and for those in the experimental condition, a picture), mentors chatted with their prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s once a week for 30 minutes for a total of 4 weeks. Results indicated that prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s with facial features moderately distant from the golden ratio were perceived as more similar by mentors in same-gender dyads and received greater mentoring than did prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s closest and farthest from the golden ratio. In opposite-gender dyads, however, mentors reported greater similarity toward those that were farthest from the golden ratio but provided the greatest mentoring to those closest to the golden ratio. The relationship between facial measurements and prot(&)#233;g(&)#233; proactivity was moderated by whether or not their mentor had access to their picture. While prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s closest to the ratio were more proactive in the picture condition, those that were farthest from it were more proactive in the non-picture condition. Proactivity was as expected associated with greater levels of mentoring, which was ultimately related to a more fulfilled and beneficial relationship for prot(&)#233;g(&)#233;s (i.e. less stress, greater self-efficacy and satisfaction). The results of this study indicate that facial measurements are associated with both differences in mentor and in prot(&)#233;g(&)#233; behavior and that the specific nature of these relationships differs as a function of gender composition. Implications for practice and theory will be discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004504, ucf:49275
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004504
- Title
- The Relationship Between Reading Coaches' Utilization of Data Technology and Teacher Development.
- Creator
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Behrens, Cherie, Blair, Timothy, Taylor, Rosemarye, Kelley, Michelle, Cartwright, Vickie, Flanigan, Jacquelyn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The use of technology in assisting educators to use student data in well-devised ways to enhance the instruction received by students is gaining headway and the support of federal dollars across the nation. Since research has not provided insight as to whether or not reading coaches are using data technology tools with teachers, this mixed methods study sought to examine what behavioral intentions reading coaches have in using data technology tools with teachers, what variables may influence...
Show moreThe use of technology in assisting educators to use student data in well-devised ways to enhance the instruction received by students is gaining headway and the support of federal dollars across the nation. Since research has not provided insight as to whether or not reading coaches are using data technology tools with teachers, this mixed methods study sought to examine what behavioral intentions reading coaches have in using data technology tools with teachers, what variables may influence their behavioral intentions, and what trends may emerge in their views about using technology data tools with teachers. A mixed methods approach was deployed via a survey embedded in an email, and data from 61 Florida reading coaches from elementary, middle, and high schools in a large urban school district were examined using an adaptation of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The results showed that collectively all reading coaches have a high level of behavioral intentions towards using a data technology tool with teachers. The study also showed that elementary, middle, and high school reading coaches vary in their degree of behavioral intentions in using a data technology tool based on different variables. Trends in data showed that reading coaches think data technology tools are helpful, but that trainings are needed and that technology tools should be user-friendly. Discussion is provided regarding the implications of the study results for all stakeholders.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004357, ucf:49425
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004357
- Title
- An Integrated Design for Six Sigma-Based Framework To Align Strategy, New Process Development, and Customer Requirements In The Airlines Industry.
- Creator
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Alghamdi, Mohammed, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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When organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their...
Show moreWhen organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their strengths, overcoming weaknesses, and identifying lessons learned to help bridge the gap between strategy development and execution. The critical-to-quality conceptual model is used as an integrative component for the framework. Literature search has resulted in little or no research into the development of similar frameworks. To demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the framework in a real-world environment, a case study is carried out and implemented successfully. As the case study progressed, cycle time as a performance indicator was estimated and showed progression towards the targeted strategic objective. The developed framework helps decision-makers seamlessly transit from a strategic position to process development linking strategic objectives to the critical-to-quality features. This comprehensive framework can help move organizations from where they currently are to where they want to be, laying the background needed for customer satisfaction and breakthrough performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006246, ucf:51079
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006246
- Title
- The influence of perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support (&) debriefing on work-related compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in Florida public safety personnel.
- Creator
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Miller, Anastasia, Unruh, Lynn, Zhang, Ning, Wharton, Tracy, Liu, Albert Xinliang, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support, and debriefing on the one hand, and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress on the other hand in Florida law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and dispatch public safety workers. In order to explore the relationships between these constructs, the research questions examined the relationships of the work environment of Florida...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support, and debriefing on the one hand, and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress on the other hand in Florida law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and dispatch public safety workers. In order to explore the relationships between these constructs, the research questions examined the relationships of the work environment of Florida public safety by administering surveys gauging perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support, psychological resilience, and debriefing activities that the personnel participate in. The Professional Quality of Life: Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Version 5 was also sent out to establish the self-reported levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. The study found that there were differences in the levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress between the public safety fields. It also found that there was a positive relationship between the presence of perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support, psychological resilience, and debriefing activities on at least one of the constructs of compassion satisfaction, burnout, or secondary traumatic stress within the different public safety fields. This study furthers the literature by being the first study to compare the four different public safety fields in the state of Florida and with regards to those constructs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006357, ucf:51533
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006357
- Title
- A multi-scale approach to study Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: from Mechanical Properties and Crystal Structure of the Cell's Materials to the Development of an Interactive and Interconnected Educational Tool.
- Creator
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Aman, Amjad, Orlovskaya, Nina, Xu, Yunjun, Das, Tuhin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are energy conversion devices that convert chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy. They are known for being fuel-flexible, have minimal harmful emissions, ideal for combined heat and power applications, highly energy-efficient when combined with gas or steam turbines. The current challenges facing the widespread adoption these fuel cells include cost reduction, long-term testing of fully integrated systems, improving the fuel cell stack and system...
Show moreSolid Oxide Fuel Cells are energy conversion devices that convert chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy. They are known for being fuel-flexible, have minimal harmful emissions, ideal for combined heat and power applications, highly energy-efficient when combined with gas or steam turbines. The current challenges facing the widespread adoption these fuel cells include cost reduction, long-term testing of fully integrated systems, improving the fuel cell stack and system performance, and studies related to reliability, robustness and durability. The goal of this dissertation is to further the understanding of the mechanical properties and crystal structure of materials used in the cathode and electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells, as well as to report on the development of a supplementary educational tool that could be used in course related to fuel cells. The first part of the dissertation relates to the study of LaCoO3 based perovskites that are used as cathode material in solid oxide fuel cells and in other energy-related applications. In-situ neutron diffraction of LaCoO3 perovskite during uniaxial compression was carried out to study crystal structure evolution and texture development. In this study, LaCoO3 was subjected to two cycles of uniaxial loading and unloading with the maximum stress value being 700-900 MPa. The in-situ neutron diffraction revealed the dynamic crystallographic changes occurring which is responsible for the non-linear ferroelastic deformation and the appearance of hysteresis in LaCoO3. At the end of the first cycle, irreversible strain was observed even after the load was removed, which is caused by non-recoverable domain reorientation and texture development. At the end of the second cycle, however, no irreversible strain was observed as domain reorientation seemed fully recovered. Elastic constants were calculated and Young's modulus was estimated for LaCoO3 single crystals oriented along different crystallographic directions. The high temperature mechanical behavior study of LaCoO3 based perovskites is also of prime importance as solid oxide fuel cells operate at high temperatures. Incidentally, it was observed that as opposed to the behavior of most materials, LaCoO3 exhibits stiffening between 700 oC to 900 oC, with the Young's modulus going from a value of ~76 GPa at room temperature to ~120 GPa at 900 oC. In-situ neutron diffraction, XRD and Raman spectroscopy were used to study structural changes occurring in the material as it was heated. The results from these experiments will be discussed.The next portion of the dissertation will focus on electrolytes. Numerical simulation was carried out in order to predict the non-linear load-stress relationship and estimation of biaxial flexure strength in layered electrolytes, during ring-on-ring mechanical testing.Finally, the development of an interactive and inter-connected educational software is presented that could serve as a supplementary tool to teach fuel cell related topics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006436, ucf:51467
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006436
- Title
- Faculty Perspectives and Participation in Implementing an Early Alert System and Intervention in a Community College.
- Creator
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Bentham, Claudine, King, Kathy (Kathleen), Cox, Dr. Thomas, Hopp, Carolyn, Bosley, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Early alert systems have been recognized as a high impact practice designed to improve student engagement and student success. Early alert is designed to identify students with at-risk behaviors early in the semester before they decide to drop-out, withdraw, or fail their classes, using resources such as a predictive analysis tool or advising. For an early alert to be successful and efficient, faculty should be included in the process of early alert. This qualitative study examined faculty's...
Show moreEarly alert systems have been recognized as a high impact practice designed to improve student engagement and student success. Early alert is designed to identify students with at-risk behaviors early in the semester before they decide to drop-out, withdraw, or fail their classes, using resources such as a predictive analysis tool or advising. For an early alert to be successful and efficient, faculty should be included in the process of early alert. This qualitative study examined faculty's perspective and experiences when implementing early alert strategies and intervention in a two-year institution. Using Cranton's seven facets of transformative learning as a conceptual framework, this study examined the changes, perception, and experiences of faculty as a result of implementation. The literature reviews best practices that can be considered when faculty designs their early alert strategies and intervention. Participants shared their During and After Implementation Journal experience by completing reflection journals. After careful analysis of their journals and initial interview, the following major themes emerged: a) at-risk behaviors, b) high-impact practices, c) intentionality, d) personal connection, e) perspective transformation, and f) value. As a result of these themes, recommendations were provided to assist faculty development and change agents in two-year institutions in improving early alert methods to increase student success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006857, ucf:51742
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006857
- Title
- Design, Development, and Testing of a Miniature Fixture for Uniaxial Compression of Ceramics Coupled with In-Situ Raman Spectrometer.
- Creator
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Jordan, Ryan, Orlovskaya, Nina, Kwok, Kawai, Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis is about the design, development and integration of an in-situ compression stage which interfaces through the Leica optical microscope coupled with a Renishaw InVia micro-Raman spectrometer. This combined compression stage and Raman system will enable structural characterization of ceramics and ceramic composites. The in-situ compression stage incorporates a 440C stainless steel structural components, 6061 aluminum frame, a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Two load screws that allow to...
Show moreThis thesis is about the design, development and integration of an in-situ compression stage which interfaces through the Leica optical microscope coupled with a Renishaw InVia micro-Raman spectrometer. This combined compression stage and Raman system will enable structural characterization of ceramics and ceramic composites. The in-situ compression stage incorporates a 440C stainless steel structural components, 6061 aluminum frame, a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Two load screws that allow to apply compressive loads up to 14,137 N, with negligible off axis loading, achieving target stresses of 500 MPa for samples of up to 6.00 mm in diameter. The system will be used in the future to study the structural changes in ceramics and ceramic composites, as well as to study thermal residual stress redistribution under applied compressive loads. A broad variety of Raman active ceramics, including the traditional structural ceramics 3mol%Y2O3-ZrO2, B4C, SiC, Si3N4, as well as exotic materials such as LaCoO3 and other perovskites will be studied using this system. Calibration of the systems load cell was performed in the configured state using MTS universal testing machines. To ensure residual stresses from mounting the load cell did not invalidate the original calibration, the in-situ compression stage was tested once attached to the Renishaw Raman spectrometer using LaCoO3 ceramic samples. The Raman shift of certain peaks in LaCoO3 was detected indicative of the effect of the applied compressive stress on the ceramics understudy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007824, ucf:52809
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007824
- Title
- Dual Branding: An Investigative Look into Dual Branding's Position within the Concept of Brand Alliance in the Hotel Industry.
- Creator
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Ronzoni, Giulio, Fyall, Alan, Torres Areizaga, Edwin, Singh, Dipendra, Weinland, Jeffrey, Smith, Scott, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate, in an exploratory way, the state of the art of the application of brand alliances, with a particular focus on the practice of dual branding, in the field of lodging. More precisely, this research aimed at identifying and evaluating the determinants of industry adoption of, and customer satisfaction with, intra-company dual branding strategies in the US lodging industry.The primary purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of dual...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation was to investigate, in an exploratory way, the state of the art of the application of brand alliances, with a particular focus on the practice of dual branding, in the field of lodging. More precisely, this research aimed at identifying and evaluating the determinants of industry adoption of, and customer satisfaction with, intra-company dual branding strategies in the US lodging industry.The primary purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of dual branding in the field of the lodging industry, a phenomenon that is still insufficiently explored in the literature. In fact, the scarcity of literature pertaining to the lodging industry has forced this study to consider the research related to other segments and industries where dual branding strategies have been studied. Therefore, this study intended to expand the existing body of knowledge, advancing the theory of brand alliance from an industry and consumer perspective, as well as adapt, refine, and utilize a scale suitable for the measurement of dual branded hotels' customer satisfaction. This dissertation used an exploratory sequential mixed method approach. In the first qualitative phase, face-to-face and telephone interviews with operational hotel managers, corporate hotel managers, real estate development and management companies' managers, owners, and presidents, as well as hotel and lodging associations' professionals have been conducted. In addition to relevant and significant findings and results obtained through the hotel industry professionals interviewed, themes, constructs, and variables useful in the refinement and adaptation of a dual branding customer satisfaction scale were attained. Consequently, the second quantitative phase consisted of an online administration of a scenario-based questionnaire to dual branded hotels' customers of a dual branded lodging property aimed at identifying and evaluating the determinants of customer satisfaction.The ultimate purpose of this research has been to understand the main issues of implementation of dual branding practices and strategies in the lodging context. In particular, it has been to highlight and provide managerial, theoretical, methodological, and practical implications and recommendations for the US lodging industry, in the adoption of intra-company dual branding strategies. The suggestions offered in the study are relevantly timed to what is happening within the lodging industry, offering implications for both academia and industry.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007716, ucf:52411
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007716
- Title
- THE RELATIONSHIP OF 10TH-GRADE DISTRICT PROGRESS MONITORING ASSESSMENT SCORES TO FLORIDA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT TEST SCORES IN READING AND MATHEMATICS FOR 2008-2009.
- Creator
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Underwood, Marilyn, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The focus of this research was to investigate the use of a district created formative benchmark assessment in reading to predict student achievement for 10th-grade students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in one county in north central Florida. The purpose of the study was to provide information to high school principals and teachers to better understand how students were performing and learning and to maximize use of the formative district benchmark assessment in order to...
Show moreThe focus of this research was to investigate the use of a district created formative benchmark assessment in reading to predict student achievement for 10th-grade students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in one county in north central Florida. The purpose of the study was to provide information to high school principals and teachers to better understand how students were performing and learning and to maximize use of the formative district benchmark assessment in order to modify instruction and positively impact student achievement. This study expanded a prior limited study which correlated district benchmark assessment scores to FCAT scores for students in grades three through five in five elementary schools in the targeted county. The high correlations suggested further study. This research focused on secondary reading, specifically in 10th grade where both state and targeted county FCAT scores were low in years preceding this research. Investigated were (a) the district formative assessment in reading as a predictor of FCAT Reading scores, (b) differences in strength of correlation and prediction among student subgroups and between high schools, and (c) any relationships between reading formative assessment scores and Mathematics FCAT scores. An additional focus of this study was to determine best leadership practices in schools where there were the highest correlations between the formative assessment and FCAT Reading scores. Research on best practices was reviewed, and principals were interviewed to determine trends and themes in practice. Tenth grade students in the seven Florida targeted district high schools were included in the study. The findings of the study supported the effective use of formative assessments both in instruction and as predictors of studentsÂÂÂÂÂÂ' performance on the FCAT. The results of the study also showed a significant correlation between performance on the reading formative assessment and performance on FCAT Mathematics. The data indicated no significant differences in the strength of correlation between student subgroups or between the high schools included in the study. Additionally, the practices of effective principals in using formative assessment data to inform instruction, gathered through personal interviews, were documented and described.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003214, ucf:48573
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003214
- Title
- University Students' Citizenship Shaped by Service-Learning, Community Service, and Peer-to-Peer Civic Discussions.
- Creator
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Winston, Haley, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Welch, Kerry, Malaret, Stacey, Bowdon, Melody, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Citizenship is often referred to as the forgotten outcome of colleges and universities. The present study examined the relationship between undergraduate students' perceived citizenship level and different types of civic experiences (service-learning, community service, and peer-to-peer civic discussions) and also different demographic factors (gender, race/ethnicity, and parental level of education) at a public institution using the Personal and Social Responsibility Inventory. This study...
Show moreCitizenship is often referred to as the forgotten outcome of colleges and universities. The present study examined the relationship between undergraduate students' perceived citizenship level and different types of civic experiences (service-learning, community service, and peer-to-peer civic discussions) and also different demographic factors (gender, race/ethnicity, and parental level of education) at a public institution using the Personal and Social Responsibility Inventory. This study used structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis. This marks the first time these variables have been researched together. This study found a significant correlation between both community service and peer-to-peer civic discussions in relation to citizenship level. Yet, service-learning frequency was not found to be a significant factor. On the other hand, all three civic experiences together was found to be significantly correlated to citizenship aptitudes. Leading the researcher to find that a holistic (both inside and outside the classroom) approach to student citizenship is valuable for student development. Also, only one significant relationship was found between citizenship levels and any demographic variable (parental education level of doctorate or professional degree).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006927, ucf:51695
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006927
- Title
- A Comparison of Sixth Grade Student Achievement in Reading and Mathematics at School Transition Year.
- Creator
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Roseboom, Julie, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Bai, Haiyan, Beattie, Karen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study contributed information for consideration as school districts determine grade span configuration as part of school design. The problem addressed was the extent to which student achievement may be impacted by the transition from one school to another from fifth to sixth grade in Florida public schools in order to provide data to school policy makers and school district administrators and add to the body of knowledge on the grade level configuration that contributed the most to...
Show moreThis study contributed information for consideration as school districts determine grade span configuration as part of school design. The problem addressed was the extent to which student achievement may be impacted by the transition from one school to another from fifth to sixth grade in Florida public schools in order to provide data to school policy makers and school district administrators and add to the body of knowledge on the grade level configuration that contributed the most to student achievement in sixth grade. This was a causal-comparative study using quantitative data to analyze student scores at the school level for reading and mathematics on the 2014 Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) 2.0 assessment to explore the difference in achievement for sixth grade students with no school transition compared to those who had school transitions during middle school. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to examine if a difference existed in the dependent variables of sixth-grade reading and mathematics achievement as measured by school mean developmental scale scores and the school percentage of students making learning gains on the FCAT 2.0 between schools with sixth grade as the transition year and without sixth grade as the transition year. The analyses were controlled for the covariates of the school percentages of socio-economic status as determined by free and reduced lunch rate, English Learner status, and exceptional student education status. Findings signified that schools with no school transition between fifth and sixth grade in Florida public schools had higher sixth-grade mean scores in reading and mathematics as measured by school mean developmental scale scores and in reading as measured by the percentage of school learning gains. This study offers insight into what grade configuration is more likely to positively impact student achievement during the middle grades and supports students remaining in an elementary setting with fewer transitions during the middle grades to most benefit reading and mathematics achievement. Findings are useful to school boards, superintendents, and school district administrators interested in educational policy development and research on transition especially when restructuring school grade configurations and building new school sites.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0006545, ucf:51347
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006545
- Title
- Not Woman Enough Harassment: Scale Development and an Integrated Model from Antecedent to Outcome.
- Creator
-
Wolcott, Amanda, Jentsch, Kimberly, Jentsch, Florian, Shoss, Mindy, Lopez, Stephanie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The rise of research on workplace mistreatment in the past twenty years can be attributed to the realization that workplace mistreatment is associated with a host of deleterious outcomes for both the individual targets of the mistreatment and the organizations in which they work. However, the extant literature is failing to capture the full range of sex-based mistreatment that people may experience through a tendency to focus solely on sexual harassment and sex discrimination, which are very...
Show moreThe rise of research on workplace mistreatment in the past twenty years can be attributed to the realization that workplace mistreatment is associated with a host of deleterious outcomes for both the individual targets of the mistreatment and the organizations in which they work. However, the extant literature is failing to capture the full range of sex-based mistreatment that people may experience through a tendency to focus solely on sexual harassment and sex discrimination, which are very specific types of behavior based on one's sex and gender stereotypes. In this dissertation, I introduce the construct of Not Woman Enough Harassment, or the extent to which women perceive that they are treated unfavorably because they do not meet traditionally held stereotypes of femininity. A scale was developed and validated in order to measure this type of harassment, and a model from antecedent to outcome was proposed. Results demonstrated that not woman enough harassment was experienced by approximately 32.5% of the sample. The scale showed good psychometric properties, with two distinct factors of harassment based on physical and non-physical traits. Not woman enough harassment was demonstrated to be distinct from other forms of sexual and workplace harassment. Discomfort with gender norm conformity and masculine physical and non-physical expression were shown to be antecedents of not woman enough harassment, along with a moderating effect of job gender context. In addition, not woman enough harassment significantly predicted decreased job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, and task performance and increased withdrawal and job stress. Similar patterns were found for males with not man enough harassment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006962, ucf:51629
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006962
- Title
- Principals' Perceptions and Self-efficacy in Relation to School Security.
- Creator
-
Jones, Julian, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Kennedy, Mary, Wolf, Ross, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Principals in the nation's schools have been tasked with managing crisis incidents that may occur with students and others on their campuses on a daily basis. The purposes of this study were to determine the differences, if any, that existed in Central Florida public school principals' perceptions regarding school security, their perceived confidence to address critical crisis incidents on their campuses, their perceptions of the likelihood critical incidents would occur, their perceptions of...
Show morePrincipals in the nation's schools have been tasked with managing crisis incidents that may occur with students and others on their campuses on a daily basis. The purposes of this study were to determine the differences, if any, that existed in Central Florida public school principals' perceptions regarding school security, their perceived confidence to address critical crisis incidents on their campuses, their perceptions of the likelihood critical incidents would occur, their perceptions of interaction with law enforcement, the critical incidents they fear the most, and their perceptions of factors impacting the incidents they fear the most. Principal subgroup mean responses to the Principal Safety and Security Perceptions Survey in the three areas of Bandura's (1997) triadic reciprocal causation were examined in the context of principals' gender, longevity, student enrollment, grade configuration, free and reduced lunch rate, presence of a law enforcement officer, and presence of a security plan. Findings revealed significant differences between categorical groups of principals in multiple areas. It was determined that significant differences in principals' perceptions warrant further study. Recommendations for practice include security policy development and practical application of noted trends.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005636, ucf:50217
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005636
- Title
- History of development in Orange and Seminole counties: growth patterns of urban form in the Orlando metropolitan area.
- Creator
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Orange-Seminole Joint Planning Commission, White, Arthur W., East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, PALMM (Project)
- Abstract / Description
-
A brief history of Orange and Seminole counties chronicling development from the colonial period to 1965, illustrated with period photographs and facsimile advertisements.
- Date Issued
- 1965
- Identifier
- AAC3711QF00001/25/200704/17/200721155BnamI D0QF, FHP C UCF 2007-01-25, FIPS12095, FIPS12117, FCLA url 20070404xOCLC, 123193386, CF00001738, 2702791, ucf:21515
- Format
- E-book
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/tc/fhp/CF00001738.jpg
- Title
- Middle Grades Science in Florida: A Comparison of Student Achievement in Comprehensive and Subject-specific Science Courses 2013-2017.
- Creator
-
Moore, Kenneth, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Lee, Storey, Valerie A., Gao, Su, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As with U.S. student achievement on national and international science assessments, Florida's 8th grade student achievement on the 2013(-)2017 8th grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2.0 Science/Statewide Science Assessment (SSA) was stagnant. To break this stagnation, many Florida school districts have changed middle grades science course offerings from traditional, subject-specific, discipline-based, layered, or field-specific science courses to comprehensive, integrated,...
Show moreAs with U.S. student achievement on national and international science assessments, Florida's 8th grade student achievement on the 2013(-)2017 8th grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2.0 Science/Statewide Science Assessment (SSA) was stagnant. To break this stagnation, many Florida school districts have changed middle grades science course offerings from traditional, subject-specific, discipline-based, layered, or field-specific science courses to comprehensive, integrated, spiraled, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, thematic, or general science courses. There was a lack of research showing if either type of science course improved student achievement on standardized science assessments. Controlling for school district student population, low socio-economic status (SES) student percentage, and English learner (EL) percentage, this study compared the 2013(-)2017 8th grade FCAT 2.0 Science/SSA school district mean scale scores of two groups of school districts: those that offered comprehensive science courses and those that offered subject-specific science courses. Scores for three student groups were analyzed: all students, low SES students, and ELs. No statistically significant differences were found in school district mean scale scores or pass rates between the two school district groups. The comprehensive group mean scale scores were numerically higher, while the subject-specific group mean pass rates were numerically higher. The subject-specific group had statistically significantly higher raw scores for life science and physical science. The comprehensive group had wider dispersions of mean scale scores and pass rates, suggesting inconsistencies in implementation of comprehensive science courses. The primary implication of this study is that educational leaders should not expect to improve student science achievement simply by changing the type of science course offering. Changes should be made with consideration to student needs, school district demographics, teacher professional development and support, course structure and coherence with standards, and the need for flexibility in teacher assignments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007410, ucf:52710
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007410
- Title
- EFFECTIVE SCHOOL CHARACTERISTICS AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT CORRELATES AS PERCEIVED BY TEACHERS IN AMERICAN STYLE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS.
- Creator
-
Doran, James, Allen, Kay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between effective school characteristics and norm referenced standardized test scores in American-style international schools. In contrast to schools in traditional effective schools research, international schools typically have middle to high SES families, and display average to above average achievement. Eleven effective school characteristics were identified and correlated with standardized test scores for grades 4, 6, and 8...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between effective school characteristics and norm referenced standardized test scores in American-style international schools. In contrast to schools in traditional effective schools research, international schools typically have middle to high SES families, and display average to above average achievement. Eleven effective school characteristics were identified and correlated with standardized test scores for grades 4, 6, and 8 and high school SAT scores. Data was gathered from an online teacher questionnaire designed for this study. All eleven characteristics were present in high performing international schools while frequent analysis of student progress, high academic expectations and positive school environment were more prominent. Positive school environment, high academic expectations, strong instructional leadership and cultural diversity were chosen as important characteristics of an effective international school. Learning time is maximized was the only characteristic that was significantly correlated with achievement and only in grades 4, 6 and 8. There was no statistically significant relationship found between norm referenced test scores and the aggregate effective school characteristics score.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000245, ucf:46244
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000245
- Title
- Evaluating Improvisation as a Technique for Training Pre-Service Teachers for Inclusive Classrooms.
- Creator
-
Becker, Theresa, Hines, Rebecca, Beverly, Monifa, Hopp, Carolyn, Hamed, Kastro, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Improvisation is a construct that uses a set of minimal heuristic guidelines to create a highly flexible scaffold that fosters extemporaneous communication. Scholars from diverse domains: such as psychology, business, negotiation, and education have suggested its use as a method for preparing professionals to manage complexity and think on their feet. A review of the literature revealed that while there is substantial theoretical scholarship on using improvisation in diverse domains, little...
Show moreImprovisation is a construct that uses a set of minimal heuristic guidelines to create a highly flexible scaffold that fosters extemporaneous communication. Scholars from diverse domains: such as psychology, business, negotiation, and education have suggested its use as a method for preparing professionals to manage complexity and think on their feet. A review of the literature revealed that while there is substantial theoretical scholarship on using improvisation in diverse domains, little research has verified these assertions. This dissertation evaluated whether improvisation, a specific type of dramatic technique, was effective for training pre-service teachers in specific characteristics of teacher-child classroom interaction, communication and affective skills development. It measured the strength and direction of any potential changes such training might effect on pre-service teacher's self-efficacy for teaching and for implementing the communication skills common to improvisation and teaching while interacting with student in an inclusive classroom setting. A review of the literature on teacher self-efficacy and improvisation clarified and defined key terms, and illustrated relevant studies. This study utilized a mixed-method research design based on instructional design and development research. Matched pairs t-tests were used to analyze the self-efficacy and training skills survey data and pre-service teacher reflections and interview transcripts were used to triangulate the qualitative data. Results of the t-tests showed a significant difference in participants' self-efficacy for teaching measured before and after the improvisation training. A significant difference in means was also measured in participants' aptitude for improvisation strategies and for self-efficacy for their implementation pre-/post- training. Qualitative results from pre-service teacher class artifacts and interviews showed participants reported beneficial personal outcomes as well as confirmed using skills from the training while interacting with students. Many of the qualitative themes parallel individual question items on the teacher self-efficacy TSES scale as well as the improvisation self-efficacy scale CSAI. The self-reported changes in affective behavior such as increased self-confidence and ability to foster positive interaction with students are illustrative of changes in teacher agency. Self-reports of being able to better understand student perspectives demonstrate a change in participant ability to empathize with students. Participants who worked with both typically developing students as well as with students with disabilities reported utilizing improvisation strategies such as Yes, and..., mirroring emotions and body language, vocal prosody and establishing a narrative relationship to put the students at ease, establish a positive learning environment, encourage student contributions and foster teachable moments. The improvisation strategies showed specific benefit for participants working with nonverbal students or who had commutation difficulties, by providing the pre-service teachers with strategies for using body language, emotional mirroring, vocal prosody and acceptance to foster interaction and communication with the student.Results from this investigation appear to substantiate the benefit of using improvisation training as part of a pre-service teacher methods course for preparing teachers for inclusive elementary classrooms. Replication of the study is encouraged with teachers of differing populations to confirm and extend results.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004516, ucf:49273
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004516
- Title
- INDIA AND CHINA SPACE PROGRAMS: FROM GENESIS OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO MAJOR SPACE PROGRAMS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
- Creator
-
BHOLA, GAURAV, HANDBERG, ROGER, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The Indian and Chinese space programs have evolved into technologically advanced vehicles of national prestige and international competition for developed nations. The programs continue to evolve with impetus that India and China will have the same space capabilities as the United States with in the coming years. This will present new challenges to the international community in spheres civilian, to space and military applications and their residual benefits.
- Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002745, ucf:48156
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002745
