Assessment Practices Research Articles

Literacy assessment as teacher agency and expertise

PurposeThe paper aims to develop a coherent understanding of literacy assessment, one that draws on current conceptualising of assessment generally while accounting for the complexity of literacy and literacy development. It responds to The Foundation for Learning Literacy Touchstone #8, offering a view of assessment as an “eco-system” comprising national, system, school and classroom sites and argues for recognition of the crucial place of teachers’ expertise and professional judgement.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports on action-oriented research in which upper primary teachers worked with an education academic to improve writing pedagogy in their classroom practice. Part of a larger project which took a genre-based, disciplinary literacy approach, the paper focuses on five year five teachers who collaboratively designed and implemented a literature study in each of their classrooms. Data collected included planning documents, exemplar texts, student work samples, teacher reflections and interviews and student interviews. Data were mapped against the teachers’ goals with respect to genre and literary concepts and analysed for key concepts related to current conceptualisations of assessment.FindingsThe paper offers insights into the interconnection between curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. It demonstrates how the teacher–participants planned for literacy and content and how they drew on formative assessment at different points of the teaching–learning cycle to support students to successfully complete a culminating writing task. In doing so, it demonstrates the expertise of the teachers in weaving together formative and summative assessment as well as the complexity of literacy assessment that cannot be captured entirely in one-shot assessments or diagnostic tests. Such complexity requires the richness possible when curriculum, pedagogy and assessment are aligned, as is evident in the case study.Research limitations/implicationsThe action research approach offers opportunities to develop deep understandings of the site but cannot be generalised to other sites. However, the detail with which we describe the practices means aspects of the study may be recognisable as like those in other sites.Practical implicationsThe paper brings together a range of disparate literacy assessment practices in a coherent and accessible way that policymakers, schools and teachers will find generative. It will be useful for preservice teachers who often witness a range of practices in schools and wonder how they fit together. It also offers a means of communicating with media and other commentators about literacy and literacy assessment in an educative way.Originality/valueThe paper fulfils an identified need for a coherent approach which brings together the many practices and tools that currently exist in systems, schools and classrooms.

Assessment of Food Safety Practices, Associated Factors and Microbial Contamination of Fried Nile Perch in Mwanza City Markets: A Cross-Sectional Study

Unsatisfactory hygienic practices can lead to food-borne pathogen contamination in fish and fishery products, posing serious health concerns for consumers. This study assessed the food safety practices, their associated factors, and microbial contamination levels of fried Nile Perch in Mwanza City across three markets: Kirumba, Butimba, and Nyakato. A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire examined the food safety practices of traders and processors, and their associated factors, including experience, income, and training. Standard methods for microbial analysis were conducted to determine the levels of coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. SPSS version 27 was used to compute the frequency and percentages. The factors and behaviours of fried Nile perch processors and traders were assessed using a 95% chi-square test. R software was employed to perform the Aligned Rank Transformation on market microbiological mean contamination. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference was employed for post hoc group comparisons. The results show that the transportation of raw fish at ambient temperature conditions showed a significant association across markets (X²=6.153, p=0.046), risking high levels of microbial contamination. Furthermore, tap water served as the predominant water source in the Butimba (88.9%), Kirumba (90%), and Nyakato (100%) marketplaces, despite the insufficient hand-washing facilities in the markets. Low income significantly affected the clear separation between storage and processing areas (X²=16.201, p=0.013), while insufficient training was related to inadequate temperature control (X²=6.032,p=0.014). Fried fish from all markets exceeded the safe limits of assessed microorganisms, with Nyakato having the highest levels of total plate count (9.53 log CFU/g), coliforms (8.74 log CFU/g), and S. aureus (5.51 log CFU/g), posing significant risks of food-borne illnesses upon consumption. Contamination levels differed significantly between markets (p<0.05), despite similar activities across locations. Consumers should reheat fried Nile perch before consumption to avoid foodborne illnesses, and the government should offer formal training in food safety and environmental cleanliness to food safety operators to facilitate compliance with safety regulations.

Playing to win: enhancing programme success through more frequent use of competitive analysis

Purpose Competition is one of the least used social marketing principles. Yet, an assessment of direct competition is one of the key factors defining social marketing from other behavioural change approaches. This paper aims to synthesise literature from evidence reviews assessing the extent that competitive analysis has been undertaken. This paper contributes a new competitive analysis method that can be incorporated within the seven-step co-design process delivering an alternative tool that social marketers can consider. Competition assessment enables social marketers to identify cooperators, share resources and ultimately enhance social marketing programme success. Design/methodology/approach A synthesis on competition assessments reported in 30 evidence review studies is provided. This paper offers a new competition analysis method that can be applied to undertake competitive assessments demonstrating likes, dislikes and other ideas, which can be gathered during the sensitisation phase of co-design. Findings Out of the 1,795 papers suitable for title/abstract screening, 30 evidence reviews assessing extent of competition use or extracting detail on competition from selected studies in the review were included in this umbrella review. Heterogeneity was evident, with reviews concluding between 0% and 100% competition use. Social marketers generally lack resources and can benefit from an easy way of defining and examining competition and this can be done by considering only direct competition. Research limitations/implications This rapid review synthesises the author’s views and is limited to studies identified within the 30 evidence reviews considered. Future research directions are outlined. Practical implications Competitive assessments are akin to standing on the shoulders of giants. Competitive assessments allow you to identify what individuals like and do not likev and potential cooperators that can be partnered with to reduce noise, which can better support people to make choices that achieve intended programme outcomes and deliver benefits to individuals. Social implications Increased utilisation of the competition criteria will help to avoid costly failures ensuring that social marketers have improved odds of programme success. Through identifying programmes that are currently available, which people like, social marketers can establish partnerships to share resources driving more effort to delivering outcomes. Originality/value This paper offers a new competition assessment method for resource constrained social marketers that can be incorporated into the Trischler et al. (2019) seven-step co-design process. Increased application of competition will enhance social marketing effectiveness.

Students’ Perception of the Effects of Using Self-assessment and Peer-assessment in Promoting Learner Autonomy in Speaking Skills

This study aims to examine the effects of self-assessment and peer assessment on learner autonomy development and the different effects between the two kinds of assessment practices in language use, focusing on EFL speaking skills. Eighty-eight first-year non-English majors at VNU-HCM University of Science taking a fifteen-week general English course participated in the study and were put in two groups: experimental 1 (n=49); and experimental 2 (n=39). The participants in experimental group 1 assessed their own work, whilst those in experimental group 2 assessed their peers' work. Quantitative data was collected from students' pre-and post-test questionnaires. Three key findings were revealed. First, through the use of self-assessment, dimensions of initiating, monitoring, and evaluating students' learner autonomy were significantly enhanced. Second, the implementation of peer assessment also considerably promoted students' learner autonomy dimensions by initiating, monitoring, and evaluating. Third, although both self-assessment and peer assessment developed these four learner autonomy dimensions, there is a small difference between the two kinds of assessment on dimension initiating. The effects of self-assessment on dimension initiating surpassed that of peer assessment on dimension initiating.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding use of artificial intelligence for medical writings among doctors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Background and objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a cutting-edge technology affecting all eras of science and technology and medicine, which is not an exception. Medical writings play a significant role in improving health standard and patient outcomes owing to their global dissemination. AI has widely affected medical writings. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices among the doctors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical writings. Medial writings cover a broad horizon of writings ranging from simple medical reports and prescription and extending to impactful article writings and evidence-based research papers as well as figure and graph generation for these papers using the input data. Materials and methods: It is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study involving convenience non-probability sampling. The questionnaire contained a total of 29 items with subsequent portions of knowledge assessment containing 11 items, the attitude assessment comprised 10 items, and the practice assessment involved eight items. Being the first study of its kind, a conservational approach was adopted for sample size determination, and initially, the calculated sample was 385 using an online sample size calculator. The final sample size adopted was 500 to avoid any discrepancies owing to small sample size. The study setting was KPK, a province of Pakistan, and the study population was the medical doctors practicing in KPK. SPSS 28 was used for data analysis. Frequency, percentage, correlation, and regression analysis were used. Results: Out of 500 respondents, 135 were females and 365 were males. The overall data suggest a high level of knowledge regarding AI in medicine (91.2%). The use of AI was about 30.6%, highlighting a gap that needs to be addressed. The majority of doctors agreed on the impact of AI in medical writing (92.5%), indicating a positive attitude toward promotion within the community. The Pearson coefficient showed statistically significant values. Regression analysis with P-value < 0.001 also supported the hypothesis. Conclusion: The study revealed a positive perception of AI in medical writing, recognizing its potential for efficiency and quality improvement. However, respondents expressed concerns about AI authorship, ethics, privacy, and bias, leading to low adoption. The findings underscore the necessity for education, training, and clear guidelines to responsibly integrate AI into medical writing, ensuring ethical use and advancing the field with informed practices.

"Navigating the Complexities of CAD Assessment: Challenges and Solutions for High School Students in Harare Schools."

Abstract: This study provides an in-depth examination of the multifaceted challenges teachers encounter when assessing CAD designs in Harare schools. The research focuses on the diversity of student abilities and learning approaches, highlighting the complexities involved in creating fair and equitable assessments. It explores how educators can balance the need to evaluate both advanced and novice students effectively, ensuring that all students receive a fair assessment of their skills. A significant focus is placed on the inherent subjectivity involved in assessing creative CAD projects. The study investigates the tension between fostering student innovation and adhering to standardized evaluation criteria. This balance is crucial in maintaining both the integrity of the assessment process and the encouragement of student creativity. The study also proposes practical solutions and strategies aimed at helping educators navigate these complexities. this study aims to contribute to the broader understanding of CAD education in high schools, offering insights that can help educators enhance their assessment practices and better support student learning in the field of computer-aided design.

Chinese nurses’ perspectives on child-friendly healthcare practice assessment: a qualitative study

BackgroundNurses play a critical role in the implementation of child-friendly healthcare, ensuring that pediatric patients receive comprehensive and compassionate services. However, there is a global scarcity of research evaluating nurses’ practices in delivering child-friendly healthcare. Therefore, this study focuses on exploring the assessment of child-friendly healthcare practices from the perspective of nurses themselves.MethodThis descriptive qualitative study employed purposive and snowball sampling methods to recruit 14 pediatric nurses from six hospitals in Zhejiang province, Southeast China. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face between January and June 2024. Data were analyzed through the qualitative content analysis approach.ResultsWe identified 415 unique meaning units in the interview data, 332 of which were related to child-friendly healthcare practice assessment. These units were classified into 58 codes across 4 categories and 17 subcategories. The four categories were identified: services designed for children’s interests, tailoring the environment adapted for children, facilitating social interactions, and promoting childhood development.ConclusionThe findings from this study were derived from the perspectives of Chinese nurses on child-friendly healthcare practice assessment, offering a comprehensive and multidimensional view of this field. The results reflect the current state and future direction of child-friendly healthcare in China, which will aid in sustaining the development of a child-friendly healthcare evaluation system.

Cultural or Spiritual End-of-Life Practice Preference Assessment and Documentation: Identifying Current Practice in Pediatric Hospice.

Communities use rituals at end of life to foster a peaceful death, ensure passage to the afterlife, and grieve their lost loved ones. Studies report fear of misunderstanding or impeding rituals as a barrier to accepting hospice care. However, there has been little research on cultural and spiritual rituals in the setting of hospice care or how patient preference should be assessed, documented, and supported by hospice staff. This project sought to identify the current practice for assessment of cultural or spiritual end-of-life practice preferences, and the documentation of those preferences, within pediatric hospice programs in a Midwestern state. In surveys of 2 pediatric hospice programs, employee respondents reported routine assessment (97.3%) and routine documentation (70.3%) of cultural or spiritual end-of-life practice preferences. Most respondents reported documentation was written by various disciplines and in various locations in the medical record. Additionally, a retrospective chart review was performed including decedents of 1 pediatric hospice program over a 5-year period. Documentation affirming familial spiritual beliefs was identified in 75.9% of charts, of which, only 12.2% had documentation regarding end-of-life-specific spiritual needs. Standardized documentation practices may help foster equitable hospice care for all patients by ensuring care providers are aware of the patient and/or family's end-of-life spiritual needs.

Teachers’ views on the ethical issues in educational assessment practices: a comparative mixed-methods study

Teachers’ views on the ethical issues in educational assessment practices: a comparative mixed-methods study

Chinese students’ experiences of ‘high-stakes’ assessment: the role of fitness testing

ABSTRACT Background ‘High-stakes’ testing is a common practice in China and is expanding worldwide. As part of these practices, physical education assessments are compulsory for all students. Given this, China provides a unique setting to explore students’ reflective experiences of mandatory ‘high-stakes’ assessment in physical education. Purpose The purpose of this paper was to explore Chinese students’ reflective experiences and perceptions of the physical education component of the Zhongkao (‘high-stakes’ senior high school entrance examination). Methods This paper uses semi-structured group interviews with 24 students enrolled in a Year 11 physical education class in Shanghai. The transcripts from the interviews were analysed using concept coding, conceptual mapping, and analytical memos. Findings This paper found ‘high-stakes’ assessment in Shanghai focused on physical performances and students felt this went against the perceived holistic aims of physical education. The students also reported teachers changed their pedagogical approach to focus on achieving higher fitness scores. Lastly, students stated the test lacked diversity and was not a fair measurement of learning. Conclusion This study suggests ‘high-stakes’ testing practices in China are disconnected from the students’ beliefs about the value of physical education. As such, we contend that assessment practices in physical education should reflect the diverse forms of learning that happens in physical education.

Assessment of everyday functioning in Swedish forensic mental health services

Individuals in forensic mental health services (FMHS) commonly exhibit greater cognitive deficits and unmet health needs than those in general psychiatric care. Despite the central role of functional disability in FMHS treatment objectives, the assessment in this domain remains underexplored. This study examines current practices of functional assessment in Swedish FMHS through the combination of a survey and analysis of register data. The survey covered the presence and content of procedure manuals regarding functional assessment and the clinical use of assessment results. Frequency of assessment and relation to individual factors (age, gender, place of birth, psychiatric diagnosis, and history of addiction) and contextual factors (FMHS site, size and security level at the site, and administrated risk assessment) were investigated through statistical analysis of register data. Results indicate significant variability in functional assessment practices across different FMHS sites. Contextual factors such as site and the use of risk assessment instruments demonstrate a positive association with assessment frequency. Functional assessments were primarily used with in-patients, raising concerns about applicability beyond hospital settings and preparation for community re-entry. Despite professionals’ belief in the potential benefits of functional assessment for tailoring interventions, its impact on individual treatment plans was limited. The study underscores the need for improved assessment accuracy and ongoing monitoring of functioning, particularly considering the disparate practices observed across FMHS sites. Moreover, there is a call for national coordination and evidence-based guidelines to enhance functional assessment practices in Swedish FMHS.

Variants of unknown significance in BRCA1 and BRCA2 among breast cancer patients in Middle Eastern and North African populations: A systematic review

Breast cancer (BC) is a growing global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) in BC genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, complicate genetic counseling and treatment decisions, emphasizing the need for reclassification. This systematic review aimed to determine the spectrum of VUS in BRCA1 and BRCA2 among BC patients from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and to evaluate the current understanding and potential reclassification of these variants. A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase, for studies published up to early 2024. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies conducted in the MENA region that focused on BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 in BC and/or ovarian cancer, reported on VUS prevalence, and analyzed coding regions or known mutations. Data extraction was performed using a standardized form, and VUS was reviewed through multiple databases. The review identified 34 eligible studies, with a slight predominance of Middle Eastern studies (n = 18) over North African (n = 16) studies. On reclassification using the ClinVar database, 26% of the VUS were reclassified as benign or likely benign, 34.5% presented conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity, 2% were reclassified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, and 16.5% remained uncertain. The remaining variants were either not reported or lacked classification. The included studies covered multiple countries in the MENA region, providing insights into the prevalence and characteristics of BRCA1 and BRCA2 VUS in BC patients. The continuous reclassification of VUS is essential for enhancing genetic counseling for BC patients, as it helps clarify the clinical implications of these variants. The findings contribute to understanding the genetic factors in BC susceptibility and may inform clinical practices in genetic counseling and risk assessment in this population.

No three productions alike: Lexical variability, situated dynamics, and path dependence in task-based corpora

Abstract Situated language use is influenced by a number of dynamic phenomena that introduce lexical variability and path dependence, such as fluid discourse granularity, priming, and alignment in dialogue. The empirical tradition of usage-based lexicology does not account for such variability. In fact, its primary theoretical approaches appear to presuppose high population convergence on particular lexemes in language production. This is implied in several key concepts of phraseological and constructionist models, notably entrenchment, the principle of no synonymy, and the idiom principle, as well as the dominance of the statistical paradigm in the field. In spite of its relevance for linguistic theory and corpus methodology, this assumption appears to be untested. This study provides an analysis of inter-individual lexical overlap of verbs and nouns in five task-based corpora of (mostly) German. Results indicate that speakers are maximally variable and highly divergent in their lexical use in spite of narrow communicative constraints and group homogeneity. A qualitative analysis links this variability to situational (cognitive, socio-pragmatic, and discourse-level) engagement with the task and material, which results in referential diversity, spontaneous meaning mapping, and abundant word formation. The degree of observed variability raises questions with respect to the stochastic properties and functional mechanics of entrenchment and the role of repetition of identical material, such as lexicalized chunks, in conventionalization. It further emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the distributions that underlie pooled data, without which the validity of frequential extrapolation to individual behavior and system status stands to question. This is of particular relevance to language assessment and other practices of contrastive analysis of speaker productions, e.g., in multilingualism studies.

“Effectiveness of a Multimodal Teaching Program on Nurses” Knowledge Acquisition, Practice, and Perception of Neurodevelopmental Supportive Care in NICU: A Non-randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Developmental supportive care (DSC) gradually gaining recognition and adoption in NICUs. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multimodal teaching program (MMTP) on nurses’ knowledge acquisition, practices, and perception of neurodevelopmental supportive care (NDSC). Methods A non-randomized controlled trial with a one-group pre-test–post-test design was employed to evaluate the efficacy of MMTP on NDSC among the 55 nurses working in the NICU. Pre and post-assessment followed by one-month follow-up data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire for knowledge, an observation checklist for practice assessment and a Likert scale to assess the perception. Results This study findings showed that the mean (SD) score at pre-test, post-test-I and II were 12.18 (3.15), 17.2 (1.04) and 19.1 (1.82), respectively; MD (95% CI) between pre-test and post-test-I = 5.06 (3.84-6.27), P = .001 and MD (95% CI) between pre-test and post-test-II = 6.90 (5.78-8.09), P = .001. After the MMTP, 90%-100% of nurses exhibited adequate practice skills in NDSC, with 81.6% of participants reporting a positive perception toward it. Conclusion The MMTP effectively improved and sustained nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding NDSC.

A Rapid Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers and Caregivers on Childhood Diarrhea in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Childhood diarrhea is the third cause of admission and deaths with overall incidence remaining unacceptably high while knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of the mothers present affecting vitality of the childhood in most affected communities of Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed to assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers and caregivers on childhood diarrhoea in Zanzibar, Tanzania. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2019 to February, 2020. Twenty-four health facilities were selected from west urban region of Zanzibar in Tanzania. A total of 384 mothers and caregivers with diarrhoea in children under-five years were enrolled. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was obtained by asking the parents/guardians. Questionnaires were interview administered to the participants and data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 16.0. A total of mothers and caregivers were studied. From the respondents 365(95%) had satisfactory level of knowledge on childhood diarrhea while 20 (5%) had unsatisfactory knowledge. A total of 196 (51%) rejected the use of oral Rehydration Sugars (ORS) at home due to taste and smell and 188 (49%) agree its use. Collectively mothers and caregivers 177 (46%) reported drinking treated or boiling water. A total of 181 (47%) respondents reported hand washing after helping children with defecation while only 73 (19%) respondents reported washing hands before preparing food. Limited use of water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices was observed among mothers and caregivers of under-five in the prevention and management of childhood diarrhea. Therefore, there is a need to endorse effective community health education, dissemination of information and community conversation to create a positive practice towards moving knowledge into WASH practices.

Where to Begin: Utilizing In Situ Simulation as a Tool for Rapid Assessment of Current Practices in Trauma Management.

Where to Begin: Utilizing In Situ Simulation as a Tool for Rapid Assessment of Current Practices in Trauma Management.

A Minimally Time-Consuming Method for Regular, Ongoing Outcome Assessments in a Rural Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program: Validation via Retrospective Pre-Post Studies.

The purpose of this study was to introduce and validate a minimally time-consuming method for regular, ongoing assessments of practice- and individual-level outcomes in a rural diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program. The method involves a report developed within an electronic health record system to capture the initial A1C data of patients in the program and their most recent A1C data at the time the report is run. To validate the method's ability to continuously assess outcomes, 3 retrospective pre-post studies were conducted over 3 consecutive months: October, November, and December 2023. The subjects were individuals with type 2 or type 1 diabetes who completed their initial visits in the program during these months. A1C changes in patient cohorts and their statistical significance were analyzed as practice-level outcomes, and individual-level outcomes were monitored by plotting and analyzing patient data. The report accurately captured data, enabling minimally time-consuming analyses. The method allowed both continuous assessment of program effectiveness based on A1C changes and monitoring of individual patient progress. Statistically significant reductions in average A1C were observed for subjects seen in October and December 2023 (but not in November) and across the combined data from all 3 months. Data plotting helped identify individual subjects who may benefit from follow-up. The method is feasible and accurate for ongoing outcome assessments, providing timely feedback to clinicians and promoting practice changes to improve patient outcomes. It is also flexible and adaptable to other DSMES programs.

Caregiver Perceptions and Use of the Early Communication Indicator–Autism: Examining Differences Among Demographic Groups

Purpose: This study aims to examine caregiver perceptions and use of the Early Communication Indicator–Autism (ECI-A), an adapted, naturalistic assessment to measure progress on communication skills, and explore differences across racial and ethnic groups to provide preliminary data about the cultural responsiveness of the newly adapted ECI-A. Method: A total of 215 caregivers and their autistic child completed the ECI-A. The research team collected data on caregiver- and researcher-reported ease of use of the ECI-A and caregiver ECI-A fidelity. Descriptive statistics are reported across racial and ethnic groups, and group differences are examined between groups with sufficient sample size (Black and White caregivers, Latino and non-Latino caregivers). Results: Overall, there was consistency in caregiver and researcher perceptions of ease of use and caregiver fidelity. The only statistically significant differences were for researcher-reported ease of use between Black and White caregivers and ECI-A fidelity for general procedures between Latino and non-Latino caregivers. Conclusions: The results suggest that the ECI-A is acceptable and feasible for use by caregivers from a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. However, the two statistically significant differences suggest the need for careful attention to researcher biases for researcher-completed measures and more in-depth evaluation of the cultural responsiveness of the general ECI-A procedures, such as the number of play partners involved. It will be critical to continue work that informs and advances the use of culturally responsive assessment practices with autistic children and their families in the future. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28216151

Analysis of EA as an instrument for wetland protection: insights from the mining sector in western and northern Canada

ABSTRACT Environmental assessment (EA) is a primary tool for identifying and managing the impacts of development on wetlands. Despite the global presence of EA and wetland policies, wetlands continue to be lost. This paper examines how EA is being deployed to identify, assess, and mitigate impacts on wetlands. The focus is on the mining sector in western and northern Canada. A sample of 36 EAs for mining projects in British Columbia and Yukon, filed between 2010 and 2021, was analyzed to examine how wetlands were considered in the project description, baseline, impact analysis, mitigation, and management plans. Results indicate a narrow focus on the wetland area as a proxy for impacts and a dominant focus on direct impacts, indicating that the full extent of potential impacts on wetland functions is not captured; a tendency to prioritize mitigation of impacts on habitat with less attention to other wetland functions; a reliance on secondary sources versus field-based studies to identify impacts; and weak linkages between mitigations and impact predictions. Lessons emerging emphasize the need for improvements to foundational EA practices for wetland assessment and mitigation. Better practice is urgent considering the declining state of wetlands globally, coupled with an expanding mining sector.

Evaluating Lexical Competency in Saudi Arabia's Hybridized EFL Ecosystem

This study explores vocabulary assessment practices in Saudi Arabia's hybrid EFL ecosystem, leveraging platforms like Blackboard and Google Forms. The focus is on identifying prevalent test formats and evaluating their alignment with modern pedagogical goals. To classify vocabulary assessment formats in hybridized EFL contexts and recommend the integration of AI-enhanced adaptive testing to improve assessment effectiveness and learner outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including analysis of 161 online test samples and semi-structured interviews with test designers. A taxonomy was developed to classify tests into multiple-choice and open-response paradigms, assessing their cognitive demands and contextual usage. Results highlighted the predominance of multiple-choice and cloze tasks, emphasizing recognition over retrieval. Digital platforms enabled test administration, but adaptive, AI-driven assessments were notably absent. The findings advocate for integrating AI technologies in vocabulary assessment to create adaptive and personalized evaluations.