Enrollment Options Research Articles

Georeferencing Management for Optimization of Enrollment Slots in the Municipal Education System of Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ

This essay was presented with the aim of suggesting a georeferencing solution to optimize the pre-enrollment process in the education system of Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ. Using a mixed methodological approach that combines qualitative and quantitative analysis, collecting new student requests and georeferencing addresses and routing with the offered options, the study analyzed the current enrollment process and developed a new model guided by georeferencing. This was achieved by collecting geospatial data from students' residences and schools for subsequent geographic distribution analysis. The results demonstrated that the implementation of a georeferencing system not only streamlines parents' decision-making process regarding enrollment options but also significantly reduces the distances traveled by students. This optimization has a direct impact on improving the quality of life and academic performance of students, highlighting the effectiveness of georeferencing as a strategic tool in educational management.

Exploring the dynamics of concurrent enrollment in rural spaces through the narrative of a small community college

AbstractThis article describes the narrative of one small rural community college's concurrent enrollment program, seeking to highlight and make sense of the particular dynamics of operating this type of programing in rural spaces. Dual or concurrent enrollment options can offer students increased access to postsecondary options in rural education deserts, as well as contribute to the economic health of the region through workforce development. However, the same challenges and benefits of rural life also comprise the dynamics within which this programing must operate. The manuscript concludes with recommendations for practice, research, and policy, relevant to both concurrent enrollment program operation and the broader college mission of rural community development.

Patient experiences using public and private insurance coverage for abortion in Illinois: Implementation successes and remaining gaps.

Insurance coverage for abortion in states where care remains legal can alleviate financial burdens for patients and increase access. Recent policy changes in Illinois required Medicaid and some private insurance plans to cover abortion care. This study explores policy implementation from the perspectives of patients using their insurance to obtain early abortion care. Between July 2021 and February 2022, we interviewed Illinois residents who recently sought abortion care at ≤11 weeks of pregnancy. We also interviewed nine key informants with experience providing or billing for abortion or supporting insurance policy implementation in Illinois. We coded interview transcripts in Dedoose and developed code summaries to identify salient themes across interviews. Most participants insured by Illinois Medicaid or eligible for enrollment received full coverage for their abortions; most with private insurance did not and faced challenges learning about coverage status. Some opted not to use insurance, often citing privacy concerns. Participants who benefited from abortion coverage expressed relief, gave examples of other financial challenges they could prioritize, and described feeling in control of their abortion experience. Those without coverage described feeling stressed, uncertain, and constrained in their decision-making. When abortion was fully covered by insurance, it reduced financial burdens and enhanced reproductive autonomy. Illinois Medicaid policy-with seamless enrollment options and appropriate reimbursement rates-offers a model for improving abortion access in other states. Further investigation is needed to determine compliance among private insurance companies and increase transparency.

Medication Therapy Management: Predicting the Future?

This article discusses medication therapy management programs and how changes have evolved (or lack thereof) since their inception in 2006. In 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched a pilot program, called the enhanced medication therapy management program, allowing specifically chosen health plans greater flexibility and enrollment options as compared to their traditional medication therapy management programs. This pilot program also incorporated a standardized coding language system with the hopes of being able to consistently evaluate the various programs and ultimately seeing a cost-savings benefit for the overall healthcare system and the patient. To date, the pilot has fallen short of this goal although another year of data is currently under review. Based on the information from the pilot program evaluation so far, it brings up a good question: what does the future of medication therapy management programs look like or what else can be done to improve outcomes and show value? A few options that could be considered include utilizing advances in technology to enhance patient engagement and/or combining other patient care programs (such as comprehensive medication management and pharmacogenomics) into existing medication therapy management programs to provide individualized patient-centered care and ultimately showing the value of such great clinical care programs led by pharmacists.

Post-Secondary Education Options and the Rate of Persistence to Graduate Studies: Trend in a Minnesota Higher Institution between 2007 and 2019

Earlier research on Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) has produced insights on policies, with emphasis on legislating the enrollment of high-school students who are taking college credits through the program. Previous studies have focused on what are considered impediments to the program, improving governance, and assessment, with a view on academic performance in undergraduate programs, however, with limited attention to higher learning and lifelong learning. Based on the literature, PSEO has served as an early pathway to higher education for academically advanced students, which has also served as a good form of transition to higher education. Despite this, so much is unknown about various aspects of the success of the program. This current study focus specifically on the rate of PSEO participant who enters a graduate and or professional degree program after earning an undergraduate degree, based on admittance in a Mid-western private liberal art university between 2007 to 2019. The result shows that 13% are likely to persist to earn a graduate or professional degree after completing their undergraduate degree.

Trends in Characteristics of Adults Enrolled in Traditional Fee-for-Service Medicare and Medicare Advantage, 2011-2019.

While overall Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) enrollment has grown more rapidly than fee-for-service Medicare enrollment, changes in the growth and characteristics of different enrollee populations have not been examined. For 2011-2019, to compare changes in the growth and characteristics of younger (age younger than 65) and older (age 65 and older) Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part A only, Medicare Parts A & B, and Medicare Part C. This was a retrospective, observational study. Medicare beneficiaries who were alive and enrolled in Medicare Part A only, Medicare Parts A & B, or Medicare Part C on June 30 of each year and in no other plan that year. For each plan type and age group the numbers and mean ages of enrollees and the proportion of enrollees who were: black, female, concurrently enrolled in Medicaid, and (for older enrollees), whose initial reason for eligibility was old age and survivors' benefits. Between 2011 and 2019, Medicare Part C experienced rapid expansions of 85.0% among older and 109.5% among younger enrollees. Part C enrollees were increasingly likely to be dually enrolled in Medicaid, Black and, among younger enrollees, female. Trends in demographic characteristics and changes in policy and growth in employer group plan offerings will likely continue to impact health care service utilization and costs in the Medicare population. Particularly as Medicare expansion to younger age groups is considered, future research should explore disparities in risk scores and care equity, quality, and costs across different Medicare enrollment options.

Accessibility, Readability, and Document Complexity of Medicaid Enrollment Materials and Resources

ABSTRACT Background Medicaid enrollment and retention among eligible populations remains a challenge. Purpose We assessed health literacy-related features and content of Internet-based state Medicaid enrollment materials and resources. Methods In February 2021, using established tools, we evaluated paper Medicaid enrollment applications and scope of enrollment resources (on-line enrollment option, toll-free telephone assistance, live chat function, instructional and/or informational audiovisuals). Results Forty (78.4%) English- and 28 (54.9%) Spanish-language paper Medicaid enrollment applications were available. Overall, document complexity was high as a large volume of information is required to apply for Medicaid coverage. An on-line Medicaid enrollment option was nearly universal. Medicaid government platforms were more likely to provide toll-free telephone assistance (n = 34; 66.7%) than a live chat function (n = 10; 19.6%). Eleven (n = 11; 21.6%) government platforms provided an instructional and/or informational Medicaid enrollment audiovisual resource. Discussion Our work suggests the need for states to leverage technology in creation of resources to match language and cultural needs of the diverse US population. Translation to Health Education Practice: Access to continuous health insurance coverage, comprehensive clinical care services, and evidence-based health education programming combined are essential in promoting both individual and community health.

Medicaid Disruption Among Transition-Age Youth on the Autism Spectrum.

Enrollment in Medicaid facilitates access to needed services among transition-age youth on the autism spectrum and youth with intellectual disability (ID). There are long-standing programs to ensure that individuals with ID remain enrolled as they age; similar programs for autistic youth are newer, not as widespread, and may not be as effective. We compared Medicaid disenrollment and re-enrollment between transition-age youth on the autism spectrum, youth with ID, and youth with both diagnoses using a national claims-based prospective cohort study from 2008 through 2012. Autistic youth were most likely to disenroll and least likely to re-enroll. Disenrollment peaked for all three groups at ages 19 and 21. Transition-age youth on the autism spectrum experience more disruptions in access to Medicaid-reimbursed services than youth with ID. More equitable Medicaid enrollment options for autistic individuals are needed to ensure their access to critical health care as they age.

Dual credit enrollment: Let's get it right! Part 2

In an April 9, 2021 Inside Higher Education article, John Fink and Davis Jenkins reported that 82% of public high schools offered dual enrollment to 1.5 million students. On the higher education end, a 2016 American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers survey reported that 78% of the 388 colleges responding participated in dual enrollment options with high schools. Fink and Jenkins also reported that 25% of all new students to public four‐year institutions had dual enrollment credits when they entered.

The effects of releasing early results from ongoing clinical trials

Most trials do not release interim summaries on efficacy and toxicity of the experimental treatments being tested, with this information only released to the public after the trial has ended. While early release of clinical trial data to physicians and patients can inform enrollment decision making, it may also affect key operating characteristics of the trial, statistical validity and trial duration. We investigate the public release of early efficacy and toxicity results, during ongoing clinical studies, to better inform patients about their enrollment options. We use simulation models of phase II glioblastoma (GBM) clinical trials in which early efficacy and toxicity estimates are periodically released accordingly to a pre-specified protocol. Patients can use the reported interim efficacy and toxicity information, with the support of physicians, to decide which trial to enroll in. We describe potential effects on various operating characteristics, including the study duration, selection bias and power.

The Impact of Default Options for Parent Participation in an Early Language Intervention.

In this study we tested, via a randomized control study design, different enrollment options for a scaled city-wide text-based early learning program among 405 mothers who were receiving newborn home visiting services. We found that when automatically enrolled with a voluntary option to opt out, 88.7 percent of mothers in the experimental group stayed in the program and continued to receive the text-based content over the course of 26 weeks. In contrast, only 1 percent of mothers in the control group who heard about the text-based program through conventional recruitment flyers voluntarily enrolled in the program. Opt-out and opt-in patterns did not differ by characteristics typically considered as interfering with program participation: low income status, first-time motherhood status, total number of children, maternal language, flagging for depressive symptoms, and household residential instability. Findings suggest that automatic enrollment might be an effective engagement strategy for text- and similar digitally-based early childhood programs.

A implementação da lei de cotas 13.409/2016 para as pessoas com deficiência na universidade

The study resulted from the investigation of students with disabilities in 2019 who made the option of enrollment through quotas via SISU. The research problem was: what are the limits and challenges for implementing the Law n. 13.409/2016 in federal public universities? Objectives: to discuss the limits that the quota law has been facing to ensure the inclusion of students with disabilities; know the challenges facing higher education in promoting inclusion; debate at the university the quota law for students with disabilities. The investigation was qualitative, anchored in the assumptions of discourse analysis. Results: there are doubts of students with disabilities about who are the beneficiaries of the Law, since it was implemented in 2018. Considerations: need to disclose the law to the managers of universities, states, municipalities, school principals and students with disabilities in high school, considering that the law does not include students who attended private schools.

Early Childhood Education and Child Care in Arizona : Is Availability Alone Sufficient?

With many states increasingly adopting Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) to rate their early childhood education (ECE) and child care programs, researchers question the use of these systems. Specifically, they are trying to understand the value of information provided by QRIS ratings and the implications QRIS ratings have on the quality of and access to ECE and child care programs for families. In this study, we attempt to understand the value of QRIS ratings when they are provided for families at the household level. To do so we take a close look at the relationship between availability of programs rated by the Quality Improvement and Rating System (QIRS) in Arizona and demographics of the communities they serve, and compare the utilization of the programs in communities with varying demographic compositions. While we find that more high-quality ECE and child care programs are available for children that are Hispanic, Black, and eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, we also find that families underutilized those programs. We argue that this underutilization might be due to a variety of barriers that the families are experiencing and believe that efforts should be directed to work with families and assist them in understanding their enrollment options.

Advancement of open learning through moocs in academic libraries: Impact and challenges

Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs have been accepted as an authentic source of learning, which have drastically changed the higher education system such as distance learning, online learning, e-learning, open learning methods etc. By adopting new tools and services to serve the learners, MOOCs are successfully reaching out to them. This form of open education provided through the online platform with the option of free and open enrollment have gained vast popularity among all kinds of learners. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept, MOOCs available in India, challenges and impacts of MOOCs on academic libraries, and role of libraries and librarians.

Does open enrollment policy improve academic performance among students involved with child protective service? Findings from Minnesota-linking information for kids

The open enrollment (OE) policy was designated to provide educationally disadvantaged students with equal access to schools with enriched educational resources that enhance student learning. Comparative analysis and linear mixed modeling with propensity score matching were used to identify the extent to which students involved with child protection service (CPS) utilized an inter-district open enrollment option and to examine their academic achievement before and after switching schools. Results indicated that open enrollment provided students involved with CPS better academic resources from neighboring schools that have better academic outcomes. However, students involved with CPS did not have significant improvement on academic performance by utilization of open enrollment. The results suggest that while the intent of the policy led to use the OE option among students involved with CPS, additional support and non-school-based resources may be needed to improve academic achievements.

STEM-oriented high schools and dual enrolment as effective methods for promoting engineering programs

Abstract The paper describes the different methods of promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics to meet the demand for a qualified workforce in those areas. STEM-oriented (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) high schools combined with dual enrollment opportunities have been proven to be effective methods of promoting engineering careers. The article also discusses the typical curriculum of STEM high schools as well as the selection of college courses for the dual enrollment option.

A model for sustainable laser tattoo removal services for adult probationers

The purpose of this paper is to describe a sustainable free laser tattoo removal clinic for economically disadvantaged adult probationers. This paper describes the partnerships, methods and challenges/lessons learned from the implementation of a free monthly laser tattoo removal program for adult probationers within a medical school setting in California. Possible patients are identified via a collaboration with the county's Probation Department. Founded in 2016, this monthly program has provided tattoo removal services to >37 adult patient probationers, many of whom receive follow-up treatments. Clients seek to remove about four blue/black ink tattoos. Since its inception, 23 dermatology residents have volunteered in the program. Challenges to patients' ongoing participation primarily pertain to scheduling issues; strategies for overcoming barriers to participation are provided. No safety concerns have emerged. Programs such as this public-private partnership may benefit probationers by eliminating financial barriers associated with tattoo removal. This model supports the training of cohorts of dermatologists seeking community service opportunities related to laser medicine. Others seeking to implement a similar program may also consider expanding treatment days/times to facilitate access for working probationers, providing enrollment options for other health and social services (e.g. public insurance, food stamp programs) and hosting a mobile onsite clinic to address clients' physical and mental health needs. This paper describes a unique collaboration between law enforcement and a medical school and it may assist other jurisdictions in establishing free tattoo removal programs for the benefit of probationers. The methods described overcome challenges regarding the implementation of this specialized clinical service.

Harnessing the Immune System in Pancreatic Cancer.

Managing patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDA) is a challenging proposition for any treating oncologist. Although the potency of first-line therapies has improved with the approvals of FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel, many patients are unable to derive significant benefit from later lines of therapy upon progression. Enrollment on clinical trials remains among the best options for patients with mPDA in all lines of therapy. At our institution, we routinely check for microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and perform next-generation sequencing (NGS) at the time of diagnosis in all good performance status mPDA patients. Although MSI-H status is only found in 1% of patients with mPDA, given pembrolizumab's tissue-agnostic approval for MSI-H tumors in later-line settings, it is a viable option when deciding on subsequent lines of therapy. Any use of immune therapy in mPDA is investigational outside the MSI-H setting. NGS can identify BRCA or other DNA damage response (DDR) defects in patients which can predict sensitivity to platinum-based therapies and influence choice of both initial and later lines of therapy. It can also identify rare actionable genomic alterations such as HER2 (2%) and TRK fusions (0.1%) and offer patients the option of enrollment on clinical trials with agents targeting these or other identified alterations. We believe enrolling mPDA patients on clinical trials with immune-modulating agents is critical to determine if there are other patient subsets, outside of the MSI-H setting, who would benefit from these approaches. Immunotherapy's general tolerability and potential to generate durable responses make it particularly appealing for mPDA patients. Although single-modality immunotherapy such as checkpoint inhibitors or vaccines have not demonstrated efficacy in this disease, combinatorial strategies targeting unique aspects of PDA including the tumor microenvironment and desmoplastic stroma have shown preclinical or early-phase success. Validating these treatments with later-phase prospective studies is essential to making immunotherapy a routine component of the treatment armamentarium for mPDA patients.

Promising New Agents for Colorectal Cancer.

Choosing the optimal treatment approach for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) demands that oncologists assess both clinical and genomic variables and individualize care based upon the findings. Clinically, choices depend on assessing the side of the colon in which the primary tumor originates, the sites and burden of metastatic disease, the patient's performance status, and their individual comorbidities. Genomic assessment of the tumor to discern the mutational status of genes such as RAS/RAF, HER2, and TRK, as well as assessing whether tumors have defective mismatch repair (dMMR) or high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), all factor in to potential treatment options and can determine clinical trial eligibility. Metastasectomy may be an option for patients with a low burden of disease and accessible liver- or lung-limited metastases. In some unresectable cases, systemic therapy with a FOLFOX- or FOLFIRI-based regimen with or without a biologic agent can lead to sufficient disease reduction to make a patient eligible for resection of metastatic disease. Tumor sidedness and RAS mutational status guide which biologic we add to the initial chemotherapy backbone, with patients with left-sided, RAS wild-type (WT) tumors receiving anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-directed therapy and patients with right-sided tumors or those with RAS mutations receiving bevacizumab. In patients with tumors that manifest microsatellite instability or deficient mismatch repair, we typically administer checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab after progression on irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-based therapies. In patients with progressive disease, we routinely send tumor tissue for next generation sequencing (NGS) to assess for the presence of actionable genomic alterations such as HER2, BRAF, and TRK fusions and offer them the option of enrollment on clinical trials with agents targeting those or other identified alterations.

Does choice increase information? Evidence from online school search behavior

We examine whether changes in the local school choice environment affect the amount of information parents collect about local school quality, using data on over 100 million searches from Greatschools.org. We link monthly data on search frequency in local “Search Units” to information on changes in local open enrollment options driven by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) sanctions as well as state school choice policies including open enrollment, tuition vouchers, charitable scholarship tax credits, and tuition tax credits. Our results indicate that NCLB-driven expansions in school choice have large, positive effects on the frequency of searches done for schools in that area. We find less evidence that state choice policies affect online search behavior, however search frequency also increases when charter school penetration in a given area rises. These estimates suggest that the information parents have about local schools is endogenous to the choice environment they face, and that parental information depends not just on the availability of data but also the incentive to seek and use it.