Levels Of Educational Achievement Research Articles

Gang Participation

Schools that require the most help are often those that have difficulty staffing qualified teachers. Data suggest that many teachers who leave their schools or the profession cite student misbehavior and an unsafe work environment as reasons. Although public attention is not at present focused on problems of gang delinquency in schools—focusing instead on educational funding, teacher quality, and achievement levels—there is every reason to anticipate that gangs, school disorder, and teaching quality are closely linked. This research involves a large probability sample of secondary schools surveyed in 1998 merged with U.S. census data on community characteristics. Multilevel models imply that community demographic influences on individual gang involvement (GI) are largely mediated by school and personal variables. School safety and students’ personal sense of safety emerged as important variables that predicted GI.

Study protocol: rehabilitation including social and physical activity and education in children and teenagers with cancer (RESPECT)

BackgroundDuring cancer treatment children have reduced contact with their social network of friends, and have limited participation in education, sports, and leisure activities. During and following cancer treatment, children describe school related problems, reduced physical fitness, and problems related to interaction with peers.Methods/designThe RESPECT study is a nationwide population-based prospective, controlled, mixed-methods intervention study looking at children aged 6-18 years newly diagnosed with cancer in eastern Denmark (n = 120) and a matched control group in western Denmark (n = 120). RESPECT includes Danish-speaking children diagnosed with cancer and treated at pediatric oncology units in Denmark. Primary endpoints are the level of educational achievement one year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy, and the value of VO2max one year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy. Secondary endpoints are quality of life measured by validated questionnaires and interviews, and physical performance. RESPECT includes a multimodal intervention program, including ambassador-facilitated educational, physical, and social interventions. The educational intervention includes an educational program aimed at the child with cancer, the child’s schoolteachers and classmates, and the child’s parents. Children with cancer will each have two ambassadors assigned from their class. The ambassadors visit the child with cancer at the hospital at alternating 2-week intervals and participate in the intervention program. The physical and social intervention examines the effect of early, structured, individualized, and continuous physical activity from diagnosis throughout the treatment period. The patients are tested at diagnosis, at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis, and one year after the cessation of treatment. The study is powered to quantify the impact of the combined educational, physical, and social intervention programs.DiscussionRESPECT is the first population-based study to examine the effect of early rehabilitation for children with cancer, and to use healthy classmates as ambassadors to facilitate the normalization of social life in the hospital. For children with cancer, RESPECT contributes to expanding knowledge on rehabilitation that can also facilitate rehabilitation of other children undergoing hospitalization for long-term illness.Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov: file. NCT01772849 and NCT01772862

국가수준 학업성취도 평가의 화학 문항에서 나타난 초.중학교 학생의 성취수준별 특징 비교

우리나라 초등학교 6학년 학생들을 대상으로 실시한 2009, 2010, 2011년 국가수준 학업성취도 평가 결과를 이용하여 학생들의 성취수준별 특징을 조사하였고, 초 중학교 학생들의 특징을 비교하였다. 초 중학생의 성취수준별 대표 문항 분석을 통하여 다음과 같은 내용을 알았다. 초 중학교 공통적으로 우수학력 학생들은 모두 교육과정의 성취기준을 정확히 이해하고 있었지만 보통학력 학생들은 용어를 단순히 기억하는 수준과 같이 교육과정의 성취기준을 피상적으로 이해하고 있었다. 그래서 보통학력 학생들은 교육과정 목표 달성을 위해 수업 및 평가에서 내용을 정확히 이해하도록 돕는 방안을 늘릴 필요가 있다. 예를들어 선다형 평가 대신 서술형 평가를 요구하는 교육환경은 개념을 정확히 이해하는 습관을 길러줄 수 있을 것이다. 기초학력 학생들은 교육과정의 성취기준을 거의 이해하지 못하고 있었기 때문에 단순한 상황에서 성취기준을 다루는 보정 교육을 실시할 필요가 있다. 교육과정에서 다루는 과학 개념은 학교급별로 위계적으로 구성되어 있기 때문에 기초학력 미달 수준을 위한 보정 교육만으로는 과학교육에서 학습 결손 문제를 해결할 수 없다. 이를 위해서는 과학에서 수준별 수업을 대폭 확대할 필요가 있다. We investigated student's characteristics in each educational achievement level using the results of the NAEA (National Assessment of Educational Achievement) in 2009, 2010, and 2011 for Grade 6 students, and compared the characteristics between elementary and middle school students. The analysis of representative items for each educational achievement level of elementary and middle school students revealed that (a) advanced level students from both elementary and middle school could exactly understand the achievement criteria of the curriculum, (b) proficient level students from both elementary and middle school were understanding the achievement criteria of the curriculum superficially, for example, they could not understand concepts exactly but could memorize terms, and so should have compensational education under situations that ask for short answer or essay type items instead of multiple choice items, and (c) basic level students from both elementary and middle school almost could not understand the achievement criteria of curriculum, and so should have compensational education under situations that only deal with a simple situation. Science concepts treated in science curriculum are hierarchically organized by level of school, and simple compensational education for the students of below basic level will not solve learning deficits in science education. Differentiated education by educational achievement should be largely expanded instead.

Use of Music to Reduce Anxiety during Office Hysteroscopy: Prospective Randomized Trial

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of music on anxiety and perception of pain during office hysteroscopy. DesignProspective randomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SettingMajor university medical center. InterventionsThree hundred fifty-six patients were enrolled between July 2012 and January 2013. Hysteroscopy was performed in a dedicated ambulatory room, using vaginoscopy and without any type of anesthesia. A Bettocchi hysteroscope 5 mm in diameter was used. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon, a gynecologist with special interest in hysteroscopy. Measurements and Main ResultsData collected included age, body mass index, number of vaginal deliveries, educational achievement level, and history of endometrial surgery (curettage and/or hysteroscopy). For each patient, vital parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded 15 minutes before the procedure and during hysteroscopy after traversing the cervix. Wait time before surgery and the duration of the procedure were also recorded. A completed Italian version of the state anxiety questionnaire (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and a visual analog scale (VAS) were administered to each patient before and after the procedure. The t test and Mann-Whitney U test was used when appropriate to compare the 2 groups. Statistical significance was accepted at p = .05. During surgery, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the music group compared with the no music group. Women in the music group experienced significantly lower anxiety after hysteroscopy and less pain during the procedure, and a significant decrease in both anxiety and pain scores after hysteroscopy. Postoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y1 and VAS scores were significantly lower in the music group. ConclusionMusic can be useful as a complementary method to control anxiety and reduce perception of pain. The patient is more relaxed and experiences less discomfort.

Teaching Methods and Assessment

Quality assessment of students’ educational activities – one of the key factors of the educational process – fulfils several functions: states the level of educational achievements; gives information about the quality of knowledge and current educational achievements; enables to estimate the amount of the further work, aimed at filling up the gap in knowledge and improving quality factors.

Education in custody: young males’ perspectives

Many of the young people on arrival in prison have experienced multiple disadvantages and present with diverse and complex needs, with a higher incidence of mental health issues and/or substance misuse; in addition they have often been excluded from school and are usually well known to social services and they have lower levels of attainment and educational achievement than the non-offending population. It is essential that all those working in the delivery of education and training provision in young offender institutions endeavour to realise the significance of education as a protective factor in reducing re-offending. This paper will present the findings from a study which examined the education and training provision already in place within a Young Offender's Institution, with an emphasis on course preferences, additional support needs and resettlement.

Psychological Resources of Adults With Developmental Dyslexia

The aim of our study was to describe specific psychological resources of adults with developmental dyslexia and compare them with psychological resources of adults without developmental dyslexia. Potential differences were analyzed in visual-spatial, creative, and motivational abilities. No evidence was found for either creative, or visuospatial superiority in adults with developmental dyslexia. The results suggest, however, that visual-spatial processing of nonverbal material by adults with developmental dyslexia allows them to efficiently execute tasks that are based on sequential material. Moreover, the participants with specific difficulties in reading and writing exhibited a significantly higher level of aspirations than their peers without such difficulties with a comparable level of educational achievement. These results suggest that succeeding in different fields by highly functioning adult dyslexics may depend on personality and motivational factors, rather than cognitive factors.

국가수준 학업성취도 평가에서 중학생의 성취수준별 특징 분석: 화학 영역을 중심으로

We investigated student's characteristics in each educational achievement level using the results of the NAEA (National Assessment of Educational Achievement) in 2009 and 2010 for Grade 9 students. The analysis of representative items of each educational achievement level revealed that (a) advanced level students could explain the change in phenomena with both the characteristics of matter and the model, (b) proficient level students could explain only simple phenomena with the model, and (c) basic level students did not understand the model and were therefore unable to use it to explain phenomena.

To Your Health! Toasting, Intoxication and Gendered Critique among Banqueting Women

Women entered government public health institutions in China in large numbers in the 2000s, thanks to a national professionalization project prioritizing meritocratic recruitment. To their disappointment, one of the consequences of their new professional involvement was that they were expected to drink heavily alongside men at frequent guanxi-building banquets. They responded by redefining heavy alcohol consumption as a morally deficient act that should have no place in government institutions. Their growing numbers and higher levels of educational achievement, ability to draw upon gendered norms to prioritize familial relationships and individual responsibilities, investment in disentangling individual professional development from drinking capabilities and ability to demonstrate the possibility of building networks without mutual intoxication allowed them to push this critique forward in ways that men could not. Their efforts met with limited success. Alcohol's role in building guanxi was diminished, but the women did not manage to eliminate the perceived necessity of banqueting.

Cultural, Ethnic Differences, Parental Involvement Differences, and Educational Achievement of African Heritage Students: Towards Employing a Culturally Sensitive Curriculum in K–12 Classrooms, a Literature Review

For a long time, some researchers have reported on the underperformance of some African Americans in comparison to other minority and non-minority groups. During this time, there have been debates over the causes for the differences in educational achievement between the various subgroups (ethnic subgroups) of students studied. The purpose of this review of literature is to discuss the major reasons for the differences in educational achievement levels of students of African heritage (Afro-Caribbean, African Americans, and Africans). Cultural differences/influence and parental involvement factors will be discussed as potential reasons for the difference in achievement between African Americans, Afro-Caribbean, and African students within the USA. The study concludes with a call for the employment of more culturally sensitive curriculums to enhance K–12 learning for ethnically diverse learners of African descent.

Attitudes of Princess Rahma College Students toward University Violence

This study was conducted at the Princess Rahma University College, one of Al Balqa’ Applied University colleges and it aims to identify the attitudes of Princess Rahma College students have towards University Violence, by exploring different variables that vary from the level of violence (Low, medium or high), to gender (males or females), educational achievement (excellent, very good, good and satisfactory), academic year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior), as well as the type of degree and the financial status The study sample consists of 242 students. There are 135 males and 107 females randomly chosen from different disciplines of the college. The (AL-Hendy) scale of 2007 for detecting University violence is used and the study consists of (18) paragraphs. The data is analyzed by using the Statistical Analysis Program (SPSS) which calculated the averages, standard deviations and (T) and (F) tests to answer the inquiries of the study. The study concluded that the tendencies and inclinations of the students towards violence were low. There were statistical differences in the attitudes of the students because of the differences in gender, the differences in the level of educational achievements as well as differences in the academic year. While there were no statistical differences in the economical level or in the type of specializations.

Social Identity and Educational Attainment: The Role of Caste and Religion in Explaining Differences between Children in India

The aim of this article is to gauge the size of the educational gap between children, aged 8–11 years, belonging to the different social groups in India. It is well established that educational attainments vary considerably between India's caste and religious groups with Muslims, Dalits (the Scheduled Castes), Adivasis (the Scheduled Tribes), and the ‘Other Backward Classes’ (the OBC) being the most backward. Using data from the Indian Human Development Survey of 2005 – which tested over 12,300 children, aged 8–11, for their ability to read, write, and do arithmetic at different levels of competence – this study examines inequalities within social groups in the test scores of children to argue that inter-group comparisons of educational attainment should take into account not just the mean level of achievement of the children in a group but, also, the degree of inequality in the distribution of achievements between children in the group. The article then proceeds to enquire why different children have different levels of educational achievement. The central conclusion is that, after controlling for a number of parental, household and school-related factors, children from all the different social groups, when compared to Brahmin children, were disadvantaged, in some or all of the three competencies of reading, arithmetic, and writing. However, this disadvantage was greatest for Muslim, Dalit, and Adivasi children. These children were disadvantaged with respect to all three competencies and their disadvantage embraced failure as well as success. Using a decomposition analysis, the article quantifies the ‘structural advantage’ that Brahmin and High Caste children enjoyed over their Dalit and Muslim counterparts.

Polypharmacy With Common Diseases in Hospitalized Elderly Patients

BackgroundElderly persons are exposed to polypharmacy because of multiple chronic conditions. Many risk factors for polypharmacy have been identified including age, race/ethnicity, sex, educational achievement level, health status, and number of chronic diseases. However, drugs prescribed for individual diseases have not been analyzed. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to analyze each common disease in the elderly with respect to prescribed drugs and polypharmacy. MethodsA 1-year (January through December 2009) cross-sectional study was performed in which all drugs given to hospitalized elderly patients (age, >65 years) were investigated. Common diseases of the elderly were separated into disease groups including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, gastric ulcer, previous stroke, reflux esophagitis, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, osteoporosis, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, and depression. ResultsAmong 1768 elderly patients, the mean (range) age of study patients was 78 (65 to 100) years. The mean (SD) number of diseases was 7.7 (3.4), and the number of drugs overall was 4.9 (3.6). The number of drugs and prevalence of polypharmacy were hypertension, 5.2 (3.9 [51%]); hyperlipidemia, 5.6 (3.8 [58%]); gastric ulcer, 5.4 (3.8 [53%]); previous stroke, 5.8 (3.2 [61%]); reflux esophagitis, 5.6 (3.8 [40%]), diabetes mellitus, 5.6 (3.1 [54%]); malignancy, 4.1 (3.1 [37%]); osteoporosis, 5.4 (3.4 [45%]); angina pectoris, 5.7 (3.6 [42%]); congestive heart failure, 6.1 (4.0 [60%]); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 5.0 (3.5 [53%]); dementia, 5.1 (3.2 [52%]); and depression, 7.0 (4.2 [73%]). ConclusionsWhen assessing the risk of polypharmacy, physicians should carefully consider the type of any chronic disease. Elderly patients with multiple diseases may be subjected to further polypharmacy.

Influences of Social and Style Variables on Adult Usage of African American English Features

In this study, the authors examined the influences of selected social (gender, employment status, educational achievement level) and style variables (race of examiner, interview topic) on the production of African American English (AAE) by adults. Participants were 50 African American men and women, ages 20-30 years. The authors used Rapid and Anonymous Survey (RAS) methods to collect responses to questions on informal situational and formal message-oriented topics in a short interview with an unacquainted interlocutor. Results revealed strong systematic effects for academic achievement, but not gender or employment status. Most features were used less frequently by participants with higher educational levels, but sharp declines in the usage of 5 specific features distinguished the participants differing in educational achievement. Strong systematic style effects were found for the 2 types of questions, but not race of addressee. The features that were most commonly used across participants-copula absence, variable subject-verb agreement, and appositive pronouns-were also the features that showed the greatest style shifting. The findings lay a foundation with mature speakers for rate-based and feature inventory methods recently shown to be informative for the study of child AAE and demonstrate the benefits of the RAS.

The Relationship between Personal Factors and its Effect on Internet Usage

The use of communication technology is growing rapidly in colleges and universities. The objectives of this study are to identify the effect between age, level of the study, field of the study, gender and income on attitudes toward the Internet, problems in using the Internet and gratification of Internet usage. The present study used the quantitative method by means of a questionnaire survey as a means of achieving its objectives. Sample size for this study is 440 and University Putra Malaysia is chosen as a location. Also quota sampling applied for this investigation. Personal factors in this study include (age, gender, income, level of study and field of study) of respondents. The findings of the study revealed significant relationships between age and attitudes towards Internet, problems in using the Internet and gratification of Internet usage. In addition, there is a significant relationship between educational achievement level and problems in using the Internet. There is a significant relationship between income and attitudes towards Internet, problems in using the Internet and gratification Internet usage.

Value of laboratory tests in employer-sponsored health risk assessments for newly identifying health conditions: analysis of 52,270 participants.

BackgroundEmployer-sponsored health risk assessments (HRA) may include laboratory tests to provide evidence of disease and disease risks for common medical conditions. We evaluated the ability of HRA-laboratory testing to provide new disease-risk information to participants.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of HRA-laboratory results for participating adult employees and their eligible spouses or their domestic partners, focusing on three common health conditions: hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. HRA with laboratory results of 52,270 first-time participants were analyzed. Nearly all participants had access to health insurance coverage. Twenty-four percent (12,392) self-reported one or more of these medical conditions: 21.1% (11,017) self-identified as having hyperlipidemia, 4.7% (2,479) self-identified as having diabetes, and 0.7% (352) self-identified as having chronic kidney disease. Overall, 36% (n = 18,540) of participants had laboratory evidence of at least one medical condition newly identified: 30.7% (16,032) had laboratory evidence of hyperlipidemia identified, 1.9% (984) had laboratory evidence of diabetes identified, and 5.5% (2,866) had laboratory evidence of chronic kidney disease identified. Of all participants with evidence of hyperlipidemia 59% (16,030 of 27,047), were newly identified through the HRA. Among those with evidence of diabetes 28% (984 of 3,463) were newly identified. The highest rate of newly identified disease risk was for chronic kidney disease: 89% (2,866 of 3,218) of participants with evidence of this condition had not self-reported it. Men (39%) were more likely than women (33%) to have at least one newly identified condition (p<0.0001). Among men, lower levels of educational achievement were associated with modestly higher rates of newly identified disease risk (p<0.0001); the association with educational achievement among women was unclear. Even among the youngest age range (20 to 29 year olds), nearly 1 in 4 participants (24%) had a newly identified risk for disease.Conclusions/SignificanceThese results support the important role of employer-sponsored laboratory testing as an integral element of HRA for identifying evidence of previously undiagnosed common medical conditions in individuals of all working age ranges, regardless of educational level and gender.

Eating out, nutrition, education and the consumer: a case study from Alabama

AbstractIncreasingly, there is agreement that the hospitality industry, particularly the restaurant sector, can significantly impact people's eating behaviour. This impact includes the nutritional intake of meals many restaurants sell that may lead to problems such as the growing obesity epidemic. This preliminary study investigates consumers' attitudes towards their eating out experience as it relates to their reasons for eating out and the importance that nutrition may place in their experience when eating out. Findings suggest differences in consumer attitudes towards these issues based on their gender, educational achievement level and type of restaurant they frequent. Nutritional awareness and education strategies do not appear to be reaching groups that are more exposed and/or more prone to unhealthier food consumption. Overall, consumers do not seem interested in education or involvement in healthier consumption.

Patient predictors of symptom and functional outcome following cognitive behaviour therapy or befriending in first-episode psychosis

BackgroundCognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for many, but not all, individuals with psychosis. An important goal is identifying individuals more likely to benefit from CBT to ensure appropriate delivery. The current study aimed to examine patient-related predictors of symptom and functional outcome following CBT and Befriending in first-episode psychosis (FEP). MethodOur original randomized controlled trial compared 14weeks of CBT (n=31) and Befriending (n=31) in FEP (Jackson et al. 2008). A series of regressions were conducted separately for each group to examine demographic, cognitive, symptoms/illness and functioning variables in predicting positive symptoms (BPRS Psychotic), negative symptoms (SANS Total) and functioning (SOFAS) at 1-year follow-up. ResultsIn the CBT group, higher baseline functioning (SOFAS) predicted lower levels of positive symptoms (R2=0.19; p=0.023), higher educational achievement and lower levels of avolition symptoms (SANS Avolition) predicted lower levels of total negative symptoms (R2=0.38; p=0.003), and working/studying at baseline predicted higher functional outcome (R2=0.35; p=0.004) at 1year. In the Befriending group, premorbid adjustment (PAS Average) was the only variable that predicted 1-year positive symptom (R2=0.26; p=0.010), negative symptom (R2=0.35; p=0.016) and functional (R2=0.48; p=0.002) outcome. ConclusionsFEP individuals with higher baseline functioning may benefit more from CBT than those with poorer functioning. Individuals with functional difficulties may benefit from alternative treatments initially, such as supported education or employment.

Help from My “Friends”: Social Capital in the Social Network Sites of Low-Income Students

The development of social capital in young people is positively associated with educational attainment, achievement, and psychosocial factors. Prior research has explored factors that contribute to social capital, such as offline social networks. To a lesser extent, studies have analyzed the relationship between online social networks and students' social capital. However, educational researchers have yet to examine this relationship among students from low-income families. It is especially important to consider low-income students since historically they have not reached the same educational attainment and achievement levels as their higher income peers. In this article, we conduct a regression analysis on survey responses from high school students from low-income families ( n = 607) to examine the relationship between intensity of online social network site use, social capital, and other measures of psychological well-being. Results suggest positive associations between use of online social network sites and two forms of social capital. Qualitative data were also utilized to illuminate low income students' opportunities or barriers for forging and sustaining relationships through online social network sites and implications for future research and education are discussed.

Gender differences in social mortality differentials in Switzerland (1990-2005)

Using data from the 1990 and 2000 Swiss Federal Censuses linked to the death records of the years 1990-1995 and 2000-2005, this paper investigates gender differences in mortality differentials by level of educational achievement and by marital status.