Implications For State Policy Research Articles

Understanding Implications of Varied State Policies Regarding Alternative Pathways to Licensure for Special Educators

Alternative pathways to licensure (APL) programs have proliferated nationally as a potential solution to the ongoing critical shortage of qualified special education professionals. Although these programs attract more diverse teacher candidates, they have been criticized for a lack of preparation and support provided to new professionals. This likely exacerbates teacher shortages and contributes to the pervasive underachievement of students with disabilities. Additionally, due in part to wide variations in APL programs, limited research is available on the structure and subsequent impact of APL programs. To gain a landscape view of the ways policy shapes special education APL programs in the United States, the authors analyzed state policies and regulations that guide licensure requirements for special education APLs. To do this, they identified policy and regulation documents and analyzed them for themes related to APL requirements. The authors found wide variability nationally regarding entrance and completion requirements for APL participants, including testing and pedagogical requirements, field experiences, and employment status. This type of policy incoherence has implications for state and local educational agencies, researchers, teacher educators, and policymakers as they seek to evaluate APL programs and determine which structures will most effectively support the recruitment and retention of special educators.

Why do Chinese overseas doctoral graduates return to China? The push‐pull factors and the influence of gender and gender norms

AbstractAlthough attention has been paid to return migration internationally, research studies on why Chinese overseas doctoral graduates return to China are few. A study that considers gendered motivations has yet to be found. Using a qualitative study with 31 Chinese overseas doctoral graduate returnees, this study examines factors influencing graduates' reasons for returning to China and how these relate to Chinese gender and gender role‐related cultural norms. Using the push‐pull theory and the concepts of gender (as an individual characteristic) and gender norms, the study shows that the reasons for return were gendered, with females motivated by family and emotional factors and males by economic and career benefits. The study identifies inequalities derived from traditional gender roles and cultural norms that persist in China. This has implications for state policy, higher education institutions and future research.

STATE POLICY OF WELLBEING IN THE FACE OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES: PROBLEMS OF SOCIALIZATION, SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIGITALIZATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGIES

In the second decade of the twenty-first century, one of the most notable shifts in capitalism is how its digitization increasingly affects people's methods of living and producing. The article represents an attempt to understand the transformational realities of digital capitalism in the field of political economy. In particular, the phenomenon of the emergence and growth of a new class – the precariat – is considered. The key challenges of the digital era of globalism and their implications for state policy of wellbeing are systematized.

A Sociological Analysis of Structural Racism in “Student List” Lead Generation Products

Colleges identify prospective students by purchasing “student lists.” Student list products are selection devices that use search filters to select students. Drawing from the sociology of race, we conceptualize some filters as “racialized inputs,” defined as inputs that are correlated with race because disadvantaged racial groups have historically been excluded from the input. Using a national sample of high school students, we explore the relationship between racialized search filters and the racial composition of included versus excluded students. Using data about actual lists purchased by public universities, we investigate how college administrators utilize racialized search filters. We discuss implications for federal and state policy. We motivate policy research about structural racism embedded in selection devices that allocate students to opportunities.

Economic Equity and People with Disabilities: Development and Characterization of a Novel Index.

Here we develop two new social indices: The ADA PARC Absolute Economic Opportunity Index and the ADA PARC Relative Economic Opportunity Index. These indices allow us novel examinations of economic equity between people with and without disabilities within a U.S. State and between people with disabilities in different states using aggregations of multiple component economic indicators. These represent the first efforts to offer U.S. indices of this focus, an important development given the distinct economic needs of people with disabilities and the value in accounting for distinct national policies. The indices rely on U.S. Census and other data on economic opportunity by population. These indices provide comprehensive insight into economic disparities between people with and without disabilities and among people with disabilities in the US. We find that state/territory values for the two indices are moderately positively correlated, suggesting that relative and absolute economic opportunity for people with disabilities arise from both common and distinct processes. Policy implications for low economic opportunity states are discussed.

Nalar-Moderat Mazhab Mutakallimin dan Implikasinya pada Pencatatan Nikah di Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to explain moderate thoughts in the deductive reasoning of the Mutakallimin School and their implications for influencing state policy in Indonesia, especially in the matter of registering marriages. With the regulation of Law no. 1 of 1974 concerning the obligation to register marriages through the KUA, reaping controversy and recent deviant behavior such as online siri marriages. This manuscript study using the Content Analysis method examines the deductive method of the Mutakallimin School included in the book Al-mahshul fi ilmi al ushul. As a result, the moderate reasoning of the Mutakalllimin School with the pioneers of the two Ar-Razi, namely Rhazes (925 AD) and Ar-Razi through linguistic studies of deductive reasoning has a moderate character, so that it has implications for the regulation of marriage registration at the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) extracted from the pronunciation of ' am mutlaq "tadaayantum" in the Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah: 282.

The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps

Abstract In this study, first, we conducted a case study to understand the spring status in a semi-urban area, then synthesized the knowledge acquired so far, of nationwide springs status to highlight the current state and future policy and action implications of spring conservation in Nepal. We found that in 72% of the springs of semi-urban areas, the discharge rate has been decreasing over the past decade. In addition, the springs of such areas were exposed to higher contamination of biological pollutants compared with the rural areas. Synthesis of spring research in Nepal shows that springs of Nepal are degrading at an alarming rate where 16% had already dried up and about 60% have declining discharge, mainly due to declining rainfall, haphazard infrastructure development, and excessive spring resource exploitation. In response to the degrading springs and water crisis, several initiatives have been made, yet they are scattered, focused on limited springs, and not adequate to curb the current rate of spring degradation. We argue that the existing policies that are intended to operate in a top-down approach at the basin and watershed level are not effective in addressing local water issues at the springshed level.

Dynamic evaluation of green development level of ASEAN region and its spatio-temporal patterns

Being one of the most dynamic economic regions of the world, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) confronts significant problems concerning environmental protection. To effectively promote sustainable growth of the ASEAN economy, each member state has shown enormous interest in fostering green development. Our study aims to evaluate the green development level of ASEAN member states for the period of 2010–2019. We employed the entropy weighting approach, combined with the spatio-temporal analysis to evaluate the current level, changing trends and spatial characteristics of the green development level of each ASEAN member. The findings of our study reveal that ASEAN members with a high degree of green development have a solid economic base and have placed a greater emphasis on the high-level coordinated development of economy, society, and environment. In contrast, ASEAN members with a modest level of green development face dual challenges from low economic growth and environmental preservation. Further, for ASEAN members with a low degree of green development, rapid economic expansion is accompanied by enormous pressure from environmental limitations. Based on the research findings, our study advances the understanding of the green development status in the ASEAN region and presents policy implications for the ASEAN member states. • The green development levels of ASEAN members were assessed. • The entropy weighting approach was combined with spatio-temporal analysis. • Brunei has the highest green development level among ASEAN members. • Go-for-green suggestions were made for the ASEAN's policymakers.

EP504: A novel visualization of state-by-state variability in newborn screening highlights underrepresentation of lysosomal storage disorders

Newborn screening (NBS) is an important, cost-effective tool that can detect dozens of early-onset and treatable disorders in the approximately 3.6 million newborns who are screened in the US each year. The disorders covered on the NBS vary from state to state, and no two states screen for the same set of disorders. The state-level factors associated with the disorders covered on a particular state’s NBS have not been systematically investigated, even though this knowledge could have important implications for state and national NBS policy. Furthermore, the display of state-to-state NBS data in a visual format could provide a quick reference for policymakers to identify gaps in categories of disorders that are systematically underrepresented on the NBS at a national level. Publicly-available data on the disorders listed on the NBS in each state was obtained from www.babysfirsttest.org and www.newsteps.org, websites that curate state-level data on newborn screening, in Spring 2021. Disorders were then grouped into one of seven categories (eg, endocrine, amino acid, organic acid, fatty acid oxidation, lysosomal storage, hemoglobin, and other). Data was also sourced from publicly-available sources such as https://www.census.gov/ that contain state-level variables on population size and demographics. Data were collected using the program rvest (version 0.3.6) and were analyzed and visualized using ggplot2 (version 3.3.5) in the statistical programming language R (version 4.0.3). The resulting heatmap visualization of NBS contains disorders on the x-axis and states on the y-axis, with the value within each cell indicating whether a given state screens for a particular disorder. The NBS in Tennessee (67 disorders at the time of analysis), the state with the most conditions screened for, contains more than double the number of conditions screened for compared to Arizona, the state with the fewest conditions screened for (31 conditions). In general, states that have larger populations also tend to screen for more disorders on their NBS. In addition, 30 of the 36 primary disorders listed on the July 2018 version of the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), a national guideline of the minimum recommended conditions that should be present on a state’s NBS, were listed on the NBS for all states. Furthermore, the data highlight that few states are screening for lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). In particular, Michigan, Tennessee, and Missouri are the only states to include 5 or more LSDs on their NBS panel, with over half of all states not including any LSDs on their NBS. This novel heatmap visualization highlights the striking variability present in NBS offerings between states. Summary statistics and an overview of the state-to-state variation in newborn screening in the U.S. can be rapidly ascertained from this visualization in a manner that was not previously possible. In particular, this visualization clearly demonstrates that lysosomal storage diseases are systematically underrepresented in newborn screening nationwide, despite the increasing availability of enzyme replacement therapies for this class of disorders. This publicly-available visualization of NBS will more easily allow advocates for particular disorders to identify gaps in NBS nationwide and within particular states.

Implications of State Policy Through Village Funds Towards the Cultural Values of Mutual Cooperation in the Village

The state policy in the form of providing village funds will have an impact on the pattern of relations and relations between the village government and the village community, as well as among their own village communities. At least the implications of this will affect the values of the mutual cooperation culture in the village community. The present study aims to answer the state policy through village funds towards village autonomy and its implications for the values of mutual cooperation culture in the village of Kedungbanteng sub-district, Banyumas Regency. This research is a sociolegal study, using the methodological approach of the social sciences and the nature of the research used in this descriptive-analytical study. The research location was in the Kedungbanteng sub-district of Banyumas using a purposive sampling method.The results of the study show that the state policy through village funds when associated with village autonomy turns out that the village has autonomy called village autonomy where village autonomy is not given by the state but village autonomy comes from the village itself. Village government is given more space in managing its own household affairs. While the implication, although we cannot deny that the existence of village funds is also the least influencing eroded mutual cooperation culture in society, but this is not a dominant factor

Exploring the impact of depopulation on a country's population geography: Lessons learned from Japan

AbstractThe total population of Japan reached its peak in 2008 and has since experienced population decline. This trend has had a profound effect on many of the country's spheres of activity. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively review the existing literature, mainly published since the peak year, through the perspective of the impact of Japan's depopulation on its population geography and to present future research issues based on the obtained findings. Consequently, three new research issues are presented as the lessons learned from the country. First, since the population decline of a country is a very serious problem, population geographers need to devote much more attention to this issue. Second, new analytical methods suitable for examining depopulation need to be developed carefully but actively. Third, population geographers should proactively state policy implications based on research findings associated with population decline. This is a great opportunity to improve the position of the sub‐discipline in the countries whose populations have already started or are about to decline.

Unsung Heroes: How Senior Centers Have Adapted to Provide Essential Services in the Face of COVID-19

This presentation will describe the ways in which senior centers in Massachusetts have adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three surveys (distributed in April, August, and November, 2020) were conducted with 342 senior centers in the state to learn about current operations through the pandemic, challenges faced, and steps taken to solve those challenges. Results suggest that almost all senior centers (91%) continued to provide limited programming or essential services during the pandemic. Senior centers are prioritizing socialization and nutritional needs as critical services, but are changing the way they operate to continue to meet those needs. Despite facing uncertainty about the future, senior centers continue to adapt to changing conditions as they seek to meet their core mission. This presentation will discuss effects of COVID-19 on how senior centers will continue to operate through and post-pandemic times as well as local and state policy implications.

Energy Transitions in Western European Countries: Regulation Comparative Analysis

Shifting from fossil to renewable energy sources is a major global challenge, and in this context, the European Union has promoted sustainable and environmentally friendly growth as early as the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. To date, European institutions have promulgated a series of environmental regulations and directives aimed at promoting and imposing adoption by member states of internal regulations. This paper is focused on Western Europe, and it explores, for each state under analysis, energy policies adopted, the results achieved and recommendations for the future growth of renewable energy. The results show that in countries where energy policy is not fragmented, the yield in renewable energies has been higher, and also in the states where more and various forms of subsidies are foreseen, growth seems to be greater. Finally, the paper provides useful recommendations and future policy implications for states that have not met the 2020 targets.

Corporate “green gold”: State policy implications for wind and solar energy buyers

Renewable energy (RE) is “green gold” for corporate energy buyers, and big companies have been using their influence and scale to advocate for state policies that will make it easier to buy RE. For most companies, however, getting to 100% RE is still a long slog through the current policy landscape. With that in mind, this article highlights policy implications at the state level that can advance or impede corporate RE energy buying. The article also provides case studies based on four states whose varying policies create different opportunities for companies to buy RE. The goal is to demonstrate the potency of state energy policy and to recommend shifts in the policy landscape so companies can meet their RE targets.

The Road to Improved Assisted Living Quality: State Efforts and New Metrics

Assisted living (AL), a senior housing option that combines housing, support services, and health care, is recognized as one of the fastest-growing components of the long term care industry. AL is also a relatively expensive service, whether it’s paid for privately or publicly. Also, an increasing proportion of AL residents have diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. However, little is known about AL quality, in part due to lack of measures. Quality of AL matters to residents, their families, and policy makers because AL is not only about the experience of receiving specific services, but about a place that many will call home. Concerns have been surfacing regarding the quality of AL, including poor staffing, inadequate teamwork, and poor management, which can negatively impact resident well-being and result in abuse and neglect in some cases. This symposium will feature four presentations that will review efforts from two states that have been actively developing measures to address AL quality: Oregon and Minnesota. We focus on new legislation in both states to address AL quality, the new metrics being adopted, and preliminary results. Individual presentations will describe 1) Oregon’s new quality measures for AL ;2) Oregon’s use of Resident VIEW project, including measures of person-centered care from the perspectives of residents; 3) Minnesota’s development of AL report card, and 4) development and results from MN pilot surveys of resident quality of life and family satisfaction in all licensed ALs in the state. Policy implications for other states and researchers will be discussed.

Output-volatility reducing effects of automatic stabilizers: Policy implications for EMU member states

In this paper, we empirically explore the output-volatility reducing impact of automatic stabilizers and look in detail at their policy implications for selected EMU member states comprising Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain for the period 1995–2017. Overall, the results suggest that automatic stabilizers deliver a statistically significant, but fairly weak, counter-effect on output volatility in the short run. More specifically, output-volatility responses to automatic stabilizers by a reduction between −0.012 and −0.097 percentage points depending on the proxy measure used for automatic stabilizers. However, the automatic stabilizing impact from taxes and government spending is statistically insignificant in the long run. The results point to two main policy implications: i) automatic stabilizers are an important fiscal mechanism just for the short-run output stabilization, but their output-volatility offsetting role and power are largely subject to proxy measures used for automatic stabilizers; ii) no matter what proxy measures are used, automatic stabilizers largely produce a weak stabilizing performance in dampening short-term output volatility. So, from a macroeconomic policy standpoint, it can be safely claimed that automatic stabilizers can just be an integral part of discretionary fiscal policy rather than being an alternative to it.

Communities Healing And Transforming Trauma (CHATT): A Trauma-Informed Speakers’ Bureau for Survivors of Violence

ABSTRACT There is increasing recognition of the value of consumer participation in advocacy and community activism. Among trauma survivors, finding a sense of purpose and a way to make meaning from the trauma experience has been termed “survivor mission,” and may include a call to social action, involvement in social justice activities, or public speaking. The current study describes the development of a trauma-informed trauma-survivor speakers’ bureau (CHATT) and presents quantitative and qualitative outcome findings. The CHATT program encompasses (1) a speaker training component, (2) public speaking activities, and (3) speaking support groups. Trauma survivors (N = 27) who received trauma mental health (MH) services and were in the later stages of recovery completed the two-part seven-hour speaker training and subsequently presented talks at 13 venues to 192 audience members during a three-year study period. Speakers completed baseline measures prior to the training, and follow-up measures at six months and one year to assess posttraumatic growth (PTG) and self-efficacy. Audience members completed an assessment of change in beliefs about key speaker advocacy goals, as well as emotional reactions and satisfaction with talks. Results revealed PTG and speaking self-efficacy increased for speakers after one-year post-training. Audience ratings of talks averaged in the high range except for one domain. Ratings differed by audience type and number of speakers, and increased as the program matured. Key speaker advocacy successes including state policy changes, limitations, and implications for future research and development are discussed.

The COVID-19 Pandemic-Can open access modeling give us better answers more quickly?

The COVID-19 Pandemic-Can open access modeling give us better answers more quickly?

MEETING SOCIAL NEEDS TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES: PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITY-BASED ORGS AND HEALTH CARE

Unmet social needs negatively affect individual and population health, and better integration of community-based supports and health systems is a promising approach to improve health outcomes and avoid unnecessary health care use. Community-based organizations (CBOs) such as Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Centers for Independent Living (CILs), as providers and coordinators of social services, are well-positioned within their communities to coordinate care and provide for unmet social needs. Partnerships between CBOs and health care entities have clear potential to improve health care outcomes while also reducing expenditures. This paper will present a cross-sectional analysis of a national survey of AAAs, CILS, and other CBOs at two time points (2017: n=593; 2018: n=763) to understand the extent, type, and evolution of CBO engagement with health care providers. In addition, longitudinal analysis (n=374) shows movement at the organization level: 33% of organizations who did not have a contract at T1 but were pursuing one had achieved a contract by T2. This presentation will: describe details of the services delivered, contracting arrangements, and populations served under CBO/health care contracts, as well as challenges experienced by CBOs; examine differences by state and organizational structure; and discuss the implications of state policy on integrated care and contracting.

Public Reporting of Nurse Staffing in the United States

Extensive evidence supports the association between increased nurse staffing and improved quality of patient care. Public reporting or public disclosure of nurse staffing patterns aims to incentivize hospitals to improve staffing by making comparison data available for consumers as well as nurses and hospital administrators. Currently, eight states in the United States publicly report and disclose information on nurse staffing levels to the public. We review the available public reporting mechanisms by systematically categorizing and comparing states that report nurse staffing. We also discuss the implications for future state and federal policy with regard to publicly reporting or disclosing nurse staffing.