Quality Of Programs Research Articles

The Funding Puzzle in Adult Education for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Slovenia

This study investigates the landscape of public funding for adult education for sustainable development (AESD) in Slovenia, focusing on the distribution, types of funding, and their impact on accessibility and quality. This study employs a mixed methods approach to understand the distribution, types of funding, and their impacts on the accessibility and quality of adult education. Data were collected through an online questionnaire completed by 59 organizations providing non-formal AESD, alongside semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 representatives. Key findings reveal a significant disparity between operational funding and that designated for AESD implementation, with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) emerging as the primary recipients of public funds. Notably, project-based funding predominates, raising concerns about the sustainability of AESD programs due to its typically time-limited nature. Public funding is essential for ensuring program accessibility and quality, as it enables organizations to hire experts and enhance curricula. However, the reliance on project-based grants creates instability, complicating long-term planning and program effectiveness. The study underscores the need for systematic and continuous funding strategies to support AESD, highlighting the importance of a cross-sectoral approach to policymaking. Overall, the research elucidates the intricate relationship between funding distribution, program effectiveness, and the advancement of sustainable development education.

CURRENT STATE OF TRAINING PROGRAM EVALUATION ACCORDING TO VIETNAMESE STANDARDS - SOLUTIONS TO ENSURE TRAINING PROGRAM QUALITY

The evaluation of training programs is usually conducted in at least two stages: self-assessment and external assessment, based on domestic and international standards. The evaluation results according to these standards, especially Vietnam's set of standards, serve as a foundation for developing improvement solutions to enhance the quality of training programs. The research team selected a method based on the statistical analysis of external evaluation results of training programs according to the standards issued in Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDĐT by the Ministry of Education and Training. From there, they forecast and manage existing issues as a basis for proposing 17 groups of quality assurance solutions for training programs, meeting the minimum requirements of stakeholders. Keywords: Quality; training program; external assessment; education quality assessment.

Mobility and persistence of pesticides and emerging contaminants in age-dated and redox-classified groundwater under a range of land use types

Understanding groundwater contamination patterns is hampered by the heterogeneous groundwater age and redox status over the depth range typically sampled for identifying pesticides and emerging contaminants threats. This study explores depth patterns of groundwater age and redox status across various land use types, unraveling spatial and temporal trends of pesticides and emerging contaminants using data from groundwater quality monitoring in the south of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is an ideal testing ground due to its high population density and widespread groundwater contamination from multiple sources. 146 multi-level observation wells were age-dated using 3H/3He, and contaminant concentrations were analyzed based on recharge year, land use type, and redox conditions, mitigating uncertainties from spatial and depth-dependent variations in both groundwater age and redox status. Redox-recharge year diagrams were developed to visually evaluate contaminant patterns in relation to these factors and to assess concentration patterns in relation to contamination history. Most detections of pesticides, metabolites, and emerging contaminants occurred in the youngest recharge periods (2000–2010 and 2010–2020) and in agricultural areas. However, certain contaminants, including BAM, desphenyl-chloridazon, short-chain PFCAs, PFOA, and EDTA, were consistently found in older water and Fe- or SO4-reduced conditions, indicating their mobility and persistence in the regional groundwater system. Comparing the presence of contaminants in specific redox classes and recharge periods with known application or leaching history provides insights into retardation (e.g., PFOS) and degradation (e.g., 2-hydroxy-atrazine, benzotriazole), explaining lower detection frequencies in earlier recharge periods. Identifying recharge years from age-dated groundwater helps relate contaminants to farmland application or river water recharge periods, revealing leaching history and contamination origins. The presented framework has the potential to enhance the interpretation of large groundwater datasets from dedicated, short-screened observation wells, such as those from the Danish GRUMO network, the Dutch monitoring networks, and parts of the US National Water Quality Program.

Measurement of the social investment impact of the bahtera segara program using the social return on investment method (SROI)

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Semarang conducted this study to analyze the impact of the BAHTERA SEGARA (Bahagia Sejahtera Nelayan Pesisir Semarang Utara) Program, aiming to enhance the program's quality in the future. This research employs the SROI method to measure the impact of all activities carried out by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Semarang within the framework of the BAHTERA SEGARA (Bahagia Sejahtera Nelayan Pesisir Pesisir Semarang Utara) Program. Based on the study results of the BAHTERA SEGARA Program (Bahagia Sejahtera Nelayan Pesisir Semarang Utara), this program has proven to be effective and has a significant positive impact. The program has succeeded in improving the economic, social, and environmental welfare of the target community groups and communities that replicate it independently. Increasing SROI scores from 2020 to 2023 indicate that the program is increasingly effective in delivering benefits, particularly through the replication of food crop cultivation and increased fish processing productivity. The program also contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supports climate change adaptation efforts. The program's successful replication demonstrates the effectiveness of BAHTERA SEGARA as a collective learning tool, as well as its potential for replication in other areas with similar conditions.

Assessment of resident physicians satisfaction on residency training in Southwest China:A cross-sectional study

IntroductionChinese Resident Physician Standardized Training has been established to enhance medical training standards and physician capabilities since 2014. Studies indicate high rates of depression and low satisfaction among resident physicians, underscoring the need for surveys to inform policy and enhance their well-being. This study aimed to investigate the satisfaction of resident trainees in southwest China. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 2024 to March 2024 in 5 hospitals from 3 cities in southwest China, using convenience sampling to collect data from residents through a self-administered online questionnaire. The data including demographics, training perspectives, and suggestions was analyzed using SPSS 25.0 with Ordinal Logistic regression to identify factors influencing satisfaction. ResultsThe survey yielded 484 valid responses from 547 collected questionnaires, with an effective rate of 88.48 %. Participants were predominantly first-year residents, female, aged 26–30, and specialized in internal medicine, surgery, general medicine, and medical technology. The majority (78.93 %) expressed overall satisfaction with their residency training, but income satisfaction was lower at 64.05 %. Gender and neutral responses to certain aspects of training as predictors of dissatisfaction, including the training organized by the teaching management department, the training environment, the importance attached to residency training and the program's usefulness for future clinical work. Open-ended feedback from trainees highlighted the need for increased income, improved clinical training, and reduced workload. ConclusionsOur study found 78.93 % of residents satisfied with their training programs. Female residents and those with neutral views or income dissatisfaction were less satisfied. Increasing income, improving clinical training, and reducing workload could further boost satisfaction and program quality.

Assessing the Quality and Effectiveness of School-Based Sports Coaching Programs in China

This research assessed the effectiveness of sports coaching programs implemented in schools in China. It examines explicitly crucial elements such as coaching credentials, program structure, sports infrastructure, safety protocols, monitoring and evaluation approaches, and technology integration. The study used a stratified sampling technique to choose a representative sample of athletes from various universities. Data was gathered by administering questionnaires and conducting interviews to evaluate the athletes' perspectives on the coaching programs. The findings suggest that athletes typically have a good perception of coaching programs, especially about their effective promotion of cooperation, safety, and use of technology. However, some aspects need improvement, including grasping sports skills, allocation of facility money, and availability of contemporary resources. Furthermore, the research revealed no statistically significant disparities in athletes' evaluations or program outcomes when they were categorized according to their gender, sport, or length of participation. Furthermore, the coaching programs show a modest favorable impact on athletes' physical fitness, sports performance, and general well-being, with specific attention on the development of endurance, resilience, and problem-solving skills. The study furthermore cites many significant obstacles coaches encounter, including resource constraints, cultural and academic demands, inadequate professional growth opportunities, and hurdles to effective communication.

Revolutionizing Online Higher Education: A Theoretical Approach

Understanding the theoretical foundations of online learning becomes increasingly important as education shifts online. This article examines the theoretical frameworks of constructivism and connectivism. The integration of these theories in the design and execution of online learning environments is examined, with a focus on student engagement, technological access, and knowledge networks. The importance of online learning in serving the different requirements of learners around the world is underlined, especially in terms of adaptation and accessibility. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the spread of online education, highlighting the significance of digital infrastructure and training. Accredited online programs, founded on solid theoretical foundations, provide high-quality education comparable to traditional degrees The advantages of online learning are underlined, including self-directed learning, digital literacy, and inclusion. The study takes a qualitative approach, combining literature analysis, interviews with educators, and personal observations to present a full examination of the quality and recognition of online degree programs. Educators may build effective online learning experiences that address the changing needs of modern learners by understanding and utilizing these theoretical frameworks.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP IN ENHANCING TEACHER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AT SMK MIFTAHUL ULUM TUMPENG WONOSARI, BONDOWOSO

Effective leadership of school principals is considered a crucial factor in creating a supportive learning environment. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the principal's leadership in enhancing teachers' professional skills at SMK Miftahul Ulum Tumpeng Wonosari, Bondowoso. The method used is a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The researcher observed the effectiveness of the principal's leadership by taking notes and recordings. Additionally, the researcher conducted interviews with the principal, teachers, and administrative staff at SMK Miftahul Ulum. Once the data was collected, the researcher performed data reduction, classification, validation, and coding based on the data types, followed by interpretation. The results showed that there were three aspects observed in the principal's leadership at SMK Miftahul Ulum, namely strategies to improve teachers' professional competence, challenges faced in this process, and the impact of the principal's leadership on enhancing teachers' professional competence. The strategies to enhance teachers' competence include training programs, workshops, performance assessments, and evaluations. Meanwhile, the challenges faced include global competition and changes in the educational curriculum. The positive impact of the principal's leadership is evident in the improvement of teachers' teaching quality, the creation of a conducive work environment, and the enhancement of students' academic achievements. Thus, this study concludes that the principal's leadership at SMK Miftahul Ulum Tumpeng has proven effective in improving teachers' professional competence. These findings provide practical implications for other educational institutions in efforts to improve education quality by focusing on teacher competence development. The suggested recommendations include increasing policy support, allocating adequate resources, and enhancing the frequency and quality of professional development programs.

Teacher Commitment and Learning Quality : Encouraging Teaching Factory at Bekasi Islamic Private Vocational School

The aim of this research is to analyze the description of educators' dedication to the quality of education through use of teaching factories as a way to close the competency gap required by the industrial sector to study at private Islamic vocational schools in Bekasi Regency. The research method used a qualitative descriptive with three-stream analysis of data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions from the results of observations and in-depth interviews with participants including school principals and teachers as heads of the teaching factory program and the Bekasi District Education Office as supervisors of the implementation of the teaching factory program. A tree diagram used to explain the structured flow of the results of observations and in-depth interviews. The findings showed that the dedication of teaching staff at the Bekasi Regency Islamic Private Vocational School in achieving the learning quality of the teaching factory program was still very low. Where it is necessary to encourage school principals and related agencies to be able to innovate learning facilities that are relevant to the industrial world at the same level. Encouragement of compensation and opportunities at the next level of education. Efforts to encourage the teaching factory program to emphasize the importance of learning facilities in schools as a means of industrial practice in the classroom. Other efforts include the rights and obligations in building teacher dedication to achieve competent.

The Autism Program Environment Rating Scale in Swedish Primary School: Cultural Adaptation and Content Validation.

There is a recognized need to improve inclusive learning environments for autistic children in primary school settings in Sweden. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and assess the content validity of the Swedish primary school version of the Autism Program Environment Scale (APERS), originally developed to evaluate autism program quality in educational settings in the United States. Following the translation into Swedish and the first cultural adaptation of the APERS, a content panel group of 14 professionals rated its content validity. Four of the content panel members also participated in individual interviews that provided a qualitative evaluation of the instrument's content validity. Finally, the authors piloted the APERS in 10 Swedish primary school classrooms to assess its feasibility. The ratings and qualitative information from the content panel members indicated a substantial need for the Swedish APERS in primary school, resulting in the culturally adapted APERS-Primary-Sweden (SE). The instrument demonstrated a high level of cross-cultural content validity for assessing the quality of the learning environment for students with autism in Swedish primary school settings. The pilot testing of the instrument resulted in further cultural adaptations. In conclusion,APERS-Primary-SE is a comprehensive scale that can be used to assess the quality of primary school learning environments for children with autism in Sweden. Further research is needed to evaluate the adapted instrument's effectiveness in improving the learning environment in Swedish primary school classrooms.

Is digital mammography reducing radiation doses to women?

This study aims to investigate the impact of national quality programs in mammography and technological advances in digital mammography units on the radiation doses delivered to women in Brazil. Radiation dose assessments in mammography units were conducted through a mail-based dosimetric system. For each unit of facilities that applied to one of the two national quality programs, a postal dosimetric system is dispatched, comprising an optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSL) attached to the surface of a 4.0 cm thick polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom, simulating a compressed breast with 4.5 cm thickness. Testing instructions to expose the dosimetric phantom for assessing the mean glandular dose (MGD) are provided. Between 2012 and 2023, the programs evaluated the MGD in 1,687 mammography units of computed radiography (CR) and direct digital radiography (DR) technologies from 1,399 facilities located in all Brazilian regions. A total of 1,660 (70.5%) evaluations were carried out on CR technology mammography units and 696 (29.5%) on DR units, totaling 2,356 MGD evaluations. The overall average MGD was 1.60 ± 0.80 mGy, with 1.68 ± 0.83 mGy for CR technology and 1.42 ± 0.68 mGy for DR technology. A comparison of average MGD between the periods 2012 - 2018 and from 2019 onwards shows a dose reduction of 8.6% for CR systems and of 26.0% for DR systems (p = 0.000). As CR systems use analog mammography units, which did not undergo technological advances between the two periods, the reduction in doses observed is due to the actions of national quality certification programs and by using image plates for dual-sided reading or needle-based image plates. The reduction observed in DR systems is due to both national quality programs and technological advances in mammography units, especially the use of radiation beams generated by X-ray tubes with tungsten targets.

Educational research on medical residency programs in Chile: a scoping review and analysis of the impact of the new accreditation policy

BackgroundAccrediting medical specialties programs are expected to influence and standardize training program quality, align curriculum with population needs, and improve learning environments. Despite global agreement on its necessity, methods vary widely. In the Chilean context, a recent new accreditation criteria includes research productivity in relation to educational research on resident programs, so we aimed to define it. What is the profile of publications in educational research produced by Chilean medical specialty residency programs in the last five years? Based on these results, we intend to analyze the potential impact of the new accreditation policy on medical specialty programs in Chile.MethodsWe performed a preliminary bibliometric search to identify the use of the term “resident” in literature. After that, we conducted a literature search, using a six-step approach to scoping reviews, including the appraisal of the methodological quality of the articles.ResultsBetween 2019 and 2023, an average of 6.2 articles were published yearly (19%). The bibliometric analysis revealed that the dominant thematic area of the journals was clinical, accounting for 78.1%. Most articles focused on residents (84.38%), with only two articles including graduates as participants. One university was responsible for 62.50% of the articles and participated in all multicenter studies (9.38%). Surgical specialties produced 15 research articles focused on procedural training using simulation. Psychiatry was the second most productive specialty, with 5 articles (15.63%) covering standardized patients, well-being, and mental health assessment. The most frequent research focus within residency programs over the five-year period was teaching and learning methodologies, with 19 articles representing almost 60% of the total analyzed.ConclusionsResearch on medical education in Chile’s postgraduate residency programs is limited, with most studies concentrated in a few universities. The new accreditation criteria emphasize educational research, posing challenges for many institutions to meet higher standards. Understanding unexplored areas in educational research and learning from successful programs can enhance research productivity and align efforts with accreditation expectations. Continuous evaluation and new research on residents’ satisfaction, skills acquisition, and well-being are needed to ensure training quality and accountability.

Are Aspiring Principals Prepared to Lead for Equity? An Exploratory Analysis of the Principal Fellows Typology in North Carolina

While principals play critical roles in mediating inequitable teaching and learning conditions in their schools, scholars have long argued that some remain unprepared for this responsibility. However, these arguments are often supported by qualitative studies of school leaders, years after their pre-service preparation. Using survey data on two cohorts of Master of School Administration (MSA) graduates, also pre-service principals, across North Carolina, this study analyzes their perceptions about their preparedness to engage in equity-oriented leadership. The study leverages the new Principal Fellows policy in North Carolina, a competitive grant program that awards state funds to principal preparation programs demonstrating exemplary principal program features and a focus on preparing school leaders for equity, as the basis of its evaluation. Overall, MSA graduates reported being very well prepared to enact equity-oriented leadership practices, though this preparedness was significantly higher for graduates across Principal Fellows preparation programs. The main finding from this study is that principal preparation program quality is the most significant predictor of graduates’ preparedness to engage in equity-oriented leadership. The findings from this study offer implications for principal preparation programs, policy, and future research.

Public Libraries May Facilitate More Inclusive Programming with the Collaboration of Trained Partners for Patrons with Dementia

A Review of: Dai, J., Bartlett, J. C., & Moffatt, K. (2023). Library services enriching community engagement for dementia care: The Tales & Travels Program at a Canadian Public Library as a case study. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 55(1), 123–136. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006211065170 Objective – To explore the potential of public libraries to contribute to community-based dementia care, and to examine the lived experiences of users partaking in the program. Design – Case study. Setting – A public library in Montreal, Canada. Subjects – Public library patrons with dementia and their caregivers engaging in Tales & Travels, a program for participants with early- and middle-stage dementia who learn about a new country through multi-sensory experiences. Methods – Semi-structured dyadic interviews with eleven people with dementia and their caregivers, as well as interviews with four program facilitators. Researchers implemented unobtrusive participant observation and thematically analyzed results. Main Results – Researchers discovered two primary themes via thematic analysis of interview transcripts: “community platform” and “librarians’ roles” came out of the data most often when discussing the program. Participants and caregivers felt a sense of familiarity and normalcy in a public library and appreciated the de-emphasis on dementia as the focus of the programming. Librarians felt the partnership with the Alzheimer Society allowed them to push past their uncertainties in their capacity to provide quality programming for this user group and found that collaborative relationship integral to the program’s success. Conclusion – With an intentional setting, collaborative partners with expertise in this user group, and person-centered programming, libraries can be a welcoming location to offer engaging and inclusive programs for patrons with dementia. However, these elements are of a high priority given the vulnerability of the population, and librarians who are willing to be trained in inclusivity, safety, and hospitality should handle programming. Replication of this study in other libraries would strengthen the conclusion of the case study.

A study into the nature of business acceleration services as a public sector: Assessment and recommendations

Subject. This article deals with the issues of development of entrepreneurship and job creation in the regions of Russia. Objectives. The article aims to assess the demand for and quality of acceleration programmes implemented in the regions of Russia. Methods. For the study, we used systems, statistical, and content analyses, and the case study method. Results. The article finds that there are three acceleration services that are the most common in the regions of Russia, namely, training, mentors' assistance, and evaluation, verification, and the idea and product examination. The article presents an author-developed and tested methodological approach, which can help identify the completeness and quality of acceleration services. As well, the article presents certain recommendations for the acceleration system's development in the regions of Russia. Conclusions. The practical use of the study results may contribute to the acceleration of the entrepreneurship development in Russia.

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation: evaluating change in classroom climate and teaching practices by dosage of program exposure

This study evaluated the effects of infant and early childhood mental health consultation dosage (IECMHC) on observations of classroom climate and teacher behavior management practices in seven schools from a charter school network. Classrooms were prioritized for consultation based on indicators collected during observations and either received no consultation, one cycle, or two or more cycles, each of which was approximately 10 weeks long. Fidelity of implementation was comparable between the two groups that received consultation at varying program exposure levels. Multilevel regression analyses examined how variation in the dose of consultation exposure related to both indicators of program quality considering the clustering of teachers within schools. The results showed that teachers most in need of consultation received it and that both short and long doses of consultation led to improvements in classroom climate and teaching practices outcomes over the academic year. Classrooms that received consultation for longer showed the largest change over time. Classrooms were equivalent on outcome indicators by the end of the school year and consultation appeared to have a protective effect against negative classroom climate.

Analysis on the application status and audience acceptance of virtual intelligent hosts in provincial broadcasting institutions

AI technology empowers traditional media and injects vitality into the radio and television field . In this context, provincial broadcasting organizations have entrusted virtual intelligent hosts with the important tasks of alleviating the impact of multiple media, improving program quality, and narrowing the distance between audiences. Unlike central media, provincial broadcasting organizations have limited resource advantages and platform advantages. They can only fully retain the exclusivity of provincial resources, and share major domestic and international news with CCTV . In this process, too much emphasis is placed on the technical advantages of virtual intelligent hosts themselves, while the particularity of provincial platforms is ignored. There is a lack of consideration of whether there is the ability to give full play to the many advantages of virtual intelligent hosts, or whether these advantages are necessary for provincial broadcasting organizations. This paper attempts to understand the audience's acceptance of virtual intelligent hosts through a questionnaire survey . It aims to explore the current application status of virtual intelligent hosts from the aspects of technology, resources, and audiences based on the characteristics of provincial broadcasting organizations.

An Investigation into the Factors Influencing the Quality of Training Programs at University of Sciences – Thai Nguyen University

This study investigates the factors influencing the quality of training programs at the University of Sciences – Thai Nguyen University (TNUS) by conducting a survey among final-year students to obtain feedback on their experiences. Data was collected from 242 TNUS students in Course 18 (cohort 2020-2024) and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. The findings identify six key factors impacting training quality at TNUS: (1) objectives, program learning outcomes, and training program contents; (2) teaching activities in the course; (3) assessment of learning outcomes; (4) student consulting and support services; (5) learning materials and facilities; and (6) General assessment of the course. These factors collectively affect the quality of graduates. Based on these results, the article offers recommendations for enhancing training programs to better meet current societal needs.

Diving into Diversity: Integrating Intercultural Competence into a PETE Curriculum

This article explores the integration of intercultural competence into one physical education teacher education (PETE) curriculum to address the increasing number of culturally and linguistically diverse children in physical education. Highlighting a potential lack of PETE student preparation, the article recommends adopting a framework based on Deardorff’s process model of intercultural competence. The proposed approach spans four methods courses, aiming to embed culturally relevant pedagogy. Emphasizing the importance of fostering culturally responsive and inclusive physical educators, the framework underscores the need for teacher education programs to enhance intercultural competence, thereby improving the quality and impact of PETE programs.

Process evaluation of the initial implementation of the Moments that Matter parenting program in Kenya.

The Moments that Matter® parenting program aims to promote nurturing care and healthy early childhood development (ECD) through monthly home visits and monthly community group meetings that are delivered by ECD promoters and coordinated with faith leaders in rural Western Kenya. We designed a process evaluation in August 2023 during the first quarter of program implementation. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with caregivers, ECD promoters, faith leaders, and program staff to capture their program experiences, assess program quality, and explore the implementation barriers and facilitators during this early stage of program roll-out. Although ECD promoters delivered the program with fidelity, the roles and responsibilities of faith leaders were relatively weaker and inconsistent. Key facilitators of quality implementation included visual aids of key messages and supportive supervision. Barriers included a lack of clarity about faith leaders' roles and relatively long group session duration. We highlight several key recommendations for improving fidelity, quality, and eventual program effects with respect to enhancingnurturing care and early child development. Overall, our study showcases how a process evaluation conducted during the early phase of program implementation can reveal practical insights that can be used to inform program adaptations and quality improvement.