State School Students Research Articles

Retail alcohol monopolies, underage drinking, and youth impaired driving deaths

Objective To explore associations of state retail alcohol monopolies with underage drinking and alcohol-impaired driving deaths. Data Surveys on youth who drank alcohol and binge-drank recently and their beverage choices; census of motor vehicle fatalities by driver blood alcohol level. Methods Regressions estimated associations of monopolies with under-21 drinking, binge drinking, alcohol-impaired driving deaths, and odds a driver under 21 who died was alcohol-positive. Results About 93.8% of those ages 12–20 who consumed alcohol in the past month drank some wine or spirits. In states with a retail monopoly over spirits or wine and spirits, an average of 14.5% fewer high school students reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days and 16.7% fewer reported binge drinking in the past 30 days than high school students in non-monopoly states. Monopolies over both wine and spirits were associated with larger consumption reductions than monopolies over spirits only. Lower consumption rates in monopoly states, in turn, were associated with a 9.3% lower alcohol-impaired driving death rate under age 21 in monopoly states versus non-monopoly states. Alcohol monopolies may prevent 45 impaired driving deaths annually. Conclusions Continuing existing retail alcohol monopolies should help control underage drinking and associated harms.

Estimate of dietary exposure to sulphites using Brazilian students as a sample population

In Brazil, there is neither a register of the use of sulphites by the food industry nor is research being undertaken on their dietary exposure to the population. The objective of the work reported here was to estimate the dietary exposure to sulphites in two different groups of high school students, a fee-paying school group and a state school group. The data were collected through a 24-hour dietary recall, which provided estimates of sulphited foods and beverages in the diet. The Maximum Permitted Level (MPL), established by the Brazilian legislation for each of the sulphited food and beverages, was used to measure the dietary exposure to this additive. On this basis none of the students could have exceeded the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.70 mg SO2/kg bw/day, with a average dietary exposure of 0.07 mg SO2/kg bw/day (p < 0.001), with no significant statistical difference (p = 0.643) between fee-paying and state school students. Highly exposed consumers (dietary exposure to more than 50% of the ADI, or either, 0.35 mg SO2/kg bw/day, to the maximum of 0.52 mg SO2/kg bw/dia) represented 4.5% of the researched samples and reached these levels of intake due to a consumption beyond 500 ml/day of industrialized packaged fruit juices, and, in the fee-paying school, for associating its consumption with alcoholic beverages like beer and wine.

AIDS knowledge, attitude and behavioural patterns among high school students in southwestern Nigeria

An evaluation of knowledge, attitude and behavioural patterns of high school students in Oyo and Osun States, Southwestern Nigeria, towards HIV/AIDS was undertaken. A structured questionnaire was administered to respondents from six secondary schools that were selected by systematic random sampling method from the two States. The questionnaire focused on specific aspects of knowledge, attitude and behavioural patterns related to HIV/AIDS, its mode of transmission and preventive measures. Results from the study showed that 362 (73%) of the 496 respondents had correct knowledge of the causative agent of AIDS, 69% had correct knowledge of the mode of transmission, 83.2% had correct knowledge of the people at risk and 80.2% had good knowledge of methods of prevention. Attitude toward AIDS victims was however relatively poor with 21% believing that AIDS patients should be isolated and avoided and additional 7% believing that people should not eat or share utensils with AIDS patients. Only 57.7% believed that people should relate freely with AIDS patients. This study showed an improvement in the knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS over a previous one carried out over a decade ago in the same locality, highlighting the importance of mass media campaign programme embarked upon by the States over the years. However, there is need to further increase the awareness campaign especially as it relates to attitude towards AIDS patients and also on information dissemination, which should be more detailed and formal. Incorporating sex education into the curriculum of secondary schools will be a welcome development in stemming the tide of this dreaded disease. Keywords : knowledge, attitude, sexual behaviour, HIV, AIDS African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 247-252

Language Support for Immigrant Children: A Study of State Schools in the UK and US

In recent decades, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers have sought a new way of life in large numbers, often leaving their countries of origin behind in search of places that offer a better way of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how elementary and middle school students in state schools in Reading, England (primarily speakers of Asian languages), and Richmond, Virginia (primarily speakers of Spanish), were supported academically, when most children's first language was not English. The authors were interested in exploring whether or not there were cultural or structural differences in the way each country helped or hindered these students as they progressed through the school systems. Three UK schools in a district of approximately 100,000 and three US schools in a district of approximately 250,000 were the focus of this exploration from 2000 to 2003. Findings indicated that there were cultural and legislative differences and similarities. Teachers and administrators in both countries attempted to provide services with limited and sometimes diminishing resources. Community support varied based on resources, attitudes toward various ethnic groups, and the coping strategies adopted by these groups in their new environments. Marked differences appeared with regard to the manner in which assessments took place and how the results were made available to the public.

The Religious and Moral Beliefs of Adolescents in St. Petersburg

Students aged 15 to 17 years in state secular and non-state Christian schools in St. Petersburg were surveyed as to their opinions of religion. The study showed an extremely small proportion of consistent atheists. On average, less than 10% of the surveyed students in state schools answered with certainty that there is no God while just 4% decisively reject religion as such. 80% proclaimed themselves believers but only 2% visit churches at least weekly and very few know the Christian Gospel. The majority of students thought that religion is a personal matter. There were significant differences between the state secular and non-state Christian schools so the survey supports the view that religious education strongly influences opinions and systems of ethical values.

Age of initiating selected health-risk behaviors among high school students in the united states

To estimate and compare the age of initiation of alcohol use, cigarette smoking, sexual intercourse, and marijuana use among female and male students in U.S. high schools. Using data from the 1991 and 1993 national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, life-table analysis was used to create hypothetical cohorts to estimate age of initiation of selected health-risk behaviors. The sample size was 12,272 in 1991 and 16,296 in 1993, with an overall response rate of 68% in 1991 and 70% in 1993. Male students initiate each of these behaviors earlier than female students, but the pace of initiation for females accelerates so that by age 15 years the cumulative proportion of male and female students who have initiated these behaviors is similar. For both female and male students, the youngest cohort appears to initiate use of alcohol and sexual intercourse at earlier ages than older cohorts. Similarly, the younger cohorts of female students appear to initiate smoking cigarettes and using marijuana at earlier ages than older cohorts. Many high school students are initiating alcohol use, cigarette smoking, sexual intercourse, and marijuana use at early ages. These data suggest a need for intensive intervention programs by middle/junior high school to motivate and prepare students to avoid these behaviors. Clinicians should begin screening and counseling for risk behaviors in early adolescence.

Human immunodeficiency virus risk behavior among white and Asian/Pacific Islander high school students in the united states: Does culture make a difference?

This article analyzes sexual behavior among white and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) adolescents, to determine the risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission from a multicultural point of view. A total of 5,385 white and 408 API high school students were included. The national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS 1991) was used. After controlling for academic performance, white students were 2.3 times more likely to communicate about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/HIV, 2.7 times more likely to be sexually experienced, and 2.5 times more likely to use alcohol or other drugs before sex than APIs. There were no significant differences between these two groups in the age of initiating sex, the number of lifetime partners, the proportion of being currently sexually active (having had sex during the past 3 months), and condom use behavior. Although APIs had a low rate of AIDS/HIV, they have behaviors at as high a risk as white students once they became sexually experienced, and they have an even greater number of recent partners if they are currently sexually active. Use of alcohol or other drugs before sex and condom use is significantly related. Given the importance of attention to risks among API adolescents, this study underscores the need for more research to explore how culture values play a role among all API students, those who are sexually experienced, and those who are currently sexually active API students, to develop culturally sensitive AIDS/HIV prevention programs.

Do Private Schools Force Public Schools to Compete?

Since the 1980s, public policy analysts and sociologists of education have increasingly focused on differences in school performance between public and private school, but ignored the effect on public school student performance of the wide variation among states in the size of the private school sector. The A. demonstrate that public school students in states with large private school sectors have improved educational outcomes. Contrary to assumtions underlying the school choice movement, however, the improved performance of public school students is not the result of increased resources provided to public schools. The state thus takes an active role in protecting public sector providers. Institutional forces of inertia are less salient predictors of organizational behavior than are dynamic political processes and public school resource dependency on state financial sources of support

Television viewing and adolescent authoritarianism

A cross-sectional survey was conducted assessing the relationship between the psychological construct of authoritarianism and television viewing. The participants were 1190 high school students in the northeast United States. The results revealed a positive relationship between socio-political authoritarianism and the amount of television viewing. Further, a hypothesized "mainstreaming" pattern was discovered such that most of the relationship between television exposure and authoritarianism was more prevalent in the higher social classes. A hypothesis explaining the mainstreaming pattern is that television retards the political development of respondents in some more advantaged social groups. The role of abstract and cognitive ability in the television/authoritarianism association was explored as well. Exploratory tests reveal that abstract/cognitive ability, though associated both with authoritarianism and television viewing, does not completely explain the relationship.

Factors associated with hypochromia and microcytosis among high school students in the southeastern United States.

We studied hematologic findings in 617 apparently healthy Georgia elementary, middle, and high school students, aged 10 to 19 years, and examined the influence of several parameters (race, sex, iron status, and genetic hemoglobin [Hb] abnormalities) on hypochromia and microcytosis, with or without anemia. Fourteen students (2%) (6 male, 8 female; 4 white, 10 black) were found to be anemic (Hb < 11.8 g/dL in boys or < 11.3 g/dL in girls). Hypochromia (mean corpuscular Hb < 25 pg) with or without microcytosis (mean corpuscular volume < 78 fL) was found in 26 students (4%). Iron deficiency was the main associated factor in white students, but in blacks genetic Hb abnormalities, especially alpha-thalassemia trait, were other predisposing factors. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency (serum ferritin < or = 12 ng/mL) was 32.4% in the entire sample population, 30.5%, among blacks, and 33.2% among whites.

Careers Forum

At the beginning of July, schools and colleges received What's next? Future steps careers information kits. Eighteen thousand copies were distributed to all Year 10, 11 and 12 students in state, private and Catholic schools throughout Tasmania.

Educational achievement and the cost of bureaucracy

It is the purpose of this paper to test the following proposition: holding other important factors constant, does the size of the educational bureaucracy have any effect on the efficiency of school systems in producing educational achievement? The empirical results suggest that this is indeed the case. Using 1984 data from the states, we find that public school students in states having relatively large educational bureaucracies are less likely to graduate from high school, and those who do tend to perform more poorly on standardized achievement tests.

Socio-economic Status and Educational Aspirations in Uganda

Studies of high school students in the United States have found that socioeconomic status (SES) origins exert a decisive influence on educational aspirations (when plans to attend university are interpreted as high aspirations) even when related variables such as gender, intelligence, high school record, neighborhood, and community residence are also examined. By contrast, research in the West African societies of Ghana and Ivory Coast has found a zero to weak influence of SES on educational aspirations. This research note is prompted by these two sets of findings. Data collected during the 1970s while Idi Amin was President of Uganda make it possible to observe whether Ugandan secondary school students resemble more closely the West African pattern or that of the United States. Results indicate that SES is important in determining who will be educated; but this does not show up if one restricts analysis to those in senior secondary school (SS5 and S6)

Development of an integrated process skill test: TIPS II

AbstractThe purpose of this project was to develop a valid and reliable science process skill test for middle and high school students. Multiple‐choice items were generated for each of five objectives. Following pilot testing and revision, the test was administered to middle and high school students in the northeastern United States. The 36‐item test can be completed in a normal class period. Results yielded a mean score of 19.14 and a total test reliability of 0.86. Mean difficulty and discrimination indices were 0.53 and 0.35, respectively. Split‐test correlations coefficients between TIPS II and the original TIPS items were 0.86 and 0.90. TIPS II provides another reliable instrument for measuring process skill achievement. Additionally, it increases the available item pool for measuring these skills.

Causal attributions and beliefs about work and unemployment among adolescents in state and Independent secondary schools

Abstract Boys and girls (N = 650) in Years 9 and 10 in State and Independent secondary schools in South Australia answered a questionnaire that contained specific questions concerning expectations of getting a job, attractiveness or positive valence of employment, need for a job, depressive affect about possible unemployment, reasons or attributions for unemployment, and other items about the job market. The questionnaire also included background and demographic questions and general measures of self-esteem, potency, depression, tension, hopelessness, and external control. The results showed reliable differences on a number of the variables between boys and girls and between the State school students and the Independent school students. These differences were taken to reflect variations between individuals in the way they construct or represent social reality depending on their location in the social fabric and the influences they are exposed to. Evidence that the students were more internal in their attr...

An Empirical Demonstration of Bias in HSC Examination Results

This study examines the question of bias in the way Higher School Certificate (HSC) scores relate to university results. Separate regressions of university results on HSC scores were carried out for students having different high school backgrounds. These analyses showed that, across faculties and years, HSC scores were biased against state school students. That is, state school students perform better at university than do independent school students having the same HSC scores. Two models of fair selection were then used to show that, in order for selection to be fair, a lower cut-off should be used for state school students.

Le Symbole du feu dans la vie des adolescents et dans leur univers religieux

This study concentrates on the impact of this major symbol on teenagers, as may be perceived in the religious context through free associations and impromptu stories, and in the religious context through biblical and liturgical references. The sampling was done according to three variables (sex, age, school) and hoped to reach the highest degree of homo geneity concerning life environment and curricula. For computational reasons, 400 answers were examined so as to have 200 for each series. The aim of this paper is to introduce briefly our findings, taking into consideration the two variables, sex and school. The prospections of the secular context through the analysis of free associations and impromptu stories reveal, from the point of view of sex, that boys experience the world of things as means or obstacles. Girls, on the other hand, being more sensitive to the surroundings and aesthetic overtones perceive the world as values and enter the symbolic domain more easily. As far as ' school ' is concerned, it appears that the evocation of the Fire Symbol is experienced by students according to the characteristic trends of each set up. In the religious context one sees that in general teenagers have a better knowledge of the Bible than of the Liturgy. Courage and strength being attractive, boys refer to « power theophanies » while girls stress the quality and depth of theophanies which may be termed « personal and intimate ». They know the liturgy better and are touched by the words of the liturgy, whereas the boys lose themselves in the rite itself and its materiality. As for the educational variable, the biblical and liturgical culture of state school students is characterised by a statistically broader amplitude. The pupils of the denominational network seem to be more under the influence of a primary-school-level catechesis. Comparison of the two contexts : The symbolic structure in tegrates the same harmonics in both contexts. On the contrary, the choice and polarization of the harmonics differ. The religious overdetermination smoothes out the sexual and educational differential stresses which come out in the natural context. Conclusion : In our contemporary culture, the young are alive to symbols. The Firc Symbol, in the Bible as well as in the Liturgy, has a powerful and positive impact, but its resonance is relative to various stresses in both contexts. secular or religious.