Addressing the social, cognitive and emotional needs of children: the case for dynamic assessment

This paper examines the extent to which the use of psychological assessment addresses the social, emotional and cognitive needs of children experiencing difficulties with learning. Evidence in favour of a curriculum-based assessment (CBA) approach is presented, and the advantages and disadvantages are evaluated. This paper argues that CBA does not stand up well to the demand for a more ecological approach to assessment that considers the social and emotional needs of children. CBA can often be too task oriented, and more importantly fails to consider an interactive environment in which to assess the child. Finally, the underlying theory of CBA on behavioural approaches to learning neglects a focus on the cognitive and meta-cognitive aspects of learning. Arguments in favour of dynamic assessment are offered as an approach which does consider such aspects of learning. Nevertheless, the appropriateness and effectiveness of CBA and dynamic assessment can only truly be considered in light of the purposes of each individual assessment. Different approaches to psychological assessment could be used in different circumstances, therefore, the ‘why?’ of assessment (Frederickson, Wright & Webster, 1991) should receive careful consideration before the issue of ‘which approach is best?’

A Principal-Agent Analysis of the Family: Implications for the Welfare State

The principal-agent literature has focussed on situations where both principal and agent are assumed to be capable of defining and defending their own interests. The principal-agent literature has thus ignored an important set of cases where the principal is incapable of acting on her own behalf, and so is assigned an agent by law or custom. Such cases account for around 40% of humanity and for a similarly substantial proportion of all principal-agent interactions. This paper applies principal-agent analysis to one such case, the family, where the child is taken as the principal and the parent is her agent. The principal-agent problem within families creates a prima facie case for state interventions to protect child-principals, since some parents will shirk and the consequences of such shirking may be serious and irreversible damage to the child-principal, who cannot defend herself. The principal-agent perspective on the family sheds new light on two old debates: about whether state welfare services should be provided in cash or in kind, and about user fees for social services involving children.Institutional and Behavioral Economics,

Local Food Systems in Central Illinois: An Economic Impact Analysis

Local food movements nationwide have gained traction in their popularity and relevance as an alternative to the more dominant industrial, specialized system. The primary focus of this paper is the analysis of food systems in a five county region of Central Illinois. Statistical analysis as well as theoretical perspective is used to present the current status of the industry and develop a framework for assessing the economic impact of an increase in local food production for local consumption. We use the IMPLAN Modeling System to measure the financial and employment impacts of an increase in vegetable and fruit production in the five-county region as well as the impact of nine farmers’ markets within this region. We find a positive net impact for both scenarios

Do medical student attitudes towards patients with chronic low back pain improve during training? a cross-sectional study

Background: Health care professionals with positive attitudes towards the functional abilities of patients with low back pain are more likely to encourage activity and avoidance of rest as per recommended guidelines. This study investigated whether medical student training fosters positive attitudes towards patients with back pain and their ability to function. Methods. First (n = 202) and final (n = 146) year medical students at the University of Glasgow completed the Health Care Professionals' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) questionnaire. This measures attitudes of clinicians towards the functional ability of patients with back pain. A group of first (n = 62) and final year (n = 61) business students acted as non-health care controls. Attitudes were compared using two-way ANOVA with year of study and discipline of degree as independent variables. Results: Both year of study [F(1,465) = 39.5, p &lt; 0.01] and discipline of degree [F(1,465) = 43.6, p &lt; 0.01] had significant effects on total HC-PAIRS scores and there was a significant interaction effect [F(1,465) = 9.5, p &lt; 0.01]. Medical students commenced their course with more positive attitudes than non-health care students (65.7 vs. 69.2 respectively; p &lt; 0.01) - lower scores translating into more positive attitudes. In their final year, the difference between the two student groups had widened (56.4 vs. 65.3; p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: Undergraduate medical training promotes positive attitudes towards the functional ability of patients with back pain, suggesting that students may be more likely to develop an evidence-based approach to this patient group after qualification. Some adjustments to training may be warranted to encourage a more positive shift in attitudes.</p

Hydrology, Water Chemistry, and Vegetation Characteristics of a Tamarack Bog in Bath Township, Ohio: Towards Restoration and Enhancement

Author Institution: Dept. of Biology, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAuthor Institution: Dept. of Natural Resource Science, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, CanadaThe current state of the Bath Tamarack Bog has raised concern about the health and function of the system. Only 6 tamarack (Larix laricina) trees remain, while deciduous trees, particularly red maple (Acer rubrum) and invasive species such as glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), dominate the bog. Our purpose was to assess the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the tamarack bog. Environmental and biological properties of Bath Tamarack Bog were measured from May 2001 through November 2002. In 2001, the center of the bog experienced water levels below those typically found in bogs, yet experienced normal water levels in the following year. Water chemistry results indicate the pH is much greater than that characteristic of a typical bog, ranging from 5.94 to 7.41. Nutrient levels fluctuated and were generally higher for calcium, potassium, and phosphate than a typical bog, while nitrogen levels remained low. These results indicate that the bog is not functioning normally and is in decline. The degradation of the bog is most likely due to anthropogenic activity. Ditching occurred between 1963 and 1969 and seems to have induced the progression of red maple trees and invasive species into the bog by lowering water levels. Since 1938, the first aerial photo we have record of, the bog has reduced to approximately a third of its size, which is approximately 1.99 hectares. The bog appears to be in a late successional stage, rapidly changing to a forested wetland. We discuss possible management and restoration efforts needed to restore or enhance the tamarack bog, including 1) planting Sphagnum mats, 2) introducing tamarack seedlings, 3) controlling invasive species, and 4) maintaining the hydrology close to the soil surface. All of these measures are suggested in association with educational outreach

The Okhrana: Security Policing in Late Imperial Russia

This is a study of the security police in late imperial Russia, analysing its successes and failures, its reputation, efficiency, evolution and role in the origins of the Russian revolution

Without My Body

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Laughter in the Dark: Humour under Stalin

A study of the different types of humour and laughter under Stalin