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The educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) is a performance-based assessment designed for beginning teachers to demonstrate their readiness to teach (SCALE, 2014). As more states come to adopt this assessment, many facets of its implementation need to be reviewed. One component is the role of the cooperating teacher in the implementation of the edTPA. Since the assessment is completed during the culminating clinical experience for teacher candidates, it seems logical to assume that the cooperating teachers who host student teachers during this field experience are "stakeholders" in the edTPA. Cooperating teachers are also members of the teaching profession and may feel that they have a stake in determining who is ready to enter their profession. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of cooperating teachers as stakeholders in the edTPA, to determine their beliefs about the edTPA, to discuss ways to support cooperating teachers with the edTPA, and to examine how the edTPA has influenced the student teaching experience from the cooperating teachers' perspectives. The researchers also sought advice from cooperating teachers about how best to structure the student teaching experience given the addition of the edTPA.

This action research study examined the effectiveness of one model for supporting candidates in their work in preparing and submitting their edTPA portfolios. Surveys of student teachers and their cooperating teachers were administered and analyzed to determine how the model impacted their experiences with the edTPA. This data can inform implementation efforts at other campuses.

The history of mathematics is an important component in the learning of mathematics. This study examines how pre-service teachers view the role of history of mathematics in the high school curriculum. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Results showed significant changes in beliefs about how the history of mathematics should be integrated as well as preparedness to incorporate the history of mathematics in teaching. (Contains 1 table.)

This study reports problems faced by urban schools as well as teacher education's attempts to remedy these problems, and explores one college's effort to understand the complexities of teacher candidates' decision to work in urban schools. A paid field experience in an urban school district allowed teacher candidates to explore their perceptions of urban schools based on their previous experiences, or lack thereof, and their willingness to work in urban settings. Through the program called Summer in the City (SITC), which was funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Education to an urban school district and was implemented at the end of the college's spring 2005 semester (May to June), this study explores whether there was a difference between SITC and non-SITC teacher candidates in (a) the number of hours spent in urban practica settings before the SITC program; (b) their ratings of previous urban field experiences; (c) their willingness to teach in an urban setting; and (d) the demographics of race/ethnicity, home environment locale, and school locale. It also examines the reasons that influenced the candidates' decision whether or not to participate? Survey data revealed that a possible contributing factor for participation seemed to be related to the number of hours the candidates had spent in previous field placements. Candidates who were involved in SITC had completed more hours of experience in urban schools than their non-SITC counterparts at the time of their initial application. The difference in ratings of previous urban field experiences between SITC and non-SITC candidates were non-significant. The significant differences between the two groups in their willingness to teach in urban schools upon graduation suggests that the amount of urban field experience is a contributing factor influencing participation in additional urban field experiences and candidates' subsequent consideration of employment in urban schools. The comparison of the demographics of the two groups revealed that while the candidates did not differ in the location of their P-12 schooling, they did differ in the location of their homes in that significantly more SITC participants grew up in urban areas. When asked to share the factors that influenced their decision to participate or not participate in the SITC program, many candidates claimed it was their desire for additional experiences in urban schools and based on their satisfaction with past experiences in these schools. (Contains 8 tables.)

The primary purpose of this classroom experiment was to examine the effectiveness of concrete (hands-on) manipulatives as compared with virtual (computer-based) manipulatives on student review of fraction concepts in third grade and introduction of symmetry concepts in fourth grade. A pretest-posttest design was employed with a sample of 91 third-grade students and 54 fourth-grade students who were randomly assigned to complete a lesson using either concrete or virtual manipulatives. Students used a variety of manipulative materials during the lessons. Results of the posttest suggest that student learning was unchanged by lesson condition. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Higher education can be a key leader in sustainability efforts, with issues cutting across all areas of functioning and extending into the community. This article examines educational change, which is particularly important because of its far-reaching effects. In particular, this article describes student-led sustainability research at the University of Louisville, demonstrating involvement and the ways that student work can make a real difference.

Examined points of entry into mental health service system for children and adolescents and patterns of movement through five service sectors (specialty mental health services, education, general medicine, juvenile justice, child welfare). Education sector plays central role as point of entry. Interagency collaboration among education, specialty mental health services, and general medicine is critical to ensuring youths receive appropriate services. (Contains 24 references and 3 tables.) (Author)

We used data on a national sample of children involved with child welfare systems to compare American Indian caregivers with White, Black, and Hispanic caregivers in their need for, and receipt of, specialty alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment. American Indian caregivers were significantly less likely to receive services than were Hispanic caregivers (P doi:10.2105/AJPH.2004.059436)

Extinction by ice and rain at the AMSU frequencies used in water vapor profile retrievals is investigated with DMSP observations and brightness temperature simulations of a convective storm system. The simulations are based on mesoscale forecast model output of atmospheric, cloud, and rain profiles from which the absorption and scattering due to both liquid and frozen hydrometeors are calculated. Comparison with satellite observations indicates discrepancies of more than 90% (up to 60 K), of which only about 20% results from ignoring scattering by model-prescribed ice. The major source of error is the inability of the forecast model to produce the spatially localized high ice concentrations which cause the low microwave brightness temperatures. A criterion based on the difference between measured brightness temperatures at 183.31 [+ or -] 3 and 183.31 [+ or -] 1 GHz is suggested to screen out convective events before water vapor retrieval. Application to the case study examined here improved agreement between simulated and observed brightness temperatures by up to a factor of two. Index Terms - Atmospheric measurements, microwave radiometry, satellite applications.

Objectives. This study examined prevalence of psychiatric disorders, social and family risk factors for disorders, and met and unmet needs for mental health care among Appalachian youth. Methods. All 9-, 11-, and 13-year-old American Indian children in an 11-county area of the southern Appalachians were recruited, together with a representative sample of the surrounding population of White children. Results. Three-month prevalences of psychiatric disorders were similar (American Indian, 16.7%; White, 19.2%). Substance use was more common in American Indian children (9.0% vs 3.8% in White children), as was comorbidity of substance use and psychiatric disorder (2.5% vs 0.9%). American Indian poverty, family adversity (e.g., parental unemployment, welfare dependency), and family deviance (parental violence, substance abuse, and crime) rates were higher, but the rate of family mental illness, excluding substance abuse, was lower. Child psychiatric disorder and mental health service use were associated with family mental illness in both ethnic groups but were associated with poverty and family deviance only in White children. Despite lower financial barriers, American Indian children used fewer mental health services. Conclusions. This study suggests that poverty and crime play different roles in different communities in the etiology of child psychiatric disorder. (Am J Public Health. 1997;87:827-832)

A space variant image restoration algorithm has been developed with the aim of improving the spatial resolution of SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager) passive microwave imagery. Due to the conical scanning of the instrument the relative geometry of the data samples changes over the scan. This change is accounted for here by using a space variant point-spread-function in the restoration algorithm. Application of this algorithm to a scene from the Weddell Sea results in an image with enhanced ice edge and coast definition. As a result ice concentration estimates near the edge agree more closely with higher resolution (optical) data from AVHRR. Index Terms - Restoration, deconvolution, resolution improvement, SSM/I.

Objectives. Factors affecting ethnic differences in the use of out-patient mental health services are analyzed in an insured, nonpoor population to determine if lower use by Blacks and Hispanics persists when socioeconomic and other factors are controlled. Methods. To identify significant predictors of the probability and amount of use, insurance claims data for a population of 1.2 million federal employees insured by Blue Cross/ Blue Shield in 1983 were analyzed with the Andersen and Newman model of health service utilization. Logistic and ordinary least squares regression models were estimated for each ethnic group. Results. Blacks and Hispanics had lower probabilities and amounts of use when compared with Whites after controlling for a number of variables. Conclusions. Since ethnic differences in the use of outpatient mental health services exist even in an insured, nonpoor population, factors other than lower socioeconomic status or insurance coverage - for example, cultural or attitudinal factors and service system barriers - are likely responsible. Such findings have policy implications in the current climate of health care reform to increase access to care for the underserved. (Am J Public Health. 1994;84: 222-226), Whites tend to use outpatient mental health services more than other ethnic groups even when insurance coverage is similar among groups. Information from insurance claims filed by 1.2 million federal employees and their families was analyzed. Two options for mental health coverage were available through the health insurance plan. The high-option plan had a lower deductible, a higher copayment and a maximum of 50 mental health visits per year. The low-option plan had a slightly higher deductible, a lower copayment and a maximum of 25 mental health visits. Fifty-eight percent of whites and approximately 75% of blacks and Hispanics chose the high-option plan. Fewer blacks used outpatient mental health services than any other group. Hispanics used outpatient mental health services slightly more often than blacks but had a lower average number of visits. Whites used the mental health services most frequently and had the highest average number of visits. Of women, those on the high-option plan, the more educated and those between 18 and 45 years old had higher rates of mental health service use.

Objectives. Because current Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act regulations influence the disposition of US nursing home residents who have mental illness, National Nursing Home Survey (1985) data are analyzed for predictors of mental health service use. Methods. Elderly residents' rates of mental health service use are presented. Logistic regression yielded odds ratios for treatment by both mental health specialists and general practitioners for client and service system variables. Results. Among the two thirds of elderly residents with a mental disorder (including dementia), only 4.5% receive any mental health treatment in a 1-month period. The ratio of specialist to general practitioner care is approximately 1:1. Patients seen by a specialist are likely to be younger (aged 65 to 74); live in the Northeast; and have diagnosis of schizophrenia (13:1), dementia (3:1), or other mental disorders (5:1). Prior residence in a psychiatric hospital predicts care by both health professional types. Rural location, nonpropriety ownership of the nursing home, and aggressive behavior point to general physician care. Conclusions. Our findings indicate significant neglect of the mental health needs of older nursing home residents underscore the importance of monitoring the regulations for screening and treatment of mental disorders under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. (AmJ Public Health. 1993;83:331-337), Elderly nursing home residents may need more screening and treatment for mental disorders. Among 4,646 residents of a nursing home, 51% were suffering from dementia, 4% from schizophrenia or another psychosis and 11% from other types of mental disorders. Fewer than 5% of these patients received any type of treatment for mental health disorders over a one-month period. The number of patients who received treatment from a general practitioner was equal to the number who received treatment from a specialist. Patients between 64 and 75 years old were more likely to be treated by a specialist than those over 75 years old. Patients suffering from schizophrenia, dementia or other mental disorders were more likely to be treated by a specialist than those suffering from other disorders. Patients treated by a general practitioner were more likely to reside in a rural area or exhibit aggressive behavior than those treated by a specialist.

Abstract Background Behavioral health services for children and adolescents in the U.S. are lacking in accessibility, availability and quality. Evidence-based interventions for emotional and behavioral disorders can improve quality, yet few studies have systematically examined their implementation in routine care settings. Methods Using quantitative and qualitative data, we evaluated a multi-faceted implementation strategy to implement cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depressed adolescents into two publicly-funded mental healthcare centers. Extent of implementation during the study's duration and variables influencing implementation were explored. Results Of the 35 clinicians eligible to participate, 25 (71%) were randomized into intervention (n = 11) or usual care (n = 14). Nine intervention clinicians completed the CBT training. Sixteen adolescents were enrolled in CBT with six of the intervention clinicians; half of these received at least six CBT manually-based sessions. Multiple barriers to CBT adoption and sustained use were identified by clinicians in qualitative interviews. Conclusion Strategies to implement evidence-based interventions into routine clinical settings should include multi-method, pre-implementation assessments of the clinical environment and address multiple barriers to initial uptake as well as long-term sustainability.