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Teachers' beliefs, professional development, access to hardware/software, and instructional contexts all influence teachers' use of technology (Ertmer et al., 2012; González-Carriedo & Esprívalo Harrell, 2018; Ottenbreit-Leftwich et al., 2010). The first three factors have been studied extensively, but additional research on the instructional contexts of teachers, especially those working in less common settings, may enhance our knowledge of how technology shapes teachers' instruction and, subsequently, student learning. This case study highlights three teachers' beliefs and practices of incorporating technology to enhance mathematics learning and mathematical discourse in public dual-language elementary schools. Through interviews, video-recorded lessons, and workshop discussions, researchers examined why and how teachers leveraged technology to enhance mathematics learning in a bilingual program. The analysis indicates that teachers' reasoning and technology use sought to increase opportunities for discourse, a significant component of the mathematical practices (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, 2010), strengthening their bilingual students' understanding and application of mathematical concepts, processes, and proficiencies.

The purpose of this study was to determine if first-grade English Learners made patterns of language related errors when reading, and if so, to identify those patterns and how teachers coded language related errors when analyzing English Learners' running records. Using research from the fields of both literacy and Second Language Acquisition, we analyzed 123 running records containing 649 errors. Over half (54%) of the errors were determined to be language related and 93% of the LR errors fell into five categories: Inflectional endings, irregular verb tenses, contractions, prepositions and teachers' use of tolds. Numbers of LR errors and non-LR errors were similar within text level bands, and both decreased over time as students became more proficient readers. It is difficult to infer how different types of LR errors influence comprehension. There was inconsistency in teachers' interpretation of language related errors, which underscores the need to increase teachers' understanding of second language acquisition in the service of literacy instruction, and to advance theory regarding English Learners' use of their linguistic resources in language and literacy acquisition.

The study is a mixed-methods investigation of how urban schools are succeeding. The study surveyed 28 former students from urban schools in Oxnard, California. The qualitative responses represent themes that align to a high level of school connectedness and social-emotional learning (SEL) as key indicators of a successful urban school district. The responses also aligned with the thematic structures of the assets and relationships frameworks and to SEL standards.

Purpose: Despite growing awareness of elder abuse, cases are rarely prosecuted. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an elder abuse forensic center compared with usual care to increase prosecution of elder financial abuse. Design and Methods: Using one-to-one propensity score matching, cases referred to the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (the Forensic Center) between April 2007 and December 2009 for financial exploitation of adults aged 65 and older (n = 237) were matched to a population of 33,650 cases that received usual care from Adult Protective Services (APS). Results:1 Significantly, more Forensic Center cases were submitted to the District Attorney's office (DA) for review (22%, n = 51 vs. 3%, n = 7 usual care, p less than 0.001). Among the cases submitted, charges were filed by the DA at similar rates, as was the proportion of resultant pleas and convictions. Using logistic regression, the strongest predictor of case review and ultimate filing and conviction was whether the case was presented at the Forensic Center, with 10 times greater odds of submission to the DA (Odds ratio = 11.00, confidence interval = 4.66-25.98). Implications: Previous studies have not demonstrated that elder abuse interventions impact outcomes; this study breaks new ground by showing that an elder abuse multidisciplinary team increases rates of prosecution for financial exploitation. The elder abuse forensic center model facilitates cooperation and group problem solving among key professionals, including APS, law enforcement, and the DA and provides additional resources such as neuropsychological testing, medical record review, and direct access to the Office of the Public Guardian.

Purpose: Elder abuse cases are often time consuming and complex, requiring interagency cooperation from a diverse array of professionals. Although multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) offer a potentially powerful approach to synergizing the efforts of different providers, there has been little research on elder abuse MDTs in general or elder abuse forensic centers in particular. This article draws on our experience with the development of an innovative elder abuse MDT model by describing the structure, process, and outcomes of the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (the Center). Design and Methods: We use a logic model to provide the framework for discussing the Center's components and de-identified client records to report key characteristics of the cases reviewed (n = 313). We summarize surveys of core team members' evaluations of team effectiveness (n = 37) and case presenters' assessments of the Center effectiveness (n = 108). Results: During its first 3 years, the Center reviewed 2-4 cases per week and gained active and regular participation among core team members. Both team members' and presenters' evaluations were highly favorable. Implications: Process outcomes indicate that busy professionals found the model extremely valuable, with added consultation and services aiding elder abuse prevention, protection, and prosecution. The logic model offers structure, process, and outcomes with which to replicate and individualize the elder abuse forensic center model according to the needs and resources in each community.

Background and Objectives As the older adult population grows, it is important to understand the effectiveness of service delivery systems that support aging in place. Studying service delivery processes and organizational structures of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) is essential for future efforts to understand service delivery outcomes and innovations. Research Design and Methods We conducted site visits with 5 government-run California AAAs. We used a template and constant comparative analysis to analyze transcripts from site visits and focus groups with key informants. Results AAA representatives discussed how their organizational structure was related to (a) which services and programs they provided; (b) administrative cost savings and access to funding sources; (c) inter- and intra-agency coordination; and (d) visibility among clients and community partners. Discussion and Implications These findings can be used to guide decisions surrounding how changes in AAA structure may affect funding, coordination, service delivery, and visibility, among other factors. Consolidating the AAA with other departments and programs facilitates coordination and shared administrative costs, yet consolidation may reduce standalone AAAs' visibility and ability to innovate. AAA structure should be tailored to fit community resources, local government organization, and the needs of older residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing recognition globally that young people are under-represented or excluded from planning processes, and that this exclusion could have lasting impacts on their development as citizens and their interaction with the built environment. This article focuses on the extent to which youth participation is institutionalized in local government planning efforts in the United States and what explains this institutionalization. Consequently, what are the barriers and local attitudes towards youth participation? The primary data collection for this study is through an online survey that was sent to the census of California local governments. Results show that institutionalization of youth participation in local governance, through local prioritization of youth participation and emphasis of such participation in master plans, is low. Multiple linear regression is used to isolate the factors affecting institutionalization. Anticipated benefits are many, and barriers are primarily capacity related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Preliminary evidence suggests that elder abuse forensic centers improve victim welfare by increasing necessary prosecutions and conservatorships and reducing the recurrence of protective service referrals. Center team members gather information and make decisions designed to protect clients and their assets, yet the collective process of how these case reviews are conducted remains unexamined. The purpose of this study is to present a model describing the interprofessional approach of investigation and response to financial exploitation (FE), a frequent and complex type of abuse of vulnerable adults. Methods: To develop an understanding of the case review process at the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (Center), a quasi-Delphi field study approach was used involving direct observations of meetings, surveying team members, and review from the Center's Advisory Council. The goal of this iterative analysis was to understand the case review process for suspected FE in Los Angeles County. Results: A process map of key forensic center elements was developed that may be useful for replication in other settings. The process map includes: (a) multidisciplinary data collection, (b) key decisions for consideration, and (c) strategic actions utilized by an interprofessional team focused on elder justice. Discussion: Elder justice relies on a complex system of providers. Elder abuse forensic centers provide a process designed to efficiently address client safety, client welfare, and protection of assets. Study indings provide a process map that may help other communities replicate an established multidisciplinary team, one experienced with justice system outcomes designed to protect FE victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which an Elder Abuse Forensic Center protects financial exploitation (FE) victims through referral to the Office of the Public Guardian (PG) for investigation and possible conservatorship (called ‘guardianship’ in many states). Method:Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center cases involving adults aged 65 and older (April 2007–December 2009) were matched using one-to-one propensity-score matching to 33,650 usual care Adult Protective Services (APS) cases. The final analysis sample consisted of 472 FE cases. Results:Compared to usual care, Forensic Center cases were more likely to be referred to the PG for investigation (30.6%,n= 72 vs. 5.9%,n= 14,p< .001). The strongest predictors of PG referral were suspected cognitive impairment, as identified by APS (odds ratio [OR] = 11.69, confidence intervals [CI]: 3.50–39.03), and Forensic Center review (OR = 7.85, CI: 3.86–15.95). Among referred cases, the court approved conservatorship at higher rates – though not statistically significant – for Forensic Center cases than usual care (52.9%,n= 36/68 vs. 41.7%,n= 5/12). Conclusion:Conservatorship may be a necessary last resort to improve safety for some FE victims, and the Forensic Center appears to provide a pathway to this service. These findings suggest modification to the Elder Abuse Forensic Center conceptual model and contribute to an emerging body of evidence on the role of the Forensic Center in addressing elder abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current article examines neuropsychological correlates of financial elder exploitation in a sample of older adults who have been documented victims of financial elder exploitation. The purpose of this exploratory study was twofold. First, a subsample of the referrals at the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (LACEAFC) was compared to community dwelling adults in terms of the specific cognitive domains linked to financial capacity including memory, calculation, and executive functioning. Next, the correlation between presence of neuropsychological data and the likelihood of filing a case with the LA County’s District Attorney office was examined. Twenty-seven LACEAFC cases and 32 controls were assessed. Overall, the forensic center group performed worse than a community-based age-matched control group on the MMSE, calculation, and executive functioning (ps < .01). The presence of neuropsychological data was significantly correlated to an increased likelihood of a case being filed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elder justice connotes the principle that living free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation is a fundamental right that must be assured through public policy, safeguards built into core aging services, access to the justice system, and a robust response when abuse is reported. When service providers in California discussed challenges to preventing elder abuse, they concluded that state leadership and policy reform were needed. They formed a workgroup, hosted a summit, produced a comprehensive blueprint, and launched the California Elder Justice Coalition. Coalition members reflect on the process and offer suggestions for others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on the division between activism and scholarship. It focuses on the role of freedom of expression, the rhetoric of victimage, and notions of civility in maintaining this boundary. The authors examine the boycott of a National Communication Association (NCA) convention on the grounds that hotel owner Doug Manchester exploited workers and helped fund California's Proposition 8 legislation to ban gay marriage. They offer advice for scholar activists and encourage solidarity.

Abstract: In the coastal waters off northern California, seasonal wind-driven upwelling supplies abundant nutrients to be processed by phytoplankton productivity. As part of the Coastal Ocean Processes: Wind Events and Shelf Transport (CoOP WEST) study, nutrients, CO2, size-fractionated chlorophyll, and phytoplankton community structure were measured in the upwelling region off Bodega Bay, CA, during May–June 2000, 2001 and 2002. The ability of this ecosystem to assimilate nitrate (NO3) and silicic acid/silicate (Si(OH)4) and accumulate particulate material (i.e. phytoplankton) was realized in all 3 years, following short events of upwelling-favorable winds, followed by periods of relaxed winds. This was observed as phytoplankton blooms, dominated by chlorophyll in cells greater than 5μm in diameter, that reduced the ambient nutrients to zero. These communities were located over the near-shore shelf (<100m depth) and were dominated by diatoms. An optimal window of 3–7 days of relaxed winds, following an upwelling pulse, was required for chlorophyll accumulation. The large-celled phytoplankton that result are likely important players in coastal new production and carbon cycling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]