Policy case studies are presented on two congressional proposals that, if implemented, may result in implicit or explicit federal government endorsement of particular standards for the licensure or certification of teachers. They are, (a) authorization for the United States Department of Education to award design and implementation grants for programs of alternative teacher credentialing, and (b) appropriation of federal funds to support the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. A discussion of the genesis of each proposal, a review of the legislative history of these two measures, and analysis of supporting rationale for each is included. Using an analytic framework based on the works of Deborah Stone and Thomas Green, it was determined that unresolved policy conflicts over teacher education governance and content led to federal attention to matters of teacher certification and licensure. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which scores on the Certified Professional Secretaries® Examination could be predicted by selected education, work experience, test preparation, and demographic variables. A secondary purpose was to develop descriptive profiles of candidates who passed and who failed to pass on their first attempt on the new three-part CPS® Examination. The independent variable categories were education, work experience, test preparation, and demographics of professional associations, work status, and salary. The dependent variables were the scores on the three parts of the May 1995 CPS® Examination. The sample in the study consisted of 300 randomly selected examination candidates, 150 from the pass group and 150 from the fail group, of the May 1995 CPS® Examination. Data were collected by having Professional Secretaries International® mail a questionnaire to the candidates to ensure anonymity. After three questionnaire mailings and a postcard follow up, seventy-nine percent (79%) of the questionnaires were returned. Data analyses were completed by using both descriptive and regression statistics. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and revealed some striking similarities between the pass and fail groups. Regression analyses were used to examine ability of the variables selected for inclusion in this study to predicting performance on the Certified Professional Secretaries® (CPS®) Examination. The extensive regression analyses on the nationally representative sample of candidates included in the present study, however, revealed only limited statistical significance in the final equations. It was therefore concluded that based on these findings, the selected variables do not have practical utility for predicting future performance on the CPS® Examination. / Ed. D.

This thesis consists of two research papers, each of which studies the benefits from a different College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) program. These analyses provide necessary information to allocate resources efficiently among programs. The first paper studies the Virginia Quality Assured feeder cattle certification program and its effects on feeder cattle prices and profitability. No significant effect on price from VQA certification is found. However, enterprise budgets indicate that VQA cattle allow higher farm profits due to their lower sale weight, which allows for faster turnover and lower prices. The second paper studies the benefits to producers from wheat and barley breeding conducted by Virginia Tech researchers. Variety trial data are combined with acreage estimates constructed from royalty data to estimate gains from replacement of old varieties with new ones. The study finds that the program generated benefits to producers of over $119 million between 2000 and 2018. / Master of Science / This thesis contains two papers that assessed the benefits of two agricultural research and extension programs at Virginia Tech. The first paper studies the Virginia Quality Assured certification program. This program certifies cattle that have been raised following practices that are designed to result in cattle that will grow faster and stay healthier in a feedlot. Statistical analysis of cattle sold through a Virginia telephone auction show that VQA certified cattle do not receive higher prices than uncertified cattle, but the analysis also finds that certified and uncertified cattle have important physical differences, including lighter weights for certified cattle. These lighter weights make it possible for farmers to sell more VQA cattle in a year because they spend less time gaining weight before being sold, giving producers of VQA cattle the opportunity for higher profits per year. The second paper studies the benefits to farmers from wheat and barley breeding by Virginia Tech researchers. Field trials are used to compare the yields of old and new varieties, and acreage estimates are used to show how newer varieties replace older ones in farmers' fields. The study finds that economic benefits to farmers from new varieties released by the program total $119 million from 2000 to 2018.

Yes / Machine learning (ML) is increasingly employed for automating complex tasks, specifically in autonomous driving. While ML applications bring us closer to fully autonomous systems, they simultaneously introduce security and safety risks specific to safety-critical systems. Existing methods of software development and systems based on ML are fundamentally different. Moreover, the existing certification methods for automotive systems cannot fully certify the safe operation of ML-based components and subsystems. This is because existing safety certification criteria were formulated before the advent of ML. Therefore, new or adapted methods are needed to certify ML-based systems. This article analyses the existing safety standard, ISO26262, for automotive applications, to determine the certifiability of ML approaches used in low-risk automotive applications. This will contribute towards addressing the task of assuring the security and safety of ML-based autonomous driving systems, particularly for low-risk automotive applications, to gain the trust of regulators, certification agencies, and stakeholders.

Virginia Tech researchers conducted a study to assist the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in determining the policies and procedures necessary for the implementation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency final guidelines for the certification and recertification of small water system operators of community (CWS) and nontransient noncommunity public (NTNC) water systems serving under 3,300 people. A 42-question survey was developed and mailed to 2011 public water systems that serve 3,300 people or less. Survey results revealed that small systems in Virginia encompassed a diverse group of waterworks and owners/operators. Significant differences were found when survey results were analyzed by the number of people served and system category. Systems serving less than 100 people tended to not have a licensed operator, not have a full time employee, not meter their customers, and not have an operations and maintenance budget. As the system size increased, the likelihood of each increased. This research was supported by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health. / Master of Science

Molecular imaging is paving the way to the future of breast cancer detection. Compared to mammography, breast cancer molecular imaging provides a more sensitive, faster, and effective way to detect breast cancer on a cellular level rather than on a gross level. Traditional imaging technologies like mammography detect breast cancer by imaging the morphological changes caused by the disease. In contrast, breast cancer molecular imaging detects the molecular processes in the body that may develop into a disease. Imaging on the cellular level allows for the detection of cancer in its pre-disease state before it actually becomes breast cancer. This study examined the education and certification of radiologic technologists to determine if these processes are keeping pace with the shift in imaging technology. This was accomplished by examining the tasks performed by radiologic technologists during breast cancer molecular imaging in relation to the current education and certification requirements. Questionnaires were sent out to radiologic technologists regarding the education and training they received in order to perform the tasks associated with breast cancer molecular imaging. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) were contacted to obtain information about their current and future plans regarding the impact of molecular imaging on the education and certification of radiologic technologists. The data revealed that the radiologic technologists performing molecular imaging procedures were trained on the job, and that performing breast cancer molecular imaging required a level of know ledge and skills that exceed the levels of the current curriculum guides and certification content specifications. The ARRT has appointed a committee to investigate the need for advanced certification in molecular imaging. The curriculum guides developed by the ASRT do not include content pertaining to molecular imaging procedures. The ASRT is planning to incorporate molecular imaging into the entry level radiography curriculum, as well as into the advanced imaging modalities curriculum guides. The deciding factor on whether molecular imaging will become a completely separate imaging modality or become integrated into existing curriculum guides will depend on the finding of the ARRT and its collaboration with the ASRT.

The development of the certification of public school principals in the Commonwealth of Virginia was investigated. Historical, legal, social, and political issues were considered. A model of the development of certification was proposed as a result of the pattern of changes, revisions, recommendations, and projections. The model identifies Stage I as the development from 1927 to 1987, the Transition to Stage II as the influence of reform reports from 1983 to 1987, and 1988 as the beginning of Stage II. A complete chronology of the development is included. / Ed. D.

Au Québec et dans le monde, la construction préfabriquée en bois est en plein essor depuis plusieurs années grâce aux nouvelles technologies, aux nouveaux savoir-faire et aux nouvelles consciences politiques et publiques pour l'utilisation de matériaux biosourcés dans le cadre d'une décarbonation de l'économie. Aujourd'hui, des entreprises de différentes tailles se disputent le marché local de l'industrie de la construction au Québec, et c'est dans ce cadre-là que cette recherche a eu lieu. L'objectif général de ce projet de recherche est d'aider les petites et moyennes entreprises (PMEs) québécoises de construction préfabriquée en bois à comprendre les contraintes réglementaires en vue d'exporter leurs produits dans les états de la Nouvelle-Angleterre. En facilitant l'accès à ce marché local (1000km par transport routier), ces PMEs pourront peut-être accéder à des projets jusque-là inaccessibles par manque de compréhension des différentes réglementations et certifications en place. Cette recherche s'est donc divisée en deux grands axes. Il s'agit de créer un outil d'aide à la décision en caractérisant les contraintes réglementaires liées à la certification de l'exportation de produits de constructions préfabriquées en bois par des entreprises québécoises vers la Nouvelle-Angleterre. Cet objectif a fait l'objet d'un article scientifique introduit dans ce mémoire. Le second travail réalisé lors de cette maîtrise est d'avoir créé un guide à l'exportation des sections préfabriquées de bâtiment depuis le Canada vers les États-Unis au profit des non-initiés ou des professionnels de la construction souhaitant en apprendre plus. Ce document permet de résumer le cadre standard des projets de construction préfabriquée en identifiant les différentes réglementations, certifications et sources d'information pour pallier aux contraintes liées à l'exportation. Ces deux objectifs posent les bases de futures recherches sur le sujet. / In Quebec and around the world, prefabricated wood construction has been booming for several years thanks to new technologies, new know-how and new political and public awareness for the use of biosourced materials in the context of decarbonization of the economy. Today, companies of different sizes are competing for the local market of the construction industry in Quebec, and it is in this context that this research took place. The general objective of this research project is to help small and medium-sized Quebec prefabricated wood construction companies (SMEs) to understand the regulatory constraints in order to export their products to the New England states. By facilitating access to this local market (1000km by road transport), these SMEs may be able to access projects that were previously inaccessible due to a lack of understanding of the various regulations and certifications in place. This research is therefore divided into two main areas. The first is to create a decision support tool by characterizing the regulatory constraints related to the certification of prefabricated wood construction products exported by Quebec companies to New England. This objective was the subject of a scientific article introduced in this thesis. The second work realized during this master's degree is to have created a guide to the export of prefabricated building sections from Canada to the United States for the benefit of non-experts or construction professionals wishing to learn more. This document summarizes the standard framework for prefabricated construction projects by identifying the various regulations, certifications and sources of information to address the constraints associated with export. These two objectives lay the foundation for future research on the subject.

The purpose of this dissertation was twofold. First, the study sought to determine if the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) Reading score predicts success on the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET). Second, the study addressed the effect on individuals of color of raising the minimum TASP Reading score entrance requirement for admission to teacher preparation programs. Data were collected from the ExCET Office of a Carnegie I metropolitan university. The defined sample consisted of 961 participants who had a TASP Reading score and had taken an Elementary Comprehensive ExCET, an Elementary Professional Development ExCET or a Secondary Professional ExCET between September 1999 and January 2001. Linear Regression, Box Test, Predictive Discriminate Analysis, and frequency distribution tables were used for analyses. This investigation examined the effects of the independent variable of TASP Reading score on the performance of participants on the dependent variable, the ExCET. Four null hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance. The TASP Reading score was a statistically significant predictor for success on the Elementary Comprehensive ExCET, Elementary Professional Development ExCET, and the Secondary Professional Development ExCET. However, the Predictive Discriminate Analysis indicated that a TASP Reading score of 220 predicted that no candidates would fail the Elementary Comprehensive ExCET, 6 participants would fail the Elementary Professional Development ExCET and 19 participants would fail the Secondary Professional Development ExCET. Five hypotheses addressed the effect of raising the TASP Reading score to 250. Findings of four hypotheses showed that raising this admission standard would impact the number of individuals of color granted admission to the teacher preparation program. These results call for the recommendation that governing agencies address the impact of state teacher education program accreditation that often results in the policy of relying on the TASP Reading score as one of the primary admission standards for teacher education programs. The unintended outcome of raising the reading admission standard in the anticipation of continued state accreditation is a noticeable loss of candidates of colors, especially African American candidates.

Au cours de la seconde moitié du XXe siècle se structure une politique publique des conditions d’accès à l’encadrement sportif professionnel dans le secteur privé. Progressivement, l’Etat instaure un monopole sur celles-ci. Ce travail vise à saisir cette dynamique et à analyser le passage d’une politique publique à une action publique au tournant des années 2000, dans un processus de libéralisation. En effet, des changements législatifs remettent en cause cette exclusivité étatique et engendrent une démultiplication des certifications et des certificateurs permettant d’encadrer professionnellement une discipline sportive. Dans cette nouvelle gouvernance figurent plusieurs institutions (le Ministère en charge des Sports, la filière universitaire STAPS ou encore la récente branche professionnelle sport) et plusieurs dispositifs(les « certifications professionnelles » déclinées dorénavant en trois registres) potentiellement concurrentiels. Dans cette architecture, des expertises et des instruments d’action publique sont éprouvés pour tenter d’apporter davantage de complémentarité et de lisibilité. Ces reconfigurations politiques et ces rénovations des certifications sont à envisager dans un processusd’européanisation de la relation emploi-formation-certification et du dialogue social. Ces velléitésdoivent faire face à l’éclatement du secteur sportif au sein de l’Union Européenne mais aussi à la réticence de certains acteurs face à la mobilité des encadrants sportifs dans l’espace communautaire.Ces trois processus (structuration, libéralisation et européanisation) mettent au jour des thématiques sous-jacentes telles que la professionnalisation de l’encadrement sportif, l’entrée dans l’ère de la certification professionnelle ou encore la recherche de transparence européenne. / During the second half of the 20th century, a public policy takes shape around theconditions of access to professional sports training in the private sector gradually monopolized bythe State. This study aims at comprehending this dynamics and at analyzing the move from apublic policy to a public action at the turn of the 2000s as part of a liberalizing process. Indeed,legislative changes question this state exclusivity and bring about a multiplication of thecertifications and certifiers that make it possible to professionally train, supervise and manage asport. In this new governance, several institutions are represented (the Ministry in charge ofSports, the STAPS university sector, along with the recent professional sports sector) and severalpotentially competitive devices (the "professional certifications" now adapted to three differentregisters). In this architecture, expertises and public action instruments are tested to try and bringmore complementarity and legibility. These political reconfigurations and these certificationrenovations are to be considered in the context of a process aimed at Europeanizing therelationship between employment, training and certification and at opening a social dialog. Thesemovements have to face the explosion of the sports sector within the European Union, but also thereluctance of some actors faced with the mobility of sports trainers in the community space.These three processes (structuring, liberalizing and Europeanizing) bring to light underlyingthemes such as the professionalization of sports training, the entry into the era of professionalcertification and the search for European transparency.