The present study modified an intervention known as the expressive writing paradigm to assess its efficacy in reducing academic worry, general anxiety, and general psychological distress in a sample of Mexican origin college students. Traditionally, the expressive writing paradigm involves having participants write about a topic of concern for 15 consecutive minutes, 3 consecutive days, without attending to details about grammar or punctuation. The aim of the present study was to modify the writing paradigm into a more structured, problem-focused writing intervention and to assess whether this modification would facilitate the reduction of Latino participantsí academic worry and produce a reduction of their overall worry and psychological distress. The expressive writing paradigm was modified by incorporating components of cognitive behavioral therapy, and specifically cognitive restructuring, into the new writing intervention. It was hypothesized that by combining the writing paradigm and cognitive restructuring techniques, the benefits derived from the expressive writing paradigm would likely be enhanced. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions ñ the traditional writing paradigm (TWP) condition, the structured writing intervention (SWI) condition, or to a control group condition. This study also assessed the relation of level of acculturation and traditional Mexican family values on the efficacy of the treatment interventions. Assessments were conducted at pre-treatment, post-treatment, two week follow-up, and one month follow-up. Results indicated that the TWP condition outperformed the SWI condition at post-treatment in reducing overall psychological distress. However, these effects did not last at follow up assessments. Additionally, family value scores served as a moderator of treatment effects. The results of this study highlight the importance of conducting culturally-informed intervention research to assess the validity of the assumption clinicians currently use to guide their treatments. These findings also highlight the importance of focusing on patients' values when formulating treatment interventions. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. / text

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This study investigated, gathered, and organized information not previously available regarding the perceptions of school faculty (SF), teacher candidates (TC), and university faculty (UF) relating to the effectiveness of the PDS partnership between Grant University (GU) and Adam Elementary School (AES). Although participants in the PDS perceived the partnership was successful, data had not been collected from the participants. Data were not available to assess whether or not the list of responsibilities for SF and UF presented in the AES/GU PDS Agreement were being completed. A mixed-methods survey-methodology with the use of questionnaires provided a framework for the study. Semi-structured interviews and narrative responses substantiated and supported discoveries in data. Cross-sectional surveys collected data from differing segments of the population at a specific time showing the perceptions of those segments of the population. The collection of data is from three population groups (school faculty, teacher candidates, university faculty) during two years. The study describes the perceptions, both positive and negative of teacher candidates, university faculty, and school faculty. / Department of Educational Leadership

The objectives of this work are to: - Explore the concept of adolescent vulnerability; - Establish easily administered, reliable means of early identification of the most vulnerable; and - Suggest some school level interventions. This research focuses on adolescents in a socially deprived area. The thesis contains two parts: Part I explores the theoretical contexts, examining the social, educational and moral climate, and concludes that potential vulnerability is not being identified early enough in young people's lives for effective interventions to be implemented. The phenomenon and experience of adolescence is explored from a variety of perspectives, and various definitions of adolescence examined. The broad range of experience representing both typical and atypical adolescence is considered. A range of socio-economic factors and psychometric measures are reviewed for potential use as early indicators of vulnerability. The four screening measures chosen from the range reviewed are social deprivation, selfesteem, locus of control (LoC) and coping strategies. Social deprivation indicators establish background levels of life chances and prospects. Selfesteem is used to identify the most vulnerable; locus of control adds information about the nature of their vulnerability, and coping strategies informs potential practical interventions. Part 2 focuses on practical research. The prospects of the subject population are explored using a range of indicators, including the social and educational alienation and dysfunction of its young adolescents. Six hypotheses are defined and the selected psychometric tools piloted and administered on all of Year 7 of the subject school. Pupils are identified as either vulnerable or not identifiably vulnerable. Case studies using semi-structured interviews are conducted, adding a qualitative, experiential dimension to the statistical, psychometric findings. Based on this research conclusions are drawn which have academic application and directly inform practical interventions which, if implemented in early adolescence, would potentially alleviate the identified vulnerability.

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After the introduction of the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD) in Namibia, a number of studies were conducted on how teachers, lecturers, stakeholders and the Namibian public perceived the BETD program and its implementation. However, very few studies focussed specifically on mathematics subject content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge in the BETD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the need for a complementary course in mathematics education to address the lack of mathematical content and pedagogical knowledge in the Namibian BETD. The study involved five mathematics school teachers, two mathematics college lecturers in the Kavango educational region and a professor of mathematics education at the University of Namibia. These participants were purposefully selected because of their knowledge and experiences with various aspects of the BETD program. The motivation for conducting this study was to gain a better understanding of some of the issues that have been raised about the BETD program, particularly the perceived inadequacy of mathematical subject content and methodology since the inception of the program. The study adopts a qualitative approach in reporting participants’ reflections. The views of the focal educators and documents such as syllabi and course outlines were the main source of data. The findings indicate that despite the training that the three BETD mathematics graduates in this study received, the level of mathematics taught in a complementary course, such as an ACE, would clearly better equip mathematics teachers to teach proficiently and facilitate access to institutions of higher learning such as universities. The results of the study revealed that there was a need for the implementation of a complementary course to the BETD in mathematics education for teachers of mathematics in Namibia. This study also provided valuable insights into what such a course could look like.

Roles of various constituent elements of Strategic Leadership address deep and continuing issues relating to the creation and development of any organization. What is required to help firms successfully navigate the dynamics and uncertain environment in which they compete today to be successful is addressed. The founding in July 1991 of The Post, a privately owned Zambian newspaper, provided a unique opportunity to investigate the roles that various constituent elements of strategic leadership have played in its success. This is largely because much is already known about how state-owned media are managed, financed, and sustained by the state itself, which is fully involved in their re-capitalization and operating costs. The themes identified are at the heart of current debates about the capacity of private organizations to respond to new expectations, market realities, no state funding, globalization, technology, and a long list of other challenges so as to become market driven enterprises. The case of The Post is seen to present a story of an enduring publication in times of political, financial, social and other adversities and the research participants have no illusions about the success of the publication. The case study of The Post also gives useful insight into the many challenges and obstacles faced by the newspaper. It offers examples of determination, focused courage and innovation, complemented by strategic leadership. This was done by means of what emerged from the insight and experiences of the six research participants that were part of the founders of the newspaper and those associated with the development of the newspaper since its inception.

This study focuses on the implementation of a thematic approach in the Namibian Lower Primary Phase of schooling. The purpose of the study is to investigate teachers’ perceptions and understanding of the thematic approach and also to explore how teachers plan and implement a thematic approach in their classrooms. It is argued that a thematic approach allows for a combination of subjects that integrate content across the curriculum in such a way that learners can see the relations among concepts and so build up their knowledge in a more meaningful way. The work was done in a qualitative paradigm using a case study approach. Findings reveal that the majority of teachers have a shallow conceptual understanding of the principles of a thematic approach and this causes difficulties in their practice. The investigation concludes that in order for teachers to deepen their conceptual understanding of the thematic approach, follow-up workshops are necessary to help them develop appropriate strategies for their classrooms.