Reading ability impacts “high stakes” standardized tests that science students need to graduate, to enter college or to enter the work force. As a result, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) require science teachers to implement vocabulary techniques amongst other reading strategies for improved content comprehension and test performance. Simple linear regression was applied to determine the effect of average ACT reading scores on average ACT science scores. Path analysis was utilized to explain the impact of science teacher self-efficacy (X1SEFF) and teaching of important terms/facts (N1TERMS) on average ACT reading scores (AVGACTREAD) and average ACT science scores (AVGACTSCI). Those students who have higher average ACT reading scores tend to have higher average ACT science scores. Path coefficients showed that for every standard deviation in X1SEFF, AVGAVTREAD scores increased by .25 standard deviation units. Also, for every standard deviation in X1SEFF, AVGACTSCI scores increased by .20 standard units. On the other hand, science teachers’ emphasis on important science terms produced a statistically nonsignificant negative relationship with students’ average ACT reading scores and average ACT science scores. Thus, for every standard deviation in N1TERMS, AVGACTREAD scores decrease by -.09 standard units. Additionally, for every standard deviation in N1TERMS, AVGACTSCI scores decrease by -.06 standard units. The results implied that when science teachers feel confident about their ability to teach science, there students’ standardized reading and science t est scores are higher. On the other hand, when science teachers placed moderate to heavy emphasis on teaching important science terms and facts, science students’ standardized test scores decreased. As a result, quality professional development on effective reading strategies particularly vocabulary could improve science teachers’ instructional practices on teaching science terms and facts to improve students’ standardized test scores.

This thesis deals with rural development actors' social networks and individual social capital of mayors in municipalities belonging to local action groups Rozvoj Krnovska and Rýmařovsko. In my work I examine if there is any correlation between evaluation of funcionality of local action groups and degree of individual social capital of mayors in municipalities belonging to local action groups and between certain characteristics of actors' social networks. In the first part of the thesis I deal with rural areas' problems, development factors, social capital and social network in general. In the second part of the thesis I analyze results of survey, which took part in March 2017 between 34 mayors of municipalities belonging to local action group Rozvoj Krnovska and Rýmařovsko respectively. On the basis of survey results I continue with analyzing of mayors' individual social capital and types of social capital - bonding, bridging, linking. The study confirmed the key role of individual social capital (and bonding and bridging social capital) of rural municipality mayors for funcionality of local action groups. Key words: social capital - networks - development actors - rural area - mayors - local action group - MAS Rýmařovsko - MAS Rozvoj Krnovska.

The diploma thesis deals with an overview of the creation of a recreational area in the village Mokrá-Horákov, from history to the present, including the price history. The first part of the diploma thesis is defined by the definition of a building for recreation and the described histori-cal development of the village Mokrá-Horákov. The following sections describe the selected cottages and their valuation according to previous valuation regulations, current valuation regu-lations in the Czech Republic and current valuation regulations in Austria. In the experimental part, an analysis of valued cottages and realized sales and rentals is performed. Last but not le-ast, it is mentioned the possible acquisition of a cottage in a given locality for purchase and lease and a proposal to change the zoning plan in the recreational area. At the end of the diploma the-sis is a discussion of the results and evaluation of the results.