Graphing calculator programs have been used on high-stakes tests and teacher-created assessments at the secondary and college level for many years. These programs- are even used on college-placement tests such as the ACT. Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) made the decision to no longer allow the use of graphing calculator applications and/or programs on the Subject Area Testing Program (SATP2) for Algebra I. Currently, limited research exists to address the influence of graphing calculator program use on high-stakes assessments. The programming capabilities of graphing calculators should not be ignored. Because of the 2011-2012 graphing calculator policy change, a unique opportunity exists in Mississippi to provide valuable information about this issue. Gaining insight about how the use of graphing calculator programs has affected assessment results in the past will give policy makers needed information for creating equitable assessment policies in the future. This research used a causal-comparative research design to determine the influence of the MDE’s decision to no longer allow the use of graphing calculator programs on Mississippi’s Algebra I SATP2. The research questions consider the influence of the policy change with regards to three groups: students, schools in general, and Title I schools in particular. A chi-square test for association was used to examine the student-level data associated with research questions one and two. This analysis examined students’ ability to pass and their performance level on the Algebra I SATP2. The results for both of the chi-square analyses indicated significant results. For research question three, a two-way mixed ANOVA was used to examine the influence of the policy change on Title I schools. For this analysis, Title I schools represent disadvantaged populations. The results indicated no interaction between graphing calculator program use and type of school, but did reveal a main effect for the school type.

The objectives of this study were to establish the effectiveness of chlorpyrifos in suppressing H. armigera population in oranges and to determine the effect chlorpyrifos had on the health of farm pesticide operators. Experiments showed that by applying chlorpyrifos on orange trees, H. armigera larvae population was suppressed significantly. High fruit yields were realized from trees that were sprayed with chlorpyrifos. Visual observation of personnel involved in pesticide related duties, revealed that judicious use of pesticides was not practiced by farm workers in all three farms. Data analysis from questionnaires, health records and interviews proved that farm workers suffered from illnesses that were pesticide related. It was mainly those farm workers in the age group of 31 to 35 years who suffered the most from pesticide related illnesses. / Agriculture and Life Sciences / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

The objectives of this study were to establish the effectiveness of chlorpyrifos in suppressing H. armigera population in oranges and to determine the effect chlorpyrifos had on the health of farm pesticide operators. Experiments showed that by applying chlorpyrifos on orange trees, H. armigera larvae population was suppressed significantly. High fruit yields were realized from trees that were sprayed with chlorpyrifos. Visual observation of personnel involved in pesticide related duties, revealed that judicious use of pesticides was not practiced by farm workers in all three farms. Data analysis from questionnaires, health records and interviews proved that farm workers suffered from illnesses that were pesticide related. It was mainly those farm workers in the age group of 31 to 35 years who suffered the most from pesticide related illnesses. / Agriculture and Life Sciences / M. Sc. (Agriculture)