The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions of Utah State University music graduates regarding (a) the effectiveness of their training at Utah State University and (b) the applicability of the current music and secondary education department objectives to the graduates own teaching situations. An additional objective was to compare teaching assignments of the graduates. A survey questionnaire was utilized to obtain the data and a return of 85% of the accessible sample was achieved. The sample included all music graduates of Utah State University from 1970- 1977. Based on the graduates responses three recommendations were made: (l) more electives and less requirements should be established in the music education degree program, (2) the course content in music education courses should be centered around the secondary classroom, rather than at the higher education level and (3) students should be encouraged to enroll in the professional education sequence earlier in their program of study.

Magister Pharmaceuticae - Mpharm / Community pharmacies are popular suppliers of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and pharmacists encounter requests from consumers for information on them. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which community pharmacists, and final year pharmacy students at the University of the Western Cape, can meet their professional obligations to advise on CAMs.

The construction and opening of a new school adds a new dimension to the principal's role. The purpose of this study was to describe the duties and responsibilities of a principal opening a newly constructed school, during the year preceding the opening of the school, and during the first year of occupancy in that school. The study was enriched by interviews with seven principals that opened new schools in the Central Valley of California. Personal reflections during interviews with principals were recorded, transcribed, and along with documents offered by elementary and middle school principals, analyzed for themes. The results of this study found that the attributes and characteristics of a successful principal opening a new elementary or middle school were very similar to the attributes and qualities of a successful principal of an existing school or of successful leaders of any organization, in general. The need for strong interpersonal skills, a clear vision, strong organizational and problem solving skills, a broad professional knowledge, and flexibility were required for success. The difference in possessing these attributes and characteristics appeared to be the emphasis placed on each one when it was manifested. Five themes that emerged from this case study were parental issues, construction or site building issues, staffing issues, school organization issues, and time management issues. Each of these issues required certain skills or traits on the part of the principal in order to be successful in opening a new school. The results of this study may be of interest to principals named to open a new school, assist in the selection of principals of new schools, and offer guidance regarding the best time to hire principals of schools under construction.

The academic achievement gap in the State of California has been a persistent problem. In California the achievement gap is defined as the disparity between the academic performance of white students and other ethnic groups as well as that between English learners and native English speakers, socioeconomically disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities as compared with students without disabilities (CDE, P-16, 2008, p. 11). Jack O'Connel, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has identified closing the achievement gap as one of the primary goals for the State of California. Research has consistently shown that children of color and children of poverty have not experienced the academic success of their white peers. Utilizing the meta-analysis of research data from Mid-continent Research for Educational Learning (McREL), this study is a quantitative review of the 21 Leadership Responsibilities and Best Practices identified by school leaders from Ceres Unified School District, more specifically, from leaders in nine high-achieving schools within the district. The nine identified schools and leaders have experienced academic success with children of color and children of poverty based on their Academic Performance Index Similar Schools Rankings. In the study, two levels of surveys were conducted. The first survey reviewed the leadership responsibilities identified by McREL and asked the study participants to rank the leadership responsibilities based on the responsibilities that they perceive to have the most significant impact on student academic achievement. Employing the results of the first survey, a second survey utilized the top five leadership responsibilities identified by the study participants. Under the umbrella of the top five responsibilities, five best practices were listed and again ranked by the participants based on their perceptions of the leadership practices that have the greatest effect on increasing student achievement. The results of this survey identified the best practices perceived by leaders of high-achieving, high poverty schools. Additionally, a questionnaire was completed by the participants to provide additional demographic data. The study results support the findings that best pedagogical practices are complimented by effective leadership. Effective leaders and leadership practices do have a positive effect on student academic achievement.