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Many single-agent search algorithms have parameters that need to be tuned. Although settings found by offline tuning will exhibit strong average performance, properly selecting parameter settings for each problem can result in substantially reduced search effort. We consider the use of dovetailing as a way to deal with this issue. This procedure performs search with multiple parameter settings simultaneously. We present results testing the use of dovetailing with the weighted A*, weighted IDA*, weighted RBFS, and BULB algorithms on the sliding tile and pancake puzzle domains. Dovetailing will be shown to significantly improve weighted IDA*, often by several orders of magnitude, and generally enhance weighted RBFS. In the case of weighted A* and BULB, dovetailing will be shown to be an ineffective addition to these algorithms. A trivial parallelization of dovetailing will also be shown to decrease the search time in all considered domains.

The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) entering content area general education classes is on the rise and there is a lack of understanding concerning what content area teachers are doing to provide instruction to ELLs. ELLs throughout a southeastern state are making very little progress despite the resources put in place by the district. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the instructional practices and perceptions of 5 middle school content area teachers, who educate ELLs in general education classes. Differentiation, as defined by Tomlinson and the World-class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA,) frameworks were combined to create the framework of this study. The research questions addressed how middle grades teachers use WIDA standards and practices in content area classes when differentiating and scaffolding lessons for ELLs in a rural school in a southeastern state. A total of 5 participants volunteered to participate in an open-ended questionnaire, interviews, and observations of classroom teaching methods. The data were analyzed and coded to find emerging themes. The findings of this case study suggested that teachers used differentiation, but that it was not directed by the WIDA standards. The findings also suggested a need for professional development to help the teachers better understand how to use the WIDA Can Do Descriptors to provide differentiated and scaffolded lessons for ELLs. As a result of the findings, a 3-day professional development was created with the implementation of a professional learning community to support content area teachers of ELLs. This study supports positive social change by providing an avenue that will ensure equity in instruction for ELLs and all stakeholders.

Research shows academic literacy is a challenge for students classified as Long-Term English Language Learners (LTELLs). In the pseudonymous Windy Desert School District (WDSD), there are 17,365 students classified as LTELLs. Of these students, the majority are falling short of English academic literacy goals on the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) test and 67% do not graduate from high school. This quantitative study examined the predictive relationship between ACCESS English language proficiency subscale scores in the language domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and course semester grades in English 9, English 10, and English 11. This longitudinal study, informed by theorists Cummins and Krashen, followed a cohort of 718 Grade 9 students for 3 years (2012-2015). Of the 718, only 161 participant data sets were valid for the final ordinal logistic regression analysis. ACCESS subscale scores in speaking, listening, reading, and writing comprised the predictor variables and English course semester grades comprised the criterion variables. Results revealed that LTELLs' ACCESS subscale scores in listening, reading, and writing were significant predictors of their English course grades whereas speaking scores were not. For each predictor variable, a 1-unit increase in the predictor decreased the likelihood of receiving a lower grade in the course. Social change can result from the WDSD using ACCESS results to create and implement effective instructional programs that develop LTELLs' proficiency in the language domains found significant in predicting their academic grades, thereby increasing their language proficiency, academic grades, and graduation rates over time.