There is no abstract available for this dissertation.

The design of pump and treat systems for groundwater remediation is often aided by numerical groundwater modelling. Model predictions are uncertain, with this uncertainty resulting from unknown parameter values, model structure and future system forcings. Researchers have begun to suggest that uncertainty in groundwater model predictions is largely dominated by structural/conceptual model uncertainty and that multiple conceptual models be developed in order to characterize this uncertainty. As regulatory bodies begin to endorse the more expensive multiple conceptual model approach, it is useful to assess whether a multiple model approach provides a signi cant improvement over a conventional single model approach for pump and treat system design, supplemented with a factor of safety. To investigate this question, a case study located in Tacoma, Washington which was provided by Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) was used. Twelve conceptual models were developed to represent conceptual model uncertainty at the Tacoma, Washington site and a pump and treat system was optimally designed for each conceptual model. Each design was tested across all 12 conceptual models with no factor of safety applied, and a factor of safety of 1.5 and 2 applied. Adding a factor of safety of 1.5 decreased the risk of containment failure to 15 percent, compared to 21 percent with no factor of safety. Increasing the factor of safety from 1.5 to 2 further reduced the risk of containment failure to 9 percent, indicating that the application of a factor of safety reduces the risk of design failure at a cost directly proportional to the value of the factor of safety. To provide a relatively independent estimate of a factor of safety approach a single "best" model developed by CRA was compared against the multiple model approach. With a factor of safety of 1.5 or greater, adequate capture was demonstrated across all 12 conceptual models. This demonstrated that in this case using the single \best" model developed by CRA with a factor of safety would have been a reasonable surrogate for a multiple model approach. This is of practical importance to engineers as it demonstrates that the a conventional single model approach may be su cient. However, it is essential that the model used is a good model. Furthermore, a multiple model approach will likely be an excessive burden in cases such as pump and treat system design, where the cost of failure is low as the system can be adjusted during operation to respond to new data. This may not be the case for remedial systems with high capital costs such as permeable reactive barriers, which cannot be easily adjusted.

The purpose of this study was to describe a tenth grade English program for reluctant learners and to determine the benefits of the program in achieving improvement in reading, writing, and self-concept. In addition, a general perception of the possible success of the program as ascertained by students and administrators was sought. The population consisted of 43 reluctant learners identified by low achievement scores, poor report cards, teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation, and personal interview.A pretest/posttest comparison of scores on six standardized tests for vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling, language mechanics, language expression, and self-concept was utilized to determine improvement. Researcher-created surveys were used to determine perceptions of students and administrators regarding the success of the program.1. Seventy-eight percent of the students improved in vocabulary.2. Sixty-nine percent of the students improved in reading comprehension.3. Sixty-three percent of the students improved inspelling.4. Seventy-eight percent of the students improved in language mechanics.5. Ninety-two percent of the students improved in language expression.6. Fifty-eight percent of the students improved in self-concept.7. Both students and administrators considered the program a success.Conclusions1. Grouping reluctant learners for part of the school day is beneficial to improving reading,' writing, and self-concept in tenth grade English classes.2. A personalizing and individualizing approach to teaching reluctant tenth graders is essential.3. A reluctant learner program is considered valuable by students and administrators in the Menasha Public School System.4. Test scores indicate improvement in reading, writing, and self-concept for students included in the program for reluctant learners.5. Understanding the personal lives of reluctant learners enhances communication, cooperation, and the ability to create individualized instruction.6. Communicating and working with counselors, parents, and administrators is effective in meeting the needs of reluctant learners at the tenth grade level.7. Seeking assistance from special education per nurses, and work experience personnel is necessary in meeting the needs of reluctant learners at the tenth grade level.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: William Moore, Jr. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (M. Ed(Curriculum studies)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of La Verne, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-147).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of La Verne, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-147).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1983. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-89).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1994. / Title from title page screen, viewed March 22, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Larry D. Kennedy, Raymond A. Davidson (co-chairs), Patricia H. Klass, Barbara L. Nourie. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-90) and abstract. Also available in print.