bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship of Self Image as a Reader to Reading Achievement
Authors: Sopis Josephine
Published: November 2009

In this research, the existence of the variable, self image as a reader, and its ability to affect reading achievement, were established. It was done by placing 240 pupils in disguised situations and obtaining a sample of their reading without their conscious knowledge.
Some Basic Motor Activities for the Neurologically Handicapped Child
Authors: Slocum A. Lorraine
Published: November 2009

What can the teacher or therapist do to develop the physical responses so necessary for learning.
Specific Language Disabilities What Are They?
Authors: Fenwick Stuart Marion
Published: November 2009

This arrticle, written for teachers, describes the SLD syndrome
The Pediatrician's Role in Evaluating the Child with a Learning Disability
Authors: Bennett E. Muriel
Published: November 2009

A multidisciplinary approach to evaluating learning problems is essential if we are to properly plan a remedial program.
Psychiatry and the Atypical Child
Authors: Caughey Patricia A.
Published: November 2009

A brief survey of observations helpful to classroom teachers and suggestions for parents relevant to learning disability.
The Developmental Reading Program at the Secondary Level
Authors: Lebow Helene , Sweger Valentine
Published: November 2009

We propose, in this series, to discuss some of the methods we have found helpful in our teaching of Developmental Reading at the secondary level. The series will examine, in some detail, a coordinated, structured program consisting of testing, conferencing, reading and study skills for the advanced student.
Some Notes on the Teaching of Handwriting
Authors: McKenna Alice Russell
Published: November 2009

A review of some teaching methods and practice techniques useful for both the remedial and classroom teacher. The article includes suggestions for exercises to develop visual-motor skills; materials; varied alphabet forms; progressive writing practice, and the development of good work habits.
Questions & Answers
Authors: DeWitt Frances , Brown T.S.
Published: November 2009

Questions concerning reading and reading disability are answered in each issue by Frances B. DeWitt. Send your question to her, care of Academic Therapy Quarterly.
A Burden Turned Into Fun
Authors: Buese Nancy
Published: November 2009

Two suggestions for a change of pace in primary arithmetic
Changes in Oral Reading Errors at Elementary and Secondary Levels
Authors: Schale Florence C.
Published: November 2009

This study suggests, based upon errors which increase, decrease or persist, that more attention to oral reading is needed in the curriculum at all grade levels
The Developmental Reading Program at the Secondary Level
Authors: Sweger Valentine
Published: November 2009

We propose, in this series, to discuss some of the methods we have found helpful in our teaching of Developmental Reading at the secondary level. The series will examine, in some detail, a coordinated, structured program consisting of testing, conferencing, reading and study skills for the advanced student.
Test-Shock Immunization
Authors: Kimmell Geraldine M.
Published: November 2009

A structured program to assist the student in developing a more normal, habitual response with stress periods
The Applicability of Accent Generalizations
Authors: Winkley Carol K.
Published: November 2009

This study proposed to determine the proportion of 10,896 multisyllabic words which complied with or were exceptions to seventeen accent generalizations. Eight clues were found to be applicable to three per cent or more of the words, but two of these clues had a relatively high per cent of exceptions.
Questions & Answers
Authors: DeWitt Frances
Published: November 2009

Questions concerning reading and reading disability are an swered in each issue by Frances B. DeWitt. Send your question to her, care of Academic Therapy Quarterly.
Some Learning Disabilities of Socially Disadvantaged Puerto Rican and Negro Children
Authors: Cohen S. Alan
Published: November 2009

This paper indicates that we have overlooked perceptual dysfunction as a major causal factor in the reading qnd learning problems of disadvantaged children
Give Ear: Let Hearing be the Coordinator in Learning
Authors: Petitclerc Grace M.
Published: November 2009

Nature's learning tools, the five senses, are not automatically trained for their jobs. We train them ourselves. Sometimes, the training is carelessly done. Sometimes there has been an injury, and gaps appear. This article, on restorative training, shows the sense of hearing able to energize and help the other four.
The Displaced Sense
Authors: Scagliotta Edward G.
Published: November 2009

We must not ignore the need for continued physical guidance of the human organism as it develops and changes in its struggle to reach fruition. Physical bodily contact is not a sense which tends to be outgrown and discarded, but rather a normal, wholesome requisite, to be altered and modified as the organism advances through the various stages, levels and degrees of maturation
From the Classroom
Authors: Murphy Patricia
Published: November 2009

Pointers on identifying children with learning disability and suggestions for helping them are offered in this article
Auditory Scramble
Authors: Heckelman R.G.
Published: November 2009

A discussion of the problems of reversals and inversions at the auditory level
They Can: Camping
Authors: Mondschein Diane
Published: November 2009

A practical approach in the education and socialization process for the educationally handicapped child
Identification of Potential Learning Disabilities
Authors: Tauber Rosalyn
Published: November 2009

A report on an investigation conducted for the purpose of identifying tests suitable for administration at the kindergarten level which would help locate children who would have difficulty mastering fundamental skills
The Role of the Speech Pathologist
Authors: Hartley Jean M.
Published: November 2009

The duties and responsibilities of the speech are determined by the setting in which he operates. These settings are described in this article.
Prime-O-TEC
Authors: Jordan William. C.
Published: November 2009

A method of teaching reading is discussed which utilizes visual, audio, and tactile-kinesthetic-motor factors.
From the Classroom
Authors: Linn Shirley H.
Published: November 2009

An application of the Frostig Program for Development of "Visual Perception" at kindergarten level.
Establishing Friendships in Early Childhood Inclusive Settings
Authors: Hollingsworth Heidi L. , Buysse Virginia
Published: November 2009

Adult support of 12 specific friendship dyads involving 3- to 5-year-old children with and without developmental delays was investigated through semi-structured interviews with the children’s parents and teachers. Most respondents described these friendships as harmonious and important for the emotional benefits that these relationships provided children. Parents and teachers reported supporting the friendships through a variety of strategies, ranging from setting up the social environment to helping friends interact with each other and engaging in home-school communication on the topic of friendship. Findings also indicated that some of these strategies may have been implemented incidentally, rather than being intentionally focused on friendship support. Teachers reported giving information and being asked about or provided with information but did not report asking parents for information relating to specific friendships.
Correlates of Parental-Professional Congruency Scores in the Assessment of Young Handicapped Children
Authors: Sexton David , Miller James H. , Murdock Jane Y.
Published: November 2009

While the exact roles of parents during assessment procedures with young handicapped children have been debated in the literature, few attempts have been made to examine the influence of specific descriptors on parental-professional congruency scores. This article examines the relationships between two clusters of variables and parental-professional congruency scores for the Learning Accomplishment Profile—Diagnostic Edition: parent-related variables (age, educational level, income, and number of other children) and handicapped child-related variables (chronological age, length of time enrolled in an early intervention program, IQ, sex, and type of program model). For mother-professional congruency scores, family income had the most significant relationship. Type of program model in which the handicapped child was enrolled (home-based or center-based) had the most significant relationship to father-professional congruency scores, Implications for using parents as data sources during assessment procedures are discussed,
Teaching Skills Inventory: A Measure of Parent Performance
Authors: Rosenberg Steven , Robinson Cordelia , Beckman Paula
Published: November 2009

The increase in the number of infants and toddlers served in early childhood special education programs has been accompanied by recognition of a need for varied tools for evaluation of the efficacy of such projects. One of the dimensions by which such programs can be evaluated is the extent to which the parent acquires teaching skill as a result of instruction, In this article the authors report on their work in the development of a Teaching Skills Inventory, a measure which has been used to assess changes in parents' performance as teachers of their own children.
The Effects of Directed Play on Functional Toy Use and Interactions of Handicapped Preschoolers
Authors: Kohl Frances L. , Beckman Paula J. , Swenson-Pierce Ann
Published: November 2009

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether adult-directed play increases handicapped preschoolers' functional use of toys and whether an increase in functional use of toys affects social interactions with other classmates. A multiple baseline-reversal design across subjects was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of adult-directed training which consisted of toy selection, demonstration, and reinforcement. Results revealed that adult-directed play increased the handicapped preschoolers' functional use of toys; interactions were increased for two of the three subjects. Implications of these results are discussed.
Participation of Fathers in Early Childhood Special Education Programs: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Morkowitz Joy
Published: November 2009

This article describes and summarizes an exploratory study on the topic of fathers' participation in early childhood special education programs. The purpose of the study was to explore factors and issues that may influence the participation of fathers. Telephone interviews were conducted with representatives from 15 programs, Data from the interviews are presented in a discussion of the following topics: the nature of fathers' participation, related factors, programming issues, family reactions, and changes over time. Goals were (1) to offer suggestions to programs interested in increasing the participation of fathers, and (2) to propose directions for further research.
The Needs of Fathers of Young Handicapped Children
Authors: Linder Toni W. , Garnett Chitwood Donna
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this article is to examine the needs of fathers of handicapped infants and preschoolers, It summarizes the importance of parent involvement, but notes that parent involvement has frequently meant "mother" involvement. A statewide sample of fathers was surveyed in Colorado concerning their needs in relation to their handicapped child. The results of the survey (N = 152) indicated that fathers of young handicapped children are interested in their child's education. Fathers indicated a desire to learn how to become more involved in the child's education and treatment by participating in formal and informal activities. The subjects also indicated an interest in learning through alternative experiences such as a newsletter or resource library. Fathers reported that they felt they were coping fairly well with raising a handicapped child, but had concerns about the future impact of the handicap on the child and the family.
Individualized Group Instruction of Normally Developing and Autistic-like Children: The LEAP Curriculum Model
Authors: Hoyson Marilyn , Jamieson Bonnie , Strain Phillip S.
Published: November 2009

This paper focuses on a description of an approach to individualize group instruction and an evaluation of preacademic/academic program effects for normally developing and autistic-like children, Essential features of the individualized group instruction procedure include: individualized curriculum for each class participant; frequent assessment of intervention impact; opportunities to revise curricular objectives; planning lessons that include objectives for each child; management of behavior in a group; and daily review of goal plans, The results of program evaluation on 13 normally developing and 6 autistic-like children showed that: (a) normally developing children achieved, on the average, a twofold increase in their rate of development during program participation; (b) autistic-like children achieved, on the average, a twofold increase in their rate of development during program participation; and (c) autistic-like children's intervention rate of performance was above that for normally developing children at program entry.
Efficacy Research with Young Handicapped Children: A Critique of the Status Quo
Authors: Strain Phillip S.
Published: November 2009

This paper provides a review of three conceptual issues pertinent to a clear understanding of current outcome data on the effects of early intervention for handicapped children: (1) intervention and assessment assumptions in early intervention research, (2) political and ethical concerns with arguing for the cost-effectiveness of early intervention, and (3) the weight of evidence required to make the case for intervention effectiveness. The paper is based upon an address delivered to state coordinators of early childhood/special education, March, 1984.
The Use of Expansions as a Language Intervention Technique in the Natural Environment
Authors: McLean Mary , Vincent Lisbeth
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of expansions as a language intervention technique with children at a pre-syntactic level of language development. The ease with which adults could be trained to deliver such intervention during play was also investigated. Five preschool children with delays in language development spent 20 minutes a day in play with an adult trained to use expansions of child utterances as an intervention technique on selected language structures. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the production of targeted structures after 4 weeks of intervention. A follow-up observation revealed that structures were still spontaneously used by three of the five children several weeks later in a different situation. The ease with which adults were trained to use this procedure makes it valuable for training regular preschool teachers, parents, and paraprofessionals to carry out language intervention in natural environments.
The Validation of a Scale to Measure Early Social-Communicative Behavior
Authors: Bruder Mary Beth
Published: November 2009

Few language assessments are currently available which focus on prelinguistic social-communicative behavior. This paper discusses four studies intended to generate empirical evidence on the validity of a measure designed to assess prelinguistic communicative behavior. The measure elicits social-communicative behavior through the presentation of ten simple tasks. Both the concurrent and content validity of the elicited tasks were demonstrated through their use with infant and toddler-age developmentally delayed children.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Full-Day Versus Half-Day Intervention Programs for Handicapped Preschoolers
Authors: Taylor Cie , White Karl R. , Pezzino James
Published: November 2009

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to compare half-day versus full-day center-based programs for handicapped preschool children. Children were matched across seven half- and eight full-day classrooms. The research sample consisted of eleven pairs of communicatively disordered (CD) and 15 pairs of mentally retarded (MR) children. Program effectiveness was evaluated using cognitive and expressive language scores from a developmental inventory. Cost data were collected by child on personnel, facilities, equipment, transportation, and contributions. Results suggest that the more cost-effective programs are full-day for CD children and half-day for MR children, When contributed resources (especially parent time) are considered as costs, the cost-effectiveness of full-day programs for CD children decreases substantially.
The Validity of the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Scale with Mentally Retarded Children
Authors: Mahoney Gerald
Published: November 2009

Although the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Scale (REEL) is frequently used with young mentally retarded children, there is little evidence that this test validly assesses the language functioning of these children. In this study the construct validity of the REEL was investigated in a sample of 60 mentally retarded children who were between one and three years of age. The results indicated that the language ages obtained from the REEL were generally consistant with samples of these children's communicative behavior and were also related significantly to indices of children's cognitive functioning. The construct validity of the REEL appears to be greater for two- and three-year-old children than for one-year-olds, although the average language ages at each of the three age levels were equivalent to children's average developmental ages.
Expectations for and Satisfaction with Public School Kindergarten: Perspectives of Parents of Handicapped and Nonhandicapped Children
Authors: Winton Pamela J. , Turnbull Ann P. , Blacher Jan
Published: November 2009

Equal numbers of parents of handicapped (n = 50) and nonhandicapped (n = 50) children from mainstreamed public school kindergarten classrooms participated in a telephone interview regarding their children's kindergarten programs. Results indicated group differences between parental expectations for and degree of satisfaction with their children's programs but similarities in views on parent involvement. Parents of handicapped children varied more regarding what they wanted for their children than did parents of nonhandicapped children. Furthermore, what parents of handicapped children wanted did not correspond to what they received. Parents in both groups were similarly satisfied with the extent to which the kindergarten had met their needs as parents. Regardless of their children's conditions, parents emphasized the importance of communicating frequently with their children's teachers. Parents also indicated that kindergarten programs may be doing a better job meeting the needs of nonhandicapped children than of handicapped children, because teachers lack specific training.
Infant/Parent Interaction: Studies and Intervention Guidelines Based on the SIAI Model
Authors: McCollum Jeonette A. , Stayton Vicki D.
Published: November 2009

Social interactions between caregiver and infant provide the interpersonal context for the infant's development. However, research indicates that the prelinguistic communicative characteristics of infants with handicaps may differ from those of handicapped infants in ways which interfere with the ease with which pleasurable interactions are established. Intervention directed toward facilitating such interactions should therefore be a major component of any 0-3 program, and a number of models have been outlined for this purpose. One of these, the SIAI (McCollum, 1983) has recently been tested through a series of single subject research studies (McCollum, 1984; Stayton, 1984). The present paper illustrates the variety of ways in which the model was used in these studies, and draws from them a number of practical intervention guidelines gleaned both from the results of the studies and from the experiences of the interventionists who implemented the studies.
Mastery Motivation in Young Preschoolers: Effect of a Physical Handicap and Implications for Educational Programming
Authors: Donahue Jennings Kay , Connors Robin E. , Stegman Charles E. , Sankaranarayan Prabha , Mendelschn Sylvia
Published: November 2009

According to much theory, children are born with the motivation to master their environment; however, the presence of a handicapping condition may interfere with the development of this motivation as the child grows. Sixty-nine preschool children were studied, including 25 with physical handicaps; these handicaps were primarily orthopedic, involving lower limb functioning. Two aspects of mastery motivation were assessed with structured tasks: persistence and curiosity. The children's free play was also observed to assess motivation in an unstructured setting. In addition, mothers' perceptions of their children's motivation levels were assessed. Results indicated that the presence of a handicapping condition affected the development of mastery motivation. Differences between children were most marked during play, when the children had to structure their own activities. During adult-structured tasks, handicapped children functioned more like their nonhandicapped peers but were less persistent. Mothers of handicapped children perceived their children as less motivated and more dependent on adults than did mothers of nonhandicapped children. The implications of these findings for edcucational programming are discussed.
Documentation of Child Progress Revisited: An Analysis Method for Outreach or Local Programs
Authors: Jelinek Janis A.
Published: November 2009

When the modified Efficiency Index (EI) was applied to the documentation of child progress at 28 outreach sites, the children demonstrated Els ranging from 1.31 to 1.95. An EI of 1.0 based on actual gains, ideal gain (or time in the program), and developmental status indicates that a child or group of children made the progress expected. The modified Efficiency Index is equally applicable to local sites, is easy to calculate, makes possible the documentation of child progress for severely handicapped children, and provides a means for internal decision-making in relation to child progress.
Special Education in England and Wales: A Cultural and Administrative Revolution
Authors: Welton John
Published: November 2009

This paper presents the social and legislative framework for special education in England and Wales. Major legislative acts and national policy committee recommendations, as they impact services for special needs children and early intervention, are discussed with implications for services for the birth to five age group. Information specific to early childhood assessment, parental involvement and rights, and provisions of services is presented. The cultural and administrative environment, which is central to change, is discussed as it relates to current practice.
Athletes at Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Subasic Kim
Published: November 2009

High school athletes represent the largest group of individuals affected by sudden cardiac death, with an estimated incidence of once or twice per week. Structural cardiovascular abnormalities are the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. Athletes participating in basketball, football, track, soccer, baseball, and swimming were found to have the highest incidence of sudden cardiac death. Screening of athletes prior to participation in competitive sports usually falls short of recommended guidelines. Poorly defined legislation and the absence of a national standard for sports physicals have contributed to inadequate health screenings of athletes. This article will describe the incidence and causes of sudden cardiovascular death in young athletes as well as guidelines intended to prevent this unfortunate problem.
Some Implications of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure for the Treatment of Adolescents With Sexual Offending Behaviors
Authors: Baumbach Jeremy
Published: November 2009

Prenatal alcohol exposure can seriously harm the fetus, resulting in a wide range of physical and central nervous system abnormalities. A follow-up study of persons prenatally exposed to alcohol found that 49% of adolescents and adults had repeatedly displayed inappropriate sexual behavior. While these persons are likely to present to sexual offender treatment programs, they are unlikely to be recognized as neurologically impaired because the sequelae of prenatal alcohol exposure are seldom accurately identified by clinicians. Persistent impairments in response inhibition, memory, and executive functions are common, requiring adaptations to standard sexual offender assessment and treatment.
A DSM-IV Axis I Comorbidity Study of Males (n = 120) With Paraphilias and Paraphilia-Related Disorders
Authors: Kafka Martin P , Hennen John
Published: November 2009

One hundred and twenty consecutively evaluated outpatient males with paraphilias (PAs; n = 88, including 60 sex offenders) and paraphilia-related disorders ( PRDs; n = 32) were systematically assessed for certain developmental variables and DSM-IV-defined Axis I comorbidity. In comparison with the PRDs, the PA group was statistically significantly more likely to self-report a higher incidence of physical (but not sexual) abuse, fewer years of completed education, a higher prevalence of school-associated learning and behavioral problems, more psychiatric/substance abuse hospitalizations, and increased employment-related disability as well as more lifetime contact with the criminal justice system. In both groups, the most prevalent Axis I disorders were mood disorders (71.6%), especially early onset dysthymic disorder (55%) and major depression (39%). Anxiety disorders (38.3%), especially social phobia (21.6%), and psychoactive substance abuse (40.8%), especially alcohol abuse (30%), were reported as well. Cocaine abuse was statistically significantly associated with PA males (p = .03). There was a statistically significant correlation between the lifetime prevalence of Axis I nonsexual diagnoses and hypersexual diagnoses (PAs and PRDs). The prevalence of retrospectively diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was 35.8%, the third most prevalent Axis I disorder. ADHD (p = .01), especially ADHD-combined subtype (p = .009), was statistically significantly associated with PA status. ADHD was statistically significantly associated with conduct disorder, and both of these Axis I disorders were associated with the propensity for multiple PAs and a higher likelihood of incarceration. When the diagnosis of ADHD was controlled, the differences reported above between PAs and PRDs either became statistically nonsignificant or remained as only statistical trends. Thus, ADHD and its associated developmental sequellae and Axis I comorbidities was the single most common nonsexual Axis I diagnosis that statistically significantly distinguished males with socially deviant sexual arousal (PAs) from a nonparaphilic hypersexual comparison group (PRDs). Sex offender paraphiliacs were more likely to be diagnosed with conduct disorder, alcohol abuse, cocaine abuse, and generalized anxiety disorder. The prevalence of any ADHD in the sex offender paraphiliacs was 43.3%, and nearly 25% of offenders were diagnosed with ADHD-combined subtype.
Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents With Diabetes From Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Spezia Faulkner Melissa , Fritschi Cynthia , Quinn Lauretta , Hepworth Joseph T.
Published: November 2009

Limited data exist on the predisposition for an early trajectory of cardiovascular (CV) disease in adolescents with diabetes. We explored the effects of types of diabetes and sociodemographic factors (i.e., race, gender, income level, family structure) on the following CV risks: glucose control (A1c), blood pressure (BP), and lipid profile. Adolescents with type 1 DM (T1DM) or type 2 DM (T2DM) participated: 109 with T1DM and 42 with T2DM. The general linear model was used to examine the influence of type of DM, sociodemographic factors, and the interaction of type of DM and the sociodemographic factors on CV risks. Systolic and diastolic BP were increased in youth with T2DM versus T1DM. Non-Hispanic Blacks had a higher A1c and resting diastolic BP than non-Hispanic Whites. Lower income was also associated with higher resting diastolic BP. Males with T1DM had higher A1c, whereas females with T2DM had higher A1c. With low income, individuals with T1DM had higher A1c values than those with T2DM; those with high income and T2DM had higher A1c than those with T1DM. Adolescents with T1DM from single, divorced, or separated families had higher average A1c values. In comparison, those with T2DM from married families had higher A1c values. Triglycerides were increased for those with T2DM, with the greatest amount for Hispanics as compared with non-Hispanic Blacks. In summary, minority status, lower income, and family structure may have a greater impact on vulnerability for poor outcomes in adolescents with DM, regardless of the type of the disease.
Health Promotion in Culturally Diverse and Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Montgomery Kristen S. , Jones Schubart Kara
Published: November 2009

America is a diverse culture with multiple people, religions, cultural beliefs, and values. Health promotion is a basic nursing activity. Nurses working in distinct settings interact with multiples cultural groups. Many individuals that are part of diverse cultures are considered vulnerable. Individuals and populations are considered vulnerable because of disparities in health when compared with the dominant population. This article addresses some of the potential influences on health promotion for diverse and vulnerable cultures and identifies strategies to overcome identified barriers. Disparities exist in many health outcomes in the United States; a targeted effort by nurses and other health care providers is key to reducing this gap in health outcomes and improving the health of all Americans.
The Retired Nurses Working in Neighborhoods (RN+WIN) Program: An Approach Toward Sustainability of an Academic Nurse—Managed Wellness Center
Authors: Resick Lenore K. , Leonardo Maureen E. , Kruman Betty J. , Carlson Mamie R.
Published: November 2009

Obtaining resources for sustainability of academic nursing centers is an ongoing challenge. Academic wellness centers face challenges related to the limited availability of insurance to meet demand and resources for state and local contracts or fee for service. Traditionally, state and local contracts and fee-for-service insurance plans do not cover preventive or wellness-related health services. In addition, third party reimbursement for wellness, disease prevention and health promotion, and health education services may be limited because of Current Procedural Terminology codes. An approach toward sustainability of the Duquesne University School of Nursing Nurse-Managed Wellness Center was to build on the human resources of volunteer retired nurses residing in the neighboring communities of the university.This article describes the RN+WIN program as a creative approach toward sustainability of an academic nurse—managed wellness center.
A Risk Assessment Screening Tool for Community Health Care Workers
Authors: Lundrigan Elaine , Hutchings Darlene , Mathews Maria , Lynch Anne , Goosney Joanne
Published: November 2009

Given the shift to community-based care, health care providers are facing an increased risk of workplace violence. The process of minimizing risk for staff providing home visits is a challenge and has not been extensively studied. The authors describe the development and implementation of a risk assessment instrument in a regional health authority in Newfoundland. The instrument aids community workers to identify and manage potential workplace violence risks. The process and risk assessment instrument may be useful to other health care organizations interested in promoting workplace safety.
The Health Belief Model and Contraceptive Behavior: Limits to the Application of a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Fisher Andrew A.
Published: November 2009

The Health Belief Model is an inadequate conceptual framework for explaining the motivational dynamics of acceptance or rejection of contraception, although it does satisfy criteria of a good theory in explaining individual disease prevention behavior. Cues to action are the variables in the Model most clearly applicable to contraceptive behavior. The motivational variables, which are more important to the Model, are ambiguous at best is this area, however.
Patient Participation in the Patient-Provider Interaction: The Effects of Patient Question Asking on the Quality of Interaction, Satisfaction and Compliance
Authors: Roter Debra L.
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, dynamics, and consequences of a health education intervention designed to increase patient question asking during the patient's medical visit.

Data were collected at a Baltimore family and community health center which provides outpatient services to a low income, predominantly black and female population. The majority of the study participants were, in addition, elderly and chronically ill. A total of 294 patients and 3 providers took part in the study. The study design included random assignment of patients to experimental and placebo groups with two non-equivalent (non-randomized) control groups.

Findings included: (1) The experimental group patients asked more direct questions and fewer indirect questions than did placebo group patients. (2) The experimental group patient-provider interaction was characterized by negative affect, anxiety, and anger, while the placebo group patient-provider interaction was characterized as mutually sympathetic. (3) The experimental group patients were less satisifed with care received in the clinic on the day of their visit than were placebo patients. (4) The experimental group patients demonstrated higher appointment-keeping ratios (an average number of appointments kept divided by an average number of appointments made) during a four-month prospective monitoring period.
Preliminary Report on a Joint U.S.-Yugoslavia Five-Year Comprehensive Health Education Research Project Carried Out in Yugoslavia
Authors: Betts William A.
Published: November 2009

A five-year effort has been planned to test the efficacy of health education integrated in primary care services for a rural area. Impacts on health care provider and study population behavior have been hypothesized. The evaluation design includes one study and one control health care district with pre- and post-program surveys conducted in each area. The study will be completed in 1978. Baseline and longitudinal results are reported. Specific change objectives have been achieved in early cancer detection and in maternal and child health.
The Evaluation of Continuing Medical Education: A Literature Review
Authors: Bertram Dennis A. , Brooks-Bertram Peggy A.
Published: November 2009

The literature of continuing medical education (CME) program evaluation was reviewed and analyzed. The “State-of-the-art” of CME evaluation is depicted in a series of tables which indicate evaluation methods and results. Evaluation designs providing strong assurances of valid results were not often found. The weakness of most published evaluations limit possible conclusions about the effectiveness of CME.
Distributional Effects of Social Security: the Notch Issue Revisited
Authors: Duggan James E. , Gillingham Robert , Greenlees John S.
Published: November 2009

This article provides the first empirical estimates of the effects of the Social Security Abstract benefit notch on lifetime benefits based on actual Social Security records, the 1988 Continuous Work History Sample. The authors'results show that the notch occurred in the context of a maturing social insurance system in which all early cohorts have received very high rates of return. As a group, the 1917-1921 notch cohorts could expect to receive roughly $500 billion (in 1988 dollars) more than if they were paid the same rate of return on their contnbutions that the Social Security system earns on its investedfunds.
Fiscal Policy in a Model of Endogenous Growth With Learning By Doing
Authors: Greiner Alfred
Published: November 2009

The goal of this article is to analyze the effects of fiscal pohcy on the steady state Abstract growth rate of an endogenous growth model, in which sustained per capita growth results from spillovers of investment in physical capital. In contrast to conventional models, however, it is assumed that investment at different dates has different weights concerning its contribution to the stock of human capital. With this assumption, it can be shown that the competitive economy may be characterized by a situation in which a decrease in the income tax rate or an increase in an investment subsidy always raises the growth rate, or by a situation with an optimal level for the income tax rate and investment subsidy, concerning maxtmum growth. Moreover, a nondis tortionary consumption tax does not influence balanced growth.
A Reexamination of the Price Effects of a Unit Commodity Tax Under Perfect Competition and Monopoly
Authors: Cohn Elchanan
Published: November 2009

Musgrave, m his Theory of Public Finance, argues that the pnce effect of a unit tax Abstract under monopoly is one half the effect under competition when demand and supply curves are linear. It is shown here that this rule applies only for the constant-cost case. For an increasing supply (marginal cost) schedule, the effect for monopoly is smaller than under competition, but by a factor less than 2.
Direct Legislation: Determinants of Legislator Support for Voter Initiatives
Authors: Hersch Philip L. , McDougall Gerald S.
Published: November 2009

This article examines the determinants of legislator support for a Kansas constitu tional amendment to authorize the use of voter initiatives. Although mixed, the results suggest that Kansas House members were more likely to vote for the amendment the greater their difficulty in representing their constituents' interests. Difficulty was, in part, proxied by constituent heterogeneity. Although it appears special interest money came into play, there is no evidence that representatives voted to protectfund-raising capacity. Surprisingly, antigovernment sentiment, as proxied by constituent support for Ross Perot's presidential campaign, did not appear to influence representative voting.
The Distinction Between True and Induced Free Riders: an Application to Gatt de Facto Membership
Authors: Sobel Russell S.
Published: November 2009

In the former international trade organization, GATT, there were 28 countries who were free riders through a special class of de facto membership. This article distinguishes between two classes of free riders, true and induced, depending on whether the free riders, if faced with exclusion, would be willing to pay the full cost of membership and join, or whether they would opt out of membership. A logit model of GATT membership is used to predict whether these de facto countries would have joined GATT as full members. Those that would join are considered true free riders, whereas those that would not join are considered induced riders. It is estimated that approximately 20 of the 28 de facto countries were true free riders. The distinction between true and induced, free riders is important because in a free rider situation, only the true free riders contribute to an undersupply of the good.
Political Incentives and Optimal Taxation
Authors: Lee Dwight R. , Snow Arthur
Published: November 2009

Recent studies have questioned the empirical relevance and normative validity of the traditional prescriptions for optimal taxation based on Ramsey's original in sights. The present authors analyze governments that maximize net political benefits, which only imperfectly represent net social benefits, and conclude that Ramsey's rules always yield empirically relevant predictions once they are modified to account for existing restraints on taxation. Moreover, for a broad spectrum of governments, an unrestricted tax base is socially optimal, and Ramsey's rules apply without modification as valid normative prescriptions. However, restraints on taxation are optimal for governments that create more than a critical level of distortion in evaluating the marginal social costs and benefits of taxation and spending. None theless, Ramsey's rules still provide valid normative prescriptions once the optimal constitutional prescriptions are imposed.
Convergence in State Nominal and Real Per Capita Income: Empirical Evidence
Authors: Izraeli Oded , Murphy Kevin
Published: November 2009

This article examines convergence in per capita personal income among the 50 states from 1960 to 1991. Evidence presented in previous studies is mixed concerning whether convergence took place during the period in question. By allowing for differences in cost of living across states, however, the authors find that convergence took place throughout the entire period studied.
X-Inefficiency in the Public Sector: the Case of Libraries
Authors: Vitaliano Donald F.
Published: November 2009

A short-run total cost function is fitted to 1992 data for 235 public libraries in New York state. The stochastic frontier model is employed, which decomposes the error term into a random variable for statistical noise and a residual component measur ing economic inefficiency. Mean X-inefficiency (cost inefficiency) is estimated to be 24%. Government-run public libraries are about 3% more inefficient than private not-for-profit public libraries. Funding sources also influence efficiency: The greater the proportion of funds derivedfrom local taxation and from gifts, the more efficient the library.
Public Infrastructure: Pork or Jobs Creator?
Authors: Dalenberg Douglas R. , Partridge Mark D. , Rickman Dan S.
Published: November 2009

Past studies of the impact of public capital on state economic well-betng have often focused on estimates of productton functions, yet such an approach overlooks some important economic relationships. This article presents estimates designed to care fully measure the impact of public capital on state employment by using a model that incorporates infrastructure impacts from several different sources Controlling for differences in states' industrial structure, demand conditions, production costs, demographics, and noninfrastructure amenities and state fixed effects, the authors find that infrastructure is a significant variable in determining state employment. Moreover, surrounding state highway public capital apparently has positive spillover impacts. Finally, a simulation is conducted to examine whether a govern ment policy of raising taxes to fund an increase in public infrastructure increases employment.
Insurance Premium Taxes: a Lump-Sum Proposal
Authors: Powers Michael R. , Tzeng Larry Y.
Published: November 2009

All insurance companies in the United States are assessed state premium taxes based on percentages of written premiums. In this article, the authors argue that the proportional premium tax system is unfair to higher risk insureds because they must pay greater state premium taxes, even though they do not cause the state greater expenses. As an alternative, the authors propose a lump-sum premium tax system in which all insureds pay a fixed dollar tax that may or may not differ by risk classification. Although lump-sum taxes are widely recognized as Pareto dominant with respect to proportional taxes, the potential advantages of lump-sum taxes have not been explored in the premium tax context, in which random outcomes and the heterogeneity of risks play important roles. The authors compare the potential advantages of lump-sum premium taxes with their potential disadvantages in terms of administrative expenses, moral hazard, and adverse selection.
Long-Run Impact of Tax Rate Changes On Government Receipts
Authors: Andrianacos Dimitri , Akarca Ali T.
Published: November 2009

Taxes are believed to have adverse effects on economic activity, work effort, consumption , savings, and capital formation. Although higher marginal tax rates are expected to yield an increase in government revenues in the short run, their long-run effects are not as certain. In the long run, the taxpayers alter their behavior to avoid paying more taxes. Using the unit root methodology, the authors examine whether tax rate changes during the past half century had a permanent or temporary impact on various revenues collected by the federal and state and local governments as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) ( revenue/GDP ratios). Our results show that past shocks to tax rates did not alter the long-run levels of most federal revenue/GDP ratios. In the case of state and local governments, although permanent changes in the levels of the ratios are indicated, the authors explain that this occurs only under some special circumstances.
Do Tax and Expenditure Limitations Affect Local Government Budgets? Evidence From Panel Data
Authors: Shadbegian Ronald J.
Published: November 2009

During the 1970s and 1980s, state governments imposed many new more restrictive tax and expenditure limitations (TELs) on local governments. Many theories have been advanced to explain the new wave of TELs. The majority of these explanations suggests that voters found local government had become larger than desired, and thus the intended effect was a reduction in government size and growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate empirically whether state-imposed local TELs have been successful in reducing both the size and growth of local government, as well as decreasing local government's reliance on the property tax. Anticipating the results, the author demonstrates, using a panel data set on local government budgets (1972-1992), the following two major points: (a) TELs decrease both the level and growth of expenditures and revenues and (b) TELs decrease the level and growth of property taxes.
State Experimentation With Time-Limited AFDC Benefits: What Differentiates Reform-Minded States From Others?
Authors: Winkler Anne E.
Published: November 2009

This study examines states' experimentation with time-limited Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) benefits prior to the passage of the 1996 welfare reform legislation. The data reveal substantial variation in states' definitions of time-limited benefits adopted under the federal waivers. Some states adopted a "2 years and you're out" policy (i.e., AFDC cash benefits would be cut off), whereas others interpreted time limits much more leniently. Next, this study examines the economic, social, and political characteristics of states most likely associated with their adoption of this policy, both broadly and narrowly defined. The findings suggest that ability to pay, willingness to pay and political climate are among the factors that distinguish "reform-minded" states from others. These same factors are likely to be importantfollowing the 1996 legislation, as states assume much greater control than in the past m designing their welfare plans.
Taxing Consumption in an Open Economy
Authors: Shuanglin Lin
Published: November 2009

This article examines the effects of consumption taxation on capital accumulation, net foreign asset holdings, the trade balance, and welfare in a two-country overlap ping generations model. Government finances its lump-sum transfers by taxing consumption. An increase in the domestic consumption tax rate decreases the real interest rate and increases the capital-labor ratio and the wage rate in both countries. An increase in the domestic consumption tax rate raises the domestic country's net foreign asset holdings and trade surplus but may either increase or reduce the welfare of the representative domestic individual.