This annotated bibliography is reformatted and customized by the Center for Positive Practices. Some of the authors featured on this page include Philip May, Michael A. B. Deakin, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Wanda Whittlesey-Jerome, Z. C. Leseman, Gill Woodall, Norice Lee, Appleseed, Theodore W. Sammis, and Ronald L. Girmus.
(2011). The Need for Senior College Programming as a Statewide Higher Education Initiative: Individual, Institutional, and Societal Benefits of Senior Learning, ProQuest LLC. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was sufficient emphasis on senior college programming in New Mexico public higher education institutions and if that programming should be formalized. It was suggested that an initiative among New Mexico higher education institutions be undertaken to create a statewide network for senior college programming in New Mexico. The network could serve the purpose of formalizing and strengthening this programming, and making it available to greater numbers of older adults in more locations across the state. A mixed methods research design was utilized, using both survey research and a focus group approach. The survey and focus group questions were developed by the researcher and reviewed by a panel of continuing education experts. All 23 institutions of higher education in New Mexico that were approached also participated in the study, with a total of 19 continuing education administrators at the director level or above responding to the survey. The two focus groups were comprised of four senior level administrators in one group and four students from senior college programs in the other. The results of this mixed methods research were compiled and analyzed. Graphs and percentages were used to show the frequencies of responses to questions. From the results of this study, five conclusions, with their implications and recommendations, were presented. In addition, three further recommendations were made. Future study on socio-economic implications of older adult learning, developmental appropriateness for learning in retirement, productivity through volunteering or working in old age, and an in-depth study of the overall vision for learning in retirement were all suggestions for attention and research. The recommendations from this research study were designed to aid in making decisions about future senior college programming. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC.Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: www.proquest.com/en-US/products/disserta… [More] Descriptors: Expertise, Higher Education, Research Design, Retirement
(2013). Pecan Research and Outreach in New Mexico: Logic Model Development and Change in Communication Paradigms, Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. Universities develop strategic planning documents, and as part of that planning process, logic models are developed for specific programs within the university. This article examines the long-standing pecan program at New Mexico State University and the deficiencies and successes in the evolution of its logic model. The university's agricultural experiment station's pecan program logic model has evolved along with increased external funding, but never has developed into a complete logic model because the outcome-impact component remains incomplete. With increased assistance from the university, the pecan industry grew and became stronger and more economically viable; however, the incomplete development of a pecan program logic model has prevented development of a complete synergy. The evaluation of outcome-impact is most efficient and accurate when at least part of the evaluation is conducted with methods independent of the growers. [More] Descriptors: Higher Education, Strategic Planning, Agronomy, Financial Support
(2012). Selling the Need for School Social Work Services to the Legislature: A Call for Advocacy, School Social Work Journal. Recent attempts to marginalize the social work profession have had an impact on school social workers in New Mexico. To better understand the quality of the workplace for these related services professionals, a past lead social worker for a large school district was interviewed, and three open-ended items were added to the 2010 statewide school social work survey. Responses from sixty-four school social workers across the state are presented. The questions focused on the impact of the economy, rising caseloads and attrition, and concerns about the future. Results indicate that school social workers here feel overworked and unsure and fearful about the future. Important historical information sheds light on the process of obtaining a three-tier pay schedule for school social workers and the potential legislative challenges to their work in the public schools. An interdisciplinary advocacy process model is presented that will identify and promote the need for school social workers to the New Mexico legislature. The advocacy process and the development of a Senate joint memorial that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration on practice outcome evaluation are discussed within the context of growing concerns about the economy and the future of related service providers in the state's public education system. [More] Descriptors: School Social Workers, Social Work, Public Education, Advocacy
(2008). State Teacher Policy Yearbook: What States Can Do to Retain Effective New Teachers, 2008. New Mexico. This paper presents the New Mexico edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's 2008 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook". The 2008 "Yearbook" focuses on how state policies impact the retention of effective new teachers. This policy evaluation is broken down into three areas that encompass 15 goals. Broadly, these goals examine the impact of state policy on: (1) identifying effective teachers; (2) retaining those deemed effective; and (3) exiting those deemed ineffective. Overall, New Mexico has done a good job in meeting some goals; however, significant room for improvement remains in several others. The state completely missed five goals, met a small portion of two, partially met five and fully met three, including one best practice designation. New Mexico's best performances are in its effort to ensure that only factors that advance teacher effectiveness are required for permanent licenses, its articulated consequences for teachers with unsatisfactory evaluations, and its effort to close loopholes that allow teachers who have not met licensure requirements to continue teaching. The state has the most work to do in ensuring its pension system is portable, flexible and fair and strengthening policies regarding teacher compensation issues. New Mexico's progress toward meeting these goals is summarized. The body of the report provides a more detailed breakdown of the state's strengths and weaknesses in each area. New Mexico has an overall performance of C for 2008. Goals for each area are appended. (Contains 57 figures.) [Additional support for the 2008 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" was provided by the Teaching Commission. For the national summary, see ED514690.] [More] Descriptors: Mentors, Teacher Competencies, State Government, Government Role
(2012). A Call to Service, English Teaching Forum. In this article, the author reminisces the time he went to Georgetown University to interview Dr. James Alatis and compares the career of Dr. Alatis with his own. The first comparison is that Dr. Alatis and the author both have taught in their home country, the United States, and in other countries. Second, Dr. Alatis and the author are both bilingual. Third, Dr. Alatis and the author have both held administrative positions. Fourth, and the most important parallel to the author now, is professional service. Throughout his career in English language teaching, the author has worked with many professional organizations to hold national Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) conferences and to provide teacher training, but until recently, he never actually served. About four years ago, a group of like-minded colleagues in New Mexico formed a professional TESOL association in New Mexico. Finally, for the first time in his career, the author volunteered to provide service. He encourages readers of "English Teaching Forum" to get involved in professional service. [More] Descriptors: Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, English (Second Language), Interviews
(2012). How to Motivate Your Students, Online Submission. Student motivation is critical for learning. Psychological and neuroscientific evidence demonstrate that motivation and cognition are inextricably linked. In field research, 660 k-12 teachers were surveyed to self-identify the most successful strategies and activities they used to motivate students. A literature review that included 190 education research articles and meta-analytical reviews on student motivation was also conducted. Seven general instructional strategies were co-identified in the field survey work and literature review as strategies that teachers use to generate motivation and engagement of students in academic tasks and learning. These seven motivational strategies include: (1) Extrinsic rewards, (2) Social interactions, (3) Student autonomy and choice, (4) Situational interest, (5) Goal setting, (6) Competition, and (7) Relevancy and meaning-making. This research highlights the importance of student motivation in academic settings and suggests that teachers use motivational practices to improve academic achievement in their classrooms. [This paper was also presented at: (1) The New Mexico State University-Grants Round-Up Conference (Grants, NM, Sep 30-Oct 1, 2011); and (2) The New Mexico Higher Education Assessment and Retention Conference (Albuquerque, NM, Feb 23-24, 2012).] [More] Descriptors: Educational Strategies, Elementary Secondary Education, Motivation Techniques, Goal Orientation
(2013). Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates. New Mexico. National and regional trends mask important variation among states in the supply of high school graduates. This profile provides brief indicators for New Mexico related to: current levels of educational attainment, projections of high school graduates into the future, and two common barriers to student access and success–insufficient academic preparation and inadequate finances. This paper contains the following: (1) Educational Attainment by Race/Ethnicity; (2) Production of High School Graduates; (3) Public High School Graduates by Race/Ethnicity; (4) Composition of Public High School Graduates by Race/Ethnicity; (5) Composite Math and Reading Scores by Race/Ethnicity; and (6) Annual Income by Race/Ethnicity. (Contains 3 endnotes.) [For the complete report, "Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates," see ED540129.] [More] Descriptors: Higher Education, Educational Attainment, Ethnicity, High School Graduates
(2011). Deaf Role Models Making a Critical Difference in New Mexico, Odyssey: New Directions in Deaf Education. In this issue of "Odyssey," Joanne Corwin describes New Mexico's statewide partnership among several agencies for the provision of early intervention services to infants and children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families (Effective Partnering of State Agencies to Achieve Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Benchmarks, p. 20). This article discusses one of these services, the Deaf Role Model Program, which is operated as a statewide Early Intervention Program through the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD). With greater understanding in the field of deaf education of the critical nature of early and accessible language and communication, Deaf Role Model Programs have played a significant role in early intervention services for families across the nation. A recent national survey conducted in the spring of 2010 indicates that at least 18 states, through their state schools for the deaf, are utilizing deaf role models. In some states, programs are expanding in response to families' requests for more frequent visits from a deaf role model and for services beyond the Early Intervention time frame. Establishing and expanding a Deaf Role Model Program involves careful planning, collaborative partnerships, and visionary leadership. [More] Descriptors: State Schools, Special Schools, Role Models, Early Intervention
(2011). G.I. Taylor and the Trinity Test, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. The story is often told of the calculation by G.I. Taylor of the yield of the first ever atomic bomb exploded in New Mexico in 1945. It has indeed become a staple of the classroom whenever dimensional analysis is taught. However, while it is true that Taylor succeeded in calculating this figure at a time when it was still classified, most versions of the story are quite inaccurate historically. The reality is more complex than the usual accounts have it. This article sets out to disentangle fact from fiction. [More] Descriptors: Mathematical Models, Mathematics, Equations (Mathematics), Computation
(2009). Full Stomachs–Full Minds: How New Mexico Public Schools Can Feed More Children for Less Money, Summer 2009. Every day in New Mexico, student achievement and nutrition are in states of emergency. With families losing jobs and wages, more and more children are going to school malnourished, some having eaten nothing at all. School districts struggle to educate and support their students with fewer available resources. Slashed budgets mean frustrated teachers, less money for books and supplies, and little capacity to subsidize a federal lunch program that already falls short of the school districts' costs for each lunch served. No expensive study is necessary to show that hungry children cannot pay attention in class. Nor is one necessary to show that New Mexico's school districts are in dire need of financial support and help to accomplish their goals. This report evaluates options available to school, district and state administrators that will help to feed more children at a lesser cost, thereby reducing hunger and the toll it exacts both socially and academically. New Mexico Appleseed's recommendations point to increased profitability for schools and decreased hunger and food insecurity for children. [More] Descriptors: Lunch Programs, School Districts, Hunger, Financial Support
(2012). A Laboratory Project on the Theory, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Silicon-on-Insulator Micro-Comb Drive Actuator with Fixed-Fixed Beams, IEEE Transactions on Education. A laboratory course on the theory, fabrication, and characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices for a multidisciplinary audience of graduate students at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, has been developed. Hands-on experience in the cleanroom has attracted graduate students from across the university's engineering and science campuses, including students from the Nano-Science and Micro Systems program, itself an interdisciplinary program. This course has been offered yearly for the last four years (since 2007) at the University of New Mexico. In one project from the class, a MEMS actuator is fabricated. This paper details the theory, fabrication steps, and characterization of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) comb drive actuator that relies on fixed-fixed beams for its restoring force. Discussions include force generation by comb drives and a linear and nonlinear description of the restoring force applied by the fixed-fixed beams. Course assessment data is given from 79 students from three semesters, based on which the effectiveness of the laboratory project is evaluated. [More] Descriptors: Graduate Students, Manufacturing, Data Analysis, Laboratory Experiments
(2009). Problem Gambling in New Mexico: 1996 and 1998, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Included in both the 1996 and 1998 Survey of Gambling Behavior in New Mexico was a scale of individual problem gambling. To assess problems related to gambling behavior, questions were developed using the DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. The purpose of this paper is to describe problem gamblers in New Mexico. Descriptive data indicate that 12% (n = 321) of the respondents (N = 2,674) reported problem gambling behavior. Further analysis reveal that 51% of those reporting problem gambling behavior were male, and 48% of respondents were married. Forty-eight percent of problem gambler respondents identified themselves as Hispanic ethnicity and 37% non-Hispanic whites. The mean age of problem gamblers was 37.4 years, and the mean annual income was $45,638. Data were separated by survey year to analyze any changes in reported problem gambling. Overall, 12,008 people per 100,000 population reported a mild to severe gambling problem in the period 1996-1998. Statistical significance was revealed in some gambling activities between low/moderate and serious problem gamblers. Recommendations include replicating this survey in New Mexico to determine additional patterns of problem gambling. [More] Descriptors: Addictive Behavior, Individual Characteristics, Statistical Data, State Surveys
(2011). Studying Space: Improving Space Planning with User Studies, Journal of Access Services. How can libraries best assess and improve user space, even if they are not in a position to undertake new construction or a major renovation? Staff at New Mexico State University used a variety of ethnographic methods to learn how our spaces were being used as well as what our users considered to be ideal library space. Our findings helped us make high-impact changes to public spaces while staying within a modest budget and a tight timeline. We used many of the same methods after our redesigns to evaluate our efforts and plan for future improvements. [More] Descriptors: Use Studies, Ethnography, Study Facilities, Libraries
(2011). New Technologies for Energy Improvements: Two Case Studies, Facilities Manager. This article describes how two institutions in the U.S. Southwest–Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico and Pima Community College (PCC) in Arizona–have implemented new energy projects on their campuses. Albuquerque Academy's one-megawatt DC photovoltaic solar array is one of the largest secondary schools projects to date in the United States. The array is located on five acres of land at the east end of the Academy's 312-acre campus. PCC's replacement of its Desert Vista central cooling/heating plant with a packaged modular central plant (MCP) allowed for installation savings, a fast-track schedule, and improved energy efficiency. [More] [More] Descriptors: Energy Conservation, Energy Management, Case Studies, Secondary Schools
(2007). A Strategic Action Plan for Advancing Math and Science Education in New Mexico 2007-2010. This Strategic Action Plan for Advancing Math and Science Education is an initial outline of strategies, actions, measures of progress, resources needed, timelines, and responsible parties. The Plan focuses on these three main goals: (1) increasing student interest, participation, and achievement in math and science; (2) raising public support and awareness of the importance of science and math to New Mexico's economic health and security; and (3) establishing effective collaborations with internal and external partners. (Contains 53 endnotes.) [This publication was produced by the New Mexico Public Education Department.] [More] Descriptors: Student Interests, Strategic Planning, Science Education, Mathematics Education