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Understanding the factors that influence the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in schools is critical to the selection of effective implementation strategies to support their sustained use. The current study has 2 aims: (a) evaluate the association between school leadership profiles (undifferentiated and optimal) and fidelity of EBP implementation and (b) examine the role of implementation climate as a mediator in this association. Participants included 56 principals, 90 special education teachers, and 133 classroom staff from 66 elementary schools. Participants completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Implementation Climate Scale. Teachers and staff reported on intensity (frequency) of EBP delivery, and the research team rated the accuracy (adherence) to the components of the EBP. Schools were required to implement at least 1 of 3 EBPs for ASD (discrete trial training, pivotal response training, or visual supports). Using structural equation modeling, we found that schools with optimal leadership had higher observed ratings of teacher and staff fidelity for pivotal response training accuracy (p < .05), but not for discrete trial training or visual supports. However, this association became nonsignificant with the introduction of implementation climate into the models. Optimal leadership profiles were linked to more positive teacher/staff-reported implementation climate, compared with undifferentiated profiles (p < .01), but found no association between implementation climate and fidelity. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the role of principal leadership in EBP implementation is complex, which has implications for fostering a conducive organizational implementation context in schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding the factors that influence the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in schools is critical to the selection of effective implementation strategies to support their sustained use. The current study has 2 aims: (a) evaluate the association between school leadership profiles (undifferentiated and optimal) and fidelity of EBP implementation and (b) examine the role of implementation climate as a mediator in this association. Participants included 56 principals, 90 special education teachers, and 133 classroom staff from 66 elementary schools. Participants completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Implementation Climate Scale. Teachers and staff reported on intensity (frequency) of EBP delivery, and the research team rated the accuracy (adherence) to the components of the EBP. Schools were required to implement at least 1 of 3 EBPs for ASD (discrete trial training, pivotal response training, or visual supports). Using structural equation modeling, we found that schools with optimal leadership had higher observed ratings of teacher and staff fidelity for pivotal response training accuracy (p < .05), but not for discrete trial training or visual supports. However, this association became nonsignificant with the introduction of implementation climate into the models. Optimal leadership profiles were linked to more positive teacher/staff-reported implementation climate, compared with undifferentiated profiles (p < .01), but found no association between implementation climate and fidelity. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the role of principal leadership in EBP implementation is complex, which has implications for fostering a conducive organizational implementation context in schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

This thesis aims to explore the role of values in shaping the evolution and control of the Internet and the Web, regarding social imaginaries. Whilst the question of values in the design, operation and governance of the Internet is well documented from the point of view of the social imaginary behind the screen, relatively little is known about the values that are important to the users of the Web who have been so central in driving forward its growth in the last 25 years. The thesis will: (i) draw on published histories and other secondary sources to trace the role of values in shaping the Internet, and the Web as controlled technical infrastructures; (ii) conduct original empirical research to explore the Web values for those in front of the screen, as well as the possible control exerted by them on the Internet. It will suggest (i) an alternative history of the Internet, (ii) that there is a disjunction between the values linked to social imaginaries, and (iii) that there are considerable variations between the values of the users, not least in different parts of the world.

This thesis aims to explore the role of values in shaping the evolution and control of the Internet and the Web, regarding social imaginaries. Whilst the question of values in the design, operation and governance of the Internet is well documented from the point of view of the social imaginary behind the screen, relatively little is known about the values that are important to the users of the Web who have been so central in driving forward its growth in the last 25 years. The thesis will: (i) draw on published histories and other secondary sources to trace the role of values in shaping the Internet, and the Web as controlled technical infrastructures; (ii) conduct original empirical research to explore the Web values for those in front of the screen, as well as the possible control exerted by them on the Internet. It will suggest (i) an alternative history of the Internet, (ii) that there is a disjunction between the values linked to social imaginaries, and (iii) that there are considerable variations between the values of the users, not least in different parts of the world.

The goal of the present study was to examine how effective use of teaching strategies predict reading growth among a sample of English Language Learners. The study specifically examined whether the types of teaching strategies that predict growth in decoding skills also predict growth in comprehension skills. The sample consisted of students in 1st grade (n=115) and 2nd grade (n=95) who were identified as English Language Learners by their California English Language Development Test (CELDT) scores. Students were assessed with decoding and comprehension reading measures in the Fall of the first year of the study and in the Fall of the second year of the study. Classroom observations were conducted at three time points during the school year during language arts instruction. The English Language Learner Classroom Observation Instrument was completed to record objective measures of reading instruction during classroom activities. A total of 24 first-grade (n=14) and second-grade (n=10) classrooms were observed over the course of the first year of the study. Our findings suggest that teaching strategies are differentially effective for different reading skills and outcomes. This suggests that instructional intent is important to consider in the implementation of teaching strategies. Growth in beginning stages of reading such as sight-word reading might be associated primarily with strategies targeting engagement, while reading skills such as decoding and comprehension require strategies in which the teacher is focused on modeling skills and strategies and monitoring student comprehension. Our preliminary analyses suggest that there are different sets of strategies that are uniquely effective depending on the desired reading outcome.

The goal of the present study was to examine how effective use of teaching strategies predict reading growth among a sample of English Language Learners. The study specifically examined whether the types of teaching strategies that predict growth in decoding skills also predict growth in comprehension skills. The sample consisted of students in 1st grade (n=115) and 2nd grade (n=95) who were identified as English Language Learners by their California English Language Development Test (CELDT) scores. Students were assessed with decoding and comprehension reading measures in the Fall of the first year of the study and in the Fall of the second year of the study. Classroom observations were conducted at three time points during the school year during language arts instruction. The English Language Learner Classroom Observation Instrument was completed to record objective measures of reading instruction during classroom activities. A total of 24 first-grade (n=14) and second-grade (n=10) classrooms were observed over the course of the first year of the study. Our findings suggest that teaching strategies are differentially effective for different reading skills and outcomes. This suggests that instructional intent is important to consider in the implementation of teaching strategies. Growth in beginning stages of reading such as sight-word reading might be associated primarily with strategies targeting engagement, while reading skills such as decoding and comprehension require strategies in which the teacher is focused on modeling skills and strategies and monitoring student comprehension. Our preliminary analyses suggest that there are different sets of strategies that are uniquely effective depending on the desired reading outcome.