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Evaluation policies set an important frame of reference for how evaluations are implemented. Despite the central influence that policies play in how evaluations are conducted, little empirical work has been conducted to better understand how these policies are interpreted and implemented. This paper describes the findings of case study evaluation designed to examine the implementation of a California State evaluation policy that required grantees to conduct scientifically based research of their improving teacher quality projects. Study findings point to variation in individuals' perceptions of what constitutes high-quality SBR and the extent to which they felt that SBR should be conducted in their specific settings. Other findings point to opportunities for increasing the role of formative evaluation within these projects. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)

Sixty industrially injured workers of Mexican origin were examined to determine the psychological effects of early versus late referral to the California workers' compensation vocational rehabilitation system. Depression and dependency scores were significantly lower and self-esteem scores were higher for the early referral group compared to the late referral group. (Author/JDD)

Background: Thrombocytosis following splenectomy is a common occurrence. Whether this thrombocytosis leads to a higher risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear. This investigation aimed to determine if splenectomy increases the risk for VTE.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the SICU between 1/2011 and 11/2013 investigating the VTE risk in patients undergoing a splenectomy compared with those undergoing any other abdominal procedure.Results: In total 2503 patients were admitted to the SICU: 37 (2%) after a splenectomy and 638 (26%) after any other abdominal surgery. Splenectomy patients had a higher incidence of VTE compared to patients undergoing any other abdominal procedure (29.7% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.01). After adjustment, splenectomy was associated with a higher adjusted risk for VTE compared to the no-splenectomy group (AOR [95% CI]: 2.6 [1.2, 5.9], p = 0.02). Reactive thrombocytosis did not predict the development of VTE.Conclusion: Splenectomy increases the risk for VTE, however reactive thrombocytosis is not associated with this higher incidence. Further investigations are required to characterize the pathophysiologic mechanisms of VTE development following splenectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]