High-stakes literacy tests and local effects in a rural school

High-stakes literacy testing is now a ubiquitous educational phenomenon. However, it remains a relatively recent phenomenon in Australia. Hence it is possible to study the ways in which such tests are reorganising educators’ work during this period of change. This paper draws upon Dorothy Smith’s Institutional Ethnography and critical policy analysis to consider this problem and reports on interview data from teachers and the principal in small rural school in a poor area of South Australia. In this context high-stakes testing and the associated diagnostic school review unleashes a chain of actions within the school which ultimately results in educators doubting their professional judgments, increasing the investment in testing, narrowing their teaching of literacy and purchasing levelled reading schemes. The effects of high-stakes testing in disadvantaged schools are identified and discussed.

Effects of size of health service on scope of rural nursing practice

This paper presents the findings of an analysis of the activities of rural nurses from a national audit of the role and function of the rural nurse (Hegney, Pearson and McCarthy 1997). The results suggest that the size of the health service (defined by the number of acute beds) influences the activities of rural nurses. Further, the study reports on the differences of the context of practice between different size rural health services and the impact this has on the scope of rural nursing practice. The paper will conclude that the size of the health service is an outcome of rurality (small population densities, distance from larger health facilities, lack of on-site medical and allied health staff). It also notes that the size of the health service is a major contextual determinant of patient acuity and staff skill-mix in small rural hospitals, and therefore the scope of rural nursing practice.

Diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia in small aboriginal community in northern Australia

A small rural Aboriginal community in northern Australia was surveyed for diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), hyperinsulinemia, and lipid levels. Of the 122 adults >17 yr of age who participated (95% response rate), 11.5% had diabetes, 7.4% had IGT, and the remaining 81.1% had normal glucose tolerance. Both diabetes and IGT were strongly age related. This high frequency of diabetes occurred, despite the population being relatively lean. Although the body mass index (BMI) increased with age in both men and women, only 25% of the population overall had BMI >25 kg/m2. There were wide ranges of insulin responses to glucose, with the upper fertile of 2-h insulin levels being more than seven times higher than the lower fertile (144 ± 13 vs. 19 ± 1 mLI/L). Hyperinsulinemia was associated with IGT, elevated triglycerides, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Lipid abnormalities were much more frequent among men than women. Cholesterol levels were an average of 0.55 mM higher and triglycerides an average of 1.05 mM higher in men than in women, and both increased with age. In conclusion, this small isolated Aboriginal population from northern Australia had an unexpectedly high frequency of diabetes (in view of their relative leanness) in association with a high frequency of metabolic abnormalities indicative of insulin resistance (hyperinsulinemia, IGT, hypertriglyceridemia).

How relevant are science curricula for rural and remote students?

This paper reports findings from the Choosing Science study (Lyons & Quinn, 2010) indicating that Australian Year 10 students in small rural or remote areas tend to regard their science lessons as less relevant than do students in larger towns and cities. Specifically, those in small rural or remote schools were significantly more inclined than their city peers to disagree that what they learned in science classes 'helped them make sense of the world'. They were also significantly more likely to strongly agree that they found science lessons boring, and to strongly disagree that science was one of the most interesting subjects. Potential explanations discussed include a mismatch between science curriculum content and the everyday experiences of students in these regions, the relative shortage of experienced specialist science teachers in rural or remote areas and a lack of opportunities to demonstrate the relevance of school science, among others. The paper considers the implications of these findings in relation to the Australian Science Curriculum and whether it is likely to better address the needs of rural and remote students.

Rural high school students' attitudes towards school science

This paper reports findings from an Australian survey of Year 10 students (N=3759) indicating that those in small rural and remote areas tend to enjoy school science significantly less than their peers in larger towns and cities (Lyons & Quinn, 2010). The study also found that rural and remote students were less inclined than those in other locations to enjoy science relative to other subjects. Such a result has not previously been recorded in the science education literature and raises a number of questions about the relevance and quality of the science education experienced by rural and remote students. It also raises timely questions about the applicability to rural and remote students of an Australian Science Curriculum. The paper explores these issues and their implications for policy and research.

Guaiac versus immunochemical tests: Faecal occult blood test screening for colorectal cancer in a rural community

Objective: To describe patient participation and clinical performance in a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program utilising faecal occult blood test (FOBT). Methods: A community-based intervention was conducted in a small, rural community in north Queensland, 2000/01. One of two FOBT kits – guaiac (Hemoccult-ll) or immunochemical (Inform) – was assigned by general practice and mailed to participants (3,358 patients aged 50–74 years listed with the local practices). Results: Overall participation in FOBT screening was 36.3%. Participation was higher with the immunochemical kit than the guaiac kit (OR=1.9, 95% Cl 1.6-2.2). Women were more likely to comply with testing than men (OR=1.4, 95% Cl 1.2-1.7), and people in their 60s were less likely to participate than those 70–74 years (OR=0.8, 95% Cl 0.6-0.9). The positivity rate was higher for the immunochemical (9.5%) than the guaiac (3.9%) test (χ2=9.2, p=0.002), with positive predictive values for cancer or adenoma of advanced pathology of 37.8% (95% Cl 28.1–48.6) for !nform and 40.0% (95% Cl 16.8–68.7) for Hemoccult-ll. Colonoscopy follow-up was 94.8% with a medical complication rate of 2–3%. Conclusions: An immunochemical FOBT enhanced participation. Higher positivity rates for this kit did not translate into higher false-positive rates, and both test types resulted in a high yield of neoplasia. Implications: In addition to type of FOBT, the ultimate success of a population-based screening program for CRC using FOBT will depend on appropriate education of health professionals and the public as well as significant investment in medical infrastructure for colonoscopy follow-up.

Smallholder group certification in Uganda - Analysis of internal control systems in two organic export companies

The organic agricultural sector of Uganda is among the most developed in Africa in terms of its professional institutional network and high growth rates of number of certified farmers and land area. Smallholder farmers are certified organic through contract production for export companies using a group certification scheme (internal control system - ICS). The ICS is a viable and well-accepted tool to certify small-scale producers in developing countries all over the world. Difficulties in certification are still stated to be among the main constraints for Uganda’s organic sector development. Therefore, this paper reports a qualitative case study comprising 34 expert interviews in two organic fresh-produce export companies in central Uganda, aiming to explore the challenges which underlie organic certification with ICS. The study shows that farmers cannot be labelled as ‘organic by default’ but deliberately engage in organic production as a marketing strategy. The small quantities purchased by the organic companies lead to a difficult marketing situation for the farmers, causing production and infiltration risks on the farm level. These risks require increased control that challenges the companies organizationally. The risks and control needs are a reason to involve farmers in ICS procedures and innovatively adapt the ICS by means of a bypass around formal perspective restrictions. The paper discusses different perspectives on risks, risk control and certification.

Melhorias em arranjos produtivos locais: lições de dois casos nordestinos

The research contemplates the dilemma faced by small rural communities producers¿ in north-eastern Brazil maintaining last longing relationships. Due to difficult social conditions in distant regions, small producers utilize practices of commercial exclusivity to obtain sustainability. In the Lago do Junco community case, located in the state of Maranhão, the babaçu oil exports¿, the social environmental appeal guarantee the cluster participants sustainability and the representation of women in society. But social problems related to the lack of formal education e the absence of relationship with local aid organizations causes the non compliance with market demands, leading the cluster to a non-innovative trap. In the honey community case in Simplício Mendes, located in the state of Piauí, the closest relationship with the external aid agents increased the conversion of market demands in reality. The analysis reveal possibilities on obtaining economic sustainability for small producers thru the conscientious utilization of nature resources guaranteeing the harmony between the environmental preservation and the development of both activities, apiculture in Piauí and babaçu oil processing in Maranhão.

Renda e Pobreza entre Famílias no meio Rural do Nordeste

MARIANO, J. L. ; NEDER, H. D. . Renda e Pobreza entre Famílias no meio Rural do Nordeste. In: CONGRESSO DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE ECONOMIA E SOCIOLGOGIA RURAL, 42., 2004, Cuiabá - MT. Anais... Cuiabá, 2004. Dinâmicas Setoriais e Desenvolvimento Regional.

Bioenergia e exclusão regional: a não política nacional agroenergética e os girassóis do RN

This doctoral thesis presents an analysis of the production of bicarbonates and related regional development in Brazil. It is widely believed that one of Brazil s vocations lies in the agro-energy sector. However, current national agro-energy policies, together with the experience of Petrobras (the national oil company) in rural settlements in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, show that Brazil has fallen short of effectively including the North and Northeast regions of the country, let alone small-scale rural producers (residing in rural settlements or not), in the development process and related benefits from the country s participation in the current world energy grid. The methodology entails secondary research related to the theme, such as books, official documents, websites and statistical databases from diverse sources, in addition to an analysis of statements from interviews of Petrobras representatives and other important scientific, institutional and labor union authorities, in relation to agro-energy issues and the socio-economic participation of family-based agriculture in this process. Principal findings show a correlation between agro-energy and regional development, creating the potential for numerous opportunities and challenges. Findings demonstrate the possibility of reversing/reducing historically rooted indices of hunger and poverty that continue to devastate the North and Northeast regions. At the same time, the thesis points to a potentially catastrophic increase in regional disparities, should the present historic moment not be seized upon so as to include these regions. Classic examples of non-policy at the federal level are presented as evidence of the absence of a regionally focused agroenergy policy in the current government, reinforced by the experiences of Petrobras in the Rio Grande do Norte rural settlements. Finally, the thesis concludes that there is an urgent need to create a government-sponsored enterprise (with a structure similar to Petrobras) with the purpose of implementing a truly broad and inclusive development process for the bicarbonates production sector, while remaining attentive to Brazil s opportune and critical role in the world s current agro-energy scenario.

Sistema de alimentação de livre escolha com milho em grão ou moído e concentrado proteico para frangos de corte

O experimento teve como objetivo avaliar os sistemas de alimentação convencional ou de livre escolha, utilizando 6 dietas a base de milho em grão ou moído e concentrado protéico sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte do l° ao 45° dia de idade. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 6x2 (6 tratamentos e 2 sexos), com 3 repetições de 30 aves. Os tratamentos foram: T1-Milho moído + Concentrado do 1° ao 45° dia, fornecidos misturados; T2-Milho moído + Concentrado do 1° ao 45° dia, fornecidos separados em 2 comedouros; T3- Milho moído + Concentrado, fornecidos misturados, do l° ao 14° dia e do 15° ao 45° dia, milho em grão + concentrado, fornecidos misturados; T4 Milho moído + Concentrado, fornecidos misturados, do 1° ao 14° dia e do 15° ao 45° dia, milho em grão + concentrado, fornecidos separados; T5 - Milho moído + Concentrado, fornecidos misturados do 1° ao 21° dia e do 22° ao 45° dia, milho em grão + concentrado, fornecidos misturados; T6- Milho moído + Concentrado, fornecidos separados, do l ° ao 21° dia e do 22° ao 45° dia, milho em grão + concentrado, fornecidos misturados. Pêlos resultados e condições que realizou-se o presente trabalho conclui-se que: o milho em grão pode ser fornecido a frangos de corte misturado ao concentrado a partir do 15° dia de idade; o milho moído não proporcionou bons resultados de desempenho no programa de alimentação de livre escolha: as aves alimentadas com milho em grão apresentaram maior peso de moela, bem como acumularam mais gordura na carcaça; autilização de milho em grão fornecido junto ao concentrado, embora tenha proporcionado desempenho ligeiramente inferior à ração convencional, pode ser considerado satisfarório, sendo uma alternativa para pequenos produtores avícolas.

O sistema agroindustrial do leite na região de Presidente Prudente-SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Políticas públicas no Município de Junqueirópolis (SP): o PRONAF e o PAA

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Formação, dinâmica e a reestruturação da cadeia produtiva do leite na região de Jales-SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desempenho de um sistema híbrido eólico-fotovoltaico de pequeno porte para energização rural

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA