A study of the impact of cigarette advertising on adolescent susceptibility to smoking among 5th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade students in Hempstead and Hitchcock Independent School Districts

This study assessed the impact of cigarette advertising on adolescent susceptibility to smoking in the Hempstead and Hitchcock Independent School Districts. A convenience sample of 217 youths, 10-19 years of age was recruited in the study. Students completed both a paper-and-pencil and a computer-aided questionnaire in April 1996. Adolescents were defined as susceptible to smoking if they could not definitely rule out the possibility of future smoking. For the analysis, an index was devised: a 5-point index of an individual's receptivity to cigarette advertising. The index is determined by the number of positive responses to five survey items (recognizing cigarette brand logos, recognizing cigarette advertisement's pictures, recognizing cigarette brand slogans, evaluating adolescent attitudes toward cigarette advertising, and the degree to which adolescents were exposed to cigarette advertisements). Using logistic regression, we assessed the independent importance of the index in predicting susceptibility to smoking and ever smoking after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, perceived school performance and family composition. Of students surveyed, 54.4% of students appeared to have started the smoking uptake process as measured by susceptibility to smoking. Camel was recognized by the majority of students (88%), followed by Marlboro (41.5%) and Newport (40.1%). The pattern for recognition of the cigarette advertisements was the same as the pattern of market for cigarette. Advertisement featuring the cartoon character Joe Camel was significantly more appealing to adolescents than were advertisements with human models, with animal models, and with text only (p $<$ 0.001). Text only advertisement was significantly less appealing than other types of advertisements. The cigarette advertisement with White models (Marlboro) had significantly higher appeal to White students than to African-American students (p $<$ 0.001). The cigarette advertisement featuring African-American models (Virginia Slims) was significantly more appealing to African-American students than other ethnic groups (p $<$ 0.001). Receptivity to cigarette advertising was to be an important concurrent predictor of past smoking experience and intention to smoke in the future. Adolescents who scored in the fourth quartile of the Index of Receptivity to Cigarette Advertising were 7.54 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.92-29.56) times as likely to be susceptible to smoking, and were 4.56 (95% CI = 1.55-13.38) times as likely to have tried smoking, as those who scored in the first quartile of the Index. The findings confirmed the hypothesis that cigarette advertising may be a strong current influence in encouraging adolescents to initiate the smoking uptake process than sociodemographic variables, perceived school performance and family composition. ^

A Qualitative Study of the Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process in Four Pennsylvania School Districts

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the Assistive Technology decision making process at four regional school districts in Pennsylvania. A qualitative case study research method involving the triangulation of data sources was implemented to collect and analyze data. Through an analysis of the data, three major topics emerged that will be addressed in the body of this paper: (a) the procedure for determining assistive technology needs and the dynamics of the decision-making process, b) the cohesiveness of Special Education and General Education programs, and c) major concerns that impact the delivery of assistive technology services.

The Need for Professional Translation and Interpretation in School Districts

The language barrier prevents Latino students from experiencing academic success, and prevents Latino parents from participating in their children's education. Through a review of journal articles, research projects, doctoral dissertations, legislation, and books, this project studies the benefits and dangers of various methods of translating and interpreting in the education system, including issues created by language barriers in schools, common methods of translating and interpreting, and legislation addressing language barriers and education. The project reveals that schools use various methods to translate and interpret, including relying on children, school staff and machine translation, although such methods are often problematic and inaccurate. The project also reveals that professional translation and interpretation are superior to the various non-professional methods.

Aspects of teacher supply and demand in public school districts and private schools, 1987-88 /

"Data series: DR-SAS-87/88.

Reorganization plan no. 16 of 1950 : transferring the functions of the General Services Administration relating to assistance to local school districts and water pollution control to the Federal Security Agency : report.

Also in Congressional serial volume 11368.

Comparative statistics, counties of Washington and condition of school districts /

Title varies slightly.

Financial report and public debt statement, Ohio school districts.

Mode of access: Internet.

An atlas of proposed new intermediate school districts for New York state; approved by the Research Committee of the Council on Rural Education.

pt. I. Descriptive material.--pt. II. Maps.

Ranking of Michigan public high school districts by selected financial data /

Title from cover.

Reorganization of school districts in Kansas, 1945-46; a report of reorganizations accomplished on March 1, 1946, together with subsequent reorganization activity, by counties, with state summary.

Mode of access: Internet.

Compilation of the public school laws of New Mexico, 1915; containing sections 4807-5177 of the 1915 codification of the New Mexico statutes (annotated) relating to schools, school districts and state institutions; chapters 19, 29, 33, 36, 38, 45, 74,79, 81, 82, 88, and 89 of the session laws of 1915; and extracts from the state constitution relating to education.

Mode of access: Internet.

An introductory planning guide for local school districts : a product of the Section for Educational Planning, Division for Management and Planning Services, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

WI docs. no.: Ed.3/2:5060.

A handbook of information on New York state education law, regulations and decisions of the commissioner of education, for the guidance of school administrators and boards of education in central and union free school districts of New York state,

"Index to helpful New York State Education Department bulletins and pamphlets": p. [3] of cover.

Illinois public school districts and schools /

Title from cover.