Socioeconomic status (SES) and the benefits of the “continuous assessment and progression system (CAPS)” in lower secondary education in Myanmar

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natsuho Yoshida

PurposeThis study investigated the trends of repetition and dropout rates in Myanmar's lower secondary education before and after the introduction of the “Continuous Assessment and Progression System (CAPS)” and probed the dependence of these tendencies on high-, middle- and low- socioeconomic status (SES). The obtained results were then examined to extract effective policy implications for the achievement of universal secondary education as specified in the Sustainable Development Goals.Design/methodology/approachBefore and after the CAPS introduction at four government secondary schools, grade repetition and dropout rate trends were examined with respect to differences in students' SES. The analysis utilised a sample of 7,272 students from target secondary schools in urban Yangon Region, Myanmar.FindingsIt was found that since the introduction of CAPS, the grade repetition rates had fallen significantly in all SES groups, so was effective regardless of students' SES. The results also demonstrated the influence of unequal CAPS on dropout rates: in the middle-SES group, significant falls to nearly zero post-CAPS implementation. The high-SES group was at ceiling pre- and post-CAPS, so was unaffected. However, in the low-SES group, high dropout rates persisted, indicating that the poor socioeconomic backgrounds of these students significantly reduced the benefits of CAPS.Originality/valueRather than using cross-sectional data such as education statistics, this study used longitudinal data based on academic enrollment registries that included information on individual enrollment statuses, which allowed for the relationships between grade repetition, school dropout, education policies and socioeconomic circumstances to be elucidated.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lealaolesau Fitu

<p>This thesis investigates the dropout problem in Samoan schools particularly at primary and secondary levels from 1995 to 2007. It aims at identifying and comparing the dropout rate by region (or geographical locations), school level (primary, primary/secondary and secondary) and school status (Government, Mission and Private). Moreover, it also investigates whether the student-teacher ratio, school size, the gender and ethnicity of the teacher, the qualification of the teacher, the school building and school facility variables are associated with the dropout of students. The investigation is carried out through analysis of census data gathered annually by the Samoa Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC) through census forms from all the primary and secondary schools in the country. Given our response variable is a dichotomous one, the logit regression models to model the effect of both the categorical and continuous explanatory variables on the dropout was adopted. Moreover, since the dropout rates across different year levels (eg, Year 2, Year 3, and Year 13) are correlated within each school we then use the Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) approach. The results show that higher dropout rates are found in the rural areas (Rest of Upolu combined with Savaii region) as compared to urban area (Apia urban region). In addition, students are more likely to leave secondary schools earlier than primary or primary/secondary schools. Apparently, the majority of these dropouts are those who have attended Government schools. Surprisingly, students are less likely to get affected with the dropout in larger schools and those schools with higher student-teacher ratios. The gender of the school teacher has nothing to do with the dropout however; having more Samoan and highly qualified teachers in a school will significantly reduce the dropout rate. Nonetheless, a couple of school building variables are significantly associated with the dropout in the positive direction, while another couple inversely relate with the dropout. Schools with more trucks as means of transportation for students, and more radios for school programs and students’ activities are less likely to get affected with the dropouts.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Antonio Arribas Díaz ◽  
Catalina Martínez-Mediano

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of quality management systems (QMS) based on international standards of quality in education (ISO 9001:2008) and ascertain the influence of this quality model on primary and secondary schools in Spain. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in 26 publicly funded, private schools in Spain. The research design was a three-phase, mixed-methods evaluation. In all, 809 teachers answered the main survey questionnaire in Phase 3, which was validated through expert reviews and exploratory factor analysis against two theoretically derived dimensions of quality. The total scores of the two dimensions demonstrated Cronbach’s alpha reliability estimate > 0.95. A discriminant function analysis was applied next to compare three groups of schools based on teachers’ QMS ratings, using students’ achievement and other school quality indicators as predictors. Findings The QMS model was perceived to have contributed to improvements in documentation and management through evaluation, continuous improvement processes, the schools’ external image, management of resources and user satisfaction levels. Some of the improvements lasted over time. The schools rated as “high” by teachers on QMS implementation levels had better educational outcomes, as well as user perception and satisfaction levels, as compared to schools rated as “low”. Drawbacks of the QMS model were perceived as high bureaucratic workloads and a top–down management culture. Practical implications The findings suggest that ISO standards of QMS can be adopted in primary and secondary education institutions successfully, and that they are suitable for improving schools and educational systems overall. Originality/value The study’s originality lies in the demonstrated outcomes of the QMS approach, originally created for industrial environments, in a large Spanish primary and secondary education institution using a three-phase, mixed-methods design.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (61) ◽  
pp. 27-42
Author(s):  
Rossana Patron

This paper shows that when student heterogeneity is introduced in the analysis, differences in the quality of education and in the probability of repetition, typical in developing countries, mark the contrast between an attractive and an inconvenient investment in education. The methodology associates educational quality and repetition rates with educational returns. In particular, it makes apparent that lower secondary education, in the case of Uruguay, is an inconvenient investment for disadvantaged students, even disregarding the possibility of such students not being able to afford the opportunity costs, this fact probably also explains the heavy dropout rates of this student type in many developing countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. 1592-1595
Author(s):  
Julio Sokolich ◽  
Jacentha Buggs ◽  
Michael LaVere ◽  
Kobe Robichaux ◽  
Ebonie Rogers ◽  
...  

Background Studies have shown significant improvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rates after liver transplantation since the united network of organ sharing (UNOS) implementation of a 6-month wait period prior to accrued exception model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) points enacted on October 8, 2015. However, few have examined the impact on HCC dropout rates for patients awaiting liver transplant. Our objective is to evaluate the outcomes of HCC dropout rates before and after the mandatory 6-month wait policy enacted. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study on adult patients added to the liver transplant wait list between January 1, 2012, and March 8, 2019 (n = 767). Information was obtained through electronic medical records and organ procurement and transplant network (OPTN) publicly available national data reports. Results In response to the 2015 UNOS-mandated 6-month wait time, dropout rates in the HCC patient population at our center increased from 12% pre-mandate to 20.8% post-mandate This increase was similarly reflected in the national dropout rate, which also increased from 26.3% pre-mandate to 29.0% post-mandate. Discussion From these changes, it is evident that the UNOS mandate achieved its goal of increasing equity of liver organ allocation, but HCC patients are nonetheless dropping off of the wait list at an increased rate and are therefore disadvantaged.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lealaolesau Fitu

<p>This thesis investigates the dropout problem in Samoan schools particularly at primary and secondary levels from 1995 to 2007. It aims at identifying and comparing the dropout rate by region (or geographical locations), school level (primary, primary/secondary and secondary) and school status (Government, Mission and Private). Moreover, it also investigates whether the student-teacher ratio, school size, the gender and ethnicity of the teacher, the qualification of the teacher, the school building and school facility variables are associated with the dropout of students. The investigation is carried out through analysis of census data gathered annually by the Samoa Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC) through census forms from all the primary and secondary schools in the country. Given our response variable is a dichotomous one, the logit regression models to model the effect of both the categorical and continuous explanatory variables on the dropout was adopted. Moreover, since the dropout rates across different year levels (eg, Year 2, Year 3, and Year 13) are correlated within each school we then use the Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) approach. The results show that higher dropout rates are found in the rural areas (Rest of Upolu combined with Savaii region) as compared to urban area (Apia urban region). In addition, students are more likely to leave secondary schools earlier than primary or primary/secondary schools. Apparently, the majority of these dropouts are those who have attended Government schools. Surprisingly, students are less likely to get affected with the dropout in larger schools and those schools with higher student-teacher ratios. The gender of the school teacher has nothing to do with the dropout however; having more Samoan and highly qualified teachers in a school will significantly reduce the dropout rate. Nonetheless, a couple of school building variables are significantly associated with the dropout in the positive direction, while another couple inversely relate with the dropout. Schools with more trucks as means of transportation for students, and more radios for school programs and students’ activities are less likely to get affected with the dropouts.</p>


1981 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 935-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Salar ◽  
Salvatore Mingrino ◽  
Marco Trabucchi ◽  
Angelo Bosio ◽  
Carlo Semenza

✓ The β-endorphin content in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in 10 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia during medical treatment (with or without carbamazepine) and after selective thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion. These values were compared with those obtained in a control group of seven patients without pain problems. No statistically significant difference was found between patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and those without pain. Furthermore, neither pharmacological treatment nor surgery changed CSF endorphin values. It is concluded that there is no pathogenetic relationship between trigeminal neuralgia and endorphins.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Tucha ◽  
Christian Smely ◽  
Michael Preier ◽  
Georg Becker ◽  
Geraldine M. Paul ◽  
...  

Object. There is presently no specific information available concerning the nature and course of cognitive deficits caused by intracranial meningiomas. In this prospective study the authors examined the cognitive functioning of patients with frontal meningiomas. Methods. Fifty-four patients with frontal meningiomas were examined neuropsychologically before and after neurosurgery. The test battery consisted of standardized instruments including those assessing memory, attention, visuoconstructive abilities, and executive functions. The time period between pre-and postoperative assessment ranged from 4 to 9 months. The patients' performance was compared with the results in 54 healthy adults who were also assessed twice by using the same test battery in a period ranging from 4 to 9 months. In addition, the effect on cognition of meningioma lateralization, localization, lesion size, edema, brain compression, time course, and the occurrence of preoperative seizures was analyzed. Conclusions. Except in the case of working memory, comparisons of pre- and postoperative assessments of cognition revealed no differences in memory, visuoconstructive abilities, or executive functions, although a postoperative improvement in attentional functions was observed. The results of this study indicate that the surgical removal of frontal meningiomas does not impair patients' cognitive functioning. Furthermore, improvements in attentional functions may occur in these patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Rajesh Pathak

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of the day-of-the-week (DOW) and January effect in the Indian currency market for selected currency pairs; USD-(Indian rupee) INR, EUR-INR, GBP-INR and JPY-INR, from January, 1999 to December, 2014. Design/methodology/approach – Ordinary least square regression analysis is used to examine the presence of DOW and January effect to test the efficiency of the Indian currency market. The sample period is later divided into two sub-periods, that is, pre- and post-2008 to capture the behavior of returns before and after the 2008 financial crisis. Further, the authors also use the non-parametric technique, the Kruskal-Wallis test, to provide robustness check for the results. Findings – The results indicate that the returns during Monday to Wednesday are positive and higher than the returns on Thursday and Friday which show negative returns. The returns during January are found to be higher than the returns during rest of the year. Further, all currencies exhibit significant DOW and January effects in pre-crisis period, however, post-crisis; these effects disappear for all currencies indicating that the markets have become more efficient in the later time. The findings can be further attributed to the increased intervention in the forex markets by the Reserve Bank of India after the crisis. Practical implications – The results have important implications for both traders and investors. The findings suggest that the investors might not be able to earn excess profits by timing their positions in some particular currencies taking the advantage of DOW or January effect which in turn indicates that the currency markets have become more efficient with time. The results are in conformity with those reported for the developed markets. The results might be appealing to the practitioners as well in a way that they can consider the state of financial market for financial decision making. Originality/value – The authors provide the first study to examine the calendar anomalies (DOW and January effect) across a range of emerging currencies using 16 years of data from January, 1999 to December, 2014. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has yet examined these calendar anomalies in the currency markets using data which covers two important periods, pre-2008 and post-2008.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 989-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Plüss-Suard ◽  
A. Pannatier ◽  
C. Ruffieux ◽  
A. Kronenberg ◽  
K. Mühlemann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe original cefepime product was withdrawn from the Swiss market in January 2007 and replaced by a generic 10 months later. The goals of the study were to assess the impact of this cefepime shortage on the use and costs of alternative broad-spectrum antibiotics, on antibiotic policy, and on resistance ofPseudomonas aeruginosatoward carbapenems, ceftazidime, and piperacillin-tazobactam. A generalized regression-based interrupted time series model assessed how much the shortage changed the monthly use and costs of cefepime and of selected alternative broad-spectrum antibiotics (ceftazidime, imipenem-cilastatin, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam) in 15 Swiss acute care hospitals from January 2005 to December 2008. Resistance ofP. aeruginosawas compared before and after the cefepime shortage. There was a statistically significant increase in the consumption of piperacillin-tazobactam in hospitals with definitive interruption of cefepime supply and of meropenem in hospitals with transient interruption of cefepime supply. Consumption of each alternative antibiotic tended to increase during the cefepime shortage and to decrease when the cefepime generic was released. These shifts were associated with significantly higher overall costs. There was no significant change in hospitals with uninterrupted cefepime supply. The alternative antibiotics for which an increase in consumption showed the strongest association with a progression of resistance were the carbapenems. The use of alternative antibiotics after cefepime withdrawal was associated with a significant increase in piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem use and in overall costs and with a decrease in susceptibility ofP. aeruginosain hospitals. This warrants caution with regard to shortages and withdrawals of antibiotics.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document