RAND Research Topic: South Atlantic States 2012-05-24T14:57:44Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/south-atlantic-states.html National Evaluation of Safe Start Promising Approaches: Assessing Program Outcomes http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR991-1.html Jan 4, 2012 Jan 4, 2012 Safe Start Promising Approaches (SSPA) is the second phase of a community-based initiative focused on developing and fielding interventions to prevent and reduce the impact of children's exposure to violence. This report shares the results of SSPA, which was intended to implement and evaluate promising and evidence-based programs in 15 program sites across the country. Reading Coach Quality: Findings from Florida Middle Schools http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100262.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 This article examines what constitutes, contributes to, and is associated with high-quality coaches and coaching. Authors find that coaches generally held many of the qualifications recommended by state and national experts and principals and teachers rated their coaches highly on many indicators of quality. However, several common concerns about recruiting, retaining, and supporting high-quality coaches emerged. Mapping the Gaps: Ideas for Using GIS to Enhance Local Health Department Priority Setting and Program Planning http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1146.html Oct 19, 2011 Oct 19, 2011 Geographic information system (GIS) mapping software is a promising tool for enhancing priority-setting and resource allocation in local health departments (LHDs) by displaying complex geospatial information in an integrated, visual way, enabling comparison of where health services are needed with where they are provided. The study describes options for accessing GIS data and suggests ways for LHDs to integrate GIS into their planning activities. Positive Income Shocks and Accidental Deaths Among Cherokee Indians: A Natural Experiment http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100120.html Dec 31, 2010 Dec 31, 2010 This study of a Cherokee Indian population in North Carolina found that sudden increases in income were associated with short-term increases in risk-taking behavior and higher rates of accidental death. The Central Office in a Decentralized System http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201000160.html Nov 30, 2010 Nov 30, 2010 In this article, the author examines two school districts that are highly decentralized to understand the central-office roles: (1) Edmonton, Canada; and (2) Lake Wales Charter Schools District in central Florida. Association Between Physician Specialty and Uptake of New Medical Technologies: HPV Tests in Florida Medicaid http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201000159.html Oct 31, 2010 Oct 31, 2010 Uptake of new cervical cancer screening protocols can occur quickly among traditionally underserved groups and may be aided by early adoption by specialists. Local Law Enforcement's Counterterrorism Initiatives Have Evolved into All-Hazards Strategies http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1031.html Oct 28, 2010 Oct 28, 2010 Law enforcement agencies in areas where terrorist threats are considered to be high have expanded their focus beyond traditional crime prevention and investigation to include counterterrorism and homeland security operations. Local Law Enforcement's Counterterrorism Initiatives Have Evolved into All-Hazards Strategies http://www.rand.org/news/press/2010/10/28.html Oct 27, 2010 Oct 27, 2010 Law enforcement agencies in areas where terrorist threats are considered to be high have expanded their focus beyond traditional crime prevention and investigation to include counterterrorism and homeland security operations. How Instructional Coaches Support Data-Driven Decision Making: Policy Implementation and Effects in Florida Middle Schools http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20100058.html Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2009 <p>This article examines the convergence of two popular school improvement policies: instructional coaching and data-driven decision making (DDDM). Drawing on a mixed methods study of a statewide reading coach program in Florida middle schools, the article examines how coaches support DDDM and how this support relates to student and teacher outcomes.</p> Linking Reading Coaches and Student Achievement: Evidence from Florida Middle Schools http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201000117.html Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2009 <p>Although reading coaches are increasingly prevalent in schools nationwide, empirical evidence for their effects on student achievement is scarce. This article helps to address this gap by conducting an evaluation of a statewide reading coach program in Florida middle schools.</p> What Are the Effects of Charter Schools on Educational Attainment in Eight States? http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG869.html Mar 17, 2009 Mar 17, 2009 <p>Along with the growth of the charter school movement has come contentious debate about its effects on both charter students and those in nearby traditional public schools. This study helps determine why previous research has drawn differing conclusions through its examination of charter schools' effect on overall educational attainment.</p> Florida's Middle School Reading Coaches: What Do They Do? Are They Effective? http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9374.html Aug 15, 2008 Aug 15, 2008 <p>This research brief reports the results of a study examining the implementation and effectiveness of a middle school reading coach program in Florida.</p> Supporting Literacy Across the Sunshine State: A Study of Florida Middle School Reading Coaches http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG762.html Aug 13, 2008 Aug 13, 2008 <p>Despite recent progress in reading achievement among primary-grade children, many are not moving beyond basic decoding to fluency and comprehension as they go on to higher grades. RAND evaluated the impact of reading coaches &mdash; master teachers who offer ongoing on-site instructional support for teachers &mdash; on teaching practices and student outcomes in Florida middle schools.</p> Educational Vouchers for Universal Pre-Schools http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20070219.html Jan 31, 2007 Jan 31, 2007 RAND Study Finds Most Schools Fail to Fully Adopt Reform Models Designed to Boost Student Achievement http://www.rand.org/news/press/2006/11/09.html Nov 9, 2006 Nov 9, 2006 November 9, 2006 News Release: RAND Study Finds Most Schools Fail to Fully Adopt Reform Models Designed to Boost Student Achievement. Lynn E. Davis Appointed Director of RAND Washington Office http://www.rand.org/news/press/2006/09/19.html Sep 19, 2006 Sep 19, 2006 September 19, 2006 News Release: Lynn E. Davis Appointed Director of RAND Washington Office. RAND Gulf States Policy Institute Supports Long-Term Strategic Planning in the Region http://www.rand.org/gulf-states.html Nov 30, 2005 Nov 30, 2005 Established in December 2005 to support hurricane recovery and long-term economic development, the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute is dedicated to developing informed public policy in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and a better future for the people who live there. Evaluation of Community Voices Miami: Affecting Health Policy for the Uninsured http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR177.html Oct 13, 2004 Oct 13, 2004 <p>An evaluation of Community Voices Miami (CVM), a project aimed at enhancing health care access and quality for the underserved in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The report concludes that CVM affected intermediate outcomes &#8211; raising awareness of issues, getting safety-net providers to collaborate, nurturing neighborhood-based solutions, and advocating for establishment of an independent health care planning body; but measurement of ultimate outcomes &#8211; access to health care &#8211; remains for future study.</p> Storms Blow, But We Can Cut Losses http://www.rand.org/commentary/2004/09/16/TP.html Sep 16, 2004 Sep 16, 2004 Published commentary by RAND staff. Reforming Teacher Education: Spotlight on University of Virginia http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9062.html Dec 31, 2003 Dec 31, 2003 This research brief describes work documented in Reforming Teacher Education: A First Year Progress Report on Teachers for a New Era (TR-149-EDU).