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Partnership approach supports ADHD-diagnosed students one grade at a time

A recent research project explores whether teacher-to-teacher consultation can maintain gains in positive behavior from students with ADHD during their transition from one grade to the next.
A recent research project explores whether teacher-to-teacher consultation can maintain gains in positive behavior from students with ADHD during their transition from one grade to the next.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is not limited to certain hours of the day. For diagnosed children, the condition is with them every hour of every day, year-round.

And their needs will evolve as they grow older.

Given the chronic and changing nature of ADHD — a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it difficult to focus and control impulsive behavior — effective treatment must be flexible and consistent throughout the child’s life span, both at home and school. Full Article

Taking a bite out of immigrant dental health misconceptions

Patient Oscar Kaled Gonzales gets a checkup from Nebraska College of Dentistry students Olivia Straka and Maddi McConnaughhay at Lincoln's El Centro de las Americas.
Patient Oscar Kaled Gonzales gets a checkup from UNMC College of Dentistry students Maddi McConnaughhay and Olivia Straka at Lincoln’s El Centro de las Américas.

Something to chew on: Despite oral disease being mostly preventable, it remains one of the world’s most common illnesses. But for many Latino immigrant families, limited access and high cost make dental services prohibitive.

While studies demonstrate that dental appearance and aesthetics have important implications for positive self-esteem, relationships and employment outcomes, perceptions of dental aesthetics held by immigrant families have not been investigated. Full Article

Project enhances Nebraska STEM access, understanding

Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall.
Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall as part of the NebraskaSTEM project for supporting elementary rural leadership.

Recent studies show that 85 percent of the U.S. population has access to 4G — fourth-generation — broadband network technology.

Which means 15 percent of Americans do not.

In Nebraska, the numbers are better: A recent report by Nebraska Broadband indicates broadband is available to 99.5 percent of the state’s residents. Full Article

Examining strategies to enhance the arithmetic-to-algebra transition

Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help students with math learning difficulties prepare for algebra.
Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help students with math learning difficulties prepare for algebra.

For students struggling to learn math, confusion and frustration can be common denominators. But a recent University of Nebraska research project aims to help remove those negative factors from the equation.

According to previous studies, students with math learning difficulties experience the most severe and persistent underachievement in algebra compared to their peers. Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help such students prepare for algebra. Full Article

Video available for Marc Goodrich presentation

Marc Goodrich, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, leads a March 29 Methodology Applications Series presentation at the Nebraska Union.
Marc Goodrich, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, leads a March 29 Methodology Applications Series presentation at the Nebraska Union.

Marc Goodrich, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, led a March 29 presentation in the 2018-19 Methodology Applications Series. His presentation, “Addressing One Research Question Using Multiple Methodological Approaches,” is now available on video. Full Article

Identifying immigrant families’ health issues through Census data

Evan Choi, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is using U.S. Census Bureau data to examine rural, low-income immigrant families and their health-related behaviors.
Evan Choi, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is using U.S. Census Bureau data to examine rural, low-income immigrant families and their health-related behaviors.

Although studies reveal that immigrants and ethnic minorities are among those at greatest risk for poor health outcomes, little research exists on rural immigrants who experience a disproportionate burden of poverty and economic hardship.

Evan Choi, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is using restricted-access versions of U.S. Census Bureau data to examine rural, low-income immigrant families and their health-related behaviors — and how they relate to their children’s health and developmental outcomes. Full Article

Study examines STEM pathways in the community college

Elvira Abrica, assistant professor of educational leadership and higher education, is examining institutional factors within community colleges that affect students from underrepresented and underserved populations who wish to transfer to four-year institutions in STEM fields.
Elvira Abrica, assistant professor of educational leadership and higher education, is examining institutional factors within community colleges that affect students from underrepresented and underserved populations who wish to transfer to four-year institutions in STEM fields.

As demand increases for a growing workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the nation’s colleges and universities strive to recruit and retain students from diverse backgrounds.

Open-access institutions, including community colleges, enroll the majority of U.S. college students and play a crucial role in increasing the number of graduates with STEM degrees. Full Article

Adding up factors of how children learn mathematics

Carrie Clark, assistant professor of educational psychology, is using functional MRI technology to capture brain activity while children learn mathematics.
Carrie Clark, assistant professor of educational psychology, is using functional MRI technology to capture brain activity while children learn mathematics.

What is 72 multiplied by 12? While fourth-graders will focus on arriving at the correct answer, Nebraska researcher Carrie Clark wants to know what happens in the brain as they learn to solve the problem.

Clark, assistant professor of educational psychology, is using functional MRI technology to capture brain activity while children learn mathematics. Funded by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Office of Research and Economic Development and housed at CYFS, she is exploring the relationship between children’s mathematics learning and executive function — the ability to maintain focus and behave in a goal-oriented way. Full Article