Research Snapshots
School Leader Communication Model
Project: School Leader Communication Model
Investigator: Benjamin Dotger
Department: Teaching and Leadership
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education's Institute for Education Sciences
Amount Awarded: $498,849 (2009-2012)
Background: The School Leader Communication Model (SLCM) is a project to develop simulations that will enhance the preparation of future principals and assistant principals. Although their daily responsibilities include many complex conversations with teachers, parents, and students, school leaders receive little formal training on how to effectively communicate with those different groups. Based on the medical education pedagogy of standardized patients (role-players), and in partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University, the SLCM utilizes standardized individuals to portray parents, teachers, and students in simulated interactions with school leaders. As these administrators engage in multiple simulated interactions, they dually engage in ongoing video debriefings and professional development sessions that target their decision-making and communication patterns.
Impact: Schools of education continue to search for training techniques that prepare principals to transfer knowledge and skills learned within preparation programs into actions and decisions that effectively guide K-12 schools. Simulated interactions may potentially serve as a pedagogical bridge, connecting preservice school leader preparation with the actual daily practices of active principals. In addition, simulated interactions illuminate the strengths and conceptual gaps in professional preparation programs, helping educational researchers to refine school leadership preparation.
HIV Prevention for STD Clinic Patients
Project: HIV Prevention for STD Clinic Patients
Investigators: Michael P. Carey, Theresa E. Senn, Peter A. Vanable, and Kate B. Carey
Department: Psychology, in coordination with the Center for Health and Behavior
Sponsors: National Institutes of Health/Department of Healthand Human Services
Amount Awarded: $2,863,622 (2009-2014)
Background: HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect many people, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. In the United States, more than 550,000 people have died because of AIDS, and 1.1 million are currently living with HIV. Other STDs are also prevalent. Each year, an estimated 19 million new cases of STDs are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STDs can cause serious health consequences, including pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women, and cancer in both men and women.
Impact: This research program will develop and evaluate a behavioral intervention to help patients at publicly funded clinics to reduce their risk for HIV and other STDs. Once developed and validated, this intervention will provide a practical, effective, and easily distributed sexual risk reduction model for use in public clinics and other settings.