RAND Corporation

About: RAND Corporation is a nonprofit organization based out in Santa Monica, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 9602 authors who have published 18570 publications receiving 744658 citations.

How Instructional Coaches Support Data-Driven Decision Making Policy Implementation and Effects in Florida Middle Schools

Abstract: 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. Authors find that although the majority of coaches spent time helping teachers analyze student data to guide instruction, data support was one among many coach activities. Estimates from models indicate that data analysis support, nevertheless, has a significant association with both perceived improvements in teaching and higher student achievement.

The effects of subjective survival on retirement and Social Security claiming

Abstract: According to the life-cycle model, mortality risk will influence both retirement and the desire to annuitize wealth. We estimate the effect of subjective survival probabilities on retirement and on the claiming of Social Security benefits because delayed claiming is equivalent to the purchase of additional Social Security annuities. We find that those with very low subjective probabilities of survival retire earlier and claim earlier than those with higher subjective probabilities, but the effects are not large. The great majority of workers claim as soon as they are eligible. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Manipulation and Mobilization of the Cervical Spine

Abstract: Objectives: To review the scientific evidence for both manipulation and mobilization therapies for the cervical spine. This report presents the results from a review of the medical, chiropractic, osteopathic, physical therapy, and dental literature on the efficacy, complications, and indications for manipulation and mobilization of the cervical spine, and the appropriateness ratings of indications for manipulation and mobilization. Methods: Articles were identified through searches of computerized databases [MEDLINE [Index Medicus], CHIROLARS [Chiropractic Literature Analysis and Retrieval System] etc.], review of article's bibliographies, and advice from experts. This yielded 362 primary articles on cervical spine manual therapy and 145 articles on complications. Priority was given to research that used randomized, controlled trial [RCT] designs. Second priority was given to non-experimental studies including cohort, case-control, and cross sectional studies. Case series and case reports were given lowes...

Identifying Modifiable Risk Factors for Rehospitalization: A Case-Control Study of Seriously Mentally Ill Persons in Mississippi

Abstract: Objective: The authors sought to identify risk factors for rehospitalization in a seriously mentally ill population, focusing on factors that have the potential to be modified through community-based interventions. Method: A case-control design was used in which 101 “case” subjects (recently readmitted psychiatric patients) and a comparison group of 101 subjects living in the community who had been previously hospitalized at the same time as the case subjects, but who in contrast had not been readmitted, were matched on gender, ethnicity, and length oftime at risk for rehospitalization. The setting was the Mississippi public mental health system during the first 3 months of 1 988, including Mississippi State Hospital and the 1 0 community mental health regions in its catchment area. The subjects were between the ages of I 8 and 55 years, had had at least one previous Mississippi State Hospital admission, and had a primary chart diagnosis ofschizophrenia; 197 informants, mostly family members, were also included in the study. Data were collected from structured interviews of subjects and informants, direct observation ratings of subjects, Mississippi State Hospital administrative records, and community mentalhealth center administrative records. Results: Medication noncompliance, comorbid alcohol abuse, and a high level of criticism of subjects by informants were associated with greater risk of rehospitalization, while types and extent of outpatient service use, access to care, quality oflife, and demographic variables (other than ethnicity and gender) were not. Conclusions: These findings imply that interventions aimed at improving medication compliance, reducing alcohol abuse, and helping families cope with their mentally ill relatives could reduce the risk of hospitalization in this population. (Am J Psychiatry 1995; 152:1 749-1756)