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Back to Research Effect of Media Coverage and Physician Advice on Utilization of Breast Cancer Screening by Women 40 Years and Older Itzhak Yanovitzky & Cynthia L. Blitz This research examines the relative importance of mass media coverage and physician advice in promoting mammography screening among women aged 40 and older. Using time-series regression analysis, the study analyzed 36 consecutive months of national-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) combined with content analysis of mammography-related news coverage from seven major newspapers between 1989-1991. The researchers tested five theoretical models of how media coverage and physician advice might interact to influence health behavior: competition, functional alternative, complementary, reinforcement, and mediation models. The study found that both communication channels significantly affected mammography-seeking behavior, with physician advice accounting for approximately 30% of variance in screening behavior and media coverage contributing 13% when analyzed separately. Content analysis revealed that 93% of mammography-related news items were favorable toward screening, and when both channels were considered together, they accounted for 51% of the variance in mammography utilization. The research demonstrated that media coverage and physician advice operated independently of each other rather than one mediating the effects of the other. Results provided strongest support for the complementary model of communication effectiveness, revealing a division of labor between the two channels. Physician advice was particularly influential for women with regular access to healthcare providers, accounting for 36% of variance in screening behavior among this group. In contrast, media coverage played a more significant role for women without regular physician access, contributing 15.5% of variance in screening behavior among women who were less likely to receive medical recommendations. These findings suggest that mass media and physician advice complement rather than compete with each other in promoting preventive health behaviors. July 2000 Journal of Health Communication | Volume 5, Issue 2 DOI: 10.1080/108107300406857 This study examines how media coverage and physician advice influence mammography screening decisions among women 40 and older, testing five theoretical models of communication effectiveness. Citation Yanovitzky, I., & Blitz, C. L. (2000). Effect of Media Coverage and Physician Advice on Utilization of Breast Cancer Screening by Women 40 Years and Older. Journal of Health Communication , 5 (2), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/108107300406857 View Online Download PDF Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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Back to Research Teaching to the Test: Impacts of Evaluating Teachers Through Student Growth Measures Dessi G. Kirova, Anton Scherbakov, Cynthia L. Blitz, & William A. Firestone This presentation examined the impact of evaluating teachers through student growth measures on instructional practices, conducted as part of the 2015 AERA annual meeting. As funding through the Race-to-the-Top program required the use of student growth measures for teacher evaluation ratings, states implemented evaluation systems based on students' test scores, which profoundly affected the way instruction was delivered. The study investigated changes in instructional practices reported by teachers who participated in a pilot teacher evaluation program in 2012-2013 in a northeastern state. The research involved 2,608 pre-K–12 teachers from 25 school districts, with data collected through an online survey administered in June 2013 with a 39% response rate. The pilot program utilized two different types of student academic measures: student growth percentiles (SGPs) for teachers of Math and English Language Arts in grades 4-8, which accounted for 35%-45% of evaluation ratings, and student growth objectives (SGOs) for all teaching staff, which could account for as little as 10% of ratings. The researchers developed a "Didactic scale" to measure test preparation practices and found several significant factors contributing to instructional shifts toward increased test preparation, including use of SGP scores for evaluation purposes, being a teacher in a low-performing district, and belief that the main purpose of evaluations was to provide formative feedback. The study confirmed that teachers of tested subjects significantly changed their instructional practices toward more test preparation and that teaching in low-performing districts contributed to added pressure and shifting toward didactic teaching approaches. April 2015 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association Chicago, Illinois, USA This study examined how teacher evaluation systems based on student test scores affected instructional practices, finding increased test preparation among certain teacher groups. Citation Kirova, D. G., Shcherbakov, A., Blitz, C. L., & Firestone, W. A. (2015, April 17). Teaching to the Test: Impacts of Evaluating Teachers Through Student Growth Measures . 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois, USA. http://tinyurl.com/kofuz56 View Online Download PDF Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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Back to Research Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, and Design – An Enticing Approach! David J. Amiel, Cristin Sedelmaier, & Frances P. Trees This fun and flexible middle school project invites students in grades 6–8 to design their own fictional ice cream shop while building foundational skills in computer science, entrepreneurship, and design. Developed through a U.S. Department of Education-funded university-district partnership, the project spans several weeks and includes activities such as logo creation, website development, market research, survey design and analysis, and 3D storefront modeling. Students explore internet safety, data literacy, branding, and more—all anchored in a creative, student-driven context. The project is fully customizable and adaptable across classroom settings, subject areas, and instructional time frames. Teachers can choose from modular components like graphic design, data visualization, and 3D modeling, or extend the experience with “extra toppings” such as cost modeling, nutrition research, and even custom cone cover design. All materials are free and ready-to-use, making it easy for educators to bring hands-on, interdisciplinary STEM learning to life. March 2025 2025 Philadelphia National Conference, National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA A creative, hands-on project where middle schoolers design ice cream shops while learning computer science, entrepreneurship, data analysis, website creation, and 3D modeling. Citation Amiel, D. J., Sedelmaier, C., & Trees, F. P. (2025, March 27). Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, and Design – An Enticing Approach! [Poster presentation]. 2025 Philadelphia National Conference, National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. View Online Download PDF Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Back to Resources Navigating and Selecting Tools for Distance Education Practical Solutions & Guidance for K-12 CS Teachers This practical guide helps CS teachers find, adapt, and implement online resources for distance learning that promote equity, engagement, and effective instruction for diverse student populations. Suggested Citation Blitz, C., Amiel, D., Allen, V., & Incantalupo, M. (2021, June). Navigating and Selecting Tools for Distance Education . 2021 Computer Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Virtual Conference. This presentation from the CSTA 2021 Annual Conference provides educators with practical strategies for finding, adapting, and using computer science education resources in distance learning environments. Developed by researchers from Rutgers University's Center for Effective School Practices in collaboration with K-12 educators, the presentation addresses the challenges teachers face when searching for appropriate tools that promote equitable, inclusive classroom practices. The resource offers concrete guidance in three key areas: finding resources (through effective Google searches, peer collaboration, student input, and school/district advocacy), adapting resources (by gauging student understanding, aligning with curriculum standards, combining multiple resources, and adding collaboration opportunities), and implementing various CS tools and platforms. The presentation emphasizes how educators can tailor online resources to meet the diverse needs of student populations across race, socioeconomic status, academic performance, and CS experience levels. With practical examples of search techniques and a framework for advocating for needed resources, this guide helps CS teachers navigate the overwhelming abundance of online materials to select those that best promote learning, justice, and engagement for all students in remote learning environments. CSTA_2021_Blitz et al 2021 - Navigating and Selecting Tools_FINAL .pdf Download PDF • 2.47MB Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Back to Research Rates of Sexual Victimization in Prison for Inmates With and Without Mental Disorders Nancy Wolff, Cynthia L. Blitz & Jing Shi This comprehensive study represents the first examination of sexual victimization within an entire state prison system, utilizing a full-population sampling design across 13 facilities housing approximately 20,000 inmates. The research employed both general and specific behavioral questions administered through audio-computer-assisted technology to ensure reliable reporting on sensitive topics. The study focused specifically on mental disorders as a risk factor for sexual victimization, surveying 7,528 inmates including 6,964 men and 564 women across 12 male facilities and one female facility in a mid-Atlantic state. The findings reveal alarming disparities in sexual victimization rates based on mental health status. Approximately one in 12 male inmates with a mental disorder reported at least one incident of sexual victimization by another inmate over a six-month period, compared with one in 33 male inmates without a mental disorder. Among female inmates, sexual victimization was three times higher among those with mental disorders (23.4%) compared to male inmates with mental disorders (8.3%). The study distinguished between two types of sexual victimization: nonconsensual sexual acts (including forced oral and anal sex) and abusive sexual contacts (including unwanted touching of intimate body parts), with the latter being more commonly reported across all groups. The research also revealed significant racial and ethnic disparities in victimization rates. African-American and Hispanic inmates with mental disorders, regardless of gender, reported higher rates of sexual victimization than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. The study found that sexual victimization by staff members was more commonly reported than victimization by other inmates, particularly among male inmates, suggesting different intervention strategies may be needed based on gender and perpetrator type. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced protection measures, trauma screening protocols, and specialized treatment programs for inmates with mental disorders, who face disproportionate risks of sexual victimization in correctional settings. August 2007 Psychiatric Services | Volume 58, Issue 8 DOI: 10.1176/ps.2007.58.8.1087 This study examines sexual victimization rates among prison inmates, finding significantly higher risks for those with mental disorders, particularly among women and minority inmates. Citation Wolff, N., Blitz, C. L., & Shi, J. (2007). Rates of Sexual Victimization in Prison for Inmates With and Without Mental Disorders. Psychiatric Services , 58 (8), 1087–1094. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2007.58.8.1087 View Online Download PDF Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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Back to Research Evaluating and Selecting CS Curricula: How to Make Informed, Equitable Decisions Cynthia L. Blitz, David J. Amiel, & Vivian Allen Computer science educators face an overwhelming abundance of curricular resources, leading to decision paralysis or arbitrary choices that may not effectively serve students. This presentation addresses the challenge of resource overload by providing practical guidance for evaluating curricula based on their alignment with teaching goals, ability to foster student engagement, suitability for target audiences, and compatibility with the broader school ecosystem. The framework focuses on a systematic evaluation process that examines content relevance factors such as difficulty and standards alignment, contextual relevance including instructional methods and activities, and feasibility considerations like device compatibility, lesson duration, and preparation time requirements. The presentation introduces the Middle School CS Curriculum Crosswalk, a free online tool that provides detailed comparative information on eight middle school computer science curricular options. By approaching curriculum selection with a holistic view of the school's CS ecosystem, educators can better meet student needs and administrative requirements while increasing access to high-quality computer science instruction. The session emphasizes that curriculum selection should be viewed as an ongoing process, encouraging educators to be selective, adapt resources to their specific contexts, and focus on making informed, evidence-based decisions that support equitable computer science education. July 2025 Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Annual Conference Cleveland, Ohio, USA This presentation provides educators with a systematic framework for evaluating computer science curricula, addressing resource overload through practical guidance on content relevance, feasibility, and contextual fit. Citation Blitz, C. L., Amiel, D. J., & Allen, V. (2025, July 8). Evaluating and Selecting CS Curricula: How to Make Informed, Equitable Decisions [Conference presentation]. Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) 2025 Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. View Online Download PDF Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link