Browsing by Author "Kelly, Christopher"
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Item Assessment of State Land and Facility Inventory Practices(Institute for Public Administration, 2019-09) Kelly, Christopher; Chesser, Margaret Culpepper; Mix, TroyAs part of the state of Delaware’s Government Efficiency and Accountability Review, the Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) contracted with the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA) to assess current agency practices for collecting, maintaining, and sharing information on state lands and facilities. IPA’s assessment consisted of researching state data sharing practices, benefits, and barriers; administering a screening questionnaire to gather background information on state agency data collection processes and procedures; and interviewing state agency representatives to detail questionnaire responses and discuss the potential benefits of and barriers to implementing a statewide facility and land inventory. Land and facility information covered in this study includes buildings, land, lease information, rights-of-way, and preservation easements.Item Delaware Head Start Collaboration Office and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships Needs Assessment(Institute for Public Administration, 2021-10-21) Sherretz, Kelly; Kelly, Christopher; Qaissaunee, Haley; Beebe, MichaelThe Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware conducted a needs assessment for the Delaware Head Start Collaboration Office and the First Start Delaware Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP). The purpose of this needs assessment was to help these organizations meet federal Head Start reporting requirements and determine strategies to better serve Delaware children and families. This needs assessment provides a landscape analysis of HS and EHS programs in Delaware, analyzes results from a survey distributed to all Head Start and Early Head Start center and program directors in the state, and provides supplemental information from follow- up interviews.Item Delaware School Administrator Funding Analysis(2019-01) Kelly, Christopher; Culpepper Chesser, MargaretAt the request of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 39 Task Force to Study School District Consolidation the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration conducted an analysis of the historical formulas and current placement of school district administrators across the state. In addition, the project team also examined the key functions of district and building-level administrations in Delaware to determine organizational scope of work.The project scope included the following four items: 1. Examining the current funding formulas for district- and building-level administrators 2. Identifying the number and types of administrators by district and building, including how they are funded 3. Utilizing teacher-, paraprofessional-, student-, and task-related data at the building level to ascertain span of responsibility for districts 4. Identifying administrator funding formulas or guidance from neighboring states including Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and peer states including North Carolina and TennesseeItem Delaware School Libraries Master Plan: Quality School Libraries = Higher Student Achievement(2016-08) Kelly, Christopher; Sherretz, Kelly L.; Wilson, BillOver the past two decades, the relationship between the quality of school libraries and student performance has been the focus of dozens of state-level studies. Simply stated, these studies confirm that access to high-quality school library services results in better student performance. The declaration used in the title of this report, Quality School Libraries = Higher Student Achievement, is not a speculative statement. Research affirms this equation. Most research indicates that the following characteristics of school libraries lead to improved learning outcomes for students: • A full-time certified/qualified librarian at the building level • Adequate support staff to enable the librarian to perform professional duties • Adequate expenditure for new resources to ensure student access to recent, relevant content • High level of collaboration between librarians and teachers and librarians and students • Flexible scheduling that enables the librarian to interact with teachers and students • Access to up-to-date technological infrastructure and online resources • Access to professional development and networking opportunities for library staff Unfortunately, school libraries in Delaware are, in general, understaffed, underfunded, and unequipped of up-to-date collections and resources. Librarians that do work in schools, in many cases, are unable to carry out professional duties because they must complete day-to-day tasks related to library management and additional staffing/instructional assignments. Oftentimes, librarians are unable to participate in professional development opportunities and to collaborate with teachers and students due to their fixed schedules (Focus Groups, 2015). The current state of school libraries in Delaware is dire, which creates a situation where students are unable to receive the measurable benefits of quality school libraries. Of even greater concern, the quality library gap is growing rather than shrinking so that equitable access to resources and technology is not available for all students in the state. A comparison among Delaware’s school districts shows that the 10 districts in which less than 40 percent of the students are from low-income households have added 13 librarians since the 2005–2006 school year. The nine districts in which more than 40 percent of the students from low-income households have cut 16 librarians since the 2005–2006 school year (Delaware District and School Profiles). Delaware’s students from low-income households are facing reductions in the services needed to improve their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.Item Delaware Teacher and Administrator Supply and Demand Survey Analysis 2013(2013-07-15) Sherretz, Kelly L.; Kelly, Christopher; Matos, Rachel A.The 2013 Teacher and Administrator Supply and Demand Survey is an online survey completed by school district personnel directors and charter school administrators. The data were collected through the Delaware Department of Education’s DEEDs system in January and February 2013 for the 2012-2013 school year. The survey was conducted by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Education (DOE). This is the eleventh year of the study. The study focuses on teacher hiring; teacher hiring difficulties; recruitment strategies and incentives; the reasons for teachers leaving, vacancies, and shortage areas; hiring for non-teaching positions; and administrative hiring and vacancies. New topic areas include hiring of inexperienced teachers, hiring in high-needs schools, the opinions of respondents on attractive features found in their school district or charter school, financial incentives used for recruitment and retention, and retirement projections.Item Delaware's Small Business Landscape(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-02) Mix, Troy; Kelly, Christopher; O'Neill, Sean; Barr, Hannah; Konzelman, Nicholas; Weir, GerardFunded by the Division of Small Business within Delaware’s Department of State, this report provides a snapshot of small business activity in Delaware, an inventory of existing small business support services provided by public and non-profit organizations in Delaware, and an initial assessment of potential policy and program opportunities the state could pursue as part of future small business and economic development efforts.Item Do prescribed burns yield enhanced carbon storage in salt marshes?: a comparative assessment in Delaware salt marshes with varied burn histories(University of Delaware, 2023) Kelly, ChristopherSalt marshes and other tidal wetland ecosystems play crucial roles in the environment and provide a suite of ecosystem services including erosion control, providing breeding and nursery habitat for birds and fisheries species, and improvement of water quality. In the context of carbon cycling and climate change, tidal wetlands are of recent increased interest for a carbon sequestration ecosystem service. It has been estimated that these environments can sequester up to 244.7 ± 26.1 g C m-2 yr-1. Tidal marsh habitat has also been lost at alarming rates over recent centuries due in part to the invasion of Phragmites australis. Phragmites invasions have been associated with altered hydrology and reductions in native biodiversity in Delaware marshes and are frequent targets for restorations to reestablish native marsh habitat. Several tactics are commonly used by land managers for the removal of Phragmites such as mowing, application of herbicides, and prescribed burns. Phragmites may actually store organic carbon more efficiently than native species meaning its removal may unintentionally result in reduced carbon sequestration. Prescribed burns, however, are known to produce biochar, a recalcitrant form of organic carbon that is efficiently buried in soils and may recoup some of the lost carbon sequestration. With this thesis, I utilize core collections at three tidal marsh sites for the purpose of studying whether prescribed burns improve carbon storage in tidal Delaware marshes: a site with a known burn history (Roberts Farm), an adjacent site with no recent (<20 years) burn history (Rocks Tract), and a site with no history of burns (St. Jones). Cores (15 cm, n=10) were collected from each site and analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC) and Black Carbon (BC), the incompletely combusted remains of biomass burning. ☐ Two methodologies were utilized for BC analysis, the Benzene Polycarboxylic Acid (BPCA; BCBPCA) and Chemo-Thermal Oxidation at 375º (CTO-375; BCCTO) methods in order to assess the implications of methodology on BC quantification. The BPCA method generally reported a higher concentration of BC (mean = 4.97 ± 1.06 BCBPCA g-1 soil) compared to the CTO-375 method (mean = 1.84 ± 1.19 mg BCCTO g-1 soil) as has been found for terrestrial soil but in contrast to findings for marine sediments. Charring was observed in our organic-rich marsh soils using the CTO-375 method artificially inflating the BCCTO results in the St. Jones marsh in particular. A dilution test was conducted on a subset of samples using blank sand and found an average decrease in BCCTO of 1.6 ± 0.9 mg BCCTO g-1 soil. Future studies using BCCTO are encouraged to evaluate their data for potential charring by performing such dilution quality assurance procedures. ☐ The Roberts Farm marsh showed higher TOC (58.4 ± 14.4 mg TOC g-1 soil) and BCBPCA (5.80 ± 1.06 mg BCBPCA g-1 soil) concentrations than the adjacent unburned Rocks Tract marsh (47.2 ± 12.1 mg TOC g-1 soil; 4.76 ± 0.77 mg BCBPCA g-1 soil) suggesting that recent burns may have increased carbon storage in the Roberts Farm soils. Using the BCCTO method, however, Roberts Farm BCCTO concentrations (1.44 ± 0.26 mg BCCTO g-1 soil) were similar to Rocks Tract (1.31 ± 0.57 mg BCCTO g-1 soil) indicating that the soot-like portion of the BC pool to be similar at the two sites, and char materials may be contributing the differences observed in the BCBPCA data. TOC concentrations at the mesohaline St. Jones (81.2 ± 44.2 mg TOC g-1 soil) site were higher than at Roberts Farm and Rocks Tract demonstrating alternate controls on C storage than the presence or absence of burning. BCBPCA B6:B5 ratios were similar at the Roberts Farm and Rocks Tract marshes suggesting similar BC sources, and I speculate that the BC derived from the prescribed burns at Roberts Farm is transported atmospherically and hydrologically to the Rocks Tract marsh. All three marshes have measurable BC in their soils reflecting its ubiquitous delivery from sources other than the prescribed burns. ☐ This thesis demonstrates the utility of using multiple BC characterization methods for studying its quantities and characteristics and provides insight into the impacts of prescribed burns on soil C storage. The data suggest a potential C sequestration benefit from these prescribed burns. Additional studies are needed to assess the ubiquity of this benefit as well as to compare it quantitatively to C storage in Phragmites soils. Tidal marsh managers can use the C storage information found in this work within their salt marsh restoration decision-making strategies.Item Economic Impacts of Connected and Automated Vehicles in Delaware(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-05-10) Barnes, Philip; Kelly, Christopher; Swan, BrettItem Intermodal Transportation Facilities: Research of Viable Attributes and Potential to Integrate Curbside Intercity Buses(2013-11) Scott, Marcia; Kelly, Christopher; Collins, EileenThis report builds on previous research to assess the potential of integrating curbside intercity bus operations within intermodal transportation facilities. The report highlights the rise of of the curbside intercity bus industry, NEC transportation pressures, the concept of intermodalism, and the need for intermodal facilities. Findings suggest that investment in intermodal transportation facilities will promote a more integrated and sustainable transportation system.Item Inventory of Small Business Assistance Programs in Delaware(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-02) Kelly, Christopher; Barr, Hannah; Weir, Gerard; Mix, TroyFunded by the Division of Small Business within Delaware’s Department of State, this report lists and characterizes small business support services provided to Delaware businesses by public and nonprofit organizations. The inventory reflects best available information gathered by IPA from July through September 2017. Together with Delaware’s Small Business Landscape—available on the IPA publications webpage (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/resources/publications)—this report contributes to a comprehensive snapshot of small business conditions in Delaware and an assessment of policy and program opportunities the state could pursue as part of future small business and economic development efforts.Item Quality School Libraries Lead to Higher Student Achievement(Institute for Public Administration, 2016-08) Kelly, Christopher; Sherretz, Kelly L.; Wilson, BillOver the past two decades, the relationship between the quality of school libraries and student performance has been the focus of dozens of state-level studies. Simply stated, these studies confirm that access to high-quality school library services results in better student performance. The declaration used in the title of this report, Quality School Libraries = Higher Student Achievement, is not a speculative statement. Research affirms this equation. Most research indicates that the following characteristics of school libraries lead to improved learning outcomes for students: • A full-time certified/qualified librarian at the building level • Adequate support staff to enable the librarian to perform professional duties • Adequate expenditure for new resources to ensure student access to recent, relevant content • High level of collaboration between librarians and teachers and librarians and students • Flexible scheduling that enables the librarian to interact with teachers and students • Access to up-to-date technological infrastructure and online resources • Access to professional development and networking opportunities for library staff Unfortunately, school libraries in Delaware are, in general, understaffed, underfunded, and unequipped of up-to-date collections and resources. Librarians that do work in schools, in many cases, are unable to carry out professional duties because they must complete day-to-day tasks related to library management and additional staffing/instructional assignments. Oftentimes, librarians are unable to participate in professional development opportunities and to collaborate with teachers and students due to their fixed schedules (Focus Groups, 2015). The current state of school libraries in Delaware is dire, which creates a situation where students are unable to receive the measurable benefits of quality school libraries. Of even greater concern, the quality library gap is growing rather than shrinking so that equitable access to resources and technology is not available for all students in the state. A comparison among Delaware’s school districts shows that the 10 districts in which less than 40 percent of the students are from low-income households have added 13 librarians since the 2005–2006 school year. The nine districts in which more than 40 percent of the students from low-income households have cut 16 librarians since the 2005–2006 school year (Delaware District and School Profiles). Delaware’s students from low-income households are facing reductions in the services needed to improve their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.Item Recommendations for Economic Development Action through Delaware’s Division of Small Business(Institute for Public Administration, 2018-04) Mix, Troy; Kelly, Christopher; O'Neill, Sean; McGowan, WilliamFunded by the Division of Small Business within Delaware’s Department of State, this report provides recommendations to assist the Division in carrying out their business and economic development support mission. These recommendations were developed through extensive research and community outreach, and they reflect a widespread desire for the division to focus on developing a transparent, equitable, and vibrant economic development ecosystem through collaborative action.Item Research of Viable Attributes and Potential to Integrate Curbside Intercity Buses(Transportation Research Board, 2017-01-08) Scott, Marcia; Kelly, Christopher; Collins, Eileen; Lewis, Jerome; Faghri, Ardeshir; Li, MingxinOutpacing air and rail transportation, the curbside intercity bus industry now represents the fastest growing mode of intercity travel in the United States. The paper highlights the industry’s unresolved transportation policy issues associated with its unprecedented growth—particularly within the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Follow-up on several topics of research was suggested, including the need to plan for and invest in intermodal transportation facilities that serve all methods of transportation and facilitate interconnections among all modes. Incorporating multiple modes of transportation—including curbside intercity buses—into transportation facility master plans can further leverage public and private investment/resources to better meet the needs of all transportation users. While barriers to intermodalism exist, paper findings suggest that development and investment in intermodal transportation facilities—which serve as a hub for all modes of transportation, including curbside intercity buses—will promote a more integrated and sustainable transportation system. Through a case study approach, viable attributes of successful intermodal facilities in the NEC were identified. A matrix was developed to provide a planning framework and consider viable attributes of successful intermodal facilities. This planning framework approach is applied to Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, which is identified as a model intermodal transportation facility.Item School Leader Professional Development Series: The Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Delaware(2016-12-20) Lewis, Jerome; Kelly, Christopher; Sherretz, Kelly L.; Carson, Kevin; Croce, Tammy; Hodges, Terri; Jones, Joseph; Loftus, Dennis; Marinucci, John; Poag, Emily; Stevens, DeborahAs part of the School Leader Professional Development Series, a workshop called The Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Delaware was held in Dover, Delaware, on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Nearly 140 stakeholders ranging from parents to district level administrators attended. The University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration and Delaware Academy for School Leadership sponsored the event, in cooperation with the Delaware Association of School Administrators, Delaware State PTA, Delaware School Boards Association, and Delaware State Education Association. The purpose of the event was to create a forum to present the challenges and opportunities introduced by the implementation of the federal government’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Delaware through the points of view of multiple national and local stakeholder groups.Item State of Delaware Early Childhood Needs Assessment(2013-02-11) Sherretz, Kelly L.; Ruggiero, Tony; Laznik, John; Kelly, ChristopherThis report provides information on the availability of quality early childhood programs for children birth through age eight in Delaware. Specific attention is focused on at-risk populations. This report also provides insights to stakeholders in Delaware about where to focus continued efforts to further improve access to care.