I have a level 9 Swordmage and I just got Forceful Dismissal. One question I had about it was the push part: "push the target a number of squares equal to your Strength modifier." Does that strength modifier include my half-level bonus?
Thanks
No.
The half-level bonus is for attacks, defenses, initiative, and skill/ability checks. It does not apply to anything else, and especially not to damage or forced movement distances.