Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of A Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: A Mixed Methods Investigation Into The Members’ Experience Of Parental Involvement With The School System, Jeffrey Brian Romanczuk

Doctoral Dissertations

This research was intended as a mixed methods case study of the initial effectiveness of one school system’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). It was not until well into the study that it became clear the phenomenon at the root of the this research was actually the broader one of special education parental involvement in the schools, with the Rush County (a pseudonym) School System’s Department of Special Education as the case study. Although phenomenological inquiry is primary, the mixed methods research design employed included both thematic development and verification based on data obtained by both qualitative and quantitative …

The Effects Of Consumer Perceived Value And Subjective Norm On The Adoption Of Mobile Data Services: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Of American And Korean Consumers, Kiseol Yang

Doctoral Dissertations

Despite the explosive growth of mobile phone subscribers and rapid adoption of mobile data services worldwide, the usage of mobile data services is highly variable across countries. This study attempted to reveal the differences in mobile data service adoption behavior between American and Korean consumers since it has been reported that the national culture and usage of mobile data services between the two countries is different, but mobile penetration rate is similar between the two countries. This study attempted to explain the differences in mobile data service adoption behavior between American and Korean consumers in regarding the effects of consumer …

Female School Superintendents In Tennessee: Overcoming Barriers, Vicki Cameron Violette

Doctoral Dissertations

The school superintendency is the most gender stratified executive position in the United States, with men 20 times more likely than women to advance from the level of teacher to the top leadership role in a school district (Skrla, 1999). Although the majority of teachers in public schools are women, the majority of superintendents are men (Bell & Chase, 1993; Blount, 1998; Brunner, 1999; Grogan, 1996; Mertz, 1991; Shakeshaft, 1989; Skrla, 1999; Young, 1999). Though women have made slight progress in moving into superintendent positions during the past few years, there is still a disproportionate under representation of females nationwide …

Variations In Dropout Rates Across Virginia, Joshua K. Bowser

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis, this study attempts to capture variation in dropout rates across Virginia counties and cities. With the respective dropout rates as the dependent variable, seven independent variables are used accordingly in order to provide as much explanatory power as possible. At the 10 percent significance level, four of seven variables are statistically significant with an adjusted R2 of .374. Important policy implications can be derived from the model and its statistically significant variables. The model finds that the percentage of blacks in the population, university access, the unemployment rate and single female-headed households to …

A Content Analysis By Political Cultures And Values Of State Compliance Documents For The Federal Legislation, No Child Left Behind, Constance Didlake Cole

Doctoral Dissertations

Education policy designed at reforming the public schools in the United States has been a central concern in the policy arena for several decades. Most of the school reform policies have not provided the desired results. The federal mandate called No Child Left Behind, signed into law in 2002, promised school reform for all fifty states in terms of accountability for the achievement of all students, improvement of teacher quality, empowerment of parents, and promotion of school safety.

The intent of this study was to analyze state educational documents that have been developed to comply with the No Child …

Examination Of Asynchronous Volumetric And Frequency Communication Patterns In Online Courses And Their Impact On Adult Learner Satisfaction, Robert W. Treat

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of online discussion board interactions of adult learners and their satisfaction with their experience. Specifically, this study's objectives were to examine the asynchronous volumetric and frequency textual communication patterns through online discussion boards and the association to adult learner satisfaction for 102 electronically surveyed adult learners at a mid-western university during the 2005-2006 academic year. Highly reliable (Cronbach alpha = 0.97) and valid data were collected from a learner satisfaction form developed specifically for the outcome variable o f this study. Exploratory factor analysis provided evidence that the data collected …

Teachers' Classroom Food-Related Practices And Perceptions Of The School Nutrition Environment, Marsha Lynn Spence

Doctoral Dissertations

Objective: This research project consisted of three studies designed to investigate intermediate school teachers’ classroom food-related practices and perceptions of the school nutrition environment

Setting: The setting for this project was a rural county in the southern region of East Tennessee

Design: This project used a mixed-methods approach to investigate teachers’ food-related practices and perceptions of the school nutrition environment, including grounded theory methodology, secondary data analysis, and a cross-sectional survey.

Analyses: For the first study, the transcribed data were coded using open, axial, and selective coding and constant comparison of data. For the second study, descriptive and inferential statistics …

Instructional Leadership And Academic Performance In Tennessee High Schools, Denise Minton Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

During this era of high academic accountability, principals are expected to be learning leaders and to orchestrate their schools' academic improvement. Despite these high expectations, few studies have linked principal instructional leadership behavior with student academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in instructional leadership behavior existed between principals of high-achieving, high-performing, low-achieving, and low-performing schools.

The population of this study was public high school principals in Tennessee. Two hundred seventy-six (276) principals whose schools' State of Tennessee Report Cards contained three years of academic achievement and academic performance data were surveyed using the Principal …

Best Practices Within Mediation Programs, Warren L. Hills

Dissertations

Mediation Centers have been introduced to college and university campuses in recent years as a cost effective method to deal with a variety of conflict issues. These centers offer a variety of services to students, faculty, and staff including mediation, facilitation, and training. Campus mediation centers that report various levels of success and growth serve as an example for operations to their peer institutions. Yet for a lack of previous research, little information is known about the actual operations of campus mediation centers and the systems and processes they follow.

An internet-based survey was sent to campus mediation centers staff …

Problem-Based Learning: An Attitudinal Study Of Police Academy Students, Gregory P. Vander Kooi

Dissertations

Policing strategies have gravitated toward a consensus paradigm model, commonly referred to as "community policing." This is a significant paradigm shift, yet most police academies continue to use traditional lecture-based pedagogical methods to train police officers. One possible alternative to passive lecture-based teaching is a more active problem-based learning. Problem-based methodologies consist of presenting ill-structured problems whereby an instructor facilitates and directs the students in active inquiry toward possible solutions for a specific problem.

Job Tasks Performed By Career Preparation System Administrators: Implications For Leadership Development, Julia K. Vandermolen

Dissertations

This study represents the results of a quantitative survey measuring the importance and frequency of job tasks performed by Michigan's Career Preparation System (CPS) administrators. The census consisted of 120 (n = 120) CPS administrators. Eighty-six (n = 86) or 72% of CPS administrators participated in the study. A mailed survey was used to collect data to determine the importance and frequency of 51 job tasks performed by career and technical education (CTE)administrators identified by a previous DACUM study for a leadership development program. Quantitative methods were used to seek an improved understanding of the job tasks performed …

A Comparative Study Of Hybrid And Internet-Based Educational Technology Course Modules, Nilly Adnan Al-Banna

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine students’ attitudes and performance toward the teaching methods in an educational technology course. Undergraduate students enrolled in the Educational Technology course ETEC 2002L at the University of Arkansas had been exposed to both on-line modules and in-class instruction. The sample size for this study was 155. The results included 110 valid surveys completed by the students on paper. The data collected from the survey were analyzed using percentages, means, and t test of paired samples to find if there was a significant difference in students’ attitudes toward on-line versus hybrid instruction. Four …

Family Mathematics Night, Ann M. Cartwright

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The purpose of this project was to develop a family mathematics night program that would encourage parental involvement in mathematics education thus, enhancing student achievement in mathematics. Parents attending the program would: (a) become familiar with the current mathematics program used by their children; (b) learn mathematics games to play at home with their children; and (c) be introduced to various child appropriate, mathematics web sites on the Internet. Much of the material presented was recapped in a miniguide to fourth grade mathematics that was given to all the families. This guide is a tool for the parents to use …

Retaining Nevada's High Risk Youth In High School, Pat Spadaro

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The primary goal of dropout prevention programs is to prevent as many students from leaving school as possible. The percentage of individuals leaving Nevada schools without obtaining a regular diploma is among the highest in the nation (Schmidt & Barr, 2004, p. 9). The primary methodology employed in this project was Content Analysis (Leedy & Ormrod, 2005). In Content Analysis, the researcher identifies specific examples of selected characteristics in similar documents defining the characteristics more clearly. Each item is then broken down into smaller manageable segments to be analyzed separately (Leedy & Ormrod, 2005, p. 142). This research reviewed documents …

Inclusion Models In Elementary Physical Education, Wendy Storm

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Over the last 30 years the number of disabled students being placed in regular education settings has increased dramatically, as has the severity of their disabilities (Greenwood & French, 2000). With the integration of students into regular education classrooms, practitioners are challenged to provide adequate supports to insure beneficial learning environments. According to Public Law 105-17 all students must be provided elementary physical education (pecentral.org). The law does not distinguish between students who are classified as "“special education students" and those who are classified as general education students. This study investigates the development and implementation of inclusion practices for special …

An Investigation Of Developmentally Appropriate Methods In Teaching Drawing, Mark Esguerra

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This is an investigation sought to identify developmentally appropriate teaching methods in drawing instruction. This study assessed the different methods in teaching the fundamentals of drawing to two groups of 5th grade classes at Our Lady of Las Vegas School in Las Vegas, Nevada. The "control" group was taught by the drawing methods presented by Edwards (1979), while the "experimental" group was taught employing standard methods. Their drawing skills were assessed using a rubric that measured their success in the following four dimensions of drawing: perspective, proportion, value and composition. The study utilized the pretest-posttest control group design (Leedy & …

"A Lean Accounting Curriculum", Jake Lewis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This paper is written as a part of my honors thesis. My objective for my thesis was to develop a curriculum to be used in the classroom here at Utah State University, on the subject of lean accounting. This curriculum includes a set of lecture slides, selection of an assigned textbook, a case study assignment, and a DVD. Also compiled were several other optional materials that may be used as supplements to the aforementioned set of materials or as a means to briefly cover lean accounting in another course if so desired. This paper contains a brief summary of lean …

After-Schools Programs And Their Influence On Parent Involvement With Children At Home, Marci Malone

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Eight-year-old Victoria, with hands on hips and chin stuck up, defiantly said, "No mom, I want to stay for After-School Club. I don't care about the dentist." Her mother patiently responded by telling Victoria, "I know you want to stay but we have to leave now or we will be late for our appointment." The little girl, seeming to know from experience that her mother would not budge, stomped her foot as she began leaving the school saying, "I hate when I have to miss After-School Club!"

Day For Night: Facilitating Collaborative Solutions In The Pursuit Of Approval For Human Subjects Research, Joseph D. Shearer

Masters Theses

For first-time researchers, the prospect of executing a Master’s thesis can be as exciting as it is daunting. Students pursuing skill sets in the helping professions may view their thesis not just as a way to contribute to their field of study and do something that will be helpful to society, but also as a way of contributing to treatment agencies that allow fledgling researchers access to human subjects. Unfortunately, good intentions, energy, and a positive outlook may not be enough to bring an idea for research to fruition. One need only begin the process of seeking Institutional Review Board …

Retaining Information Technology Employees In Higher Education, Mary Holmes

Dissertations

The retention of qualified Information Technology (IT) employees is at an all time low within higher education institutions. IT personnel are essential for higher education institutions to effectively integrate technology into their educational programs. These IT employees contribute to their institution's teaching/learning mission, while simultaneously supporting complex and highly visible administrative operations. Yet, all previous research regarding IT employee retention issues had only been conducted within corporate settings.

To examine factors related to IT employees' retention within public higher education, an internet-based study was sent to IT employees in all four-year public universities throughout Michigan. The survey included questions within …

A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of A University Cohort Group In A Small Urban School District, Ann Rea Kopy

Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to explore the processes followed in an educational partnership and to describe the changes in the participants' beliefs, practices, and sense of efficacy as a result of their participation. This study described and analyzed an educational partnership between a large university and the staff of a small, urban school district. The goals of the partnership were to provide the participants the knowledge to enhance student achievement as well as to develop educational leaders throughout the district. The participants consisted of educators of the district that enrolled in the educational partnership that existed for …

Analyzing The Effects Of Inquiry-Based Instruction On The Learning Of Atmospheric Science Among Pre-Service Teacher Education Students, Robert James Ruhf

Dissertations

This study tested whether or not pre-service teacher education students enrolled in inquiry-based earth science courses gained more thorough knowledge, comprehension, and application proficiencies with regard to atmospheric science concepts included in the Michigan Curriculum Framework for Science Education---the content standards of the Michigan State Board of Education for K-12---than did pre-service teacher education students enrolled in a traditionally-based earth science lecture/laboratory course. Content proficiencies were tested at the beginning of the semester (the pretest) and again at theend of the semester (the posttest). A sample of students participated in post-test interview sessions designed to examine in depth their knowledge, …

Success In The First Year: Impact Of Alternative Advising On Students At A Liberal Arts College, James E. Swanson

Dissertations

Small faith-based liberal arts institutions are increasingly focused on recruitment and retention because it is critical to their existence. Because these institutions are completely enrollment driven, the numbers of students who persist through to their second year of college is a necessary administrative focus. Scholars have found that interactions between students and members of the institution, especially faculty, are critical to student persistence during the first year of College. Research has also demonstrated that academic advising plays an important role in first-year student persistence. A question remains, however, whether students are retained because of time spent with faculty or because …

Factors Which Impact The Conduct Of Fifth Grade African-American Males, Derricka Bashetta Thomas

Dissertations

This study examines the factors that impact the conduct of fifth grade African- American male students who participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten (ECLS-K). The participants in this study are located throughout the United States of America. These students attend private and public schools. The data for this study were provided by the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), a division of the U.S. Department of Education. The researcher utilized ECLS-K’s Public Use Data File and Electronic Codebook to create an SPSS syntax file in order to measure the factors that impact the conduct of fifth grade African- American …

An Examination Of Perception Toward Merit Pay In A Southern School District, Carol Lynn White Payne

Dissertations

The use of merit pay systems has been a part of educational history for one hundred years. States across the country have utilized different forms o f merit pay systems to increase student achievement. Career ladder merit pay systems may base teacher salary on the attainment of additional degrees, additional responsibilities and an increase in student achievement. School-based performance awards may reward all staff members of a school based on achievement of goals set by the school board. Individual teacher financial awards may be based on administrative evaluations, student achievement, attainment of additional degrees, and participation in professional development sessions. …

Crossing The Bridge From Eighth To Tenth Grade: Can Ninth Grade Schools Make It Better?, Eddie James Peasant Ii

Dissertations

Ninth grade is a complicated time period in the school years of young adolescents, They face many social, emotional, physical, and academic issues during the transition from eighth grade to the freshman year. In some cases, these problems in ninth grade lead to increased dropout rate. This matter is addressed in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). School districts across the country are establishing programs to deal with this dilemma of students transitioning from the middle grades to high school. One such program is the ninth grade school or academy. The general purpose of this study was to investigate …

A Laptop-Learning Initiative: Relationships With Student Achievement, Technology Proficiency, And Attitude Towards Technology, Kevin Scott Nicholas

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between a laptop learning initiative, student achievement, technology proficiency, and attitude towards technology. The initiative, Project One-on-One, was designed to provide teachers with the ability to teach technology integrated lessons in classrooms with a student-to computer ratio of 1:1. This was accomplished by utilizing two mobile laptop labs that were financed through a national grant competition. The variables that were examined in the study were three years of eighth-grade student achievement scores from the criterion-referenced Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test and the Louisiana Center for Educational Technology’s Technology Proficiency …

No One Flunks Museum: An Overview Of Learning Theory And Its Implementation In Formal And Informal History Education, Nichole D. Smith

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The transition of museums from institutions for the knowledgeable to places for those seeking knowledge has brought about a need for those educating in museums to better understand the ways in which people learn. This paper introduces and explains theories, psychological and educational, that are applicable to learning such as Constructivism, Multiple Intelligences, and the Contextual Model of Learning. Observations of informal and formal history and social studies lessons or programs presented to students ages 3-16 provide the framework for understanding how well these theories of learning are being implemented in the museum. Comparison of history museum programs (informal education) …

Hb1245: A Case Study Of The Process That Rescinded Nd's Nursing Education Requirements, Wanda Fisher Rose

Theses and Dissertations

A case study approach was used to examine House Bill1245 (HB1245, 2003) introduced by the ND Nurses Association (NDNA) in the 2003 58th ND Legislative Session. The purpose of this study was to trace the events and debates that rescinded the nursing education for entry-into-practice that existed since 1987. The study was designed to answer the following questions: (a) What events prompted the introduction of House Bill1245? (b) Who were the key actors during the legislative process? (c) What was the understanding ofHB1245 by nurses? (d) What factors influenced the outcome of HB1245? and, (e) Why did NDNA introduce HB1245? …

An Investigation Of Relationships Between Oral Reading Rate And Reading Comprehension, Karen F. Rimkus

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Quantitative research methods were used including observations and tallies of reading rates, data compilation, generation of scatterplots, and descriptive statistical analysis of the results. The research focused on observations of 69 fourth graders from two fourth grade classes in a private parochial elementary school in Las Vegas, Nevada. The students each read a 198-word passage to measure oral reading rate. A positive relationship between oral reading rate and reading comprehension was then determined. As a result, teachers may be able to use an oral reading rate test to design curriculum before the Terra Nova achievement test is administered in September. …