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A Research Study Of School Uniforms On Academic Achievement, Attendance, And Behavior Referrals In Third, Fourth, Fifth, And Sixth Grade Students, Jennifer Gonnella

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of school uniforms on academic achievement, attendance, and behavioral referrals in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students in School Uniform Elementary School, a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school located in a small, rural community in Southern New Jersey. Academic achievement was recorded for fifth and sixth grade students using the National Percentile Rank on the Terra Novas (n=63). Attendance was recorded for third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students by counting the number of days absent (n = 117). The number of written discipline referrals were recorded for students in third, …

An Investigation Of The Effects Grade Retention Has On Students' Academic Performance, Tyree Gunter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine if grade retention has a positive effect on a child's academic performance, and if females, whether retained or not, improved more academically than males. Language/literacy and mathematics cumulative grades of 58 students in the second and third grade were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicated that students who were retained improved more in academic performance than students who were low-achievers but promoted instead and those placed in a transition class. In addition the findings showed that males, whether retained or not, had higher mathematical scores than females, but there was …

Personality Differences In Terms Of Temperament Between Teachers Of Regular Education Students And Teachers Of Developmentally Disabled Students, Melissa Masella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the components of human personality in terms of temperament that are similar and different between individuals who teach regular education students and individuals who teach special education, specifically in the area of developmental disabilities. This study examined the temperament of these two types of teachers by using the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II which is a self-report questionnaire that places individuals into one of four temperament groups: Guardianas, Artisans, Idealists, or Rationals. The sample consisted of 53 teachers, 37 females and 16 males, coming from either a Catholic High School or a private …

Cognitive Writing Strategies, Arlene A. Paris

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of cognitive strategy instruction in teaching writing. Writing is a process that results in a product. The learning that takes place will be continually developing and changing. Our goal as teachers of writing is to have our students produce quality written products. How does one accomplish this? Strategy instruction which includes metacognition and self-regulation can empower the writer. Students develop as writers when cognitive strategy instruction is used in the classroom. It requires knowledge, strategies, motivation, and practice with constructive feedback. (Harris & Graham, 1996)

The individuals who participated in …

The Competitive Female Skater: What Motivates Her?, Jennifer L. Pfeffer

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explored motivational orientation of 12 females (age 9 - 18) who participated in figure skating. The hypothesis used was that competitive skaters, with more demands on their time and finances, would more often exhibit an avoidance of failure motivation when participating in sport. This hypothesis was chosen to address the high burnout rates that are exhibited by child athletes at the elite level.

To determine the results of the study, skaters were administered the Achievement Motivations Scale for Sporting Environments developed by Brent Rushall and Randy Fox in 2000. The scale asked 28 questions to which four …

A Link Between Handedness, Gender, Socioeconomics, Race, And Parental Involvement And Learning Disabilities, Heather Reiss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if there was a link between handedness, gender, socioeconomics, race, and parental involvement and learning disabilities. The records from a local school where reviewed and compared to the national records. When comparing the local and national records, the school was found to be close in percentage for gender and handedness. The school, however; had a much higher percentage for African Americans and a much higher percentage for free and reduced lunch services than did the national records.

Relationship Of Family Involvement And Functioning Among Mentally Ill Adults, Sharon A. Sabatino

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of the present study were to find a relationship between family/caregiver involvement in treatment of mentally ill adults that they care for and clients' overall Axis IV and V assessments. Support and education groups were held at Family Service in New Jersey over a six-month period. The population (n=12) came from the Hattie Tallie program at Family Service. These clients and their family members/social supports and caregivers attended meetings for six months to gain education and to support each other in dealing with clients' treatment. Global Assessment of Functioning scores (Axis V) and Severity of stressors (Axis IV) …

The Social Construction Of Academic Success Of Learning Disabled College Students, Robin D. Waltman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges faced by college students with learning disabilities from their own perspective. Interviews were conducted with four first-year students with learning disabilities and five sophomore, junior, and senior students with learning disabilities. The subjects attended Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. The subjects were varied in race, socioeconomic backgrounds, and majors. They all attended college full-time. Qualitative data analysis was performed in order to construct thematic categories from recurring patterns. It was found that college students with learning disabilities have difficulties in college that are unique. They not only have academic …

The Effect Of The Wilson Reading Program On Spelling Skills In An Inclusive Sixth Grade Setting, Kathleen A. Dellinger

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the use of the Wilson Reading program as a method for instructing spelling rules and principles in an inclusive sixth grade setting. The subjects included eighteen sixth grade students, four special education and fourteen regular education students. Post testing results indicated that in 76% of all the students there was an increase of approximately one year in spelling ability. Two of the four special education students had an increase in age appropriate ability, with the two remaining special education students decreasing in grade equivalence.

An Experimental Study Of Tonal Pattern Training And Learning Modalities On The Pitch Accuracy Of First Grade Students, Melissa C. Strong

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the body scale in the tonal pattern training of first grade students. The problem of this study was to determine the comparative effects of tonal pattern instruction with and without the use of the body scale on the singing accuracy of first-grade students among auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners.

Sixty-seven first grade students in four intact classes were used as the sample in this study. Two of the classes were randomly assigned to serve as the control group and two classes were assigned to serve as the experimental group. …

Building A Professional Learning Community, Joanne T. Acerba

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of staff morale and student achievement levels through the formation of a professional learning community at the Ann A. Mullen Middle School in Sicklerville, New Jersey.

The project involved an analysis of the current school culture through small group and individual interviews, a survey, and an examination of the most recent standardized test scores. The researcher involved the entire staff in the creation of a shared mission statement as well as a shared vision statement to form the building blocks of a professional learning community. Teacher study groups were formed, …

Students' Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Selective Physical Education, June Cioffi

Theses and Dissertations

Whether to require physical education for graduation has always been a topic of discussion among school officials. Engaged in the ongoing process of educational improvement, educational facilitators and curriculum coordinators increasingly are looking at physical education classes. One of the major objectives of physical education is to promote a lifelong involvement in physical activity.

Timber Creek Regional High School offers a selective physical education program to assist student performance and participation. Selective physical education is the next alternative to improving the atmosphere for students as well as serving as a driving force in keeping students on track and effectively participating …

Evaluation Of Custodial Staff Members, Roseanne Donnelly

Theses and Dissertations

This study of custodial evaluation forms was conducted to develop or revise the current form being used in the Mt. Holly School District. Requests for information from surrounding school districts were used to find what similar-sized schools were using and whether they were effective. The sample included eleven school districts in Burlington County, New Jersey. The requests were faxed to the selected school districts requesting they fax back a copy of their current custodial evaluation methods and any written procedures. Interviews were also chosen to get the staff's perspective. The sample included five custodians, the Business Administrator, and the Facilities …

Analysis Of Small Learning Communities On Suburban Schools, Matthew G. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Students in large schools are getting lost. In a school of over 2300 students, it is very easy for a student, who does not excel academically or athletically or those students who gain attention through negative behavior, to blend into the student body for four years without being noticed. Across the nation the move to create smaller learning communities has been an attempt to solve the ills that plague our inner city schools. The intended question of this study is whether or not the smaller learning communities will have the same measurable impact in a suburban district.

The data collected …

How Can Technology Be Used To Improve Instruction And Student Learning?, Frank Corley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to research techniques for integrating technology into the curriculum in order to improve the learning of the students. This was accomplished through analyzing material submitted by the Clearview Middle School's teachers and through the research of the intern. Four different requests for technology information were distributed to the teachers. Only 10% of the teachers submitted material for the handbook. The limited amount of information received after the requests resulted in a technology questionnaire that was used to define the teachers' technology aptitudes and determine how technology was being utilized in the school. The results …

The Integration Of Personnel And Budgetary Software Databases At Upper Deerfield Township Schools, Bruce D. Harbinson

Theses and Dissertations

To better serve district needs, the business office developed integrated personnel and budget relational database applications that have the capability to store, compile, forecast, report, and seamlessly transfer in real time. The Microsoft Access server-based programs produce most mandated state and district reports and have the flexibility to incorporate new informational data fields to meet the demands of the ever-changing roles and accountabilities in today's educational field.

The research project is utilizing expert non-probability sampling because the stakeholders have demonstrable experience and expertise in this particular area or field and the population is the same size as the sample. The …

Funding And Implementing A Sixth Grade Environmental Camping Trip, Stewart Potter

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to research methods to fund a sixth grade camping trip to Mt. Misery in Browns Mills, New Jersey. The local school budget was defeated, so a group of parent volunteers formed a group called P.A.N.T.H.E.R. (Parents And Neighbors Together Helping with Educational Resources) and began to think of ways to raise $32,498.10 so their children would enjoy the same experience as those students before them. The parent committee created a distributed a survey to all of the upcoming sixth grade parents on June 10, 2002. A total of 59.3% of the surveys were returned. …

Analysis Of Instructional Technology In The Runnemede School District, David Gentile

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of technology as a tool of instructional delivery. The results informed teachers, administrators, and board members of their current technology status and served in the development of future goals. The goal of the study was to survey the professional teaching staff to gather input and create a focus group to analyze the results.

The Intern surveyed the professional teaching staff at the Volz Middle School to assess how technology was being used to deliver instruction in the Runnemede Public School District. The Intern interviewed a focus group to …

Distance Learning In The Pitman School District: A Window On The World, Marsha K. Hahn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how a well-developed procedure to facilitate the use of distance learning technology would impact teaching practice and student achievement at Pitman High School. As part of the action research, the intern conducted a survey using a questionnaire that employed a Likert-type format. The population for the study consisted of a sample of the teaching staff from Pitman Schools representing an elementary school, middle and high school. Each of these schools had distance learning technology available. The intern analyzed the results of the survey, and computed the mean response to each question for …

Has Technology Created A Safer School Environment?, Mark Leung

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was two-fold. It was to determine and evaluate the effectiveness of technological advances on the maintenance operations of a school district's facilities. It was also to determine and evaluate the types, amounts, and locations of technology equipment implementations in school districts and how these implementations have affected the school environment's overall safety.

Forty-two school districts in Burlington County, New Jersey were surveyed using a questionnaire with twenty-two queries. The survey targeted Directors of Buildings and Grounds and the surveys were distributed and collected via electronic-mail or facsimile. The survey data was analyzed using the SPSS …

Innovative Scheduling, Brian J. Barg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop an academic schedule that was well-thought, thorough, consistent, and beneficial to students' academic achievement. The use of a block scheduling formula for the high school meant providing students and teachers with an opportunity to innovatively and creatively interact in the learning process, while using time-on-task in an efficient manner. Utilizing an innovative schedule determined how teachers used pedagogy to improve academic performance. Innovative scheduling made a contribution to scholarly research, scholarly work, student interest, and cooperative learning.

The intern reviewed research regarding the advantages of block scheduling. In order to gather input …

The Professional Roundtable: Developing Novice Teachers, Tanya Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of a program developed for novice teachers are examined in this document. Data was derived from information obtained during interviews conducted by the intern, as well as entry and exit surveys. The study begins by addressing the nation's impending teacher shortage which can be linked to the retention of novice teachers. This section expounds upon the need to properly develop novice teachers in order to retain their services.

The next section is a review of the literature which explains the status of the educational system as it relates to novice teachers. Following this review, a design of the …

Designing, Implementing, And Evaluating A Homework Policy And Its Effects On Discipline At The George L. Hess Educational Complex, C. David Evangelist

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact a new homework policy would have on discipline among sixth grade students. Over the five months of the study there were an average of 346 students involved in the project. It was determined that a new homework policy would be incorporated into the already successful behavior point system, as a means to help students grow into accountable individuals. This policy would enhance our Character Education Program by promoting student responsibility and signify to the student that his/her work is similar to an employee in their work place. Without a homework …

An Integration Approach To Character Education In The High School, Janet T. Farrell

Theses and Dissertations

Character education provides many opportunities for students to learn how to be responsible citizens in their schools and communities by developing moral and virtuous traits. However, this path to maturity seems to create many challenges for today's students. Recent events in public schools and today's society have demonstrated that society has failed to adequately help students to meet these challenges. Although blame can be placed on the family or schools, schools must address the dilemma and try to correct it. The implementation of a character education program at the high school level and the incorporation of this program into the …

The Effects Of Administrative Change On School Environment, Dale H. Horner

Theses and Dissertations

Administrative change in education is inevitable. However, successful administrative change is not. Successful administrative change requires Boards of Education and the new leaders they create to think of the administrative change as a process not an isolated act. The newly created leader must clearly and consistently communicate his vision with the shareholders. He must allow the shareholders to question and respond to his vision until together they make a new vision, one which they can all embrace. He must have and effectively convey a transition plan that will bring the shareholders from the past, which they know and accept, across …

Implementation Of A Peer Mediation Program, Darin B. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The study was designed to examine and describe the implementation of the peer mediation program at Ulysses S. Wiggins Elementary School. In the past few decades, with the rise of school campus violence, models of conflict resolution programs including peer mediation have rapidly increased in popularity in which students assist their peers in resolving disputes. Peer mediation at Wiggins Elementary School offered training and counseling to students who would become peer mediators to help other students manage their conflict without the use of violence. Significantly, the study was action based in its design to find out what components would be …

Bully-Proofing, Kevin M. Mcgloin

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine if the existing Bully-Proofing Program at the Reeds Road Elementary School is working effectively. Utilizing an action research design, fifth and sixth graders completed a bully-proofing survey during the 2002-2003 academic year. This survey elicited student observations and actions of bullying within the school. Forty surveys were randomly chosen for analysis with the final research population being twenty fifth graders and twenty sixth graders (20 female/20 male). In analyzing the results, verbal bullying was responded to the most, outweighing all other forms. Another statistic is that boys were identified as bullies, more so than …

Parental Involvement As A Tool To Lower Repeat Suspension Offenses, Steven W. Price

Theses and Dissertations

Parental involvement in education has been sought after for decades. The purpose of this study was to involve parents in the discipline process and thereby reduce repeat discipline offense. The intern offered the opportunity for involvement to the parents of tenth grade students who received their first out-of-school suspension. The study took place during the first semester of the 2002- 2003 school year. Parents were asked to participate in this study by answering a short survey and by discussing the incident with their child at home.

The sample population included all of the tenth grade students. A limited sample included …

School Reform: The Impact On Teaching Practices, Carol J. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of school reform on teaching practices at the Middle School of Pleasantville. The district, a special needs (Abbott district), receives 85% of its funding from the state, therefore must provide all children with a "Thorough and Efficient" education.

The overall approach of this study was to use a survey to investigate the effects of school reform on teaching practices. Thirty teachers of grades 5-8, representing a variety of subject areas, completed a survey. The survey was used to determine if professional development provided teachers with effective support throughout the change …

The Development And Implementation Of A Multifaceted Model For Differentiated Teacher Evaluation To Improve Student Achievement, Nancy L. Schumacher

Theses and Dissertations

Effective teacher evaluation is a meaningful experience that improves student achievement. The first purpose of this study was to examine the current evaluation system used in a special services school district in southern New Jersey. The second was to revise that system to reflect current research-based practice. An examination of the district's evaluation procedures, data from a questionnaire, and interviews with teachers revealed that the current system did not reflect their varied expectations and experience and was limited to classroom observations. The Personnel Evaluation Committee developed a new differentiated model of teacher evaluation. It uses a collection of data from …