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Registration, Attendance, And Reality: African-Americans Engaged In Sat Preparation, Don Coleman
Registration, Attendance, And Reality: African-Americans Engaged In Sat Preparation, Don Coleman
Theses and Dissertations
There is limited research into the persistence, participation, and efforts of African American students in their preparation for college admission exams (SAT, ACT). Registration, attendance, and the experienced reality of African American students who voluntarily enrolled in an SAT prep program as well as perceptions of African American instructors were the foci of this mixed methods action research. This study examined the development of a Saturday SAT preparation program over an 18 month period. Theoretical frameworks of Stereotype Threat (STT) (Steele, 1992; Steele & Aronson, 1995) and schooling effects (Diamond, 2007; Kao & Thompson, 2003; Ladson-Billings 1995, 1997; Starratt, 2003; …
A Comparison Study On Teacher-Centered And Inquiry-Based Instruction In Science Education Of Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities: What Is Effective?, Jessica Yorke-Servis
A Comparison Study On Teacher-Centered And Inquiry-Based Instruction In Science Education Of Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities: What Is Effective?, Jessica Yorke-Servis
Theses and Dissertations
The purposes of the study are to examine the effects of inquiry-based and teacher-centered instruction methods when teaching science for middle school students with learning disabilities. These two instructional methods were provided to 81 students in two middle schools located in southern New Jersey. Of those, 30 students with learning disabilities, 15 in each school participated in the study. Both groups were given a pre and post test prior to and after the three weeks of science instruction to evaluate student performance. In addition, a student and teacher survey was provided to examine their satisfaction. The results show that students …
An Autoethnographic Analysis Of School Leadership In An Alternative Education Environment, Leroi Jones
An Autoethnographic Analysis Of School Leadership In An Alternative Education Environment, Leroi Jones
Theses and Dissertations
This research represents an extremely personalized account of the complicated field of educational leadership and analysis of my journey through two very different alternative education environments. I documented my leadership experience for this self study to further understand how my leadership impacted two alternative educational settings. Through the vantage point of my lens, I documented and recorded my experiences through artifacts, a digital journal, and personal documentation as an administrator using the qualitative method of autoethnography. This type of qualitative research brings the reader inside of my personal experiences as an administrator. Every school district has its own climate and …
Speaking Of Rivers: Demystifying Foreign-Born Blacks Through A Secondary Esl Context, C. D. Williams
Speaking Of Rivers: Demystifying Foreign-Born Blacks Through A Secondary Esl Context, C. D. Williams
Theses and Dissertations
Linguistic imperialism and societal assumptions can become dominant issues that lessen the significance of the identity, language, culture, and communication of minorities in English as a second language (ESL) settings, which may hinder the possibilities of acceptance and success (Amin, 1997; Ibrahim, 1999; Morgan, 1997; Ogbu, 1992a). Students from Africa and West Indies, foreign-born Blacks, represent English language learners (ELLs) who have distinct cultural and linguistic mores that often go unnoticed. Foreign-born Blacks possess uncommon mother tongues and cultural behaviors that present struggles with salient entrenched racialization in ESL because the historical aspects of English are associated with Whiteness, dominance, …
Differences In Life Satisfaction Among Young Adults In Different Living Situations, Jennifer Roake
Differences In Life Satisfaction Among Young Adults In Different Living Situations, Jennifer Roake
Theses and Dissertations
Differences in life satisfaction among young adults in different living situations were evaluated. The aims of this study were to use the Satisfaction with Life Scale to examine the differences in life satisfaction. Levels of depression as well as purpose in life were also evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Purpose in Life Scale. A total of 91 participants responses were included in the study, with 58 participants reporting living independently and 33 participants reporting living with parents. Independent t-tests found that individuals living at home report lower levels of life satisfaction compared to participants …
No Nursing Student Left Behind: Non-Cognitive Screening, Letty Piper
No Nursing Student Left Behind: Non-Cognitive Screening, Letty Piper
Theses and Dissertations
With the growing shortage of nurses, the continuing flow of an adequate number of nursing students is important to the healthcare system. In an attempt to identify the noncognitive factors, which influence attrition, a mixed-method, cross-sectional study was conducted. Students who had dropped out of a BSN program and those still enrolled were given a survey containing scales of self-efficacy, nursing professional alignment and Margin in Life. The students then participated in focus groups. The attritional students were found to have a significantly lower Margin-in Life score than those who had succeeded, and there was a correlation between the Margin …
Evaluation Of An Early Intervention Program Using Eligibility Criteria, Emily Kurlansik
Evaluation Of An Early Intervention Program Using Eligibility Criteria, Emily Kurlansik
Theses and Dissertations
Early Intervention programs are state and federally funded programs that are available in virtually every state that provide support to children birth to three who have developmental delays. Eligibility into the program varies by state and determining eligibility for a child is a complex task that has tremendous implications on both the program and its children. A program evaluation was conducted on a branch of an early intervention program located in New Jersey to determine whether service providers were correctly identifying children who were eligible for services. Results indicated that four of out the 112 children in the program were …
In-Text And Out-Of-Text Engagement: Interactional Features In Students' Academic Writing And Academic Engagement, Florette Press
In-Text And Out-Of-Text Engagement: Interactional Features In Students' Academic Writing And Academic Engagement, Florette Press
Theses and Dissertations
While student engagement theory recognizes writing as an engaging activity, there have been few studies that explore the levels of engagement within college students' academic writing. Analyses of in-text interactions between writers and their imagined reader(s) can uncover writers' attitudes about themselves as writers and as participants in the academic community. This study looked specifically at students' in-text interaction in the context of overall student engagement. Making a connection between interactional features in writing and overall student engagement provided a new perspective by which professors and administrators can evaluate students' academic integration. This study combined text analysis and interviews with …
The Effectiveness Of Total Physical Response Storytelling For Language Learning With Special Education Students, Laura Holleny
The Effectiveness Of Total Physical Response Storytelling For Language Learning With Special Education Students, Laura Holleny
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this exploratory research was to ascertain the validity of the Total Physical Response Storytelling (TPRS) language learning method in comparison with "traditional" language learning methods. The research focused on high school students (n= 44) in grades 9-12 with mild learning disabilities such as specific learning disorder, other health impairment, communication impairment, and multiple disabilities. Students varied greatly with the successes of both language learning methods. There were four classes that participated in the study and half of the classes performed better on assessments when taught through TPRS techniques. The other classes achieved higher scores when "traditional" language …
Suicide Prevention / Postvention: A Student, Parent, Teacher, And Other Educational Professionals Perspective, Heather Leech
Suicide Prevention / Postvention: A Student, Parent, Teacher, And Other Educational Professionals Perspective, Heather Leech
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to: (1) determine the extent to which local schools are providing suicide prevention programs; (2) determine the effectiveness of suicide presentation programs; (3) examine the attitudes of teachers, parents, students, and other educational professionals regarding suicide prevention programs and; (4) determine the need for suicide prevention programs in a southern, New Jersey special services school district. A survey was distributed to 20 people in each of the following categories: teacher, parent, student, and other educational professionals. The four categories mentioned above were analyzed in the surveys. The results indicated that the participants feel that …
The Effect Of A Classroom Wide Positive Behavior Support Used Simultaneously With Individualized Intervention To Students With Asd, Emily Hughes
Theses and Dissertations
This study examined the effect that a classroom-wide positive behavior support (CW-PBS) has on decreasing the inappropriate behaviors of students with autism. In addition, individualized positive behavior strategies (e.g. teaching replacement behavior, self-monitoring) were provided simultaneously together with the CW-PBS to further examine the decrease of inappropriate behavior occurrences. A total of two adolescents with autism in a self-contained setting participated in the study. A single subject research design with AB phases was used. During the baseline, participating students' behavior was observed and frequency was recorded for 10 days, and the same observations were continued during the intervention when both …
The Effect Of Collaborative Strategic Reading For 4th Graders With Learning Disabilities, Kathy Seacrist
The Effect Of Collaborative Strategic Reading For 4th Graders With Learning Disabilities, Kathy Seacrist
Theses and Dissertations
This study aimed at evaluating a sample of six fourth graders with learning disabilities as they were taught Collaborative Strategic Reading. The program was taught by a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom over a period of 5 weeks. Mean comprehension scores increased slightly over the course of the study while their vocabulary scores remained relatively consistent. Student average scores in vocabulary understanding were slightly higher than their comprehension scores. Although average scores increased, individual student performance was inconsistent. These results suggest that students with learning disabilities require more time to learn and develop strategies in comprehension. The findings …
The Use Of Direct Instruction To Improve Reading Comprehension For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emily Sierra
The Use Of Direct Instruction To Improve Reading Comprehension For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emily Sierra
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Direct Instruction (DI) for teaching oral comprehension to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A total of eight students, ages six through eight in a special education classroom participated in the study. They were taught lessons from a scripted DI program 10-15 minutes daily for 10 weeks. Students completed daily oral lessons followed by a worksheet to check for their understanding. A single subject design with AB phases was used and student performance was evaluated by completing a daily worksheet and oral responses to questions. The results showed students' …
Gender Differences Associated To Style And Type Of Bullying, Elizabeth Benckert
Gender Differences Associated To Style And Type Of Bullying, Elizabeth Benckert
Theses and Dissertations
Research shows that girls show more indirect and relational aggression bullying behavior, while boys will show more direct and physically aggressive bullying behavior (Bjorkqvist, Lagerspetz, & Kaukiainen, 1992). Girls prefer indirect aggression because they can manipulate others; while boys prefer direct aggression against others because it shows dominance and strength (Crick, Casas, & Mosher, 1997). The study was done to show a difference in gender and the style of aggressive bullying behavior they will act out in. Crick et al. (1997) explain that children tend to bully in ways that they know will inflict harm on others and damage their …
The Effect Of The "20 Word Chant" On Student Sight Word Recall, Janine Chong
The Effect Of The "20 Word Chant" On Student Sight Word Recall, Janine Chong
Theses and Dissertations
This study was done to examine the effect of the 20 Word Chant on student's ability to recall sight words. The participants were from various backgrounds, ability levels, disabilities. The students were exposed to two presentation formats. The 20 Word Chant was added to the daily routine as well as the daily flash card drill. The class was split into two groups and was exposed to both models. The students were given a one-on-one sight word fluency pre and post test. When looking at individual responses to each intervention, most students increased their sight word knowledge. Overall, when using the …
What Are Parents' Opinions Towards Their Children's Transition From School To Adulthood?, Michelle Moore
What Are Parents' Opinions Towards Their Children's Transition From School To Adulthood?, Michelle Moore
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to determine if training affected parent attitudes towards the transition planning process. Twenty-one parent volunteers participated in this study. Parents answered survey questions about their attitudes before attending two training sessions. A second survey was then completed to determine if there was a significant difference in responses after training. A pre-post survey design was used where means were compared using ANOVA. The results showed a statistical significant difference in question 6 "I know that my child has a behavior plan" in favor of the training, and no significances between pre-post responses to other questions.
The Culture Of Instructional Leadership Amongst Principals: A Principal Professional Learning Community's Exploration Of Understanding By Design, Dana Walker
Theses and Dissertations
The overloaded role of the principal is a reality in every district (Evans, 1996; Fullan, 2008). Principals are second only to teachers among school-related factors in student learning (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004) yet professional learning opportunities for principals suffer at the expense of seemingly more important tasks. In order for principals to be successful in the expected role of instructional leadership (NAESP, 2008), districts must create opportunities for both content and leadership learning (Darling-Hammond, Meyerson, LaPointe, & Orr, 2010). Experts are beginning to realize that professional development for principals is essential to a school and distric's success (Darling-Hammond …
Risk Factors For High School Dropouts: Do Perceptions Of Bullying Play A Role?, Alison Hunt
Risk Factors For High School Dropouts: Do Perceptions Of Bullying Play A Role?, Alison Hunt
Theses and Dissertations
The current study compared perceptions of bullying experiences among students in a public in-house alternative high school education program for at-risk students with those of the students in the general education population of the same high school. Eleven students enrolled in the alternative high school education program between the ages of 16 and 19 were asked to report their experiences with bullying through a school-created survey that is administered annually to the entire high school population. The results of the 2010 survey of 816 high school students were compared to the results of the 11 students enrolled in the alternative …
Relationship Between Exercise And The Expression Of Adhd Symptoms In College Students, Jessica Mcdaniel
Relationship Between Exercise And The Expression Of Adhd Symptoms In College Students, Jessica Mcdaniel
Theses and Dissertations
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between cardio-respiratory exercise levels and the expression of symptoms commonly associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a college population. Previous research suggests physical exercise may reduce common behavioral symptoms of ADHD. Symptoms commonly associated with ADHD include an inability to focus and feelings of restlessness, which may be harmful to a college student's academic success. The present study surveyed the exercise level, symptom expression, and diagnostic history of undergraduate students (N=315) at Rowan University. Exercise frequency and duration were calculated based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services …
Bullying Amongst Eighth Grade Students: A Comparison Of The Perceptions Of Bullying Between Students And Teachers, Kristen Litwinczuk
Bullying Amongst Eighth Grade Students: A Comparison Of The Perceptions Of Bullying Between Students And Teachers, Kristen Litwinczuk
Theses and Dissertations
Bullying is a serious problem in today's world. It is not limited by age, gender or education level. The purpose of this study is to examine the differences of teachers' and students' perceptions of bullying, including the comparison of gender throughout the research. The Swearer Bullying Survey was used in this study to assess the students' and teachers' perceptions of bullying. Due to the new Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying Law that was recently passed in New Jersey, results are expected to show similar perceptions of bullying among students and teachers. Both results and implications of this study will be further discussed.
The Frequency Of Harassment, Intimidation, And Bullying By General Education Students Compared To Special Education Students, And The Implications Of Early Intervention For At Risk Students; Are Special Education Students More Likely To Be Involved In Hib Incidents Than Regular Unclassified Students?, Peter Spezzano
Theses and Dissertations
This study intended to determine the pervasiveness of bullying among middle school students, and the relationship with special education classification. The sample population investigated was composed of 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade middle school students. Archival data collected from four years of office disciplinary referrals provided the statistics to evaluate student classification and frequency of bullying. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted in order to examine the data. As hypothesized results revealed that there was a correlation between student special education classification and the rate of involvement in a bullying event. The research suggests that students classified as …
Academic Enablers And Dance: A Correlation Study, Kacey Burke
Academic Enablers And Dance: A Correlation Study, Kacey Burke
Theses and Dissertations
This study surveyed 24 teenagers who took part in extracurricular dancing to determine if there is a relationship between the number of hours they spent dancing and their levels of academic enablers. Academic enablers are qualities that have been identified to predict student academic success in school (DiPerna, 2006). This study addressed an ongoing debate among many parents: Does children's time-consuming involvement in extracurricular activities take away from their academic success, and how much is too much? The participants were asked to complete the Academic Competency Evaluation Scales (ACES) to determine their levels of academic enabling behaviors. They also were …
The Examination Of Inter-Rater Reliability And The Reliability Of Attachment Measures, Nicole Bayles
The Examination Of Inter-Rater Reliability And The Reliability Of Attachment Measures, Nicole Bayles
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of measuring attachment through subjective measures, as well as the inter-rater reliability of those using the subjective measures. Participants were volunteers who had worked with the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). They included social workers, lawyers, psychologists, etc. Participants were asked to answer questionnaires regarding the DYFS children they had worked with, as well as demographics about themselves. The questionnaires also included an alternative informed consent. The surveys were mailed to participants and included return envelopes to ensure ease of mailing them back. It was hypothesized that measuring …
Factors Influencing Choice Of College Major: What Really Makes A Difference?, Jill Edmonds
Factors Influencing Choice Of College Major: What Really Makes A Difference?, Jill Edmonds
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are most influential to students when deciding their academic major. During the Spring 2012 semester students from the Rowan University subject pool and other classes (n = 60) participated in an online survey. Using a Likert scale, from 1 being extremely influential to 4 being not at all influential, participants were asked to rank a list of factors that may have influenced their decision of college major. All factors were then grouped into three subtypes of influences (practical, interpersonal, and personal) to determine where the greatest influence on students today …
Positive Behavior Support: A Comparison Between Student Body, Academic Achievement, And Discipline Referrals, Meredith Greenfield
Positive Behavior Support: A Comparison Between Student Body, Academic Achievement, And Discipline Referrals, Meredith Greenfield
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this current study was to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of a school-wide positive behavior support program in an elementary school based on the decrease of discipline referrals earned by the students in grades 3-4 (n=43) and (b) find a relationship between discipline referrals earned by each student in the pre-intervention year and the total amount of discipline referrals earned by each student in the post-intervention year were the discipline variables. The scale math and language scores attained by each student for the pre-intervention year and the post-intervention year were the academic variables explored. A Pearson Correlation test …
Student Perceptions Of School Uniforms: A Comparative Study Of Students Participated In School Uniforms And Those Who Did Not, Jonathan Mimmo
Student Perceptions Of School Uniforms: A Comparative Study Of Students Participated In School Uniforms And Those Who Did Not, Jonathan Mimmo
Theses and Dissertations
The institution of mandatory school uniforms into public schools has been met with resistance despite research suggesting that a uniform policy can be a useful tool in improving a school's behavioral climate. The attitudes and perceptions held by students who may or may not have participated in a school uniform policy were examined to determine what effect experience might have on perception and attitude. Surveys were administered to college students to examine their held perceptions and attitudes about school uniforms. The subjects were grouped according to their uniform participation history (with or without experience), and the scores were compared across …
Supporting African American Involvement In A Doctoral Program At A Regional Comprehensive University: A Research Study Of The Experiences And Perceptions Of African American Current Doctoral Candidates And African American Doctorates, Frankie Nicholson
Theses and Dissertations
Education has been the path to battle moral injustice and to encourage self-governing dialogue about doing the "right thing" (Freire, 1998; Fullan, 2007; Hurtado et al., 1999; Tatum, 1992). Fullan (2007) claims that education is the "vehicle" to diminish inequities for the academically disadvantaged. Through interviews and conversations regarding their experiences and perceptions, this research study "gives voice" to African American doctorates, current doctoral students, and doctoral students who chose not to complete the doctoral educational leadership program at a regional comprehensive university in a Mid-Atlantic State (Allen, 1992, 2000; Delgado, 1995; Freeman, 1997; Soloranzo & Yosso, 2000, 2001). Using …
The Differential Impact Of School Absences On General And Special Education High School Students, Carly Stranges
The Differential Impact Of School Absences On General And Special Education High School Students, Carly Stranges
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of absenteeism on students in general education and students in special education. Archival data from a group of 249 students who completed 9th grade in June 2011 were analyzed in order to examine the relationship between attendance rates and grade point averages. Research questions included: Is there a significant correlation between school attendance and academic achievement? Is there a significant difference in the correlations between attendance and academic achievement for students in special education and for those in general education? Is there a difference in the attendance rates of students …
The Effectiveness Of Looping In Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms, Gena Orazi
The Effectiveness Of Looping In Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms, Gena Orazi
Theses and Dissertations
The practice of looping, a single teacher remaining with a core group of students for two or more years, is one that is used in some self-contained special education settings. The purpose of this study was to show that this practice is beneficial to both teacher and students in this type of environment. The goal of this investigation was to demonstrate that looping in a self-contained classroom resulted in significant academic achievement gains and also decreased behavior infractions of the students in this type of classroom. Also, it was hypothesized that the students who have been looped in a self-contained …
Disability Resources In New Jersey And Delaware Colleges And Universities, Samantha Mock
Disability Resources In New Jersey And Delaware Colleges And Universities, Samantha Mock
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to evaluate disability resources available in New Jersey and Delaware Colleges (n= 22) by surveying each school's Disabilities Department. The hypothesis of this study was there exists little consistency between colleges and universities in terms of accommodations provided between institutions, within the schools surveyed in New Jersey and Delaware. To come to this conclusion, a survey was mailed to New Jersey and Delaware Colleges and Universities asking what accommodations they provide from the accommodations listed on the survey. Results indicated that each school that participated in the study offered different accommodations, proving the hypothesis …