Digital Commons Network^™

Teacher Nominations And The Identification Of Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Concerns In Adolescence, Stephanie Deverich Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) directly influence learning, relationships, mood, and overall scholastic experiences. Research provides evidence that early intervention and prevention efforts can address the needs of students with EBD (Allen-DeBoer, Malmgren, & Glass, 2006; Cook, et al. 2008; Lien-Thorne & Kamps, 2005; Regan, Mastropieri, & Scruggs, 2005; Rivera, Al-Otiba, & Koorland, 2006), but in order to identify these at-risk youth, a screening system is needed to broadly consider Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Concerns (SEBC).This dissertation evaluated the alignment of a teacher nomination process (Teacher Nomination Form (TNF)) and a normative screener of EBD risk (BASC-2 Behavioral and Emotional …

Online Communities Of Practice And Teachers Perceived Sense Of Efficacy: A Mixed Methods Study Of National Association Of Agricultural Educators Communities Of Practice Users, Robin Mclean

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this convergent design mixed methods study was to assess the perceived sense of efficacy of teachers who use the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Communities of Practice, an online community for pre-service teachers, secondary educators, and university professors in agricultural education. The convergent design used the quantitative Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale and a qualitative case study with the data collected in parallel, analyzed separately and then merged at the end of the study for comparisons. Significant differences in perceived self-efficacy were not noted between mentor and neighbor users within the community. Communities of Practice content …

An Examination Of A Parochial Choice School Serving Latina/O Students: Perceptions, Realities And Promises, Tatiana Joseph

Theses and Dissertations

In Milwaukee, The Milwaukee Parental School Choice Program (MPCP) is a program that "allows low-income Milwaukee Students to attend participating private or religious schools located in Milwaukee with no charge for tuition if certain eligibility criteria are met" (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction). The program allows for qualifying families to use a portion of the public educational funding selected (voucher) for their student to attend a public school or the private school of their choice. For low income families, school choice is an opportunity to flee from schools that struggle with dropouts, absenteeism and low achievement in hopes of a …

The Preservation Of Effective Instructional Practices In An Era Of Education Reform: The Experiences Of Exemplary Teachers Of English Language Learners, Leanne Mary Evans

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the experiences of four teachers nominated for their reputations as highly effective educators of English language learners. The intent is to explore how the teachers respond and react to changes and expectations of education policy and investigate how daily decision-making processes are affected. Three themes emerged from the data that suggest the participants have a cognizance of their own expertise, recognize and react to discriminatory action, and make decisions to take active roles to work toward change. Based on their expertise and ability to recognize inequities, the teachers made decisions to …

Measuring The Effects Of An On-Line Training Module For School Psychologists Working With Traumatized Children: A Pilot Study, Kristin Dezen

Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to address the current lack of trauma training provided to school psychologists. Specifically, this study employed a randomized, controlled design to test the efficacy of an on-line training targeting school psychology graduate student trainees' awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse as well as their knowledge of mandated reporting responsibilities. Results indicated that school psychologist trainees who completed the on-line training module reported greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse after viewing the module than did those school psychologist trainees who did not view the module. Similarly, school psychologist trainees …

Effect Of Preschool Classroom Quality On Social And Language Development, Jennifer Marie Krzewina

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of child care classroom quality on language and social outcomes for economically disadvantaged preschool youth who have been enrolled in a high-quality preschool program for one year. The study investigated preschool children's receptive language ability and social development in relation to environmental quality and teacher-child interaction quality, while controlling for child and teacher gender, teacher level of education, children's dominant language, and children's initial performance on measures of receptive language and social development, as assessed by the PPVT-IV and DECA-C, respectively. The sample was drawn from a specific model of …

Perspectives Of General Education Teachers Who Work With Students With Autism, Beth Jolene Walters

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how general education teachers perceive their experiences working with students in their classrooms who have been diagnosed with autism. The study addressed the following research question: How do secondary school general educators perceive their experiences working with students in their classroom who have been diagnosed with autism?

Six secondary general education teachers were interviewed by the researcher, and the audio-recorded interviews were later transcribed by her. Initially, she analyzed the data to determine codes and categories. Next, she worked collaboratively with her doctoral advisor to discern themes and assertions.

Six themes …

Preservice Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Knowledge And Application Of Response To Intervention, Carrie Dannelle Jepma

Theses and Dissertations

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a model for providing instructional and scientific-based interventions to all children who struggle. RTI uses data-based decision making for the interventions, instructional evaluation, intervention intensity and length of time, and evaluation and recommendations for any adjustments needed in instruction in both the problem-solving and standard protocol models. The difference between the two models of RTI is that the interventions are individualized for each student in the problem-solving model, but not the standard protocol model.

RTI has been used by schools and agencies with research to support that it meets the needs of children and is …

Rapid Knowledge Assessment (Rka): Assessing Students Content Knowledge Through Rapid, In Class Assessment Of Expertise, Erin Margaret O'Connell

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how students go about problem solving in chemistry lends many possible advantages for interventions in teaching strategies for the college classroom. The work presented here is the development of an in-classroom, real-time, formative instrument to assess student expertise in chemistry with the purpose of developing classroom interventions. The development of appropriate interventions requires the understanding of how students go about starting to solve tasks presented to them, what their mental effort (load on working memory) is, and whether or not their performance was accurate. To measure this, the Rapid Knowledge Assessment (RKA) instrument uses clickers (handheld electronic instruments for …

Relationship Between Principals’ Sense Of Achievement And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Principals’ Leadership Behaviors, Javaid Siddiqi

Theses and Dissertations

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRINCIPALS’ SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS By Javaid Siddiqi, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Major Director: Cheryl Magill, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership School of Education The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between principals’ sense of achievement and teachers’ perceptions of their principals’ leadership behaviors. This was determined by examining job satisfaction of principals and leadership style using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and the School …

Arts And Education: An Investigation Into The Impact Of The Arts Academy On High School Students, Nigel Sangster

Theses and Dissertations

The broad topical area of my research study involved an investigation of the impact of the arts academy on the students of Cooper Ruth Performing and Fine Arts Middle-High School (pseudonym), using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Being a proponent of the arts, one of the premises of my research was to bring about a greater sense of awareness in my school and school district, that the arts were not "frills" in the educational processes of children (Perrin, 1994). Focus was given to various strands of the arts disciplines in my efforts to substantiate the significance of the overarching question …

Successful Emergent Literacy Head Start Teachers Of Urban African American Boys Living In Poverty, John Michael Holland

Theses and Dissertations

This integrated methods study used a sequential explanatory design to explore the culturally relevant teaching beliefs of successful emergent literacy Head Start teachers of urban African American boys living in poverty. The study utilized emergent literacy gain scores as a measure of success, a survey of culturally relevant teaching beliefs to describe variation in beliefs within the sample, and two rounds of interviews to explore the context of teacher agency with urban African American boys living in poverty. The four teachers interviewed expressed culturally relevant beliefs integral to their teaching practices. These beliefs were conveyed through descriptions of relationships with …

Effectiveness Of Peer Interventions To Develop Appropriate Communication Skills In Children With Autism, Meghan Draper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine which type of social intervention is more efficient when comparing Peer Video Modeling and Peer Tutoring when attempting to decrease inappropriate social behaviors. Three children were chosen because they each displayed a lack of eye contact, inappropriate verbal responses, or avoidance of a response during free play sessions with their peers in the inclusionary prekindergarten classroom. Baseline data collection was held for a three-day period. A personalized peer modeling video was made for Students A and C. For Students B and C, personalized trained peers were paired. These interventions were implemented with …

A Comparison Of Literature-Based And Content-Based Guided Reading Materials On Elementary Student Reading And Science Achievement, Christine Guns

Theses and Dissertations

Guided reading, as developed by Fountas and Pinnell (2001), has been a staple of elementary reading programs for the past decade. Teachers in the elementary school setting utilize this small group, tailored instruction in order to differentiate and meet the instructional needs of the students. The literature shows academic benefit for students who have special needs, such as learning disabilities, autism, and hearing impairments but consideration of academic impact has not been investigated for regular education students. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the academic impact of the use of content-related (Group C) and the traditional literature-based …

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

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

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 …

An Exploratory Investigation Of Public School Teachers' Perceptions Of Bullying, Devon Punchello

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to (1) examine teachers' attitudes and perceptions regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying, (HIB) behaviors displayed by public school students, (2) determine changes in teachers attitudes and perceptions regarding HIB as a result of specific training and, (3) identify the subsequent impact on their views and opinions of HIB. A survey was distributed to certified teachers to collect data. Both regular and special education teachers' perceptions regarding HIB before and after the training took place was measured. The results indicated that most teachers felt that the training was effective in creating awareness of what determines …

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 …

Transfer Seminars: The Impact On Transfer Student Collegiate Adjustment, Amanda Farina

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact transfer seminars at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey had on transfer students' adjustment to college. The study explored the college goals/outcomes, and study strategies students used both before and after taking the transfer seminar. This study utilized archival data from 328 surveys collected since 2003. Students were administered a survey at the beginning of the transfer seminar course and then again at the end of the semester. Results from the data analysis showed some statistically significant changes from pre to post survey. Most notably, students were concerned about …

A Student Satisfaction Study Of The Chamberlain Student Center, Kaitlyn Howarth

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore whether students at Rowan University were satisfied with the services offered by the Chamberlain Student Center in February 2012. Satisfaction data were collected by means of a 42-item survey using Likert-scale items. The survey was distributed to 500 students identified as SGA club/organization leaders and senators and general users of the facility. Data analysis suggest that a majority of the study body at Rowan University are satisfied with the level of customer service, meeting rooms and spaces, student activities, and other services provided at the Chamberlain Student Center. The findings also …

Higher Education: Understanding The Identity And Retention Of Latino(A) Students, Nelcy Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of the undergraduate Latino(a) students currently enrolled at Rowan University during the 2012 spring semester. More specifically, the two-part study focused on how they identify as Latino(a), their experiences at Rowan as Latinos, their views on Latino(a) role models, the influences that encouraged/motivated them to continue their college journey and their views of the services and programming that can help them graduate. Student attitudes were gathered through a mixed method, a survey administered to 437 undergraduate Latino(a) students and individual interviews were administered to six Latino(a) students from the United …

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 …

Faculty And Facebook: Attitudes Of Selected Faculty Toward Utilizing Facebook To Connect With Students, Janet Schmeelk

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes of selected faculty toward utilizing Facebook in their collegiate responsibilities, in February, 2012. This study also looked at how familiar selected faculty are with Facebook and its uses. Subjects included assistant, associate, and full professors in the College of Education, the College of Fine and Performing Arts, and the College of Communication at Rowan University. Data on attitudes were collected through means of a survey using 20 Yes/No, Likert-type items, and one open ended response item. Data analysis of quantitative data suggest that these selected faculty generally have a …

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 Role Of School Psychologists Regarding The Implementation Of The Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights Act, John Kowalcyk

Theses and Dissertations

Current school psychologists in New Jersey were contacted in order to determine the attitudes, roles, and approaches of different school psychologists in relation to the new HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying) legislation for all New Jersey Public Schools. This study gauged school psychologists' level of involvement in implementing the new legislation and their overall roles with regard to maintaining a safe and positive school climate. The survey, which was sent via email to school psychologists across the state, asked questions about their perceived roles in schools, the time they spent on various obligations during the workday, their involvement with the …

The Effect Of Direct Instruction And Self-Management Strategies On Writing Fluency Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Shawna Richetti

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this investigation were to evaluate the use of the Reasoning & Writing Direct Instruction program, examine the curriculum-based measurement tools for writing fluency of Total Words Written and Correct Word Sequence, examine the impact of teaching students with disabilities self-management techniques, including self-monitoring, self-graphing, and self-reflecting, and review how self-reflections toward writing and writing performances change through the process. Three fifth grade students, all receiving replacement writing instruction via a resource room, participated in this study. Two of the participants were classified as having a Specific Learning Disability, and one as Other Health Impaired. A single subject …

Coupling Academia And Civic Responsibility: Impact Of Incorporating Service-Learning Into Selected Courses, Cheri James

Theses and Dissertations

The demand on universities across America to produce civic-minded students is ever increasing. These demands are necessary to answer the constantly evolving needs of society due to advancing technology, the economy, war, politics, and social media. Volunteerism and community engagement can offer students the opportunity for connecting to their university and the surrounding community by presenting a reciprocal approach to meeting students' needs for involvement, fulfilling the university mission statement, and providing valuable service to the local community. This study investigated the service-learning practices at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ. The findings suggest there is a strong level of agreement between …

Using Facebook To Improve Social Communication Skills Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Genna Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Facebook is a popular social media website that allows people to interact with friends and loved ones from far away and around the world. With its growing popularity, this study was conducted to examine if Facebook would improve social communication skills of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A total of nine students with ASD on two school campuses participated in the study. A multiple baseline single subject design across settings was used. During the baseline, students were observed and their initiation and reciprocation in communication with peers and teachers were recorded. During the intervention, students were instructed to use Facebook …

Cyberbullying And Students With Learning Disabilities, Gail Horakh

Theses and Dissertations

Cyberbullying is a new and growing problem that is affecting the youth of today. Children who are classified, under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are thought to be particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying. Parents play a vital role in raising their children and keeping them safe. This study examines whether parents having a child classified, under IDEA, have the same concerns and report the same experiences regarding cyberbullying as parents with a non-classified child. A thirty question survey was administered to parents through an online website called Survey Monkey. The questions were designed to answer five main research questions about …