Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Resilience On The Academic Achievement Of At-Risk Students In The Upward Bound Program In Georgia, Deborah Darlene Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between resilience and the academic achievement of at-risk students in the Upward Bound Program in Georgia. The researcher used a quantitative method to collect data for the study. The researcher used the Healthy Kids Survey (Module B) instrument to assess the resilience of participants; it had 33 items on it and the researcher added a demographic section to the survey to collect information about the participants' families, schools, GPAs, and SAT/ACT scores. All of the participants chosen for this study were at-risk students due to their status as low-income and …

The Effect Of Teacher Leader Interactions With Teachers On Student Achievement: A Predictive Study., Winifred Riney Cohron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research literature acknowledges the importance of teacher leadership in school reform initiatives. The literature is replete with qualitative studies describing the experience of teacher leadership in its variety of enactments. The meager amount of existing quantitative data suggests that teacher leadership may have no impact on student learning. This non-experimental, quantitative study examined the relationship between specific teacher leader interactions with teachers and student achievement. Using an online survey, participants responded to online survey questions about their interactions with teachers around five leadership constructs identified by Lambert (1998) and adapted by the researcher with permission from Dr. Lambert and the …

The Impact Of Early Childhood Education Upon The Black-White Achievement Gap, Linda Zane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It can be argued that the current Black-White achievement gap provides evidence for a long-standing history of racial inequity within American society, as well as an informative barometer of progress toward educational parity. By all accounts, the measurements registered by this barometer continue to be cause for alarm. The disturbing Black-White achievement gap has been shown to be present in both mathematics and reading at every grade studied, from grades one through twelve (Jacobson, Olsen, Rice, Sweetland, & Ralph, 2001).

Many solutions have been put forth in an effort to reduce or eliminate this gap, but the findings of this …

The Influence Of Social Capital Factors On African-American And Hispanic High School Student Achievement., Jacqueline L. Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The underachievement of African American and Hispanic students has been an ongoing problem for schools in the United States. The purpose of this investigation was to add to the existing body of knowledge concerning social capital of African American and Hispanic high school students’ academic achievement. Using a nationally representative sample from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002), base year through the first follow-up year database, 551 high school students, the researcher assessed indicators (school-sponsored activities, out-of-school activities, and parental involvement) within the construct of social capital, to see whether social capital could serve as a predictor of …

School Size And Its Effect On School Climate And Academic Achievement In Rural South Georgia High Schools, James Benjamin Lawhorn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While leaders in rural South Georgia have continued to debate the notion of school size as it applies to high schools, limited research was available to support staying small or continued growth through consolidation. In this study, schools from rural South Georgia were examined in order to collect data that could provide communities with the resources available to either advocate for large or small rural high schools. Moreover, it could also provide the rationalization necessary for some larger schools to split. The purpose was to establish the relationship between school size and academic achievement, and the relationship was between school …

Examination Of The Influence Of Single Sex Instruction On Student Achievement And Behavior At Sixth Grade Level At Two Middle Schools, James Craig Outlaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2002, the Bush administration inaugurated its signature educational program, No Child Left Behind which included a provision to relax the restrictions of Title IX regarding single sex instruction. Opponents responded by contending there was a lack of credible research on single sex instruction and the proposed modifications were based strictly on the desire to make available to public education the same instructional flexibility exercised by private schools. Supporters of single sex instruction assert that separating the sexes, during middle grades will reduce classroom disruptions allowing increased time on task. Supporters also hold that instructors will employ instructional strategies that …

A Correlation Of Technology Implementation And Middle School Academic Achievement In Tennessee's Middle Schools., Howard Thomas Sisco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship that exists between the reported implementation and integration of computer based technology into the middle schools of Tennessee and the achievement test scores of the middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

In January of 2004, 2005, and 2006 the Tennessee Department of Education implemented the EdTech Tennessee Online Technology Evaluation System (E-TOTE) Survey of technology implementation and integration to gather data from public schools. This survey was intended as a means of providing a measure of the status of technology to the federal government required under the …

Student Transfer: The Effect Of Timing On Academic Achievement, Michael D. Wing

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

America’s population is highly mobile. Some students move between school years, during the summer months, while others transfer after the school year has begun. Classrooms throughout the United States are likely to have students moving-in and transferring-out at any point; mobility occurs before, during, and after the school year begins. Research indicates that mobility has an effect on academic achievement. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the timing of student transfer on academic achievement. Students who transferred Early (during the summer) and students who transferred Late (during the school year) were compared to those …

Challenges That Two Georgia Elementary Principals Face In Rasing Achievement Of At-Risk Third Garde Students, Sharonlyn Jones Reese

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Elementary principals are required to perform a variety of duties which include, but are not limited to, administrative and instructional tasks. Intense job accountability for all students to raise the achievement of at-risk third grade students has caused principals to face challenges and to use strategies to increase student achievement. The demands of the job of principal of an elementary Title I school are complex, especially when many of the students in the school are at-risk of failure. The legislative No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 mandates and obligates principals to do their best for all students enrolled …

Georgia Superintendents' Perceptions Of The Minority Achievement Gap, Thomas Watson Usry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine Georgia superintendents' perceptions of both the possible causes of and proposed remedies for closing the Minority Achievement Gap (MAG). Using a survey instrument developed by the author, the perceptions of Georgia public school superintendents are explored. This study codifies this information so that it is available for consideration by all superintendents interested in becoming more effective leaders and in closing the MAG. As chief executive officers of school districts who play crucial roles in the education of Americas children, superintendents play a major role in addressing all aspects of the MAG, yet …

Balanced School Calendar And Its Effects On Student Achievement In Two Rural Georgia Schools, Ernestine R. Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the impact of the balanced calendar on reading, English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science achievement. Performance data on thirdand fifth-grade students enrolled in a school implementing a balanced calendar for three years were compared with the performance data on third- and fifth-grade students enrolled in a similar school utilizing the traditional calendar. The population in this causal-comparative study was third- and fifth-grade students in these two schools. The over-riding research question was: To what extent does a balanced calendar affect student academic achievement? Independent-samples t tests were conducted to determine statistically significant differences in reading achievement, …

School Counselor Perceptions And Competencies For Closing The Achievement Gap : Implications For Counselor And Higher Education Programs For All Educators., Susan Rardon Rose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

"If this generation of youth is lost, much of the hope for an economically, socially and technologically strong nation will also be lost." - Kuykendall, 1992 When youths become convinced that they will not be able to make it in mainstream America, they tend to take the skills they have and use them to take the low roads of life. Even though all citizens will ultimately be affected by the success or failure of these youths, it is a challenge for educators to provide ways to prepare them to choose the high road as the path for their lives. The …

Difference In Academic Achievement Between Students With Disabilities And Students Without Disabilities After The Implementation Of Collaborative Instruction In Walton County, Suzanne Malloy Carter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in Georgia High School Graduation Test scores between students with and without disabilities after the implementation of collaborative instruction. The sample was taken from a rural northeast Georgia county. For the study 81.6% students were white, 14% were African-American, 2.2% were Asian, 1.8% were Hispanic and .4% were multi-ethnic. 53.3% were female and 46.6% were male. 2% were students with disabilities. The scores from 457 students each year were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests and Chi square. To determine the differences between Georgia High School Graduation Test scores before the …

Instructor Perceptions Of Student Learning In Secondary And Postsecondary Algebra Classes., Jane Ann Houseman Jones 1940-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate various secondary to postsecondary mathematics transition issues for students. Making successful transitions from high school to postsecondary study has become necessary if our nation's young people are to obtain and hold good-paying jobs in the workplace. Knowledge of algebra is the critical gatekeeper for success in completing high school and postsecondary training. Nationwide 22% of entering freshmen at degree-granting institutions are under-prepared for college mathematics and must enroll in developmental mathematics classes that repeat the content of high school mathematics courses. Researchers have documented disconnects between secondary and postsecondary mathematics' expectations and …

Closing The Minority Achievement Gap In Georgia Middle Schools: Principals' Perspectives, Stacy Eugene Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide best practices and strategies for middle school principals that have been struggling to close the minority achievement gap in schools. Three Georgia middle school principals considered to be successful in closing the achievement gap were interviewed to determine the strategies and practices that they use to close the minority achievement gap. These practices and strategies were further examined to determine their effectiveness in the areas of reading and mathematics. The researcher used in-depth interviewing procedures through a structured interview format to encourage research participants to speak openly and candidly about the strategies …

Service-Learning Outcomes At A Faith-Based Institution Of Higher Education., Amy L. Doolittle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative dissertation examines outcomes of a required service-learning program at a faith-based institution. Two hundred and ten students completed a pre/post survey administered to a sophomore level class about background, educational processes, and twelve attitude and knowledge subscales related to service-learning. All subscales met standard reliability standards. Two dependent variables were used to measure critical thinking and students' perceptions of learning. While students entered the class with strong positive attitudes and knowledge on most subscales, four subscales Civic Attitudes, Civic Behavior, Civic Action, and Social Justice showed significant positive changes, and two subscales Motivation for Service and Personal Enrichment …

Prediction Of Student Achievement In Georgia High Schools Based On Principal Competency As Defined By The Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards, Amy Teague Loskoski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher conducted a study of the prediction of student achievement in Georgia high schools based on principal competencies as defined by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards for School Leaders to determine to what extent principal competency, as determined by the ISLLC standards, predict student achievement. The poverty level of the school and the principal's years of experience in a school were additional variables in the analyses. Quantitative and qualitative research was conducted using a survey based on the ISLLC Standards for School Leaders and an interview questionnaire to answer the research questions. A Principal Competency rating …

Georgia School Principals' Perceptions Of The Impact Of School Facilities On Student Achievement, Zheadric E. Barbra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine Georgia school principals' perceptions of the impact of school facilities on student achievement. This study became the focus of the researcher's attention after working in an elementary school in Decatur, Georgia, for three years and personally visiting some other schools, some of which were in excellent condition and others which were in need of serious renovation or reconstruction. After conducting a thorough review of literature in the area of school facilities and student achievement, the researcher became aware of the important connection between school facilities and academic achievement. The vast amount of …

Impact Of Labeling, Legislation, And Accommodations On The Academic Achievement Of African American Students With Learning Disabilities, Kimberly Suress Gaiters-Fields

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the last three decades, public schools have positively contemplated the concepts of mainstreaming, least restrictive environment and inclusion and have begun to serve more students with disabilities in K-12 general edcuation classes (Hicks-Coolick & Kurtz, 1996). There has been a corresponding increase in the number of students with disabilities who attend college and universities. However, at the postsecondary level, issues of educating students with disabilities are often different than those affecting K-12 education, and the instructional climate is much more challenging. Therefore, this trend calls for a more systematic method of assessing needed accommodations for diverse learning needs. The …

An Analysis Of How Student Transience Is Related To Achievement Test Scores In A Northeast Tennessee Elementary School., Dixie Chapman Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Few data exist that specifically examine the relationship between student transiency and achievement test scores. No concrete data exist on any of the Bristol, Tennessee, City Schools that specifically examine the relationship between student transience and achievement test scores. Few studies use quantitative measures to investigate the relationship of transiency on achievement. This study is significant because the researcher used data collected through quantitative methods to examine the impact of transience on one school.

This dissertation addressed the question, “How is achievement related to transiency?” Additional questions included: “How do nontransient first through sixth graders perform on the Terra Nova …

The Effects Of Looping On Student Achievement And Self-Efficacy Of Exceptional Education Students, Marybeth Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of the current study was to examine the effects of looping on academic achievement and self-efficacy for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students. The basic design of this study was causal comparative, or ex post facto, because the researcher was seeking to identify a difference in achievement based on developmental scale scores between the two groups of looping and non-looping students with ESE classifications. A retrospective causal comparative study was chosen because the researcher began with a potential cause, looping, and studied the potential effects on achievement and self efficacy. The hypotheses were that the experimental group would outperform …

An Analysis And Comparison Of School Culture With Academic Achievement, Joan Quiambao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was developed to generate data about the overall culture of selected central Florida middle schools in Osceola County. It was designed to enhance the existing body of knowledge on collaboration, collegiality and self-efficacy, as related to the academic achievement of students with specific learning disabilities. This study focused on two research questions: (a) to determine how well the three key areas of school culture (collaboration, collegiality and teacher efficacy) predict the placement of middle school students with specific learning disabilities in general education or special education (resource and separate class)settings and (b) to determine what relationships (if any) …

Strategies To Ease The Negative Effects Of Mobility On Academic Achievement., D.Kaye Reed Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mobility, the movement of students from school to school, affects students, classrooms, schools, and systems. Extensive research has been conducted on the relationship between mobility and student academics. Although the research has not determined mobility is the cause of lower academic scores, it is certainly a contributing factor. Most students with high mobility rates also have difficulty in math, reading, or language. Teachers of classrooms with these students tend to "flatten" the curriculum by reviewing more than usual. Long-range planning for these students can be difficult. Schools and systems may plan programs for students who have moved on by the …

Relationships Among Teachers' Efficacy, Teachers' Locus-Of-Control, And Student Achievement, David L. Burrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if teacher effectiveness, as measured by value-added gain scores on student achievement, was related to the teacher personality characteristics of efficacy and locus of control. The value-added mean gain scores for each teacher were correlated with teachers' scores on the Rand Corporation Efficacy Scale and the Rose and Medway Teacher Locus of Control Scale. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine if these teacher characteristics along with selected demographic variables could be used as good predictors of achievement gain. The population consisted of 132 middle school teachers across five subject areas …

A Study Of The Academic Success Of Veteran Former Probation Students In The College Of Arts And Sciences Of The University Of Louisville., Rollin E. Godfrey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The University of Louisville, like most other universities, played an important role in World War II in the training of Service Men for active duty in the Navy, and now in the post-war era, finds herself taxed to the limit to provide educational facilities for her veteran students. To admit large numbers of students, whether veteran or non veteran, without some sort of screening process to identify those who obviously could not do college work would be wasteful of manpower and public moneys. The policy which the University has used for many years is known to be a valid procedure, …

A Comparative Study Of A Group Of Institutional And Private Home Children In A Public School., Mary Virginia Witt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.