Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Entrepreneurial Orientation In First- And Continuing-Generation College Graduates, Ryan D. Butt

College of Business Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies have explored first-generation college student experiences leading up to and throughout their time seeking a bachelor’s degree. Other research has investigated the relationship between risk perception or self-efficacy traits and entrepreneurial orientation. The purpose of this study is to fill the gap between these two research streams by exploring the relationship of entrepreneurial orientation in, and between, first- and continuing-generation college graduates, specifically evaluating their post-graduation experience. This project explores entrepreneurial orientation, risk-taking, self-efficacy, and familial obligations to explore potential similarities and differences between first-and continuing-generation graduates. Specifically, this study hypothesized that first-generation college graduates would have greater …

Defensive Pessimism And Goal Setting, Elizabeth Anna Guth

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Studies have found that the defensive pessimism cognitive strategy which involves going into situations with unrealistically low expectations despite previous high performance, leads to lower levels of performance when individuals taking on this strategy have expectations placed upon them in the form of encouragement (Norem & Cantor, 1986a, 1986b). Thus far, no one has applied goal setting theory to this phenomenon to try to investigate the possible interactive effects of goal setting and encouragement on performance (Locke & Latham, 2002). This study hypothesized that specific difficult goals would have negative effects on individuals more likely to take on a defensive …

Universal Teacher-Child Interaction Training: A Pilot Study Examining Coaching With Random Assignment, Alexandra Lauren Barnett

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Classrooms are in dire need of teacher support services and effective child behavior management, particularly in low-income urban areas (Campbell & Ewing, 1990; Fantuzzo & Mohr, 1999; Hamre & Pianta, 2004; Visser, Bitsko, Danielson, Perou, & Blumberg, 2010). Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal (TCIT-U) is a preventive, classroom-wide teacher training protocol that shows promise for strengthening teacher and child behavior (Budd, Garbacz, & Carter, 2016; Fernandez, Gold, Hirsch, & Miller, 2015b; Garbacz, Zychinski, Feuer, Carter, & Budd, 2014; Lyon, Budd, & Gershenson, 2009a). To date, this is the first pilot study with random assignment to investigate TCIT-U; further, it is …

In The Service Of What? A Phenomenological Exploration Of African American High School Students' Self-Efficacy In Service Learning, Charemi A. Jones

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored how African American high school students from a large Midwestern city make meaning of their service learning experiences within the framework of mandated service learning participation required for high school graduation, and how their lived experiences inform their self-efficacy development. Scholars have previously posited, “student voice in service learning projects positively correlated with improved self-concept, political engagement, and tolerance” (Morgan and Streb, 2001). Within this context, voice is synonymous with students’ self- reflection.

One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted utilizing a pre-printed protocol consisting of open- ended questions designed to elicit authentic responses, allowing the voice of …

The Impact Of Service-Learning On College Students' Civic Development And Sense Of Self-Efficacy, Rachel Gershenson-Gates

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Teacher Factors On Expectations Of Students With Adhd, Lauren J. Legato

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Theses and Dissertations

The current study sought to inform the literature on teacher variables related to expectations for students with ADHD. The study examined the relationships among teachers’ knowledge about ADHD, self-efficacy, and their expectations about how ADHD behaviors affect the child, the classroom environment, and the teacher’s own well-being. Results indicated self-efficacy was positively related to teachers' knowledge of ADHD. Teachers with higher knowledge also tended to have higher self-efficacy; however, it remains unknown whether one is causally related to the other. No significant relationships were found among teachers' knowledge of ADHD or their self-efficacy and expectations for problems. Finally, unlike previous …

The Social Context Of Urban School Reform: Collective Efficacy And Student Achievement, Carla E. Ellis

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this correlational study was to determine if between-school variance in school-level student achievement is related to collective teacher efficacy in 10 urban elementary schools in Chicago. It also examined the effects of teacher leaders’ implementation of a School-University partnership and the leadership characteristics of principals on school collective efficacy. Collective teacher efficacy was measured using Goddard’s (1998) 6-point 21-item Likert Collective Teacher Efficacy scale. There were 280 teachers and 53 teacher leaders who completed the scale. The Collective Teacher Efficacy scale results were analyzed and examined in relationship to school-level Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) test …