Digital Commons Network^™

Third Grade Retention And The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test: An Exploratory Study, Heather A. Powell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Literacy is a growing national concern, resulting in federal legislation (e.g., No Child Left Behind Act) instituting higher accountability for states and schools with regard to reading instruction and remediation. As a result, Floridas statewide measure of achievement, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is now tied to retention decisions in third grade as part of the new pupil progression plan in the state. In its first year of implementation (2003), 23% of third-grade students failed the FCAT and over 28,000 were retained.

Research has consistently shown retention to be a negative experience for children; even when academic gains are …

E-Governance In Egypt: A New Methodology To Poverty Reduction, Shahdan Mahmoud Niazi

Archived Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the thesis is to examine if the e-governance initiative in Egypt can contribute to poverty reduction. The study utilizes people-centered indicators by employing Sen's "capability approach" where Sen shifts from the traditional understanding of poverty as derivative of insufficient resources to a new perspective which incorporates the lack of capabilities and opportunities into the definition of the term. The thesis concludes that IT is not the determinant cure that can transform the mode of governance within the government sector in a way that can contribute to poverty alleviation. The transformation of the governance mode for enhanced human …

Gender And Generational Differences In The Self-Ratings Of Leadership Practices By Elementary School Administrators Within Four Florida Counties, Michele E. Polk

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Considerable research has been conducted over time on possible gender differences, with varying results regarding the existence and/or degree of differences. In particular, research on differences in leadership practices of men and women have abounded since the 1970s as women began to make their way into management and supervisory positions.

In todays work force, several generations can be found working together within a single work setting. Possibly, differences in leadership may be more generational than gender related; however, little research has considered both gender and generation as variables. This study adds to literature relating to the existence of gender and/or …

Accountability For The Implementation Of Secondary Visual Arts Standards In Utah And Queensland, John K. Derby

Theses and Dissertations

Utah and the majority of states have adopted mandatory standards for visual arts, yet no accountability measures have been established. Consequently, it is impossible to determine if standards are being addressed in the art classroom and aggregate grades are subjective. Queensland, Australia instituted a system of moderated school-based assessment (moderation) in 1971, whereby assessment is accomplished locally, then verified by peer experts. Queensland ensures that standards are addressed in curricula and assessment and that exit grades are reliable and comparable. Research has shown that Utah and Queensland share comparable visual arts standards and similar demographics. Queensland moderation has been extensively …

Behavior Management Manual For Asa Mercer Middle School, John L. Paloy

All Graduate Projects

This project examined the creation and implementation of a behavior management manual for Asa Mercer Middle School, in the Seattle School District. The review of current research indicated that school behavior codes and manuals were more successful when they were open for revision and discussion, concise and relevant, used consistently amongst all staff as an educational tool, and containing systems for students to redeem themselves and be rewarded. Included are a concise behavior management manual for students, along with a staff edition with more annotated descriptions and implementation methods. The overall purpose of the manual was to create an educational …

Policy Analysis: Evaluating Theories Of The Hermeneutic Critique, Cecilea Mun

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis evaluates three theories representing the three perspectives identified by Goktug Morcol as perspectives of the hermeneutic critique in policy analysis, while explicating the revolutionary process that the science is currently undergoing. The evaluation is focused around the question as to whether the three theories are viable alternatives to positivist theories. First, a brief history of policy analysis is presented, highlighting the conditions that contributed to the rise of the general positivist paradigm as the ideal in policy analysis. This is followed by a summary and criticisms of the general positivist paradigm. Next, summaries of Dvora Yanow's interpretive theory, …

The Problem Of Prayer In School: A Discussion Of Legal Interpretation And Policy, Staci Lynn Brick

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The problem of prayer in public schools is a divisive one that has grown out of a changing and confusing interpretation of the Establishment Clause with respect to school activities. Traditionally and historically, the United States has recognized public praise of God in a nonsectarian manner; however, this type of religious activity has been deemed unconstitutional in the school setting. The United States Supreme Court has also allowed public financial support of religion while vehemently disallowing symbolic religious support in public schools. The accomodationists on the Court has prevailed in most venues except school, where the separationists have managed to …

The Punctuated Equilibrium Model Of Policy Evolution: An Explanation For United States Federal Fire Policy Change, Tricia Mynster

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The organizational structure of federal land management agencies is designed to function in a static state for long periods of time. Policies in these bureaucracies tend to follow a punctuated equilibrium pattern of evolution. These policies are accompanied by reinforcing institutional arrangements and networks that resist changes. In order for change to occur, a catalyst is needed to cause a drastic change in policy. Following this change, new institutional arrangements will be created to support the new policy. A catalyst is needed at the lower levels of the bureaucracy to follow a policy through to implementation. Using the National Park …

Registered Nurses' Attitudes Toward The Protection Of Gays And Lesbians In The Workplace: An Examination Of Homophobia And Discriminatory Beliefs, Christopher Wright Blackwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discrimination and inequality encountered by gays and lesbians in the United States is profuse. A cornerstone of the gay rights movement, equality in the workplace has been a pivotal struggle for gays and lesbians. This study examined the attitudes and opinions of registered nurses (RNs) regarding homosexuals in general and the protection of homosexuals in the workplace through a nondiscrimination policy. The author measured overall homophobic and discriminatory beliefs of the sample using the Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Men (ATLG) Scale; the demographic questionnaire was infused with questions regarding a protective workplace policy. Using T-tests, one-way analysis of variance …