Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Bifactor Irt Model For Vertical Scaling In K-12 Assessment, James Koepfler

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Over the past decade, educational policy trends have shifted to a focus on examining students’ growth from kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12). One way states can track students’ growth is with a vertical scale. Presently, every state that uses a vertical scale bases the scale on a unidimensional IRT model. These models make a strong but implausible assumption that a single construct is measured, in the same way, across grades. Additionally, research has found that variations of psychometric methods within the same model can result in different vertical scales. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of …

Algebra Ii: Gatekeeper Course An Examination Of Cst Proficiency Levels In California And The Bay Area, Laurie Allyn Hailer-O'Keefe

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

This paper examines the Algebra II course and California Star Test (CST) proficiency levels in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the State of California. CST proficiency levels are examined by grade level for the State and nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area region. Algebra II is shown to be one of the more complicated courses in the CSU and UC A-G eligibility courses for students in high school. This paper attempts to highlight the achievement gap of gender and socio-economic and race/ethnicity gaps in completion of the course. This paper examines completion rates by grade and …

Predictive Relationships Of Teacher Efficacy, Geometry Knowledge For Teaching, And The Cognitive Levels Of Teacher Practice On Student Achievement., Paul Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the predictive relationships of teacher efficacy, teacher knowledge, and teacher practices with student achievement. More specifically, secondary mathematics teachers' efficacy beliefs, geometry knowledge for teaching, and the cognitive complexity of the teachers' classroom practices were examined for 72 teachers in both urban and rural districts across Kentucky, along with the student achievement data of their students. Teacher and student data were obtained from the NSF-funded Geometry Assessment for Secondary Teachers (GAST) project, which administered geometry teacher knowledge assessments at the beginning and end of the school year, and collected cognitive complexity data from lessons through three classroom …

Enhancing Effective Depth-Of-Field By Multi-Focus Image Fusion Using Morphological Techniques., Ishita De Ghosh Dr.

Doctoral Theses

A scene to be photographed, usually includes objects at varying distances from the camera. Depth-of-field of a digital camera is the range of distance, all objects within which appear to be sharp in the image. Due to the low depth-of-field of the camera, images acquired by them often suffer from degradation called out-of-foc us blur. One way to enhance the effective depth-of-field is to acquire se veral images of a scene with focus on different parts of it and then combine these images into a single image in such a way that all regions of the scene are in focus. …

Number Sense Mediated By Mathematics Self-Concept In Impacting Middle School Mathematics Achievement, Lara K. Geronime

Dissertations (1934 -)

The purpose of the current study was to extend the research on number sense to the middle school level and to simultaneously consider socioemotional elements related to the construct at this developmental stage. Its genesis was initially rooted in an ongoing and dramatic emphasis by U.S. policymakers, researchers, and educators on improving mathematics achievement in order to compete globally in technology and innovation. Despite debates about optimal curriculum and instruction, tremendous support exists for the construct of number sense. However, middle school research examining the phenomena has been limited to intervention protocols targeting specific skillsets and better measurement of its …

Integer Compositions, Gray Code, And The Fibonacci Sequence, Linus Lindroos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I show the relation of binary and Gray Code to integer compositions and the Fibonacci sequence through the use of analytic combinatorics, Zeckendorf's Theorem, and generating functions.

Global Domination Stable Graphs, Elizabeth Marie Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A set of vertices S in a graph G is a global dominating set (GDS) of G if S is a dominating set for both G and its complement G. The minimum cardinality of a global dominating set of G is the global domination number of G. We explore the effects of graph modifications on the global domination number. In particular, we explore edge removal, edge addition, and vertex removal.

Group Connectivity Of Graphs, Senmei Yao

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Tutte introduced the theory of nowhere-zero flows and showed that a plane graph G has a face k-coloring if and only if G has a nowhere-zero A-flow, for any Abelian group A with |A| ≥ k. In 1992 Jaeger et al. [16] extended nowhere-zero flows to group connectivity of graphs: given an orientation D of a graph G, if for any b: V (G) A with sumv∈ V(G ) b(v) = 0, there always exists a map ƒ: E(G) A - {lcub}0{rcub}, such that at each v ∈ V(G), e=vw isdirectedfrom vtow fe- e=uvi sdirectedfrom utov fe=b v in A, …

Optimal Portfolio And Consumption With Transaction Costs, Zheng Zhang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In Chapter 1, we study optimal portfolio and consumption with both fixed and proportional transaction costs. For a power utility function we find an explicit solution to the HJB equation governing the no-transaction region. Based on the explicit solution, we formulate a combined stochastic and impulse control problem as a quasi-variational inequality and find the transaction regions, the no-transaction region, and the boundary curves separating them. We show that the explicit solution we find satisfies the verification theorem and it is also a viscosity solution for the quasi-variational inequality. We present numerical results where we compare the various cases of …

Integer Flows And Modulo Orientations, Yezhou Wu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Tutte's 3-flow conjecture (1970's) states that every 4-edge-connected graph admits a nowhere-zero 3-flow. A graph G admits a nowhere-zero 3-flow if and only if G has an orientation such that the out-degree equals the in-degree modulo 3 for every vertex. In the 1980ies Jaeger suggested some related conjectures. The generalized conjecture to modulo k-orientations, called circular flow conjecture, says that, for every odd natural number k, every (2k-2)-edge-connected graph has an orientation such that the out-degree equals the in-degree modulo k for every vertex. And the weaker conjecture he made, known as the weak 3-flow conjecture where he suggests that …

Perfect Matching And Circuit Cover Of Graphs, Dong Ye

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The research of my dissertation is motivated by the Circuit Double Cover Conjecture due to Szekeres and independently Seymour, that every bridgeless graph G has a family of circuits which covers every edge of G twice. By Fleischner's Splitting Lemma, it suffices to verify the circuit double cover conjecture for bridgeless cubic graphs.;It is well known that every edge-3-colorable cubic graph has a circuit double cover. The structures of edge-3-colorable cubic graphs have strong connections with the circuit double cover conjecture. In chapter two, we consider the structure properties of a special class of edge-3-colorable cubic graphs, which has an …

Relations Among Brief Measures Of Mathematics, Reading, And Processing Speed: A Construct Validity Study, Jennifer Leigh Maynard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Emphasis on regular mathematics skill assessment, intervention, and progress monitoring under the RTImodel has created a need for the development of assessment instruments that are psychometrically sound, reliable, universal, and brief. Important factors to consider when developing or selecting assessments for the school environment include what skills are assessed; mathematics curriculums typically include computation and applications as separate skills taught in sequence. It is also important to consider what additional factors may potentially influence performance on such tests due to the nature of test administration and characteristics of the test items. The current study investigated the construct validity of established, …

Effects Of Departmental And Institutional Policies On Developmental Mathematics Students, Garth B. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arkansas Department of Higher Education data show that approximately 75% of Arkansas community college students are required to take at least one developmental education class (Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2012, p. 7.2). This is significantly higher than the approximately 30% average (Provasnik & Planty, 2008, p. 11) of community college students across the US. Developmental mathematics is the most commonly needed subject within Arkansas, with over 40% of community college students enrolling in at least one developmental mathematics course (Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2012, p. 7.3). Despite being common, few institutions that teach Developmental Education perform and then …

Investigating The Status Of Early Numeracy Skills In Bilingual Dual Language Learner Latino Children Attending Head Start And The Association With Parent Demographic Characteristics, Chavely Lissette Iglesias

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research on mathematics achievement has become increasingly important with today's technological advances and demand for specialized knowledge. Though there is much literature regarding mathematics achievement in monolingual speakers, little is known regarding the mathematical abilities of Dual Language Learner (DLL) Latino children. This study examined the early numeracy skills in English and Spanish of 132 DLL Latino children attending Head Start programs in five counties across Florida. Relationships and differences among their performance in both languages were examined, along with the contribution of specific parent demographic variables to math achievement. Findings indicated that DLL Latino Head Start children's performance on …

The Relationship Between Multiplication Fact Speed-Recall And Fluency And Higher Level Mathematics Learning With Eighth Grade Middle School Students, Steven James Curry

Dissertations

This quantitative study investigated relationships between higher level mathematics learning and multiplication fact fluency, multiplication fact speed-recall, and reading grade equivalency of eighth grade students in Algebra I and Pre-Algebra. Higher level mathematics learning was indicated by an average score of 80% or higher on first and second semester mathematics assessments and proficient or advanced descriptor on the mathematics Missouri Assessment Program tests. Timed multiplication fact quizzes were administered to eighth grade students. Speed-recall scores were measured by the number of accurate answers in a 45-second time frame. Fluency was obtained by a student score of 35 accurate answers in …

Employment Of An Informal Educational Mathematical Facility To Lower Math Anxiety And Improve Teacher And Student Attitudes Towards Understanding Mathematics, Vicki Adams

Dissertations

Students do not pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) because of a lack of ability, but rather a lack of positive experiences with mathematics. Research has concluded that attitudes in math directly influence success in mathematics. As many as 75% of high school graduates in the United States suffer from mild to severe forms of math anxiety. The improvement of student achievement in mathematics in the United States lags behind that of many other nations in the world. Efforts to improve student achievement in mathematics have focused on developing effective teachers and teaching practices, creating state and …

The Calculus Of Variations, Erin Whitney

Honors Theses

The Calculus of Variations is a highly applicable and advancing field. My thesis has only scraped the top of the applications and theoretical work that is possible within this branch of mathematics. To summarize, we began by exploring a general problem common to this field, finding the geodesic be-tween two given points. We then went on to define and explore terms and concepts needed to further delve into the subject matter. In Chapter 2, we examined a special set of smooth functions, inspired by the Calabi extremal metric, and used some general theory of convex functions in order to de-termine …

An Agent Based Model Of Tumor Growth And Response To Radiotherapy, Nicole O'Neil

Theses and Dissertations

An agent based model was developed to examine the growth of a tumor in a healthy cell population. Response to radiation and impact of mutation and bystander effects were studied. In the growth model, the cancer cells proliferated outward becoming invasive. The mass of cancer cells developed a necrotic core. Various treatment protocols of radiation were compared. Timing of treatments was critical to the success of therapy. The event of mutation was rare. When mutation occurred, either unsuccessful treatment or re-growth could result. Multiple rounds of radiation potentially led to increased mutation. Low levels of the bystander effect had little …

Coordinates Arising From Affine Fibrations, Andrew Lewis

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

We study the question of whether residual coordinates arising from affine fibrations are coordinates. We show that the second Venereau polynomial is a coordinate, and introduce a related class of residual coordinates, called Venereau-type polynomials, and show many of them to be coordinates. We give some partial results towards the Dolgachev-Weisfeiler conjecture in the case of tame strongly residual coordinates.

Quotients Of Subgroup Lattices Of Finite Abelian P-Groups, Marina Dombrovskaya

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Let G be a finite abelian p-group of type λ. It is well-known that the lattice L(p) of subgroups of G is the order-theoretic p-analogue of the chain product [0, λ]. However, any surjection φ : L(p) → [0, λ] with order analogue properties does not respect group automorphisms. We are interested in L, the quotient lattice of L(p) under the action of a Sylow p-subgroup of the automorphism group of G. This quotient lattice is particularly interesting since it respects group automorphisms, has the property that the size of an orbit of the action is a power of p, …

Comparison Theorems In Elliptic Partial Differential Equations With Neumann Boundary Conditions, Jeffrey Langford

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

In this thesis, we study how the solution of a PDE changes when the data are rearranged. Specifically, we prove comparison theorems on spherical shells, spheres, and hemispheres, showing that under rearrangement of the data, the solution's convex mean increases. We also obtain similar weighted comparison results in balls.

Castelnuovo-Mumford Regularity Of General Rational Curves On Hypersurfaces., Sara Gharahbeigi

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

We show that for a general smooth rational curve on a general hypersurface of degree $d\leq N$ in $\mathbb{P}^N$, $N\geq 4$, the restriction map of global sections is of maximal rank, and therefore the regularity index of such curves is as small as possible.

Billiard Markov Operators And Second-Order Differential Operators, Jasmine Ng

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

We will consider a class of Markov operators that arise from billiard dynamical systems. In addition to discussing results about their convergence to second-order differential operators, we will approximate the spectrum of one in terms of the other.

Composite Multi Resolution Analysis Wavelets, Benjamin Manning

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Composite dilation wavelets are a class of wavelets that include additional dilations from a countable subgroup of the invertible matrices. We consider the case when these additional dilation matrices form a finite group. A theory of MRA wavelets is established in this setting along with a theory of shift invariant subspaces. We examine accuracy of this class of MRA wavelets and produce several examples of compactly support composite MRA wavelets.

An Investigation Of Melodic Musical Modeling Using Homogeneous And Non-Homogeneous Markov Chains, Eric Robert Sherman Buenger

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

As an actuarial science student, my observations have a different focus than the other composers. In the industry, actuaries aren't interested in a probability model for its own sake. Rather, they "want to use the model to analyze the ... impact of the events being modeled" [Da]. This analysis focuses equally on the generation of the model as well as the results of the model. While other researchers have investigated many topics in the field of musical generation through mathematical means, no one has yet explored non-homogeneous and homogeneous models simultaneously. This study compares melodic material generated from both homogeneous …

The Effect Of Aleks On Students' Mathematics Achievement In An Online Learning Environment And The Cognitive Complexity Of The Initial And Final Assessments, Eze Nwaogu

Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology Dissertations

For many courses, mathematics included, there is an associated interactive e-learning system that provides assessment and tutoring. Some of these systems are classified as Intelligent Tutoring Systems. MyMathLab, Mathzone, and Assessment of LEarning in Knowledge Space (ALEKS) are just a few of the interactive e-learning systems in mathematics. In ALEKS, assessment and tutoring are based on the Knowledge Space Theory. Previous studies in a traditional learning environment have shown ALEKS users to perform equally or better in mathematics achievement than the group who did not use ALEKS.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of ALEKS on …

A Comparison Of Van Hiele Levels And Final Exam Grades Of Students At The University Of Southern Mississippi, Cononiah Watson

Honors Theses

This research analyzed students final exam scores in a college mathematics class with geometric components and their van Hiele levels upon entering the class. After the class was completed, each student’s final exam grade was calculated. The researcher used a Spearman correlation to compare the two; the result was a correlation coefficient of 0.742. The researcher then reported that the results of the van Hiele test are a major component in predicting a student’s success in such a class.

The Relationship Between Student Achievement Of At-Risk Students And The Georgia Performance Standards In Mathematics, Loralee Ann Hill

Dissertations

Educational leaders continue to be challenged in terms of accountability measures for increased student achievement, as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). In particular, schools must show adequate yearly progress (AYP) reaching 100 % proficiency levels for all students in the areas of English language arts and mathematics by 2014. In 2008, the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) in mathematics were implemented at the high school level. Coupled with this new curriculum, a newly developed Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) in mathematics was administered in March 2011. The purpose of this study was to add …

Gaps In Developmental Mathematics Course Sequence Impede Success In College Algebra, Hector Espinosa Gonzales

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of gaps or stop outs within the developmental mathematics course sequence on the successful completion of college algebra.

Community colleges are undergoing a transformation. Historically, they have been focused on improving access to higher education; now the focus has shifted to student success. This transformation is evident in the concerted effort to improve student graduation rates and decrease the amount of time spent to complete degrees. For community colleges, the key to this success must include reform and improvement in developmental education. Within developmental education, mathematics presents the biggest challenge …

Precovering Dgc-Complexes, Jonathan G. Crosby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we prove that with the hypotheses that dg e C is injectively resolving and that the class C is closed under arbitrary direct limits we have that the following are equivalent to dgC being covering: Every complex of C-modules is in dg e C and every exact complex of C-modules is in e C.