Education Commons^™

Small Michigan Schools: Course Offerings And Methods Used To Maintain Curriculum Despite Low Enrollment, Dona M. Hettle

Masters Theses

Small schools face curriculum limitations because of low student numbers and financial constraints. The purpose of this study was to determine the course offerings and techniques for maintaining curriculum in selected Michigan small schools. Principals of 50 Michigan small schools chosen at random completed a questionnaire listing 79 courses and 15 strategies for maintaining curriculum. Responses were tabulated and listed in rank order. Course offerings in Michigan small schools vary greatly in numbers and kind. Sixty-nine percent offer a basic curriculum enabling students to meet the National Commission on Excellence in Education (1983) recommendations. In coping with small numbers, schools …

Community Education Plan For North Kent Consortium, Charlene M. Bunnell

Masters Theses

The purpose of this project was to design a working document which could be used by the four-school community education consortium in its management practices. The underlying question was whether it was possible to design a document which would be simple and complete, by still address the many needs of four different school systems.

The completed project includes a document which addresses the many facets of administering a multi-district consortium. It outlines the duties and responsibilities of each district at the present time while allowing for the realigning of those duties and responsibilities at a later date.

As a result …

The Knoxville City Schools Proficiency Project: A Summary Analysis Of Three Years And Year-Three Results, Kathleen S. Puckett

Masters Theses

The Knoxville City Schools (KCS) Proficiency Project was designed to help inner-city high school pupils improve their scores on the state proficiency test. Grade-nine pupils in lower achieving project high schools and grade-eight students from the corresponding middle schools were given intense treatment over a three-year period. Proficiency test scores for grade-nine students were analyzed each year and were compared to results in control high schools and to the scores of the total city high school population.

Project results showed steady, sustained improvement. By the end of year three, the average percent of pupils passing the state proficiency test in …

Establishing Interagency Communication Among K-12 School Districts And Government Agencies Through An Intermediate School District, Gary R. Campbell

Masters Theses

The proposed procedure for a local school administrator to establish direct interagency communication between local, K-12 school districts and other government agencies who deal with troubled youth was to: (a) examine the function and organization of the intermediate school district, (b) evaluate the role of its superintendent, and, (c) assist the superintendent in establishment of an interagency discussion group. the This group would meet regularly to discuss mutual concerns in helping troubled youth.

This experience focused on gaining an understanding of the organization and function of a Michigan intermediate school district, the role of its superintendent, and the other non-school, …

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Policies In Central Illinois: A Survey, Analysis, And Model, Daniel Lathrop

Masters Theses

One purpose of this study was to develop model policies for school districts to use in dealing with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). A second purpose was to identify which school districts in the Educational Service Region (ESR) comprised of Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Moultrie, and Shelby counties had addressed the issue of AIDS policies. The population surveyed in the initial phase consisted of 22 superintendents within the ESR. A survey was developed utilizing many items from a national study (Keough and Seaton, 1987). The survey was administered during a monthly meeting of superintendents hosted by Regional Superintendent Rosemary Shepherd. …

School Effectiveness Model For Enterprise Elementary School, Lloyd A. Moma

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is to develop a school improvement model for use at Enterprise Elementary School, District #61 in Decatur, Illinois based on effective schools research. There has been a slow, steady change in the student population of this school in the past twenty years. The influx of hard to educate children, combined with the loss of some services, such as Chapter I, required that staff adjust teaching practices to maintain the high level of achievement that past test results have indicated. Because of the increased awareness of effective schools research and an increasing demand for school …

The Development Of A School Emergency Plan For The Blue Ridge School District #18, Farmer City, Illinois, Robert D. Hooker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to devise an emergency preparedness plan handbook for the Blue Ridge School District #18, Farmer City, Illinois. The handbook was designed to aid the school administration and staff by defining definite administrative action in carrying out the steps necessary to protect students and staff in the event of an emergency situation. A data base was formed from several sources. Information was received through a review of the literature; a review of organizational materials; a review of information from school districts through a questionnaire; interviews with individuals from professional agencies; and a review of school …

Perceptions Of Teachers And Students Of School Effectiveness Factors At Knoxville High School, Roger A. Stevens

Masters Theses

This field study was designed to investigate teacher and student perceptions of school effectiveness factors as related to Knoxville High School. Specifically, this study compared actual perceived school effectiveness factors between teachers and students. A comparison of past achievement tests was also initiated to determine what effect, if any, school leadership might play in the process.

Two instruments were designed for this study, Teacher Feedback Survey and the Student Opinion Survey. Dr. David Bartz, of Eastern Illinois University, developed the survey instruments based on research conducted by Edmonds, Brookover, Lezotte and Weber and a review of current literature addressing the …

Administrative Field Experience: Educational Service Center #17, Olney, Illinois, Joyce A. Carson

Masters Theses

Being the Director of an Educational Service Center is a position of challenge, responsibility, and leadership. The internship consisted of managing the day-to-day operations of the center and completing two major projects. The first project had been implemented in the center's Full Service Plan involving the recognition of exemplary programs. The second assignment was directed by the General Assembly in regard to family life-sex education.

The day-to-day operations involved managing the Educational Service Center #17's summer staff. The staff consisted of the bookkeeper and two secretaries. Leadership and management skills were necessary. Being punctual, being productive, setting goals, praising staff, …

Superintendent Internship In Argenta-Oreana School District #1, Jerry D. Zachary

Masters Theses

The purpose of this superintendent internship was to provide practical experiences for the student germane to the role of superintendent. These experiences were selected under the advisement of Dr. Larry Janes with cognizance of the general objectives of the internship (Attachment A) and the student's own voids in administrative experience.

The internship has been under the direction of Superintendent Donald Magee of the Argenta-Oreana Community Unit District Number 1. District Number 1 is a consolidated district with 1,226 students. Dr. Magee has been a high school teacher, coach, and principal and has served as superintendent in four school districts for …

A Model For Determining Attitudes Towards School District Reorganization, James A. Voyles

Masters Theses

The focus of this study is to provide a model for determining current attitudes toward school district reorganization so that a school board can gain local community data. The small rural school districts of central Illinois are finding fewer and fewer options when considering maintaining or increasing the quality of education in their communities. Illinois school reform legislation of 1985 included a section on school district reorganization which was an effort to reduce the number of districts and increase the quality of education. However, the sentiment was so strong against forced reorganization that the plan for reorganization died a political …

An Analysis Of Factors Associated With The Change In Graduation Requirements At Champaign Centennial High School, David H. Pike

Masters Theses

The graduation requirements for the students at Champaign Centennial High School, Champaign, Illinois, changed effective with the class of 1988. This field experience investigated the possible effects of the new and more stringent graduation requirements. A comparative analysis using students in the classes of 1985, 1986, and 1987 for the baseline data with the students in the classes of 1988 and 1989 was completed. Specifically, the evaluator designed a procedure to statistically study the students' American College Test and SRA Survey of Basic Skills Test scores. A two tailed t-test for the difference of the means at the .05 level …

The Effect Of Strikes On Superintendents, Marilyn J. Yokel

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of public school superintendents regarding teacher organizations, negotiations, personnel and influence, progression of events related to the strike, issues that contributed to the strike, and time spent working on strike-related activities during and after Illinois teacher strikes occurring during the 1986-87 school year. A review of the literature revealed much relevant advisory information, but this literature was limited to one aspect or another of a strike situation, for example negotiations or unions. The Superintendent Questionnaire was sent to school districts where teachers struck during the 1986-87 school year. Descriptive statistics, …

School Effectiveness Factors And Elements Likely To Enhance Student Performance In The Kell, Illinois, Consolidated School District, Bob C. Wilson

Masters Theses

This study identified from the literature and research school effectiveness factors which can be applied to the Kell Community Consolidated School District for the purpose of improvement. The seven factors identified were: (1) Safe and orderly environment, (2) Clear and focused school mission, (3) Instructional leadership, (4) School climate of high expectations, (5) Opportunity to learn and student time on task, (6) Frequent monitoring of student progress, and (7) Home-school relations. This study also identified elements within each of the seven school effectiveness factors which could be utilized by the Kell Community Consolidated School District to conduct a self-evaluation. These …

Gifted Underachievers, Jean A. Walters

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Creating A Model For A Student Assistance Program For High School Students Involved In Substance Abuse, George C. Lewis

Masters Theses

Substance abuse is a problem faced by schools, parents, students and communities. The purpose of this field experience was to provide a plan to help educators, parents, students and communities deal effectively with youth involved in substance abuse. The need for this field study became evident to the researcher when twenty-five students from the student body of Salem Community High School were placed in in-patient substance abuse programs during the 1985-86 school year.

The literature was examined and certain reactions and trends indicated in the literature were identified. Many substance abuse programs were reviewed. Key programs reviewed include the following: …

A Model For Small Illinois School Districts In Response To Financial Crisis, Michael A. Weaver

Masters Theses

This study describes the options available to small, rural Illinois school districts that face financial crises. The implications for a particular school relative to consolidation, annexation, cooperative high schools, tuitioning out, and tax referenda are described. Survey results relative to school effectiveness, the financial future, and school loyalty are reported and analyzed. The study concludes with a recommendation which appears most appropriate to solve the financial problems of the Findlay Community Unit School District #2.