Education Commons^™

An Analysis Of Interventions For Chronically Absent Students In Grade 6-8 Within Middle Schools In Somerset, New Jersey, Nicholas Solomon

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The aim of this research was to find effective, efficient, and practical interventions that can help educators in Somerset, New Jersey support chronically absent students by facilitating their coming to school and being productive students.

This study explored the definition of chronic absenteeism, along with the impact chronic absenteeism has on education, economically disadvantaged students’ impact on chronic absenteeism, strategies to improve chronic absenteeism, and chronic absenteeism case studies that have been utilized in schools across the nation.

Interviews were conducted with educators in order to gain a clear understanding of their perceptions/beliefs regarding the impact educators can have on …

Perceptions: A Comparative Case Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Urban And Suburban African American Administrators, Edward E. Wilson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Despite the research conducted on this group, African Americans continue to be underrepresented in educational leadership, particularly in districts with growing minority populations. This qualitative, narrative-based study sought to build on previous research conducted on African Americans working in education, specifically within leadership as principals. By examining the perceptions of urban and suburban African American principals, this research contributed to the understanding of an emerging need within education where many districts are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of student populations, yet still lack diversity within their leadership ranks. The purpose of this study was to be intentional in comparing the …

The Influence Of Principal Leadership Behaviors On The Development Of Professional Learning Communities In Title I And Non-Title I Schools, Alicia Kingcade

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The quest to seek effective school improvement initiatives has been an ongoing challenge for schools across the country. As we continue on this search to find strategies to promote high-quality education and improve teaching and learning for all, school leaders are implementing creative approaches to enhance collaboration, learning, and results. This study examined the influence of principal leadership behaviors on the development of professional learning communities (PLC) in Title I and non-Title I schools. The study uncovered specific leadership practices and PLC structures that positively affect the development and sustainability of professional learning communities in two schools within Alexandria City …

The Story Of Growth: A Case Study Of New Jersey Underperforming Underprivileged High School, Michelle L. Shelton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Socioeconomics has been a factor that exposes the disparities in student achievement across communities within the state of New Jersey, and as a result of the disparities, in 1985, the Education Law Center filed the first ruling of Abbot v. Burke; this case ruled that significant funding be provided in an effort to ensure that underprivileged students within these underperforming districts receive public education in accordance with the state constitution. However, despite the funding efforts, since 1985, (87%) of the 31 school districts identified as Abbott not only remain underprivileged, but they also remain underperforming. Therefore, to remedy the underperformance …

Arming America's K-12 Teachers, The Second Amendment And The Gun-Free School Zones Act: A Public Policy Analysis, Joseph R. Uliano

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

According to the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” (U.S. Const. amend II), which is the absolute “right of the people.” The Bill of Rights further indicates, “Any right given to the people cannot be revoked by the government, limiting its power over the people.” However, educators and school administrators in most U.S. states must check this fundamental right at the door, as they are governed by their respective state governments …

Does The Parcc Exam Alter The Landscape Of A School In Grades 3-6 In The Areas Of Evaluation, Curriculum, Staffing And Technology?, Michael Stefanelli

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study explored whether the New Jersey PARCC exam altered evaluation, curriculum, staffing, and technology in Grades 3 to 6 of the state’s public schools. Semistructured interviews were implemented to determine whether administrators and teachers believed that the PARCC test changed the landscape of public schools. Fifteen administrators and teachers were recruited to participate in this study from a consortium of schools in northern New Jersey. The interview instrument for this study was based on existing literature.

Four major themes emerged from the interview data. The first related to PARCC’s influence on staff morale due to the tests direct …

The Implementation And Operation Of Three School-Based Health Centers In New Jersey, Joseph Howe

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

There is a construct of causation between common health issues affecting children and the corollary effects on a student’s ability and motivation to learn, including impaired sensory perceptions, cognition, connectedness and engagement with school, absenteeism, and dropping out (Basch, 2011b). What is more, causal connections have been found between a students’ health, their socio-economic status (SES), and the achievement gap that exists in education between students with a low-SES and others (Basch, 2011a). To address deficiencies in health care, some school districts have begun providing medical and mental healthcare in school buildings by opening school-based health centers (SBHC; Bains & …

The Influence Of Open Access On Advanced Placement Achievement, Shanna Howell

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Preparing students for higher education is a primary aim of K-12 education. However, some high school graduates do not meet college readiness benchmarks and must take remedial noncredit courses in college (Adams, 2013; Butrymowicz, 2017). One of the strongest predictors of student success in college is rich and rigorous high school curriculum (Adelman, 1999; Adelman, 2006). The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers high school students college-level courses that can earn them college credits from participating institutions (Kolluri, 2018; Rothschild, 1999). College Board research overwhelmingly has indicated that the AP program is beneficial for students (Casserly, 1986; Dodd et al., 2002; …

The Influence Of An Abstinence-Only Intervention On The Risk Behaviors Of Urban Middle School Students, Alison J. Wakefield

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In this dissertation, findings on the factors that influence risk-avoidance behaviors among Hispanic and African American middle-school students are presented. The findings were based on a randomized study in which middle-school students were randomly assigned to receive either an abstinence-only curriculum or a comprehensive health curriculum.

Initial findings suggest that middle-school students and their attitudes toward sexual activity were closely associated with their relationships with both their parents and peers. The pivotal indicator for student engagement research indicated that the higher the level of engagement between teen and parent, the more likely the teen is to follow the interventions. Should …

Comparison Of National Assessment Of Educational Progress (Naep) Reports And State Physical Education Mandates, Erick Alfonso

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

There have been several studies that analyzed the relationship between physical education and academic achievement at a local level, but a longitudinal analysis across the United States has not been done. An understanding of the relationship between physical education policies across the United States and academic achievement at the state level may provide insight into best practices to ensure that comprehensive physical education policies are adopted in all states. Using data from the Society of Health and Physical Educators and The National Assessment of Educational Progress, I investigated the relationship between physical education policies and academic achievement. Minor relationships with …

An Exploration Of Principal Perceptions Of The Danielson Framework For Teaching In Providing Feedback And Improving Instructional Leadership, Stephen Hernon

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Teachers have consistently been proven by research as the most critical factor in the academic success of students (Baker et al., 2010, Darling-Hammond, 2000, Tucker & Stronge, 2005, Taylor & Tyler, 2012). Having a quality teacher therefore provides the best pathway to strong student achievement, and knowing how to evaluate quality teaching becomes critical to student success. A growing body of models for evaluating teachers has formed over the past two decades; and among those are new, research-based models. Principals are key to the success or failure of the new approaches to teacher evaluation because they are in the position …

Understanding The Academic Success Of Black Caribbean Immigrant Students Who Have Earned A Graduate Degree At An Ivy League University, Sheila Newton Moses

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Caribbean-American students who pursue higher education at Ivy League institutions most often maintain a strong ethnic identification with the race and culture of their birth. As described by Waters (2001a) and Vickerman (2001), the ethnic pride and solidarity of these first and second-generation Caribbean immigrants have made a positive impact on their self-image, thus enabling many to become upwardly mobile as they confront prejudice and resist societal misperceptions of their culture (Waters, 2001; Vickerman, 2001). Therefore, even after they have spent many years absorbing American culture while “sitting comfortably at the black and white table,” Caribbean-Americans do not see themselves …

Exploring The Moderating Effect Of Teacher Practice On The Relationship Between Prior Student Academic Performance And Current Student Academic Performance In A New Jersey Public School District, Marc Biunno

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

When New Jersey passed the TEACHNJ legislation in August of 2012, it brought about the ACHIEVE NJ educator evaluation and support system. New Jersey would shift from a two-tier evaluation system (satisfactory and unsatisfactory) based solely on administrator observations to a four-tier system (ineffective, partially effective, effective, highly effective) based not only on administrator observations but also locally set Student Growth Objectives and, in the areas of ELA and Math in tested grades, Median Student Growth Percentiles (MSGPs). Median Student Growth Percentiles are the amount of student “growth” on the PARCC ELA and Math assessments, which the State attributes to …

Understanding The Co-Teaching Experience Of Teachers: Negotiating Choice And Efficacy, Mary A. Garofalo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Co-teaching, a main strategy of the inclusionary movement, has been widely researched over the last 25 years. Although there is much research in the way of student outcomes and best practices, the research on teachers’ perceptions of co-teaching on the secondary level is non-existent. Although all of the research on best practices of co-teaching suggests that voluntary participation and choice of partner is important when implementing a co-teaching program, school administration tend to veer away from giving teachers a choice due to scheduling or financial constraints.

Using qualitative, case-study research methods, including teacher and administrative interviews, survey and field observations, …

The Influence Of The Student Mobility Rate On Grade 3 New Jersey Assessment Of Skills And Knowledge Scores, Rose L. Morrisroe

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This correlational, explanatory, cross-sectional study explained the influence of student mobility, at the school level, on the percentage of students who scored proficient on the 3rd grade English Language Arts Literacy NJ ASK. The variables in this study included: student characteristics (percentage of students who were economically disadvantaged (on free lunch status), percentage of students in Special Education, percentage of students who were Limited English Proficient, percentage of students who were mobile); and school characteristics (percentage of mobile teachers). The statistical analysis in this study included: Correlational Matrix, Simple Regression Model, Simultaneous Multiple Regression Model, and Sequential Regression Model. The …

Administrator Perceptions Of The Teacher Evaluation Process And Professional Development Programming In New Jersey Independent Schools, Marissa C. Muoio

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examines administrator perceptions of the teacher evaluation process and professional development programming in New Jersey independent schools. Despite the contentious topic of teacher evaluation within the national landscape today, there is currently little research available concerning administrator perceptions of teacher evaluation and professional development within independent schools. In this study, I ask a) What teacher evaluation processes or tools are being used in the independent schools in the state of New Jersey? b) What types of professional development programs are provided for teachers in these schools? and c) How do independent school administrators perceive the relationship between the …

The Influence Of Self-Efficacy On Job Satisfaction In New Jersey Public School Principals, Kerry L. Postma

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative, descriptive, correlational study sought to describe the nature of the relationship between the self-efficacy of school principals and their job satisfaction. The data were obtained from an online survey sent to all New Jersey public school principals. A total of 822 principals participated in the study. The independent variables included demographic characteristics of respondents and principal self-efficacy as measured by the Principal Self-Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Gareis, 2004). The dependent variable was principal job satisfaction, as measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (Weiss, Dawis, England, & Lofquist, 1967). The analyses of the data were completed using simultaneous …