Education Commons^™

Funding Of Higher Education In Tennessee: A Qualitative Study Of The Perceptions Of State Legislators And Higher Education Leaders, David D. Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify issues that are considered important to the legislators and higher education leaders of Tennessee in making decisions that affect the funding of higher education. A further purpose was to identify actions that such individuals believe should be taken by higher education leaders to ensure that higher education is accountable and worthy of continued or increased financial support. Using a qualitative research design, interviews were held with 10 legislators and 6 higher education leaders selected in accordance with the concept of purposeful sampling. Legislative participants included five members from the Senate and five …

An Analysis Of The Transactional Distance In Asynchronous Telecourses At A Community College Using The Group Embedded Figures Test, Roger J. Brenner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Asynchronous distance education telecourses are the technological version of traditional correspondence courses. Students in asynchronous telecourses receive videos and printed material but they may not have any contact with the instructor or other students. This study analyzed the academic performance of 154 Southwest Virginia Community College students enrolled in 27 different telecourses during one semester. The purpose of this study was to determine if students' cognitive styles impacted their achievement in distance education courses. Students were given the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) which categorized the students as field dependent or field independent. A field dependent's cognitive style is one …

Articulation Practices Of Two- And Four-Year Public Colleges In Tennessee, Amy L. Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study had two purposes. The first was to identify present articulation practices within Tennessee public colleges. The second was to select recommendations for ideal articulation practice that might lead to improved transfer/articulation among two- and four-year public colleges in Tennessee. A survey instrument was sent to persons identified as chief articulation officers within Tennessee public colleges. They were asked to evaluate identified articulation practices according to present practice and according to ideal practice. Results were used to determine which transfer and articulation practices were currently used in Tennessee public colleges, which transfer and articulation practices ideally should be used …

Institutional Climate And Institutional Effectiveness At Three Community Colleges, Connie S. Buckner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to explore the impact of employee morale, as manifested in institutional climate data, upon institutional effectiveness; and (2) to determine the extent to which information generated by climate survey data was used in developing and implementing change initiatives at each of the institutions studied. Three institutions were selected for this multiple site case study. Four sources of data from each institution were used to provide a "picture" of institutional climate. These sources of data were (a) the Personal Assessment of the College Environment (PACE) climate survey, (b) institutional self-study reports, (c) reaffirmation …

Creating Collaborative Learning Environments: A Curriculum Proposal For Instructors, Carol Rae Chislett

Dissertations and Theses

Groups of students or employees working together to solve problems, gain conceptual understanding, or create new approaches are expected to yield results significantly better than when working individually. Classroom collaboration leads to increased learning and retention, improved interpersonal skills, and enhanced appreciation for and commitment to the educational process. With the increased discussion of its benefits, there is more emphasis on including collaboration in the classroom. The challenge for today's faculty and students is to learn what their roles and expectations are in the successful collaborative environment. The purpose of this study was to design a curriculum for instructors in …

Case Study Of The Kingsport Regional Education Alliance, D. L. Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the origin and evolution of the Kingsport Regional Education Alliance (KREA 2000). A total of 18 individuals, representing three categories, business, education, and community, were selected by purposeful sampling techniques to participate. Data were collected through qualitative methods. The analysis revealed attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions of those involved in the KREA 2000 activities. Through data analysis the investigator identified a core group of influencers who were primarily responsible for the creation of KREA 2000. The investigator identified four major categories that were critical to the evolution of KREA 2000. The four …

Implementing Total Quality Management In Business And Academe: A Case Study, Nancy O. Bartell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Total quality management (TQM) is a philosophy and process that has been successfully implemented in many business firms. Other organizations, including institutions of higher education, have become increasingly interested in adopting it. It is likely that facilitators need to be cognizant of organizational differences and adjust facilitation methods and strategies accordingly. This dissertation is an exploratory study designed to examine the role of the TQM facilitator in diverse settings. Specifically, the study is an in-depth two-case research study of TQM implementation in an international manufacturing firm and a regional institution of higher education. The primary foci of this dissertation are …

Perceptions Of Administrators And Teachers Regarding The Relevancy And Frequency Of Occurrence Of Program Characteristics Of Alternative High School Programs In North Carolina, Deborah D. Wiseman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to (1) determine which characteristics of alternative schools exist in North Carolina public alternative high schools for at-risk/potential dropouts, (2) determine the degree to which North Carolina alternative school administrators and teachers perceive each characteristic as important, (3) determine if there was a significant difference between administrators' and teachers' perceptions regarding the frequency of occurrence of program characteristics to alternative high school's, (4) determine if there was a significant difference between administrators' and teachers' perceptions regarding the relevancy of program characteristics to alternative high schools, and (5) determine if there was a significant …

Computer Anxiety And Attitudes Of Urban Teacher Education Students, Alfred P. Rovai

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This three-part study used quasi-experimental methodologies to: (a) determine how a computer literacy course affects the computer anxiety and computer attitudes of urban teacher education students over time, (b) explain and predict urban teacher education students who are resistant to reduction of computer anxiety, and (c) determine whether a humanistically-focused treatment is more effective than a traditional cognitively-focused treatment in reducing computer anxiety and improving computer attitudes.

For the first part of this study 75 subjects were measured over three observations using a 13-week interval. The treatment, a mandatory computer literacy course for teacher education students, was conducted between the …

The Relationships Among Leadership Behaviors Of Leaders In Training Organizations, Training Methods, And Organization Profitability, Joseph D. Keith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Business organizations are decreasing funding for training. The problem investigated in this study was to determine if there was a relationship among the leadership behavior of training leaders, the use of newer methods of training, and organizational profitability. A sample of 57 organizations from the Fortune 500 was surveyed to determine leadership behavior and the use of newer methods of training. The Leadership Practices Inventory was used to measure leadership and the Affective Communication Test was used to measure charisma. Profitability data were obtained from the literature. Return on assets, return on equity, the Moody's Corporate Bond Rating, and the …

A Survey Of Sophomore Students' Impressions Of Academic Advising Services At East Tennessee State University, Ronald D. Gross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study of sophomore students' at East Tennessee State University was conducted to determine students' impressions of the institutional academic advising program, to assess students' level of satisfaction with the academic advisor's assistance with those topics discussed in academic advising sessions, and to determine students' impressions of their academic advisor. The data collected in this study revealed that the sophomore students at ETSU were slightly dissatisfied with their advisor's assistance. Data derived from comparative analyses for differences in impressions of academic advising services found that specific demographic groups were basically neutral in their satisfaction with advising. Few statistically significant differences …

Participation In Extracurricular Activities And The Relationship To Academic Achievement And School Attendance Among High School Seniors, Lyle C. Ailshie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and the variables of school attendance and academic achievement. The population for the study was the 1994-95 graduating class in the First Tennessee Development District high schools. The definition of extracurricular activities was expanded to include the employment of students. The relationships were examined through Pearson Product Moment correlations and by way of multiple regression. A total of 575 students from thirteen high schools made up the sample for this study. Schools were classified into three size categories and proportionally selected in order to accurately represent the population. Selected students …

Parent Involvement Typologies And Student Achievement: A Correlational Study Of The Overlapping Spheres Of Influence, Phillip J. Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between six types of parent involvement and student achievement. These typologies included parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and collaborating with community. Four research questions guided the study and nine null hypotheses were formulated and tested at the level of significance. The degree of relationship between the independent variables, parent involvement typologies, and student achievement were analyzed by utilizing Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, Pearson's product-moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The study sample consisted of 627 elementary and middle school parents in Mitchell County, North Carolina. The results …

Exploring The Congruency Between Student Satisfaction And Institutional Effectiveness In Higher Education, Kathryn K. Franklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of the increasing emphasis on the accountability of higher education, constituents of the academy have searched for reliable and valid measures of institutional effectiveness. One measure of institutional effectiveness, gaining in popularity with accountability proponents, has been the assessment of overall student satisfaction. To build a link between student satisfaction and institutional effectiveness, past researchers have made the assumption that a relationship exists between these two constructs. This assumption has been grounded in a further supposition that a congruency exists between the criteria used by students to determine satisfaction and the criteria used by higher education administrators to evaluate …

A Survey Of Sophomore Students' Impressions Of Academic Advising Services At East Tennessee State University, Ronald D. Gross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study of sophomore students' at East Tennessee State University was conducted to determine students' impressions of the institutional academic advising program, to assess students' level of satisfaction with the academic advisor's assistance with those topics discussed in academic advising sessions, and to determine students' impressions of their academic advisor. The data collected in this study revealed that the sophomore students at ETSU were slightly dissatisfied with their advisor's assistance. Data derived from comparative analyses for differences in impressions of academic advising services found that specific demographic groups were basically neutral in their satisfaction with advising. Few statistically significant differences …

Perceptions And Hiring Practices Of Tennessee Superintendents And Directors Of Schools Relating To The Desired Technological Skills Of High School Principals, J. M. Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to reveal what technological skills are inquired about by superintendents/directors of schools in the state of Tennessee when hiring high school principals. The study further reveals perceptions that superintendents/directors of schools have for the desirability of high school principals to possess technological skills and their perceptions of how capable current high school principals are for possessing those skills. The study was based on a total population of 139 school superintendents in the state of Tennessee. Surveys were mailed in early Nov, 1995. One hundred-two surveys were completed and returned. Findings were divided into two …

The Woman High School Principal In Tennessee: A Qualitative Study, Doris W. Vanhuss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to give an indepth and insightful description of the personal and professional worlds of the women high school principals of grades 9-12 in Tennessee in 1993. Specific areas which were addressed in the study included: (1) personal background information, (2) career paths and goals, (3) personal influences upon the women (4) possible barriers, (5) the role(s) of the woman high school principal, and (6) job demands. The data were gathered through a demographic questionnaire and the process of the long interview with open-ended questions with all seventeen of the women high school principals …

Assessing Students' Gains From The College Experience At East Tennessee State University, Ramona A. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what activities from the ETSU experience influence students' opinions about their growth and development. This study also examined the influence of sex, age, and classification in college. Three research questions and five hypotheses were examined. The Third Edition of the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ) was the instrument used in this study. The CSEQ was administered to 50 undergraduate classes at East Tennessee State University during the Spring Semester 1994. There were 19 independent variables and five dependent variables in this study. The 19 independent variables included students' scores on the 14 …

Impact Of Tennessee's Value-Added Assessment System On School Superintendents' Decision-Making, Kay M. Goode

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem related to this study was to develop a clearer understanding of the impact of Tennessee's Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) on school superintendents' decision-making responsibilities in view of school reform efforts at both the national and state levels during the last decade. The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between three independent variables (superintendents' years of experience, superintendents' perceived degree of personnel acceptance, and superintendents' perceived technical assistance availability for data analysis and interpretation of results) and superintendents perceptions of the system on eight aspects (student learning; teacher performance; school system success; educational accountability; educational equality; assessment …

Factors Related To Enrollment Decisions Of Accepted Traditional-Age Students At Milligan College, John L. Derry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined an aspect of enrollment management at a private liberal arts college. Factors related to enrollment decisions of students accepted for admission to Milligan College were analyzed by comparing two groups: matriculants and nonmatriculants. The population consisted of 438 traditional-age applicants for the 1995 fall semester. Data were collected from the application for admission, financial aid application, and a survey instrument designed to obtain information relative to influences on the enrollment decision. The Purposes of the research were to determine if significant differences existed between the two groups and to identify the characteristics of the students most likely …

Common Transitional And First-Year Experiences Of Newly Appointed Community College Deans: A Qualitative Analysis, Joseph B. Olson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to identify common transitional and first year experiences of newly appointed community college deans. A population of deans from the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas was identified. Through the use of qualitative research techniques, personalized accounts were collected from a sample of eleven deans. Through a qualitative analysis of these personalized accounts, thirteen themes were developed. These themes identified common issues and backgrounds encountered and shared by the eleven deans. These themes reveal that: (1) prior community college administrative experience was a prerequisite to the deanship, (2) there were no …

The Impact Of Total Quality Management On Student Achievement And School Improvement Team Performance In An Urban Elementary Setting, Jennette Ann Straus

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between TQM and student achievement, and TQM and faculty scores on the High PERFORMing Team Survey.

Currently, there exists no research which indicates that TQM can solve the problems of the urban schools. TQM is recommended by experts when the staff is highly educated, when management supports TQM, when team leaders can run meetings effectively, and when the organization can afford lost time and productivity while its team learns necessary skills.

The TQM schools used in this study began the transition to TQM in 1991. Reading comprehension and mathematics scores …

Evaluation Of A Home-School-Community Liaison Scheme In Irish Elementary Schools, Sandra Ryan

Dissertations

This dissertation describes an evaluation of a Home-School-Community Liaison scheme in Irish elementary schools. The scheme represented an effort to combat educational failure in areas suffering from social and economic disadvantage associated with poor quality housing, high levels of unemployment, dependence on state aid, and crime. The central aim of the scheme was to increase parents' involvement in their children's education. The evaluation study examined how programs in the scheme were constructed and implemented over a three-year period and monitored specified outcomes of program activity. Methodology included questionnaires, interviews, site visits and observations, and standardized achievement testing.

The scheme generated …

The Effects Of Selected Variables On The Motivation And Attitudes Of Urban Secondary School Students In Large Metropolitan School District., San Juanita Garza-Perez

Dissertations (Pre-2016)

None

A Comparative Analysis Of Scientific Research Administrators Leadership Practices In Public And Private Universities, Amin Muhammad

Dissertations (Pre-2016)

None

The 1995-96 School Improvement Plan For Holy Savior High School Tienchung, Taiwan, Jen-Hung Hsu

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to plan and develop a comprehensive high school curriculum for Holy Savior High School (HSHS) Tienchung, Taiwan, Republic of China (R.O.C.). To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to comprehensive high school curricular and instructional development, both academic and vocationaltechnical, were reviewed, and recent legal regulations and directives of the Taiwan Provincial Government were considered.

A Volunteer Program Resource Guide For Ocean Shores Elementary School Ocean Shores, Washington, Jodi Mae Mallonee

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop an elementary school community volunteer resource guide for Ocean Shores Elementary School to prepare for school volunteers. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research regarding volunteer programs in public schools was conducted. Additionally, materials descriptive of volunteer programs from selected school, school districts, institutions of higher education, and government agencies were obtained and analyzed. The guide was intended for use by the Ocean Shores Elementary School, North Beach School District, Ocean Shores, Washington.

An Administrative Guide For Aligning Eastmont High School Curriculum With Career Pathways, Mark S. Marney

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop an administrative guide to assist students in grades 9 - 12 in planning an educational course of study focused on Career Pathways at Eastmont High School, East Wenatchee, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to career guidance and counseling and Career Pathways was reviewed. Additionally, materials and information from selected Washington high schools concerning Career Pathways related programs were obtained and analyzed.

A Process Model For Conducting A High School Self-Study At Foster High School, Tukwila, Washington, Patricia C. Larson

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design a process model detailing the evaluation procedure for a high school self-study required for state and regional accreditation. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature regarding school self-study, restructuring and educational reform was conducted. The project, describing a collaborative approach, included the planning and organization of staff workshops, a description and implementation plan for the interactive activities used in the evaluation process, and the preparation of the self-study project which was submitted to the South Central School District School Board, the Office of the Superintendant of Public Instruction and the …

A Procedural Handbook For The Washougal Learning Center, Michael J. Strever

All Graduate Projects

It is the intent of this project to create a handbook for the parents, students, and staff of Washougal Leaming Center in Washougal, Washington. This handbook was designed to both be consistent with current district, state, and federal guidelines, and communicate the policies and procedures of the Washougal Leaming Center to parents, students, and staff. The handbook was developed with input from staff of Washougal Leaming Center. Handbooks from various school in Washington were also review in the development of this project. Recommendations included an annual review of the handbook to ensure its validity and appropriateness.