Education Commons^™

A Comparison Of Assessment Practices Between General And Special Education Teachers, Richard Lee Orr, Jr.

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the types of assessment formats that are being used in classrooms today,; (b) if a significant difference exists between general education and special education teachers' choices of assessment formats,; and, (c) if teachers' assessment training background correlated with the number or type of assessment formats chosen. One hundred thirty two middle school general and special education teachers from the state of Virginia were surveyed with a 22-item survey to determine how often each teacher used certain assessment formats in their classrooms.

Results showed that these teachers use a variety of assessment …

A Case Study Of Academic Achievement Of African American Males, Loistean Mason

Dissertations

Several areas are often identified as barriers to the academic achievement of African American males. They include racial inequality, segregation between schools, segregation within schools, cultural insensitivity to learning styles, the theory of cultural deprivation, teacher/student interaction, and the discipline of African American students. The study was conducted in a Midwestern school with a predominantly African American student body and faculty at the end of the final grading period before graduation. This study of 12th-grade males sought to determine if the climate of an African American high school with African American administrators and faculty would enhance the achievement of African …

A Study Of The Educational, Experience, And Managerial Performance Requirements For Preparing Logistics Commanders, Thomas C. O'Malley

Theses and Dissertations

For some time, senior logistics leaders have been concerned that logisticians with experience in only one logistics function are unable to create and maintain an integrated, seamless logistics system. The Air Force has recently decided to consolidate logistics career fields at the Field Grade level to ensure future Logistics Group Commanders and other senior logisticians have the broad-base of skills, experience, and knowledge that is needed to effectively manage logistics activities. One important outcome of this consolidation is the adoption of a career progression model in which logistics officers will have experience in at least two logistics functions. Preparing officers …

A Follow-On Study Of University Efforts To Provide Students With The Ability To Comprehend And Apply Total-Quality Principles In Their Fields Of Study, Joseph J. Koizen, Michael D. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This follow-on research investigated the educational processes employed by universities to enable their students to comprehend and apply Total Quality principles. The results of this research are intended to be used by Department of Defense institutions of higher education as a current guide to help them adopt practices which will enable their students to comprehend and apply Total Quality in their future assignments. Using a source list of schools from Quality Progress (Sept. 1995), contact individuals were interviewed at several civilian and military universities across the United States. Investigative questions were developed and asked concerning the specific educational processes of …

Elementary Teachers’ And Principals’ Perceptions Of Principal Leadership Style And School Social Organization, Thomas Jack Evans

Dissertations

The context of teaching has dramatically changed over the last several decades following two national waves of educational reform. Researchers have focused attention on the social restructuring of schools (Liebermann, 1992) and appropriate leadership strategies, such as transformational leadership (Leithwood, 1993; Sergiovanni, 1990), for achieving comprehensive changes leading toward increased school effectiveness. Leadership that can stimulate "bottom-up" participation from teachers and principals in efforts to restructure schools has been recommended (Rowan, 1990; Sergiovanni, 1994). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between elementary principals’ use of transformational leadership strategies as determined by teacher reports and the …

A Study Of Preprofessional Grade Point Average As A Predictor Of Success For Physical Therapy Majors At Langston University, Jocelyn Evans

McCabe Thesis Collection

Admission criteria for allied health programs have been studied to determine the success a student will have in a given program. Program admissions committees seek students who will perform the best, didactically and clinically, completing the program and demonstrating the potential to pass the professional exams. In an effort to determine which students will successfully complete professional health programs, studies have been conducted to help predict which tools of selection are of most value. Included as variables in these studies to predict success in allied health programs are prerequisite grade point average (pre-GPA), science grade point average (sci-GPA), interview scores, …

The Status Of Middle Level Schools In Berrien County, Michigan Following Michigan Public Act 25, Judith A. Burns

Dissertations

Michigan Public Act 25 of 1990 mandated public school reform. One of 4 components of Public Act 25 is the development of a 3 to 5 year School Improvement Plan (SIP). The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine middle level school improvement in Berrien County, Michigan, for evidence that developmentally appropriate middle level education is promoted.

This 2-part investigation involved analyzing SIPs submitted for 1992-93 school year using a content analysis format and interviews with each building principal or designee. The content analysis format was developed by Sweeney and Cooper in 1992 to analyze SIPs of Wayne County, …

An Assessment Of The Characteristics Of Catholic School Boards In The State Of Michigan, Frank C. Wippel

Dissertations

This study describes the nature and development of Catholic school boards, reports the characteristics of Michigan Catholic school boards, and investigates relationships between involvement in key board functions (establishing mission, long-range planning, budget monitoring, policy development, and marketing) and selection processes, governance postures, and training. The findings indicate a relationship between key board function involvement, election process, consultative governance posture, and training. Survey methodology and design was used to obtain the data for the study. Board presidents and school administrators from all 358 Catholic schools in the state were invited to participate. A 9 6 % response rate was obtained. …

The Leadership Of African American Women Constructing Realities, Shifting Paradigms, Gloria Murphy Gostnell

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn more about leadership from the perspectives, norms, and values of a selected group of African American women leaders. I sought to develop a more inclusive view of the realities of leadership, and a better understanding of the impact of the interlocking status of race, gender, and social class on the practice, pursuit, and perceptions of leadership by these women.

This study is grounded in a Black women's standpoint, and places Black women's experiences at the center of analysis. In answer to the question "How do we know the world?," the standpoint …

The Effects Of Self-Monitoring Of Task Completion Time On Assignment Completion And Accuracy, Kathryn B. Wright

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if productivity and accuracy would increase if subjects recorded the amount of time it took to complete assignments. Two students with learning disabilities were taught to record the times assignments were started and finished and to calculate the difference. Data were collected on the time spent on assignments, the percentage of the assignment completed, and the percentage of the assignment completed correctly. The results showed that productivity and the amount of time spent on assignments improved slightly. The accuracy of the work, however, decreased. Implications for future research are discussed.

Alfred Alder And Albert Bandura: A Comparison Of Theories Academic Achievement In Children Of Divorce And Educational Kinesiology: Its Implications And Uses In The Learning Process, Claudia Emmons Gleeson

Student Dissertations & Theses

Three topics were researched and reported that can benefit counselors as they work with various individuals. Alfred Adler and Albert Bandura; a comparison of theories, academic achievement in children of divorce, and Educational Kinesiology: its implications and uses in the learning process were topics discussed. A comparison of Adler's individual psychology and Bandura's social learning theory produced practical applications for counselors and knowledge about human behavior. Academic achievement in children of divorce explored the reason for difficulties the children and families face during, and after the transition caused by parental divorce. Successful counseling interventions were given that consisted of education …

A Comparison And Contrast Of Two Middle School Classrooms With One Using Conflict Resolution And One Not Using Conflict Resolution, Kelli Ann Eich

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

-

Modification Of The New York State Prelicensing Course Curriculum Through Motivation And Teaching Strategies To Help The Learning Disabled Student Be Successful In Drivers Training, Kristin D. Exsteen

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

-

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 …

The Perspectives Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Elizabeth A. Pasto

Theses & Honors Papers

One hundred and fifteen middle and high school students with learning disabilities selected from the Learning Disabilities Association of Virginia were surveyed on their perceptions on homework. An adapted questionnaire was used to collect data for this study with an 18.22% return rate.

Descriptive statistics and Chi square were used to analyze data for this study. Results obtained from the Chi square analysis show that middle school students daydreamed or played with objects and needed reminders to start homework more often than high school students. Several inconsistencies regarding completion rates of homework and amount of complaining about homework were revealed …

School District's Instructional Per-Pupil Expenditure During The Initial Years Of The Kentucky Education Reform Act, Michael W. Kessinger

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

An applied project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Specialist in Education at Morehead State University by Michael W. Kessinger Inez on April 25, 1996.

The Effect Of Organizational Structure On Perceived Teaching Efficacy In Classrooms For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Trisha Barker

Theses & Honors Papers

A survey research design was used to examine the relationship between organizational structure and personal and teaching efficacy. Subjects were drawn from a randomly selected 15% of the teachers of students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (E/BD) in the state of Virginia . A researcher constructed questionnaire was used to gather data on the attitudes of organizational structure, and an instrument developed by DiBella-McCarthy, McDaniel and Miller (1995) was used to determine high and low teaching and personal efficacy. Fifty-three percent of the questionnaires were returned and analyzed with independent sample t-tests and a one-way Analysis of Variance. An independent sample t-test …

Adolescent Students At Risk: The Roles Of Stress, Distress, And Coping, Jennifer Massicotte

Dissertations

Male and female adolescents who reported recent suspension/ threats of suspension or academic failure were compared to male and female adolescents who did not report these two variables of dropping out on three measures--the discrete negative uncontrollable events experienced (LEQ-A, Garmezy, Masten, & Tellegen [1985]), the level of distress (GHQ-30, Goldberg [1972]), and the types of coping skills used (A-COPE, Patterson & McCubbin [1983]). Native and non-Native at risk for suspension and academic failure rates were also compared using archival data from a community mental health survey of 714 adolescents (36 Native) attending high school in Northern Ontario.

Native adolescents …

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 Tutor Age On Academic Performance In Reading Accuracy And Fluency, David D. Manson

Masters Theses

Many studies have demonstrated that the use of peer tutoring or peer assistance in the classroom is effective 0 (Ezell, Kohler, & Jarzynska, 1992; Fantuzzo, Riggio, Connelly, & Dimeff, 1989; Greenwood et al., 1984; Knapczyk, Johnson, & McDermott, 1983; Stern, Fowler, & Kohler, 1988; Trapani & Gettinger, 1989). Although this research appears to be fundamentally sound, several questions have been left unanswered. First, what has peer tutoring been compared to when it has been shown to be effective? Second, which variable or variables of peer tutoring made it effective? This study provided a partial answer to these questions, through the …

A Resource Manual For Mainstreaming Students With Behavioral Disabilities In The Middle School, Matthew L. Cobb

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a resource manual to facilitate the use of effective components for mainstreamed or included Behavior Disabled (BD) students in the regular classroom. The manual will be used by Wapato Middle School, Wapato, Washington, to enhance the current mainstream/ inclusion program. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to BD student characteristics, legal issues, instructional strategies and policies were reviewed.

A Model School Volunteer Program For Daniel Elementary School, Kent, Washington, School District, Scott Wells Abernathy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a volunteer work force model for an elementary school serving preschool through sixth grade students. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research regarding school volunteer programs was examined; information and materials from selected existing elementary school volunteer programs was obtained and analyzed; additionally school staff, administrators, parents, and community members were polled regarding volunteerism. The model was designed for implementation at George T. Daniel Elementary in the Kent, Washington, School District.

At-Risk Fourth Grade Students: Teaching Strategies For Developing Effective Interpersonal And Intrapersonal Skills, Robert Paul Griffith

All Graduate Projects

A representative sample of social skills and teaching strategies was developed for use by classroom teachers of students at-risk in the fourth grade. A literature search was conducted regarding characteristics of students at-risk, effective strategies for teaching social skills, and effective social skills programs. The strategies developed can be used by elementary classroom teachers to help improve prosocial skills of students at-risk.

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.

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.

Study Skills Handbook For Elementary Students Transitioning Into Middle School, Kristina Elise Riggs

All Graduate Projects

Students transitioning from elementary to middle school face a unique set of challenges. These students are coming from the comfort of having one teacher and one classroom, to the departmentalized setting of the middle school There they may have up to seven different teachers, classes and classrooms. This new situation forces them to call upon certain organizational skills which may be different from those utilized in past learning situations. The Study Skills Handbook was designed to aid students with this unique transition. It provides students with an overview of basic skills practicing teachers deemed important for success in their classroom. …

A Resource Manual For Facilitating Effective Instructional Strategies For At-Risk Junior High Students, Steven D. Meeker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a resource manual to facilitate effective instructional strategies for at-risk junior high school students. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to at-risk student characteristics, their special needs, and programs and strategies developed to assist them was reviewed. Additionally, on site visits to selected programs and interviews with teachers and administrators were conducted.

At-risk students are young people who lack motivation to do well in school or work. They live marginally outside the socially accepted code for children and youth. School systems which have large numbers of at-risk students need …

An Evaluation Of The Central Washington University "Merge" Teacher Preparation Program, Sara K. Black

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to assess pre-service teachers perceptions of their training in the Merge Program. Merge is a pilot teacher preparation program at Central Washington University characterized by enhanced early field experience, integration of coursework, and integration of special education and regular education. To accomplish the purpose stated above, participants in the Merge Program were surveyed and data was analyzed. Current research on field experience, integration of coursework, and integration of special and regular education was reviewed.

Self Advocacy For Middle School Students With Serious Behavior Disorders And Other Learning Disabilities, Judith Carole Riddell

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a leaflet designed to teach the motivational value of student participation in development of their own Individualized Education Program (IEP). The leaflet, entitled It's My IEP, provided suggestions for teaching students about the IEP process. It also provided information and justification for teachers and parents to encourage their students' participation, in order to teach the skill of self advocacy. The informative leaflet was intended to promote collaboration between handicapped students and their IEP team. To accomplish this purpose, a review of literature and research was conducted. Recommendations were made for the implementation …

The Master Parent: A Parent-Child Relationship Program For Parents Of Elementary School Students, Kimberly Ellen Miller

All Graduate Projects

This project presents a parent education program for parents of elementary school children. The project was created with an extensive literature review. Parent education coordinators from various schools, hospitals, and social service agencies were consulted in the development of this project. Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, a published program from American Guidance Services, was used as a conceptual framework for The Master Parent program. The program was developed to provide information and support to elementary school parents. A summary with conclusions and recommendations for future parent education programs is included.