Education Commons^™

A Handbook For The Intervention Specialist At Meadows Elementary School: Four Program Components, Donald D. Garrick

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a handbook detailing four important components of the intervention specialist's program at Meadows Elementary School in the North Thurston School District, Lacey, Washington. The development of a handbook was useful due to the fact that since 1988, three different individuals had served as the intervention specialist. Such rapid turnover caused disruptions m services to Meadows students, especially those who were at-risk. The four components were Meadows' Hosts and Hostesses, Intramurals, Conflict Managers and Meadows' Helpers. Each program utilized students interacting positively with other students as a means to improve the whole school …

Implementation Of An Accelerated School's Project Model, Vipi Hansen Dorland

All Graduate Projects

The essential elements of an Accelerated School Project were described . This included the population to be served, the typical models of teaching and administering education for this population, the elements of the Accelerated School's Project Model, and the model for implementing the project in an elementary school. A journal of activities undertaken by John Muir Elementary in the Seattle School District as it implemented the Accelerated School's Project was included.

Literacy Through Literature, Tammy Joy Cartwright

All Graduate Projects

Research on literature based and skills based reading programs was reviewed. Results showed that traditional basal programs, which are heavily skill oriented, do not meet the reading styles of all students. Integrated instruction which allows for a variety of learning activities can alleviate this problem. Research also indicated that the reading experience must be meaningful and motivating and that literature is an excellent means of providing this component. Integrated units were developed based upon this research evidence. Conclusions and recommendations are discussed.

An Inservice Program For The Training Of Instructional Paraprofessionals And Classroom Teachers, Debra Renee Helm

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop an inservice program to increase the job related skills of paraprofessional classroom assistants and the human management and supervision skills of the classroom teachers with whom they work. To accomplish this purpose, the inservice training needs of class-size paraprofessionals and the classroom teachers were studied. An inservice training program was developed and implemented with twelve class-size paraprofessionals and twelve supervising teachers from selected elementary schools in the Auburn School District. The results of the program showed that the increased use of paraprofessionals in instructional roles creates significant need for inservice training for …

An Assessment Of The Impact Of Resource Room Placement On Elementary Student Self-Esteem, Michael F. Hopkins

All Graduate Projects

An assessment, in the form of an interview, was conducted to measure the effects of resource room placement and full-time classroom integration on special education student self-esteem. Sixty students in the Wenatchee School District participated in the project during the 1990-1991 school year. The results of the project indicated that the placement of special education students in a full-time integration program does not insure a greater enhancement of their total self-concept; although it may be of benefit to certain areas in their self-esteem. The project included conclusions and recommendations.

An Exploration Of The Results Of Class Continuance From Kindergarten Through The First Grade, Georgann Marie Howie

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this study is the comparison of two different ways of grouping primary-level children and their teachers across grade levels. The two ways compared are the "class continuance" model, which is the maintenance of a structured same-age "family of learners" through the primary years, and the traditional practice of reassigning children and teachers to new classroom groups each year. Areas of comparison are the children's social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Nineteen children who remained with the same teacher during their kindergarten year and first grade were compared with 19 other children who were regrouped after finishing their kindergarten …

Student Motivation Augmentation Through Staff Development, Debra J. Lyons-Farley

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop an inservice trainers/ manual to guide the delivery of a teacher training session on student motivation theory and practical classroom application techniques for K-12 teachers in the West Valley School District, Yakima, WA. To accomplish this purpose, research and literature on student motivation, staff development and primarily the works of Dr. Madeline Hunter and Dr. William Glasser, in relation to student motivation, were reviewed. The manual was developed to become a part of the program of effective teaching strategies which positively affect student achievement currently offered ln the district.

Attitudes Toward Reading Held By Second Grade Students When Instructed In First And Second Grades Using The Basal Approach And The Whole Language Approach, Anne L. Kepner

All Graduate Projects

The attitudes toward reading held by second grade students when instructed using the basal approach and the whole language approach were studied. Forty surveys given to students at the end of their second grade year were analyzed. The results showed support for the hypothesis that students, taught reading by the whole language approach in first and second grades will have a more positive attitude toward reading than students taught reading by the traditional basal approach in the first and second grades.

A Study Of The Effects On Dropout Migrant Students, Relative As To How It Affects Their Lives, Frances D. Macias

All Graduate Projects

A survey was conducted of 15 migrant students and their parents. Students and their parents were interviewed with a list of questions. These students attended two secondary and two senior high schools in Yakima, Washington. It was determined that because of continued migration of families, students get behind in their studies and therefore lose interest because of the frustration and low self-esteem these students feel. Families still migrate from Yakima, Washington, to other states in search of seasonal work, farm labor is still a way of life for migrant families from schools in the Yakima School District. It's sad to …

Emerging Practices In K-6 Multimedia Methods Of Instruction In The Bethel School District, Gelnn E. Malone

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess and describB the conditions and practices in the Bethel School District's elementary schools with regard to the use of a multimedia approach to instruction. A sample of the 260 classroom teachers, 13 principals, and 13 learning resource center specialists in the Bethel School District's 13 elementary schools (K-6) were surveyed using questionnaires covering the implementation of multimedia methods of instruction. The results showed current multimedia methods of instruction are rare in the elementary classrooms of the Bethel School District because of a lack of technological inservice and current multimedia hardware.

Developing In-Class Activities To Support First-Second Grade Literature Instruction, Trina Danette Miller

All Graduate Projects

Literature-based activities were developed in the curriculum areas of Social Studies and Mathematics to be used with the district's adopted literature book program. A district survey indicated a strong interest in these two curriculum areas. This project will provide teachers with activities that support literature instruction in a learning center environment. The activities also help students to self-select a book of interest and to become actively involved in learning center activities that support the books of choice, plus increase their interest and comprehension.

Roles, Responsibilities And Professional Preparation Of High School Department Chairs, Patricia J. Iverson

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze roles, responsibilities, and professional preparation of high school department chairs by surveying persons who presently fulfill department chair responsibilities at the high school level in Grant County, Washington. A sample of 31 high school department chairs was surveyed using a survey instrument covering the roles, responsibilities, and preparation of high school department chairs. The results indicated professional preparation and training for the high school department chair were almost nonexistent; duties were not clearly defined; and individual competencies had no apparent relationship to the roles and responsibilities that were required of …

Yakima Alternative Education Program: Serving At-Risk Students In Grades 9-12, Earl Steven Lee

All Graduate Projects

The project describes and analyzes the Alternative School program of the Yakima (WA) School District. The project reviews the nine components that make up the alternative programs for the Yakima School District: (1) Stanton, (2) Outreach, (3) Project 107, (4) MAS, (5) The Place, (6) Detention Home, (7) Crossroads, (8) Key-OIC and (9) Stride. The project will identify the critical attributes of each program in an effort to clearly understand how they each promote the educational growth of high risk students in grades 9-12. Techniques, instructional materials and educational resources used by teachers and students will be discussed.

Teaching Comprehension By Incorporating Story Grammar Into A Drta Lesson Format, Sharon Kay Neal

All Graduate Projects

This project presents a teaching procedure which should improve primarylevel reading comprehension. This procedure combines a framework of story grammar as a guide for implementing the Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA) lesson format. Literature is reviewed which illustrates the effectiveness of story grammar when used to teach comprehension, and describes the effectiveness of DRTA to promote active comprehension. By combining both story grammar and DRTA, a procedure is developed and ten example lessons are produced.

Cedar River Mini-School, Judy Anne Rene

All Graduate Projects

A mini-school was set up in Cedar River Elementary School in Maple Valley, Washington. The mini-school will keep the same students and teachers together for a three-year period of time. There will be a fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classroom, each with its own teacher. Research suggests that students in small schools perceive a closer, warmer relationship with their teachers, fellow students and other adults and a stronger connection with the school. This project presents a justification for and a description of the mini-school. The only conclusions reached come from the development of the mini-school, not in an evaluation of …

A Comparison Of Research On The Efficacy Of Workbooks/Worksheets And The Practices Of Primary Teachers, Carol Louise Sippola

All Graduate Projects

Primary grade teachers were surveyed regarding their beliefs and practices in the use of basal reader workbooks and worksheets. These beliefs and practices were compared to theory and research evidence on the use and efficacy of basal reader workbooks and worksheets. Eighty returned questionnaires revealed that participants found workbooks worksheets useful and believed in their contribution to reading achievement. However, only 17% of reading instructional time was spent completing workbooks and worksheets.

A Comprehensive Community Relations Plan For The Sunnyside School District, Gary Street

All Graduate Projects

An action planning team, composed of fifteen Sunnyside community members and school district personnel, created several comprehensive action plans designed to improve public relations within the district boundaries by increasing the interaction/involvement between the school district, parents, and community. The process for developing the plan was divided into five steps: 1) Strategy Analysis; 2) Information Gathering; 3) Action Plan Writing; 4) Cost Benefit Analysis; and 5) Presentation of the Action Plans.

Staff Development Guidelines For Effective Staff Development Programs, Glenn Spinnie

All Graduate Projects

The staff development programs recommended through literature and programs in actual practice in the state of Washington were studied. Thirty-two school districts responded to a questionnaire based on important findings in the literature. The results showed strengths and weaknesses in staff development programs. This study did indicate that staff development programs in the state of Washington had many of the elements of effective staff development as set forth in the literature.

The Uses And Effectiveness Of Computers In Educational Administration, Steven W. Warren

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the uses and effectiveness of computers in educational administration. Principals from the high schools of Washington State's Mid-Valley AA League responded to a questionnaire regarding the uses of computers in their buildings and the perceived effectiveness of computers used for administrative tasks. Survey results indicated that the majority of high schools in the Mid-Valley AA League have used computers for common administrative tasks, and principals found that these tasks were accomplished more effectively with a computer.

Integrated Instruction Procedural Manual, Cynthia S. Sloan

All Graduate Projects

Advantages and disadvantages of integrating Specific Learning Disabled and Seriously Behaviorally Disabled students into the regular classroom were studied. The integration process relied on collaboration between regular and special education staff. Results showed integrated instruction to be a viable option to the traditional "pull-out" model. The "pull-out" model should remain an instructional option for students who cannot function in an integrated setting. An Integrated Instruction Procedural Manual is included as a reference tool for developing collaborative education for this population.

Teaching Test-Taking Skills To Elementary Grades For Standardized Tests, Jessie S. Thompson

All Graduate Projects

This project is concerned with teaching test-taking skills to elementary grade students in grades one to five in preparation for standardized tests. Research was explored to discover if any benefits to students have been identified, and if scores on tests can be improved with test-taking skills instruction. A history of standardized tests provides a background on testing, and illustrates the reason for our present concern with students' abilities to demonstrate learned skills. The preparation of materials that may, or may not, be appropriate is at issue and referred to in the preparation of the test-taking skills project designed for Annie …

Planning For Changes: A Study Of Satellite Distance Learning Administrative Policy Development In Higher Education, H. Keith Spears

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The problem investigated was the process by which policy is formulated for satellite distance learning systems in higher education. Effects of reporting levels, areas of origination, political pressure, discipline interest administrator characteristics, and type of positions were measured on the methods used by institutions create policies for satellite delivery of courses. The influences that other variables have on the decision makers were part of the study.

The population studied was made up of all administrators of higher education satellite distance learning systems in the United States. The population was the sample. The research instrument was a nominal survey developed by …

The Personal Motivation System Of Hispanic Female Students As Measured By The Picture Identification Test, Martha Lazcano Muguira

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This study explored the qualities that distinguished a select group of college freshmen women (National Hispanic Scholars) from a general sample of Hispanic women as assessed by the PIT (Picture Identification Test) a semi-projective systems-oriented instrument that measures motivation (Chambers, 1988). The PIT was mailed to 496 Women Scholars, and administered to self-identified Hispanic freshmen women who attended four universities in the United States for the first time in the Fall of 1990. Results were based on the responses of 99 Ss (Select Group), and 57 Ss (Regular Group) who completed the PIT and fulfilled the criteria.;The specific hypothesis tested …

A Case Study To Investigate The Use Of Computers Across A School Population, Janine Bersan

Theses : Honours

The National Advisory Committee on Computers in Schools (Commonwealth Schools Commission, 1983) recommended to support computing in both government and non-government schools in Australia over 1984 - 1986. This led to the injection of computer resources to schools. The Western Australian Government then provided significant funds for the provision of computer equipment to primary and secondary schools (1987 -1989). Primacy schools in Western Australia now have on average three computers per primary school. The Ministry of Education has produced a policy document on computer use in primary education which clearly outlines goals to be achieved by all primary school teachers …

The Improvement Of The Teaching Of Informational Writing: A Study Of Six Teachers, Lisbeth Berridge

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to focus on the progressive stages through which six teachers moved in their efforts to improve children's writing of informational texts. An action research approach was used to control and monitor the work of the researcher and the six teachers as they sought to improve their classroom practice in the teaching of writing. The essential features of the approach were for the teachers to collaborate with the researcher in: a) discussing their problems and in devising suitable solutions; b) formulating a working hypothesis; c) working out an appropriate plan comprised of the steps of …

Learning And Study Strategies Inventory (Lassi): A Validity Study, Anne Witt Perkins

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the construct and predictive validity of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI). The LASSI is an instrument designed to assess utilization of learning and study strategies and methods for the purpose of measuring strategy use, diagnosing deficiencies, and prescribing intervention. The literature suggests that valid instruments of this type are sadly lacking. The LASSI User's Manual, however, presents no statistical evidence of instrument validity. The need for this verification became crucial with The College of William and Mary's selection of the inventory for administration to the 1990 freshman class. Using data …

Efficacy Of Self-Instructional Training In The Management Of Test Anxiety: A Primary Prevention Model, Rita Schreyer Wagner

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a program of self-instructional training, presented as part of the regular classroom guidance curriculum, in the reduction of test anxiety and improvement of test performance in third grade children.;The sample consisted of 88 third grade students enrolled in regular education in an elementary school. Intact classes were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. A nonequivalent control group research design was used. Dependent variables were test anxiety, academic achievement, and test performance and were measured by the Test Anxiety Scale for Children, the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, and …

A Case Study Of The Predictive Ability Of Placement Tests For Principles Of Accounting, Sonja Ann Sanders Villaire

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The predictive ability of mathematics and reading placement tests used as a prerequisite for entry into the introductory level of accounting principles was investigated in a case study conducted at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia for students enrolled during the 19-month period beginning with June 1988 and ending with December 1989. The entire population of 1353 students was used in the study which tested for the independence of two variables, assessed or non-assessed students and their success (or non-success) in the course. In addition, the scores on the placement tests were compared with the final grade of the …

Student Perceptions In A Social Studies Classroom, Maria Darby

Theses : Honours

This study describes differential student perceptions towards Social Studies in a high school classroom. A case study approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques, was used to collect data by seeking individual students' perceptions of the classroom environment, the teacher, classroom instruction and the Social Studies subject content. Social Studies education in Western Australia has been guided by the Social Studies K-10 Syllabus which has been implemented for almost 10 years. In 1990 a comprehensive review of the curriculum was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and undertaken by Print (1990a). This study found that a need existed …

Swazi Students' Attitudes Towards Geography And Their Relationship To Home Background, Teacher, Previous Academic Achievement, Peer Group And Gender, David Manyatsi

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined attitudes of Swazi Secondary School Students towards geography and the association of those attitudes with home background, teacher, previous academic achievement, peer group and gender. Attitudes of 435 Swazi students toward geography were assessed in July 1990. The instrument for the measurement of attitudes toward geography was subdivided into eight factors: Interest in the subjects, perceived value of the subject; attitude to the subject teacher; class management; perception of own ability; attitude to other students; perceived teacher attitude to students; and attitude to homework. Home background was measured in terms of the parents and employment and educational …