Education Commons^™

Me, Myself, And I: The Impact Of Metacognitive Strategies On Student Locus Of Control And Critical Thinking Skills, Danielle Kuchler

All Master's Theses

We live in an era when a college degree is essentially required for entry into good-paying careers, and yet achievement of a college degree is unacceptably low. Only 60% of students who enroll go on to graduate from 4-year colleges and universities in 6 years or fewer (National Center for Higher Education 2018). Why is this happening? What are the long-term intellectual and economic implications of ill-prepared students? We must ask ourselves if students are really prepared with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be successful in college and whether those attributes are developed while in college. Two of the …

The Impact Of Mindfulness On Student Success, Casey D. Nightingale

All Master's Theses

As schools are adopting the whole child approach, it is important to examine how the approach impacts academic success. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a school-based mindfulness curriculum on student reading scores and classroom engagement. Using a multiple baseline design, this study examined the rate of improvement in reading scores and academic engagement in elementary students receiving a mindfulness curriculum. The curriculum was introduced in addition to the regular curriculum in 15-minute lessons twice a week. Rate of improvement was examined utilizing curriculum-based measures, while student engagement was evaluated through classroom observation methods. This …

Do Homework Trackers Affect Students’ Academic Performance?, Luisdaniel Barrera

All Master's Theses

With new state assessment requirements for high school graduation, teachers are focusing on different strategies to assist students to achieve those goals. Many teachers state that students who complete homework perform better academically. The current study analyzed whether homework planners (trackers) had any positive effect on the academic performance of 16 seventh grade students in a very small and rural school district. This was a mixed study (quantitative and qualitative). Students’ grades, district assessments, state assessments, and teacher surveys were analyzed. The results showed that students improved their math and English Language Arts (ELA) district assessment scores when compared from …

The Effects Of Nutrition Education On Third And Fifth Grade Students’ Fruit And Vegetable Knowledge, Preference, And Consumption, Alexandra Epstein-Solfield

All Master's Theses

Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables (F/V) may reduce the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases, yet most American school children fail to meet recommended intakes. One proposed method for reducing childhood obesity is implementing school-based nutrition education programs aimed at increasing F/V intake. This repeated measures study examined the effectiveness of an eight-week F/V-targeted nutrition education intervention on elementary-school students’ nutrition knowledge, F/V preference, and salad bar consumption. A convenience sample of third- and fifth-grade students (n = 149) participated in the study. Surveys were administered pre- and post-intervention to assess F/V knowledge and preference. Pre- and post-plate waste …

Effective Learning Strategies For College Students With Asperger's Syndrome, Jamie Susanne Gilbert

All Master's Theses

More and more students with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) are being accepted into college without having the proper foundation in place to successfully graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. Students with AS need support systems in place to properly prepare them to face the challenges of college. The purpose of this study is to discuss the current research in regards to effective learning strategies that lead to academic success for college students with AS and to further discuss how to implement the learning strategies in higher education institutions. A single-subject study, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, was performed. It involved one …

A Parent Handbook: How Parents Can Foster Learning To Enhance Formal Schooling, Janet M. Mckee

All Master's Theses

This project examined the role of fostering brain development before formal schooling begins.

Collaborative Reading At Home To Assist Children With Reading Difficulties, Criste R. Goldy

All Master's Theses

The effects of a collaborative home reading program on children with reading difficulties was studied. Students selected for the study were currently enrolled in special programs for reading and/or English as a second language. Students who participated in the Reading-At-Home program made substantial and immediate gains in reading skills, although greatest gains were made by younger students (five to eight years old). Participant reactions were also discussed.

Promoting Children's Writing For Publication, Minnie Mary Mckay Merrill

All Master's Theses

The main emphasis of this project was a description of a writing program "Promoting Children's Writing for Publication" as it evolved at Grass Lake Elementary School, Kent School District, Kent, Washington.

The Fifth Grade Student As An Active Participant In The Selection Of School Library Books, Catherine Spada Mcleod

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if fifth grade students could be consistent and productive participants in the process of selecting books for a school library. Forty-six students completed a Reading Interest Inventory and participated in a book selection activity.

Chi-square test results did not support the hypothesis that there would be no significant difference between the results of these two selection activities. Student perceptions of their involvement in this process were also included.

Teacher's Reactions To An Implemented Competency Based Education Program In Tigard Senior High School, Merle Dean Winder

All Master's Theses

Teachers' reactions to an implemented competency based education program were evaluated. Twenty-four high school teachers were asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning competency based education. It was concluded that teachers understand competency based education and its components. The majority of teachers performed tasks related to competency based education. Teachers did not change their course content nor evaluation methods to accommodate competency based education. Teachers have varied opinions on the virtues of competency based education and their major concern is record keeping processes. Implications of the competency based education innovation arc discussed.

A Study Of The Neurological Impress Method With Remedial Secondary Students, Larry Charles Reynolds

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study of the Neurological Impress Method, with junior high students two or more years behind their expected Reading Comprehension level. Thirty students were randomly selected and placed into control and experimental groups by a random number process. These S's received eighteen weeks of special treatment with either the N.I.M. or oral reading practice for the controls. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the Reading Comprehension gains of controls and experimentals. The gains of both controls and experimentals was, however, found to be of significance. Conclusions and recommendations included suggestions for additional research and a discussion …

Traditional Vs. Individualized Fifth And Sixth Grade Arithmetic Program, Donald Paul Giaudrone

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative study involving two methods of arithmetic instruction for fifth and sixth grade students. Thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using a traditional approach and thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using an individualized approach. Each group was divided into high, average, and low ability students and between group achievements compared at the end of an eight month period with encouraging results. Evaluation and statistical analysis followed. The findings were discussed and recommendations offered for further study.

The Effect Of Diagnostic Prescriptive Instruction Using Team Teaching Of Language Arts, John Edward Gilmore

All Master's Theses

This study attempts to determine the effect or using diagnostic prescriptive instruction under the organization of team teaching. The study was designed to evaluate the academic progress of students in a pilot program using team teaching. The results indicate that students having team teaching do not score significantly higher than students receiving conventional instruction. During the study the author developed and fieldtested a semantic differential attitude scale that will be used to determine attitudinal differences among groups of students.

The Teacher's Contingent Use Of Praise And Privilege To Improve Classroom Study Behavior, Margaret E. Taylor

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this experiment to determine if the study behavior of an entire classroom and two target students could be increased by teacher implementation of a program of contingent praise and privilege for appropriate study behavior. It was proposed in this study that a regular classroom teacher receiving instructions in the concepts of reinforcement theory from a school psychologist intern, would be able to elicit significant behavioral changes in the classroom as the result of the implementation of this contingency program.

Problem Solving Ability And Effective Group Behavior Of Introductory Education Students, Gary Lewis Lord

All Master's Theses

The need to understand group processes in the classroom and to use them to develop more effective learning is growing among educators. The group and its dynamics comprise significant conditions for learning and work either for or against the individual's development. One of the most significant learning developmental characteristics that is readily influenced by group variables is the individual's ability to solve problems. Not only is problem solving ability influenced by group variables, but it is through group process methods that this ability is most effectively learned. Thus, problem solving is believed to be a social skill. That group variables …

Comparison Of Effectiveness Of Basal Readers And Sullivan Programmed Materials, Joan E. Lorenz

All Master's Theses

The aim of this study is not to tear down or ridicule any method, Sullivan Programmed or Traditional Basal, but to evaluate as objectively as possible, the merits and limitations which exist in both and to show, through testing a group of 99 first graders and 64 second graders, the possible effectiveness of these methods.

Retention As A Function Of Competition And Cooperation In Learning, Neil Orin Combelic

All Master's Theses

Educators in our school systems continually try to determine what kind of motivational atmosphere should be established to obtain the fullest potential from every student that enters an institution of higher learning. Since our society is built on competition, many educators would like to increase competition among students in the classroom. Other educators point out that too much competition can be harmful, and would like to see students cooperatively motivated in the classroom.

A Comparison Of Emphasis Of Training And On-The-Job Effectiveness Of Media Personnel, Roy E. Williams

All Master's Theses

It has long been recognized in our society that formal training plays a strong role in the development of attitudes, and that attitudes are important determinants of behavior. Consequently, the behavior of one whose formal training has been oriented in a particular direction is often somewhat different from the behavior of one whose training has been oriented in a different direction. Does the training orientation of instructional materials personnel affect their on-the-job effectiveness? Will a person who is primarily oriented toward print materials be more or less effective in promoting the use of instructional materials than one whose orientation is …

A Comparison Of Seven Teaching Traits Between Experienced Special Education Teachers And Experienced Regular Education Teachers, James Edward Thomas

All Master's Theses

There seems a need for educational research to find if special education teachers have unique behavioral traits in dealing with children in the classroom. Many studies have been conducted with this general goal in mind. Unfortunately, most of the studies have dealt with such things as personality traits, attitudes, and characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any significant differences among experienced special education teachers and experienced regular classroom teachers on seven teaching traits. It was hoped that this investigation would point out some behaviors unique to special education teachers since it is believed by …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Various Methods Of Teaching Reading In Special Education Classrooms, Mary Ann Fisher

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two reading programs, Sullivan's Programmed Reading and the Psycholinguistic Color System, and to try to determine if one program did, in effect, have a particular value over the other when used with children in an intermediate special education program. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a teacher-centered program brought about different results than one which was student-centered.

The Effects Of Conferencing On Teacher And Pupil Verbal Behavior In The Classroom, Dwayne B. Fickel

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral effects of conferencing with high school teachers following observations of their behavior in the classroom. The basis of observation, feedback, and conferencing was Flanders' System of Interaction Analysis. All observations were recorded, but feedback was given only to the experimental group.

The Grading Of Men’S Physical Education Activities In The Small Four-Year Colleges Of Oregon, Washington And California, John A. Beck

All Master's Theses

What grading method of activity courses in small colleges is best meeting the needs of the students involved? What is the most prevalent method used? Is grading outmoded -- a thing of the past? These are the basic questions to be answered by this study.

The Value Of The Parent-Teacher Conference, Suteerat Ungjaroen

All Master's Theses

Many of the problems of an individual pupil's education can be solved through a harmonious attitude between his parents and teacher. Through this harmonious relationship, the parent can find out what the child is like at school and the teacher can find out what the child is like at home. From this composite picture, the parents and teacher can determine what the child needs, both at home and at school. However, it must be understood that good parent-teacher conferences do not just happen. As a matter of fact, the beginning teacher faces a difficult problem of communicating effectively with the …

Current Status Of Chamber Ensembles In The First-Class High Schools Of Washington State, Dennis C. Crabb

All Master's Theses

The problem concerned in this paper is to establish the extent to which ensembles are used as a teaching method in music departments of the high schools of the first-class school districts of Washington State.

Contingency Management In A Language Development Program, James E. Clark

All Master's Theses

The problem was two-fold. The first part of the problem was the investigation of whether a person with no formal training in speech could successfully administer Gray's (1970) language development program. The second part of the problem was the investigation of whether the two subjects involved would gain the ability to use new language structures.

Group Counseling The Underachieving New College Student, Kenneth F. Burda

All Master's Theses

The present study will deal with underachievement on the college level. A critical examination of the progress and process of underachievers in a group setting will be attempted. The major difference will be this experiment will be geared to help underachievers before they become probationaries.

Reading Interests In Relation To Vocational, Extracurricular, And Academic Interests Of Boys In Grades Two Through Six, Diane C. Mccarty

All Master's Theses

Educators are continually seeking ways of aiding children in preparation for their adult lives. There has been much research involving the interest and aspirations of the secondary and college student, often leaving the elementary child behind. The writer felt the need to explore the possibilities of a positive relationship between reading, vocational, academic, and extracurricular interests within the elementary grades. If a correlation could be established, this would aid the teacher in developing the necessary skills in a strong foundation for future use by the student. The three-part research hypothesis would determine (1) if a significant relationship exists between the …

Operational Expression Of Attitudes In A Self-Selecting Curriculum, James Richard Carnes

All Master's Theses

The goal of this study was to describe the operational expression of attitudes in a self--selecting curriculum. Information was revealed concerning children's attitudes toward specific curricular areas, how those attitudes are expressed behaviorally, and how attitude changes are reflected in behavior patterns.

A Study Of The Reading Background And Current Program Practices In Reading Used By Elementary Principals In Washington's Second Class School Districts, Kenneth William Anderson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which the training and backgrounds possessed by elementary principals affect their actions as leaders of reading instruction with their buildings.

Effects Of Controlled Reading Reinforcement On Junior High Students, Earl Albertson

All Master's Theses

The initial purpose of this investigation was to design a motivating environment based upon operant reinforcement theory. The second purpose of this study was to show how a high degree of structure and systematic application of operant reinforcement theory works in a junior high school reading class.