Education Commons^™

Does Gender Still Matter? Child Custody Bias In The Illinois Family Court System, Derek K. Ronnfeldt

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last several decades, nearly all of the states have formed task forces to look at the perception of a gender bias within the family court systems as they pertain to child custody. This self-scrutiny has included the attitudes of judges and attorneys within the system and the need of reform of our family courts. This research focused on replicating a study conducted by Dotterweich and McKinney that was completed in 2000 that compiled statistics from four different state task forces in Maryland, Missouri, Texas, and Washington. This research focused on Illinois judges and attorneys, using the same questions …

A Phenomenological Examination Of How Student Army Veterans Describe Influencing Factors On Their Post-Service College Application, Aubrey L. Sejuit

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation will explore how student Army veterans describe influencing factors on post-service college application. The qualitative research design in conjunction with the Livingston, Havice, Cawthon, & Fleming (2011) Student Veteran Academic and Social Transition Model (SVATSM) allows this researcher to generate a study with implications for the needs of Campus Professionals, Military Personnel such as U.S. Army Career Counselors and Army Soldiers, and Counselors to include Counselor Educators, School Counselors, Career Counselors, and Mental Health Counselors. The study explores what challenges are faced when working specifically with this population that may determine the choice to apply to college after …

Teacher Perceptions Of Administrative Support In Urban Charter Schools, Ali Yilmaz

Theses and Dissertations

National teacher survey results indicate that lack of administrative support is the most frequently cited reason as to why teachers leave charter schools. This non-experimental quantitative study explored what types of administrative support are more valuable to urban charter school teachers and the extent of that support in their current schools. This study also investigated if perceived needs of urban charter school teachers for administrative support change as they gain more teaching experience.

In this study, a 41-item survey titled Dimensions of Administrative Support Survey was validated, and used to measure perceived support needs of 1,945 teachers from 127 different …

Faculty Perceptions And Experiences Of “Presence” In The Online Learning Environment, Anita Samuel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological research study was to gain an understanding of how faculty who teach fully online courses perceive and experience presence. The 25 faculty participants in this study were drawn from a four-year institution of higher education in the Midwest. The faculty designed and taught their own courses. Data were collected through: (1) semi-structured in-depth interviews with each participant, (2) documentary analysis of two course syllabi from two different course offerings for each participant, and (3) observations of five participants’ online course sites over the duration of an academic semester (16 week course). Findings revealed that …

Arts Integration: Establishing Teacher Candidates' Self-Efficacy When Engaging With The Arts, Michael J. Vetere Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Many teacher candidates who enter teacher education programs have received altered curricula that addressed the new common core of reading, writing, and mathematics (Beveridge 2010). This new common core curriculum neglects the importance of arts education. These students who have not been exposed to arts education, are reluctant to engage in the arts and fully participate in an arts education course as part of their teacher preparation (Hallam, Gupta, & Lee, 2008). These teacher candidates exhibit a low level of arts engagement and arts teaching self-efficacy and are therefore less confident with engaging and teaching the arts (Garvis, 2009). The …

A Comparative Case Study Of The Relationships Between Policy Context, Design, And Implementation Of P-20 Educational Reform Movements In Texas And Tennessee, Stefani L. Thachik

Theses and Dissertations

More people are striving for increased levels of educational attainment as a result of a global shift towards a more knowledge based economy. Schools and communities have adjusted to this societal change by seeking alignment along the educational pipeline from preschool (P) to graduate school (20), otherwise known as P-20 reform. This reform often develops with the collaboration and guidance of specific P-20 leadership councils that exist at both the local and state levels. The main purpose of this qualitative study was to go beyond the mere descriptions of P-20 councils to examine the policy pathways chosen by P-20 councils, …

Catching Up And Staying Out Of Trouble: Serious Juvenile Offenders’ Facility School Experiences And Their Transition To The Community, Lena Jäggi

Theses and Dissertations

Despite recent drops in rates, juvenile incarceration remains a serious issue in the United States (Hockenberry, 2013; Mendel, 2011). One shared part of the incarceration experience across different systems and facility types is the obligation for juvenile offenders to receive correctional education. Ample research demonstrates that increased academic achievement, attending community school, and being employed are connected to better community outcomes and desistance, yet little is known about how school experiences in the facility influences these outcomes. Applying life-course theory of the development of crime (Sampson & Laub, 1997, 2005), the present study investigates whether correctional education serves as a …

Islands In The Making: National Investment And The Cultural Imagination In Taiwan, Krista-Lee Meghan Malone

Theses and Dissertations

This ethnography looks closely at the Taiwanese company UrIsland, makers of Talking Island (TI) - an MMORPG to teach children English - in order to illuminate the increasingly important meeting point between technology, education, and games. At the level of national economic policy, companies like UrIsland have been at the focal point of the Taiwanese government’s hopes for their tech industry. With TI, UrIsland intended to create a revolution in ESL education. Despite compulsory ESL classes many Taiwanese struggle with English, and educational experts claim that the classes stress reading and writing too much, leaving many people’s listening and speaking …

Importance Of Medical Informatics In Medical Students' Curricula In Saudi Arabia, Jwaher Abdullah Almulhem

Theses and Dissertations

The main purpose of this research project is to determine the importance of Medical Informatics (MI) course inclusion in the curriculum studied by medical students in Saudi Arabia. The healthcare environment has changed dramatically since last few decades. It has become an information- intensive environment and has shifted its focus on technological applications. As a result of such a shift in focus, efforts should be made that future healthcare professionals be prepared for such an environment through MI. This research project aims to determine the acceptance of MI applications by medical students. The study will compare the acceptability of MI …

Effects Of Explicit Reading Comprehension Strategy Instruction For English Learners With Specific Learning Disabilities, Sara Lynn Jozwik

Theses and Dissertations

In this intervention study, I engaged principles of culturally responsive research to examine the effectiveness of explicit reading comprehension strategy instruction for English Learners (ELs) with specific learning disabilities (SLD). This study replicated and extended previous research (Jitendra, Hoppes, & Xin, 2000) by modifying instruction found to be effective for native English speakers (i.e., explicit reading comprehension strategy instruction with a self-monitoring procedure). Modifications included: (a) integrating culturally relevant text, (b) providing native language support, and (c) melding strategies from the fields of teaching English as a second language and special education. Through a co-teaching model, I provided instruction to …

Thinking Systemically: A Study Of Course Communication And Social Processes In Face-To-Face And Online Courses, Tanya Joosten

Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally, research that has examined online courses compared course modes, online and face-to-face (f2f). Studies tend to examine the two modes to determine whether online courses are as effective as online courses by comparing student outcomes, such as student learning and satisfaction. Seldom has research examined how the course communication in online and f2f courses impact student outcomes. Moreover, there is little examination of the relationship between the design of the course and the relationship with social processes, in particular, communication. In this study, t-tests indicated that there were no significant differences between antecedents (technological familiarity and instructional characteristics) and …

Teaching Sighted Students To Read Braille Visually, Brittany C. Putnam

Theses and Dissertations

For many visually impaired children in public schools, braille instruction is not an educational priority included in the Individualized Education Program (IEP). This issue is likely the result of a lack of accessible and effective braille training for regular and special education teachers. Prior studies have assessed the efficacy of computer software to teach sighted individuals braille-to-print relations. Although the results from these studies are promising, there are several limitations that should be addressed. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research by developing and testing a computer-based program to teach visual contracted braille to sighted individuals. We …

"Everything Remains Uncertain": Theorizing Parents' Communication About Uncertainty, Hope, And Hopelessness While Managing Complex Pediatric Chronic Conditions, Katherine Ann Rafferty

Theses and Dissertations

Navigating a child’s chronic illness and treatment is particularly challenging for parents and parental surrogates. These experiences may add to parents’ feelings of uncertainty. During this time, many parents report the need to be the “bearer of hope” for their child, regardless of the challenges that may prevent this from being possible. Researchers studying hope and uncertainty have acknowledged that these two concepts co-exist during the parental caregiver experience and effected by external factors (e.g., medical information or conversations with other people); however, a dearth of research remains about parents’ meanings and interactions that influence their social constructions of uncertainty, …

Integrating Experiential Learning Into Animal Science Curriculum Through A Hands-On Beef Cattle Management And Marketing Contest, Corinne J. Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

According to the Illinois Agricultural Education, nearly 61% of students beginning their undergraduate studies in Agriculture at a 2-year college in Illinois come from non-farm backgrounds. Yet, knowledge of and experience in livestock operations is still a requirement for many careers in the animal science industry. In response to this predicament, the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University has implemented a course that provides students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with beef cattle management and marketing. The course was designed to enhance learning by requiring students to develop and execute a management and marketing plan for a pen …

Mentoring: Experiences Of Physical Education Teachers With In-Content And Out-Of-Content Mentors, Molly Bosché Sharer

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigates teachers' experiences with mentoring programs. An interpretive paradigm was used. Four hour-long interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed to examine mentoring experiences. Participants included one in-content mentoring pair (an early career physical education (PE) teacher and a veteran PE teacher) and one out-of-content pair (an early career PE teacher and a veteran kindergarten teacher). Guiding the research were the questions: What are the experiences of physical educators with mentors inside their content area? What are the experiences of physical educators with mentors outside their content area?

Findings showed that mentoring is an important support to provide …

Assessing The Perceptions Of Faculty Advisors And Green Industry Professionals On The Value Of Student Participation In A Professional Development Competitive Event, Katelynn Diane Clement

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days (SCD) professional development experience has on conceptual learning, job opportunities and placement, and job retention in the green industry. Student participants, PLANET judging team faculty advisors, and green industry professionals who attended the career fair were surveyed on their perceptions of PLANET Student Career Days and its related events. A block style survey was sent out to the participant groups. Depending on the participant's affiliation with PLANET Student Career Days, participants were asked a different set of questions in the survey. Each survey …

Place-Based Scholarship Program Design, Context, And Intergenerational Mobility: A Case Study Of The Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship Program, Arielle F. Niemeyer

Theses and Dissertations

Earning a college degree correlates with achieving financial security. Thus, improving an individual’s access to college is a key tactic used to mitigate poverty and foster intergenerational mobility. Despite the recognized value of higher education, earning a degree remains unattainable for many because of financial constraints. However, research definitively demonstrates that financial aid overcomes that obstacle. It also reveals that some program designs are more effective than others. The Kalamazoo Promise is a place-based scholarship program that offers four-year, full-tuition scholarships to residents who graduate from a Kalamazoo public high school. It is characterized by first-dollar and universal eligibility features, …

Factors Influencing The Major Satisfaction And Leadership Aspirations Of Men And Women In Traditional And Nontraditional Fields, Jennifer Yeoward

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports the results of an online survey study that examined the associations of role model influences, support/guidance, and socioeconomic status (SES) with college students' major satisfaction and leadership aspirations. Of the 558 students who responded to the survey invitation, data from 494 students who had provided responses on the main variables were included in the major analyses. Contrary to hypotheses, SES and the nontraditionality of students' majors were not significantly related to leadership aspirations or major satisfaction. The results did support the hypotheses that support/guidance and inspiration/modeling would be associated with students' leadership aspirations and major satisfaction, but …

The Non-Participants, Eric Adams

Theses and Dissertations

The Non-Participants is a collection of short stories that combine loosely to explore the movement of two characters from from the Upper Midwest from adolescence to young adulthood. Through a variety of narrative techniques the stories survey the literal and emotional landscapes of these characters' lives.

Learning To Practice Leadership For Social Justice: An Autoethnography, David S. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Some students in schools are served well, whereas others are not. Students traditionally marginalized in schools are students of color, students whose native language is not English, students who receive free and reduced-price lunches, and students with an individualized education program. On nearly all measures in all schools, there exists a persistent achievement gap. The role of leadership in schools can be an important piece in addressing the achievement gap. Traditional leadership has focused on managerial skills such as efficiency, charisma, heroism, decisiveness, and confidence. Another form of leadership exists that can serve to lessen or eliminate the achievement gap: …

Qualitative Examination Of Graduate Counselor Education Students Perceptions Of Self-Awareness Pertaining To Future Efficacy In The Counseling Environment, Tara Victoria Huechtker Darby

Theses and Dissertations

Research in this study indicates that high levels of self-awareness as well as a clearly defined self-identity are related to increased levels of care and ethical decision making among counselors. An enhanced social-cognitive development of the counselor education graduate student is associated with an increased ability for them (in the future) to process legal and ethical dilemmas such as the right to die legislation and how it could affect them professionally. This study includes implications for counselors and the training and supervision of counselor education graduate students who may be affected by the right to die legislation and the way …

Effects On Volunteer Peer Leaders Participating In A Health Promotion Program For U.S. Veterans, Leslie A. Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

Health-focused peer-led interventions demonstrate success in reducing risk-related behaviors among participants with chronic illnesses, yet few researchers have explored the effects of such interventions on the health of volunteer peer leaders who participate in the interventions. Using data from the project entitled, An RCT of a Peer Support Intervention to Improve Hypertension, this study explored volunteer peer leaders' self-care behaviors that contribute to blood pressure control in two hypertension interventions for U.S. veterans. Inspection of the study's findings demonstrated that volunteer peer leaders improved their health habits and hypertension knowledge significantly more than the peer groups they served. Findings revealed …

Illinois Secondary Agriculture Teachers' Perception Of Critical Development Of Undergraduate Experiences, Alicia Jo Gullidge

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to provide the leadership of Illinois Agricultural Education with an understanding of what practicing teachers feel were the most important experiences in their pre-service teacher education program that ensured they were prepared for the classroom. This information can be used to streamline the teacher education programs and eliminate experiences that are perceived to be less relevant to preparing teachers. It is believed that this will assist with ongoing efforts dealing with recruitment and retention.

The area's that will be addressed in this survey will be demographics and pre-service events that future agriculture teachers are …

Perceptions Of Educational Administration Pre-Service Training By Former Illinois Superintendents Currently Serving As University Professors, Douglas Raymond Kaufman

Theses and Dissertations

PERCEPTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION PRE-SERVICE TRAINING BY FORMER ILLINOIS SUPERINTENDENTS

CURRENTLY SERVING AS UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS

Douglas R. Kaufman

179 pages December 2009

The 1983 publication of A Nation at Riskwas the start of the latest chapter in the long history and development of the public school superintendent. A Nation at Riskbrought new pressure and awareness on university programs that train school administrators coupled with suggestions on how to improve their effectiveness. This study describes many of these suggested reforms and investigates their effectiveness and rate of implementation.

This qualitative study describes the experiences and perceptions of pre-service learning …

Impact Of The Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease Program On Self-Efficacy, Quality Of Life And Pain Reduction In A Group Format, Kelly Nicole Reese

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease Program for individuals with self- or medically-diagnosed arthritis within a group format. The study also investigates the individuals' perceptions on self-efficacy, quality of life and pain reduction pre- and post- intervention.

Background: The prevalence of arthritis is increasing and this places a major burden on individuals, health systems and social care systems globally. Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritis condition, is a major cause of impaired mobility and disability for aging populations. Osteoarthritis affects millions of people around the world. Self-management programs like the Walk With Ease Program have …

Two Historiographical Studies In Musicology: Josquin Des Prez, A History Of Western Music, And The Norton Anthology Of Western Music: A Case Study; & In Search Of Medieval Irish Chant And Liturgy: A Chronological Overview Of The Secondary Literature, Marianne Yvette Kordas

Theses and Dissertations

STUDY ONE: This study examines the changes made to the biography and works of the Renaissance composer Josquin des Prez (c.1450-1521) through the eight editions of A History of Western Music and its associated score anthologies from 1960 to 2010. It is hypothesized that there are significant correlations between the changes made to Josquin's biography in musicological scholarship at large during the 1990s and the changes to his life and works made in the textbook.

STUDY TWO: The study of liturgy and chant in medieval Ireland not only informs our understanding of insular Christianity, but also illuminates the broader practices …

Investigating The Impact Of Formal Reflective Activities On Skill Adaptation In A Work-Related Instrumental Learning Setting, Kevin M. Roessger

Theses and Dissertations

In work-related, instrumental learning contexts the role of reflective activities is unclear. Kolb's (1985) experiential learning theory and Mezirow's transformative learning theory (2000) predict skill-adaptation as a possible outcome. This prediction was experimentally explored by manipulating reflective activities and assessing participants' response and error rates when an instrumentally learned skill is applied in a novel way (skill-adaptation). Participants were randomly assigned to three conditions (interference, reflection, or critical reflection) using three blocking variables: (a) gender, (b) age, and (c) reflective propensity. Participants then completed a behavioral skills training program with embedded reflective activities. Afterwards, participants were asked to complete a …

The Impact Of School Board Governance On Academic Achievement In Diverse States, Michael Ford

Theses and Dissertations

The overwhelming majority of students receiving a publicly funded education in the United States attend a public school in a district overseen by a democratically elected school board. Despite the dominant market share of democratically elected school boards, academic scholarship is increasingly focused on alternative governance structures such as mayoral control, charter schools, and school vouchers. Much research on traditional school boards is in fact skeptical of the capacity for such boards to positively impact academic performance. This dissertation shifts focus back to the almost 14,000 elected school boards in the United States, using original survey data from six strategically …

Facebook As A Facilitator Of Organizational Identification In Colleges And Universities: Exploring Relationships Among Educational Institutions, Student Tenure, And Interaction With Multiple Organizational Targets, Aimee Lau

Theses and Dissertations

Potential uses for Facebook are frequently studied in scholarly literature. To date, much of this research focuses on varied social uses available to Facebook members. More recently, scholars have turned to potential academic uses of Facebook, and more generally, how Facebook might be used in educational institutions such as colleges and universities. Each college and university is a unique organization and it is likely that each one uses Facebook in a variety of different ways. However, consistent to all colleges and universities is the goal of creating strong levels of identification between the student and the school so as to …

Laban Movement Analysis As A Methodology For Promoting Creativity And The Arts Across The Curriculum, Dr. Leonard Arvisu Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative participatory action-research study was to explore how four elementary school teachers incorporated Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) methodology, in particular the eight Effort Qualities (Dell, 1977) (light/soft or strong/powerful, fast/quick or slow/sustained, direct or indirect/flexible, and bound/close or free/open), across their curriculum and instruction. The study took place at both an urban parochial elementary school and an urban private school. Stories were collected through interviews, journals, lesson plans, e-mails, mail, and photos using a qualitative methodology over a period of 2½ months. Teachers came up with their own research questions and answered them throughout the study. …