Education Commons^™

Higher Education And Food Access: A Case Study Of Food Access Initiatives And Their Community Impact, Rebecca Wheaton

All Master's Theses

Food security issues are being prioritized across college campuses and among student communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While basic needs services are typically available on campuses, there is still a discrepancy between availability and accessibility. Ellensburg, Washington, has vulnerable food-insecure populations, including Central Washington University (CWU) students, whose access issues involve not only social, cultural, and political dimensions, but also practical considerations like transportation, distance to grocery stores, and affordability of food resources. A central concern of this research is to understand food as constitutive of different forms of symbolic, cultural, and economic capital following Bourdieu’s Theory …

Residential Solar In Washington State, Sam Pfeifer

All Master's Theses

Electricity generated through residential solar provides a low carbon source of electricity. However, diffusion of residential solar remains low across the United States. Growing this diffusion takes an understanding of localized uptake trends, which can focus policy and business efforts to help increase residential solar market penetration. This is the first research to investigate residential solar uptake in Washington State and to examine environmental education as a potential driver of residential solar uptake. Through a snapshot analysis which considers environmental, economic, education, and cultural variables the present research fills this gap. Triangulated results include mapping of variables, ordinary-least squares multiple …

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 …

Just World Beliefs, Identity Development, And Social Justice Advocacy Of Counselor Trainees, Sara Rundlett

All Master's Theses

This was the first study exploring the relationship between the belief in a just world, identity development, and social justice advocacy (SJA). A mixed methods design was conducted using a nationwide sample of ninety-seven counselor-in-training participants. Hypotheses included positive correlation between identity development and SJA, negative correlation between belief in a just world and SJA, and negative correlation between belief in a just world and identity development. Results were not significant but provided implications for future research and counselor training programs.

Examination Of The Relationship Between Caesarean Section Births And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Breea M. Rosas

All Master's Theses

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurological disorder characterized by inattentive and hyperactive behaviors, has become increasingly more prevalent (CDC, 2010). Recent research has found associations between this disorder and Caesarean section births (Amiri et al., 2012; Juarez et al., 2008). The current study examined the relationship between C-section birth and self-reported symptoms of ADHD by college students on the Internal Restlessness Scale (Weyandt et al., 2003). Results of the study indicate a significant difference in mean ratings of ADHD symptoms between C-section and vaginally born participants (t = 3.683, p < .000). The current study supports previous findings of a relationship between C-sections and ADHD.

Life Adversity, Social Support, Resilience, And College Student Mental Health, Joshua Mello

All Master's Theses

This study investigated how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), current college student hassles, and perceived social support relate to college student resilience. This study also explored how ACEs, current college student hassles, perceived social support, and resilience relate to college student mental health. A sample of 507 students from a public university in Washington State completed an online study which consisted of surveys operationalizing each variable. The results showed that current college student hassles and perceived social support significantly predicted resilience. Current college student hassles, resilience, and perceived social support also significantly predicted mental health. The study revealed that ACEs had …

Intentional Recruiting: Using Business Intelligence, Data Mining, And Predictive Analytics To Identify Characteristics Of Those Students Who Enroll, And Graduate; In Support Of University Enrollment Management, Stephanie L. Harris

All Master's Theses

Using business intelligence (BI) and archival data from a division II, public comprehensive, university in Washington State, the researcher identified specific characteristics of those students who enrolled, persisted and completed to undergraduate degree attainment. These characteristics created an applicant profile to be used in future enrollment management activities for intentional recruiting, while the predictive models for enrollment and completion inform administration to improve tuition revenue planning and budgeting, and to forecast future enrollment yield.

Obtaining Cultural Competency Skills: Perceptions From Supervisors In Higher Education, Veronica Gomez Vilchis

All Master's Theses

A program evaluation was done on the supervisor training at Central Washington University to obtain the perceptions of supervisors on cultural competency. Eighteen supervisors were interviewed. The results demonstrated supervisors’ support of incorporating cultural competency as part of their professional development. However, supervisors indicated the current supervisor training does not give them tools to interact effectively with diverse populations. Implications for including cultural competency skills for supervisors in higher education are discussed.

Integration Of School Psychology And Neuropsychology: An Inquiry, Megan Colleen Moerke

All Master's Theses

A state level survey was conducted to examine interest regarding the integration of a neuropsychological perspective into school psychology practice among practicing school psychologists in Washington State. Potential respondents were contacted through e-mail and invited to participate in the original survey developed by the author. The 25 question survey sought to answer questions regarding neuropsychological training, attitudes and beliefs toward the incorporation of a neuropsychological perspective, current professional practices, interaction with neuropsychologists through referral and consultation, and potential barriers to the incorporation of a neuropsychological perspective. A total of 433 school psychologists completed the online survey for an approximate response …

Pre-Academy Placement In The Washington State Patrol: Factors Associated With Academy And Job Performance, Richard Franklin Hamack

All Master's Theses

Washington State Patrol Trooper Cadets serve in a number of positions, a number of locations across the state and for varying lengths of time before they are selected to attend the academy. The purpose of the present research was to determine whether these factors were related to subsequent academy performance and job performance.

To that end, 255 cadets hired between 1979 and 1985 were studied. The results indicated that only pre-academy assignment duration was significantly correlated with academy completion and academy performance. Implications for further research and departmental policy are discussed.

Administrative Behaviors Which Positively Affect Teacher Commitment To Principals, E. Paul Furchert

All Master's Theses

Most leadership theories specify the result of desired leader behavior, not the behaviors that lead to desired outcomes. behaviors behaviors results Ten schools were surveyed to of high school principals and to teacher commitment indicated teachers with to the high examine specific to relate those principal. commitment The were involved in participatory decision-making, received more recognition, were encouraged to try new ideas, and received positive comments about their work.

Student Rights: U.S. Supreme Court Cases-- Their Implications For And Implementation In Washington Schools, Angela Dawn Ramsey

All Master's Theses

The relationship between national litigation and state legislation was studied. Seven areas of student rights were used in categorizing Washington State's educational laws and policies, and twenty-three precedent-setting United States Supreme Court cases. The results showed support for the hypothesis that national litigation impacts state legislation in educational policy-making. Implications for and impact that this has upon the future are discussed.

The Cost To And The Public Relation Effects Of Federal Education Dollars To The Local School District, Raymond L. Cooper

All Master's Theses

The costs and public effects of using federal vocational education dollars in the local school district were studied. Twenty-five Washington school districts were randomly selected. Financial data were compiled and a survey distributed to these schools. The results showed increased use of federal vocational monies resulted in increased local administration, as school size decreased use of federal monies decreased, smaller schools spend more money per student, and local advisory committees feel that vocational education needs federal monies.

Exercises For Developing Student Leadership For The Middle School, Gene Robert Laes

All Master's Theses

This paper surveyed the training methods used to develop student leadership at Bremerton Junior High School, and presents exercises and activities adapted for use by Middle Schools for providing student leadership training.

Results of the study indicate that training methods at Bremerton Junior High were viewed by parents and teaching staff as providing positive learning experiences for the students. Students reported their experiences to be valuable in several key areas: communication, assertiveness, and gaining a better understanding of the key concept of leadership. Recommendations of the study would include permitting the students to take an active role in important school …

A Content Analysis Of Public School Education News In An Independently Owned Small Daily Newspaper, Linda L. Mccleary

All Master's Theses

Newspapers and school districts form a tentative partnership in the dissemination of education news. Subjects preferred by readers have not been reflected in actual education news coverage. Emphasis on utility information at the expense of in-depth writing about what is going on in public education has been standard practice. Content analysis shows that while quantity of education news seems reasonable, the quality of that news fails to transmit to readers the substance of what teachers and children are accomplishing in the public schools.

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.

Assessing Some Side Effects Of A Contingency Management Program, Charles M. Atkinson

All Master's Theses

This study applied a contingency management program to a single behavior while measuring multiple behaviors. Reinforcement was made contingent upon increased addition rate. The experimental group made significantly greater gains in addition rate. There was no significant difference in the gains made in subtraction rate, reading rate, reading comprehension, or classroom behavior. The study was limited by a small sample, six week time span, and the use of mentally retarded subjects to assess side effects of reinforcing an academic behavior.

Evaluation Of The Consistency Of Informants’ Reports For Children’S Ratings With The Progress Assessment Chart, Craig Allen Gilroy

All Master's Theses

Seven TMR, seven EMR, and seven regular pupils were rated on the P-A-C I by observers who viewed the children in their classrooms or by using parents and teachers as informants. Ratings were compared for consistency between groups and between raters by means of percent agreement figures and proportional t tests. Few significant differences were found between raters within groups. Significant differences were found in the majority of the cases when parent, teacher, and observer ratings of handicapped and regular children were compared.

A Measure Of The Library Skills Of High School Graduates Of Washington State As Demonstrated By Freshman Of Central Washington State College, Malcolm Douglas Alexander

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the study of library skills possessed by the 1971 entering freshman class at Central Washington State College. The study was designed to provide data to library faculty about the skills in which the students required instruction. The students tested possessed a selected list of library skills at the 47th percentile as measured by Ethel M. Feagley' s test A Library Orientation Test For College Freshmen. The hypothesis that they would not possess the skills at the 50th percentile was upheld.

Operantly Conditioning A College Student's Study Behaviors, Norman L. Culbertson

All Master's Theses

A 20 year old, male, sophomore college student, who was considered an underachiever, was confined to a laboratory study room for a specified number of observed hours during a period of three weeks. An attempt was made to operantly condition increased study behaviors by the E's control of study break reinforcers. The experiment consisted of three phases, conditioning, reversal, and reconditioning. Statistical results showed that when reinforced in this manner for study behaviors, the S significantly increased his amount of study time and number of pages read. It was concluded that (1) operant conditioning procedures could be used successfully to …

The Effect Of A Learning Skills Course Including Group Counseling On Low Achievers In The Community College, Paul E. Borg

All Master's Theses

A Learning Skills course consisting of study skills, goal direction, and self-understanding was tested among volunteer community college low achievers. Treatment integrated didactic, group discussion, and affective experiences in 18 hour-long sessions. Nineteen subjects received treatment; 25 subjects formed a matched control group; and 41 non-volunteers formed two additional control groups. An apparent trend toward GPA improvement was noted for all groups, but all measurements on GPA and a study survey were non-significant.

The Effect Of An Increase Of A Mother's Complimentary Behavior On Her Child's Crying Rate And In-Task School Behavior, Mark Connot

All Master's Theses

The purpose of the present study was to decrease an eight year old boy's disruptive crying rate in his home by ignoring his negative behavior and selectively complimenting his acceptable behavior. A check in the boy's classroom was made to determine if a generalization effect or transference of positive behavior from the home occurred. Crying behavior in the home was reduced significantly. There was no observed significant change in school behavior.

A Proposed Classification Schedule For A Curriculum Materials Collection, Robert E. Jones

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a classification schedule which may be utilized to organize the printed materials found in a curriculum laboratory. The schedule is designed to provide the user with maximum ease of access to the materials contained in the collection and relieves the curriculum librarian of many of the clerical routines common to the processing of new materials. The summary ir.cludcs general recommendations for the application of the schedule and suggestions relating to the organization and administration of the entire collection of printed curriculum materials.

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Student Grades And Parental Attitude Towards The Teacher, Jerry C. Fritts

All Master's Theses

Realizing that the parents play an important role in the total educational process, the primary purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between student grades and parental attitude toward the teacher. It is contended that there is a relationship manifesting itself in the form of a positive correlation and it behooves those in education to do something to cultivate an atmosphere more conducive to educational success. Developing a mutual respect and willingness for cooperation between home and the teacher would serve to greatly enhance a child's educational experience. Another purpose of this study is to …

A Study Of The Status And Leadership Of Girls' Athletics And The Attitudes Of Teachers Of Girls' Physical Education Toward Girls' Athletics In The State Of Idaho, Connie M. Thorngren

All Master's Theses

In 1969 a questionnaire was sent to all Idaho high schools concerning girls’ athletic programs and the attitudes of girls’ physical education teachers toward athletics. Eighty-seven percent of the questionnaires were returned, an indication of high interest in the subject area. Results showed moderate participation in most team sports and low participation in most individual sports. Teachers demonstrated favorable attitudes toward girls’ interscholastic athletics and indicated a need for enlarged programs. Money, facilities, and qualified coaches and officials were viewed as major concerns of girls’ programs.

Time Sampling Technique Applied To Counseling Practicum, William David Thomas

All Master's Theses

The analysis of interactions between individuals was developed primarily within the structure of classroom education. The historical development and refinement of educational interaction analysis was examined to set its use in the counseling situation into appropriate perspective. Many forms of interaction analysis have been used to investigate a wide range of variables. The review of the literature revealed discrepancies in the reported changes, if any, that took place in the verbal behavior of student counselors as a result of practicum training. To clarify this situation somewhat, this study attempted to observe student counselor verbal behavior change in association with practicum.

A Study Of Health Misconceptions Among Elementary And Secondary Teachers, Robert Clyde Davidson

All Master's Theses

During the past few years a limited number of studies have been completed related to health misconceptions. Some have investigated health and safety misconceptions, while others have reported various testing procedures. Studies involving all populations {general public, elementary, secondary, and college students) have pointed out existing inadequacies in health knowledge and the prevalence of health misconceptions. As a result, the writer felt the need to investigate and measure the prevalence of health misconceptions among teachers.

Retroactive Inhibition Versus Proactive Inhibition As A Function Of Variable Time Interval Among Elementary School Children, Tom L. Warren

All Master's Theses

As a study of phenomena which affect learning, the inquiry into retroactive and proactive inhibition and their varying functions should be of vital interest to both psychology and education, particularly to those educators and learning theorists who work with elementary school children. Also, it is hoped that this study will provide more reliable and statistically significant data on the question of whether retroactive inhibition is greater than proactive inhibition of retention. And, in addition, if there is a difference between retroactive and proactive inhibition when the retention test is immediate or follows soon after original learning, will this difference disappear …

Duration Of State-Dependent Learning Induced By Ncfs-Ecs, Larry Wayne Morris

All Master's Theses

This paper investigated the course of the state-dependent function induced by NCFS-ECS at 24 hr. time intervals, beginning at 24 or 48 hrs. after NCFS-ECS treatment and terminating at 120 hrs. Results of both experiments indicate a state-dependent effect lasting up to 72 hrs., was absent at the 96 hr. retention test but, apparently returned by the 120 hr. retention test. Recommendations included investigation of fixed time intervals after the 120 hr. retention test.

An Investigation Of Library Skills Acquired By Fifth Grade Students At Harvard Elementary School, Franklin Pierce District, Tacoma, Washington, Larry D. Rodahl

All Master's Theses

This study investigates two factors that were assumed to influence the amount and kind of library skills acquired by fifth grade students during the period of two consecutive years at Harvard Elementary School . The two factors were teacher-librarian cooperation and library availability.