Education Commons^™

Lived Experiences Of School Counselors Who Address Mental Health Needs Through Evidenced-Based Educational Programs, Kelley Yvette Olds

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of school counselors who address the mental health needs of students through at least one of the following educational evidenced-based programs: Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports, Response to Intervention, Restorative Practices, and Student Assistance Program. EBPs have evolved as a staple of quality educational programming with a focus on best practices, data, and accountability. Over the past several decades, school counselors have struggled to demonstrate efficiency, accountability, and transparency consistently in counseling outcomes (Generali, Foss-Kelly, & McNamara, 2013). Recent literature in school counseling embraces the movement toward …

The Lived Experiences Of Academic Advisors With Counseling Degrees In Addressing Wellness With College Student-Athletes, Jennifer M. Gerlach

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of academic advisors who have master’s degrees in counseling in addressing wellness with college student-athletes. Of particular note was to explore if they addressed wellness and, if so, how they addressed wellness. Extant literature is replete with evidence documenting the numerous challenges and stressors student-athletes experience due to their athlete status. Prior to this study, the role of the academic advisor in addressing wellness has not been represented in the literature. This study examined the lived experiences of 10 academic advisors with counseling degrees, or currently enrolled …

The Impact Of Peer Support On Homework Completion, Joshua Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

It is has been found that students of the elementary level can benefit from peer support in academics. The purpose of this case study was to further explore the effects that peers teaching peers may have on the quality of homework. The participant was at the 3rd grade level of education in a public elementary school. Using a goal setting tool, the participant and investigator were able to benchmark the correctness of work completed by the participant in relation to how many items the participant could have gotten correct. The quality of completed homework during the intervention was compared to …

Student Loan Debt Influence On Graduate Degree Attainment, Alicia Clendaniel

Theses and Dissertations

Student loan debt is an important topic up for discussion and has become a huge issue affecting multiple dimensions of today’s society. Undergraduate students are accruing more debt than ever to pay for college degrees, and recent trends in higher education report a raise in cost of tuition. Current statistics reveal over 1.2 trillion dollars in outstanding student loan debt from over 40 million borrowers, however, students are still being encouraged to further their education to gain an economic edge. An array of previous research has focused on various effects of student loans, however, there have been limited studies which …

Gender Differences In Bullying And Perceptions Of Bullying, Melanie S. Brzezinski

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying is a prevalent and ongoing problem in all schools from elementary school on through college. Previous research has shown that rates of bullying have been on the rise in recent years. High rates of bullying should not be ignored as involvement in bullying can lead to long-lasting, negative effects. To decrease or prevent bullying, anti-bullying methods should consider all potential factors. An important factor in bullying research is the influence of gender on one’s overall bullying experience. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether or not there is a difference in the bullying rates and styles …

Bullying Prevention And Intervention In Education Through The Visual Arts: An Instrumental Case Study, Eugene Neglia

Theses and Dissertations

According to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2013) bullying is one of the greatest health risks to children and young adults in the United States. It is harmful in its impact to the victim, the bystander, and the bully and is often less visible and less identifiable than other public health concerns. The effects on victims, offenders, and bystanders can be long lasting and can affect an individual’s development (AERA, 2013).

The impact of bullying on education is profound. As a result of bullying, a child’s academic achievement can be greatly affected (Petrosino, Guckenburg, & DeVoe, 2010). As mandated …

Interrupting The Silence: An Action Research Study To Transform A Juvenile Justice Culture For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Intersex (Lgbtqi) Youth, Dawn N. Mcrae

Theses and Dissertations

This action research (AR) study explored practitioners’ knowledge of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) youth issues in a juvenile justice setting. A research and service approach was employed to develop a LGBTQI policy and training. This study was motivated by three research questions. Does sensitivity training increase practitioner knowledge concerning LGBTQI youth in juvenile justice? What are the attitudes of juvenile justice practitioners concerning the stigmatization of LGBTQI youth in a juvenile correctional setting? How can the findings of this study improve support networks for LGBTQI youth in a juvenile correctional setting? To examine these questions, pre-test …

The Experiences Of School Counselors Who Integrate Yoga Into A Comprehensive School Counseling Program: A Phenomenological Approach, Julia V. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the experiences of school counselors who implement yoga into a comprehensive school counseling program. Over the past decade, yoga has gained popularity as a prevention and intervention tool in public school settings. Prior to this study, the role of the school counselor in this process has not been explored. This study investigated the lived experiences of 10 school counselors who integrate yoga into a comprehensive school counseling program. Through data analysis, five significant themes and subsequent subthemes emerged: 1) intentionality (personal experiences with yoga impacts professional intentions, yoga intentionally tied …

The Experiences Of Black Males In Honors Colleges, Sandra Greene

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Black Males in honors colleges. Specifically this study aims to highlight the successes, challenges, and common experiences of Black males in honors colleges. To this end, the researcher interviewed six Black men in an honors college located in a predominantly White institution in the southeast. This study sought to share a story of success to counteract the majoritarian narrative of Black male underachievement. Critical Race Theory provided a framework and lens to help understand the emergent themes and findings. Through interviews with the study participants the following seven themes …

Undocumented Students In Higher Education: How Liminal Legality Influences The College Experience, Michelle Simon

Theses and Dissertations

Undocumented students’ pursuit of higher education mirrors in many ways the path of traditional American students. However, there are policies in place that create barriers unique to undocumented students. While the policies directly influence these students’ educational plans, their emotional states are influenced as well. This paper will explore the policies that have had historical impacts on undocumented students’ access to higher education. Through interviews with students at universities in the southeast region of the United States, this paper will identify the impact these policies have on students’ educational pursuits. The hope is that this paper will serve as a …

How Does Social Comparison Affect Self-Esteem In The Classroom After Receiving An Exam Grade, Dana Oppenheimer

Theses and Dissertations

Social comparison is a theory developed by Leon Festinger which states that social comparison has many effects on everyday life, including body perception, learning in schools, self-esteem, exercise habits, and even balance. These different topics have been studied numerous times in the past. The hypothesis of this study is social comparison will have a significant change in self-esteem after receiving an exam grade back and being able to talk about it. The study consists of a participant filling out a self-esteem inventory pre-test, which was taken one day in the beginning of the semester before any exams were given and …

Childhood Feeding Practices And Parenting Styles In Hispanics, Kasi Spinelli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to detect an ethnic difference in Hispanic and feeding practices in early childhood. It is further hypothesized that there will be a relationship between parenting styles and feeding practices. 24 Rowan graduate students completed a survey, the Toddler Feeding questionnaire by Chaidez & Kaiser (2011). The items on the survey were divided into questions that asked about parenting styles, feeding practices, environmental factors, and demographics. The ethnicity was analyzed by using a one-way ANOVA (within) to discover any associations between the parenting styles and feeding practices items on the survey. There was not a …

Academic Achievement In Student Athletes Versus Non-Student Athletes, Leslie Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate academic achievement amongst student athletes and non-student athletes. Participants were undergraduates enrolled in a psychology course and were recruited via university subject pool. Students of both populations exhibited similar levels of academic achievement and academic motivation as well as study habits through online questionnaire. Grade point average (GPA) was used to assess academic achievement, while the Academic Motivation Scale-College Version (Vallerand et al., 1992) was utilized to assess academic motivation. Participants were also asked to report on how many hours they spend weekly on coursework. An independent samples t-test found significance in …

Assessment Variability Among States In Determining Part C Eligibility Criteria, April Siktar

Theses and Dissertations

Early intervention (EI), known as Part C, is an integral component of providing young children with individualized attention that enriches their development. The EI services are provided to children zero to two years old that are deemed eligible by specific diagnosis, clinical opinion, or based on assessment scores. States have flexibility on which assessments should be used and the qualifications of the examiner. The variations among states and districts can have implications on who is eligible to receive services throughout the country. The purpose of this study is to investigate the assessments and examiner's qualification in each state. The ongoing …

Childhood Feeding Practices In African Americans, Nicole Somogy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the feeding practices of minority children specifically looking at African Americans from birth to 11 years old to see if there are any red flags so that professionals can be alerted for a concern with obesity. Previous research conducted on feeding styles and patterns of adults have shown some clues as how a parent plays a key role in the etiology of childhood obesity (Chaidez & Kaiser, 2011). One strategy that is used when looking at obesity is to look at physical activity as well as parenting styles which includes authoritative, authoritarian, …

Examination Of Structured Physical Activity On Students With Special Needs, Arianna Sparano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of a structured physical activity, Rowan Unified Sports Basketball organization, for children with special needs and the positive impact the physical activity will have on their social skills. Past studies have proven that exercise has many beneficial effects mentally, physically, and socially. The effects reflex on children and adults. Not only does physical fitness promote good health, it relieves stress and anxiety. Social skills will be analyzed using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scale, the parent form version. A pretest was given at the beginning of the season …

Principals' Outlooks On Suspension Based On Socioeconomic Status, Gender, Years Of Experience, And School Type, Jennifer Ohara

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore socioeconomic status within a school district, the years of experience, school type, and gender of a principal, supervisor, or disciplinarian and the effect that these variables would have on their attitude toward suspension. According to previous research done by Dr. Russell Skiba of Indiana University, high rates of suspension have been due to racial identity. Even after controlling for poverty status, racial disparities do not disappear (Skiba, Michael, & Nardo, 2000). After wanting to understand more on suspension and its future in schools, this study explored the attitudes that principals, supervisors, and …

An Exploratory Investigation Of Daycare Teacher Stress And Locus Of Control, Veronica Schumann

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to examine stress and locus of control in daycare teachers. A literature review was conducted to explore the various aspects of daycare services in America. The factors of locus of control and stress were signified and investigated as separate entities. The interaction between the two factors was also explored. In order to explore these two factors, a survey was administered to 19 daycare teachers from two different facilities. The presentation of both internal and external locus of control was expressed in approximately 70 percent of the teachers who were surveyed. A mild level of stress was …

Difference In Stress In Parents Of Children With Communication Disorders With Or Without An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paige Appelt

Theses and Dissertations

Children diagnosed with a communication disorder that is comorbid with an autism spectrum disorder frequently present additional symptoms to the communication deficit; the additional symptoms of an ASD could be linked to an increase of stress experienced by parents of such children (Gardiner & Iarocci, 2012). The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference of stress levels in parents of children with communication disorders versus parents of children with communication disorders comorbid with autism spectrum disorder. Participants included 15 parents of children with communication disorders with or without an ASD who completed The Parental Stress …

The Emphasis Of Physical Activity Across The Curriculum; A Positive Approach To Increased Academic Achievement, Alexandra Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess whether physical activity has an effect on academic achievement in students. The presence of a physically active lifestylehas received much support due to its physiological and mental benefits. The establishment of such a lifestyle should begin at an early age; however, there has been a recent shift away from physically active programming within the school system that could perpetuate a healthier future. Pressure to increase academic achievement has led to the reduction and elimination of opportunities for physical activity, but these actions could have an adverse impact on students (Mahar, Murphy, Rowe, …

Framing In Crime News, Gabriele Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate if televised news programs overrepresent or underrepresent certain races as perpetrators or victims. Three weeks of crime news programming were surveyed. The races of perpetrators and victims were identified and coded. Those findings were then compared to 2014 crime statistics obtained from the Philadelphia Police Department. It was hypothesized that (a) Blacks would be overrepresented as perpetrators, (b) Blacks would be underrepresented as victims, (c) Whites would be overrepresented as victims, (d) Whites would be underrepresented as perpetrators, (e) Hispanics would neither be underrepresented or overrepresented as perpetrators, and (f) Hispanics would …

Evaluating Teacher Stress And Its Effect On Student Behaviors In An Alternative School, Kimberly Nizolek

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate teacher stress and its effect on negative student behaviors in an alternative school setting. Teacher stress is defined as a negative state held by a teacher that includes unpleasant emotions, such as anger or sadness, as a result of their work and it appears when events and responsibilities exceed one's coping mechanisms (Kyriacou, 2001; Lazarus, 1993). Teachers working in alternative schools may report a high level of stress based off of their working environment. When teachers feel stressed, they may not be able to provide the necessary support to their students to …

Adverse Home Environments And Its Influence On Academic Achievement, John Chillem

Theses and Dissertations

Higher incidences of academic deficiency resulting from previous adverse circumstances in the home environment were investigated. A review of Bronfrenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory illustrated the impact of the home environment on a child's development which can greatly influence academic achievement in later years. A vast collection of literature was compiled and presented to shed insight on implications surrounding adverse home environments. The current study examined associations between college students' retrospective ratings using the validated Risky Family Questionnaire and their concurrent academic achievement. The specific measures of distress in home environments under consideration included family conflict, parental divorce, inadequate parenting styles, …

Vocational Curriculums And Best Practices For Emotionally Disturbed Students, Daniel Tarantula

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional education routes are not always an appropriate fit for students, particularly those with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (EBD). With limited academic, social, and self-determination skills, often times upon leaving high school these individuals do not attend or are not successful in a college setting, and seek vocational studies instead. As such, in the interest of fostering success in this population, the current study looks at curriculum requirements, across states, for vocational studies to see if coursework is present which addresses the aforementioned short comings in individuals with EBD. Collection of data revealed a high count of states requiring coursework in Academic …

The Effects Of Social Media Sites On Self-Esteem, Kristine Raymer

Theses and Dissertations

With the advent of the Internet over a decade ago came the introduction of a new form of communication referred to as social networking. On-line social networking sites, such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, have become increasingly popular and almost an integral part of everyday life, especially for college students. Approximately ninety percent of college students have a Facebook account, and it is estimated that the average amount of time spent on this social networking site ranges from thirty minutes to over two hours on a daily basis. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between on-line …

School Psychologists' Knowledge Of And Attitudes Towards Transgender Students, Arielle Walzer

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender students face harassment and discrimination in schools, and those who experience such maltreatment are at a higher risk of attempting suicide and other negative outcomes. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has called upon school psychologists to be advocates for transgender students, yet school psychologists receive little or no training in this area. The Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Transgender Students Survey was created and distributed to members of the New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland state associations for school psychologists. Although previous studies suggest that a person's attitude toward transgender people is affected by age and gender, …

Evaluating Campus Climate According To Resident Status, Francine Sandone

Theses and Dissertations

Linked to positive student outcomes such as effective risk prevention and health promotion, decreased problem behavior, and increased likelihood for academic success, climate has become a buzzword in not only elementary and secondary education, but in higher education as well. Colleges and universities have followed the precedent of school climate research and have begun to explore and unveil characteristics that impact campus climate. However, previous research has been limited in not only the identity characteristics they assess, but also in the degree of comprehensive assessment for this complex concept. The purpose of this study was to investigate multiple dimensions of …

Black History Month: An Investigation Of The Impact Of A Curriculum For Increasing The Knowledge Of Elementary Students' Knowledge Of African-American History, Monique Goodwin

Theses and Dissertations

The significance of this current study was to show the importance of Black History being added to the curriculum for elementary students of all ethnicities, but especially with the African-American children. During this study the students were given a pre- and post-test on the Civil Rights Movement for the month of February. The study consisted of 40 students from an upper elementary school located in southern New Jersey. Of the participants 26 were female and 14 were male; there are 4 special needs students and 2 in a reading program called Read 180. All were in the 6th grade with …

The Role Of School Psychologists In Bullying Interventions In Year Four Of New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights Act, Amanda Brady

Theses and Dissertations

Within education, bullying has been a prominent topic of discussion with regard to its effects on students and schools. In order to investigate the specific role of school psychologists in Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) initiatives, this study (a) analyzes the HIB roles of school psychologists and (b) the factors that influence their involvement in advocating HIB initiatives after the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act was passed in 2010. A survey was distributed to about 1,000 school psychologists in New Jersey and asked about demographics, specific roles regarding HIB initiatives, factors that affect their involvement, and satisfaction with …

Full Time Attendance In An Early Childhood Education Center Improves Emergent Literacy Skills, Dana Samuelsen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the predetermined amount of attendance of preschool per week had an effect on the present understanding of early literacy skills in preschool aged children. Archival data, of forty-nine participants, was used to identify amount of attendance in a private early childhood education program. Early literacy skills were assessed by the child care center's previous academic reviews reported by teachers from 2010 to 2014. The "PreK Academic Review" was used to collect data on early literacy skills and oral language abilities. The teachers recorded the students' abilities by marking each category as …