Education Commons^™

Effective Programming Of A School District's Educational Access Channel, Darren J. Hickman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop a district policy and practice of collecting and disseminating school information and public service announcements to the public using Atlantic City Public Schools' educational access channel, ACTV Channel 2. Using a case study research design, the project will result in an evaluation of current usage by parents and families of children who attend Atlantic City Public Schools and what they would like to view.

An upgrade in programming with more educational programs was a major objective for this study. To assist in programming improvement, a questionnaire survey was developed and was administered …

A Multicultural Club At Hammonton High School, Mildred Peretti

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examines the attitude change among rural high school students regarding diversity and tolerance presented through a multicultural club. Fifty randomly selected students and parents of the high school were pre-tested using a survey instrument measuring needs assessment and an attitude profile. Data analysis was conducted using percentages of each of the four questions asked. The entire student body was then exposed to various multicultural facts and experiences promoted through a multicultural club. Activities included daily factual announcements, a trivia contest of information retrieval, guest speakers, music, assemblies, displays of heritage's artifacts, and relevant content knowledge integrated …

The Effectiveness Of Peer Mediation On Student Behavior At The Paul W. Carleton School, Charles A. Warfield

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the newly developed and implemented Peer Mediation Program in an elementary school. Peer mediation is the use of third party students who are trained in the mediation process to help other students resolve interpersonal conflicts prior to their escalation to physical or verbal offenses. Students may be referred to the Peer Mediation Program by teachers or the administrator. They may also request a mediation session on their own. Disputing students who participated in the Peer Mediation Program worked cooperatively to reach an agreement with the aid of the peer …

A World Of Difference: A Multicultural Program, Newton Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to develop aggregated understandings of bias and how it affects violence in a school's culture using action research. The study, through A World of Difference Program's Anti-Bias Study Guide and peer interventions, will result in improved cultural relations. At this stage in the research, bias is studied and acknowledged.

A fifty thousand-dollar grant was awarded to Atlantic City's Board of Education, with one school piloting the program. The A World of Difference Program focuses on training, education, and interactive activities. Student and teacher volunteers who do the work will recognize and realize, through communications, …

Predictor Of Gender Role Attitudes: Family Composition Or Subject's Gender, Viviann F. Olmedo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate what would be the greater predictor of gender role attitudes: family composition (dual vs. single parent households) or the subject's gender on a population consisting of sixty-three college students ranging in age from nineteen through fifty-six.

Subjects were given a packet that contained four questionnaires related to: family composition/general information, parental responsibilities, subject's responsibilities and BEM inventory. All sixty-three subjects completed this survey to the best of their abilities.

The relationship between family composition (dual vs. single parent households), the subject's gender and their gender role attitudes (BEM scores) went unsupported.

Brain Gym And Its Effect On The Reading Comprehension Of Third Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Stacey P. Bundens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to research the effects of the Edu-K/Brain Gym program on the reading abilities of learning disabled students. Fourteen students who had been diagnosed as learning disabled and enrolled in a self-contained third grade classroom participated in this study. The experimental group received fourteen days of treatment twice a day for ten minutes. The control group received no treatment. Pre- and post-test measures on the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test were compared to determine the progress of the students.

The data shows that the experimental group made only slight gains in the area of Word Comprehension. …

Gambling Addiction And Personality Type, Michael Athanasios Gatis

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-six students from a state university in New Jersey were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) form M in order to examine the relationship between gambling addiction and personality types. A chi-square test was performed at a 95 percent significance in order to determine if statistically significant relationships existed among the following: the relationship between personality types of gamblers within the group, the relationship between the personality types of non-gamblers within the group, and finally the relationship between the personality types of gamblers and non-gamblers between groups. No statistically significant relationships were found; …

The Effects Of Journal Writing On Self-Concept In Group Therapy, Kimberly A. Moffitt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of journal writing on children's self-concept in group therapy. It was hypothesized that students using journal writing would receive higher scores on a self-concept measurement than students who did not participate in journal writing.

The sample included 29 students from a school-based mental health program in kindergarten through eighth grade. Subjects completed a pre and post test using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Subjects in the experimental group participated in four weeks of journal writing between the pre and post tests while subjects in the control group did not. Test …

A Study Examining The Importance Of Early Intervention On Premature Development, Suzanne F. Appleby

Theses and Dissertations

Every year, thousands of babies are born prematurely or at low birth weight. As a result, many of these children are confronted with health and developmental issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of early intervention on premature development. It was hypothesized that premature children, who were initially denied early intervention services, would eventually be in need of services at a later time, and these children would be in need more than full-term children. The present study consisted of a sample of fifty-four children: twenty-seven pre-term and twenty-seven full-term. The subjects were collected from the Child …

Inclusion At The High School Level: A Case Study, Vicki L. Isler

Theses and Dissertations

This case study was conducted in order to assess the differences in occurrence of maladaptive behavior displayed by an 18 year old student with developmental disabilities placed in two different school settings. One setting, a special needs school, concentrated on vocational and daily living skills. The other setting, a public high school, provided her with four non-academic classes and the opportunity to socialize with her peers without disabilities. She was provided with a 1:1 teacher's aide in both settings.

Data sheets were completed in both settings for a three month period. These data sheets contained information on the frequency and …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Locus Of Control, Behavior And Academic Achievement In 5th Grade Students, Dawn Zuber

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to investigate the relationship between locus of control, academic achievement and behavior in 5th grade students. It was hypothesized that locus of control would be more internalized with high academic achievement and less behavior problems. A total of 40 subjects participated. Data was collected using the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale, the Devereux Behavior Scale-School Form and the Metropolitan Achievement Test. Using this data, a relationship was measured using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r). The results demonstrated significant correlations between all of the variables. The results were interpreted to mean that 5th grade students with an …

Gender Role Stereotyping In Occupational Choices, Paul Michael Rodrigo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see if students' occupational career choices were gender role stereotyped. The subjects making up this study were from a middle/upper class suburban area located in southern New Jersey. 192 subjects in fifth grade, 201 subjects in eighth grade, and 280 subjects in twelfth grade participated in this study. The percentage of males and females for each grade was close to a 50% split. This study was conducted using a survey, which asked the subjects what their choice for a career was at that time. Choices were compared to a listing of careers from …

Teaching For The Enhancement Of Self-Esteem Of Adolescents With Learning Disabilities, Kathy Carney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if participation in structured, self-concept enhancing classroom activities would improve the self-esteem level of adolescents with learning disabilities. Forty-eight high school students identified with learning disabilities participated in this study. One-half of the students served as the control group and worked with the same teacher. The other 24 students were in the experimental group and were instructed by a different teacher who conducted lessons aimed at improving students' level of self-esteem over a period of 15 weeks. Self-esteem scores were obtained by administering the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory to all participants during the …

Comparisons Between Add/Adhd Diagnosed And Non-Diagnosed Boys, Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade Eight, Daniel Del Vecchio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form (CTRS-R: S). The CTRS-R: S is an instrument used for the assessment of attention-deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and related behavioral problems in children and adolescents. The study included 225 boys in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group one consisted of 165 boys who were not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD; Group two consisted of 61 boys who had been previously diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. A second analysis regrouped the sample by grade-groups that were consistent …

A Comparison Of Academic Growth In Emotionally Disturbed Students In Private Vs. Public School Settings, Thomas J. Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to measure the academic growth, in the areas of reading and math ability, between students who are classified emotionally disturbed and placed by the school district in private, out of district schools with similarly classified students who remain in district programs. Other indicators of academic success, such as attendance and frequency of suspension were also compared, statistically, between the two groups. Yet other factors, such as grade retention, counseling and student investment were compared loosely. Sixty high school students, (thirty from each setting) comprise the two groups. Previous academic testing from the 1997/98 school year was …

The Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Academic Achievement And The Role Of Gender, Smriti Goyal

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between Locus of Control and academic achievement, and discussed the possibility of gender differences. Past research indicated a positive correlational relationship between internal scores and high academic achievement. Overall, the research regarding gender found males to be more internal than females. In this study, the 77 subjects were 10th grade American History students, placed in three different class levels, according to academic achievement the prior year. The Rotter's Internal-External scale was administered to all the subjects during History class. These scores were then separately correlated with academic class level and gender. The statistical analysis found …

Cost Effectiveness And Programmatic Differences In Early Intervention Services Delivered In Natural Environments, Jacque L. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Federal re-authorization of IDEA stresses the importance of serving disabled infants and toddlers in natural environments. For most infants, this is their home or daycare setting. Thirteen state funded early intervention programs in Southern New Jersey collected daily logs of direct and indirect services provided to over 1,000 children on a daily basis. Logs were summarized for two one-month periods. Results were tabulated for each program to indicate the percentage of staff time spent in direct activity with the family; the percentage of missed appointments; and time spent in traveling.

A Comparison Of Burnout Rates Between Inpatient And Outpatient Social Workers Who Serve Mentally Ill Adults, Heather N. Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to ascertain differences in burnout rates of social workers serving mentally ill adults who are employed in one of two different types of service, inpatient and outpatient. Burnout rates were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. This 22-item survey contains three subscales measuring: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment.

Data was collected from 19 inpatient and 28 outpatient social workers from four different agencies in southern New Jersey. One large state psychiatric institution was used to derive the inpatient social worker group and three private non-profit agencies were …

Comparison Of Students Eligible For Special Education Services Who Are Involved In Extra-Curricular Activities And Those Not Involved, Lisa M. Owen

Theses and Dissertations

The difference in academic achievement of students eligible for special education services who are involved in extra-curricular activities and those not involved was studied. Academic achievement referred to the report card grades and semester grade point averages of the students. Extra-curricular activities included those associated with the high school. The purpose of the study was to identify the differences in academic achievement between these two groups of students.

There were 193 subjects from a suburban high school in Southern New Jersey. The sample was from varying ethnic and economic backgrounds. They were eligible for special services under 8 different classifications, …

Establishing Validity In The Social Sexual Awareness Scale For Adults With Developmental Disability, Pauline N. Stuempfle

Theses and Dissertations

The present study seeks to establish data supporting convergent and concurrent validity of the Social Sexual Awareness Scale by correlating SSAS score with current status regarding competency to make the decision to engage in high risk sexual behavior as agreed by the IDT. The premise is that capacity to consent to high risk sexual behavior can be measured in a way that would enhance the decision making process of the court without detracting from its authority.

Archival data relating to IQ, adaptive functioning level, guardianship status, absence or presence of a secondary psychiatric diagnosis and previous IDT decisions as to …

Personality Traits And Addiction Relapse Rates: Is There A Connection?, Lori Sadwin O'Leary

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine what differences, if any, there were in personality trait levels of Neuroticism and Conscientiousness between addicts/ alcoholics who relapsed and those who remained abstinent. It was hypothesized that high levels of Neuroticism combined with low levels of Conscientiousness would be associated with relapsing addicts and low levels of Neuroticism combined with high levels of Conscientiousness would be associated with abstaining addicts. Fifty-one subjects participated in this study and their personality traits were measured with the NEO-FFI, a self-reporting personality questionnaire. Relapse and abstinence were observed over a three-month period. A one-way ANOVA …

An Evaluation Of The Major Barriers/Limitations Of Collaborative Teaching In The Middle School Inclusive Setting, Lisa Barcklow

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the major barriers/limitations of collaborative teaching in the middle school inclusive setting and assist teachers and administrators in developing effective strategies to enhance successful collaborative teaching efforts. Professional educators working in a collaborative inclusive middle school setting were selected through the district of Gloucester Township. Regular education teachers and special education teachers were asked to respond to questions addressing the necessary elements needed for effective collaboration.

To accomplish the general purpose of this study, questions focused on the following factors: 1) the elements necessary for successful collaborative teaching, 2) areas in collaborative …

An Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of A Phonological Awareness Program For Learning Disabled Resource Students Of Average Intelligence, Edna H. Garrison

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of a phonological awareness program on a group of learning disabled resource students of average intelligence. The participating group, consisting of five second and two third grade students, underwent phonemic awareness training sessions for six months, once daily for 15 minutes. The subjects were trained in the "Phonological Awareness Program"(1995). They were asked to complete pre and post tests using the Phonological Awareness Test (1997).

Average gains in the area of rhyming, segmentation, isolation, deletion, substitution, blending, graphemes, and decoding were calculated, totaled and analyzed. Results indicated that formal phonemic awareness training …

A Listing Of Modifications, Models, And Teaching Roles Utilized By Inclusion Teachers At A Secondary School, Bruce N. Krout

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine which modifications, teaching roles, and responsibilities the regular and special education team teachers use to give support in inclusive secondary classrooms. The co-teachers were asked to make recommendations to improve inclusion program effectiveness. The information was collected through a questionnaire disseminated to seven regular educators and five special educators who team-teach in grades seven to twelve. The percentages of the teachers' responses were reported along with a list of teacher recommendations.

The first part of the questionnaire included a checklist of classroom modifications related to classroom organization, instructional methodology, assignment adaptations, testing …

A Study To Determine The Basis Of Attrition Among Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultants, Julie M. Mason

Theses and Dissertations

Fourteen certified learning disabilities teacher/consultants (LDT/C's) who are not working in that position were identified by the child study team director from their district. All fourteen responded to a survey that asked them to characterize their feelings about certain statements that pertained to the LDT/C position. A Likert rating scale was used to show how strongly the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statement.

Results were analyzed and it was revealed that five out of the fourteen who responded never worked as an LDT/C. Upon further review, it was also discovered that not one statement was answered the same by …

Discipline For The Twenty First Century: Giving Back Dignity To Students With Severe Behavior Disorders, Kimberly S. Devers

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the "Discipline with Dignity" program in increasing appropriate behaviors in the classroom setting. The Revised Behavior Checklist was completed by the classroom teacher for four students in each classroom, to establish a degree or frequency of problem behaviors and to designate a target behavior for which to focus upon. After five months, the behaviors of the eight students were again rated by the checklist to determine if there was any change. The study revealed that on the pretest checklist the students scored the highest in the area of conduct …

The Effects Of Participation In Athletics On The Development Of High School Students With Special Needs, Derryk Sellers

Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at the effects of participation in athletics on the development of high school students with special needs. Specifically, this study examined classroom behavior, academic performance, and social development. This study also explored some of the aspects of the development of these students by studying classroom behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement. Students with special needs who participate in athletics were compared to those who do not participate. The results of this study suggest that athletics are beneficial to the development of the special needs students. This study will help administrators, teachers, parents, and students understand the role …

The Effectiveness Of The "Making Words" Program On Reading Decoding, Mandy E. Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Making Words Program when incorporated into the whole language curriculum will help children with special needs improve their reading decoding. Meaningful growth on reliable instruments would indicate a possible correlation between the use of the Making Words Program and reading decoding development.

The study consisted of five second grade students ranging in age from 7 years to 8 years. All students were given instruction through a whole language based approach in addition to the Making Words Program. The treatment program consisted of one session per week for a duration of …

Family Support Of Emergent Literacy In Students With Moderate And Severe Cognitive Delays, Dianna M. Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to explore family support of emergent literacy of students with moderate and severe cognitive delays. The research question addressed was "Does family support of emergent literacy differ on the basis of the severity of the student's cognitive delay?" Data were gathered by means of a parent survey of home literacy experiences.

Research showed that students with moderate cognitive delays participated in more emergent literacy activities and exhibited higher level responses to emergent literacy activities than students with severe cognitive delays, and the parents of moderately delayed students perceived more academically oriented benefits to home literacy activities. Results …

The Effectiveness Of A Social Skills Program Used With Children With Learning Disabilities, Sandra L. Dalton

Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the effectiveness of a social skills program both inside and outside of the classroom. Its purpose was to see of positive behaviors increased and negative behaviors decreased both inside and outside of the classroom. The results showed that overall, for the class, positive behaviors increased and negative behaviors decreased. Individual results varied. The implications of this are great. If we teach our students with learning disabilities the necessary social skills now, they will be able to take these skills outside of the school setting and successfully integrate into society.