Education Commons^™

Safeguarding For The Future: Managing Born-Digital Collections In Museums, Kimberly Kruse

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Over the past few decades, advancements in technology have changed society entirely. Every bit of information about world news, popular culture, and art is just a tap of a touchscreen away. So many aspects of the contemporary world have become digitized so that it was only a matter of time before museums would have to face the issue of born-digital media in their collections. From videos to web-based art, museums have to tackle how to save this new form of cultural heritage. Museums have to do so now before it gets lost forever. The challenge of born-digital objects lies in …

The Relationship Between Student Participation In A 1:1 Laptop Initiative And Academic Achievement In A 9-12 Upper Middle Class Suburban New Jersey Public School District, Brian P. Gatens

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The use of laptop computers in 1:1 settings is becoming increasingly prevalent in America’s schools. As greater numbers of students are using this technology, establishing its benefits and costs is paramount, especially in light of so many demanding fiscal situations. This study used quantitative research and analysis to measure the benefits and costs of such an expansive distribution of technology. It seeks to answer the question of the worth of such a large-scale adoption.

This study explored the relationship between the use of a laptop computer on a 1:1 basis for the purpose of academic instruction and its connection …

The Influence Of Participation In The Leveled Literacy Intervention Program On The Sustained Literacy Achievement For Students In Grades One Through Threev, Veronica Anne Glover

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study evaluated the efficacy of Fountas & Pinnell’s Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) program and its effect on struggling readers in the first grade, as well as the sustaining effects of the intervention over a two-year period. The students in the study attended an elementary school in a Central New Jersey public school district and received the LLI supplemental pull out reading program five days a week for 30 to 45 minutes per session as prescribed. The study hypothesized that the LLI program would have a significant effect on the reading progress of struggling first-grade students in the districts’ first …

Factors Influencing The Level Of Technology Adaptation By Middle-School Teachers, Janice Favre Strigh

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine those factors influencing a teacher’s level of adaptation to a one-to-one laptop program in a middle-school setting. The school chosen for this study is located in a semi-rural district with approximately 500 students in sixth through eighth grade. Over the past 10 years, the school district has implemented a one-to-one laptop program with students currently having access to their own personal computer each day. Collins’s (2007) technology, leadership management, and policy pyramid model provided a framework for this analysis. Teachers’ perceptions of leadership support for the planning activities, organizational integration …

School Administrators’ Perceptions Of The James Stronge Teacher Evaluation System, Jean Schoenlank

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study examined school administrators’ perceptions of the James Stronge teacher evaluation system, one of five approved evaluation systems by the New Jersey Department of Education from the Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey Act (TEACHNJ) in 2012. Fourteen administrators from a suburban district were interviewed to examine their views of the Stronge model’s influence on teachers’ instructional practice, the accuracy of the ratings found from using this model, and its influence on their instructional leadership.

The results indicate the seven performance indicators at the heart of the Stronge evaluation system are valuable to administrators …

Comparing Two Alternate Assessments: Dynamic Learning Maps And Multi-State Alternate Assessment, Dana N. Sir

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In 2001 under No Child Left Behind, states were required to create an alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities using alternate achievement standards. In 2003, all states had created an alternate assessment. All fifty states independently developed, implemented, and revised their alternate assessments. By 2014, Dynamic Learning Map (DLM) and Multi-State Alternate Assessments (MSAA) (formerly National Center and State Collaborative)––two alternate assessments developed through consortiums consisting of state departments, universities, and organizations using federal funding––were created. At the time of this study, the DLM and MSAA were used by approximately 49% of states for their alternate assessment. This …

Iep Team Decision Making Process For Accommodations In Bergen County, New Jersey, Steven Pasternak

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to explore the decision-making processes of Individual Education Program team members, who are responsible for making accommodation decisions for students with disabilities in the classroom and for state standardized tests. Students with disabilities consistently underperform in achievement compared to their peers throughout Bergen County and nationally. High-stakes testing, accountability incentives, and access to higher education have all led to pressures on administrators, students, and parents, calling into question how accommodations are determined for students with disabilities. School administrators are being held accountable for all their students meeting state standards; therefore, students with disabilities’ underperformance …

College Academic Engagement And First-Year Students' Intention To Persist, Monica Ng Burnette

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

To remain globally competitive, the United States continues to set forth federal initiatives to promote college retention, persistence, and graduation. While employers seek graduates who demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, and time management skills, research reveals the level of academic engagement on college campuses is low. Although several factors contribute to first-year student persistence, researchers suggest that academically engaged students who participate in educationally purposeful activities in college are more likely to intend to persist than disengaged students.

Combining national data from the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE), National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), and the First Year Experience …

Policy Map Worksheet Cpsy 1001, Fall 2017, Grace May

Education (OER)

No abstract provided.

Policy Map Directions Cpsy 1001, Fall 2017, Grace May

Education (OER)

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Department Chairs As Instructional Leader In New Jersey Secondary Schools That Practice Distributed Leadership, Carlaina Bell

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Today, there is a greater emphasis on school improvement, and school leaders are increasingly being held accountable. The research states that successfully managing a school’s instructional program is essential for student academic success. This study explored department chairs working with the support of their principals to manage the school’s instructional program employing a distributed leadership organizational structure.

This study was designed to engage department chairs in conversation about instructional leadership in hopes to gain clarity about their understanding, practice, and the factors within their schools that support them as instructional leaders. The results confirmed the existing research that department chairs …

A Comparison Of Complex Thinking Required By The Middle School New Jersey Student Learning Standards And Past New Jersey Curriculum Standards, Clifford R. Burns

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Learning standards define what knowledge and skills students need to master in order to be prepared for college and careers. The acquisition of knowledge and skills is essential for the 21st century learner as students are required to think, problem solve, create, and communicate for future employers. The best 21st century learning standards are those that provide the opportunity to develop complex thinking skills including creativity, strategic thinking, and critical thinking. This dissertation sought to examine the cognitive complexity of the newly adopted New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) in Grades 6–8 mathematics as compared to the cognitive complexity of …

Perceptions Of Teachers On Their Preparedness To Teach Students In Low-Income Urban Charter Schools In New Jersey, Kimberly S. Wright

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This dissertation explores how novice teachers currently working in low-income urban charter schools in New Jersey perceive their specific preparation to work in a low-income urban charter school classroom, prior to doing so. In this qualitative study, a semistructured interview was used in an effort to assess the preparedness of 18 teachers based on their preservice training, administrative support and mentor guidance, and their self-efficacy and level of cultural awareness. The framework used for this study was Herzberg’s theory of motivation. Herzberg’s theory in combination with scholarly literature surrounding novice teachers in low-income urban classrooms produced success factors that measure …

Stay In The U.S. Or Return Home: A Qualitative Examination Of The Decisionmaking Process Of Nigerian Doctoral Students And Recipients, Felix Kanyip Kumai

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Like many developing countries, Nigeria has suffered from an extensive “brain drain” as its most able young people, especially those at the graduate or doctoral levels, seek educational and career opportunities in the mature Western economies. While other developing nations, especially China, have taken concrete action to stem and even reverse their brain drain, Nigeria has been slow to act. This study sought to illuminate the situation of Nigerian doctoral students in the Diaspora in order to chronicle how they wrestle with decisions about returning to the homeland as a means of formulating effective strategies for repatriation or, at least, …

A Comparative Analysis Of Student Participation In The Advancement Via Individual Determination(Avid) Program And Performance On The Grade 11 Michigan Merit Exam (Mme), Alesia L. Flye

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) curriculum emphasizes writing, collaboration, organization, and reading to strengthen academic skills. High school students enrolled in AVID elective classes receive daily academic support, while enrolled in challenging classes such as Advanced Placement (AP). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Academic High School students’ participation in the AVID college readiness system and students’ academic achievement using multiple measures, including the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) state assessment, the American College Test (ACT) college readiness assessment, the Advanced Placement (AP) program, and grade point average (GPA). Vroom’s (1964) expectancy theory comprised the …

The Influence Of Age, Work Experience, Education Level, And Score On A Standardized Pre-Employment Competency Exam On The Outcome Of A Pre-Employment Polygraph Exam, David M. Torres

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the influence of age, work experience, education level, and score on a standardized pre-employment competency exam on the outcome of a pre-employment polygraph exam. Due to the strict selection requirements and competitive nature of sensitive government and public safety positions, organizations compete in the costly endeavor to hire qualified applicants efficiently and effectively. As these organizations fail to meet the required hiring levels, their responsibilities in public and national security cannot be carried out. This study was conducted in an effort to reduce the time and financial resources an organization must appropriate on applicants that cannot successfully …

A Case Study On The Influence Of Frequent Superintendent Turnover On The Culture Of A K-12 Suburban School District, Victoria C. Velazquez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The role of school superintendents is varied and complex. Further complicating this role is the issue of frequent superintendent turnover. While there is ample research addressing the links between superintendents and student achievement, superintendents’ relationships with school boards and the shortage of qualified superintendents across the country due to high turnover rates, there is little research focusing specifically on superintendent turnover’s influence on the culture of a district.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an ethnographic, cross-case case study on the influence of superintendent turnover on the culture of a northeastern United States suburban K-12 school district. The …

A Narrative Study On The Leadership Development Of Female Superintendents In New Jersey, Mitzi N. Morillo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to explore, through the lived experiences of 8 women who achieved the superintendency in New Jersey, the intersectionality of gender, social norms, and race and how these women developed as leaders. The study was designed to identify perceived barriers to career ascension in education administration and the successful strategies that female superintendents in New Jersey utilized to overcome those barriers. The study explored strategies that future leaders might utilize to address leadership development and career ascendency for women who aspire to the superintendency. For this study, a narrative research design was best suited to …

A Case Study Of The Implementation And Impact Of The System For Teacher And Student Achievement (Tap), Tyrone D. Burton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For many years, educators and researchers have debated over which variables influence student achievement. A growing body of evidence suggests that schools can make a great difference in terms of student achievement, and a substantial portion of that difference is attributed to teachers. (International Institute for Educational Planning, 2004). Specifically, differential teacher effectiveness is a strong determinant of differences in student learning, far outweighing the effects of differences in class size and class heterogeneity (Darling-Hammond, 2000). Students who are assigned to one ineffective teacher after another have significantly lower achievement and learning (that is, gains in achievement) than those who …

The Relationship Between Teacher Practice And Student Performance, Aubrey Johnson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The demand for educational accountability to improve student achievement has been the force behind education reform in recent years. On October 6, 2012, the state of New Jersey enacted the TEACHNJ Act, which reformed teacher tenure laws and required teacher tenure to be linked to their evaluation rating. To support the new tenure reform law, the state of New Jersey revamped its teacher evaluation system and developed an evaluation structure known as AchieveNJ, which allows for the use of multiple measures to evaluate teachers. These measures include components of both teacher practice and student achievement which are calculated to determine …

High School Physical Education Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Role In Impacting Childhood Obesity, John F. Wescott Jr.

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background and Purpose of Study: Childhood and adolescent obesity is becoming an increasingly large problem in the United States (Bruss et al., 2010). The epidemic of obesity and associated diseases poses a serious public health challenge. A major concern is the dramatic and continuing increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. The prevalence of overweight school-aged children in the United States is estimated to have tripled since 1980 (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2012). Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood …

Why Do They Stay? Exploring The Factors That Contribute To New Jersey Tfa Alumni Remaining In The Classroom Beyond Their Two-Year Commitment, Shavon Chambers

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In the United States, there are more than 600 alternate route programs, including Teach for America, providing school districts with hundreds of new teachers every year (Feitritzer, 2009). The shortage of highly qualified teachers, particularly in urban school districts, is an ongoing concern in education and one not easily solved by investment in recruitment and hiring given that in urban school districts half of the new teachers will leave within three years (Ingersoll & Smith, 2003) Despite evidence of the challenges of teacher retention and attrition, many teachers, including those in alternative certification programs like TFA, decide to remain in …

Exploring Respiratory Care Faculty And Students’ Perceptions Of Effective Clinical Instructor Characteristics, Saad Mohammed Alrabeeah

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: Clinical instructors play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare by training students on site to deliver patient-centered team based care. Respiratory care clinical instructors play an integral part in preparing respiratory care students to be effective practitioners given that almost 50% of the respiratory care curriculum is conducted in the clinical environment under the supervision of clinical instructors. Professional competence, interpersonal relationships, personality characteristics and teaching ability are all qualities that clinical instructors should possess in order to provide students with quality clinical education experiences. The purpose of this mixed method study was to (1) explore …

The Chosen Tokens: Exploring The Work Experiences And Career Aspirations Of Latina Midlevel Student Affairs Administrators In Higher Education, Sofia Bautista Pertuz

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Student Affairs serves as a viable career option for professionals working in higher education, including Latinas, who have increasingly entered as undergraduate students and found careers in student affairs. Latinas seem to be bottlenecked at midlevel, with few advancing to senior level leadership positions. According to the literature, negative work experiences and barriers related to identity have impacted advancement opportunities for Latina administrators. This qualitative study employed the methodology of narrative inquiry. Interviews were conducted with 26 participants selected by purposeful sampling of Latina professionals holding midlevel positions in student affairs. Data was analyzed using traditional coding methods of constant …

Beyond Socioeconomic Status: The Impact Of Principal Leadership In Urban And High Poverty Turnaround Schools, Mojisola Adejumo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The quest to transform failing urban and high-poverty schools in America has been a slippery uphill battle since the banner of war was raised against the many schools serving impoverished children. As battle rages, a few are schools leading their students, teachers, parents, and community to victory by turning their once-failing schools into institutions of academic excellence. However, the shouts of victory and strategic planning that led to their success have been overlooked or relegated to mere happenstance. As these successful schools claim unchartered territories of success, a quick glance at the battlefield reveals the reality that the battle is …

Sustainability Of Catholic Parish Elementary Schools In The Twenty-First Century And The Driving Forces Of Leadership, Ryan Killeen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The most prevalent model of Catholic schools has always been and remains the parish elementary school. Catholic schools are not simply private schools but a faith based arm of a larger parish. The interconnected leadership of schools by pastors and principals is at the core of understanding the model and inseparable in long-term viability. The purpose of the study was to explore the commonalities and divergences within the pastor and principal relationships in New Jersey Catholic, suburban, elementary schools. The study investigated the following research questions. (1) How do New Jersey pastors and principals of suburban Catholic elementary schools perceive …

An Analysis Of New Small High Schools' On-Time Graduation Rates In New York City, Nathan Dudley

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Beginning in 2002, with the election of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City’s Department of Education undertook an unprecedented overhaul of the largest school district in the United States. Over the next 10 years the Department of Education closed more than 25 large, underperforming high schools, and created almost 200 new, small high schools, which, by the end of the decade, were serving approximately 30% of public high school students in the city. The first classes began graduating in 2006, and many of the “New Small Schools” graduated more students on time than many of the large schools they had …

The Effectiveness Of Pre-Service Principal Preparation Programs On Instructional School Leadership In High Stakes Testing Grades, Glen T. Pinder

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In today’s world of accountability, the preparation of school leaders has never been more critical. Many states are now developing policies and processes that seek to enhance school leadership preparation programs. Enhancing school leadership preparation programs is particularly important in the area of instructional leadership because research suggests that instructional leaders have a significant direct effect on student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore principals’ perceptions of relationships between training in their pre-service principal preparation programs and their effectiveness as in-service instructional leaders in New Jersey schools. The study is significant because the preparation of school leaders …

Catholic School Identity: Perceptions That Influence Teacher Retention, Karen Germany Jakuback

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of various factors, especially Catholic school identity factors, which are important to them and may influence their job satisfaction and retention in Catholic parochial schools after year five of their teaching career. An additional purpose of this study was to inform Catholic school administrators about factors that may assist them in sustaining a climate, culture, and organizational structure that influences teachers to remain in the Catholic school setting.

School climate is often used as a broad term that refers to teachers’ perceptions of their general work environment. The cohesion …

Improving College-Going Trends For First Generation Latino Students: The Importance Of Habitus, School Culture And Culturally Responsive Counseling, Patricia A. Marchesi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Throughout history, the United States has symbolized a place of opportunity, viewed as a place where achieving a better life is possible. This viewpoint still holds true for Latino immigrants, who currently account for more than half of the country’s population growth since 2000. Latino families and students specifically see higher education as a means by which to attain the proverbial “better life.” However, prior research dedicated to Latino students in the college-going process cites obstacles to enrollment in American colleges and universities. Inadequate academic preparation, language barriers, limited social capital, and restricted access to financial aid are among the …