Education Commons^™

Teacher Perceptions Of Rsds, Laura Lynn Bone

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examined fourth grade teachers' perceptions of the Renewed Service Delivery System (RSDS). The subjects were 111 fourth grade regular education teachers from public schools in Iowa. Participants were from schools in four Area Education Agencies. The participating teachers completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic data and 21 declarative statements. Responses to the declarative statements were chosen using a Likert-type scale. No follow-up mailing was initiated. The results of the questionnaire were analyzed using frequency distributions. Further inquiry may reveal the results possibly indicated teachers perceive the premise of RSDS to be headed in the right direction, but felt …

An Investigation Of Occupational Stress As It Applies To School Band Directors, Jane A. Whitehead

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to investigate the nature of occupational stress among school band directors. It explored the influence of years teaching experience, school size, present grade level taught, and gender on perceived stress among Iowa school band directors. Although there is a great deal of research concerning the frustrations of classroom teachers, information related to stress and the school band director is limited. There is growing concern with the number of teachers leaving the profession and those remaining in the field at a diminished performance level. There is also evidence of less experienced teachers perceiving more stress than their …

Determining An Alternative Organizational Structure Within Two Small/Rural Iowa School Districts: A Case Study Of An Innovative Decision Making Process, David Wayne Stoakes

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The issues confronting small/rural schools in the state of Iowa are very complex, raging in scope from the loss of student population, limited financial resources, quality of academic and extra-curricular programs, and even to the very survival of the community in which the school is located. Because of these issues school administrators, boards of education, and school district patrons are confronted with finding a new organizational structure for their school. Processes and procedures used to make these decisions have typically led to emotional battles within the school and community.

The purpose of this study was to apply the Nominal Group …

Effective Secondary Special Education Programs: Administrative And Instructional Practices In Identified Iowa Schools, Robyn Lynn Moen Kramer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This descriptive study with exclusive focus on identified secondary special education programs in Iowa, investigated the interactions of administrators, general classroom and special education teachers to determine common administrative and instructional practices and behaviors within three characteristics -- Facilities Leadership, General Classroom Teaching Behavior, and Special Education Teaching Behavior. Directors of Special Education from six Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEAs) were asked to select five schools form their respective AEAs with exemplary secondary special education programs. From that initial population of 30 schools, 11 schools were selected to participate in this study.

A survey was administered to 354 secondary school …

A Study Of Peer Involvement In The Formative Evaluation Of Instruction In Higher Education, Larry W. Keig

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty attitudes toward methods of peer review in the formative evaluation of instruction in higher education, and toward selected variables that may affect the willingness of faculty members to avail themselves of these methods. The methods investigated were direct classroom observation, videotaping of classes, evaluation of course materials, and evaluation of instructor-graded student assignments. The variables examined included detractors (i.e., factors having potential to take away from the value of the evaluation methods), enhancers (i.e., factors having potential to add to the effectiveness of the methods of evaluation), and individual/institutional improvement variables …

A Descriptive Study Of Breastfeeding Promotion In Iowa Hospitals, Joyce Kay Hansel

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to describe the practices of selected Iowa hospitals in the promotion of breastfeeding. Routine hospital policies, procedures, and patient education programs regarding breastfeeding mothers and their infants were investigated.

The study sample consisted of hospitals in the state of Iowa which had 200 births or more for the reporting year as listed in the 1989 American Hospital Association Guide to the Health Care Field. Based on this criterion the sample size was 44. A 20 item self-reporting questionnaire was designed and used as the tool for data collection. Frequencies and percentages were reported for …

An Investigation Of The Instructional Management Behaviors Of Principals In Mid-Sized Public High Schools In Iowa, Marcus J. Haack

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of superintendents, principals, and teachers regarding the instructional management behaviors of principals in mid-sized public high schools in Iowa when applied to 10 job functions of instructional management behavior. The study utilized the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) instrument, developed by Dr. Philip J. Hallinger, to assess perceptions of instructional management behaviors of principals.

A total of 165 individual assessments were included in the analysis. Completed survey instruments were received from 55 superintendents, 55 high school principals, and 55 high school teachers in mid-sized pubic high schools in …

Aggressive And Non-Aggressive Black Female Students: A Comparative Study Of Selected High School Characteristics, Walter Cunningham

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A major problem confronting education today is the at-risk student. In the opinion of some, the American school curriculum is a mirror of American society; and since our society had often oppressed the human potential and development of Black citizens, the school has done the same to many Black children. This writer was specifically concerned about the aggressive behavior of Black female students which places them more at-risk than the average Black student.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of Black female high school students during their 9-12th grade school experience who were involved in aggressive …

The Effects Of The Use Of A Color Code In Graphic Presentation And Assessment On The Reader's Immediate Recall And Delayed Retention, Peggy Ann Posekany Pruisner

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The study investigated the effects of the use of a color code in graphic presentation and assessment of verbal material on the reader's immediate recall and delayed retention. Nine seventh-grade classes, containing a total of 132 students, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (a) color-coded graphic presentation with a color-coded graphic assessment, (b) color-coded graphic presentation with a black/white graphic assessment, (c) black-white graphic presentation with a color-coded graphic assessment, and (d) black/white graphic presentation with a black/white graphic assessment. The research design was a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial; the independent variables were the graphic …

Teachers' Sense Of Efficacy And Their Referral Practices: An Analysis Of Teacher Preference For Consultation Versus Referral Support Services, Robert C. Weires

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Given a presented student problem and definitions provided for the terms of consultation, referral, and educational specialist, this study sought to determine the relationship between teachers' self-ratings for personal teaching efficacy and their degree of preference for receiving consultation versus referral services from an educational specialist. In all,· relationships among the four main research variables of sense of personal teaching efficacy, sense of general teaching efficacy, preference for alternative support services, and personal comfort in seeking support services from an educational specialist were investigated. Additionally, this study sought to explore the tmpact of five teacher background variables (teacher gender, extent …

Performance Of The Chapter 1 Preschool Children In The Waterloo School District, Deanna M. Wagner

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to describe the progress of the Waterloo Chapter 1 program on students' subsequent school test scores, and Chapter 1 and special education placements. The subjects for this study consisted of 297 students who were enrolled in the Chapter 1 preschool program during the academic years 1985-1989, and who remained in the Waterloo School System through 1990-1991. The Waterloo Chapter 1 prekindergarten program identifies educationally disadvantaged children and offers them a developmentally-appropriate, preschool program to assist them with developing language and math skills. Results of the study suggest that enrollment in the Waterloo Chapter 1 prekindergarten program …

The Effect Of An Alcohol Consciousness-Raising/Information Packet And An Alcohol Education Program On Alcohol-Related Family Discussions And Student Alcohol Use, Sandra S. Havlik

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an alcohol consciousness-raising/information packet and an alcohol education program on student alcohol use behaviors and family discussion regarding student alcohol use. In addition, the relative difference in effectiveness of the alcohol consciousness-raising/information packet and alcohol education program among males and females was investigated. A total of 1,595 incoming first-year students were randomly assigned to one of four groups, and 1,634 of their parents were assigned to the same group as their child. Group A consisted of 425 students and 429 parents who received both the alcohol consciousness-raising/information packet and …

Exploring The Incidence And Predictability Problem Of Dyscalculia In A School-Based, Rural Population In A Rural State, Karen Kimberley Annis

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The term learning disability denotes the inability to learn in keeping with one's potential when presented with the usual curriculum. Dyscalculia is learning disability manifested in the area of mathematics curriculum. Limited research exists in the area of dyscalculia in terms of both incidence and identification procedures. However, a fairly large number of school-aged children show deficits in this area. Despite the necessity for knowledge of mathematics, little emphasis is placed on the identification and remediation of mathematical learning disabilities. A prominent neurologist (Rosenberger, 1989) has hypothesized recently that as much as 10% of the population of school-aged children in …

The Wechsler Preschool And Primary Scale Of Intelligence And Wechsler Preschool And Primary Scale Of Intelligence-Revised: How Comparable Are The Iq Scores, Laura Christine Griggs Bealles

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The IQ scores on the WPPSI and the WPPSI-R of 35 subjects were examined, and the differences of the subjects' scores were compared. _over a 2-year period, 10 graduate students identified four students each, and administered the WPPSI and the WPPSI-R to each of them, in a counterbalanced order. Group mean scores on the Verbal, Performance, and Full Scales on the two tests were compared. Correlations were computed, and t tests were done to compare the Scales on the tests. Consistent with the findings cited in the WPPSI-R Manual, the group mean Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores on …

The Implementation Of Naturalistic Evaluation Of Reading Comprehension: A Descriptive Study Of First Graders In A Chapter 1 Reading Program, Beth Ann Hardy Nordmeyer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to document the implementation of naturalistic evaluations of reading comprehension, specifically, the comprehension abilities of first-grade students in a Chapter 1 reading program. There were five major questions which guided the study: (a) How will naturalistic evaluations assess students' reading comprehension abilities in a Chapter 1 classroom? (b) What problems does a Chapter 1 teacher encounter when implementing naturalistic forms of evaluation? (c) Given special consideration to time and management, how can naturalistic devices be used in a Chapter 1 reading program? ( d) How will a Chapter 1 teacher be able to use …

Factors Influencing Preparation Needed Of Future Industrial Technology Department Leaders In Higher Education, Rajendra L. Desai

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The object of this study was to help future industrial technology department leaders in higher education develop effective planning strategies and prioritize their preparation before they sought leadership positions in industrial technology. Two hundred fifty-four industrial technology department leaders in higher education from all over the United States were asked to respond to a questionnaire. A five point Likert-type scale was used to rate the importance of 58 statements identified from Marshall's (1984) study. One hundred sixty (62.99%) usable responses formed the basis of this study.

Mean values and standard deviations were determined for all the statements. The grand mean …

A Descriptive Study Of Perceived-Effective Rural Superintendents In The State Of Iowa, Bonnie Korver Baum

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The nature of the superintendent's responsibilities has changed significantly since the first school superintendent in the United States was hired in the 1830s. Superintendents today have a great influence on education. That influence is felt in rural schools as well as urban and suburban districts. Rural schools have certain unique administrative problems. Solving those problems depends on the vision, leadership, and effectiveness of the administration.

The purpose of this study was to identify selected characteristics of effective rural superintendents. Five rural Iowa superintendents, identified as effective by their peers, were studied in depth. The qualitative dissertation identified characteristics in four …

Exploring The Incidence And Predictability Problem Of Dyscalculia In A School-Based Urban Population In A Rural State, Andrew Robert Smith

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Dyscalculia denotes a type of learning disability in the area of mathematics. Dyslexia denotes a type of learning disability in the area of reading. A large number of students with a learning disability only in mathematics may not be receiving the necessary special services because of a dependence on reading as the main criterion for referral for services. Rosenberger (cited in Rubin, 1990) was quoted as saying that as much as 10% of the population might have dyscalculia. Limited research exists in the area of dyscalculia in terms of causality, incidence figures, and identification procedures. In this. study dyscalculic is …

The Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Self-Concept As A Learner: Does A Relationship Exist?, David B. Wood

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Before locus of control (LOC) and self-concept as a learner can be separately used in personality measurement, their construct independence must be established. Randall (1989) and Schmidt (1990) found moderate (.-49 and -.25) overlap between the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children (NSLOC) (Nowicki & Strickland, 1973) and Waetjen's (1967) Self-Concept As a Learner Scale (SCAL). Since Randall and Schmidts' data came from differently sized school districts, the exploration of district size as a variable seemed warranted.

Interest in LOC and self-concept has been studied extensively since Rotter's (1966) comprehensive review. Joe (1971) did a comprehensive review. Strickland (1972) …

Differences In Trait Competitiveness Between Girls’ Basketball Starters And Non-Starters At The Junior High And High School Level, Julie Ann Kemp

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences ln trait competitiveness between girls' basketball starters and non-starters at the junior high and high school level. The study was designed to test the hypotheses that high school girls' basketball players would have higher levels of competitiveness than junior high school basketball players; that there would be no difference in the trait competitiveness scores between girls' basketball starters and non-starters; and, that there would be no difference in the trait competitiveness scores of starters and non-starters at either the junior high or high school level.

The subjects (N …

A Descriptive Study Of The Academic And Professional Backgrounds Of Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses In Iowa, Paulette M. Herold

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to describe the professional backgrounds, experience, roles and responsibilities, and selected attitudes and opinions of cardiac rehabilitation nurses in the state of Iowa. Nurses were identified through the membership lists of the Iowa Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (IACPR) and the American Association of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Additional programs were identified through the Iowa Blue Cross/Blue Shield approved list of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in the state. A total of 100 surveys were mailed. The data results, based on the responses of 71 (71%) of these nurses, are summarized below.

The basic nursing education of …