Education Commons^™

Classroom Management Self-Efficacy And New Teacher Retention, Jenny Mcdonough

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since 2014, new teacher retention rates have been declining in Volusia County School District. Prior to 2015, the district experienced relatively stable retention rates for all teachers and increasing retention rates for new teachers. However, between 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, new teacher retention decreased by 21%, indicating a continued trend of teacher turnover. Volusia County School District focused a large amount of resources on recruitment to fill the vacancies; however, leadership recognized the need to look within the organization to improve teacher retention rates. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine to what extent significant mean differences exist between …

A First-Year Teacher’S Implementation Of Short-Cycle Formative Assessment Through The Use Of A Classroom Response System And Flexible Grouping, Adrienne Irving Dumas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As teachers, we are tasked with ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills necessary to not only perform with proficiency on local, state and national assessments, but also to provide our students with opportunities to develop confidence and competence as learners of mathematics through meaningful, challenging and worthwhile activities. As such, many teachers have turned to technology and cooperative groups as staples in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to understand how one first-year teacher implemented what she was taught in her undergraduate coursework in teaching two specific units of instruction in two sections of high …

Community College Grow Your Own Leadership: A Phenomenological Study Of Employee Perceptions Of Individual And Organizational Leadership Development, John Delozier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Community colleges often face challenges with leadership as a result of retirements and turnover. In reaction to these challenges some community colleges have developed Grow Your Own (GYO) leadership development programs. Although the topic of leadership and leadership development has been researched extensively, more research is necessary concerning GYO programs and their perceived impact on participants and their colleges. This study was designed to determine the perceived development of GYO participants as well as the perception of a GYO’s impact on the organization. Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) in Greensboro, North Carolina has had a GYO program for 30 years. …

Apartment Residents' Understanding Of And Satisfaction With Water Savings Devices, David Farmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the human population increases, the way we use and manage our supply of drinking water becomes even more important. The purpose of this study was to determine residents’ satisfaction level of and performance rating of new water savings devices installed in their apartments. Specifically the investigation focused on ratings of shower heads, kitchen faucet aerators, bath faucet aerators, and fill valve and flapper systems.

This quantitative survey included residents at 4 apartment complexes in Tennessee using a paper questionnaire (N = 626). The participants were grouped by age, ethnicity, gender, and whether or not they had experienced both nonrestrictive …

A Comparison Of Academic Success For Military Associated Students To The General Student Population At Middle Tennessee Community Colleges, Kenneth Hanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research in military veterans’ transition from military service to civilian college indicates that veterans can be successful in college. Considering veterans are generally older than the average traditional student population who attends college after high school, military veterans fit the characteristics of an adult student. Research indicates that the military veteran may be more disciplined and characteristically achieve their academic goals. However the literature is limited in the research of military veteran success in community colleges, and research is inconsistent with regards to the academic success of military veterans. The military veteran population in the present research consisted of 40 …

Character Arcs: Mapping Creative Writers' Trajectories Into The Composition Classroom., Jon Udelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops a theoretical and empirical approach to the study of professional creative writers and teachers. Specifically, it examines how these writers developed their knowledge of creative writing and writing pedagogy and how that knowledge informs their work as instructors of composition. Despite the common practice across writing programs of hiring formally-trained creative writers (M.A., M.F.A, Ph.D.) to teach first-year composition and related courses, little scholarship in the field of rhetoric and composition or writing studies more broadly specifically focuses on the disciplinary and professional development of these writer-teachers. Through case studies of graduate students, contingent faculty, lecturers, and …

Professional Ethics, Decision-Making, And Interdisciplinary Collaboration: An Exploration Of Teacher Preparation Programs And Practice, Brittany Mccreary

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The first purpose of this research was to explore the prevalence, methods of instruction, and perceived value of professional ethics, ethical decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration in teacher preparation programs throughout the U.S. These factors were addressed using the Ethics Training and Curriculum Survey (ETCS). Participants for the ETCS included teacher educators (n = 977) from CAEP accredited preparation programs. Survey results suggest that professional ethics is widely addressed throughout CAEP accredited programs, but that instruction in ethical decision-making varies considerably. To connect these findings with practice, a second purpose of this study was to explore how educators make ethical …

Is Touchmath An Effective Intervention For Students With Autism?, April M. Huckaby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The TouchMath program was created in 1976 to help students struggling with basic mathematical computations (Bullock, 2005). Although the research has found TouchMath to be an effective intervention for students in the general and special education populations, only four studies have found the program to be effective for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Berry, 2009; Cihak & Foust, 2008; Fletcher, Boon, & Cihak, 2010; Yıkmış, 2016). The purpose of the study was to determine how the intervention can affect accuracy and fluency for students with ASD. The study focused on single-digit plus single-digit addition problems with three participants diagnosed with …

The Roles And Responsibilities Of Makerspace Educators, Kelli Duhaney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The maker movement is rapidly growing as schools look to address learning in the subjects of STEM subjects. This movement emerged from Papert’s 1980 theory of constructionism. Makerspaces are venues where students have the opportunity to create artifacts that demonstrate their learning about a subject. Students may also tinker and create new artifacts within a makerspace. Much research on the maker movement is anecdotal, focusing on the student experience in makerspaces. Little was known about the role of the educator in a makerspace. The purpose of this study was to examine the roles and responsibilities of educators while implementing makerspaces …

Teacher Personality And Student Engagement: A Case Study, Cole Sandlin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem that drove this study was the large number of students experiencing low levels of academic engagement. This level of engagement decreases as students progress from elementary to high school. The purpose of the qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of specific teacher personality traits and how teachers and students in the local setting perceived those traits impacting student engagement. This qualitative holistic case study was conducted through observations of high school teachers and semistructured interviews with high school teachers and students. The sample population included high school students and teachers in a local high school in …

Postsecondary Students’ Perceptions Toward Accepting And Understanding Biological Evolution: A Qualitative Metasynthesis, Erin Childress

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative meta-synthesis is the exploration and analysis of postsecondary students’ perceptions towards accepting and understanding evolution. Evolution as a process and theory is a foundation for understanding the biological sciences. Within the scientific and educational communities, evolution is a central theme tying the fabric of the biological sciences together. A three-tiered analysis was used to determine postsecondary students’ perceptions towards accepting and understanding evolution. This meta-synthesis analysis was guided by the following research questions: (1) What perceived conflicts do post-secondary students face when learning about evolution? and (2) Based on post-secondary students’ perspectives, how do personal …

African-American Males In Rural East Texas That Transitioned From Coaching Into Educational Leadership: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Andre L. Emmons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological inquiry was to gain a more in depth insight into a unique phenomenon of five African- American administrators in rural public schools in East Texas that have made the transition from athletic coaching to educational leadership.Through the use of interviews, phenomenological inquiry allowed the inquirer to gain a more in depth personal account into a phenomenon, in hopes of discovering the true essence in which makes this shared, lived experience so unique. All participants in this inquiry were African-American male administrators and had at least four years’ experience as a coach before their transition …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Supplemental Instruction On Generation Z Students In Agn 331, Shania Simons, Candis L. Carraway, Stephanie Jones, Frantisek Majs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness, barriers and benefits of Supplemental Instruction (SI) on Generation Z students in AGN 331. The theory used as a model for this research was the Pace’s Model of College Impress. Prior research indicated that SI improves test scores, final grades, and persistence in historically difficult courses. Correlations and ANOVA’s were performed on SAS in order to determine a relationship between the non-SI attendees to those who did attend SI. The final grade reported an average of 0.56 points higher and on the final exam 4.26 points higher if the student …

A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Perceptions Of Guided Reading As An Instructional Model For Fifth-Grade Students, Codi Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the multi-case qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of Grade 5 teachers after professional development using a guided reading training model. The study district, a suburban district in South Texas, serves over 600 Grade 5 students. Four Grade 5 teachers from four elementary schools in the same school district were selected to participate. The teachers were trained in the methodology of guided reading based on the protocols and research recommendations by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Prior to training in the methodology of guided reading, Grade 5 teachers were not required to teach guided reading. …

Students With Disabilities In Higher Education And Implementation Of Section 504: A Historical-Comparative Analysis, Midge Simmons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by programs or activities receiving or benefiting from federal assistance (Rehabilitation Act, 1973). Specifically, Subpart E of the rules and regulations for Section 504 addresses postsecondary educational services and prohibits discrimination in the areas of recruitment and admissions, academic and athletic programs and activities, student evaluations, housing, financial aid, counseling, and career planning and placement.

Using a historical-comparative research method, the purpose of this study was to identify, analyze and compare cases of case law and Office of Civil Rights decisions since 1973 that have shaped …

A Mixed Method Study Of Community Development In Online Learning Envirnonments, Rachel Olshine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of synchronous and asynchronous communication methods on a sense of community development in online learning environments. The researcher surveyed 734 online students at a small private school in East Texas, examining the variables of synchronous and asynchronous communication methods to evaluate the sense of community experienced in online learning environments.

The study used a convergent mixed method using the Classroom Community Scale along with supplemental open-ended questions. A factorial analysis was conducted, resulting in two factors: supportive relationships and a sense of reliance. The responses expressed the use of discussion boards, emails, and self-recorded videos …

An Exploration Of Technology Leadership In Three Maine Public School Districts, David L. Fournier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The promise of technology for positively influencing student outcomes is being hampered by a lack of understanding of who is leading technology in public schools and differing beliefs of technology use among technology leaders. The purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to describe and understand the nature of technology leadership in three Maine public school districts. Research questions explored the roles, responsibilities, values, and beliefs of the technology leaders and examined how technology leaders mobilized stakeholders in using technology to positively influence student outcomes. Fifteen participants were interviewed from across three case sites. Data analysis was guided by the …

The Impact Organizational Factors Have On Role Ambiguity Amongst School Social Workers, Melissa Kichura

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore what organizational factors increase or decrease role ambiguity amongst school social workers. This study attempted to provide practical information for schools on the influence of specific organizational factors on role ambiguity so that they can provide a supportive work environment for school social workers and students. A cross-sectional survey design was used to provide a snapshot of the current organizational factors impacting the ambiguity of school social work roles from a sample of 73 members of the School Social Work Association of America. Some findings were not congruent with the literature. The …

"There Isn't Anything That Guy Can't Teach About Cars": How Nontraditional Female Career And Technical Education Students Perceive Instructor Effectiveness, Christopher J. Healy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored how female Career and Technical Education (CTE) students who enter predominantly male-attended programs perceive instructor effectiveness. Although previous research has shed light on structural and social barriers faced by females wanting to enter these programs (Whitehead, 2013), new information suggests that CTE instructors engaged in prolonged professional development focused on improving instructional skills can support beneficial learning outcomes for their students (NRCCTE, 2013). It has also been suggested that improved knowledge of instructional approaches can increase nontraditional female students’ successful completion of their CTE programs (NRCCTE, 2013). Consequently, I sought to better understand three factors associated with …

Substance Use Helpers: An Exploration Into The Relationship Between Professional Quality Of Life And Posttraumatic Growth, Denise Haggerty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been limited research on the potential for substance use helpers to have positive experiences as a result of their therapeutic work, previous research on the field of substance use treatment and the impact of working with individuals whom struggle with substance use disorders has been explored. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between substance use helpers’ professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout) with posttraumatic growth. In addition, this study also sought to determine if a relationship exists between personal and professional characteristics of substance use helpers and …

The Impact Of 1:1 Technology Initiatives On Lesson Planning, Michael Amick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Districts across the country are quickly moving toward a 1:1 student to laptop ratio. Where computer labs or carts were once the norm, many districts are now purchasing all students a laptop to start the year. This movement is occurring at a rapid pace, despite a growing body of research that shows that increased technology does not automatically lead to achievement gains. The teacher plays a vital role in student outcomes, with or without technology. In particular, the manner in which teachers plan lessons is significant to classroom outcomes. This is evident in that the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching …

Enhancing Access And Success Of Underserved Students In Dual Enrollment Programs, Theodore Mbaegbu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines dual enrollment activities and their impact with a focus on equitable recruitment, persistence, and targeted success mechanisms for Black students and students from low-income families. The lived experiences of four former students from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds, and the perspectives of ten dual enrollment practitioners garnered from a purposeful sampling of two Southwestern Pennsylvania universities inform the study. A qualitative approach examines interviews, focus group, and survey data through thematic investigative interpretation to yield common and unique experiences and perspectives relevant to recruitment processes, funding, support systems, and observed outcomes. The findings indicate how adequate preparation, …

The Attitudes Of Secondary School Teachers Regarding Inclusion Of Students With Autism In Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Al Jaffal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine secondary school teachers’ attitudes regarding the inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, students with ASD can attend regular education classrooms, especially in elementary and middle schools. In addition, the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia is interested in the inclusion of students with ASD in secondary schools. Since the attitudes of secondary school teachers toward inclusion of students with ASD have not been examined, it was important to look at the attitudes of these teachers towards the inclusion of students with ASD so …

The Influence Of Question Sequencing Using Formative Assessment In Introductory Statistics, Bryan Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Formative assessment has long been used to gauge students’ understanding of course material prior to taking an exam. With the advent of more advanced technology, only recently have instructors been able to combine formative assessment with a student response system to allow students to respond to questions in real time during class. Previous studies show mixed findings on the relationship between the use of student response systems and student learning. For example, some studies show that those students who used a student response system performed better on exams or in the course when compared to those who did not, while …

An Ethical Analysis Of Reproductive Justice In The Context Of The Egenics Movement In The United States, Bernetta Welch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The history of forced sterilization and the American cultural agreement with this practice robbed women of color of control of their own bodies, destinies, and communities. Negative eugenics as genetic proof of low intelligence, low possibility, and low productivity fed the system of compulsory sterilization even though the science proved faulty and incorrect. As advances in medical technology and genetic science increases, eugenics is making a return into the American psyche. Vulnerable populations which include women of color make reproduction and the subsequent control of their bodies vulnerable once again.

The Reproductive Justice Movement is a collaboration of organized women …

An Economic Analysis Of Student Loan Default, Arianna Castonguay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cumulative student loan debt in the United States has now surpassed $1.5 trillion. Moreover, since the turn of the century, cohort default rates of these loans have steadily risen across all types of institutions. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Education shows 10.8 percent of borrowers who entered repayment in fiscal year 2015 have defaulted within three years. In turn, the first chapter of this paper summarizes student loan policies as well as trends in debt and default. Furthermore, it highlights the consequences of high student debt and default for individual borrowers and the economy. Results show evidence …

Using Question Variations To Access Alternate Student Thinking About The Same Physical Situations, Jeffrey Mathis Hawkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Assessing students’ understanding of physics is a critical element for improving physics education. This dissertation presents and demonstrates a method to better assess student understanding of physics by varying the types of questions asked of students. The method presented herein, which is based on the Specific Difficulties and Resources frameworks, involves modifying the task students are asked to complete when analyzing the physics of a particular physical situation. Creating question variations that ask students to address a particular correct or incorrect outcome of the physical situation, eliminate an incorrect outcome, or justify a correct outcome provided to them can provide …

Designing A Comprehensive School-Wide Program In Character Development And Leadership For High School Students, Mark C. Reilly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

All independent college preparatory schools maintain that they teach their students leadership and provide opportunities for character development. In addition, most colleges and universities are looking for students who possess strong character and leadership skills. With few exceptions, the leadership and character development programs of most independent schools do nothing more than provide students with opportunities to lead their peers through election to student government, the appointment of captains on sports teams, or through the leadership of non-athletic extra curricular activities such as clubs, yearbook, drama productions, or Model U.N. Typically these opportunities are supported and enhanced by surrounding the …

Assessing Quantitative Reasoning In A Ninth Grade Science Class Using Interdisciplinary Data Story Assignments, Bryn W. Keenhold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In a data-driven world, it is necessary that students graduate from high school quantitatively literate, with the ability to interpret quantities within a context to make informed decisions for their lives. A critical component of science learning is developing the ability to make sense of data, critically evaluate it, and effectively communicate scientific ideas. The purpose of this study is two-fold: 1) to investigate how 9th grade students in an Earth Science class use quantitative reasoning (QR) skills when constructing evidence-based scientific explanations during Data Story assignments and 2) to provide teachers with supports to incorporate Data Stories into their …

The High School To First-Year College Instructional Transition: An Investigation Of The Predictions And Perceptions Of Stem Students, Emma Toth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent national reports have cited ongoing issues in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Fewer than half of first-year undergraduate students who start in STEM fields graduate with a STEM degree six years later. Most of this attrition occurs between the first and second year of college, and students often cite instructional practices used in introductory college courses as a prominent reason for leaving. Furthermore, students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in STEM fields, including first-generation college students, leave STEM majors at higher rates than their classmates. Recent data show that the instructional practices used in introductory college …