Education Commons^™

New Jersey Superintendents’ Perceptions Of The Psel Standards And Their Application To The Summative Evaluation Process Of School Principals, Kevin Hajduk

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

It is difficult to imagine a focus for research with greater social justification than research about successful educational leadership. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, this study explores the “elements” of the Professional Standards of Educational Leaders (PSEL) from the perspective of New Jersey school superintendents to determine what they consider to be most important when formally evaluating New Jersey public school principals. Second, this study will also distinguish what are the essential, compared to important, leadership skills and responsibilities that a building principal must demonstrate as defined by the PSEL standards and determined by Chief School …

Recruitment And Retention Of Catholic School Principals: The Importance Of School Leadership In The Success Of Catholic Schools, Elise Abbie Dite

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The Catholic Church has established the importance of a high-quality Catholic school as an essential opportunity for parishes, pastors, parents, teachers, and school leaders to pass the Catholic faith on to the next generation. To ensure an excellent Catholic education for all students, each school must have a strong principal in place who is an excellent faith and instructional leader. Strong principal leadership is an essential element in school success, and schools across the country, both public and private, are experiencing a principal shortage. A shortage of qualified principals means that schools and students are challenged as they look for …

Supports Used By Black Women Faculty For Career Advancement At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Andrea Delpriore

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study investigated the supports utilized by Black women in their career advancement as faculty members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Although there is an abundance of scholarship about the challenges presented to Black women faculty at Predominantly White Institutions, the career advancement of Black women faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities has gone largely unstudied. Considering Historically Black Colleges and Universities are where Black women faculty achieve tenure in the highest percentages, this study took a non-deficit perspective and investigated what supports are used by Black women faculty internal to the institution, external to the institution, as …

The Impact Of High School Career Academies On Student Academic Achievement And Engagement, Daisy Rodriguez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of high school career academies in comparison to the traditional, comprehensive high school educational program with respect to student academic achievement and student engagement in one large urban high school in Central New Jersey. It is the intent of this researcher to determine if either of the educational structures and approaches significantly impacts the achievement and engagement levels of students in the high school under investigation.

Student math and ELA state test scores and student engagement scores were analyzed using quantitative methods. To ascertain the degree of effectiveness this reform …

The Language Of Parental Involvement: A Document Analysis Of Parent Involvement Plans (Pip’S) Of Title I Elementary Schools, Jacqueleen M. Bido

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research indicates that parent involvement increases student achievement. This qualitative research examined 30 elementary Title I schools’ Parent Involvement Plans (PIPs), seeking roles parents played in urban settings. This document analysis reviewed the descriptive language presented in each school’s plan and examined for fidelity. Using Epstein’s Six Types of Parent Involvement and the Sample Practice, the researcher coded the Plans. Data displayed compliance with the mandated requirements of the Plans. Still, they indicated incongruencies with fidelity and alignment to proven best-practices research.

Participation In Visual And Performing Arts Courses And High School Graduation Rates In New Jersey Public High Schools, Richard L. Celebre

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Emerging issues, including limited financial resources, funding from public sources, and the increasing demand for academic excellence and achievement, are forcing high schools to reassess how current resources are allocated within their institutions. Public schools continue to look to become more efficient and strategic in the allocation of their available resources for promoting academically focused and successful students. The value of programs that are not directly connected to the standardized testing system currently in place, such as arts education, are often overlooked when school districts make their financial decisions. This is problematic because the benefits afforded to students through the …

Exploring Quality Of Life Perceptions Among Pre-Clinical And Clinical Phases Saudi Medical Students, Olfat Gushgari

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: Medical students are widely recognized as a high-risk population for poor quality of life (QOL). Various studies have highlighted that medical students have a lower QOL than, compared to other students from different specialties tend to exhibit; specifically, the QOL of Saudi medical students is of growing concern, and it is imperative that Saudi medical schools recognize and address the QOL of these students.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the QOL of Saudi medical students during the pre-clinical and clinical phases of their studies. In addition, this study explored the QOL perceptions according …

The Lived Experiences Of Indian International Female Graduate Students In American Higher Education, Sarita Revulagadda

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The United States continues to be the primary country of destination that international students choose for enrollment in American colleges and universities. Indian international students constitute the second largest enrollment among international students in America with over 200,000 enrolled in 2019 (Institute of International Education, 2020). However, research on the transition experiences of international students is relatively devoid of critical explorations on the transition experiences of Indian international female students to the effects of acculturation.

The current research explored the lived experiences of twelve Indian international female students enrolled in graduate programs at five American universities. The participants’ descriptions of …

Test-Optional Policies: Implementation Impact On Undergraduate Admissions And Enrollment, Christina Pellegrino

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examines national colleges and universities that have de-emphasized or eliminated standardized test scores and have implemented test-optional policies for undergraduate admissions. The phrase “standardized test(s)” in this study refers to the ACT and the SAT examinations. The study investigates the test-optional admissions trend and provides a “pre-post" quantitative analysis of test-optional policy effects on the number of admitted students, applications, acceptance rates, and the enrollment of Pell Grant recipients and underrepresented minority groups. The study also includes a qualitative summative analysis pertaining to the institutional framing of test-optional policies. The quasi-experimental research design utilizes difference-in-differences regression of cross-sectional, …

Helicopter Parenting In Higher Education: A Content Analysis Of Parental Involvement As Discussed In The Media, Amanda Mclaughlin

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Scholars and practitioners have differing views as well as definitions on overparenting at the college level, which has led to confusion in both the scholarly literature and news media coverage of the topic. The topic has become so popular in conversation that national news sources have covered it extensively, potentially influencing the priorities of policy makers and the formation of public opinion. Without a better understanding of the specific behavioral indicators of overparenting, it is unclear whether the phenomenon truly exists, and if so, what are its characteristics? Understanding how various groups in society have defined overparenting is an important …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Problem-Based Learning Task Design And Their Understandings Of Their Role In Implementation, Christina Tighe

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Traditional classroom environments may not be providing enough opportunity to develop 21st-century learning skills and state policies have begun to suggest problem-based learning (PBL) as a solution; however, it is still unclear how these tasks are implemented into the classroom. Since teachers play such a paramount part in the implementation process the study’s purpose is to explore teachers’ perceptions of PBL task design and role in the PBL process. The study is a descriptive qualitative case study with six participants from urban Title I schools in NJ with PBL in the curriculum. The participants also were 6-8th grade language arts …

The Type Of Questions Being Promoted In A 3rd Grade Reading Textbook, Suzanne Olivero

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Asking questions is essential for checking student understanding and keeping them engaged with the task at hand. It is crucial to the way students receive and process information and it encourages independent and critical thinking. Statistics show that the average teacher asks between 300 and 400 questions per day. To have the desired effect, these questions need to be effective, well-considered, and challenging.

Effective, cognitively complex questioning involves using questions in the classroom to open conversations, inspire deeper intellectual thought, and promote student-to-student interaction. Effective questions focus on eliciting the process, i.e. the ‘how’ and ‘why’ in a student’s response, …

An Evaluation Of Parental Involvement Types In A Suburban Minority New Jersey Intermediate School: A Quantitative Study, Patrice Clark

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Parent involvement is crucial for student success in the K-12 school environment. Polices are in place to promote and encourage minority parent involvement in schools. It is still unclear how to increase minority parental involvement at the intermediate school level. The goal of this study is to determine the preferred involvement type of minority parents in a New Jersey suburban intermediate school. The study is quantitative in nature and explores the six parent involvement types according to Joyce Epstein (2001). The analysis of the data will determine if there is a preferred involvement type among the minority participants. This study …

The Influence Of Active Shooter Incidents In K-12: Principals Perceptions Of Armed Personnel And Tactical Police Capabilities In New Jersey District Factor Group (I) Public School Districts, Adela Ames-Lopez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In the wake of increased shootings in schools, safety concerns are in the forefront of school administrators’ concerns. This study is a replication of a dissertation published in 2016 as well as some components of a research study published in 2014. The 2014 study examined elementary principals in an urban public-school district in Paterson, New Jersey, within District Factor Group (A), whereas the 2016 study examined suburban public-school districts in New Jersey’s District Factor Group (GH) with a median household salary ranging between $86,000 and $105,000. An interview study was utilized for this qualitative research design to assist in determining …

Practicing What They Preach: A Case Study Exploring The Experiences Of Instructional Designers As Educators Of An Online Teaching Certificate Program, David Uibelhoer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The rapid integration of online education has led to faculty challenges in teaching online. Research shows that faculty online professional development that focuses on pedagogical inquiry can lead to better teaching of online courses. This qualitative case study was conducted to explore the experiences of a team of eight instructional designers who developed a four-course online teaching certificate program at a large public research university. In addition, this study sought to better understand how instructional designers describe university support for leading this faculty online professional development initiative and determine whether their expertise in online pedagogy can lead to improved online …

A Case Study Of The Effects Of A Counseling Program In A New Jersey High School, Dayle J. Collins

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this convergent mixed-methods study was to explore what influence, if any, a specific mental health program in a Northeast high school had on absenteeism and tardiness for students serviced by the school. The qualitative portion of this study looked at the overall impact the counseling program has had on the High School. It was important to utilize both quantitative and qualitative measures to ascertain an overall understanding of the effect on the High School.

The convergent mixed-methods approach was the best fit for this research study. The first part of this study focused on conducting the quantitative …

A Study Of Social And Cultural Capital In Graduation For African American Students In Four-Year Colleges, Andrew Oni

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The prevalence of the persistent low graduation rate among African American students in four-year colleges gave rise to the examination of the role of social and cultural capital in improving graduation for African American students. This study examines the role played by the relationship between social and cultural capital and other factors for African American students’ graduation. Guided by social and cultural capital as the theoretical framework which presents social and cultural capital as acquired by parents’ and students' social networks and cultural endowment and tenets. These two levels of social and cultural capital are available for students to utilize …

The Impact Of The Language Allocation Plan On Student Outcomes In Two-Way Dual Language Immersion Programs, Bonnie Sue Molina

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study investigated the achievement in English language arts (ELA) and math of students in grades four through six in 50/50 two-way dual language immersion (DLI) programs, as measured by the Spring 2018 PARCC assessments. The study builds on previous research indicating that students in DLI programs perform as well or better than their general education counterparts, and expands on that research by investigating two DLI programs with differing language allocation plans as the program variable of interest: a weekly plan in Englewood, NJ, and a daily plan in Woodstock, IL. Linear multiple regression analysis was used to control …

An Analysis Of The Complex Thinking Requirements Of The Terranova And Iowa Practice Tests In English/Language Arts For Grade 8: A Tale Of Two Tests, Armand Lamberti

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ABSTRACT

The importance of higher-order thinking, 21^st-Century Skills, and standardized testing are important issues in education. TerraNova and IOWA tests are widely used to assess students’ academic competence. The publishers of the TerraNova and IOWA tests claim that their assessment instruments challenge students to employ higher-order thinking skills. This study sought to examine and describe ways in which the language found in the TerraNova and IOWA English/Language Arts practice tests compared with the language that promotes higher-order thinking found in the literature. A convergent, parallel mixed-methods study with qualitative and quantitative content analysis methods was conducted to (a) …

Influences Impacting Child Study Team School Social Workers Decision-Making In A New Jersey Urban District On Placement Of Students Classified Emotionally Disturbed, Pia D. Moore

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research on students classified as Emotionally Disturbed (ED) shows that a disproportionate number of ED students are educated outside of the general education setting. In New Jersey a little more than half of students classified as ED are not educated in general education classrooms for most of their school day. The academic performance of ED students is often lower in self-contained environments than in the general education setting (Oelrich, 2012). ED students overall have poor academic and life experiences. The educational program and setting in which an ED student is primarily educated might have an impact on their current and …

See No Evil: Are Community Colleges Underreporting Or Nonreporting Sexual Assaults?, Songa Y. Thomas-Montford

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The Clery Act is a consumer protection law intended to protect students by forcing institutions of higher education to be transparent about campus crime, as the concern is that many colleges and universities are underreporting or nonreporting campus crime statistics. This study included two research questions. The first question, “What are the common themes determined in the audits concerning Clery Act violations for two-year schools?,” was addressed by conducting a deductive content analysis by reviewing each U.S. Department of Education (USDOEd) Clery Act compliance audit in the research sample. The USDOEd, Federal Aid Data Center’s public database, was the source …

Urban Public Middle School Teachers And Their Response To High Student Mobility, Maria J. Ortiz

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the teachers’ perspective of student mobility in urban public middle schools in the northeast state of the country. Thirty middle school teachers in an urban public-school system were interviewed about their prior years’ classroom experience with student mobility. They included those teaching English as a Second Language, Special Education, Science, Math and Language Arts, and Social Studies. In addition, student achievement data on standardized tests were studied. The research study concluded that teachers reported that they experienced frustration and anxiety, and that student mobility and its classroom consequences were relegated to the “undiscussable” aspects of the profession; …

Examining The Relationship Between Cognitive Selection Criteria For Admission And Noncognitive Performance Outcomes In A Professional Graduate Degree Program, Rosalie Maiorella

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The admission processes in higher education have been the topic of considerable discussion and study at all levels of the institution from undergraduate to graduate and professional education. This study focused on graduate students who completed their master’s degree in Counseling and School Counseling from 2010 to 2018. Students completed their degree fully online and from a distance. The goal was to determine if admission criteria were predictive of end of program clinical fieldwork evaluations. Independent variables looked at were Undergraduate GPA (UGPA); GRE: (V)erbal, (Q)uantitative, and (W)riting; First Semester Graduate GPA (GPA1), and Cumulative Graduate GPA (GPAEP). End of …

Mentoring As A Pathway To Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In Urban High School Academies, Tyeshia A. Hilbert

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Chronic absenteeism is a rising concern for schools across the country. There are a host of reasons why students miss school: internal factors that can push students out of school and external factors that can pull students out of school. Districts have been mandated to implement strategies and supports that will combat this issue by increasing student attendance and decreasing chronic absenteeism.

The concept of mentoring has been around for centuries and recently has been associated with improvement in the attendance of chronically absent students. This dissertation intended to examine attendance and chronic absenteeism rates of students in two urban …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Efficacy Of Literacy Coaching As A Valuable Professional Development Practice, Erin J. Stinson-Dioguardi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived effectiveness of literacy coaching as a valuable professional development practice for teachers in New Jersey provided with literacy coaching support from a school-based literacy coach. This study also explored instructional coaching and the potential impact this support has on teacher practice. The study was designed to identify the successful professional development strategies that instructional coaches in New Jersey utilized to influence teacher practice. This study may be valuable to researchers, school districts, and educators currently or seeking to implement an instructional coaching program as part of high-quality professional development. The …

The Influence Of English Language Arts Instructional Minutes On Student Achievement In Grades 6, 7, & 8, Franklin Goulburn

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to examine if a relationship existed between allocated English Language Arts (ELA) instructional minutes within a school’s bell schedule for Grades 6, 7, and 8 and its corresponding mean PARCC score for that grade. Furthermore, the study also sought to detect the presence of an interaction effect regarding time, socioeconomic status, and student performance. The study controlled for other student, faculty, and school variables as well. Data for ELA instructional time were obtained from school personnel and also through school websites. Additional variable were obtained through the New Jersey School Performance Reports …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Physician Assistant Program Characteristics And Performance On The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, Christopher Hanifin

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

One of the most highly regarded indicators of a physician assistant (PA) training program’s quality is the record of success of its graduates in passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Similar to other professional examinations such as the bar examination and the certified public accountant examination, the PANCE can provoke a great deal of anxiety for both new graduates and program administrators. Successful completion of the PANCE is a prerequisite for licensure in all 50 states and represents a final hurdle for students seeking to begin their new healthcare career.

To promote transparency and to protect consumers, the …

Teacher Perceptions On Awareness And Compassion Among Students Following A Human Rights Education Professional Learning Community, Anthony J. Casella

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examines the perceptions of a faculty after the interdisciplinary implementation of a human rights education platform in the context of moral efficacy in the student body. The teachers participated in a year-long professional learning community (PLC) focused on bringing human rights issues into regular classroom dialogue, modeled after the United Nations human rights education effort. This study considers the following questions: (1) How do teachers perceive the implementation of human rights discussions into their curriculum influences their students’ awareness of human rights issues? (2) In what ways, if any, do teachers perceive a difference in their students’ empathy …

Lay Faculty's Understanding And Operationalization Of Augustinian Core Values In Secondary Education, Joseph J. Zagarella

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Augustinian education is a Catholic education offered through an Augustinian lens. This education is rooted in the history and values of the Order of St. Augustine of Hippo carried forth and appropriated to the modern day by those who have steeped themselves in the life and legacy of Augustine of Hippo. This qualitative case study attempts to investigate the lay faculty participants’ understanding of three Augustinian core values and how those values are operationalized in their interaction with students inside and outside the classroom. The study also investigates if there is a perceived need for further professional development in the …

The Influence Of Venables’ Data Action Model On The Academic Performance Of Urban Grade 3, Grade 6, And Algebra I New Jersey Students On The Mathematics Section Of The 2018 Parcc, Devonii L. Reid

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study examined the impact of utilizing Venables’ Data Action Model as the focus of a professional learning community (PLC) in a small urban school district on mathematics achievement in Grade 3, Grade 6, and Algebra I courses, as measured by the 2018 mathematics PARCC assessment. More specifically, this study evaluated the impact of teacherdeveloped action plans that addressed the needs of selected students within all three tiers of the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) model. The findings in this study contributed to the larger body of research on data-driven instruction and effective strategies for supporting teachers throughout the …