Education Commons^™

An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Leadership Development For College Students In An Army Rotc Program, Joseph O. Gagnon

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the learning behaviors for young leaders from Generation Z is important for the United States Army in their development for future commissioned officers, who are primarily trained in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in select private and public universities across the country. The Army expectation of leaders at every level regardless of rank are to possess and continuously develop six leadership capabilities codified in the Army Leadership Requirements Model (ALRM). The ALRM describes what an Army leader is (i.e., the attributes) and what an Army leader does (i.e., the competencies). The purpose of this study was to understand …

Foreign-Born Black Males: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Their Persistence In Higher Education, Eliezer Marcellus

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the academic and social integration experiences of foreign-born Black male students who persist at a four-year research institution. Research has shown that foreign-born Black males do not self-identify, and, as a result, their experiences in higher education have been grouped in with the persistent experiences of native-born Black males (Nesbett, 2002; Williams, 2005). This phenomenological study examines the lived experience of foreign-born Black males in higher education. Ten face-to-face interviews were conducted in order to describe the essence of this phenomenon. The findings from this study revealed five themes that explained the …

A Case Study Of The Implementation Of The New Clery Act Guidelines, Eunice Adigun

Theses and Dissertations

The Clery Act requires all higher education institutions participating in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose campus crimes by submitting an Annual Security Report by October 1st of every year. In October 2020, the U.S. Department of Education replaced the 265-page Clery Act guidelines for administrators with a 13-page Appendix with specific changes to geographical locations to include in the report, eliminated the definition of crimes, and limited individuals designated as Campus Security Authority to those with direct responsibilities over student affairs. This case study examined how campus security officers implement the new Clery Act guidelines in crime …

Perceptions Of Tattoos And Piercings In Higher Education, Diane Elizabeth Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempts to examine the perceptions of faculty and staff at Rowan University towards professionals with visible body modifications (VBM), specifically tattoos and piercings, in higher education. Five main research questions were addressed: (i) What are the attitudes towards professionals with VBM at Rowan University? (ii) How might the display of VBM affect Rowan University’s values and objectives? (iii) How are professionals with VBM perceived by hiring managers at Rowan? (iv) In what ways do perceptions differ across campus units at Rowan University regarding professionals with VBM? (v) What kind of environment does staff and faculty at Rowan University …

Campus Safety And The Impact Of Emergency Alert Systems, Madelyn Elliott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study is to understand the impact emergency alert systems have on campus safety for Rowan University members using a quantitative survey. With a need to examine how universities and campus communities react to emergency scenarios, this study will focus on the reactions of those at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey and how they respond to emergency alerts. Through the research completed, we will look into how community members of Rowan University view their safety on the Glassboro campus, the effectiveness of Rowan’s emergency alert systems, when Rowan sends out the emergency alerts, and how …

Leading Department Causes Of Acculturative Stress Among International Students At A South Jersey Public Institution, Meagan Kathleen Mcferren

Theses and Dissertations

The study in this paper was conducted at Rowan University, a South Jersey public institution founded in 1923. The purpose of this study was to collect data regarding various university departments that might cause and affect acculturative stress in international students and determine which area has the greatest impact on the students’ stress levels at the university. During the 2022-23 academic year, I distributed an anonymous online survey to the majority of Rowan international and domestic students, both undergraduate and graduate, to better understand their perspectives of specific campus resources and departments. In this paper, I state my questions as …

The Effects That Spaces And Places Of Campus Have On Undergraduate Students, Ashley Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Student sense of belonging on campus is changing post COVID-19 pandemic, and this is because the way students utilize spaces on campus has evolved. Facilities on campus can impact the way students feel they belong based on how the spaces are set up and where students go in between classes (Samura, 2018). This study investigated the relationship between providing accessible, specific physical spaces and the participants' perception of student belonging. Undergraduate students enrolled full time at Rowan University were interviewed to collect data, and a qualitative research approach was used to analyze the data. Results conclude that there is a …

Exploring New Jersey’S Middle And High School Health Educators’ Decision-Making On Sti Content And Instruction: A Qualitative Collective Case Study, Brianne Siderio

Theses and Dissertations

STIs in youth in New Jersey is a growing concern. According to New Jersey’ Public Health Data Resource (2020), the total number of STIs in youth from age 15-24 totals 19,698. The current STIs-related sex education programs vary widely in New Jersey in terms of scope, the accuracy of content, emphasis, and effectiveness (Thrive New Jersey Coalition, 2019). Therefore, students may have quite different levels of awareness on the prevention of STIs. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to explore the Θ (theta) (Stake, 1995) of the “why” and “how” of health educators’ decisions in designing STI …

Coach Leadership Counts And Civic Mindedness Matters, Sarah L. Sharpe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this sequential exploratory study was to investigate how New Jersey public high school coaches who self-report transformational leadership traits may potentially influence the development of civic mindedness in their respective student-athletes. Three main research questions were posed regarding coaches’ transformational leadership practices, their roles in the development of students’ civic mindedness, and connections between the two. It was posited that the behavior of coaches can have a significant effect on the student-athletes that participate on their teams. The theoretical lens of transformational leadership permeates this research. A mixed-methods approach was utilized. Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Practices Inventory …

High School Principal's Perception And Experience With Student Voice And Youth-Adult Partnerships, James D. Flynn

Theses and Dissertations

High school principals can foster student voice (SV) and youth-adult partnerships (YAP) while leading their students towards being engaged and informed citizens in our democracy. It is critical to understand the advantages and opportunities high school principals have in listening to and partnering with their students. It is also critical to understand the challenges facing high school principals in their journey towards SV and YAP. A qualitative multicase study of 10 high school principals from across the nation was used to understand the perception and experiences of high school principals in the area of SV and YAP. In addition, this …

Social-Emotional Beliefs And Competencies Of High School Teachers In A High Need District: Relationship With Teacher Self-Efficacy, Deborah Ann Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

Social-emotional learning (SEL) research has focused more on SEL programming and outcomes in students, and little is known about SEL in teachers especially among high school teachers. This cross-sectional quantitative research study was undertaken to gather baseline information about SEL among 240 high school teachers from a high need district with the following hypotheses: 1) teachers’ SEL beliefs and competencies significantly vary by years of teaching, educational attainment, and professional development, 2) teachers’ SEL beliefs and competencies of school significantly vary by classroom setting, school type, and grade level teaching. and school type, and 3) teachers’ SEL beliefs and competencies …

Embracing The Kaleidoscope: Four Teachers' Journeys Towards Sociopolitical Development, Daniel Tulino

Theses and Dissertations

Taliaferro Baszile (2017) tells us, "Education can be revolutionary work." To that end, if education historically has been a means for "inculcating" students into a hegemonic code of beliefs and values (Gramsci, 1971), it is the educator's duty to concern themselves with developing a critical consciousness (Freire, 1970/1996; Freire, 1973/1998) in order to transform the world through acts of social justice. The focus of this research project was to uncover, from the perspectives of four teachers, how they came to understand their own critical consciousness and sociopolitical development at a middle school in southern New Jersey. By uncovering the ways …

A Grounded Theory Of The Impact Of Teachnj On The Instructional Leadership Of Superintendents, Russell Matthew Lazovick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a theory, grounded in data obtained by interviewing current superintendents on how TEACHNJ has impacted their ability to improve student performance. TEACHNJ is a law enacted by the state of New Jersey to improve teacher quality and raise student performance by changing evaluation and tenure processes in order to create greater transparency, equity, consistency, and accountability across districts. This study examined the law's impact on five specific actions superintendents can take that have been found to enhance student performance. The study found that TEACHNJ served as a punctuating event, sending …

Superintendent And Public Board Of Education Members Overcoming Controversial Policy, Donna Ambrosius

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive multiple case study was to explore the actions of educational leaders when implementing policy that may be deemed controversial, through the lenses of sensemaking theory. Findings provide insight on how districts leaders are able to operate efficiently and effectively, and shows that it is essential for board members and the superintendent to adapt to the given situations, to reflect on the current setting, and to be committed to moving forward. The organization looks to the superintendent to be the educational leader, but also to be the one to provide the guidance and means to create …

Are Technology Coordinators Teaching Teachers To Teach With Tech? A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study, Paula Mcgraw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to define instructional leadership methods used among New Jersey School Technology Coordinators across the state. The study seeks to examine two parameters of leadership among these technology professionals. First, it seeks to define the instructional role of the educational technology leader in New Jersey public school districts and second, to provide common leadership parameters among these technology professionals serving in the New Jersey public schools. This study will examine the meaning of the leadership role to NJ public school technology administrators and ascertains their experiences of school technology leadership as they implement educational technology …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Collaborating Teacher Leadership In Professional Development Schools (Pdss), Nedd James Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Professional Development Schools (PDSs) provide teachers with multiple new opportunities for leadership. As teachers are encouraged to assume new roles outside of the classroom and beyond the school, it is important to examine the concept of teacher leadership in practice--specifically, how it is perceived by those most closely associated with it. This study identifies a shared understanding of teacher leadership from collaborating teachers, using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design in PDSs within a large, diverse southern New Jersey school district-university partnership. The two-phase study examines perceptions about teacher leaders through data collected from the Teacher Leadership Inventory (TLI) (Angelle …

The Impact Of A Theater Service Learning Course For Underserved Children Through A Mixed Methodology, Fanny Chouinard

Theses and Dissertations

In general, the community partnerships found in service learning programs can be conduits between underserved populations and populations that have greater access to resources (Burbank & Hunter, 2008). A typical community partnership would be among a local institution of learning, the parents of underserved children, and their children. Although service learning programs cannot be expected to solve all problems of the individuals, the community, and the University, they can have a positive impact on the complex relationships between its stakeholders. The intention of this action research project was to determine the effect of a theater service learning course with children. …

The First Year Foreign Language Program In An Elementary School, Sean Hengst

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a first year elementary school foreign language curriculum, so that appropriate objectives and activities could be planned for the second year of the program. The intern selected a sample of ten students from each grade level. He used oral and written assessments to measure content mastery and conducted interviews to determine student attitudes toward the program. The intern also analyzed the French teacher's lesson plans to determine the amount of time spent teaching each objective and what teaching strategies were successful. After analyzing the data, the intern …

Identifying Social, Cultural, And Pedagogical Factors That Contribute To Minority Students' Low Academic Achievement, Deborah C. Shoemaker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify, evaluate, and develop strategies to eliminate barriers in the educational setting that negatively impact minority students' motivation to achieve academic success. Major aspects of the methodology plan included a self-guided survey with two open-ended questions. The sample size was approximately 106 elementary school students from Oak Valley Elementary School in Deptford, New Jersey. The data analysis method assessed students' and parents' beliefs as to the cause of poor academic motivation and performance in relation to the academic achievement gap. The survey responses revealed several ideas and suggestions that may be instrumental in …

Public School Uniforms: Will School Uniforms Fit The Growing Needs Of A Regional High School?, Jeanette Seeman

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the need for a uniform dress policy at Clearview Regional High School. The subjects included 285 students along with 3 high school administrators and 65 teaching faculty and staff. The students completed a 7-item survey consisting of five structured multiple-choice questions, and two unstructured open-ended response questions. The survey also provided the opportunity for the students to express additional comments. The survey measured the students' grade level while measuring the students' opinions regarding a uniform dress policy at Clearview Regional High School. The administration and faculty completed a 7-item survey consisting of five structured multiple-choice questions, and …

Evaluation Of The 2000 Long-Range Facilities Plan For Dennis Township School District, M. Elizabeth Barrett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Dennis Township School District's Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) submitted to the Commissioner of Education in October 2000 to comply with the New Jersey Educational Facilities and Construction Act. All New Jersey school districts are required to submit a Long-Range Facilities Plan to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education every five years. The law does not allow any district to advance a school facilities building project for which they are seeking capital funding from the State until the district has an approved Long-Range Facilities Plan. The document detailed the district's school facilities needs …

A New Beginning Teacher Induction Program, Thomas P. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a new and effective beginning teacher support network at Paulsboro High School using an action research approach. During the study, a total of ten teachers participated ranging from one to two in years of experience in teaching at Paulsboro High School. The primary data collection techniques used in the study was surveys and one-on-one interviews with all of the teachers. The survey instrument was given to all of the teachers and one-on-one interviews were conducted before school, after school, or during common planning periods. The major finding of the project …

The Preparation Of Special Needs Students For Transition From High School To A Post-Secondary College Setting, Christine M. Saputo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to review the curricula, programs, and supports offered at Washington Township High School for the purpose of determining if the necessary transition skills are being taught to prepare special needs students for a successful transition to college. The participants included teachers, guidance counselors, principals, child study team members, a "504" Officer, and a Supervisor of special education.

Data was collected through a survey that was developed by the intern and approved by the IRB. The intern was also able to gather information through discussions held with the staff at WTHS and a "504" Officer. …

The Use Of Performance Enhancing Supplements And The Need For Drug Testing Policies, James J. Battersby

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the use of performance enhancing supplements of Buena Regional High School student-athletes and the need for drug testing policies. The subjects included 120 student-athletes who had participated at the varsity or sub-varsity level. The student-athletes completed a 21 item survey that consisted of 6 items that measured the students demographics such as age, gender, grade, race, sport and level. The survey also consisted of 15 statements that determined student's use of performance supplements, reasons why they use supplements, the types of supplements that are used and their feelings about drug testing policies. The data were analyzed using …

Team Step Up Program, Edward V. Regan Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (a) develop a program to assist the At-Risk population of Washington Township High School; and (b) to determine its overall effectiveness on student academic achievement, discipline, and attendance. The study focused on twenty at-risk students who were in the ninth grade at Washington Township High School in Sewell, New Jersey. An academic, discipline, and attendance baseline was established for each student and was monitored on a weekly basis. The results of the study demonstrated an increase in both the academic and school attendance, and a decrease in negative student behavior. Implications of the …

School Service Projects For Students Serving In After-School Detentions, James S. Beyer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate student attitudes when a voluntary school service project alternative was offered to those serving a school detention. Another purpose was to examine the potential benefits reaped by the school as a result of these students' work. The sample population for study (n=60) was selected voluntarily from high school juniors and seniors. Data was collected through the use of: 1) student surveys for those who participated in a school service project, 2) material culture collected from student discipline records, and 3) surveys completed by custodians, teachers, and administrators in the school building. Data …

A Study Of The Renaissance Program In A High School, Christopher J. Nowak

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and validity of the Renaissance Program in a high school. The study involved the gathering of statistical data and conducting objective interviews. The resulting information provides the administration and the reader with an understanding of the importance of student motivational programs.

The focus of the study was to evaluate the change in performance of specific student indicators: attendance rates, dropout rates, discipline incidences, and motivation connected with grade retention rate, subject failure, and national honor society membership. The study obtained information on these indicators through statistical data from administration pertaining …

Exploring The Effects Of Teaching The Character Trait Of Respect To Students In Grades 4 And The Impact It Has On Behavior During Recess, Adrian C. Cora-Waters

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine if Character Education lessons on respect presented to fourth grade students could reduce the number of discipline referral forms and reduce inappropriate behavior during the lunch recess hour. The elementary school selected for this research project was Larchmont Elementary School. Larchmont School is an ethnically and academically diverse school located in South Jersey. The students, who received lessons through Developmental School Counseling Lessons, were in grade four (N=100). The students who participated in lessons consisted of regular education students, special education students, ESL students, as well as gifted and talented students. The …

The Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of New Writing And Problem-Solving Classes And Their Impact On Fourth Grade New Jersey Assessment Of Skills And Knowledge Test Scores, Susan M. Hubbard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not two new programs created for Bellmawr Park School would be effective in raising scores in the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) test for fourth grade students. This research provided a pre and posttest for 62 fourth grade students in the 2003-04 academic school year. The tests included a brief open-ended Language Arts writing picture prompt and a Math problem-solving open-ended question. Both tests were scored using rubrics created by the New Jersey Department of Education, and the results were compared based on means, medians and …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of The Method Used To Teach Critical Thinking Skills, Kristen L. May

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of teaching critical thinking skills through the infusion method as used by the Cinnaminson School District's Science Department. With the changing demands of society there comes a need for change in the preparation of students for the future that will be theirs. The sample population for this study was the one hundred and seven of the two hundred and forty freshman enrolled in Cinnaminson High School in the 2003-2004 school year who were taking college prep level earth science. Students were evaluated based on their performance on six activities designed …