Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 30

Full-Text Articles in Education

Nurse Anesthetist's Perceptions Regarding Utilization Of Anesthesia Support Personnel, Mary Ford Dec 2010

Nurse Anesthetist's Perceptions Regarding Utilization Of Anesthesia Support Personnel, Mary Ford

Theses and Dissertations

Anesthesia support personnel (ASP) provide direct support to health care providers administering anesthesia (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists [CRNAs] and anesthesiologists). Because these anesthesia providers are caring for a patient whom they cannot legally or ethically leave unattended, ASP are employed to bring them extra supplies or equipment, prepare equipment for the case, maintain and clean equipment, and generally function as directed by the anesthesia provider. Given the limited literature and importance of ASP in maintaining equipment essential to safe practice, it is necessary to describe the population to understand who is functioning in this role to insure that these individuals …


Does Growth Data Make A Difference?: Teacher Decision Making Processes Using Growth Data Versus Status Data, Patricia Fox Dec 2010

Does Growth Data Make A Difference?: Teacher Decision Making Processes Using Growth Data Versus Status Data, Patricia Fox

Theses and Dissertations

This experiment examined decisions made by teachers using only status data with those made by teachers using growth and status data. Middle school math teachers from five schools within a single school division located in Virginia participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the status only or growth and status group. They were then asked to analyze a sample set of class data and complete a survey in which they rated the success of four types of students, identified teacher strengths and weaknesses, and rated their confidence in and the usefulness of the data received. Teachers with …


Faculty Attitudes Towards College Athletics And The Academic Competency Of Student-Athletes At A Ncaa Division-I Institution, Christopher Atwater Dec 2010

Faculty Attitudes Towards College Athletics And The Academic Competency Of Student-Athletes At A Ncaa Division-I Institution, Christopher Atwater

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine faculty attitudes towards the role of college athletics and the academic competency of student-athletes at a NCAA Division-I Institution. By analyzing faculty attitudes, this study contributes to a better understanding of factors associated with how educators view athletics in higher education and how they develop their attitudes towards student-athletes from an academic perspective. Though prior research indicates quantitatively that faculty possess distinct views of these concepts, there was a gap between measured attitudes and known factors that contribute to these attitudes. By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative results, this investigation advanced the …


Assessing Multicultural Art Education: What Approaches Are Currently Being Used In Virginia Public High Schools?, Laura Nichols Dec 2010

Assessing Multicultural Art Education: What Approaches Are Currently Being Used In Virginia Public High Schools?, Laura Nichols

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a survey of Virginia public high school teachers to examine how teachers understand multicultural education, how frequently they teach from this perspective, what cultures are represented, what teaching strategies they use, and what, if any incentives would encourage them to teach in this way more frequently. Through analysis of the findings, three major themes emerged which describe participants’ views of the purpose of multicultural education. These themes are “exposure” to other cultures, “understanding” of the way cultures interact and of the context surrounding a culture’s art, and promoting “equity” in the classroom environment and by encouraging students …


Eight Years Of Ubiquitous Technology Access And Digital Curricula: Business And Marketing High School Teachers’ Perspective, Eckert Mary Nov 2010

Eight Years Of Ubiquitous Technology Access And Digital Curricula: Business And Marketing High School Teachers’ Perspective, Eckert Mary

Theses and Dissertations

This research was conducted during the 2009-2010 school term as a case study of a large school division’s technology initiative after eight years to chronicle its effect on high school business and marketing teachers’ use and integration of technology. The 18 teachers were business and marketing teachers from eight high schools, two technical centers and one alternative school who participated in the one-to-one laptop initiative from its inception and who were asked to participate in the study. A web-based survey on technology use and adoption was administered to 18 high school business and marketing teachers. The researcher conducted a total …


Perceptions Of Teachers Regarding The Importance And Existence Of Researched-Based Program Characteristics In Alternative High Schools And Teacher’S Perceptions Of Efficacy In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Robert Lowerre Nov 2010

Perceptions Of Teachers Regarding The Importance And Existence Of Researched-Based Program Characteristics In Alternative High Schools And Teacher’S Perceptions Of Efficacy In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Robert Lowerre

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine teachers’ perceptions of the degree to which research-based characteristics exist in alternative high schools and programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the importance of these characteristics to effective education. In addition, this research investigated whether or not these perceptions were related to the teachers’ perception of efficacy. These seven characteristics were (a) clearly identified enrollment criteria, (b) low ratio of student to teachers, (c) one-to-one interactions between staff and students, (d) social skills instruction, (e) effective academic instruction, (f) parental involvement and parental support programs, and (g) specific training for teachers …


The Decision Making Process Of Informal Caregivers Of Dementia Family Members Regarding Nursing Home Placement, Rebecca Merritt Nov 2010

The Decision Making Process Of Informal Caregivers Of Dementia Family Members Regarding Nursing Home Placement, Rebecca Merritt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the decision making process of caregivers placing their elderly family members in a nursing home facility. Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) was used, as well as the Critical Incident Technique (CIT). ELT was utilized in an effort to understand the learning that took place during the caregiving experiences, and CIT was used to better understand the critical incidents that led the caregivers to seek nursing home placement. A sample of twelve former informal dementia caregivers between the ages of fifty-seven and eighty-seven was drawn from the metropolitan Richmond, Virginia area. In-depth interviews were …


Elementary Teachers' Assessment Beliefs And Practices, Sarah Calveric Nov 2010

Elementary Teachers' Assessment Beliefs And Practices, Sarah Calveric

Theses and Dissertations

Increased state and federal accountability measures have made the assessment of student performance one of the most critical responsibilities of classroom teachers; yet, inadequate opportunities for preservice and inservice training leave many teachers feeling ill-prepared for this task. Adding to the complexity of building teachers’ assessment literacy is the relationship between assessment beliefs and classroom assessment practices. This quantitative study utilizes a validated, online survey to examine how elementary teachers’ (n = 79) define their assessment beliefs (conceptions) and how these beliefs influence which assessment practices are valued within the classroom. Findings suggest that despite teachers’ limited exposure to assessment …


One Principal's Educational Leadership In A Rural And Low-Performing Middle School In Virginia: A Case Study, Clara Lynn Fletcher Sodat Nov 2010

One Principal's Educational Leadership In A Rural And Low-Performing Middle School In Virginia: A Case Study, Clara Lynn Fletcher Sodat

Theses and Dissertations

This case study examined the leadership practices of one middle school principal in a low-performing rural school in Virginia. The experienced principal participant was in his first year of leadership at the school; he had led other low-performing schools to improved achievement that resulted in earning state accreditation as well as meeting federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) student proficiency targets. The focus school had failed to meet AYP for five consecutive years. The qualitative research design for this study included in-depth, semi-structured interviews with teachers, the principal, the assistant principal, and the principal’s supervisor; a total of 18 interviews were …


The Predictive Relationship Between Temperament, School Adjustment, And Academic Achievement: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study Of Children At-Risk, Maha Al-Hendawi Sep 2010

The Predictive Relationship Between Temperament, School Adjustment, And Academic Achievement: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study Of Children At-Risk, Maha Al-Hendawi

Theses and Dissertations

Individual differences in temperament can be a risk or a protective factor for a child, especially for children at-risk who possess single or multiple risk factors that may interfere with their educational success and affect their healthy development and their life-long outcomes. This research study examined the concurrent and longitudinal relationships between temperament, school adjustment, and academic achievement in children at-risk. Seventy-seven children, ages five to 11 years, were reassessed two years after an initial study. Their teachers completed the Temperament Assessment Battery for Children (TABC), the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC), and reported on the children's academic achievement. …


Perceptions Of State-Funded, School District-Based Principal Preparation Programs In Virginia 2004-2006, Kathryn Kirk Aug 2010

Perceptions Of State-Funded, School District-Based Principal Preparation Programs In Virginia 2004-2006, Kathryn Kirk

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods case study described and analyzed the 2004-2006 district-based principal preparation programs in Virginia. This dissertation explored goals stated in proposals for funding as well as program director and program completer perceptions of goals, content, processes, and outcomes for the 10 principal preparation programs that stemmed from the Commission to Review, Study, and Reform Educational Leadership. Data collection employed three phases: Phase I focused on the 10 grant proposals; Phase II involved semistructured interview questions centered on perceptions of nine participating program directors; Phase III investigated perceptions of 75 program completers who responded to a web-based survey. Data …


Upper Classmen's Valuation Of Their Roles As Mentors To New Ninth Graders: A Case Study In A Diverse Suburban High School, Naeemah Rodriguez Jul 2010

Upper Classmen's Valuation Of Their Roles As Mentors To New Ninth Graders: A Case Study In A Diverse Suburban High School, Naeemah Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to obtain information about a mentoring program through the eyes of eleventh and twelfth grade student mentors. These students were able to tell what needed to be known about the strengths and weaknesses of this mentoring program and what they felt needed to be done to make the program more effective and meaningful. This study will serve to inform school leaders who may be planning a peer mentoring program at an educational institution.


The Educational Role Of The Art Museum And Its Collections In The Teaching Of University Undergraduate And Graduate Student, Lanette Mcneil May 2010

The Educational Role Of The Art Museum And Its Collections In The Teaching Of University Undergraduate And Graduate Student, Lanette Mcneil

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to gain understanding of the types and purposes of art museum educational programs, services and collaborative projects that have been developed by art museum educators for university audiences. Additionally, this study examines the challenges in creating and sustaining these educational experiences. This study presents results from an exploratory qualitative web survey administered to art museum educators from public, private, and university art museums. This study provides insight into the relationships between the art museum educators and the university audiences. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of understanding theoretical differences from which art museum educators …


Impact Of Alternative Financing Programs On Quality Of Life And Employment Outcomes Of Individuals With Disabilities, Amy Davis May 2010

Impact Of Alternative Financing Programs On Quality Of Life And Employment Outcomes Of Individuals With Disabilities, Amy Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES By: Amy Nicole Dye Davis This study investigated the effect of assistive technologies purchased through Alternative Financing Programs (AFP) for individuals with disabilities on quality of life, independence in the home and community, and employment. In fiscal year 2000, AFPs received federal grants under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (after it was repealed and renamed the AT Act) to provide financial loans to persons with disabilities to enable them to purchase assistive technologies (AT). In fiscal year 2002, Congress appropriated …


What Is The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Administrative Advancement In An Urban School Division?, Elizabeth Roberson May 2010

What Is The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Administrative Advancement In An Urban School Division?, Elizabeth Roberson

Theses and Dissertations

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ADVANCEMENT IN AN URBAN SCHOOL DIVISION? By Elizabeth Roberson, Ph.D. A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Director: Henry T. Clark, Ph.D. Associate Dean of the School of Education The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between emotional intelligence and administrative advancement in one urban school division; however, data acquired in the course of the study may have revealed areas that could be further developed in future studies to increase the …


An Analysis Of Specialized Reading Instruction In High School English Classes For Students With Disabilities Included In General Education, Kathy Beasley May 2010

An Analysis Of Specialized Reading Instruction In High School English Classes For Students With Disabilities Included In General Education, Kathy Beasley

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract An Analysis of Specialized Reading Instruction in High School English Classes for Students with Disabilities Included In General Education By Kathy Rosvold Beasley, M.Ed. A dissertation submitted in partial in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. Major Director: Dr. Whitney H. Sherman Associate Professor, School of Education This study is a qualitative case study that examined and analyzed the instructional strategies implemented by high school English teachers when teaching reading to students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Ten teachers who teach high school English on collaborative …


A Case Study Of The Collaborative Professional Development Activities Between Public School Leas And Catholic Schools In The Diocese Of Richmond., David J. Urban Apr 2010

A Case Study Of The Collaborative Professional Development Activities Between Public School Leas And Catholic Schools In The Diocese Of Richmond., David J. Urban

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of collaboration between public and Catholic school administrators using the involvement in the federal Title II professional development program as the subject area. Volunteer participants were interviewed using a researcher developed and pilot study tested interview guide. Four locations were selected covering eight sites and 11 total participants. Interview transcripts, researcher observations, and researcher notes were used to describe the participant perceptions and develop the study’s emerging themes of communication and attitude.


An Investigation Of The Effects Of Class Size On Student Achievement In Title I Elementary Schools: A Mixed Methods Study, Jennifer Murphy Apr 2010

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Class Size On Student Achievement In Title I Elementary Schools: A Mixed Methods Study, Jennifer Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This was a multi-faceted mixed methods study that investigated several aspects associated to class size and the perceived effects on student achievement in Title I elementary schools. The data collection in this study was conducted through two separate phases. The first qualitative phase was a case study that was comprised of teacher interviews and classroom observations. The case study took place at a Title I school in Central Virginia, chosen for its diverse representativeness of the student population. Classroom interactions were coded during five-minute segments in each full-day classroom observation, as well as field notes made for specific types of …


The Relationship Between The Use Of Academic Accommodations And Successful Program Completion Of Students With Disabilties At Community Colleges, Mark Richardson Apr 2010

The Relationship Between The Use Of Academic Accommodations And Successful Program Completion Of Students With Disabilties At Community Colleges, Mark Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the use of academic accommodations and successful program completion of students with disabilities enrolled in two campuses of a community college. Current and past research has focused on the role, faculty perception and student satisfaction of Disability Support Services (DSS) at postsecondary institutions. However, evidence that the use of academic accommodations actually aids in the successful program completion rate of post secondary students with disabilities does not exist. A causal-comparative research method was used to examine secondary data provided by the Office of Student Accommodations located at two community …


Freshmen First: An Evaluation Of A Ninth Grade Transition Program, Troy Wright Apr 2010

Freshmen First: An Evaluation Of A Ninth Grade Transition Program, Troy Wright

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of a freshmen transition program on student success. Success was measured by achievement in test scores and grades, retention, attendance, and discipline. This study also examined the differential effects of student outcomes by student characteristics to include, sex, race, previous middle school, economic status, disability status, and proficiency in English. There were no significant differences between participant and control groups in the bivariate analysis. There were limited findings when considering students characteristics. There were main effects on Earth Science and World Geography test scores when previous middle school was held as a constant, and there …


The Middle School Transition In Private Schools: Student Perceptions, Eileen Atkinson Apr 2010

The Middle School Transition In Private Schools: Student Perceptions, Eileen Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS: STUDENT PERCEPTIONS By Eileen Irby Atkinson, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Director: Cheryl Magill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership Students transitioning into the middle school often experience difficulty adjusting to their new environment. During this transition, declines in academic motivation, academic achievement, and connectedness have been noted. Most research on this transition has taken place in public school settings. This research investigated the impact of the middle school transition in …


Listening To Their Voices: Gang Members’ Perceptions Of Their Schooling And Their Teachers, Martha Wall-Whitfield Apr 2010

Listening To Their Voices: Gang Members’ Perceptions Of Their Schooling And Their Teachers, Martha Wall-Whitfield

Theses and Dissertations

Although gangs have long been present, gangs exert an increasingly significant influence on the culture of students who attend schools, especially in urban environments. This case study investigation involved a purposeful sampling of four young men who were involved in gangs. By spending time with each young man in several interviews, I was able to gain insight into his perceptions of schooling, his teachers, and his view on caring in schools. The individual interviews focused on each student’s experiences in schooling through the lens of care. This research took in-depth look at these four gang members in their individual schooling …


Voices Of Summer: Interviews With Middle School Students Repeating Academic Courses In Summer School, James Frye Apr 2010

Voices Of Summer: Interviews With Middle School Students Repeating Academic Courses In Summer School, James Frye

Theses and Dissertations

As the needs of society changed, states faced increasing pressure from the federal government to raise educational standards. States adopted rigorous standards, however many students failed to meet defined proficiency levels, necessitating summer school attendance or grade retention. Factors associated with academic failure have been extensively documented in the academic literature. The factors identified in the research can be organized into six categories, including motivation, age and ability, withdrawal from school, parents and guardians, school practices, and teacher practices. The purpose of the current study was to explore middle school students’ perceptions of factors which contributed to the academic outcomes …


Home-Grown Teachers: Will Their Rural Roots Keep Them In Virginia's Rural Schools, Camilla Mahan Apr 2010

Home-Grown Teachers: Will Their Rural Roots Keep Them In Virginia's Rural Schools, Camilla Mahan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research, based on Tönnies’s theory of Gemeinschaft and Durkheim’s theory of mechanical solidarity, was to determine if there were differences between rural Virginia teachers from rural areas and those from nonrural areas in their perceptions of salary, isolation, working conditions, NCLB requirements, and job satisfaction, as well as their plans to remain in rural schools. It also was to determine if there was a relationship between rural and nonrural backgrounds and the rural teachers’ intentions to remain employed in rural schools. Rural teachers from each of Virginia’s eight Superintendents’ Regions were selected and were asked to …


Interpreting The Meaning Of Grades: A Descriptive Analysis Of Middle School Teachers' Assessment And Grading Practices, Tameshia V. Grimes Apr 2010

Interpreting The Meaning Of Grades: A Descriptive Analysis Of Middle School Teachers' Assessment And Grading Practices, Tameshia V. Grimes

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive, non-experimental, quantitative study was designed to answer the broad question, “What do grades mean?” Core academic subject middle school teachers from one large, suburban school district in Virginia were administered an electronic survey that asked them to report on aspects of their grading practices and assessment methods for one class taught during the 2008-2009 school year. The survey addressed the following topics: 1) primary purposes for grades, 2) attitudes toward grading, 3) assessment method, and 4) grading practices. Additionally, the study examined the relationship between teachers’ reported assessment and grading methods and student achievement. Overall results and results …


Death Notification Skills, Secondary Stress, And Compassion Fatigue In A Level One Urban Trauma Center, Enid Virago Apr 2010

Death Notification Skills, Secondary Stress, And Compassion Fatigue In A Level One Urban Trauma Center, Enid Virago

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This quasi-experimental design study compared two small samples of Emergency medicine residents after one group had an educational intervention on death notification skills and the other did not. Comparisons were made on residents’ confidence in their communication, interpersonal skills and level of compassion fatigue/satisfaction and EM Residents’ level of Secondary Traumatic Stress after an event of patient death and subsequent notification of Secondary Patients. Residents were interviewed to gather recommendations for designing death notification curriculum. Over an eight month period, forty emergency medicine residents at two sites, control and intervention, completed surveys designed to provide quantitative data on self-confidence …


Differentiating Reading Instruction For Special Education Students In An Inclusive Middle School: Comparing Teacher Knowledge And Application, Lauran Ziegler Apr 2010

Differentiating Reading Instruction For Special Education Students In An Inclusive Middle School: Comparing Teacher Knowledge And Application, Lauran Ziegler

Theses and Dissertations

DIFFERENTIATING READING INSTRUCTION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN AN INCLUSIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL: COMPARING TEACHER KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION This qualitative case study uses observations and interviews to examine the practice of differentiation by twelve collaborative middle school reading teachers in a school that has shown a decrease in the achievement gap for students with disabilities on end of year tests on state standards. Observations and interviews were analyzed to determine the teachers’ knowledge and application of differentiated instruction. The results showed that four of the six teams possessed a comprehensive knowledge of the practice of differentiation and the data available to …


Teacher Absenteeism: An Examination Of Patterns And Predictors, Kristy Pitts Mar 2010

Teacher Absenteeism: An Examination Of Patterns And Predictors, Kristy Pitts

Theses and Dissertations

Since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, public school systems have been engaged in a system of educational reform fueled by a level of accountability that includes not only the performance of the students, but also the performance of the teachers and the administrators. Recent studies have found that student achievement has been negatively impacted by teacher absenteeism; however, there have been scant studies conducted in the United States regarding teacher absence behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the teacher absence data of a school division in central Virginia in order …


Payment Of Advanced Placement Exam Fees By Virginia Public School Divisions And Its Impact On Advanced Placement Enrollment And Scores, Mary Grupe Cirillo Feb 2010

Payment Of Advanced Placement Exam Fees By Virginia Public School Divisions And Its Impact On Advanced Placement Enrollment And Scores, Mary Grupe Cirillo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Virginia school divisions’ policy of paying the fee for students to take Advanced Placement exams on Advanced Placement course enrollment, the number of Advanced Placement exams taken by students, the average scores earned and the percent of students earning qualifying scores of 3, 4, or 5 on Advanced Placement exams. The hierarchical regression models utilized Advanced Placement scores and school demographic data provided by the Virginia Department of Education combined with survey data on Advanced Placement policies and the number years that exam fees had been paid collected from …


Virtual Reality In Art Education, Sohhyoun Yoon Jan 2010

Virtual Reality In Art Education, Sohhyoun Yoon

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project presents possible uses of Virtual Reality for art education. To understand VR, this thesis reviews the history of using technology in educational environments and explores the concepts, definitions, and characteristics of VR in general. Then, it shows diverse purposes of VR for education and art educational environments. For an art class, the units present the use of Teen Second Life, which is a free on-line virtual world. The units demonstrate how art educators may use Teen Second life for high school art classes to build students’ understandings of their identities by creating their avatars, clothing, objects and …