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Full-Text Articles in Education

School Suspension And Academic Achievement For Tenth And Eleventh Grade Male Students: A Correlational Study, Dante' L. Ferguson Sr Dec 2018

School Suspension And Academic Achievement For Tenth And Eleventh Grade Male Students: A Correlational Study, Dante' L. Ferguson Sr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between absenteeism due to suspensions and math and reading scores from the 2016 – 2017 Georgia Milestones Test for tenth and eleventh grade regular education, male students. The focus of this study was on determining if math and reading scores on standardized tests could be predicted by the number of days missed from school due to suspensions using a bivariate regression. A total of 93 male high school students in grades ten and eleven who have received one or more out of school suspensions during the previous school term …


Standardized High School Assessments As An Indicator Of Academic Preparedness In First-Year University Students, Jessica M. Scott Dec 2018

Standardized High School Assessments As An Indicator Of Academic Preparedness In First-Year University Students, Jessica M. Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

SAT scores have a role in whether or not high school graduates get accepted into the school of their choice, as well as the program of study. Pennsylvania requires students to participate in Keystone Exams, assessments concentrating on one subject area at a time, given sequentially upon the students’ course completion. Both assessments are used as a projection of how well a student will perform at his or her next level of study. Universities look at SAT scores, ACT scores, high school grade point averages (HSGPA), core subject grades, etc. to evaluate whether or not the student will be admitted …


Marching Into The Future: The Relationship Between Instrumental Music Class Participation And Advanced Placement English Language And Composition Test Results, Robert Alston Pettigrew Dec 2018

Marching Into The Future: The Relationship Between Instrumental Music Class Participation And Advanced Placement English Language And Composition Test Results, Robert Alston Pettigrew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Over the decades, there have been countless claims that participation in a music class will influence the cognitive abilities of students. Yet many districts elect to eliminate these programs in times of budgetary crisis. During a period when our national education system is focused on test scores, educational reformists should focus on the implementation of courses that yield academic success. This study was designed to determine if there is a significant relationship between instrumental music class participation and Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exam scores. Data for the group comparison consisted of 529 samples from a large county school …


Readiness For Blended Retirement: A Descriptive Analysis Of Financial Literacy Among Young American Military Members, Michael Eldon Pontiff Dec 2018

Readiness For Blended Retirement: A Descriptive Analysis Of Financial Literacy Among Young American Military Members, Michael Eldon Pontiff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In January 2018, the Department of Defense began the new blended retirement system for military members which includes an investment matching program in addition to a reduced pension at 20 years of service. This new system requires a forward thinking financial decision from a young population of Americans who may not possess substantial financial knowledge and experience to make an educated long term decision. The study examines the financial literacy of two groups of young enlisted Air Force members separated by two years experience in the service to determine if any significant changes in financial literacy occur through time and …


Persistence And Superintendents: A Phenomenological Study, Katherine Hamilton Howard Dec 2018

Persistence And Superintendents: A Phenomenological Study, Katherine Hamilton Howard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research study was to describe the lived experiences of public school superintendents with the phenomenon of persistence. Self-Determination Theory was used to describe the experiences of superintendents who have held the superintendency in the same school district for at least 5 consecutive years (Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ryan & Deci, 2002). The central research question guiding the study is: What are the lived experiences of superintendents who persist in the public school superintendency? Subquestions addressed various aspects of Self-Determination Theory and persistence, including sources of motivation and goal attainment (Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ryan …


Secondary School Principals' Perceptions Of Inclusion For Students With Autism: A Causal-Comparative Study, Jason Brent Conaway Dec 2018

Secondary School Principals' Perceptions Of Inclusion For Students With Autism: A Causal-Comparative Study, Jason Brent Conaway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A person’s perceptions define their reality, and behavior is based on what one believes to be real; therefore, perception is the path to belief, and one usually acts upon belief (Colaianni, 2015). According to Hallinger and Murphy (2012), “Today, we view instructional leadership as an influence process through which leaders identify direction for the school, motivate staff and coordinate school and classroom-based strategies aimed at improvements in teaching and learning” (p. 7). The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to contribute to a body of research surrounding the perceptions of secondary school principals toward the inclusion of students with …


Using Tablet Technology To Teach Secondary Content Vocabulary: A Collective Case Study, Annie R. Raney Dec 2018

Using Tablet Technology To Teach Secondary Content Vocabulary: A Collective Case Study, Annie R. Raney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to provide an understanding of the instructional methods of teachers who use tablet technology in middle school classrooms to teach complex content vocabulary. Dewey’s theory of constructivism guided this study, as it explains that students learn by building upon what they know. Middle school students add new terms to their existing vocabulary banks so that they can learn the related concepts in their content-area classes. The study took place in a southern state with technology standards that require students to use technology for reading and learning purposes. There is extensive research about …


School Administrators' Leadership Styles, Gender, And Perceived Self-Efficacy In Suburban Virginia: A Multiple Regression, Nary Esther Kitson Dec 2018

School Administrators' Leadership Styles, Gender, And Perceived Self-Efficacy In Suburban Virginia: A Multiple Regression, Nary Esther Kitson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educational leadership is one of the most important indicators in the success of a school. Research indicates leadership has various constructs which affect its effectiveness. The most successful and effective leaders have high self-efficacy. Leaders with high self-efficacy are affected by various constructs. Gaps in the literature on leadership effectiveness include the study of gender constructs and the effect of perceived self-efficacy and the effects of leadership styles (e.g., transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire). This study used a multiple regression analysis to determine if there is a significant predictive relationship between perceived self-efficacy and the linear combination of gender and leadership …


A Phenomenological Study Of School Counselors' Experiences Following Student Suicide, Suzanne Lea Nichols Dec 2018

A Phenomenological Study Of School Counselors' Experiences Following Student Suicide, Suzanne Lea Nichols

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic, phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of school counselors who have been impacted by the death of a student by suicide in the United States. The central question of the study was: How do school counselors describe their experiences following the death of a student by suicide? The three subquestions were: (a) How do school counselors describe their reactions when a student dies by suicide? (b) How do school counselors perceive their professional involvements in postvention activities following a student suicide? (c) How do school counselors cope after the death of a …


A Comparison Of High School Students Who Participate In Athletics Verses Non-Athletes On Seven Dimensions Of Work Ethic, Roy Jonathan Shipley Dec 2018

A Comparison Of High School Students Who Participate In Athletics Verses Non-Athletes On Seven Dimensions Of Work Ethic, Roy Jonathan Shipley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study compared the differences in work ethic dimension scores between high school student-athletes and students who do not participate in athletics. The underlying problem was that there is not enough research in this area and that current available studies provide conflicting information. The purpose of the study was to examine the differences in seven work ethic dimension scores from the Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (MWEP) between student-athletes and non-athletes. The study used a quantitative, causal-comparative design to examine the differences in the two pre-existing groups. The convenience sample of participants (N = 144) were selected from an available population …


Effect Of Perceived Self-Efficacy And Certification On Teachers Of Students With Emotional Disabilities Exhibiting Behaviors, Maisha Evonne Williams Nov 2018

Effect Of Perceived Self-Efficacy And Certification On Teachers Of Students With Emotional Disabilities Exhibiting Behaviors, Maisha Evonne Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher efficacy is a motivational construct that suggests teachers’ beliefs in their perceived efficacy affects the learning environments they create and the academic achievement of their students. Perceived self-efficacy affects the effort and persistence teachers exude during obstacles, such as when students exhibit challenging behaviors, regardless if the teacher is alternatively or traditionally certified. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to test the construct of self-efficacy grounded in the social cognitive theory and compare a teachers’ route to licensure (traditional or alternative) to perceived self-efficacy for special education teachers (SETs) of students with emotional disabilities exhibiting challenging behaviors. A …


The Effects Of Student Empowerment Through Leadership On Academic Achievement In English Language Arts And Math, Nathan Poteet Nov 2018

The Effects Of Student Empowerment Through Leadership On Academic Achievement In English Language Arts And Math, Nathan Poteet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student academic achievement in Title I schools has been a topic of interest for years. The previous works of Robert Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership Theory and Maslow’s Theory of Motivation in Title I elementary schools were used as the primary theoretical structures for this study. A quantitative causal-comparative (ex-post facto) study was planned, but a Mann Whitney U-test was used due to a failed assumption. The data collected from individual students’ scale scores on the Florida Standards Assessment was used to understand the impact of student empowerment through leadership within Title I elementary schools. While no statistical significance was noted in …


Successful Negotiations: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Superintendents Who Successfully Negotiate Teacher Contracts, Kelly A. Theurer Nov 2018

Successful Negotiations: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Superintendents Who Successfully Negotiate Teacher Contracts, Kelly A. Theurer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

New York State has a long history related to teachers’ unions. Superintendents are often the main players for school districts when negotiating teachers’ contracts. While much has been researched about negotiations, there is a gap in the literature in relation to the motivating factors of superintendents to successfully negotiate teachers’ contracts. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of school superintendents who have successfully negotiated teachers’ contracts within suburban areas of New York State. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of school superintendents who have successfully negotiated teachers’ contracts in …


The Relationship Between Virginia School Divisions’ Anti-Bullying Policy Scores And The Percentage Of Student Offenses Of Bullying, Amber M. Zachry Nov 2018

The Relationship Between Virginia School Divisions’ Anti-Bullying Policy Scores And The Percentage Of Student Offenses Of Bullying, Amber M. Zachry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

State laws and policies that adhere to U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)-recommended anti-bullying legislative components have been found to reduce rates of bullying in schools. No longer considered a normal or tolerated part of childhood and adolescence, state legislation and local policy regarding bullying have experienced substantial growth over the last decade. Consequently, state laws and local policies are currently a critical component in response to bullying behavior and yet, there is limited research that has investigated the relationship between anti-bullying policies and the prevalence of bullying. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine whether a relationship exists …


A Correlational Study Of Teacher Burnout In Elementary Schools In Georgia, Kimberly A. Hancock Nov 2018

A Correlational Study Of Teacher Burnout In Elementary Schools In Georgia, Kimberly A. Hancock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educational research has identified the importance of understanding the relationship between teacher burnout and teacher self-efficacy. Previous studies examined the relationship of teacher burnout to teacher self-efficacy, more focused research is needed in order to understand the relationship in regards to teaching in Title I and Title I Focus schools. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between teacher burnout and self-efficacy for teachers working in Title I and Title I Focus schools. This study also investigated which factors predicted burnout. A convenience sample of 87 teachers from four urban Georgia elementary Title I and Title I Focus schools with …


Novice Elementary Teachers’ Experiences With Preparedness To Teach Mathematics: A Phenomenological Study, Ashleigh Rose Chaves Nov 2018

Novice Elementary Teachers’ Experiences With Preparedness To Teach Mathematics: A Phenomenological Study, Ashleigh Rose Chaves

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe novice elementary teachers’ experiences with preparedness to teach mathematics in a large school district in southeastern Massachusetts. In defining the novice elementary teachers’ experiences, I looked at the participants’ self-efficacy through the lens of Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. Self-efficacy was defined as how confident the novice teachers were in regard to their ability to teach mathematics. The focus of this study was how adequately prepared the teachers felt teaching elementary mathematics but also investigated how the teachers felt about their readiness to address the challenges students experience in mathematics. The following …


The Relationship Of Community College Staff's Job Satisfaction To Administration's Leadership Style: A Correlational Study, Darla Sue Harwell Oct 2018

The Relationship Of Community College Staff's Job Satisfaction To Administration's Leadership Style: A Correlational Study, Darla Sue Harwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today, higher education faces more social, cultural, accreditation, and funding opportunities than they have faced in the past and it is important for staff to have job satisfaction to assist the colleges to meet these opportunities. Higher education leaders are increasingly recognizing that to keep the institutions doors open financially, they must have staff that are satisfied with their jobs and thus are placing a greater emphasis on meeting the staffs’ expectations and needs. This will allow for the staff to assist with the opportunities that those in higher education are facing today. The purpose of this study was to …


The Differences Between Principal And Teacher Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities In California Schools, Michael Brown Aug 2018

The Differences Between Principal And Teacher Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities In California Schools, Michael Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective Professional Learning Communities are one tool schools utilize to ensure that student achievement improvement is prioritized. Professional Learning Communities help educators increase their professional knowledge and minimize conflict amongst colleagues. Additionally, teachers who regularly participate in a Professional Learning Community have students who reach higher achievement benchmarks than the students of their non-participating peers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a statistically significant difference existed between principal perceptions and teacher perceptions of Professional Learning Communities as measured by the Professional Learning Communities Assessment—Revised. A sample of 49 principals and 53 teachers from 49 schools in California …


An Examination Of Concussion Understanding Among Parents Of High School Female Student Athletes, Kelly Hartley Aug 2018

An Examination Of Concussion Understanding Among Parents Of High School Female Student Athletes, Kelly Hartley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Few online concussion education programs have been developed specifically for parents, and those that have been tend to neglect the fact that concussion rates are higher in female rather than male student athletes (Donaldson et al., 2016; Macdonald & Hauber, 2016; Williamson et al., 2014). This quantitative study is important because it addressed gaps in the concussion education literature. The purpose of this study was to examine whether concussion symptoms knowledge and general youth sports-related concussion knowledge was significantly higher among parents of female student athletes who watched the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Heads Up concussion videos (intervention …


How Intra-District School Choice And Competition Among Schools Impacts School Leadership: A Case Study Of Secondary School Principals, Chris Kohan Aug 2018

How Intra-District School Choice And Competition Among Schools Impacts School Leadership: A Case Study Of Secondary School Principals, Chris Kohan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, explanatory case study was to describe how traditional, magnet, and charter school principals in one Delaware school district responded to an environment of total school choice and how they made sense of their roles as a principal in the era of school choice. Hess’s (2010) organizational theory was the theoretical foundation for this study as selective enrollment schools, such as magnet and charter schools, would have direct and indirect effects on traditional schools The research questions for this study were: (a) How do traditional, magnet, and charter school principals make sense of the competition generated …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Novice Teachers Administrative Support Experiences In High-Poverty High-Minority Rural South Carolina Schools, Celestine Lavan Aug 2018

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Novice Teachers Administrative Support Experiences In High-Poverty High-Minority Rural South Carolina Schools, Celestine Lavan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to develop a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of novice teachers who remain teaching in high-poverty, high-minority rural schools in South Carolina in relation to the administrative support they received. The research questions guiding this study are: (1) How do novice teachers describe their administrative support experiences in high-poverty, high-minority schools? (2) How do novice teachers in high-poverty, high-minority rural schools describe administrative emotional and social support experiences? (3) How do novice teachers in high-poverty, high-minority rural schools describe administrative instructional support experiences in high-poverty, high-minority rural schools? This study intended …


Quantitative Content Analysis Of Virginia Doctoral Dissertations 2007-2017: Trends In Degree Types And Methodologies, Craig Krueger Aug 2018

Quantitative Content Analysis Of Virginia Doctoral Dissertations 2007-2017: Trends In Degree Types And Methodologies, Craig Krueger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study was a trend analysis of the choices made by doctoral candidates in the state of Virginia who sought degrees in the field of education. It analyzed frequencies of degree types (EdD degree compared to the PhD) and research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods). This research is important because no such study has been done since 1994. The information will be useful to both those who lead doctoral programs and to people who seek to understand philosophical implications and practical applications of these degree and methodology types. The purpose of the study is to bring up to date …


A Case Study Exploring Effective Leadership In Technology Integration In Three Southeastern U.S. Elementary Schools, Lauren Woodward Aug 2018

A Case Study Exploring Effective Leadership In Technology Integration In Three Southeastern U.S. Elementary Schools, Lauren Woodward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the characteristics of effective leadership in technology integration for school leaders and staff members in three southeastern, U.S. elementary schools. The theoretical framework that guided this study was based on Spillane’s (2005) distributed leadership model and Kouzes and Posner’s (2012) model of transformational leadership. These theories provided an understanding of leadership practices and characteristics that fostered an environment, which successfully supported the process of technology integration. The rationale for the study was that there is a gap in the literature that addresses effective leadership and practices for technology integration. …


The Impact Of Teacher Motivation In Promoting Academic Achievement Among African American Male Students, Erroll Royal Jul 2018

The Impact Of Teacher Motivation In Promoting Academic Achievement Among African American Male Students, Erroll Royal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the impact of teacher motivation in promoting academic achievement among African American male students in an urban middle school in northeast North Carolina. In this quantitative study, the sample population was comprised of fifty 7th grade students and fifty 8th grade students. Eight teachers, (four science teachers, and four math teachers) both male and female were given the Teacher Efficacy Scale (see Appendix G). The results revealed that there was no relationship between teacher motivation and academic achievement among African American male students. Further research should include similar studies that would examine the impact of teacher motivation …


The Relationship Between Teacher Pedagogy Skills, As Reported By The Network For Educator Effectiveness Teacher Evaluation System, And Eighth Grade Science Achievement Scores In Missouri, Grant Stock Jul 2018

The Relationship Between Teacher Pedagogy Skills, As Reported By The Network For Educator Effectiveness Teacher Evaluation System, And Eighth Grade Science Achievement Scores In Missouri, Grant Stock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every year in thousands of schools across the United States high stake decisions are made regarding the retention, promotion, professional development, and training of staff using teacher evaluation instruments. Therefore, it is vital to determine if these evaluation instruments as well as the teaching strategies they measure are effective in improving student achievement. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a correlation between the scores eighth grade science teachers receive on the Network for Educator Effectiveness observation instrument for the teaching practices of cognitive engagement, problem solving and critical thinking, and formative assessment and how well …


Digital Natives' Perceptions On Feeling Understood By Teachers: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Informing 21st Century Education, Dennis D. Perez Jun 2018

Digital Natives' Perceptions On Feeling Understood By Teachers: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Informing 21st Century Education, Dennis D. Perez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the academic and social experiences of digital natives at Patrick Harrison High School (pseudonym) located in southern California. The research questions addressing the study were: (a) What are digital natives’ academic and social experiences; (b) How does feeling understood by teachers shape digital natives’ learning experiences; and (c) How does the use of social media, the Internet and digital devices contribute to 21st-century education as perceived by digital natives? Prensky’s (2001) theory on digital nativity, Gordon’s (1988) theory on feeling understood, and Vygotsky’s (1978) constructivist learning views informed the study. …


A Multiple-Case Study On The Perceptions Of Teacher Autonomy In A Traditionally Structured And A Teacher Powered School, Jerry Wright Jun 2018

A Multiple-Case Study On The Perceptions Of Teacher Autonomy In A Traditionally Structured And A Teacher Powered School, Jerry Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to examine teachers’ perceived autonomy in two different school settings. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, specifically focusing on the three aspects of human agency. The research question was used to investigate the similarities and differences of teachers’ perceptions of autonomy in two schools one traditionally structured and the other teacher-powered. Thirteen participants from two separate settings, one teacher-powered school and one traditionally structured school were selected for this study. Participants were selected using criterion-sampling methods to ensure that all participants were teachers within their setting. Teacher-powered …


The Effects Of Informal Mentoring On Adjunct Faculty Job Satisfaction At An Open Enrollment University, Kevin Nanna Jun 2018

The Effects Of Informal Mentoring On Adjunct Faculty Job Satisfaction At An Open Enrollment University, Kevin Nanna

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Job satisfaction has long been considered a predictor of employee loyalty and retention. On the academic side, adjunct faculty have played a key role in post-secondary education for decades. As use of part-time adjunct faculty increases, now more than ever colleges should be focusing on attracting and retaining qualified adjunct faculty. Increasing enrollment, a changing demographic of student, modern technology and cost implications are all reasons why there has been an increase in demand for non-tenured or part-time faculty. With increased demand comes competition for the most qualified and able instructors. While competitive salary is a consideration, there are many …


The Impact Of Mentorship On The Motivation To Learn: A Phenomenological Study Of High School African American Male Students At Risk For Failure, Godwin M. Prospere Jun 2018

The Impact Of Mentorship On The Motivation To Learn: A Phenomenological Study Of High School African American Male Students At Risk For Failure, Godwin M. Prospere

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how at-risk male African American students who attend Title I inner-city high schools in Central Florida, and are at risk for failure, perceive mentorship impacts their motivation to learn. The theories that guided this study were Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, and Bandura’s social cognitive theory of self-efficacy, as each theory describes the basic needs that must be satisfied before an individual can be motivated to learn, and the role of interaction in developing self-efficacy and the motivation to learn. The central research question that guided this study sought …


A Phenomenological Study On Motivational Factors Toward The Longevity Of Christian School Teachers, Rochelle Achuff May 2018

A Phenomenological Study On Motivational Factors Toward The Longevity Of Christian School Teachers, Rochelle Achuff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe factors that influenced the motivation of teachers toward longevity in Christian schools located in the Southeast region of the United States. This study attempted to answer the following research question: What do Christian school teachers perceive as motivational factors toward longevity in a Christian school? The theory that guided this study was London’s (1983) career motivation theory as it relates to what motivated teachers to teach long-term in a Christian school. Findings from this study provided a description of what Christian school teachers perceive as motivating factors toward longevity in …