Education Commons^™

Strategies For Raising Low Test Scores Of Minority Students, Shanika Y. Mcclendon

Masters Theses

Abstract

This project is an in-service professional development to prepare teachers for implementing effective strategies for raising minority test scores on standardized tests. These strategies focus on the development of vocabulary and on students’ self-efficacy. The literature shows that the failure for African American and minority students to be successful on standardized test is likely due to lack of support, resources, and adequate preparation. Furthermore, the literature reveals that most of these tests are probably biased toward these students’ cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Studies also show other factors such as stress, stereotyping, depression, and anxiety. Taking into consideration these factors, …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Use Of Technology In Math And Higher Test Scores, Mary Ann Grooters

Masters Theses

This thesis explored the relationship of a technology enhanced curriculum to higher test scores and higher student motivation. This thesis involved two seventh grade math classes in Kentwood, Michigan. A control class received instruction including lectures, written assignments, and projects. The test group received similar assignments and projects and in addition were given technology supported exercises. A survey given to the test group examined motivation levels, and end of chapter tests compared achievement scores of both groups. The findings indicate that a technology enhanced curriculum does not lead to higher test scores but does impact student motivation to learn math.

An Extended Year Program For At-Risk Middle School Children, Karen Patrice Flanigan

Masters Theses

At the beginning of this century only 6% of the American population even received a high school diploma. Now that diploma is so necessary that our society can no longer support or afford any undereducated citizens. Every year there is less and less room for them in the work force.; The states and school districts are reacting to this by trying to identify these at-risk children and to pose interventions to keep them in school. This is one account of an extended year program that was implemented for at-risk middle school children. The research focuses on the characteristics of these …

A Comparison Of Kentwood Public Schools' Algebra Standards And The Ucsmp Algebra Objectives, Carol A. Farrer

Masters Theses

This paper compares the Standards written by Kentwood Public Schools in Kentwood, Michigan for its algebra course and the objectives of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project Algebra textbook. The paper includes an examination of national recommendations and publications which influenced the authors of the UCSMP text and the national and state publications which influenced Kentwood's Mathematics Curriculum Committee. Lessons are provided for Kentwood's algebra teachers for the few instances where the objectives of the textbook do not meet the district's standards.

Curriculum Packet Serving Autistic, Educable, And Trainable Students With Mental Impairments, Amy E. Upham

Masters Theses

The education of the special needs population has been an ongoing debate since the creation of special education classes. While some educators feel that a slower version of the regular education curriculum is appropriate others feel that there is no room for the regular curriculum in the education of the autistic, educable, and trainable mentally impaired population.; In this thesis the research reviewed will support the need for a functional curriculum which emphasizes the areas of; self care/ personal development, basic math and language arts. The research will stress that a watered down regular education curriculum will not meet the …

A Comparison Of Two Teaching Methods In Basic Cardiac Life Support Training And Education, Patricia A. Merrill

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two teaching methods on knowledge and skill acquisition in basic cardiac life support. A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group, pretest-posttest design was used to compare 37 nursing personnel recertifying in basic cardiac life support. The experimental group received a self-study module. The control group received a lecture and demonstration. Sample selection was one of convenience.; An analysis of covariance was performed to test the hypothesis. There was not a significant difference in acquisition of knowledge in the experimental or control group (p {dollar}>{dollar}.05). Subjects in the control group scored …

Cooperative Learning: Does It Work And Do Students Like It?, Thomas Neal Vander Stelt

Masters Theses

This study compares a teacher-centered approach to learning with a cooperative learning method in order to discover if either method has greater ability to deliver academic success in a fourth grade geography unit. In addition, the study examines the students' preferences for or against the teacher-centered method and the cooperative method.; There has been some movement toward cooperative learning methods in the school in which this study takes place, but there is also some reluctance of some teachers to try it because they feel that the time it takes is not worth the results it brings. This study includes an …

An International Comparison Of Lower Elementary School Schedules, Barbara Helen Wyns

Masters Theses

International comparisons indicate that U.S. students test below other industrialized countries. Researchers identify a shorter school day and year as a possible reason. While recognizing the fundamental differences from country to country, this study focuses on the measurable variables; days of instruction per year and total hours of instruction for lower elementary students. Comparisons with Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and the United States, find that U.S. instructional days are fewer, however, the length of day is longer, and that total annual hours are second only to Japan. The amounts of homework and out of school learning are also discussed. The …

Individualizing Instruction In The Secondary English Classroom, Christine C. Hester

Masters Theses

Individualized instruction is one approach that can be used to meet the needs of students at the secondary level who have different learning styles, abilities, and interests. After researching information about individualized instruction, it was clear that more innovative ideas, learning centers, and instructional materials needed to be developed at the secondary level, especially in the English classroom because so little has been done in that area.; This project deals with issues such as the physical classroom environment, learning centers/computers, learning styles, personal learning contracts, and the assessment of work based on the content of curriculum and how those issues …

Multicultural Literature: The Need For Inclusion, Barbara Gripton

Masters Theses

Since Muskegon Public Schools serves a multicultural population, and since the canon of the textbooks used in the secondary language arts classes reflects neither this diverse population nor the current publications of the diverse cultures of the society, this study, in the form of a survey will show the need for the district to include literature contributed by ethnic minority writers from the American literature scene. The study shows the increasing need for such inclusion as well as offering rationale for doing so.; Finally, this paper will propose a three year pilot class, minority literature, similar to the minority history …

Writing 1: Outcome-Based Curriculum Renewal, Mark Dobrzynski

Masters Theses

As movements such as process writing and outcome-based education gained momentum in the 1980's, a void was created in many writing classes throughout the United States. In response to that void, this study provides materials for an entry level high school writing course which is philosophically consistent with the afforementioned theories. Following a brief literature review, actual course materials have been packaged, complete with an appendix consisting of student writing samples which demonstrate the success of the new course.

Multicultural Art Across The Curriculum, Yvonne J. Delamar

Masters Theses

The arts, by nature, can lend themselves as an essential unifying force in the multicultural curricular development in our increasingly diverse classrooms. A compilation of research and investigation is presented for teaching multicultural art throughout the curriculum. The finished project includes a model for teaching multicultural art across the curriculum and a bibliography of resources.

The Effects Of The Corporate, Private And Government Sectors On The History Of Art Education In American Schools, Nancy Vanderboom Lausch

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of corporate America on the presentation of art education throughout the history of American public education. The needs of Industrial America forced the entry of art into the curriculum in 1870. Over the years art has been justified and offered to serve numerous ends. Art education has prepared draftsmen for industry and crafts, trained a moral citizenry, promoted creativity and self-expression and provided aesthetic understanding of the nature of beauty. As these needs evolve to the philosophic end of the spectrum the arts are perceived as less functional to the …