Education Commons^™

The Effects Of Reform Mathematics Curriculum On Student Achievement, Mark Roger Brown

Masters Theses

Middle school mathematics instruction is in need of reform. In response to this call for reform, school districts across the country are adopting curriculum based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards.

This thesis studies the impact of the use of a reform curriculum on student achievement. The study looks at two districts in Western Michigan, one of which uses a reform curriculum and one that uses a traditional curriculum. The study compares the results of the districts on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program mathematics assessment to determine if students using the reformed curriculum materials scored significantly higher …

Attitudes Of Male Athletes In Their Last Year Of Eligibility In Division Ii College Athletics And The Relation To Their Academic Success, Brian Paul Bauer

Masters Theses

This study examined male college student athletes in their final year of eligibility and the relation to their academic success. The purpose was to find out if student athletes who plan on participating in professional athletics are relinquishing their academic responsibilities in college. Three male student athletes, who were finished with their last year of eligibility at a Division II institution, were interviewed. The cumulative grade point averages of each of the participants were viewed and compared to the statements given during the interviews. Results of the study were compared to the literature found.

A Study On The Learning Styles Of Limited English Proficiency Students, Linda J. Clay

Masters Theses

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students are not attaining academic success in public schools. Enrollment of Hspanic students is increasing, but at the same time assessment of their work shows little achievement. A crucial issue in the education of language minority students is how they learn. This thesis examines their learning style preferences through data gathered from student and teacher surveys and then correlates it to existing research. The conclusion drawn is that Hispanic LEP students are not being taught in their preferred learning styles and that the primary manner of verbal/linguistic instruction used in schools is a deterrent to successful …

The Impact Of Phonological Awareness On Reading Acquisition: Discrepancy Between Research And Practice, Nancy Justin

Masters Theses

Twenty years of research has shown the impact that lack of phonological awareness has on a child’s ability to learn to read and ultimately his chance for success in school. However, teachers have not used this important information to teach and assess students for these necessary skills. This study looked at the possible reasons why there is such remarkable discrepancy between research and practice. The reasons of research being too new, research results being contradictory and research being difficult to duplicate in educational settings were eliminated as probable causes of the discrepancy between research and practice. The study suggested that …

An Investigation Of The Validity Of Selected Themes In The Career Perspectives Inventory (Cpi), Sharon Gherity

Masters Theses

The Career Perspectives Inventory (CPI), a recently developed career inventory examining ten different career development areas was investigated for concurrent validity using the My Vocational Situation (MVS) inventory for correlation. A second phase of this study examined the development exhibited between study participants of differing college academic standing. One hundred first through fifth year college students participated in this study. Results of research question one indicated there was moderate correlation for four of the five themes in common between the CPI and MVS (career decision-making, self-knowledge, career attitudes, career information) and some correlation between the fifth theme (goal planning). Results …

Language And Power In The Esl Classroom, Bonnie Jo Bustrum

Masters Theses

Because of limited English proficiency and sociocultural knowledge, adult ESL students may be disadvantaged in determining, evaluating, and responding to American cultural demonstrations of power and authority through speech choices and nonverbal cues. As a first step toward a pedagogy that addresses this sociolinguistic need, this ethnography investigates aspects of power and language in the teacher-student relationship in the home countries of twenty-two adult ESL students. Student responses are analyzed and compared, and a pedagogical framework is proposed which may foster ESL students’ linguistic and social development toward greater access to information and a more informed process of enculturation into …