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Full-Text Articles in Education

Hear Us Roar, December 16, 2016, Michael Shonrock Dec 2016

Hear Us Roar, December 16, 2016, Michael Shonrock

Michael Shonrock

Digital newsletter produced by the office of President Michael Shonrock.


Hear Us Roar, December 2, 2016, Michael Shonrock Dec 2016

Hear Us Roar, December 2, 2016, Michael Shonrock

Michael Shonrock

Digital newsletter produced by the office of President Michael Shonrock.


Administrative Strategies To Improve Teacher Recruitment And Retention In Rural Public Schools, Christine Kay Butler Dec 2016

Administrative Strategies To Improve Teacher Recruitment And Retention In Rural Public Schools, Christine Kay Butler

Dissertations

The main purpose of this study was to gain insight into the recruitment and retention strategies popularized due to the need to meet high-quality teacher demands. Additionally, recruitment and retention strategies identified by administrators and tenured teachers working in rural public schools of Missouri as effective were collected through a survey. Administrators, as well as tenured teachers currently on staff in rural public school districts of Missouri, were the population of this study. Among 286 administrators, 95 administrative participants and 33 tenured teachers completed the survey. The survey responses were compared to determine if the administrative point-ofview was similar to …


Identification Of Instructional Strategies Within Athletic Training Curricula And The Impact Of Best-Practices On First-Attempt Board Of Certification Pass Rate, Aedryan Cox Dec 2016

Identification Of Instructional Strategies Within Athletic Training Curricula And The Impact Of Best-Practices On First-Attempt Board Of Certification Pass Rate, Aedryan Cox

Dissertations

This purpose of this study was twofold: (1) investigate effective instructional strategies for athletic training education, and (2) investigate a correlation between research-based instructional strategies and first attempt success on the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Research based instructional strategies exist within allied health education, however, no previous research set out to specifically identify instructional strategies which lead to first attempt success on the BOC examination. Therefore, a mixed-method investigation of research based instructional strategies was performed, and correlation data between instructional strategies and success on the BOC examination were collected. Data produced by the study revealed that instructional strategies …


An Initial Examination Of Relationships Between Early Intervention Services, Family Outcomes, And Andragogical Factors, Kelly Hantak Dec 2016

An Initial Examination Of Relationships Between Early Intervention Services, Family Outcomes, And Andragogical Factors, Kelly Hantak

Dissertations

This study is an examination of early intervention services for infants/toddlers with visual impairments, as related to home-based services and andragogy learning theory. Early intervention refers to therapeutic services provided to eligible infants/toddlers while andragogy emphasizes how adults learning. Research discussed the implementation of andragogical factors with parents of infants/toddlers appeared limited. The null hypotheses statements addressed four variables related to infant/toddler with visual impairments assessment scores, the number of home visit units authorized by the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and implemented by the early intervention service provider, responses on the family outcome survey, and service provider responses …


Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of One-To-One Technology Device Implementation, Stewart F. Pratt Dec 2016

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of One-To-One Technology Device Implementation, Stewart F. Pratt

Dissertations

The influence of technology on society shows little sign of diminishing (Puybaraud, 2012). Increased capabilities and the affordability of technology devices have brought a resurgence of one-to-one device implementation in schools (Dawson, 2016). This qualitative study was designed to elicit the perceptions of administrators and teachers on one-to-one device implementation. Marc Prensky’s (2001) premise that students are digital natives embedded in media and digital device-rich environments provided the conceptual framework for this study. Furthermore, Prensky (2001) proposed modern students learn, conceptualize, and respond differently than previous generations. The participants in this study represented six southwest Missouri school districts with student …


Higher Education Perspectives: The Role Magic The Gathering Plays In Whole-Person, Academic, And Career Development, Bob Ellsworth Lynch Dec 2016

Higher Education Perspectives: The Role Magic The Gathering Plays In Whole-Person, Academic, And Career Development, Bob Ellsworth Lynch

Dissertations

Games contribute to the whole-person, academic, and career development of collegeaged individuals (Alderman, 2015). However, many higher-education institutions do not sponsor gaming as a collegiate extracurricular activity, thereby possibly eliminating the opportunity of an all-inclusive environment (Alderman, 2015). To elucidate the problem, Astin and Antonio’s (2012) I-E-O model was engaged as conceptual framework for college-aged individuals’ perception of Magic the Gathering’s role in their whole-person, academic, and career development. The purpose of the study was to employ Magic the Gathering as the input; higher-education institutions as the environment; and wholeperson, academic, and career development as the outcome. Descriptive survey data …


Hear Us Roar, November 18, 2016, Michael Shonrock Nov 2016

Hear Us Roar, November 18, 2016, Michael Shonrock

Michael Shonrock

Digital newsletter produced by the office of President Michael Shonrock.


Hear Us Roar, November 4, 2016, Michael Shonrock Nov 2016

Hear Us Roar, November 4, 2016, Michael Shonrock

Michael Shonrock

Digital newsletter produced by the office of President Michael Shonrock.


The Effects Of Extrinsic Motivation On High School Attendance, Eric Conrad Wilken Nov 2016

The Effects Of Extrinsic Motivation On High School Attendance, Eric Conrad Wilken

Dissertations

The Missouri School Improvement Plan’s fourth standard addresses the importance of attendance to the accreditation of school districts. Because of this standard many school districts are in need of a successful plan to increase attendance; therefore, this study was designed to determine the extrinsic motivators educators use to encourage attendance and the influence the motivators have on students. The population for this study included accredited public school districts in the west central and southwest regions of Missouri. A stratified sample consisting of 45 high schools was selected from public school districts with 400 or fewer students in grades K-12 during …


Comparison Of Classroom Grades And Missouri End-Of-Course Exam Scores, Rodney Delmont Nov 2016

Comparison Of Classroom Grades And Missouri End-Of-Course Exam Scores, Rodney Delmont

Dissertations

Educational leaders are tasked with finding the best practices for motivating students and accurately reporting progress (Popham, 2011). Additionally, the alignment of curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy can facilitate changes in education (Klenowski & Wyatt-Smith, 2014). Therefore, as districts align curriculum to assessment standards, students’ scores on assessments should increase (Squires, 2012). The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between Missouri English II end-of-course (EOC) exam scores and student grade-point averages (GPAs) earned in English II. Moreover, data were examined to determine if a correlation exists among student gender, Missouri English II EOC scores, and student …


The Effects Of One-To-One Technology On Students In Schools With A High Population Of Students From Low-Socioeconomic Households, Ryan J. Persinger Nov 2016

The Effects Of One-To-One Technology On Students In Schools With A High Population Of Students From Low-Socioeconomic Households, Ryan J. Persinger

Dissertations

Low socioeconomic status is widespread throughout the United States (Makarewicz, 2013). Education is one factor to help people break the cycle of poverty (Payne, 2013). This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of one-to-one technology on equipping students from low-income families with the education needed to break the cycle of generational poverty. A rural school district in southwest Missouri was selected for the study. Students, parents, and educators were surveyed to gain their perspectives concerning the efficiency of one-to-one technology. Data were gathered to assess the statistical differences in English II end-of-course exam scores, attendance rates, graduation rates, and …


A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Suspension/Expulsion And Graduation Rates Of Missouri Public High School Special Education Students, Matthew F. Glazer Nov 2016

A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Suspension/Expulsion And Graduation Rates Of Missouri Public High School Special Education Students, Matthew F. Glazer

Dissertations

The researcher conducted a study focused on the suspension/expulsion and graduation rates of Missouri public high school special education students. The goal was to determine if these areas of focus influenced one another. Analysis occurred through the use of secondary data from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education within the following school years: 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015. Additionally, public school personnel received online surveys via SurveyMonkey. The four hypotheses targeted the following: a difference between public high school special education students and graduation rates, the number of students with disabilities suspended/expelled, the graduation rates of non-suspended/expelled special education …


Fine Arts Coursework And Student Achievement Among African-American Students In A Midwest Setting, Douglas Erwin Nov 2016

Fine Arts Coursework And Student Achievement Among African-American Students In A Midwest Setting, Douglas Erwin

Dissertations

The researcher designed this study to investigate a possible correlation between the number of years of fine arts coursework and achievement on the American College Test (ACT). The district studied was predominantly African American; therefore, similar schools may use the results to plan strategies to reduce the achievement gap. Results included a mild positive correlation between student ACT achievement and coursework in visual arts, and a moderate correlation between ACT achievement and performing arts. The more fine arts coursework a student received, the higher his or her ACT score. The researcher conducted a z-test for difference in means to compare …


The Academic Impact Of Extracurricular Activities On Middle School Students, Lauren Jansen Nov 2016

The Academic Impact Of Extracurricular Activities On Middle School Students, Lauren Jansen

Dissertations

This research study examined the academic impact of extracurricular activities on middle school students. This study investigated a possible relationship between the amount of hours that students spent participating in extracurricular activities and their academic achievement, as well as the amount of hours that students spent participating in in-school extracurricular activities and their academic achievement. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative data to reach its results. The quantitative data ultimately did not show a statistically significant correlation between the hours that students spent in extracurricular activities in general or in in-school activities and academic achievement. However, there …


A Mixed Method Study On Schema-Based Instruction, Mathematical Problem Solving Skills, And Students With An Educational Disability, Bill Casner Nov 2016

A Mixed Method Study On Schema-Based Instruction, Mathematical Problem Solving Skills, And Students With An Educational Disability, Bill Casner

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the student outcomes of implementing schema-based instruction on students in grades 3-8 identified with an educational disability and ascertain how students’ developed mathematical problem solving skills. After special education teachers in a metropolitan school district in the Midwest administered a pre-assessment, the researcher used the results to select 21 students with an educational disability to participate in the mixed-methods study. Special education teachers implemented Asha K. Jitendra’s (2007) educational program titled, Solving Math Word Problems: Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities Using Schema-Based Instruction, during the 2013-2014 school year and taught participants using …


Teacher Perception Of Student Engagement In An Arts-Integrated Classroom, Staci J. Baker Nov 2016

Teacher Perception Of Student Engagement In An Arts-Integrated Classroom, Staci J. Baker

Dissertations

Student engagement is a prominent indicator of a student’s academic success (Harbour, Evanovich, Sweigart, & Hughes, 2015). Leavy (2015) continued the engagement dialogue by stating the arts can be highly engaging and a high-yield strategy leading to academic success. Research has been conducted on arts integration, but little research specifically aligns arts integration with student engagement (Mason, Thormann, & Steedly, 2004). Further, there is a lack of depth within arts-integration research on all of the “arts” (including music, visual arts, drama, and dance) (Mason et al., 2004). In this qualitative study, student engagement was viewed from teachers’ perspectives within one …


Hear Us Roar, October 21, 2016, Michael Shonrock Oct 2016

Hear Us Roar, October 21, 2016, Michael Shonrock

Michael Shonrock

Digital newsletter produced by the office of President Michael Shonrock.


Hear Us Roar, October 7, 2016, Michael Shonrock Oct 2016

Hear Us Roar, October 7, 2016, Michael Shonrock

Michael Shonrock

Digital newsletter produced by the office of President Michael Shonrock.


Fall 2016 General Education Assessment Report, Lindenwood University Oct 2016

Fall 2016 General Education Assessment Report, Lindenwood University

General Education Assessment

Fall 2016 General Education Assessment Report


The Evolution Of A High-Achieving School: Creating A Cultural Shift Through A Schedule Change, Interventions, And Imbedded Collaboration, Beth Rapoff Oct 2016

The Evolution Of A High-Achieving School: Creating A Cultural Shift Through A Schedule Change, Interventions, And Imbedded Collaboration, Beth Rapoff

Dissertations

Many research studies exist regarding high school master schedules. However, not one study could identify which schedule was “best” for high schools to implement. The researcher reviewed a variety of schedule types—traditional, drop 1, trimester, 4x4 block, A/B block, and modified block. The researcher also investigated interventions at the high school level. She also researched change and innovation. Lastly, she researched teacher collaboration. This study investigated changes a high-achieving high school made. The focus was on a master schedule change, interventions scheduled during the school day, and teacher collaboration scheduled during the school day. The purpose of this study was …


Perceptions Of School Administrators Regarding The Benefits Of Teacher Induction Programs, Robert L. Baker Oct 2016

Perceptions Of School Administrators Regarding The Benefits Of Teacher Induction Programs, Robert L. Baker

Dissertations

As rates of teacher attrition continue to increase across the United States, school districts are trying to determine effective methods of retaining quality teachers for their classrooms (Ingersoll, 2012). Comprehensive teacher induction programs have shown to decrease rates of teacher attrition when implemented over a multiple-year span (Goldrick, 2016). This has created the need for school districts to determine if the costs associated with the implementation of comprehensive teacher induction programs are worthwhile investments. This study involved an examination of the perceptions of Missouri superintendents and/or human resources designees and secondary school principals regarding the benefits of comprehensive teacher induction …


A Mixed-Method Investigation Of Common Assessments Within A Suburban Secondary School, Matthew Irvin Oct 2016

A Mixed-Method Investigation Of Common Assessments Within A Suburban Secondary School, Matthew Irvin

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed method case study, on the continued implementation of common assessments developed within Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), was to investigate possible relationships between teacher collaboration, common assessments and End of Course (EOC) assessments. The researcher investigated the perceptions of teachers and administrators in a Midwest secondary setting on common assessment development and utilization on the culture of teaching and data-driven decision making. The information from this study will provide the researched school district as well as others with insights into their implementation of PLCs and specifically the development and utilization of common assessments. In order to …


The Role Of The Technology Coach In Middle School English Language Arts Classrooms, Brenda Christine Conyac Oct 2016

The Role Of The Technology Coach In Middle School English Language Arts Classrooms, Brenda Christine Conyac

Dissertations

Technology should play an important role in K-12 education, according to most educators and policymakers (Hastings, 2009). However, despite numerous classroom technology initiatives, supplemental funding, increased availability, encouragement by stakeholders, and urgency to develop 21st-century skills needed for the technology age, students and teachers are not making use of technology effectively in classrooms (Hastings, 2009). In this qualitative study, the researcher detailed how perceptions of technology coaches and teachers in sixth- through eighth-grade southwest Missouri classrooms related to the best model for implementing a technology coach. The duties and qualifications perceived to be important for the position of technology coach …


Special Education Students And Standardized Assessments, Deborah Taylor Oct 2016

Special Education Students And Standardized Assessments, Deborah Taylor

Dissertations

Special education students with many different disabilities are taught in today’s classrooms, and since the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, they are required to take the same standardized assessments as their regular education peers (Resmovits, 2013). Within this study, data were analyzed to determine the perceptions of two groups, which included third-grade regular education teachers and special education teachers of special education students who took the same standardized assessments as their regular education peers. In addition, data were also examined to determine if there was a relationship between how teachers from the two groups responded …


An Exploration Of Informed Student Goal Setting On Achievement In A Midwest Middle School, Laura Conley Oct 2016

An Exploration Of Informed Student Goal Setting On Achievement In A Midwest Middle School, Laura Conley

Dissertations

This dissertation is a mixed-methods study that critically looked at peer-reviewed articles and empirical research findings about goal setting for middle school students and the possible effects that goal setting had on achievement. This project synthesized the information from articles about goal setting in general and, more specifically, the student informed goal-setting processes. The study spawned from the literature review and critically assessed one teacher’s use of the informed goal setting process to affect the achievement of her Midwestern middle school students. Students in the treatment group completed pre and post-questionnaires that assessed their understanding of goal setting and achievement. …


A Mixed-Methods Study On Student Achievement In Reading And Teacher Professional Development In A K-2 Urban Public School Setting, Michelle Chism Oct 2016

A Mixed-Methods Study On Student Achievement In Reading And Teacher Professional Development In A K-2 Urban Public School Setting, Michelle Chism

Dissertations

To determine if a relationship existed between teacher professional development and student reading achievement for grades K-2, the researcher conducted a mixedmethods study to examine reading achievement and teacher professional development in a Midwest urban school district. If the researcher was able to show a relationship between teacher professional development and student reading achievement, recommendations could be made on research-based professional development models proven to increase student academic achievement and improve instructional practices within an underachieving school district. To determine if a relationship existed between the above-mentioned variables, the researcher examined student standardized reading achievement scores and teacher survey responses …


An Examination Of The Long-Term Academic Impacts Of Students Who Participated In The Missouri Preschool Program In Rural Southwest Missouri, Clinton R. Hall Oct 2016

An Examination Of The Long-Term Academic Impacts Of Students Who Participated In The Missouri Preschool Program In Rural Southwest Missouri, Clinton R. Hall

Dissertations

The focus of this mixed methods study was to examine the possible differences between students who participated in the Missouri Preschool Program (MPP) and peers who did not attend the program. Areas examined through quantitative data in the study included academic achievement in communication arts in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. The qualitative piece of the study included examination of areas such as social development, emotional development, and school readiness. Quantitative data were collected from one school district in rural southwest Missouri. These data came from Aimsweb assessments conducted at the district for the kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade levels …


An Action-Research Case Study Of Professional Development On Essential Questions In A K-8 Private Parochial School, Ronda K. Cypret-Mahach Oct 2016

An Action-Research Case Study Of Professional Development On Essential Questions In A K-8 Private Parochial School, Ronda K. Cypret-Mahach

Dissertations

The purpose of this action-research case study was the investigation of possible pedagogical transformations teachers experienced through participation in professional development training of Essential Questions and student learning; specifically student questioning, reading, and math achievement. The research in this study investigated two core focal points: the possible shift in a teacher’s transformational practices after participation in professional development on Essential Questions (McTighe & Wiggins, 2013) and whether the implemented transformational practices led to a possible difference in student questioning skills in grades two through eight on the Measure of Questioning Skills, student achievement in STAR Math, and STAR Reading in …


Action Research Using Entomological Research To Promote Hands-On Science Inquiry In A High-Poverty, Midwest Urban High School, Dustin Stockmann Oct 2016

Action Research Using Entomological Research To Promote Hands-On Science Inquiry In A High-Poverty, Midwest Urban High School, Dustin Stockmann

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods action research study was to examine to what extent entomological research can promote students’ hands-on learning in a high-poverty, urban, secondary setting. In reviewing the literature, the researcher was not able to find a specific study that investigated how entomological research could promote the hands-on learning of students. The researcher did find evidence that research on learning in a secondary setting was important to student growth. It should also be noted that support was established for the implementation of hands-on science inquiry in the classroom setting. The study’s purpose was to aid educators in their …