Education Commons^™

Academic Relationships Between At-Risk High School Students And Teachers Within An Alternative School Setting: "It Is More Than Just Academics, It's Attitude", Daniel R. Galdeano

Theses and Dissertations

The first public schools in the United States were originally created to give all school-aged children the opportunity to gain access to a well-rounded education (Cable, Plucker & Spradlin, 2009). Options in public schools, preparation for high-stakes standardized tests, and graduation requirements are among the many educational reform policies that have been implemented in hopes of enabling students to reach their academic potential (Lange & Sletten, 2002). As a substitute to dropping out, alternative schools are among the leaders in the charge to try to curb the dropout problem that schools are facing. Alternative schools have existed since the civil …

Evaluating Practicum Student's' Therapeutic Effectiveness Using Solution Focused Brief Therapy With Mexican American Clients: A Single Case Design, Krystle L. Ortega

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a practicum counseling experience on client therapeutic outcomes using Solution Focused Brief Therapy with Mexican American clients. We implemented a small series (N = 3) single-case research design to assess the effectiveness of SFBT for increasing hope and decreasing clinical symptoms. Clients’ clinical areas of functioning and clinically significant change will be evaluated using the Outcome Questionnaire -45.2 whereas hope will be assessed using The Trait Hope Scale. The results of this study will ultimately help researchers in counseling education, counselors, supervisors, and students by providing an outcome …

A Journey To Understand Dual Language And The Bilingual World: An Autoethnography Of A Bilingual Program Director In An Urban District, Olivia Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

This research represents a personalized account of the complexities, interpretations, and reflections on the life-long epistemological development of a bilingual program director currently implementing a dual language program in an urban school district. Using myself as a subject and a researcher in cultural, personal, and professional contexts provided the impetus for this self-study. Through the lens of a mother, daughter, sister, teacher, principal, and bilingual program director, I have chronicled and traced the epistemological conception of the assets that guide my advocacy in the academic realm of bilingual education. As an autoethnography, this study invites the reader to experience the …

The Development Of An E-Learning Usability Scale For Higher Education, Zoroayka V. Sandoval

Theses and Dissertations

In order to measure usability in higher education online courses, the E-Learning Usability Scale for Higher Education was developed in this study. After an extensive review of literature, the E-Learning Usability Evaluation Questionnaire developed by Zaharias (2009) was the closest instrument found to be free and available. However, this instrument was designed to measure usability for corporate settings and an adaptation of the items was required for online courses in higher education. The purpose of this study was to design a usability instrument for online courses in higher education from an original instrument designed for corporate settings, and to determine …

The Gratitude Questionnaire And Mindful Attention Awareness Scale For Use With Latina/O College Students: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Dion B. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Interventions based on positive psychology constructs have become increasingly popular over the past two decades, necessitating validation of instruments for use with underrepresented populations (Pawelski, 2016; Vela, Lerma, & Ikonomopoulos, 2016). This study reports an evaluation of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS; Brown & Ryan, 2003) and the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6; McCullough, Emmons, & Tsang, 2002) for use with Latina/o college students. Sample sizes used in this study are N = 207 (99 women and 104 men; 4 did not identify) for the MAAS and N = 127 (84 women and 38 men; 5 did not identify) for the …

Writing Together: The Experiences Of A College Writing Center Helping High School Writers, David Elder, Hannah Hecht, Mallory Sea

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

An Accurate Representation Of What?: Student Perceptions Of Standardized Writing Assesment, Kristen Getchell, Lindsay Illich

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

Why We Should Talk About "Alignment" With Writing Students, Colin Charlton, Andrew Hollinger

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

Writing To And Beyond The Test: The Writing Habitus Of The First Standards-Based Curriculum Cohort, Rebecca Powell

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

You Can't Get There From Here: Cross-Sector Collaboration And The Common Core State Standards, Jason Depolo, Nancy Gardner

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

Teaching Tenth Grade English: Student And Teacher Perceptions Of Standardized Testing, Norma Denae Dibrell

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

A Sneak Peek Into College Writing: Conducting A Plagarism Workshopfor High School Students, Mary-Lynn Chambers, Abigail G. Scheg

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

Mapping Student Responses: Towards Alternative Testing Ideologies, Glenn Blalock, Rich Haswell

Crosspol Journal

No abstract provided.

Physical Science Day: Design, Implementation, And Assessment, Liang Zeng, Mark A. Cunningham, Steven C. Tidrow, K. Christopher Smith, Jerry Contreras

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Physical Science Day at The University of Texas–Pan American (UTPA), in collaboration with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, has been designed, developed and implemented to address an identified fundamental shortcoming in our educational process within this primarily (90+%) Hispanic serving border region. Physical Science Day overcomes the lack of knowledge about what physics is by raising youth awareness of physics as the foundation of science, engineering and technology disciplines, through activities including hands-on laboratory experiments, career orientation, and higher educational student and graduated student testimonials. Thus, Physical Science Day encourages, attracts, and enables more Hispanic youth towards science, technology …

School Killers Speak: A Comprehensive Examination Of Perpetrators, Events, And Characteristics Of K-12 School Violence In America, Gordon A. Crews

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

This book resulted as part of a comprehensive and ongoing research project investigating the causes of K–12 school violence and disturbance in America. Between 2008 and 2012, all publicly available lists and news reports were scoured to obtain a population of names of perpetrators who committed violence on kindergarten to 12th-grade school property or at a school function since the 1700s (approximately 500-plus incidents initially identified).

Then the deceased, released, un-adjudicated, and otherwise un-locatable individuals were eliminated from the sample (decreasing cases to approximately 120 incidents). Finally, state correctional systems were extensively searched to determine the number of these offenders …

On Attitudes Toward Spanish Varieties: A Bilingual Perspective, Julio F. C. Ciller, Carmen F. Florez

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explores the attitudes of 25 English-Spanish bilingual speakers from Tucson (Arizona) towards their own variety and compares them with their attitudes toward monolingual varieties of Mexican (from Hermosillo) and Peninsular Spanish (from Murcia and Madrid). Our analysis points to a clear influence of the standard language ideology (MILROY, 2001) on shaping these attitudes, escalated by a tendency among bilinguals in diglossic societies to feel insecure about their own variety as a minority language, or towards a feeling of linguistic self-hatred.

-

Este estudo explora as atitudes de 25 falantes bilíngues de espanhol e inglês de Tucson (Arizona) com …

The Effectiveness Of Teacher Involvement In The Design Of A Writing Curriculum, Jennifer O. Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

A South Texas school district, PSJA ISD was studied to demonstrate whether classroom teachers can collaborate and create an effective curriculum and resources for the students of the district. The paper will include data from the STAAR Test that has been released during 2011-2015, interviews of teachers that were part of the curriculum team, and data from the United States Census Bureau to understand the demographics of the region. Data that is included will compare the State of Texas to the district before the teacher-created curriculum was in place and after the teacher-created curriculum was implemented.

Making A Difference Through Parental Involvement: Techniques Teachers Can Utilize In Kindergarten Bilingual Classrooms, Monica I. Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of parental involvement in the education of all children is essential in schools. The schools that promote parental involvement prepare students for excellence in their education. Parental involvement, gives students opportunities and advantages by reinforcing and fortifying their learning. Different perspectives and viewpoints were examined, focusing on bilingual students and some Spanish speaking parents in a school in south Texas.

By finding what is causing low parental involvement and by listening to strategies used by educators that help increase parental involvement, this research provides answers on how to help parents get involved in their children’s education. Empowering parents …

Hispanic Bilingual Learners' Perceptions And Educational Experiences Of Spanish-Speaking In South Texas, Isela B. Stephens

Theses and Dissertations

The present study focuses on a subset of data obtained from a larger interdisciplinary project, Proyecto Posible, which investigates how sociocultural and instructional factors predict positive outcomes among Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic bilingual learners. As one part of Proyecto Posible, interviewers asked learners to speak in their language of preference about their experiences in school and feelings developed during interactions with others, as bilinguals. This study examines the qualitative component on bilingual learners’ perceptions of their own language proficiency in English and Spanish, perceptions of language use across a broad range of contexts including school, home, and community, …

The Effects Of Musical Ensembles-In-Residence On Elementary Students’ Auditory Discrimination And Spatial Reasoning Skills: A Longitudinal Study, Daniel C. Johnson, Virginia Davis

School of Music Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this longitudinal project was to investigate the effects of a program combining musical ensembles-in-residence with regular classroom music instruction on elementary students’ auditory discrimination and spatial intelligence scores. In combination with regular, sequential general music classes as part of their school curriculum, participants in the program received two half-hour lesson each week, from musical-ensembles-in-residence. These chamber ensembles provided aural models for reinforcing fundamental concepts for four consecutive years. Researchers collected data from a stratified, random sample of students in grades K-2 and 4-5 receiving the experimental program and demographically similar comparison schools, which did not receive any …

Global-To-Local-To-Global: A Model For Tutoring Esl Students In The Writing Center, David Aguilar

Theses and Dissertations

Since its inception, the writing center has always focused on traditional students, and today that tradition is continued in such a way that the overwhelming amount of research dedicated to writing center theory and practice addresses the concerns of those students. However, universities with unique student populations, such as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with its majority of Hispanic students, require novel practices within their writing centers. Moreover, much of the linguistic, social, and cultural factors of the region are not well documented and therefore are not addressed by the mainstream theory and practices of other universities. With …

A Case Study Of Hispanic Female School Superintendents In Rural Schools Of The Rio Grande Valley In Deep South Texas, Irma C. Castillo

Theses and Dissertations

Underrepresentation of women in the position of school superintendent is an ongoing dilemma impacting social constructs, as well as public education. The few Hispanic females that lead schools tend to be employed in rural schools. The dearth of female Hispanic school superintendents questions the factors impacting such a trend. This study explored the factors contributing to the low rate of Hispanic female superintendents; attempted to understand the extent to which Hispanic women are more likely to secure positions in small rural school districts; and examined the discrimination issues these women may have experienced. A qualitative, case study methodology was used …

Adult Hispanic Students' Attitudes Toward Writing In English In A U.S. Bilingual Community, Analynn Bustamante

Theses and Dissertations

Attitude is widely regarded as a key component for writing achievement. This study explores the relationship between students’ language dominance and their attitudes toward writing in English. Seventy-seven Hispanic adult students were recruited to participate in a survey. Four writing domains were tested: writing in general, writing in STEM courses, writing in humanities courses and writing in electronic communication. Participants’ attitudes toward four different writing domains were compared. Significant difference was found between attitudes toward general writing attitudes and attitudes toward writing STEM courses, as well as between general writing and writing in humanities courses. Additionally, participants were divided by …

Palatalizacion Del Fonema /D/ Ante Vocal Anterior En El Español Como Segunda Lengua De Los Brasileños En El Sur De Texas, Carlos Cornejo

Theses and Dissertations

Este trabajo de investigación se enfocará en la palatalización del fonema dental /d/ antes de las vocales /i/y /e/, por personas de origen brasileño que hablan español en el área del sur de Texas. El estudio se realizará a nueve participantes de origen brasileño, que hablan como L2 el español a los cuales se les hará una entrevista con duración de más de 30 minutos. Los participantes aprendieron el español de diferentes maneras, ya sea de forma académica o de manera independiente. Considerando una transferencia de L1 en la producción del español por lo parecido de estas dos lenguas.

The Effects Of Project-Based Learning On The Academic And Linguistic Achievement Of Emergent Bilingual Learners: A Mixed Methods Approach, Melinda Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study examined the academic and linguistic impact of teaching emergent bilingual leaners through robotics project-based learning aligned to state standards. Two hundred ten middle school students attending a public charter school in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas participated in the study. Twenty percent of the students were emergent bilingual learners. Qualitative observation notes recorded students’ learning process as they completed an adapted Khan Academy robotics project. The students also completed pre- and post-assessments that quantitatively measured academic and linguistic gains. Emergent bilingual learners grew 20.1% points in academic content and 28.6% points in language development (p …

Alzamiento De Vocales Medias En El Español Como L2 De Brasileños En El Sur De Texas, Estela Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

En este trabajo examinaré el alzamiento de vocales en el español como L2 de brasileños en el sur de Texas. Analizaré este fenómeno desde un punto sociolingüístico variacionista. Propongo que el alzamiento de vocales medias en posición átona entre los participantes es afectado por factores lingüísticos y sociolingüísticos. Algunos de los factores lingüísticos que se estudiarán son; posición de vocal, número de sílabas, sonido previo y sonido posterior. Los factores sociolingüísticos que se verán son tiempo viviendo en un país hispanohablante, años de educación formal en español, y primera lengua de pareja. Los resultados serán analizados en el programa estadístico …

Elementary Students' Perceptions Of Teacher-Student Relationships, Jayne S. Pocquette

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore at-risk student's perceptions of teacher-student relationships and the context in which at-risk students perceived these relationships. The study was conducted in two phases: first a student self-survey was given and second two focus groups with students was conducted. The Children's Appraisal of Teachers as a Secure Base (CATSB) self-report was given to 145 fourth grade students of which 86 students were identified as at-risk and 59 students were not identified as at-risk. The results revealed two factors in which students perceived teachers as a secure base, "Accepting/Available" and "Rejecting". Although there was …

Understanding Long-Term English Language Learners In The Developmental Classroom Of A Community College, Stanley S. Snelson

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study is focused on 13 identified LTELLs currently enrolled in a community college classroom near the Texas-Mexico border. Both male and female students were identified and invited for participation based on an initial questionnaire Through an emic, qualitative lens, this research explores the beliefs that LTELLs hold with regard to language, educational supports, and gender in college. Second, the research looks to understand how these beliefs may impact the education of LTELLs currently enrolled in developmental classes of a community college. The driving overarching questions were: (1.) How do LTELLs perceive their own use of language? (2.) …

The Indelible Power Of The Intraverbal: Expanding The Intraverbal Repertoire And Utilizing Conditioned Praise Words To Decrease Problem Behaviors Of Typically Developing Students In Schools, Jose A. Zamudio

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested a disciplinary strategy that aimed at teaching students positive behaviors to decrease (or eliminate) problem behavior at school. In this study, data of five disruptive students from a middle school in South Texas were analyzed to evaluate the outcomes of the disciplinary strategy implemented by a disciplinary program facilitator at the campus. Students were conditioned to be more receptive to particular praise words related to positive thinking, and ten teachers at the campus were trained to deliver the conditioned praise words when the students expressed positive behaviors that corresponded with the conditioned praise words. Positive thinking celerated …

Adela Sloss Vento (1901-1998) [Artículo], Cynthia E. Orozco, Jazmin León

Fall Workshop November 2020

No abstract provided.