Education Commons^™

Using Improvement Science To Address Early Elementary Teacher Efficacy And Competency When Addressing Trauma-Induced Behavior, Laura Hayes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As more research sheds light on the effects of trauma on school-age children, educators must learn to apply the research and make adaptations in the classroom and school settings. While the body of literature has grown, limitations still exist in research focused on specific strategies and applications for classroom teachers. Many teachers feel ill-equipped and exhibit low self-efficacy when working with students affected by trauma. As a result, many students receive disciplinary action rather than constructive practices that promote healing. Some teachers feel that more targeted and specific training and resources would improve efficacy, confidence, and effectiveness. In this study, …

First-Generation Leaders: A Qualitative Examination Of Characteristics, Traits, And Identity Of First-Generation Graduates In Leadership, Jamie Woolery

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study looked at first-generation college graduates and their paths to successful leadership roles. First-generation college students are defined by the National Association of Personnel Administrators (NASPA) as students from families in which their biological parents did not complete a four-year college degree (NASPA, 2017). An investigation was conducted on demographics, access to education, opportunity, and other factors that lend themselves to successful first-generation leaders who changed the narrative for themselves and their communities. This study looked at the previously conducted literature to provide background support for the need of the research, along with further recommendations and interviews which added …

Effective Practices Of Feedback Of Elementary School Administrators During The Post-Observation Conference, Michael Galvin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Research identifies two purposes for teacher evaluation: measurement and professional growth; however, the literature provides limited research on the impact of the post-observation conference in teacher evaluation on professional growth (Marzano, 2012). The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to examine the perceptions of Indiana public elementary school principals on the impact of the post-observation conference on professional growth of teachers. The study uses an Elementary Administrators’ Background Questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to gather an in-depth understanding of administrators’ perceptions.

Four research questions framed this study as I examined public elementary school administrators’ perceptions of post-observation feedback within the …

The Impact Of Teacher Perception Of Gifted Individuals On The Instruction Of Gifted Students, Justin Moreschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explores the impact of teacher perception on the instruction and identification of gifted students. All certified teachers in a local elementary school were invited to complete a survey addressing the state of gifted training opportunities and personal perceptions of giftedness in multiple capacities. Results from the survey led to the discussion of four themes: the support for gifted students in the traditional classroom, the amount of professional training for teachers, the identification of gifted students, and the fact that all teachers impact gifted students and their instruction.

Plcs And Shifting School Culture: A Case Study, Ashley R. Gorman

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this action research was to effectively measure and evaluate the extent to which implementing professional learning communities in a high school setting can shift the school toward a more collaborative culture. Additionally, the study set out to aide school leadership in analyzing their role in designing and implementing PLCs so that they might make informed decisions regarding PLCs for collaborative school culture and improvement in the future. Data was collected utilizing staff surveys before and after the implementations of PLCs. Additionally, a focus group of staff was interviewed and provided feedback regarding PLCs and the role of …

I'M Gonna Write That Down: Research On Bullying And Recognition Of Perception Toward Initiation Of Intervention A Whole-School Approach To Bringing All Stakeholders' Perceptions On Bullying In Line And Training Students To Distinguish Tattling From Reporting In Grades 3-6, Brad Tassell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Research on whole-school bullying programs shows some effectiveness in creating awareness and a reduction in overall bullying with vigilant supervision. Roleplaying games repeatedly taught to students help them deal with bullying in specific situations, but all these interventions leave a great deal to be desired when conditions are not in line with the training, most of which most are not (Smith, Schneider, Smith, & Ananiadou, 2004). In addition, student perceptions can differ from the staff and administration. A wide gap exists between how students, parents, teachers, and administrators perceive bullying. Students remain confused and flounder in the moment when they …

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation: Abraham Lincoln As An Adult Learner, Warren Greer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Over the last two decades, research has identified factors that foster versus undermine human motivation and well being with important implications for learning and performance. Much of the research is concerned with intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation and autonomous versus non-autonomous learning environments. The data suggests that learning and performance are often significantly enhanced in autonomy-supportive environments that foster intrinsic motivational perspectives. This study examines the lived experience of Abraham Lincoln in the context of his adult learning motivation, forming a qualitative narrative around his adult educational experiences. It was hypothesized that Abraham Lincoln benefited from learning experiences with high levels …

The Relationship Between Meaning In Life & The Occurrence Of Drug Abuse: An Epidemiological Retrospective Study, Thomas Nicholson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Humans have been using plant-derived drugs for as long as we have recorded history. Significant negative drug abuse related consequences occur in the areas of health, social issues, family relations, legal systems, and economic productivity. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between meaning in life and drug abuse. An epidemiological, retrospective study was performed to compare personal meaning in life between 49 individuals receiving in-patient treatment for drug abuse and a group of 49 matched, non-drug abusing controls. Study participants completed the Purpose-In-Life Test and Life Attitude Profile-Revised. On both instruments, the in-patient drug abusing subjects …

Teacher Influence In Site-Based Decision Making: A Descriptive Study, Keith Restine

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Site-based decision making has been the focus of considerable research. However, the study of perceived teacher influence in schools utilizing site-based decision making has been neglected as applied to specific sites. Much of the research on participatory decision making has focused primarily on the effective group behaviors of decision making bodies, the structural components of programs, descriptive case studies of programs, or on general themes such as school restructuring. Much of the literature on decision making has been remiss in describing the process from a human orientation, as opposed to a product orientation.

This study examines the perception of teachers …

A Study Of An Academic Enrichment Program At Western Kentucky University, Huda Melky

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The principle objective of this study was the investigation of whether or not an enrichment program would increase the success of remedial students attempting to complete a university program of study. An descriptive analytical design was utilized to test a null hypothesis related to selected control and experimental samples of remedial students.

Analysis of variance and descriptive statistics were utilized to compare differences between the control and experimental samples. A two sample t-test treated for equal or unequal variances was utilized to determine significant difference (.05) between grade point average (GPA) and earned hours (ER) of the control and experimental …

A Survey Of Factors Affecting Enrollment In Mathematics Teacher Education Programs, Rebecca Miller

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Concern for an adequate supply of competent mathematics teachers prompted this research. The study was implemented to identify the factors believed to be of importance in a student's decision concerning whether or not to become a public school teacher.

A comparison was made between two groups of mathematics students at Western Kentucky University. Mathematics students were separated according to whether or not they were pursuing teacher certification.

A two-part questionnaire was administered. The first part asked students to rate the importance of 10 selected career factors in their career decision. The second part asked students to rate these same 10 …

Comparative Instructor Attitudes Toward College Level English And Mathematics Experiences For Gifted High School Students, Bruce Vickers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Samples derived from a mailed questionnaire were compared. The sample represented high school, community college and university instructors of mathematics and English. The Kentucky public schools sampled were equally represented among high school, community colleges and universities. The research indicated that of those instructors sampled a very high percentage (97.7%) feel that those high school students shown to be academically gifted would benefit from a college experience before high school graduation. The attitudes of those instructors sampled indicated that multiple criteria – grades, recommendations, standardized test scores and personal interview – were considered the preferred method of selection (82.5%). The …

The Effects Of General Equivalency Diploma (Ged) Acquisition On Parole Success In Kentucky, William Ratliff

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Post release follow-up was conducted on a total of 95 Kentucky Correctional Facilities inmates, who had acquired a General Equivalency Certificate in the years 1981-1983.

The rate of Recidivism of this group was compared to that of all parolees released during that period.

It was found that the parolees in general who were released during that time period returned to the institution at a rate of 36.7 percent, The parolees who had completed the GED Program in the institution prior to release returned at a rate of 35.78 percent.

The average length of time spent in society by those who …

The Effects Of Various Kinds Of Background Music On The I.Q. Scores Of Ninth-Grade Students, L.C. Bud Johnston

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

One hundred 9^th-grade students were divided into four groups of 25 each through systematic sampling procedures. Each of the groups were tested, pre and post, by the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, forms J and K. During the pretest for all groups, the background condition of silence was observed. During the posttest, one group was again tested in silence. The other three groups were each tested to one of three background conditions: pop music, hard rock music, and soft rock music. Pop music played was characterized as more mellow, more melodic, and less intense than rock music. Hard rock …

Impact Of The Educational & Life Planning Course On Undecided Students: An Evaluation Model, Diana Shores

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this project was to establish a working model for a longitudinal evaluation of the effectiveness of the "Educational and Life Planning" (CNS ED 100) course at Western Kentucky University. This study, entitled "CELPS," was an action project designed to serve as a model for the establishment of a data bank against which future efficacy studies could be made by the faculty. A pilot study of 80 CNS ED 100 students was conducted to test the CELPS model described in this paper and also to provide preliminary information about the effectiveness of the "Educational and Life Planning" course. …

An Evaluation Of The Guidance & Counseling Program Of The Bishop David Memorial High School, Richard Staples

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the guidance and counseling program of the Bishop David Memorial High School. Methods and procedures included the use of the Evaluative Criteria utilized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in evaluating secondary schools, an analysis of the needs of students, a review of guidance information reported on a Supplementary Data Form, and a review of guidance practices reported in literature.

This study provides information that could be used by administrative personnel, instructors, counselors, and persons performing counselor-related functions in an effort to utilize the guidance and counseling services at the …

The Development & Study Of A Competency-Based Vocational Education Drafting Program, Kenneth Mussnug

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this curriculum project was to develop, revise, and field test a competency based vocational drafting program which was accomplished in four phases. An existing CBVE drafting program, developed by this author, was revised prior to the field test. New modules and audio visual presentations were developed, the program was tested in two vocational programs, and the program evaluated again after the test.

Twelve modules were revised and one new module developed. Nine new slide tape presentations were developed to supplement the modules and existing slide tapes.

The program was tested at the Russellville Vocational School, Russellville, Kentucky, …

A Survey To Assess The Awareness Of The Bowling Green Community In Regard To The International Student Community At Western Kentucky University, Susan Tesseneer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Mutual benefit can accrue from the awareness held by a local community concerning the international student community within its geographical area. This survey attempted to develop an instrument which could assess the level of awareness of the Bowling Green community regarding the international students attending Western Kentucky University. A thirty-one item, short answer survey was administered by the interview method to a twenty-five member sample of persons randomly selected from the list of civic organizations published by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. The survey results indicated that in this particular study the local citizenry held a low level of …

The Effect Of Summer Recess On The Reading Achievement Of Title I Students At L.C. Curry School, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Virginia Scheider

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of the study was to determine if there were significant differences between spring reading achievement scores and fall reading achievement scores in the Title I students of L. C. Curry School, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and if significant differences did occur, were these differences related to grade level, IQ, sex, or reading achievement level.

A Comparison Of The Admission Criteria Of Kentucky's Junior Colleges, Janet Walters

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Students intending to enter a Junior College in Kentucky can learn of the admission requirements from the catalog published by that college. However, admission requirements vary between colleges. Each admission requirement of Kentucky's Junior Colleges was ranked in terms of its importance to the admission process by admission counselors. It was found that the high school transcript was felt by a majority of the admission counselors to be the most important admission requirement presently used. The partial high school transcript and recommendation form or letter were deemed to be the least important criteria. The results of the evaluation further indicated …

Holding Power: Middle School Vs. Junior High School, Burton Erickson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This was a study of three variables and their effect on two groups of students who dropped out of school during the tenth grade. One group had attended three full years of junior high school in Owensboro while the other group had attended three full years of middle school in Owensboro. The study also reviewed the programs and emphases of the junior high school and the middle school.

The students were compared on mean cumulative grade point average, mean percentage of absenteeism, and incidence of dropout during the tenth grade.

Statistical analysis of the respective sets of data showed that …

A Comparison Of Role Performance & Role Expectation Of Supervisors In Selected Public School Districts In Kentucky, Mae Mefford

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The study had two major purposes. The first purpose was to define the role performance of supervisors by identifying their assigned responsibilities. The second purpose was to determine the level of agreement that exists between the role performance and role expectation of supervisors.

The Effects Of Certain Value Clarification Activities Upon Job Corps Enrollees, Donald Nims

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Job Corps program is designed to provide academic and vocational training to high school dropouts. It is assumed that in order for a young person to succeed in our society certain values, such as good health, education, job satisfaction, and desire to earn an acceptable pay, are required. Job Corps seeks to foster these values in the young men and women who enter this training program. To evaluate the effectiveness of this process a study was conducted regarding the effect of value clarification on male Job Corps enrollees. Over a ninety-day period an experimental group of twenty (20) enrollees …

An Examination Of The Effectiveness Of A Junior High School Career Exploration Program In The Hopkins County School System, Cynthia Mason

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The problem investigated in this study was a comparison of the effectiveness of a career exploration program in a junior high school curriculum versus a traditional curriculum with regard to increased career competence and positive attitudes toward the world of work as measured by Form A-1 of the Career Maturity Inventory.

The population for this study consisted of the ninth-grade classes of two Hopkins County Schools. The subjects for the control group (South Hopkins) consisted of 25 ninth-grade students who had not been exposed to a career exploration program and the subjects for the experimental group (Madisonville Junior High School) …

A Comparative Study Of The Expenditures Of The Robertson County, Tennessee, Pupil Transportation System, James Talley Sr.

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study represents an attempt to discover high cost areas in the Robertson County Pupil Transportation System by comparing the pupil transportation expenditures of Robertson County with pupil transportation expenditures of four counties of comparable size.

The data used was that submitted to the Tennessee State Department of Education by Anderson County, Franklin County, McMinn County, Roane County and Robertson County and published in annual reports for 1974, 1975, and 1976. The pupil transportation expenditures for each county were averaged for the three-year period and the mean was used as a basis for comparison to determine relative high costs. Robertson …

An Analysis Of Factors Related To Participation In Public School Adult Education Programs By Kentucky School Superintendents, James Halcomb

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify some of the variables which may be factors in the decision of Kentucky public school superintendents to develop adult education programs in their school district.

A mail questionnaire was developed and submitted to ail of Kentucky's 189 public school superintendents. Two groups of superintendents were compared; the experimental group was comprised of ninety-three superintendents who elected to implement adult education programs; while the control group consisted of ninety-six superintendents who did not implement adult education programs. Returns were received from eighty-five of the superintendents in the experimental group and seventy-three of the …

A Proposed Supplemental Curriculum For Educationally Disadvantaged Students In Grades Seven & Eight In Green County, Kentucky, Maxideen Pruitt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this project is to design a proposed supplemental curriculum for grades seven and eight in the Greensburg Elementary School, Green County, Kentucky. This supplemental curriculum is aimed at decreasing the number of students classified as educationally disadvantaged.

The procedure used in the project is to review general information related to the problem of disadvantaged students and to present specific information concerning the existing situation in Green County. The means of identifying disadvantaged students are described and the special needs of these students are enumerated. The latter part of the project is devoted to recommendations concerning implementation of …

Achievement Need & Academic Success Of Marginal College Students, Marvine Wannamaker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study was undertaken in an effort to identify the marginal students at Western Kentucky University who will succeed academically only if they receive special help. Thirty-four male and eleven female marginal freshmen (ACT scores 13 to 17; GPAs 1.9 to 2.2) were tested with the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) to explore the possible relationship of the EPPS need for achievement (n Ach) to the academic success of the marginal freshmen. A secondary purpose was to determine if the need for achievement had a significant relationship to the number of hours for which the students initially registered and the …

The Relationship Of Educational, Economic & Social Characteristics Of The Degree Of Desegregation In The Public Schools Of Kentucky, J. Frank Yeager

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The problem in this study was to examine the relationship of social-climate to the degree of desegregation in the public schools of Kentucky. This study attempted to determine the relationship of educational, economic and social characteristics of those school districts with bi-racial student bodies operating in Kentucky and the degree of desegregation experienced voluntarily by those districts during the period from 1955-56 school year through the 1963-64 school year.

A Proposed School System For Metcalfe County, Kentucky, Thomas Butler

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to propose for Metcalfe County a school system that will come nearer meeting the standards of a good educational system than the one now in use. It is by no means expected that this proposed system will be perfect and the writer fully realizes that oftentimes a scheme on paper will not work out so well when actually put into practice. However, being acquainted with the amount of money available, the geographic and economic conditions, and the roads of the county it is the best that can be done under existing circumstances.