Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 29 of 29

Full-Text Articles in Education

Teacher Self -Efficacy And Beliefs For Teaching Mathematics In Inclusive Settings, Pamela Wilson Aerni Jan 2008

Teacher Self -Efficacy And Beliefs For Teaching Mathematics In Inclusive Settings, Pamela Wilson Aerni

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this mixed-design study was to determine if mathematics teachers experienced changes in their self-efficacy and beliefs about their ability to teach students with disabilities in an inclusive setting. The intervention for this study was a 14-month professional development program that consisted of content and methods courses taught during two-week intervals during the summer on the campus of The College of William and Mary followed by specific professional development activities provided by a team of math specialists/facilitators with expertise in mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessment as well as special education services including inclusive education models. Teachers participating in …


Academic Optimism Of Virginia High School Teachers: Its Relationship To Organizational Citizenship Behaviors And Student Achievement, Charles Allen Wagner Jan 2008

Academic Optimism Of Virginia High School Teachers: Its Relationship To Organizational Citizenship Behaviors And Student Achievement, Charles Allen Wagner

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

For decades, educational leaders have sought to identify school-level variables that have a positive and significant impact on student achievement despite the indelible effects of student socioeconomic status and family background. The purpose of this is study was to investigate the relationship between an emergent attitudinal construct---academic optimism---and its relationship to organizational citizenship behaviors of teachers and student achievement among a sample of Virginia public high schools.;A convenience sample of 36 public Virginia high schools serving students in grades 9-12 was used to collect survey data from full-time teachers and faculty during regularly-scheduled faculty meetings during the 2006-07 school year. …


The Effects Of Preparing For Life As A University Student (Plus) On Student Achievement, Persistence, & Integration, Pascal P. Barreau Jan 2008

The Effects Of Preparing For Life As A University Student (Plus) On Student Achievement, Persistence, & Integration, Pascal P. Barreau

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the Preparing for Life as a University Student (PLUS) transition program on student achievement, persistence, and integration. The mixed design study was conducted at a highly selective, coeducational, mid-sized university. Three cohort groups were combined as the treatment group and compared statistically to a closely matched sample of non-PLUS students. Focus groups with PLUS participants were also held.;Two research questions investigated whether there was a significant difference in academic achievement and persistence between PLUS participants and non-PLUS students after the first and second semesters. The remaining three research questions …


The Impact Of Legislation And Litigation On The Education Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Selena Michelle Joy Jan 2008

The Impact Of Legislation And Litigation On The Education Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Selena Michelle Joy

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purposes of this study were to review and analyze legal issues related to the provision of education for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Specifically (1) an examination of federal laws that affect the education of students with ASD; and (2) case law pertaining to the education of students with ASD.;This study focused on the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) as well as the litigation related to the education of students with ASD adjudicated in the United States Courts of Appeals between January 2001 and December 2007. The legislation …


Exploration Of Gendered Patterns In Counseling Students' Perception Of Training Experiences, Yukio Fujikura Jan 2008

Exploration Of Gendered Patterns In Counseling Students' Perception Of Training Experiences, Yukio Fujikura

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Pair Counseling For High School Students: Improving Friendship Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, And Behavior Among Aggressive And Withdrawn Adolescents, John Kent Horton Jan 2008

Pair Counseling For High School Students: Improving Friendship Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, And Behavior Among Aggressive And Withdrawn Adolescents, John Kent Horton

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Assistant Principal's Role In Special Education: An Inquiry Into The Supervision Of Special Education At The Building Level, Valerie Walton Jan 2008

The Assistant Principal's Role In Special Education: An Inquiry Into The Supervision Of Special Education At The Building Level, Valerie Walton

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the roles and responsibilities of elementary level assistant principals in the supervision of special education at the building level. Elementary assistant principals in Virginia (N = 219) were surveyed to identify delegated roles and responsibilities, perceptions of level of preparedness to perform assigned duties, and formal preparation for these duties. The survey addressed five leadership domains---Organization, Collaboration, Instruction, Program Evaluation, and Professional Development. Findings indicate that assistant principals fulfill organization duties more often than duties in the other domains, and felt more prepared for this area of responsibility as well. Knowledge and …


An Investigation Of Practices To Address The Disproportionate Representation Of African American Students In Special Education Programs In Virginia, Stacia M. Barreau Jan 2008

An Investigation Of Practices To Address The Disproportionate Representation Of African American Students In Special Education Programs In Virginia, Stacia M. Barreau

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which practices to address disproportionality suggested by the professional literature are being implemented in Virginia public schools. It also sought to understand the perceptions of special education directors regarding the effectiveness of these practices in addressing disproportionality. Mixed methods were employed through the use of a survey instrument which was developed for this study and a content analysis of school division action plans.;There were two overarching research focus questions as well as six corresponding sub-questions investigated in this study. This study included 111 directors of special education who represent …


The Principal's Workday: A Comparative Analysis Of Performance Standards And Principal Practice, Holly Elizabeth Baker Richard Jan 2008

The Principal's Workday: A Comparative Analysis Of Performance Standards And Principal Practice, Holly Elizabeth Baker Richard

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Impact Of Leadership And Other Factors On Successful International Baccalaureate Diploma Programs In The United States, Randi Reigel Riesbeck Jan 2008

The Impact Of Leadership And Other Factors On Successful International Baccalaureate Diploma Programs In The United States, Randi Reigel Riesbeck

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


A Study Of The Evaluation Procedures For Professional Development Among Public School Districts In Virginia, Colleen Cannington Bryant Jan 2008

A Study Of The Evaluation Procedures For Professional Development Among Public School Districts In Virginia, Colleen Cannington Bryant

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify how closely evaluations of professional development programs provided at the district level in public school districts in Virginia are congruent with the National Staff Development Council Standards for Evaluation. The author also sought to identify the types of professional development programs offered at the district level in Virginia public schools.;Professional Development directors or supervisors in all Virginia public schools were asked to complete an online survey that would describe the types of professional development programs offered and how they evaluated those programs.;Fifty-three districts responded to the survey. Most of the responding districts …


A Study Of The Relationship Between The Mathematics And Reading Achievement Of Students With Disabilities And Inclusive Practice In Elementary Schools, Sharon E. Siler Jan 2008

A Study Of The Relationship Between The Mathematics And Reading Achievement Of Students With Disabilities And Inclusive Practice In Elementary Schools, Sharon E. Siler

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) provision of NCLB requires schools to close the achievement gap so that students with disabilities perform at the same proficiency level as students without disabilities in mathematics and reading. This stringent requirement challenges school leaders to examine traditional exclusionary delivery practices and their outcomes and replace them with inclusive practices that hold promise for improving the academic performance of students with disabilities. This study examined the relationship between inclusive education in Virginia elementary schools and the attainment of No Child Left Behind's AYP performance targets in mathematics and reading for students with disabilities.;A quantitative research …


Residential Schools And Gifted Students, Marvin M. Lee Jan 2008

Residential Schools And Gifted Students, Marvin M. Lee

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


You're In The Army Now: The Students' Army Training Corps At Selected Virginia Universities In 1918, Michael J. Faughnan Jan 2008

You're In The Army Now: The Students' Army Training Corps At Selected Virginia Universities In 1918, Michael J. Faughnan

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Organizational Justice Perceptions In Virginia High Schools: A Study Of Its Relationship To School Climate And Faculty Trust, Stephanie L. Guy Jan 2008

Organizational Justice Perceptions In Virginia High Schools: A Study Of Its Relationship To School Climate And Faculty Trust, Stephanie L. Guy

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In the private sector, organizational justice has consistently demonstrated a strong correlation with trust in management, employee commitment, and performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether organizational justice had a similar relationship with social processes in the educational arena. This study examined the relationship between organizational justice and school climate and it sought to replicate earlier findings of a significant link between perceptions of justice and faculty trust. The Organizational Justice Scale (OJS), School Climate Index (SCI), and Omnibus T-Scale were used to survey 988 licensed, professional staff members in 30 public high schools in Virginia.;A significant …


The Impact Of District And School Climate On Student Achievement, Kathleen M. Smith Jan 2008

The Impact Of District And School Climate On Student Achievement, Kathleen M. Smith

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine district climate and explore its relationship to school climate. It also explored the relationships of these factors to student achievement in districts with low- and high-poverty elementary schools. Instruments used included the School Climate Index and the District Climate Index.;This was a quantitative correlational study that examined the possible relationships between district climate, school climate and student achievement on the 2007 Standards of Learning assessments for grades 3, 4, and 5 English (reading, research and literature) and mathematics in 25 low- and 44 high-poverty elementary schools in 36 Virginia districts. A Pearson …


Faculty Trust And Its Impact On Voluntary Teacher Turnover Intentions, Loree Cobb Reid Jan 2008

Faculty Trust And Its Impact On Voluntary Teacher Turnover Intentions, Loree Cobb Reid

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Teacher turnover has become a concern in the field of education. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a statistically significant relationship between faculty trust in principals, colleagues, and clients and voluntary teacher turnover intentions. The secondary purpose of this study was to investigate possible reasons for teacher turnover and potential job alternatives for teachers in order to compare the differences between teachers who intend to leave the profession (attrition) and teachers who intend to stay in the profession (retention), as well as teachers who intend to leave their current school (migration) and teachers who intend …


A Comparison Of Elementary, Middle, And High School Principals' Teacher Selection Practices And Perceptions Of Teacher Effectiveness, Sharmaine Denise Grove Jan 2008

A Comparison Of Elementary, Middle, And High School Principals' Teacher Selection Practices And Perceptions Of Teacher Effectiveness, Sharmaine Denise Grove

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The intent of this study was to garner data regarding principals' teacher selection practices and perceptions of teacher effectiveness and to examine the degree to which their teacher selection practices aligned with qualities of effective teachers. The survey was sent to 450 practicing principals in the United States. Principals reported the frequency in which they engaged in identified teacher selection practices and rank-ordered qualities of effective teachers.;Descriptive statistics summarized the level of agreement among elementary, middle, and high school principals regarding how they ranked the nine identified qualities of an effective teacher as well as the degree to which their …


Women's Perceptions Of High Risk Drinking: Understanding Binge Drinking In A Gender Biased Setting, Jill Lynne Russett Jan 2008

Women's Perceptions Of High Risk Drinking: Understanding Binge Drinking In A Gender Biased Setting, Jill Lynne Russett

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Cbt To Cdt: Toward A Developmental Paradigm For Conceptualizing Anger Management, Yvonne Bissonnette Tate Jan 2008

Cbt To Cdt: Toward A Developmental Paradigm For Conceptualizing Anger Management, Yvonne Bissonnette Tate

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Teachers' Attitudes And Practices Toward Differentiating For Gifted Learners In K--5 General Education Classrooms, J. Denise Drain Jan 2008

Teachers' Attitudes And Practices Toward Differentiating For Gifted Learners In K--5 General Education Classrooms, J. Denise Drain

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


An Exploratory Study Of Creativity -Fostering Teacher Behaviors In Secondary Classrooms, Matthew J. Edinger Jan 2008

An Exploratory Study Of Creativity -Fostering Teacher Behaviors In Secondary Classrooms, Matthew J. Edinger

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Exploring Relational Processes In Families Of Gay Youth, Gregory Scott Meek Jan 2008

Exploring Relational Processes In Families Of Gay Youth, Gregory Scott Meek

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


A Critical Examination Of Practices And Perceptions Of Current Performance Evaluation Models For Theatre Arts Teachers In Virginia, Shelley L. Nowacek Jan 2008

A Critical Examination Of Practices And Perceptions Of Current Performance Evaluation Models For Theatre Arts Teachers In Virginia, Shelley L. Nowacek

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Methods and models used to evaluate the teaching performance of theatre arts teachers appear to have limited applicability due to the specialized nature of theatre in the classroom. Instructional leaders whose responsibilities include observation and evaluation may find additional challenges when charged with evaluating theatre arts teachers using general educational evaluation models. This qualitative study explored the nature of the practices and perceptions of theatre arts teachers and the administrators charged with evaluating them through the backdrop of Joint Committee Standards of Educational Evaluation.;Though the Joint Committee outlined specific measures to ensure that teacher performance evaluation models and methods are …


An Exploratory Study Of Factors That Relate To Academic Success Among High-Achieving African American Males, Kianga Rhea Thomas Jan 2008

An Exploratory Study Of Factors That Relate To Academic Success Among High-Achieving African American Males, Kianga Rhea Thomas

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This exploratory study explored three factors -- self-efficacy, resiliency, and leadership -- that relate to academic success in African American male freshman college students. The study explored how self-efficacy, resiliency, and leadership interrelate, how a pilot group and study group differ in respect to self-efficacy, resiliency, and leadership, and how African American freshman males differ on these factors in respect to key demographic variables.;The study utilized the Student Academic Success Scale (SASS), which was an instrument developed by the researcher in a graduate course. The instrument was administered to 104 participants. Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, and a one-way analysis of …


Children Left Behind: An Examination Of The Effects Of A School Counselor Coordinated Career Development Program And Student And Contextual Factors On The Post-Secondary Educational Plans Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Cindy Robins Lamm Jan 2008

Children Left Behind: An Examination Of The Effects Of A School Counselor Coordinated Career Development Program And Student And Contextual Factors On The Post-Secondary Educational Plans Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Cindy Robins Lamm

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate the relationship between diploma status, disability status, family configuration, socio-economic status, IQ function, race, participation in a career development program coordinated by the school counselor, and post-secondary educational plans among students with learning disabilities. A further purpose of this study was to assess the educational experiences of students with learning disabilities relative to their post-secondary educational outcomes. to explore these questions, this study used a constructionist theoretical framework as a implemented in Social Cognitive Career Theory. The participants for this study included high school graduates from the years 2001 through 2007 …


Faculty Ritual, Solidarity, And Cohesion: Thirty-Five Years Of Change At Eastern Mennonite University, Nathan F. Alleman Jan 2008

Faculty Ritual, Solidarity, And Cohesion: Thirty-Five Years Of Change At Eastern Mennonite University, Nathan F. Alleman

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This historical case study of Eastern Mennonite University faculty between 1965 and 2000 explored the shifts in social bonds, examined through the concept of ritual (Collins, 2004), concurrent with cultural, social, environmental, and professional forces that impacted the institution. Employing the concepts of cohesion (as the specific other) and solidarity (as the general other) (Mead, 1934) provided a distinction between individual relational networks and the shared ideological commitments that bound faculty together.;Results of the study demonstrated the significance of intrinsic motivators on faculty hiring, persistence, and perceptions of institutional purpose and employment desirability. Physical space (as the place of assembly) …


An Exploratory Study Of Experiences Of Gifted/Sexual Minority Students, Rebecca M. Walter Jan 2008

An Exploratory Study Of Experiences Of Gifted/Sexual Minority Students, Rebecca M. Walter

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Rape Myth Acceptance, Hypermasculinity, And Demographic Characteristics As Correlates Of Moral Development: Understanding Sexually Aggressive Attitudes In First Year College Men, Jerry Lee Tatum Jan 2008

Rape Myth Acceptance, Hypermasculinity, And Demographic Characteristics As Correlates Of Moral Development: Understanding Sexually Aggressive Attitudes In First Year College Men, Jerry Lee Tatum

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Male perpetrated sexual aggression has long been recognized as a serious problem on college campuses. The purpose of this Multiple Regression Correlation research design study was to assess the relationship between levels of moral development (measured by the Defining Issues Test) and the degree to which first year college men (N = 161) ascribed to rape supportive attitudes. Rape supportive attitudes, for the purposes of this study, included assessed levels of rape myth endorsements (measured by the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale [IRMA]) and hypermasculinity (measured by the Hypermasculinity Inventory). Respondents completed three research instruments and a demographic questionnaire prior …