Education Commons^™

Do Pax-Rn Scores Predict First Year Success In Nursing School For Minority Disadvantaged Students?, Gavrielle Levine, Carmelle Bellefleur

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The National League for Nursing developed the Pre-Examination for RN Programs (PAX-RN) to predict academic success for applicants at the completion of the first year of nursing programs. While the PAX-RN is normed on a stratified sample, the effectiveness of this test in predicting academic success for minority disadvantaged students is unclear. A cohort of 41 predominately minority students (56.1%) enrolled in an Associate Degree nursing program in an urban environment completed the PAX-RN as part of the admission process. As predicted, verbal and composite scores were significantly higher for students who passed the first semester nursing course …

Eliciting Student Judgments Of Intrinsic Difficulty For Studying Student Misconceptions In Solving Basic Mathematics Items, Eric Magaram, Jean Phanor, Charles Secolsky, Preston Hasbrouck

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The misconceptions of developmental mathematics students in solving basic arithmetic problems are becoming a national crisis. If instructors better understood the conceptions that students have that lead to incorrect responses when solving arithmetic problems, instruction of the material presented to the students may improve. Four groups of five students were given five basic math questions for a total of 20 questions, and the only instructions the students were given was to solve the problems out loud and to please continue talking. Their answers were transcribed and the student responses were used to create solution strategies for each of the 20 …

Item Response Theory (Irt) Analysis Of Item Sets, Liwen Liu, Fritz Drasgow, Rosemary Reshetar, Youngkoung Rachel Kim

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

We examined whether set-based items affected IRT model-data fit. We also evaluated fit after combining dependent items into composites and treating them as polytomous items. Analysis of the 2009 AP English Literature and Composition Exam showed that some of the item pairs had major violations of local independence. Model fit improved when we analyzed the data using composites. Our findings suggest that conducting IRT analyses on composites provides a viable approach to circumventing problems of local dependence for set-based items.

A Comparison Of Two Alternative Pathway Programs In Secondary Mathematics Teacher Certification, Brian R. Evans

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the mathematics content knowledge, attitudes toward mathematics, and concepts of self-efficacy held by teachers in two alternative pathways to mathematics teacher certification: New York City Teaching Fellows and Teach for America. Findings revealed that there were no differences between Teaching Fellows and TFA teachers in mathematics content knowledge, attitudes toward mathematics, and concepts of self-efficacy. However, learning and teaching journals revealed several differences between Teaching Fellows and TFA teachers.

Elementary Teachers’ Mathematical Content Knowledge, Efficacy, And Problem Solving Abilities In Alternative Certification, Brian R. Evans

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The purpose of this study was to understand teachers’ mathematical content knowledge, self-efficacy, problem solving abilities, and teacher beliefs in an elementary education mathematics methods course for special education teachers in the New York City Teaching Fellows and Teach for America alternative certification programs. Findings revealed a significant increase in mathematical knowledge and self-efficacy. Additionally, teachers were found to have high self-efficacy and strong problem solving abilities. Teachers generally found that helping students with disabilities learn mathematics was the biggest issue in their teaching, and that the use of technology and manipulatives were the most important topics in their learning.

Aligning Voices, Urban Teachers And Leaders, Jess L. Gregory, Damon Lewis, Lori A. Noto, Ethan Margolis

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

Through a probabilistic functionalism model, this research sought to identify concordance and dissonance in the voices of urban educators. The educators surveyed were optimistic that changes at the building level can positively impact educational outcomes for students; along with the optimism was a sense of purpose and commitment. The synergy of teacher and leader voices in the data suggest that alignment is possible; while the lens model highlights the importance of empowering educators to improve efficacy, to compel choices that will heighten student success and drive change in societal expectations.

For The Good Of The Multicultural Society In One Urban Third Grade, Margaret Lally Queenan

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This study used ethnographic participant observation methods to analyze weekly teaching in five third grade urban classrooms. The theoretical background included the National Reading Panel and the RAND Reading Study Group’s advocacy of comprehension strategies and concern that strategies are taught for their own sake rather than for learning content. Data included student artifacts (notes on science trade books and interviews) and researcher artifacts (lesson plans, teaching charts, and field notes. Analysis included constant comparison of data and coding until saturation. Results showed that students learned content and strategies but upset teachers with noise during discussion, alleviated through structured procedures.

The Nonwhite Speech Language Impaired Student Population: The "Cycle-Of-Silence" And The "Possessive Investment In Whiteness", Nicholas D. Hartlep, Antonio L. Ellis

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

Overall we feel strongly that one of the myriad goals of research is to positively effect change in the lives and educational experiences of all SLI students, keeping in mind that many who suffer and are silenced are students of color. This research is highly important given that research indicates that language impairment (such as SLI) is linked with youth suicide. This paper, noticing the underrepresentation of SLI research in multicultural texts, analyzes Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) data procured from the Data Accountability Center (DAC) (2011). Testing for racial differences amongst SLI students, it was found that Whites …

Enhancing Student Learning Through Discussion Boards And Blogs, Barbara Rosenfeld, Sharon O’Connor-Petruso, Jeremy Bletterman, Isis Shorter

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

Discussion boards and blogs are Web 2.0 tools that purportedly enhance learning. Teachers hope that the exchange of ideas and opinions that occur in these environments will help students to form, solidify, or change their own ideas on a given topic. The purpose of the study is to determine if participation in a discussion board helps students’ perceptions of learning, particularly in forming opinions, and if active participation aids in the acquisition of course objectives. Results indicate that active discussion board participation helped students’ perceptions of learning as well as acquisition of course objectives.

Crisis Preparedness: Do School Administrators And First Responders Feel Ready To Act?, David J. Alba, Robert Gable

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This study explored the perceptions of school principals in regards to school crisis preparedness planning and training using survey data. ANOVAs indicated that elementary schools reported greater external security measures than high schools (F = 3.17, p = .049); high schools reported greater internal security measures (F = 11.06, p = .001) and drills with first responders than elementary and middle schools (F = 6.09, p = .004). Implications for educators regarding a relationship between the perceptions of preparedness to respond to a school crisis that requires a coordinated, multi-agency effort, and the collaborative training between school …

Perspectives Of Resilience And Recidivism Among Hispanic Male Adolescents, Javier Montañez, Ralph Jasparro

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the barriers that urban, male Hispanic adolescents face and the interventions that may contribute to their behaviors. Participants (N = 10) were purposefully selected based on the following criteria: 1) Latino males between 18 and 23; 2) U.S. residents for no less than five years; 3) history of recidivist behaviors leading to incarceration; and 4) demonstration of a minimal pattern of two years of resilient behavior. The researcher employed a self-generated demographic questionnaire, a semi-structured interview protocol, and a group moderator’s guide in order to obtain data. Findings were …

Perspectives Of Suburban Public School Teachers On The Characteristics Of Students At-Risk For Dropping Out Of School, Michael Sollitto, Robert Gable

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This study focuses on a major problem facing today’s educators: high school dropouts. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the reasons that students drop out of school and programs that may address the needs of students at-risk for dropping out of school. Literature in this area was reviewed to identify what can be learned from these studies.

Research questions addressed differences in teacher perspectives of the characteristics of elementary, middle, and high school struggling students. Differences in teachers’ perspectives based on tenure and type of teaching assignment were examined. A sequential, mixed methods approach was taken. The researchers began …

Will The U.S. Poverty Achievement Gap Narrow By 2015? Probably Not, Stuart E. Smith

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The primary objective of the study was two-fold: First, to determine, for the period 2003-2009, if the U.S. poverty achievement gap has narrowed between students eligible for the free/reduced price school lunch program and students not eligible, using National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures of reading and math. The second part of the primary objective was to make projections about the size of the poverty gap for years 2011, 2013, and 2015. A secondary objective was to determine for each of the 50 states, for the 2003-2009 period, whether the poverty achievement gap has narrowed. Thus, the secondary objective …

College Student Perceptions Of Student Life Programs, Felice D. Billups

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This sequential explanatory mixed methods study explored undergraduate student satisfaction with student life programming at a small Northeast college. Phase I of this study employed a quantitative instrument (N = 240) to determine the factors affecting satisfaction and extent of involvement; Phase II employed focus groups (N = 4) to further probe Phase I findings. Astin’s (1993) work regarding the ways in which college impacts undergraduate students frames this study; specific involvement factors closely associated with satisfaction includes student interactions in clubs, social events, and relationships with peers. The findings may assist in program development to enhance students’ …

Collegiate Administrator Perceptions Of Organizational Culture: An Analysis Of Metaphors, Felice D. Billups

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This study sought to characterize college and university administrator perceptions of organizational culture, their perceptions of themselves versus other subcultures, and their perceptions of themselves within the campus community. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, this research employed semi-structured individual interviews to explore cultural perspectives, using metaphor analysis to generate rich, detailed participant descriptions and perceptions. Participants representing the areas of admissions, student affairs, development, and planning comprised the cross-section of purposefully selected participants from ten private northeast institutions. Results may clarify the roles and effectiveness of administrators within campus communities, establishing them as a legitimate collegiate subculture.

“It’S A Process”: An Initial Grounded Theory Framework For Success With Social Studies Simulations, Cory Wright-Maley

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This research examined beliefs of two veteran middle school teachers about simulations in the social studies classroom. Using a grounded theory analysis, a framework emerged which details the ways these teachers went above and beyond standard practice with simulations in an effort to maximize their impact on students. The proposed framework aims to highlight the features of their practice, as revealed by the participants, which may help to improve teachers’ use of simulations. The analysis of this pilot study is intended as the first stage of an emergent theory on how to use simulations effectively in the social studies classroom.

Influencing Higher Education Pedogogy Through Focused Study And Peer Review, Mary B. Schreiner

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

Much research has been published on effective instruction and the use of Universal Design principles in inclusive classrooms at the pre-collegiate level; however, faculty in higher education settings are only beginning to tackle the instructional demands of post-secondary students with diverse learning needs. Utilizing classroom peer review as a means of both faculty development and collaborative research about effective teaching holds special relevance to those new to the professoriate.

Promoting Student Engagement Through Bulletin Board Style Virtual Learning Communities, Anthony R. Fruzzetti

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

This study investigated the possibility of increasing student engagement by creating, implementing and maintaining a virtual learning community (VLC) as an added resource for students. A two-phase, mixed methods approach was used. Two focus groups of undergraduates (N = 10, N = 11) were conducted to gather information about attitudes toward a virtual community as a resource and to solicit suggestions for improvement. The updated VLC was activated and data collected to assess student participation and engagement in the VLC and classroom (N = 81).

Fitting-In: Sociocultural Adaptation Of International Graduate Students, Georgette P. Wilson

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between sociocultural adaptation of international graduate students and selected demographic characteristics, and to explore the students’ perceptions of institutional support with regard to their adaptation. A three-phased, mixed methods approach was used to study international graduate students at a private, urban, mid-sized, Northeastern university. Preliminary discussion groups (N = 42), followed by a questionnaire (N = 129), and then follow-up focus groups (N = 11), resulted in 28 statistically significant findings and five major themes. These findings resulted in recommendations for: improving university communication …

Exploring Language As A Source Of Dif In A Math Test For English Language Learners, Minji K. Lee, Jennifer Randall

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

English language learners (ELs) have shown lower performance in mathematics than non-ELs although mathematics is an area that uses the least amount of language among the subjects that are mainly tested. If this differential performance is due to the bias in test items, then validity of using ELs’ test scores in comparison to non-ELs’ is compromised. For this reason, studies have investigated whether the differential performance can be attributed to language load in the tests. The results of these studies were not consistent. Some studies did find its effect, whereas others did not. Some of the difficulties encountered by researchers …

Gender Differences In Engineering Classrooms: Sugar And Spice And Everything Nice?, Jennifer Walter, Candice Stefanou, Jonathan Stolk, Michael Prince, Susan Lord, John Chen, Katharyn Nottis

NERA Conference Proceedings 2011

The purpose of this paper is to examine ways in which pedagogy and gender of instructor impact the development of self-regulated learning strategies as assessed by the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) in male and female engineering students. One hundred seventy-six students from four universities participated in the study. Within-group analyses found significant differences with regard to pedagogy and instructors’ gender on the learning strategies and motivation subscales as operationalized by the MSLQ. Male and females students reported significant post-test differences with regard to the gender of instructor and the style of pedagogy. The results of this study showed …