Education Commons^™

A Preferred Vision For Administering Schools : A Reflective Essay, Carol M. Knoll

Graduate Research Papers

The most important assignment of the effective school leader is being responsible for establishing and maintaining a climate conducive to academic learning and achievement by the students. An effective school climate, which is promoted by the principal, includes: (a) setting academic achievement as the primary goal of the school; (b) ensuring that all members of the school community understand the importance of good teaching; (c) reducing the intrusions and disruptions in a school; (d) developing a good follow-up system for students who are tardy, absent, or disruptive; (e) being consistent in enforcing the rules, regulations and policies of the school; …

Anorexia Nervosa : A Psychological Perspective Of Etiology And Current Treatment Procedures, Arlene Lagary

Graduate Research Papers

Anorexia nervosa is a chronic and sometimes fatal illness characterized by physical and psychological complications. Although no etiology for this illness has been determined, this paper presents a psychological etiology based on a synthesis of both traditional and current literature. The influence of culture, the therapeutic alliance, and client resistance are also considered. Relapse is common and the illness may last for many years. The health care community has addressed the complexity and chronicity of this illness by using a multi-component approach that includes psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic interventions, family therapy, and psychopharmacology.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Ronald D. Morlan

Graduate Research Papers

Effective administrators must be committed to continually growing professionally. They must hone communication skills that will reflect honesty and clarity. Honesty and clarity in communicating will help facilitate strong relationships. Administrators must approach conflict in a healthy, caring way. They must have passion and vision so that they can lead and influence those around them into shared values and vision. Effective administrators must continually reflect on their own core and basic values, and evaluate how their actions and behavior line up with those values.

Finally, any educational leader must have a heart for kids. They must always remember why they …

Beer Before Liquor, Or Liquor Before Beer : A Research Review Of Binge Drinking Escalation In Greek-Letter Societies On College Campuses Today, Thomas M. O'Shea

Graduate Research Papers

In 1990 college presidents rated college student alcohol abuse as the problem that gave them the greatest concern (Boyer, 1990). However, one specific college campus population that seems to be more likely to binge drink is those students affiliated with the National Fraternities and Sororities.

The purpose of this paper is: • To focus on and define the concept of binge drinking • To establish specific data that show that binge drinking is a problem with fraternity and sorority members • To research and suggest possible solutions that college administrators may use to combat the binge drinking problem on their …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Terrie L. Price

Graduate Research Papers

My personal philosophy of education is centered on what is best for students and their academic achievement. Kids are #1! My vision is that all people who come in contact with children have the responsibility to help them on a journey to be caring, respectful, life-long learners who are productive citizens of today and tomorrow. Schools should create a safe, comfortable, clean learning environment filled with a palette of eclectic teaching and learning strategies where technology is emphasized and naturally integrated.

Coming Out : Implications For Counselors Working With Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Clients, Eric L. Rhodes

Graduate Research Papers

A considerable amount of research has stated that gays and lesbians utilize mental health counseling services at a high rate. Therefore it is very likely that counselors encounter lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. This research focuses on how the sexual orientation of the counselor affects the counseling process when working with LGB clients. In particular, this paper will discuss how the sexual orientation of the counselor facilitates or inhibits client identity development and the coming out process.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : Is It A Behavior Disorder Or Active Childhood Behavior?, Larry G. Scheel

Graduate Research Papers

Although attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder constitutes 33 to 50% of mental health referrals for children, an increasing number of researchers has begun to question the validity of ADHD as a legitimate diagnosis. Eberstadt in her 1999 review stated, "Society has changed since the mid-1980s to view what may be normal childhood activity as lack of behavioral compliance" (p.1). Could the prevalence of ADHD simply be an increasingly active society's response to normal, active childhood behavior? The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of ADHD and explore assessment methods. Data from current literature and personal interviews with recognized professionals …

Divorce : A Guide For Counselors Assisting Children Of Divorce, Roxann R. Scheffert

Graduate Research Papers

Clinicians must be aware of the presenting problems of children of divorce and effective techniques and interventions when working with this targeted population. The purpose of this paper was to provide various interventions and practical guidelines when working with children of divorce.

Integrative Model For Couples Counseling, Annie Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The ability to form strong interpersonal bonds with a romantic partner is one of the key qualities that defines humanity. With the awareness of the prevalence of marital difficulties and the emotional hardships that marital dissolution can cause, it is important to focus mental health attention on the positive effects of and necessity of an integrative model of couples therapy.

Marital and family conflict differs from one couple and.family to another. An integrative model for couples therapy draws on various theoretical positions, bringing together what works into a coherent system. Integrative therapy requires the therapist to enter the couple's world …

Personal Perspective On Education, David W. Denhartog

Graduate Research Papers

In order to meet the challenges of educational administration, effective leaders must understand the culture of the school, model a passion for excellence, empower the stake holders, have a sense of commitment to a shared vision, and look to the future acting with integrity that heightens the value of character. Being an administrator or manager is not enough. Today's school leaders are shouldered with unending responsibilities that challenge their abilities every day. By utilizing multiple forms of leadership along with empowerment the tasks and goals set by our society can be accomplished.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Debrah J. Fordice

Graduate Research Papers

The desire to have beauty around me translates to the development of climate as a school leader. It is important for the physical surroundings to make the school family (staff, administration, parents, community members, and students) feel comfortable and at home. Efficient and tasteful use of space help create an environment that produces a feeling of security, and therefore enhances learning. The values of love, family, and beauty all tie together to the creation of a healthy climate in an educational setting.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Susan M. Meehan

Graduate Research Papers

As I reflect upon my vision of effective teaching and leadership within a school, I am energized to implement the many ideas and concepts from this paper into action.· The school administrator plays a pivotal role in establishing the climate and mission for a learning community. My leadership efforts need to be visionary and move the school to its desired state. I must create the atmosphere, with the help of others, that transform the dreams of the learning community into reality. I look forward to stepping into this role someday and impacting the lives and futures of the students, families, …

Identity Formation Of Asian American Teenagers And The Role Of The School Counselor, Susan K. Baker

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers and counselors who work with young people know that adolescence is a time of physical, mental, emotional, and social change. Adolescence is a time when teenagers are trying to form an identity for themselves and as they go through this process, many factors will help form who they are and who they become. Most teenagers are able to navigate these years with little conflict, on the other hand, some struggle with different issues. Adolescents have to deal with issues related to sexuality, peer pressure, and development to name a few. However, adolescents belonging to ethnic/racial underrepresented groups have to …

Internet-Enhanced Esl Education : A Literature Review, Yu Cao

Graduate Research Papers

This paper intends to present some of the most current research on the tremendous benefits which the Internet can provide to ESL education. Some Internet applications which can be used as active teaching and learning tools in the ESL classrooms are being presented in this paper, such as electronic mail, electronic discussion group or "lists," electronic forum, chat room, and keypal. Additionally, this paper intends to bring educators' attention to those issues which affect language learners' interests in using the Internet in their learning. Issues include the lack of training, accessibility of technology, and lack of feedback.

Utilizing The Classroom Computer In A Special Education Setting To Facilitate Cooperative Learning: A Case Study Using Kidpix, Audrey Dieken

Graduate Research Papers

Collaboration and cooperative teaching methods have been researched since the late 70's. The research indicates students will learn from each other given the proper environment and tools. In this study, six elementary students were evaluated to examine the effects of teaching individual tasks to students and observing the students for collaboration between partners. Two students were placed side-by-side at one computer and observed by an undergraduate researcher.

The results of the observations report the students were engaged in the activity of KidPix 60-l 00% of the time. All of the students were able to complete the tasks over 95% of …

Teacher Change In Math Education, Jamie Folkers

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review addresses the process teachers go through in order to change their instructional practices in math. The purpose of this review is to compare traditional math practices with practices being advocated by reform initiatives, to look at hurdles preventing teachers from adapting these reforms, and share suggestions for removing these hurdles to allow a smoother change process for teachers.

The sources referenced come from research studies involving classroom practices and professional development programs, journal articles related to the math reform movement, and books on the same topic. They date from 1989 to 2000.

The main recommendations are as …

Distance Learning : Is It Worth The Investment?, S. Michelle Degabriele

Graduate Research Papers

As human knowledge expands at an exponential rate, learning is increasingly becoming a lifelong endeavor. Careers and lives in the twenty-first century require constant learning, new education, and retraining. Thus, the nontraditional adult population in universities is increasing. Institutions pondering how to cope with an increasing student population and an ever shrinking budget can examine distance learning as a possible solution. Costs and benefits must be carefully considered in the areas of institution finances, the learning process, students, and instructors.

Although many instructors gladly accept opportunities to teach in the distance learning environment, the majority of instructors still have concerns …

The Underserved: Primary Grade Gifted, Michelle Sturtz

Graduate Research Papers

Gifted primary grade students, those in grades one through three, have interests and abilities similar to their age mates. The main difference is the depth to which they want to learn and explore these interests. However, due to the lack of programming for this age group, untrained teachers, and parents who are uncertain of their role, these children are underserved when it comes to meeting their needs. There are three issues that contribute to the primary grade gifted student being underserved. The first issue is lack of programming. The majority of educational programs for gifted students are designed for students …

Alternate Curriculum In Reading For Grade 4, Carolyn M. Wiezorek

Graduate Research Papers

Academically gifted students are in every classroom. They have a right to be challenged all day, every day. Most curriculum is aimed at the average student, leaving gifted students bored and unchallenged. It is the school's responsibility to meet the needs of these academically gifted students. By differentiating content, process, product and learning environment, teachers can enrich, challenge and better meet the needs of all students. Our district is in the process of creating alternate units for our elementary language arts program. The sixth grade is complete and a team is working on the fifth grade units. Two other teachers …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Science, Jennifer Bruce

Graduate Research Papers

The development of a print-rich learning environment can facilitate the integration of the curriculum. A literature base representative of the different genres can contribute to the dimensions of learning. A literature-based unit on apples provided kindergarten children with quality literature experiences and many expressive activities that extended the students' understanding of the concept of apples. The unit was presented through teacher presentations and learning centers.

Parenting Styles In Society Today, Julie Hammond

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of parenting styles relative to the importance of childrearing practices. Its primary focus is to identify and examine parenting styles, which impacts childrearing methods. The authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative methods were identified with strengths and weaknesses compared.

From the comparison, it was determined that the authoritative parenting style provides the most success for childrearing in today's changing American society. The conclusion of the paper offers guidelines and suggestions to parents on establishing this childrearing method.

Distance Education, Kathleen E. Krug

Graduate Research Papers

Distance education has helped to reach many students regardless of geographic location and differences in learning styles. Interactive classrooms, for example the ICN, have helped to eliminate barriers regardless of the distance between locations. Still the concern remains with finding a way to address the different learning styles of the student. This paper will examine both the institutional and situational barriers and how K-12 district administrators in one area of Iowa and the nearby community college are addressing the issues.

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Science, Jennifer A. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based language arts program provides meaningful experiences for children within the functions of language. Such programs can be extended across the curriculum to utilize the functions in other areas. These connections across the curriculum can be enhanced through the different genres of literature.

In this article, a literature base was integrated into the science area of the curriculum. A science unit on pumpkins was developed for first grade children with quality literature and related expressive activities that extended the children's literacy and their understanding of plants. Teacher-directed activities were presented along with learning centers.

Group Contingencies And Classroom Applications, Eric Weichers

Graduate Research Papers

Group contingency is a method of behavior control which is usually used unknowingly on a daily basis in the classroom. And more than likely, its result was success. So why is it that so few teachers use group contingencies as a formal intervention? One possibility is a lack of understanding concerning the principles involved. Another possibility is an erroneous belief that it is a difficult intervention. It may be the lack of knowledge concerning the power of a group contingency. Whatever the reason, group contingencies are not often employed by teachers as formal interventions.

The Effects Of Full Implementation Vs Partial Implementation Utilizing The Accelerated Reading Program In The Reading Classroom, Tamara Wilson-Saisa

Graduate Research Papers

Developing a full implementation program while staying within the guidelines of the Accelerated Reader program was the prime motivation for paper. Preparing our students to actively engage with the texts that they read daily, would provide motivation, and assist our students in their relationship with literature. Full implementation of the program in the classroom provides sixty minutes of accelerated reading time along with mini lessons provided to develop reading strategies, along with peer talks to provide resources and different literature available. Goal setting and individual conferences were also viewed as an essential tool for monitoring the students' progress. Students were …

Are Black Colleges Necessary?, Mark B. Longley

Graduate Research Papers

Black colleges have a vital role in the lives of young people and the black community as a whole. They are not vanguards of segregation, but of black culture and black life. Though they are not the most up-to-date technologically, or offer the most magnificent campuses, or accumulate large endowments, they are the most successful in educating black students, doing it with minimal resources. I suggest other institutions study the techniques of HBCUs in order to educate all young people, particularly other minority groups such as Latinos and Native Americans. Our communities, states, and federal governments as well as corporations …

Assessing Career Indecision : A Guide For Practitioners, Jennifer Jakubek

Graduate Research Papers

Researchers first began classifying people as career-decided or career-undecided nearly 100 years ago (Parson, 1909). The concept of career indecision began to become a serious issue once people started having choices and could make decisions regarding their career options. Despite widespread presence on college campuses, career counselors had no standardized method to assess this indecision until very recently.

Since the late 1970s several assessments have been created. The purpose of this paper is to analyze seven of these assessments as an aid for practitioners who deal with undecided students.

Facing The Death Of A Child : Effects On The Family System, Rita Kae Conger

Graduate Research Papers

The death of a child could very well be the most difficult crisis a family system can face. The uniqueness and severity of this type of crisis make it quite important for those in the counseling field to be aware of the many different aspects of a child's death which may be very significant to the child's family.

For this reason, the purpose of this paper is to describe a number of variables which affect the healing process. These variables include the cause of death, the age of the child at the time of death, family dynamics, and the relationship …

Religion And Spirituality In Counseling : A Multicultural Perspective, Linda G. Culbertson

Graduate Research Papers

As the counseling profession moves into the 21st Century a greater emphasis is being placed on multicultural and spiritual issues. It is difficult to see how the two entities can be separated. When counselors ignore that a client is Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, or Christian with the unspoken assumption that religion is irrelevant .to their issues, this may jeopardize the forming of an effective therapeutic relationship (Burke, et al., 1999). Knowledge of religion and spiritual beliefs of ethnic groups can help professionals provide care that is culturally specific and sensitive to the beliefs of the individual (Bibbins, 2000).

Piaget's Sensorimotor Stage: Activities To Enhance The Cognitive Development Of Infants And Toddlers, Candice York

Graduate Research Papers

Sensory play is an effective way to encourage experimentation, even with children as young as infants and toddlers. Early childhood is the developmentally appropriate age for acquiring sensory awareness. One of the leading theorists on infant cognitive development is Jean Piaget. He referred to the first two years of life as the sensorimotor stage because at that age infants are primarily involved in explorations involving their movements and senses. Early childhood educators should analyze Piaget's work when designing a stimulating environment containing sensory-rich materials to enhance cognitive development consistent with developmental stages. This article addresses the six sub-stages of sensorimotor …