Education Commons^™

The Nebraska Teacher Pipeline: Trends In Perceptions Of Preparedness Of Novice Teachers, Cassandra A. Destefano

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The increased attrition in the teacher workforce has policy makers at state and national levels attempting to fill vacancies from a candidate pool that is drying up. Particularly of interest is the percentage of beginning teachers who are leaving the profession early in their careers. Researchers have examined elements of preparation or induction programs in relation to teacher effectiveness to understand needs of preservice and novice teachers. Elements such as required coursework, clinical experiences, mentoring programs, and professional development have been studied. Some studies have examined preparedness in relation to student achievement or supervisor appraisals of novice teachers. Researchers have …

Principals’ And School Counselors’ Perceptions Of School Counselor Leadership Roles, Donald R. Ferree Jr.

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The complexity school counselors’ many roles can conflict with one another.

Conflict also stems from how building principals perceive the roles of school counselor. This dysfunctional role conflict and ambiguity may lead to organizational stresses that negatively impact the ability to serve students well. Therefore, the purpose of this cross- sectional quantitative study was to explore and compare the perceptions that school counselors and administrators have about the roles of the counselor. This cross-sectional study focused upon the variance of perceptions and beliefs that school counselors and school administrators recognized as optimal for the role of school counselors. The Roles …

School Library Leader Behavior And School Board Selection Policy, Cynthia M. Stogdill

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

School librarians support access to information and resources in the school library. In a time of misinformation and fake news, access to accurate and timely information is key. School librarians work to serve the needs of all students in every learning environment including alternative, remote, and face to face. At the same time, school librarians are charged with providing multiple perspectives and resources which speak to the needs and interests of every student. Selection policy provides the framework for student access. The school library is a center for equitable student access to information and resources. District selection policies provide the …

The Impact Of High-Speed Internet Connectivity At Home On Eighth-Grade Student Achievement, Kent J. Kingston

Student Work

In the fall of 2008 Westside Community Schools - District 66, in Omaha, Nebraska implemented a one-to-one notebook computer take home model for all eighth-grade students. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a required yearlong one-to-one notebook computer program supported by high-speed Internet connectivity at school on (a) English, (b) math, (c) reading, (d) science, and (e) composite score norm-referenced EXPLORE achievement test scores, District's Criterion-Referenced Descriptive Writing Assessment scores, and classroom performance grade point average (GPA) scores for the core subjects (a) English, (b) science, (c) social studies, and (d) cumulative GPA scores of …

The Impact Of Teacher Administered Positive Behavioral Support Interventions On The Behavior And Achievement Of Intermediate Level Students Identified With Measured Moderate, Mild, And Low Disruptive Externalizing Behaviors, Gregory W. Betts

Student Work

Students who demonstrated moderate (n = 18), mild (n = 22), or low (n = 46) externalizing behaviors as rated by teachers on the Universal Behavior Screen at the research school decreased the amount of externalizing behaviors displayed in the research school setting. At posttest 61 students scored in the low range, 24 students scored in the mild range and one student scored in the moderate range demonstrating the effectiveness of the school wide positive behavior support program which focused on a positive proactive reinforcement intervention for all students. While posttest NeSA-Reading scores showed no significant improvement, …

The Impact Of Prolonged Participation In A Pro-Social Cognitive Behavioral Skills Program On Elementary Age Students, With Behavior Related Disorders, Behavior Accelerative, Behavior Reductive, And Return To Regular Classroom Outcomes, Ted H. Esser

Student Work

Overall, pretest-posttest results indicated statistically significant pretest beginning program compared to posttest ending program percentage of behavioral improvement for on task, following directions, and positive interactions outcomes improvement for individual students who completed the elementary grades pro-social cognitive behavioral skills program within one school year or less ( n = 16), within one to two school years (n = 14), and within one school year or less ( n = 15). These results indicate program intervention effectiveness for these students. The posttest ending outcomes compared to posttest ending for on task, following directions, and positive interactions outcomes for individual …

The Impact Of Low, Moderate, And High Military Family Mobility School District Transfer Rates On Graduating Senior High School Dependents' Achievement And School Engagement, Jeffrey K. Rippe

Student Work

The results of this study suggest that there were no significant differences in the academic performance of military dependents' with low (n = 20), moderate (n = 20), and high (n = 20) mobility school district transfer rates compared to non-military control students (n = 20) before completing high school. The findings were not consistent with some past research on student mobility. The research school district takes the goal of the Interstate Compact, which is to replace the widely varying treatment of transitioning military students with a comprehensive approach that provides a uniform policy in every school …

The Impact Of A Year-Long, Same School Social Skills Instruction Program On Students' With Verified Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Perceptions Of Program Effectiveness, Gregory G. Gaden

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a year-long, same school classroom social skills instruction program on students' with verified Emotional Behavior Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders perceptions of program effectiveness. This study indicated that youth can demonstrate pro-social replacement social skills and reflects that students, parents, and teachers differ in their perceptions of how well the social skill instruction is impacting student outcomes in the areas of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, learning problems, and defiance/aggression as measured by the Conners 3 Rating Scales. The results of this study suggest that when children and …

The Effect Of Improved School Climate Over Time On Fifth-Grade Students’ Achievement Assessment Scores And Teacher Administered Grade Scores, Dawn M. Marten

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of improved school climate, as teachers' beliefs changed from negative to positive over time, on students' reading, math, and writing assessment scores and teacher administered grade scores in reading, math, and writing. Overall, findings indicate that lose, maintain, or improve third-grade pretest compared to fifth-grade posttest Essential Learner Outcome assessment below proficient, barely proficient, proficient, or beyond proficient nomenclature category chi-square results were in the direction of statistically different nomenclature category improvement for reading ( X² (6, N = 75) = 22.00, p = .001), math (X^{2 …}

The Effect Of A Zoo-Based Experiential Academic Science Program On High School Students' Math And Science Achievement And Perceptions Of School Climate, Elizabeth A. Mulkerrin

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an 11th-grade and 12th-grade zoo-based academic high school experiential science program compared to a same school-district school-based academic high school experiential science program on students' pretest and posttest science, math, and reading achievement, and student perceptions of program relevance, rigor, and relationships. Science coursework delivery site served as the study's independent variable for the two naturally formed groups representing students ( n = 18) who completed a zoo-based experiential academic high school science program and students (n = 18) who completed a school-based experiential academic high school science …

Achievement, Engagement, And Behavior Outcomes Of At-Risk Youth Following Participation In A Required Ninth-Grade Academic Support Study Center Program, Jeffrey P. Wagner

Student Work

Overall, pretest-posttest results for achievement, behavior, and engagement for at-risk boys not eligible (n = 13) and eligible ( n = 9) for participation in the free or reduced price lunch program who completed a school-year long academic support study center program were not statistically different over time and end of school year for cumulative grade point average scores, pre-ACT scores for English, math, reading, science, and composite, total credits earned, and participation in school sponsored activities. However, at-risk boys eligible for participation in the free or reduced price lunch program had statistically significantly lower total posttest office referral …

The Impact Of A One-To-One Laptop Computer Program On The Literacy Achievement Of Eighth-Grade Students With Differing Measured Cognitive Skill Levels Who Are Eligible And Not Eligible For Free Or Reduced Price Lunch Program Participation, Eric G. Weber

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a one-to-one laptop computer program on the literacy achievement of eighth-grade students with above average, average, and below average measured cognitive skill levels who are eligible and not eligible for free or reduced price lunch program participation. The study analyzed, student ability levels, grade point averages, performance on locally developed criterion referenced tests, and performance on national standardized achievement tests administered before and after students participated in a one-to-one laptop environment. The results of this study support the implementation of one-to-one laptop computer programs as a systematic intervention to …

The Effects Of The Achievement Gap On Students Formally Identified As Gifted. Does Giftedness Prevail?, Dwayne T. Chism

Student Work

This study shows that minority students who, based upon a standardized test, have shown a high academic performance capability have a readiness for rigorous courses in high school and can sustain high academic achievement over time when compared to non-minority peers. Therefore, the on-going question for many educators needs to be why doesn't this hold true in many of our public school across this country? Why, in light of the accountability placed upon our nation's schools in 2001, is the prevailing discussion still about minority students being left behind? The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ninth-grade to …

Achievement And High School Completion Rates Of Hispanic Students With No English Language Skills Compared To Hispanic Students With Some English Language Skills Attending The Same High School In An Immigrant Responsive City, Joanne M. Garrison

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine achievement and high school completion rates of Hispanic students (n = 13) with no English language skills compared to Hispanic students (n = 11) with some English language skills attending the same high school in an immigrant responsive city. All students were in attendance in the research school district's high school, ninth-grade through 12th-grade. Entering ninth-grade pretest Las Links Assessment scores compared to the ending high school posttest English Language Development Assessment scores of immigrant high school students with no English Language skills enrolled in the research high school's English …

The Impact Of Parental Military Status On The Achievement, Attendance, And Attitudes Of Fourth Grade Students, Melba Hooker

Student Work

Military service men and women provide security and services both locally and globally. These services sometimes require deployment and separations of active duty military personnel away from their families. These separations and the subsequent stresses could be substantial in the lives of younger children. Not only can these students be affected emotionally, but the achievement, attendance, and attitudes of these fourth grade students in this study are compared to fourth grade nonmilitary students to evaluate the differences between the two groups. How does the fourth grade military student group measure up to their counterpart?

To address this question, the researcher …

The Effect Of Optional Summer Transition To High School Program Participation And Required School Year Long Placement On A Core Content Team On Ninth-Grade Students At-Risk Measured Achievement, Engagement, And Behavior Outcomes, Frances K. Pokorski

Student Work

No significant difference in beginning ninth-grade pretest compared to ending ninth-grade posttest comparisons of American History t (17) = 0.34, p = .37 (one-tailed), d = 0.09, English t (17) = 1.40, p = .09 (one-tailed), d = 0.34, and Biology (t (17) = -1.58, p = .07 (one-tailed), d = -0.22, course grade scores were observed for students at-risk who accepted optional summer transition to high school program participation and completed the required school year long placement on a core content team. Students at-risk who refused optional summer transition to high school program participation but completed the required …

The Effect Of Varying Levels Of Reading Delimitations On The Ability Of Students With Disruptive Behavior Disorders Admitted To A Residential Treatment Center To Demonstrate Language-Based Pro-Social Behavior Replacement Skills, Tanya D. Wright

Student Work

Group 1 students (n = 18) with Disruptive Behavior Disorders and co-occurring reading delimitations with measured reading comprehension scores greater than one standard deviation below the mean, pretest beginning compared to posttest ending 12-week behavioral treatment Core Behavior Occurrence measures were all observed in the direction of lower posttest mean scores and student core behavior improvement with eight of the 11 Core Behavior Occurrence measures (73%) found to be significantly different. Group 2 students ( n = 22) with Disruptive Behavior Disorders and co-occurring reading delimitations with measured reading comprehension scores equal to but not more than one standard …

Algebra Readiness Outcomes Of Sixth-Grade Boys And Girls Placed In Challenge Math Based On Measured Math Ability Compared To Sixth-Grade Boys And Girls Placed In Challenge Math Based On Teachers' Recommendations, David C. Hemphill

Student Work

The first pretest-posttest hypothesis was tested using the dependent t test. Null hypotheses for test score improvement over time were rejected for the end of fifth-grade pretest compared to ending sixth-grade posttest math Essential Learner Outcome scores converted to standard scores for randomly selected sixth-grade girls meeting measured test score criteria for challenge math placement ( n = 15): pretest M = 120.07, SD = 4.32; posttest M = 121.87, SD = 2.17; t (14) = 1.73, p = .05 (one-tailed), d = 0.500 and rejected for randomly selected sixth-grade girls not meeting measured test score criteria for challenge math …

Achievement, Engagement, And Behavior Outcomes Of Youth At Risk Following A Pre- Eighth-Grade Summer Academic Enrichment Program And Participation In A School- Wide, School Year Long, Ownership, Mastery, And Grading Initiative, David K. Alati

Student Work

A significant difference was found for youth at risk who refused the pre-eighth-grade summer academic enrichment program pretest-posttest comparisons for total reading (t (19) = 2.05, p = .05 (one-tailed), d = 0.473 but not for reading vocabulary t (19) = 1.58, p = .07 (one-tailed), d = 0.351, and reading comprehension t (19) = 1.65, p = .06 (one-tailed), d = 0.392, also where all test scores were in the direction of improvement. No posttest-posttest Analysis of Variance difference was observed for between groups reading achievement test score comparisons. A pattern of significant language test score improvement was …

Conditions Affecting The Decision To Seek Or Not Seek A Position As A School Assistant Principal/Principal, Gerald M. Beach

Student Work

Education officials and policymakers across the United States have come to a staggering conclusion – the shortage of school administrators to lead the nation’s schools is real and is reaching crisis proportion (Quinn, 2002). Teacher shortages have been forecasted for many years, but recognition of a shortage of principals specifically, and school administrators in general, is a developing phenomenon (Coulter, Gates, Jugant, Pye, & Stanton, 2007).

Teachers’ Attitudes Towards English Language Learners In Rural Schools Implementing Sheltered English And English As A Second Language Compared To Teachers’ Attitudes In Schools With No Clearly Defined Model Of Language Services, Mary R. Smith

Student Work

The need for accurate information about teachers' attitudes towards ELL student services in low incidence districts is essential. The purpose of this posttest-only comparative efficacy study was to determine elementary ( n = 28) and secondary teachers' (n = 28) reported attitudes on the Survey of Teachers in Rural, Low Incidence ELL School Districts (Reeves, 2006) about (a) general beliefs, (b) practices, (c) impact of inclusion, and (d) teacher supports towards English Language Learners in rural low incidence schools with a dual program model of Sheltered English and English as a Second Language compared to elementary ( n = 28) …

The Impact Of Teacher Assigned But Not Graded Compared To Teacher Assigned And Graded Chemistry Homework On The Formative And Summative Chemistry Assessment Scores Of 11th-Grade Students With Varying Chemistry Potential, Jennifer L. Wilson

Student Work

The study analyzed 2005 posttest data compared to 2008 posttest data to determine student end of school year academic achievement outcomes across three academic levels (above average, average, and below average chemistry potential) and two teacher homework evaluation methods (assigned but not graded and assigned and graded) on teacher prepared 11th-grade assessments, district prepared 11th-grade assessment, and district graduation requirement physical science strand 11th-grade science Essential Learner Outcome assessment. Overall, results indicated that students with above average (n = 16), average, (n = 17) and below average (n = 14) chemistry potential whom were given teacher assigned and graded chemistry …

The Effect Of Explicitly Differentiated Reading Instruction Groups On Eighth-Grade Students’ Achievement, Behavior, And Engagement In A School Seeking To Reestablish Adequate Yearly Progress Benchmarks, Sean P. Dunphy

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of explicitly differentiated reading instruction groups on eighth-grade students' achievement, behavior, and engagement in a school seeking to reestablish adequate yearly progress benchmarks. The results of this study supported student participation in explicitly differentiated reading instruction groups. Because students in High Reading Ability (n = 25), Middle Reading Ability (n = 25), and Low Reading Ability (n = 25) groups maintained average to above average achievement test scores on several measures with commensurate classroom grade performance, and appropriate behavior and engagement to support school success during eighth grade, the results …

Effect Of A Career, Academic, Personal And Social Growth High School Transition Program Option On 9th-Grade Students' Achievement, Behavior, And Engagement, Tiffanie A. Gauchat

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a career, academic, personal, and social high school transition program option on 9th-grade students' achievement, behavior, and engagement. Students in the career, academic, personal, and social group ( n = 30) and the comparison academic/elective course option programs group (n = 30) maintained average to above average achievement test scores and course grades, appropriately low levels of absence and tardy frequencies, and athletic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular school engagement participation suggesting school success during 9th-grade. Faced with social and emotional changes associated with adolescence and increased academic demands to …

The Impact Of Previous Schooling Experiences On A Quaker High School’S Graduating Students’ College Entrance Exam Scores, Parents’ Expectations, And College Acceptance Outcomes, Debbie K. Galusha

Student Work

The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of previous private, public, home, or international schooling experiences on a Quaker high school's graduating students' college entrance composite exam scores, parents' expectations, and college attendance outcomes. The study's results suggest that regardless of previous private, public, home, and international schooling experiences the research Quaker school equally prepared graduating high school students for post-secondary first year college academic success. Parent expectations for the research Quaker school graduating high school students indicated congruent preference for Quaker values for parents whose youth had previous private, public, and home schooling experiences and this …

The Effect Of An In-Class Behavioral Intervention Plus Differentiated Instruction Program On The Achievement And Behavior Outcomes Of Verbally Disruptive 8th-Grade Students With And Without Co-Occurring Reading Delimitations, David R. Lavender

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of an in-class behavioral intervention plus differentiated instruction program on the achievement and behavior outcomes of 8th-grade students with verbally disruptive behavior and co-occurring below grade level reading test scores compared to 8th-grade students with verbally disruptive behavior and grade level reading test scores. Statistically significantly improved posttest reading vocabulary and reading total Normal Curve Equivalent scores and between class tardy frequencies supported the use of an in-class behavioral intervention program that allowed students with verbally disruptive behavior and co-occurring below grade level reading test scores to reclaim themselves after …

The Effect Of Decreasing Enrollment Patterns In A Title I School Surrounded By Economic Decline On 5th-Grade Students’ Achievement, Behavior, Parent Involvement, And Teacher Mobility Rates, Carolyn L. Grice

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of decreasing enrollment patterns in a Title I school surrounded by economic decline on 5th-grade students' achievement, behavior, parent involvement, and teacher mobility rates compared to 5th-grade students' achievement, behavior, parent involvement, and teacher mobility rates in a nearby Title I elementary school surrounded by economic improvement and increasing enrollment patterns. Overall, results indicated that 5th-grade students at posttest in the increasing enrollment pattern school in a neighborhood of economic improvement had statistically significantly higher (a) Reading Total, (b) Math Total, and (c) Language Total mean achievement NCE scores compared …

The Effect Of A Back-To-Basics Core Academic Program Compared To A Traditional Academic Program On Participating 4th-Grade Students’ Achievement And Perceptions Of Life Skills, Paula A. Peal

Student Work

Study results indicate that 3rd-grade to 4th-grade same school Core Academy Program and Traditional Academic Program learning experiences resulted in numerical equipoise for norm referenced reading, math, social studies, and science test score results. Randomly assigned Core Academy Program students' ( n = 16) norm referenced language NCE posttest scores were statistically significantly greater following participation than the naturally formed group of students (n = 16) following participation in the Traditional Academic Program. Core Academy Program students' criterion referenced writing and math cutscores were also statistically greater at posttest. Finally, the teacher life skills perceptions awarded to students were …

The Effect Of A School-Year-Long In-Service Leadership Development Grow-Your-Own Program On New And Veteran Assistant Principals’ Perceived Leadership Effectiveness, Luann M. Richardson

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a required school-year-long in-service leadership development grow-your-own program on new and veteran assistant principals' perceived leadership effectiveness compared to supervising principal and central office administrator ratings. The study analyzed perceived leadership effectiveness as measured by the school district's Principal/Assistant Principal Evaluation Form in six domains: (a) shared vision, (b) the culture of learning, (c) management, (d) family and community, (e) ethics, and (f) societal context after participation in a required school-year-long in-service leadership development grow-your-own program. Overall, pretest-posttest results indicated that new assistant principals' ( n = 8) and …

The Impact Of Traditional And Alternative University Teacher Preparation Program Options On Secondary Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge, Skills, Dispositions, And Employment, Rebecca B. Schnabel

Student Work

The preparation of secondary teacher candidates through traditional (n = 13) or alternative (n = 15) options did not statistically significantly impact knowledge, skills or dispositions. Results for content knowledge, as measured at entrance to the program based on the Pre-Professional Skills Test, indicate that candidates who entered the traditional secondary teacher preparation program begin their studies with measured content knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics that was congruent with the content knowledge of post-baccalaureate candidates who entered the alternative secondary teacher preparation program. Furthermore, content knowledge, based on cumulative grade point averages calculated upon completion of all …