Education Commons^™

A Comparison Of Service Delivery Options In The State Of Illinois For Students With Behavior Disorders, 1987 To 1995, Shelli K. Jennings

Masters Theses

This study was a replication (Hipple, 1987) designed to ascertain the utilization of a service delivery continuum in the State of Illinois for students with behavior disorders. Responses were randomly solicited from teachers in various-sized community unit school districts throughout the state and compared according to the size of the teachers' school district. The findings were then compared to those from the original study. The results from this study revealed nine significant variables when statistically comparing the grouped responses of teachers according to the size of the district: (a) the teachers' levels of education, (b) the teachers' employer (school district …

An Investigation Into Procedures And Policies For Determining Student Residency, Joseph C. Rodocker

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine to what extent problems exist in determining whether students are eligible for tuition free education in districts and the policies and procedures that are currently in use in those districts. All school administrators face the prospect of deciding whether a student is eligible to attend their school tuition free. Districts must provide tuition-free education to resident students, either in a district school or in an appropriate placement for a handicapped student. The district administrators must make a determination of residency to meet its statutory obligation to charge tuition to non-resident students or to meet …

Differences In Academic Achievement Motivation Among Retained, Special Education, And Regular Education Students, Shannon Lea Mast

Masters Theses

Academic achievement motivation affects a student's academic performance and emotional functioning. The Teacher Rating of Academic Achievement Motivation (TRAAM) is used to assess students third through sixth grade on their academic motivation and skill deficits, which will aide in the decision of whether a child solely has a motivation problem or a combination of factors that result in a handicapping condition. The current study compared TRAAM factors 1-4 and Total Score for students in regular education (n=26), special education (learning disabled, n=26), and those who had been retained (n=26). Univariate analysis of variance results indicated that the regular education group …

Computer Assisted Instruction And The Basic Writer, Kathy Ford

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of At-Risk Students Enrolled In Beck Area Vocational Center's Optional Education Program, Robert D. Knutson

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this field experience was to survey students who participated in Beck Area Vocational Center's Optional Education Program (OEP) in Red Bud, Illinois, to data needed to construct a profile of the typical at-risk youth within a 50-mile radius of Beck. This, in turn, would set the stage for the construction and implementation of an instrument that might be used to identify other potential at-risk youth at the high school level in the area.

The 71 students in the survey were asked to respond to survey questions that had been deemed successful in distinguishing dropouts from non-dropouts. …

A Comparison Of Dietary Intakes Of Title Iii-C Participants On Home-Delivered Meal And Non-Meal Days, Katherine Anne Lewis

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Assertive And Alternative Discipline Methods Within 33 Rural Southern Illinois Elementary School Districts, Paula Jean Harlan

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Advantages And Limitations Of The Block 8 Schedule In Illinois High Schools, Philip L. Shelton

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

College Students' Nutrition Labeling Knowledge And Behavior, Jennifer Lee Rogers

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Prediction Of Wisc-Iii Scores From The Iowa Tests Of Basic Skills And The Cognitive Abilities Test In Order To Predict Premorbid Cognitive Functioning In Children With Traumatic Brain Injury, Kent A. Riley

Masters Theses

The present study examined the relationship of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, Form J (ITBS-J) and the Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 4 (CogAT-4) with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition (WISC-III) in order to establish a better method for predicting premorbid intellectual functioning in children with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) aged 6 through 11 years. The subjects included 73 children in grades one through six from four elementary schools within a rural city in southeastern Illinois. The results of the study supported all six hypotheses: The CogAT-4 and ITBS-J significantly predicted the variability observed in WISC-III scores; …

Factors Associated With Underachievement In Eighth-Grade Children, Barbara A. Moore

Masters Theses

This study investigated characteristics of underachieving adolescents. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS; Hieronymous, et al., 1990) and grade point averages provided the basis for selection of 83 eighth grade students into achiever and underachiever groups. Results indicated that underachievement was significantly related to males, number of absences, and number of discipline referrals, but not to race and notice of special education records. Overall self-esteem, as measured by the Self-Esteem Index (SEI; Brown & Alexander, 1991), and the subscale measure of perceptions of weak academic competence were positively related to level of underachievement/overachievement. Composite measure of behavioral/emotional problems, as …

The Effectiveness Of The East Richland High School Attendance Policy, George G. Toler

Masters Theses

An attendance policy was established at East Richland High School, East Richland Community Unit District #1, Olney, Illinois, prior to the 1991-92 school year. The intention of the policy was to counteract a trend of decreasing attendance rates. The purpose of this study was to provide information to the East Richland Community Unit Board of Education as to the effectiveness of the policy and to enable it to make a more informed decision as to whether or not to retain the policy. Information was gathered regarding test scores, course failures, honor rolls, and graduation rates. These results were compared to …

Investigation Of The Process Of Transition To Middle School Concepts In Illinois Lead Middle Schools, Janice L. Alka

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to analyze the implementation process of middle level practices in selected Illinois middle schools. The result of the study will be of assistance to middle school staff members attempting to make the transition to middle level practices.

The researcher found theorists have agreed that middle level schools, regardless of their location, should consist of grades 6-8. The schools needed to open as middle schools or change slowly to middle school practices. The first steps in the transition process should include teachers attending conferences, workshops, or inservices on middle school practices. The research showed that …

Brain Dominance And Speed Achievement In Keyboarding, Janet Clapp Hasten

Masters Theses

Students who want to compete successfully in today's marketplace must be proficient in the skill of keyboarding. But not all students of keyboarding are able to achieve the high levels of proficiency in speed. This study investigates one possible explanation for this perplexing and frustrating occurrence--how brain dominance affects learning a motor skill such as keyboarding. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between a student's brain dominance preference and his/her ability to achieve speed in keyboarding. The Human Information Processing Survey, which determines brain dominance preference, was administered to high school students enrolled …

Developing A Technology Plan Within The Small Rural School District, Patricia A. Fulkerson

Masters Theses

Technology in education is currently a topic of much interest and study due to the fact that the future demands a work force capable of functioning in the Information Age. This study was designed to help small rural school districts formulate a technology plan which would enable them to procure the necessary technological components and resources essential to incorporating technology into the learning environment. A survey was conducted of the superintendents in Edwards, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White counties in Southern Illinois. This survey endeavored to determine the components of a technology plan. Major findings were sought …

Middle School Tutoring Practices In Illinois, Kim Lin Johnston

Masters Theses

Districts must provide successful cost-effective programs for students who are failing. One method that has proven both cost effective and successful is tutoring by staff, community volunteers, and students. The study investigated the tutoring practices in 45 schools and large unit districts in Illinois. As implemented, neither peer nor cross-age tutoring followed a predictable pattern. Results indicated that the most comon type of tutoring was after-school with remedial activities focusing on math and reading and taught by certified staff. The study described some of the design and administrative features that shape the programs, discussed possible implications for minority constituencies, and …

An Investigation Of The Mentor-Protege Component Of An Effective Teacher Induction Program, Joseph A. Mcarthur

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify common elements in the mentor-protege component of Illinois' downstate school districts which have an enrollment between 2,000 and 6,000 students. One hundred individual schools were selected for the study. Individual schools were selected in order to assure a valid representation of grade levels and geographic locations. This study also identified those segments that, according to administrators, mentors, and beginning teachers, were the most effective in addressing their needs. The information the study gathered consisted of an examination of current literature and research, and contacts with first year teachers, mentors, and building administrators …

The Local Use Of Igap Science Test Scores In High School Program Evaluation, Garry Krutsinger

Masters Theses

This study examined the use of various objective test data, including IGAP Science test scores, by school personnel in the process of local science program evaluation. Three hundred and twenty-four public Illinois High Schools, all Illinois high schools with enrollments of 500 or less, were surveyed. Principals were asked to identify objective test score data used in local science program evaluation, to characterize the nature of the local evaluation process, and to identify local personnel involved in the evaluation process. All respondents identified sources of objective test score data used in local science program evaluation. The IGAP Science test score …

An Investigation Of Student Disciplinary Procedures Of Twelve Rural Jefferson County Districts After Implementation Of Illinois Law Banning Corporal Punishment, Brenda J. Lusby

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate and assess the effectiveness of the student disciplinary procedures in the twelve elementary K-8 rural school districts in Jefferson County, Illinois, since the Illinois legislative body banned the use of corporal punishment by P.A. 88-346 which became effective January 1, 1994. Discipline has been a major concern in the effectiveness of schools for quite some time and appeared as the number one concern of the public pertaining to our public schools in the 1994 Gallup Poll. Since corporal punishment has been banned, personnel in many schools are concerned about how effective their …

Impact Of "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder" On Educational Placement And Service Delivery, Marsha L. Groves

Masters Theses

Children with "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder" face many changes within the school environment. Teachers strive to help these students meet those changes by providing for special learning and behavior needs. This study obtained teacher responses to examine demographic data, disability categories, placement, and educational treatment of children clinically diagnosed and/or suspected of having "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders". Of the 76 teacher surveys returned, 107 students were reported to have or were suspected of having "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder". Forty-five were identified as learning disabled, seven were considered behavior disordered, seven were receiving speech services, seven others were health impaired, three …

Achievement Assessment Techniques: Their Frequency Of Use, Perceived Importance, And Relation To Job Satisfaction, Robin L. Chesnut

Masters Theses

A random sample of Nationally Certified School psychologists was surveyed to determine the current academic achievement assessment practices of school psychologists. Frequency of administration and importance of standardized achievement tests, interviews, observations and work sample collection was determined. Further, knowledge of, experience with, and future plans to develop skills in alternative achievement assessment areas was examined. Job satisfaction was investigated and its relationship to involvement with alternative assessment measures. Results indicate that assessment activities still consume about half (45%) of school psychologists' time followed by consultation (22%), and treatment (18%). Informal assessment techniques such as child, teacher, and parent interviews; …

An Inclusion Program For A Small, Rural School District In Illinois, Victor R. White Iii

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was to identify elements found in existing inclusion programs and incorporate those elements into an inclusion program that could be implemented almost exclusively by a single administrator. The information was obtained through an examination of existing literature and contacts with other administrators.

Survey instruments were provided for participating administrators and teachers in their building. The surveys identified elements of the existing programs and the other elements perceived as important by administrators and teachers.

The information collected from the literature, administrators, and teachers led to the development of an eight-part inclusion program that could be …

A Preliminary Study In The Design Of A Stress Inventory For Gifted Students: A Factor Analysis Of Potential Items, David Kinkade

Masters Theses

Items were designed for potential utilization in a stress inventory for gifted students. Two types of items were written; the first assessing stressful life events and situations, the second assessing coping ability. Both sets of items were administered to gifted students (N = 162) currently enrolled in the seventh and eighth grades. A principle components factor analysis with a varimax rotation was performed on both sets of items separately. The first set produced a four factor solution. The factors which emerged were identified as self-concept of giftedness, positive gifted programming, negative aspects of the gifted label, and performance pressure. The …

Prevention Of Head And Neck Injuries At The High School Level Of Football: Implementation Levels And Perceived Importance Of Established Recommendations, Jill D. Heikkila

Masters Theses

The occurrence of head and neck injury in football has prompted various authorities to outline recommendations which can be used as a guideline for the prevention of such injuries. The seven recommendations included for study in this research were classroom education of athletes, correct technique emphasis, enforcement of established rules, conditioning of neck musculature, medical coverage of events, athletic training services, and the proper fit of helmets. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether coaches of high school football programs were implementing the commonly cited recommendations for preventing head and neck injuries. In addition to levels of …

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Language & Mathematics In Regards To Problem Solving, Heather A. Grant

Masters Theses

While previous research has established language as a component of mathematical performance (Kintsch, 1988; Simon, 1985), none have identified a relationship between language and mathematics. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between language and mathematical abilities, specifically problem solving abilities and concept knowledge.

The subjects consisted of 29 fifth-grade students selected from an elementary school in central Illinois. These students were not receiving special education services. Each subject was administered the Test of Problem Solving (Zachman, et al., 1984) to assess the subjects' ability to utilize reasoning skills and expressive language to solve situational problems; and The WORD …

Gender Differences In Cognitive Ability Of Children With Hearing Impairment On The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-3rd Edition, Damian D. Jones

Masters Theses

This research thesis investigates possible gender differences of deaf children on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd ed.). The Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) in Jacksonville, Illinois collated the standard scores of the five standard WISC-III Performance scale subtests and the Performance IQ of 25 students attending ISD. To examine gender differences on the Performance scale subtests and the Performance IQ's, a series of oneway-analyses of variance was calculated. No significant differences were noted on any comparison. A hypothesis that gender differences would occur was not confirmed. The results are discussed with respect to the intellectual assessment of …

Measuring Knowledge Of Developmentally Appropriate Practice While Comparing And Exploring Disciplines Of Study, Learning Styles, Degree Of Flexibility, And Values Of Students Enrolled In A Home Economics Child Development Laboratory, Kathleen A. O'Rourke

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Educational Recognition Systems Of Five Midwestern States, Danny L. Garrett

Masters Theses

The Illinois Public Recognition System has implemented new procedures that address a new system of quality and equity in Illinois schools. As an Illinois educator, the researcher has conducted a study that compares the new Illinois Public Recognition System to similar systems in the states of Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Minnesota. All of the states have many components of evaluation that are very similar.

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Missouri all rely on systems that combine school improvement and accreditation. The systems are basically in transitional phases that are designed to be a ongoing process to enhance student learning and …

An Investigation Into The Retention Policies Regarding Special Needs Students, Ronald Dean Graham

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the retention of special needs students in the Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED) in Illinois. All of the principals of grades K-8 and the special education coordinators that work in those districts in SASED were surveyed. Inconsistencies in SASED's current practices led the author to explore possible alternatives in helping the Multidisciplinary Conferences (MDC) result in better decisions concerning the retention of special needs students. The results of the surveys were analyzed to develop a policy for all the districts to follow. This study focused on two objectives: 1. To determine …

Parental Attitudes On Sign Language Systems Used With Children With Hearing Impairments, Debra Marie Williams

Masters Theses

In the field of educating children with hearing impairments there has been a continuous debate over which is the most beneficial method of communication to use both in the classroom and in the home environment. The current debate concerns two main methods of communication through sign language, American Sign Language and Manually Coded English. The importance of the family in the decision over which sign language system to use in the child's environment has been documented throughout the research in this field. This study was designed to examine the attitudes of parents with no hearing loss who have children with …