Education Commons^™

An Evaluation Of The Behavior Disorders Classroom Program Of The Wabash And Ohio Valley Special Education District, Daniel J. Allen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness and desirability of identified key components of the behavior disorders program delivered by the Wabash and Ohio Valley Special Education District in southeastern Illinois. Sixty-one school superintendents, building principals, and local coordinators of special education responded to a survey addressing key components of the behavior disorders program: technical assistance, timeliness of the Individualized Education Program process, thoroughness of the Individualized Education Program process, academic remediation, behavioral remediation, transition coordination, and followup services. The results revealed very little discrepancy between each of the groups of administrators according to their responses …

An Investigation Of Transitional Bilingual Programs In Cook, Dupage, Kane And Will Counties In The State Of Illinois, Robert Schwindt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to investigate transitional bilingual programs in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties in the State of Illinois. A review of literature reveals that the State of Illinois guideline of three years was not sufficient to allow non-English speaking students to be exited into regular education classes at a level commensurate with their English speaking peers. This study also reviewed transitional bilingual program models in Cook, Dupage, Kane and Will counties in Illinois and revealed a shortage of bilingual teachers and aides. Use of the results of the study will improve the existing transitional program …

A Study Of School District Compliance Efforts With The Americans With Disabilities Act In Illinois Schools, Roger L. Eddy

Masters Theses

The problem of compliance with state and federal statutes while maintaining a healthy financial picture in a school district has long been a challenge for the educational community. The passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is an example of legislation which has caused school districts to evaluate their educational program as it relates to accessibility, opportunity and accommodations of people with special needs. Indeed, this statutory compliance also challenges school districts to comply while maintaining a sound financial basis. The constraints of funding has made the ADA an even greater challenge than some statutes.

This study was conducted …

A Study Of Secondary School Principals' Perceptions Regarding The Practice Of Special Education Discipline In The State Of Illinois, Debra Linnae Green

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions and observations of principals at the senior high school level in Illinois concerning the methods and procedures currently used in the discipline of students identified as learning disabled, socially and emotionally disabled, and educationally mentally handicapped students.

Many different methods of discipline have been introduced and recommended by educational experts in the special education field.

Suspension and expulsion procedures have been used for many years by public school principals in order to achieve disciplinary control of students with and without disabilities. Even in cases where suspension or expulsion was warranted …

Availability Of Technology In Rural And Small Town Central Illinois K-12 Public School Districts, Robert H. Ehlke

Masters Theses

In the current technological information based society there is a critical need to integrate technology with education. Although many technologies have been available for over 20 years, public educational institutions have been slow to acquire and use the technological advances in the classroom for instructional purposes. In order to help the state and the communities of Illinois develop technology plans to meet the technology needs of K-12 public school districts in rural and small town Illinois, there was a need to investigate the availability of existing technologies. This study was conducted to determine the present condition of K-12 public school …

The Effectiveness Of Peer Mediation In Westville C.U.S.D. #2, Dennis A. Watson

Masters Theses

During the past several years concerns about student behavior and school discipline have figured prominently in various public opinion polls. Many approaches and methodologies have been used in an unsuccessful effort to remedy the problem. These methodologies include "zero tolerance", codes of conduct, contracts and assertive discipline. Peer mediation is a relatively new concept that has not been significantly researched in rural areas.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of peer mediation programs at McMillan Grade School and Westville Junior High School in Westville, Illinois. A survey of twenty-six certified teachers at both of the schools …

The Investigation Of Procurement Programs Of School Districts In The Effingham Area, Fran Thoele

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate procurement practices in school districts within a fifty-mile radius of Effingham, Illinois. This investigation was conducted to determine if seeking competitive quotes for cafeteria, janitorial, athletic/PE, teacher, and transportation supplies could be cost effective. The review of literature and research presented compelling arguments for finding ways to save money on these routine supplies. The survey instrument was the basis for seeking respondents' perceptions of the procurement practices currently being utilized. Twenty-nine participants returned valid surveys for a 55% return rate. The findings of this study will be used to develop a plan …

The Influence Of Higher Education And The Perceived Effects On Women And Their Interpersonal Relationships With Significant Others, Tracy L. Conn

Masters Theses

This study of professional women holding advanced degrees examined the influence of doctoral education and the perceived effects on women and their interpersonal relationships with significant others. It was found that half of the women believed that their level of education affected their relationship status. Though there were a group of women who reported that their level of education limited them in their interpersonal relationships, the majority of the women reported being in gratifying relationships with supportive significant others. Therefore, it is not surprising that the majority of the women reported that their significant other was one of the greatest …

The Impact Of Prekindergarten Participation Upon Academic Placement, Mary Suddarth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Prekindergarten Program for Children At Risk of Academic Failure had impact on a child's future academic placement. Current uncertainty regarding continued ISBE or federal funding of programs makes such a longitudinal study imperative. This study examined the 1995-1996 academic placement, including additional resources required, i.e., Title 1, speech, or learning disabled services, for 40 children who participated in the 1990-1991 Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Educational Service Region cooperative prekindergarten program in Jefferson County. Results indicated that all children reached expected placement, regardless of one …

The Effects Of Daytime Sleepiness On School Performance In Late Adolescence, Lisa R. Ballinger

Masters Theses

Daytime sleepiness and grade point average were examined to assess the strength and direction of the relationship. Other variables measured included depression, test anxiety, and stress. Sixty-one participants completed the study, 15 males and 46 females. Average age of the participants was 20.89 (SD = 1.18). Participants were given a series of five brief questionnaires. Participants volunteered for the study and completed the survey in a group, classroom setting. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Test Attitude Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale. It was found that while an inverse relationship exists between daytime …

Cumberland Helpers In Partnerships: A Program Of Intervention At Cumberland Elementary And Junior High School, Gayle A. Shepherd

Masters Theses

Low- or non-achievement by students has historically been a problem for teachers and administrators, as well as for parents and students. Same grade retention has been proven by many researchers to be non-productive and in many cases, punitive. The Cumberland Helpers in Partnerships (CHIPs) program was begun at Cumberland Elementary and Junior High School as an interventive measure to combat this problem of low achievement. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who were considered academically at risk at the end of the first semester of the 1995-1996 school year (N=78) were asked to voluntarily attend tutoring sessions to help improve …

The Motivation Experienced By Adolescents In A Tech Prep Curriculum, Catherine Mccormack

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the motivation of students in a tech prep program in relation to that of students in a standard secondary school curriculum. The motivation of students in each program was investigated before and after a year of school. Participants were 70 high school students who attended a school which provided both tech prep and standard curriculums. Central High School of Champaign Illinois was the school from which the participants were found. The method used to collect the data from participants was through questionnaires. The questionnaires used were the motivation for schooling scale of …

Minority College Students' Attitudes Toward Psychological Help Seeking, Kiesha Ford

Masters Theses

The present study examined two major variables: a comparison of Minority and White student's attitudes toward psychological help seeking and the influence of ethnicity on student's preference of counselor ethnic characteristics. It was expected that 1) Minority students would have a more negative attitude toward seeking psychological help than Whites students; 2) Minority college students would prefer to see a counselor who is older, belong to a minority group, the same race, the same gender, the same socioeconomic status and have an university degree; 3) female students would have a more positive attitude toward seeking psychological help than male students, …

The Effects Of Local Enforcement Of The Legal Minimum Drinking Age On The Students Of Eastern Illinois University, Timmy D. Tritsch

Masters Theses

This study investigated the perceived effect of increased community enforcement of the legal minimum alcohol drinking age on the attitudes and behavior of university students as reported by the community. The results indicated increased local alcohol enforcement efforts, changed student drinking behavior, which in turn created a positive change in community attitude toward enforcement efforts. Increased enforcement efforts between the years 1993 and 1995 targeted underage drinking and alcohol related crime as demonstrated by university students. Enforcement efforts were initiated by community officials in the form of a beer keg registration ordinance, minimum age bar compliance checks, raising the bar …

A Study Of Secondary School Principals' Perceptions Regarding Current Teacher Evaluation Procedures In Three Midwestern States, Beth A. Saiki-Olsen

Masters Theses

In recent years, new methods of evaluating teachers have been introduced and recommended by educational experts.

This study was conducted to determine the methods and procedures currently used in three midwestern states to evaluate secondary education teachers and to investigate secondary school principals' perceptions regarding those methods and procedures.

The study, which took place during the spring of 1996, included a survey of a random sample of 300 secondary school principals in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana through the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

One hundred and fifty-six principals responded to the survey which found that although principals agreed that …

A Study Of Home Influences On Young Children's Early Literacy, Christy Buehnerkemper-Elder

Masters Theses

Recent research has shown that the degree of children's exposure to and knowledge about reading when they first enter school is highly predictive of future reading achievement. Researchers investigating home influences on literacy have concluded that certain home experiences prior to first-grade affect performance and general abilities in early elementary school. One component of the literacy-rich home environment is that of a parent reading to children. This has been considered by many as a critical component of a home environment which fosters reading skills. Being read to as a preschooler has been shown to be associated with reading achievement well …

Challenges Of Wellness Programming In Midwest Colleges And Universities, Patricia Vanmierlo

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to investigate challenges associated with programming wellness activities in the university setting. Telephone interviews were conducted with 50 college/university wellness program coordinators in the Midwest United States. Campus Recreation/Recreational Sports employed 72% of the respondents, the remainder were employed by Athletics, Health Services, Physical Education, or a combination of those listed. Likert scales were used to gauge degree of barrier severity and amount of collaboration with various university departments. Ninety-eight percent of coordinators work with professionals outside of the department in which they were employed. The departments that most often collaborate include Campus Recreation, Health Services, …

Academic Achievement Of High School Students As It Relates To Locus Of Control, Family Life Changes, And Perceived Level Of Stress, Marla M. Mcdaneld

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between family life changes, perceived stress, locus of control, gender, and the achievement of grade eleven students. A literature review revealed that adolescents report a high level of stress in a variety of situations. Changes in family life and factors at school are two of the major stressors. The research suggests that an individual with an external locus of control is more likely to experience stress than an individual with an internal locus of control. The research also suggests that a higher level of stress combined with an external locus …

A Study On How Interactive Distance Education Affects Perceived Instructor Credibility, D. Brent Crebo

Masters Theses

A group of distance education students at four Illinois colleges and universities were studied to see if sending class students rated distance education instructors differently in reference to credibility when compared to receiving class students. A survey was used to gather initial data and then subjects were interviewed by telephone to obtain more information on the topic. The results of the study revealed no significant difference between how students at receiving sites and how students at sending sites perceived an instructor in terms of overall credibility in distance education courses. Responses indicated that students did not have a problem with …

Counseling College Athletes: Career Choices Based On Motivation, Interest, Gpa, And Academic Major Among Selected Division I, Ii, And Iii Institutions, Don D. Dawson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to provide descriptive and statistical data to identify any differences in three college divisions of men's basketball and baseball student athletes as they related to career decision making in their career interest, academic major and grade point average.

Concepts of this study were originally tested by Dr. Joseph Scott Paul (1986) in his doctoral dissertation, The Intercollegiate Athlete as a Student in Higher Education: An Analysis of Career Expectations, Interests, and Academic Majors.

This study will include men's basketball and baseball student athletes at three different institutions in three different divisions. The research describes …

An Investigation Of Home Schooling In Illinois, Steve Morris

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.