Education Commons^™

The Effect Of Inquiry-Based, Hands-On Math Instruction Utilized In Combination With Web-Based, Computer-Assisted Math Instruction On 4th-Grade Students' Outcomes, Jason D. Plourde

Student Work

Results indicated that 4th-grade students ( n = 19) participating in the inquiry-based, hands-on math instruction used in combination with web-based, computer-assisted math instruction group and 4th-grade students ( n = 19) participating in the inquiry-based, hands-on math instruction alone group did not significantly improve their pretest-posttest Problem Solving/Data Analysis, Concepts/Estimation, Math Total, and Math Computation norm-referenced normal curve equivalent achievement test score results. However, 4th-grade students participating in the inquiry-based, hands-on math instruction alone group posttest-posttest scores were statistically significantly greater than students who participated in the combination instruction group across all four subtests. Moreover, all posttest norm-referenced, Normal …

The Effect Of A Yearlong One -To -One Laptop Computer Classroom Program On The 4th-Grade Achievement And Technology Outcomes Of Digital Divide Learners, Daniel H. Bird

Student Work

A yearlong one-to-one computer laptop classroom instruction intervention program used to prepare 4th-grade students for participation in computer learning activities was evaluated. Students used computers to complete daily reading, writing, and Internet search assignments. Students were divided into two groups according to past computer access; Digital Divide Learners (n = 10) who did not have computers and Internet access at home, and Digital Native Learners (n = 15) who did have computers and Internet access at home. Reading, writing, total technology skills domain scores, and keyboarding speed and accuracy outcomes were evaluated. Results indicate reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing …

After-School Programs And Reading Achievement, Jamie M. Mack

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between participating in an after-school program and accelerating reading levels was studied. Seventy-three fifth-grade students were pre- and posttested using the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test to determine reading levels. Thirty-six of the 73 students participated in an on-going 21" Century Academic After-School Program. The other 37 did not. The results showed that there was no statistical difference between participating in an after-school program and accelerating reading levels. The study also broke down the data by gender. These results showed that there was no statistical difference between males who participated and males who did not; however, there was a significant …

The Process Of Tracking In Mathematics In Box Elder School District, Megan Haramoto Bushnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Educational policymakers have used tracking to instruct students in a variety of subjects, including mathematics. Tracking, which has also been called ability grouping, is a process by which students in the same grade are placed into different classes based on academic ability. Few educators and sociologists have looked at the process by which students are placed in different mathematics tracks. The research design of this study focused on accumulating, evaluating, and reporting the understanding and observations of 12 teachers and 4 counselors as they discussed their knowledge and involvement in the mathematics placement procedures from the intermediate and middle school …

A Study Of Utah Teachers' Developmentally Appropriate Beliefs And Practices As Related To Perceptions Of Kindergarteners' Successful School Entry, Mary Mceuen Darnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was an exploration of 450 Utah kindergarten teachers' perceptions of problems children face at the time of kindergarten entry, as well as an examination of the teachers' developmentally appropriate beliefs and practices. Consistent with previous research, teachers' beliefs were found to be more developmentally appropriate than their reported practices. This study also investigated the relationship between both teacher and classroom/school demographics and teachers' developmentally appropriate beliefs and practices. Further, the relationship between teachers' perceptions of children's transition to kindergarten and beliefs, practices, teacher demographics, and classroom/school demographics was studied.

Study findings indicated that teachers perceive 20% of kindergarten …

A Qualitative Study Of Seminary Principals For The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Eric W. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This qualitative study investigates how leadership is embodied within the role of seminary principals in released-time seminaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This study utilized a grounded theory approach and constant comparative analysis while triangulating the data obtained from personal interviews, participant observations, and analysis of documents. The primary sources of data came from the personal experiences and perspectives of four principals, eight teachers, and one area administrator that are analyzed through biographical interviews.

Analyses of the data were completed to determine common themes of leadership that were embodied by principals in released-time seminaries for The …

Utah Middle-Level School Community Councils: An Evaluation Of Compliance, Processes, And Perceived Impact, Richard Jackson Nygaard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The historical perspective of schools in our democratic society provides a framework of tension between local parent and community control versus professional and state control of public school decisions. Today, federal and state requirements demand increased student achievement. The state of Utah requires each public school to have a school community council (SCC) that is responsible for the development of plans for school improvement. Limited funds are provided to each school community council through the School LAND Trust Program to assist in the implementation of the developed plans for the purpose of increased student achievement. Three Utah middlelevel school community …

Centering Pregnancy And Traditional Prenatal Care: A Comparison Of Health Practices, Kaylynn Shakespear

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Centering Pregnancy is an alternative method of providing prenatal care with increased education and social support with health assessment in a group setting. This study, a cross-sectional, correlational, convenience-sample design, sought to determine the difference between women who receive prenatal care in Centering Pregnancy prenatal care and those in traditional prenatal care in regards to health behaviors. Adult pregnant women (n = 125) were surveyed from at least 28 weeks gestation. The sample comprised primarily White low-income women. Using multiple linear regression, it was determined that women in Centering Pregnancy had significantly lower index health behavior scores compared with …

The Effect Of A Rural High School Combination Supplemental Literacy Program On Emerging Readers’ Achievement, Engagement, And Behavior Outcomes, Mark L. Adler

Student Work

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Speech -Language Pathologist Service Delivery Models For Concept Imagery Formation Instruction On Second Grade Students' Language Achievement Outcomes, Jennifer L. Allen

Student Work

Implementing effective strategies to meet the learning needs of an increasingly diverse student population, while balancing the demands of increasing caseloads, has become a challenge for Speech-Language Pathologists. The Visualizing & Verbalizing Program was implemented in this study as a way to incorporate concept imaging techniques. During the 2007-2008 school year, second grade students participated: 18 in the coteaching service delivery model, and 16 in the consultative. Classroom teachers and the Speech-Language Pathologists were trained and collaborated in the intervention and the service delivery models. Student achievement was measured with the Listening Comprehension Test-2 and the Twelve Structure Word Visualizing …

Reading Outcomes Of Pre-Literate 3rd-Grade Students After Two Years Of Combined Reading Classroom Instruction And Individualized Intervention Or Classroom Instruction, Jon T. Lopez

Student Work

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a combination regular classroom reading and reading reteaching approach to teaching reading to pre-literate 3rd-grade students who were determined to be below proficient readers (n = 14) compared to the effectiveness of regular classroom reading instruction alone provided to 3rd-grade readers ( n = 14) determined to have barely proficient pre-literate skills. Barely proficient and below proficient reading level designations were determined by psychometrically derived cutscores developed in order to minimize classification error. This study found that although students on both sides of the cutscore made achievement gains in reading, gains …

Social Studies Educators' Perceptions Of And Beliefs About The Inclusion Of Religion In Textbooks., Victor Keith Mccrory

Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology Dissertations

During the past two centuries, the inclusion of religious content in social studies textbooks has dramatically changed. In the late 1800s, the progressive education movement ushered in new forms of religious content in social studies textbooks (Nord, 1999). Contemporary researchers have addressed the inclusion of religious content in the United States through various textbook studies (Bellito, 1996; Sewall, 1995). Very few studies, however, have been conducted that gauge social studies teachers’ perceptions of and beliefs about the manner in which religion should be included in the textbooks (Stone & Zam, 2006). The purpose of this mixed method research study is …

The Impact Of An International Baccalaureate Primary Years Curriculum On Intermediate Grade Girls’ And Boys’ Perceptions Of Their Learned Global Citizenship Attributes, Suzanne R. Melliger

Student Work

In this study girls (n = 30) reported a statistically significantly greater capacity for caring compared to boys ( n = 30) on the caring domain of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Student Self Assessment Learner Profile. However, the null hypothesis was not rejected for boys' and girls' reported levels of risk-taking behavior running counter to literature suggesting that boys are ipso facto bigger risk-takers than girls. However, in this study a greater advantaged classroom performance was not consistent with the research literature positing a stronger classroom performance in language arts (reading and writing) for girls compared to boys …

Comparison Of Guided And Open Inquiry Instruction In A High School Physics Classroom, Brett M. Guisti

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared two levels of inquiry in high school physics classrooms over a year-long course. One class fit well the definition of guided-inquiry and the other matched common descriptions of open-inquiry. Four sections of introductory physics at Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah were randomly divided into two sections for each treatment. The majority of students in all classes were sophomores with relatively few juniors and seniors. The guided-inquiry classes followed the Modeling Instruction Program developed at Arizona State University, while the open-inquiry classes were be based on an approach used by Wolff-Michael Roth, at the University of …

Redefining The Apartheid Of American History: A Middle School History Curriculum, John Scott Sandberg

All Graduate Projects

After more than half a century of efforts to address the historical educational chasm between marginalized groups it has become obvious that the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive curriculums need to be developed. This project is intended to assist educators take the first steps into the multicultural arena or provide a vehicle for curriculum incorporation. Sample curriculum is provided as an illustration of classroom practice and cultural inclusion. Student and educator roles are defined as well as activities, and assessment methods are described and outlined with links to curriculum content, Washington State's Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Classroom Based …

Unlocking The Power Of Multidimensional Literacy In A Language Arts Classroom: A Middle School Language Arts Curriculum, Andrew Raymond Kostelnik

All Graduate Projects

A curriculum project that incorporates a multidimensional and multicultural point of view is created for a middle school language arts classroom in a rural community. Multiculturalism theories and underpinnings are examined and critically analyzed. Materials are identified and examined to determine the appropriateness in relation to the demographics and nature of the Kayman School District. Multiple sources and materials were established as a permanent curricular component to ensure an education that incorporates multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

A Structured Approach To Teacher Collaboration Within Professional Learning Communities, Laura Ann Davis

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a teacher handbook for a more structured approach to teacher collaboration within professional learning communities. Many groups of teachers have successfully participated in small teams, including focusing on such activities as team building, scheduling, parent communication, discussing lesson plans and curriculum, and sharing strategies to improve student behavior. Unfortunately, this is where most teams are stymied, unsure of how to take their collaboration to a higher level. The next step needed is to move forward and truly start looking at student learning and analyzing instruction practices as well as assessments, in order …

Benefits Of A Parent Involvement Plan For Second Grade Students, Mila Hart

All Graduate Projects

The benefits of a parent involvement plan for second grade students were researched. Students, whose parents were actively involved in their education, did better in school (Henderson & Mapp, 2002). Most parents want what is best for their child and will provide the support needed when encouraged and shown how to be involved with their child in school. Active parent involvement can be facilitated by a parent handbook combined with an open house, follow-up workshops that provide helpful information to parents, and frequent and regular communication via phone, progress reports, e-mail, home visits, and formal or informal conferences (Epstein et …

Increasing Academic And Behavioral Success For Adhd Students In The Primary Classroom, Sandra Kay Munoz

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a teacher's handbook that provides primary classroom teachers with effective classroom interventions and strategies that would improve behavioral and academic success in students who experience ADHD. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current and relevant resources was conducted on topics that included best practices, strategies, techniques and interventions concerning classroom management of ADHD students.

Meeting The Professional Development Needs Of Early Childhood Teachers With Child Development Associate Training, Mary J. Heisner

Communication Sciences and Disorders Dissertations

This study examined the impact of Child Development Associate (CDA) training on the beliefs and self-reported practices of early childhood teachers (N = 126) using a pre-post mixed-methods research design. Preschool teachers who were enrolled in CDA classes (n=76) and a comparison group of teachers (n = 50) completed two surveys of beliefs and self-reported practices: the Teacher Beliefs and Practices Survey: 3- to 5-Year-Olds (TBPS) (Burts, Buchanan, & Benedict, 2001) and the Early Childhood Survey of Beliefs and Practices (ECSBP) (Marcon, 1988, 1999). Repeated measures Multiple Analyses of Variance indicated teachers who had completed CDA training became significantly more …

Discovering The Voices Of The Segregated: Oral History Of The Educational Experiences Of The Turkish People Of Sumter County, South Carolina, Terri Ann Ognibene

Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology Dissertations

This qualitative study is a narrative investigation that analyzes the educational experiences of the segregated Turkish people of Sumter County, South Carolina during the integration movement. Four participants share their stories of how attending an elementary school for Turkish students affected their integration into White high schools. Oral history is the specific research methodology that is used. The theoretical framework that guides this study is critical-narrative theory. Through critical research, the researcher analyzes how “the social institution of school is structured such that the interests of some members and classes of society are preserved and perpetuated at the expense of …

A Historical Analysis Of The Creation Of A Cabinet-Level Department Of Education, Shayla Lois Marie Mitchell

Educational Policy Studies Dissertations

This dissertation uses historical analysis to understand the political and social conditions that allowed for the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Education when many congressional representatives, state governments, and citizens of the United States were ideologically against federal involvement in education. A cabinet-level Department of Education posed problems for the United States because nowhere in the nation’s Constitution is education mentioned, thus leaving education to be a function of the states according to the 10th Amendment. This dissertation looks at calls for a department of education leading up to and including the one initiated by Jimmy Carter. Conducting a …

An Integrated Nutrition Unit For Half-Day Kindergarten, Erin Spencer

All Graduate Projects

The obesity rates among children in the United States have been rising rapidly over the past thirty years. Children are getting messages from the media to eat unhealthy foods. This epidemic is beginning to be addressed in schools. A nutrition curriculum was developed and implemented in a half day kindergarten program. Core academic subject were integrated using Washington State GLEs as a guide. Parent involvement was a component to strengthen student's understanding of cultural diversity as it pertained to food.

Using A Balanced Reading And Spelling Approach To Enhance The “Spell To Write To Read” Program For Preschool To Fifth Grade, Dawn A. Heer

All Graduate Projects

Reading is the foundation of much that society aspires to, even now in the age of technology. The teacher plays a key role in facilitating the learning of reading in an elementary school. By using a balanced reading approach through the use of spelling, phonics, writing and language, teachers will be able to apply user-friendly principles of reading with the curriculum, Spell to Write to Read. A handbook will be used to present this information during a workshop for teachers and para-professionals of preschool to fifth grade students.

A Manual For Using Communication Strategies With Adolescents With Autism, Gayle J. Anderson

All Graduate Projects

Many students with autism lack the essential skills necessary to communicate effectively as adolescents and adults. They communicate in a nonproductive manner to get their "wants" or "needs" met. Some of these behaviors include crying, screaming, or having tantrums. Current research reviewed for this project indicates clearly the benefits of applied social skills such as social stories, augmentative strategies such as picture exchange systems, and alternative strategies such as gestures and sign language. These students need to communicate their wants and needs by using socially appropriate adaptive methods of communications. The purpose of the manual at the end of this …

The Creative Economy In Small Places: Eight Cases And A Developmental Model, Jennifer L. Hutchins

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Eight case studies across New England offer understanding of the role of the creative economy in the community and economic development of rural towns and small cities. The cases include Providence and Pawtucket, RI; Burlington, VT; and Portland, Bangor, Norway, Dover-Foxcroft, and the St. John Valley, ME. Ten elements or “building blocks” are observed to be important, leading to an explanatory model for the development of the creative economy in small communities. These elements include creative people, education centers, cultural and natural amenities, business engagement, infrastructure, leadership, networks, strategies, time, and money. The creative economy in the eight communities has …

Interruptions In Small Group Learning Settings With Non-Native English Speakers And Native English Speakers In An Esl And Culture Classroom, Jill Suresh

Culminating Projects in TESL

As many English language learners (ELLs) enter mainstream classes, they will begin interacting with native English speakers (NESs) in small group learning settings. This thesis examines the interactions between NESs and non-native English speakers (NNESs) working on small group learning assignments during an ESL and Culture class.

The study focuses on types of interruptions that the participants use to communicate. The three categories that students' verbal exchanges were separated into are non-interruptive, cooperatively interruptive and intrusively interruptive. Using this data along with a questionnaire, the interactions between NESs and NNESs in a small group environment are analyzed as they relate …

Doctoral Education Among Latter-Day Saint (Lds) Women: A Phenomenological Study Of A Mother's Choice To Achieve, Jonathan Glade Hall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) have been compellingly counseled by church leaders that motherhood should be women’s greatest ambition, and as such that it should demand mothers’ full-time in the home; at the same time they have been taught to get all of the education that they can. Mothers with young families must decide if they should continue their educational pursuits, or spend their full-time in the home. This study sought to fill a gap in the literature and understand the lived experience of these women by researching how LDS mothers with young children …

Students With Learning Disabilities In Postsecondary Educational Settings: What Do They Need?, Cindee Haider

Culminating Projects in Special Education

No abstract provided.

Planning Effective School Field Trips For Elementary Students, Marcella Sidars

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Field trips for elementary school students are valuable contributors towards improved learning, motivation, and student social interactions. Unfortunately, they are often underutilized in the support of student learning due to several factors: often teachers do not know how to use field trips to their best advantage, often planning field trips is time consuming and difficult, teachers are pressured to justify field trips in terms of links to measurable educational standards, and preservice teachers seldom are instructed in their effective use. To address these concerns, a guidebook for preservice and current teachers has been developed. In it, research based teaching strategies …