Education Commons^™

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 …

Students’ Attitudes, Motivation And Anxiety Towards English Language Learning, Meenaz Shams Hashwani

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Motivational factors and experiences have the potential to influence students’ attitudes and anxiety levels towards English language learning. Recognizing the importance and multi-dimensional complexities of motivational attitudes and anxiety, this mini-research study attempts to investigate gender wise students’ attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards the learning of English as a second language in the multilingual context of Karachi, Pakistan. The study adapts a survey questionnaire from Gardner’s ‘Attitude Motivation Test Battery,’ to explore attitudes (English language and learning), motivations (intrinsic and extrinsic) and classroom anxiety of grade 8th students in a private secondary school. The survey findings of 77 students (40 …

Understanding Children’S Play, Nilofar Vazir, Syeda Imrana Raza

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Exploring Patterns In Teachers’ Conceptions Of Citizenship And Political Participation: A Survey Of Secondary School Teachers In Karachi, Pakistan, Karim Panah

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

This paper examines patterns in teachers’ understanding of conceptual and practical aspects of citizenship by analyzing survey data obtained from 320 teachers of public and private sector secondary schools in Karachi, Pakistan. The survey was conducted using a five-point-Likert scale ranging from ‘strongly disagree through ‘neutral’ to ‘strongly-agree’ and openended questions on citizen participation in politics. The survey questionnaire included 28 items that reflected various aspects of citizen rights and responsibilities. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)) showed several patterns in teacher’s conceptions of citizenship with reference to democratization. The analysis demonstrates that teachers’ conception of citizenship is shaped by confusions and …

Value Of Traditional Games, Saima Khalid

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Home Notes: Parental Involvement In Teaching Social Skills, Ryan H. Shatzer, Sue A. Womack, Paul Caldarella, Michael Adams

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of a Home Note program as a way to involve parents in teaching and reinforcing social skills as a universal level positive behavior support intervention, and to examine stakeholder perceptions of a Home Note program.

Increasing The Social Involvement Of Withdrawn Adolescents: Effects Of Peer Praise Notes, Julie Nelson, Paul Caldarella, K. Richard Young

Faculty Publications

Research has shown that those students who are socially withdrawn or isolated have difficulty learning appropriate social conduct which places them at risk for difficulties later in life(Oden, 1980; Patterson, Reid, & Dishion,1992).

Can School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Be An Evidence-Based Practice?, K. Richard Young, Paul Caldarella, Lynnette Christensen, Tyler Renshaw

Faculty Publications

Our Conclusions: School-Wide Positive Behavior Support is not yet an Evidence-Based Practice; School-Wide Positive Behavior Support can be reconceptualized (outside of the Evidence-Based Practice paradigm) as a “student-support framework”; As a framework, it can employ the Evidence-Based Practice paradigm; This reconceptualization may have real-life implications: setbacks and benefits.

Civility In Schools: An Emerging Paradigm For Behavioral Problems And School Violence, Keely Wilkins, Paul Caldarella, K. Richard Young

Faculty Publications

What is Civility? Modern: courtesy, politeness, consideration, decorum (Hinckley, 2000; Peck, 2002, Ferriss, 2002). Historical: ability to work as a citizen, a sense of membership in a community with its attendant rights and responsibilities (Shulman & Carey, 1984; Boyd, 2006).

New Knowledge Through New Skills, Sultana Ali Norozi

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Building Accessible E-Learning Collaboratively, Shalin Hai-Jew

SIDLIT Conference Proceedings

The presenter discusses issues online instructors must consider when creating an accessible Web-based learning environment for those with or without disabilities.

Language And Graffiti Of Exceptional Individuals In West Africa, Dr Williams Emeka Obiozor

Dr Williams Emeka Obiozor

This paper establishes the place of language and graffiti practiced by exceptional individuals in the interpretation of family values, the preservation of culture and traditional heritage of the Igbo community in Southeastern Nigeria. The paper also takes a cursory look at graffiti art and exceptionality in a time when the Igbo tradition and culture were highly respected, jealously guarded and deep-rooted in the heart and soul of its people. Graffiti creations by exceptional individuals transfer both oral and visual education to documented tradition; for societal knowledge and awareness, individual wisdom, expressions against repression, pride and recognition of Igbo language and …

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.

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.

Interim Report: Pilot Project – Technology Integration In Underserved Schools Using Thinkfinity, Sandra G. Flank

Cornerstone 1 Reports : Expansion and Enhancements of the Thinkfinity Platform

This pilot project was conceived as a way to enable teachers in schools with fewer technical resources than typical public schools, or with special needs for students and teachers, to explore and utilize the resources of Thinkfinity in lessons and activities.

The project will conclude at the end of May, 2008, and a final, complete report will be submitted at that time. This interim report will describe the assumptions of the project team, how the project was carried out, and highlights of the project to date.

The project team consists of the director of the Pace University Computer Learning Center, …

All “Homework” And No Play…, Shamsah Raheem Dhanani

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Applying Focus Groups In Educational Research In Africa, Dr Williams Emeka Obiozor

Dr Williams Emeka Obiozor

The study using focus groups in the West African nation of The Gambia was an experiential research, which provided viable data on girl child education practices, problems and prospects in the African sub region. This paper presents an opportunity to explore peoples’ perceptions on issues of interest and concern to Gambians on girl child education. The 2006-2007 study was conducted through the use of focus groups for data collection, covering six educational regions in the Republic of The Gambia.

An Abstract Subject, Mashooque Ali Samo

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

The Tuition Culture, Bilqees Patel

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

School-Based Mentoring: An Effective Intervention With Students At Risk For Ebd, Paul Caldarella, Shauna Valentine, K. Richard Young, Michael Adams

Faculty Publications

EBD Students experience fewer positive outcomes, more frequent removal from class, and less academic instruction than any other group of students with disabilities; Years of academic failure and peer rejection before evaluations and diagnoses are begun. (Lane, Gresham, & O’Shaugnessy, 2002;Jolivette, Stitchter, Nelson, Scott, & Liaupsin, 2000)

Validation Of The Ssbd In Secondary Schools: Student And Parent Correlates, Michael Richardson, Paul Caldarella, Ben Young, Ellie L. Young

Faculty Publications

Why Screen for Behavior Problems? Screening allows for prevention and early intervention efforts, which reduce the need for more intensive services. One of the most difficult challenges teachers and administrators face is behavior and emotional problems in students.

Effects Of Peer Praise Notes On Socially Withdrawn Adolescents: A Classroom Intervention, Julie Nelson, Natalie Webb, Paul Caldarella

Faculty Publications

Socially Withdrawn Students: Students find interactions with withdrawn students to be aversive or less rewarding than interactions with other students (Stormshak, et al., 1999).; Many students avoid interactions with students who have behavioral or emotional disorders (McDowell, 1988; Myerson & Hale, 1984); Students who are socially withdrawn or isolated have difficulty learning appropriate social conduct which places them at risk for difficulties later in life (Oden, 1980; Patterson, Reid, & Dishion,1992); Children who are avoided, neglected, or teased are at high risk for developing behavioral and emotional disorders (Gresham, Macmillan, & Bocian, 1998).

School-Wide Screening And Programs Of Pbs: Informing Universal Interventions, Michelle Marchant, Darlene Anderson, Paul Caldarella, Ben Young, K. Richard Young, Adam Fisher

Faculty Publications

School-Wide Intervention Planning: Implications for classroom behavior; Improving social interactions on the playground; Proactive approach to addressing unusual behavior patterns.

Crazy About Teaching, Kausar Waqar

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

“Starting Off On The Right Foot” A Guide For Elementary Physical Education Teachers To Assist Them In Successfully Beginning The School Year, Carrie Boers

All Graduate Projects

This guide was created to assist new elementary physical education teachers in successfully beginning the school year. The Federal Way School District currently has no guide or established procedure readily available to assist with the transition of teachers into elementary physical education programs. This project examines the necessary components of a successfully managed elementary physical education program. The author chose to create this guide after the difficulties she encountered transitioning from the junior high school physical education (P.E.) program to an elementary level P.E. program. Physical education teachers are often placed in environments that are unfamiliar to them; therefore, this …

Motivating Students: Identifying And Motivating Reluctant Learners To Reach Their Academic Potential, Kim Yeager

All Graduate Projects

Motivation plays an important role in determining how well a child will perform in school (Philips & Lindsay, 2006). Regardless of how intelligent or capable a student may be if the student is not motivated to do well then their academic performance will be less than it could have been with some motivation. Teachers need to understand why some students are motivated to try hard in school and why some students are not. This understanding will lead teachers to understand why their students are not reaching their academic potential. The purpose of this project was to design a guide that …

Promoting Higher Academic Achievement Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students, Edna Morris

All Graduate Projects

Designing a multicultural literature based library for use in the classroom setting to promote higher academic achievement among culturally and linguistically diverse students was the purpose of this project. Studies supporting the connection between culturally relevant literature and its use in the classroom with academic achievement among culturally and linguistically diverse students were summarized. The result of this research analysis supports the use of culturally relevant literature and activities with young children. The project provides brochures, resources and guides for use of culturally relevant literature with young children.