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Articles 1 - 30 of 56
Full-Text Articles in Education
The Effects Of Motivational Independent Reading Programs On Elementary At-Risk Students’ Reading Skills, Kathleeen J. Trueb
The Effects Of Motivational Independent Reading Programs On Elementary At-Risk Students’ Reading Skills, Kathleeen J. Trueb
Dissertations
Teaching literacy is a challenging process that incorporates the functional and structural aspects of language with the comprehension of its content. Educators are often unable to successfully identify the appropriate strategies that are best-suited to communicate these distinctive components of literacy to students. Students from backgrounds of low socio-economic status are more likely to face challenges in acquiring literacy due to the cultural exceptions attached to their community and to the lack of resources available to them in the home and in schools that have less funding. The research study seeks to investigate these issues through comparing and contrasting the …
Freshman Transition Programs: Effect On Ninth Grade Academics And Minor Disciplinary Infractions, Angela Dawn Hahn
Freshman Transition Programs: Effect On Ninth Grade Academics And Minor Disciplinary Infractions, Angela Dawn Hahn
Dissertations
Ninth grade is critical because students either gain the maturity and academic skills to succeed in high school or fail and eventually drop-out (Hardy, 2006). With a new school environment comes anxiety as new social, academic, and behavioral responsibilities arise. Incoming freshmen at the High School of Study experience greater social freedoms and accountabilities, difficult academic requirements that leave no room for failure, and more stringent discipline policies. Administrators at the High School of Study recognized these challenges and designed a program to help their freshmen make a successful transition into high school. In 2006, the High School of Study …
Impact Of Missouri Reading Initiative On Student Achievement, Teacher Attitudes, And Perceptions, Katherine R. Kimsey
Impact Of Missouri Reading Initiative On Student Achievement, Teacher Attitudes, And Perceptions, Katherine R. Kimsey
Dissertations
Reading and critical thinking skills are sources of concern when analyzing student achievement relative to No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In Fort Zumwalt, middle school Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores in communication arts have not consistently met NCLB requirements. To address this concern, Fort Zumwalt implemented Missouri Reading Initiative (MRI) as a pilot at North Middle School during the 2007-08 school year. Collaborative researchers collected data derived from student test scores on the 2006-07 and 2007-08 communication arts MAP to assess MRI effectiveness. Quantitatively, this study examined the relationship between implementation of MRI and student achievement on the communication …
Examining Classroom Grades As A Predictor Of Student Achievement On A Criterion- Referenced Test: Telling The Truth, Phillip David Kennedy
Examining Classroom Grades As A Predictor Of Student Achievement On A Criterion- Referenced Test: Telling The Truth, Phillip David Kennedy
Dissertations
American education has made many attempts to reform its structure during the last several decades. Many of these reform efforts have been prompted by global events that implied American education as inferior to other nations’ educational systems. The 2001 No Child Left Behind Act required schools to examine their curriculum, instructional practices, and assessments. The problem was a concern regarding inconsistencies between classroom grades and student achievement (Missouri Assessment Program scores). Therefore classroom grades may be misrepresenting student achievement to colleges, military, or corporations recruiting high school graduates. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between student …
Freshman Transition Programs: Effect On Ninth Grade Student Preparedness, Samantha Ruth Sutton
Freshman Transition Programs: Effect On Ninth Grade Student Preparedness, Samantha Ruth Sutton
Dissertations
Ninth grade is critical because students either gain the maturity and academic skills to succeed in high school or fail and eventually drop-out (Hardy, 2006). With a new school environment comes anxiety as new social, academic, and behavioral responsibilities arise. Incoming freshmen at the High School of Study experience greater social freedoms and accountabilities, difficult academic requirements that leave no room for failure, and more stringent discipline policies. Administrators at the High School of Study recognized these challenges and designed a program to help their freshmen make a successful transition into high school. In 2006, the High School of Study …
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On The Experience Sub-Groups, Kimberly Joyce Mckinley
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On The Experience Sub-Groups, Kimberly Joyce Mckinley
Dissertations
As schools struggle to meet federal testing requirements, the importance of having highly effective teachers in every classroom has never been greater, and, given the downward trend in the economy, there are more teaching applicants than ever. School districts would benefit from a streamlined process to interview and select only the most effective and highly-qualified teachers. The researcher’s purpose was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of a unique and specific teacher selection process which included three Ventures for Excellence screening tools and one innovative instrument designed for this study, the performance rating scale. A collaborative correlational study involving three …
The Impact Of The Instructional Practices Inventory At An Illinois Middle School, Karen Earhart Gauen
The Impact Of The Instructional Practices Inventory At An Illinois Middle School, Karen Earhart Gauen
Dissertations
This participatory action research study followed a middle school for two academic years to determine if incorporating the Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) would increase classroom experiences that engaged students in learning and encouraged deeper, higher-order thinking skills. This study also used student standardized test scores, the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) and Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP), to determine if there was a relationship between the IPI process and improved test scores. I worked as the IPI coder, researcher, and facilitator for this study. During the research study, I kept field notes and observational data. Utilizing …
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On Elementary And Secondary Sub-Groups, Gregory Matthew Cicotte
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On Elementary And Secondary Sub-Groups, Gregory Matthew Cicotte
Dissertations
As schools struggle to meet federal testing requirements, the importance of having highly effective teachers in every classroom has never been greater, and, given the current downward trend in the economy, there are more teaching applicants than ever. School districts would benefit from a streamlined process to interview and select only the most highly-qualified teachers. The researcher’s purpose in this study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of a unique and specific teacher selection process which included three Ventures for Excellence screening tools and one innovative instrument designed for this study, the performance rating scale. A collaborative correlational study …
The Use Of Classroom Walk-Through Observations As A Strategy For Improving Teaching And Learning: Teacher Perspective, Leslie Mcentire, Mark Weller, Thomas R. Sorensen
The Use Of Classroom Walk-Through Observations As A Strategy For Improving Teaching And Learning: Teacher Perspective, Leslie Mcentire, Mark Weller, Thomas R. Sorensen
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of classroom walk-through observations and their effect on Communication Arts and Mathematics Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores, summer school placement, discipline referrals, and retention. This study was conducted in three Midwestern Middle Schools. This study focused on classroom walk-through observations. If the principal increased the number of classroom walk-through observations, would it have an impact on Communication Arts and Mathematics MAP scores, summer school placement, discipline referrals and retention? This study will attempt to determine if classroom walk-through observations had an impact on Communication Arts MAP scores, Mathematics MAP scores, …
Impact Of Missouri Reading Initiative On Student Achievement: An Administrative Perspective, Timothy E. Jamieson
Impact Of Missouri Reading Initiative On Student Achievement: An Administrative Perspective, Timothy E. Jamieson
Dissertations
Reading and critical thinking skills are a source of concern when analyzing student achievement relative to No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In Fort Zumwalt, middle school Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores in communication arts have not consistently met NCLB requirements. To address this concern, Fort Zumwalt implemented Missouri Reading Initiative (MRI) as a pilot at North Middle School during the 2007-08 school year. Collaborative researchers collected data derived from student test scores on the 2006-07 and 2007-08 communication arts MAP to assess MRI effectiveness. Quantitatively, this study examined the relationship between implementation of MRI and student achievement on the …
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On The Gender Sub-Groups, Sharon Lynn Ellerbrook
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On The Gender Sub-Groups, Sharon Lynn Ellerbrook
Dissertations
As schools struggle to meet federal testing requirements, the importance of having highly effective teachers in every classroom has never been greater, and, given the downward trend in the economy, there are more teaching applicants than ever. School districts would benefit from a streamlined process to interview and select only the most effective and highly-qualified teachers. The researcher’s purpose was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of a unique and specific teacher selection process which included three Ventures for Excellence screening tools and one innovative instrument designed for this study, the performance rating scale. A collaborative correlational study involving three …
Improving Academic Achievement At A Greater Rate With Increased Instructional Time For Students Who Qualify For Free And Reduced Lunch, Jeffrey Steven Beiswinger
Improving Academic Achievement At A Greater Rate With Increased Instructional Time For Students Who Qualify For Free And Reduced Lunch, Jeffrey Steven Beiswinger
Dissertations
Great demands are placed on educators to meet student academic standards as set forth by No Child Left Behind legislation. To meet these expectations, school districts must consider instructional strategies that maximize learning time. The study school, located in Midwest Missouri, implemented Start on Time, a tardy reduction program at the beginning of the 2006/2007 school year. The intent of the Start on Time program was to reduce tardies, thereby reducing interruptions to instruction while providing support strategies so students arrive prepared. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased instructional time would increase academic achievement and academic …
The Implementation Of Interventions And Strategies For Children Who Struggle With Reading Utilizing The Read 180 Program, Rebecca Josephine Haag Guyne
The Implementation Of Interventions And Strategies For Children Who Struggle With Reading Utilizing The Read 180 Program, Rebecca Josephine Haag Guyne
Dissertations
All children can learn if given the opportunity, correct assistance, and appropriate instruction. Finding the learning tools which will enhance and encourage learning is the ultimate way to make certain that all students can and will learn. Many teachers use their gut instinct to determine the interventions and strategies to present in their classroom. Improvement will only occur for teachers and students when best practice or research based interventions and strategies are not only accessible but utilized correctly on a daily basis. Children with reading disabilities find fluency and reading comprehension a challenge. The most effective method reported in the …
The Effects Of Early Reading Interventions On Student Reading Levels And Achievement, Theresa F. Arnold
The Effects Of Early Reading Interventions On Student Reading Levels And Achievement, Theresa F. Arnold
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate the academic impact of reading interventions provided to kindergarten through third grade students identified as at-risk for reading failure. Studies have indicated that educators become very concerned when the number of elementary students who struggle with reading increase. It is difficult for students to reach grade level reading expectation when they have a poor start at learning to read. The gap between these children and children who read well widens as they progress through the grade levels. The research questions included 1) What gains are seen in reading abilities for children who …
A First Year Program Evaluation Of Language Essentials For Teachers Of Reading And Spelling: The Effect On Student Achievement And Teacher Perception, Danielle C. Vogelsang
A First Year Program Evaluation Of Language Essentials For Teachers Of Reading And Spelling: The Effect On Student Achievement And Teacher Perception, Danielle C. Vogelsang
Dissertations
An indicator of student achievement is the ability to read. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2000) stated that reading comprehension is critically important to the development of children’s reading skills and their ability to obtain an education. The ability to read was found to be both necessary and crucial for academic success. With the adoption of No Child Left Behind, national concern about the quality of our schools and the achievement of all students was as high as it has ever been. The primary purposes of this study were to (a) investigate the impact of the …
Investigating Efforts To Change Educator Attitudes And Teaching Strategies Through Professional Development Focused On The Use Of Backward Design Curriculum And The Principles Of Efficacy: Educator Beliefs And Attitudes, Cynthia R. Allen
Dissertations
A specific assessment for testing readiness skills is lacking for children entering kindergarten. This study investigates the influence of early education programs on school readiness and differences between male and female school readiness screening scores upon students‘ entrance into kindergarten. The study uses 321 school readiness screening scores of students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade from a rural school district with the population of approximately 540 students located in Southwest Missouri. A causal-comparative study was performed on the data compiled from student records. An unpaired t-test using a two-tailed P-value hypothesis test revealed there is a significant difference between …
The Impact Of The Data Team Structure On Collaborative Teams And Student Achievement, Brenda Catherine Rone
The Impact Of The Data Team Structure On Collaborative Teams And Student Achievement, Brenda Catherine Rone
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a specific collaborative structure would create effective teacher teams that in turn would lead to improved student achievement. An effective team can be viewed as one that uses collaboration to increase its knowledge and improve its practices. The structure that was implemented during this study was the Data Team Process. This process was implemented during the 2007-2008 school year in the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis, Missouri. Three measurement tools were used: the Five Dysfunctions of a Team Survey to assess grade level teacher collaboration, the Hazelwood School District …
Effects Of The A+ Schools Program On Attendance, Dropout Rate, And Student Achievement, Jeffrey L. Hyatt
Effects Of The A+ Schools Program On Attendance, Dropout Rate, And Student Achievement, Jeffrey L. Hyatt
Dissertations
In this study, the results of Missouri Assessment Program student achievement and average daily attendance of schools designated A+ Schools by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MDESE) were examined to determine if student achievement and average daily attendance results are higher in eligible A+ Schools. Student Missouri Assessment Program achievement results, dropout rates, and average daily attendance percentages were obtained from randomly selected school district populations. This information was compared to a second subject group of the same population for schools not designated A+ Schools by MDESE. The reporting period data was compiled from the 2007-08 school …
Leading Cultural Change In A School District Through A Budget Building Collaboration, Ricky Warren Radford
Leading Cultural Change In A School District Through A Budget Building Collaboration, Ricky Warren Radford
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to assess, plan, and implement a budget building process through collaboration with the stakeholders of a targeted school district. The research question of this study was, “Will allowing the stakeholders more input, autonomy, and collaboration during a budget building process build a team environment and ultimately ownership in managing their perspective budgets?” The culture and attitudes of stakeholders were pessimistic towards the senior administration. There seemed to be a feeling of mistrust concerning the budget and allocations. Action research methodology was conducted, while applying Andragogical principles with the members of the district. This process …
A Correlational Study: Parental Involvement To Student Achievement In Public Education, Brian Ray Wilson
A Correlational Study: Parental Involvement To Student Achievement In Public Education, Brian Ray Wilson
Dissertations
The significance of parental involvement in their children’s education, according to literature, is unquestionable. In this study the author examined the correlation between student achievement and parental involvement in public education in grade levels two through twelve. The following research will present varied aspects of obstacles that stakeholders must hurdle in an attempt to overcome these barriers in their quest for student success. Additional focus will present quality models of parental involvement as stakeholders attempt to increase and sustain student achievement in this new era of accountability in education.
Teacher Compensation And The Academic Achievement Of Elementary Students, Doug Arnold
Teacher Compensation And The Academic Achievement Of Elementary Students, Doug Arnold
Dissertations
This study examined Missouri Assessment Program achievement scores and teacher salaries to determine if a correlation existed. Student achievement scores and teacher salaries were obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the 2006-2007 school year. Analysis of the data indicated there was a significant correlation between student achievement as measured by the Missouri Assessment Program and teacher salaries. This study is part of a companion project. The researchers collaborated on the research portion of this study. The researchers shared common goals, defined their roles in the review of literature and coordinated efforts to produce this project. …
Instructional Leadership And The Missouri Annual Performance Report, Donald Duane Forrest
Instructional Leadership And The Missouri Annual Performance Report, Donald Duane Forrest
Dissertations
This study was to determine if there was a positive correlation between the years of experience of the high school principal and the annual performance of the district. Data was obtained from sixty randomly selected school districts in Missouri. The years of experience of the high school principal was compared to the Missouri Assessment Program scores in tenth grade Math, eleventh grade Communication Arts, 9-12 attendance rate, and the graduation rate. The reporting period data for this study was selected from the 2007-08 school year from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. The findings of this study …
Reading First Program Effects On Students With Disabilities, Brenda K. Lakin
Reading First Program Effects On Students With Disabilities, Brenda K. Lakin
Dissertations
The passage of the NCLB Act in 2002 and the Individuals with Disability Education and Improvement Act of 2004, mandated more accountability for student achievement. Students with disabilities were expected to progress through the curriculum and show gains in academic achievement at the same rate as other students. Therefore, schools were forced to look at their special education programs and make changes in instructional methods. One of the programs funded under NCLB was Reading First which was to ensure that all students would be able to read by the end of third grade. Reading First focused on helping those students …
Comparison Of Grade Point Averages And Dropout Rates Of Students Who Participate In Extracurricular Activities And Students Who Do Not Participate, Timothy Carl Boatwright
Comparison Of Grade Point Averages And Dropout Rates Of Students Who Participate In Extracurricular Activities And Students Who Do Not Participate, Timothy Carl Boatwright
Dissertations
In this study, the author examined the effects of participation in extracurricular activities on high school students’ grade point averages (GPA’S) and drop out rates. This study focused on high schools located in southwest Missouri. Students’ grade point averages and drop out rates were obtained from high school athletic directors and high school principals. The data were analyzed to determine if participation in these activities was beneficial to students or a hindrance in their quest for a quality education. Data were gathered and analyzed and it was determined using t-tests that students involved in extracurricular activities had higher grades and …
Middle School Grading Practices And The Ability To Predict Achievement On The Arkansas Benchmark Test, Philip Matthew Summers
Middle School Grading Practices And The Ability To Predict Achievement On The Arkansas Benchmark Test, Philip Matthew Summers
Dissertations
After the No Child Left Behind Act was legislated, it became necessary for states to target specific learning goals and then test those objectives. As part of this process, districts began to develop new curricula and evaluate grading practices. For this study, student samples were drawn from sixth, seventh, and eighth grade populations of a Northwest Arkansas Middle School. Samples were disaggregated by grade level for the 2005-2006, 2006- 2007, and 2007-2008 school years. A quasi-experimental design was implemented to test the strength of the independent variable, averaged semester grades, on the dependent variable, Arkansas Benchmark Test scores. A Pearson …
Missouri Elementary Teacher Certification Programs And The Education Provided On How Boys And Girls Learn Differently, Elizabeth Anne Cooper
Missouri Elementary Teacher Certification Programs And The Education Provided On How Boys And Girls Learn Differently, Elizabeth Anne Cooper
Dissertations
Teacher education programs, professional development, and higher education should provide educators with the information needed to address the ways that boys and girls learn differently. This mixed-methods study discovered the amount of education provided to teachers during their Teacher Education Programs in regards to how girls and boys learn. This study focused on a purposeful sample of five school districts within a chosen region in Missouri. Data were collected from elementary schools within these districts in the fall of 2008. The subjects included a purposeful sample of elementary teachers throughout these districts. In addition, twelve elementary teachers within this region …
Student Assessment: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study Of Teachers' Perceptions And Resulting Practices, Kathy J. Grover
Student Assessment: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study Of Teachers' Perceptions And Resulting Practices, Kathy J. Grover
Dissertations
Federal and state accountability requirements have raised the stakes on student achievement testing. Teachers' perceptions of accountability testing influence classroom instruction (Wiliam, 2005). Teacher instruction greatly impacts student learning (Schmoker, 2006). This mixed method study examined teachers’ perceptions of assessment and instruction. Analysis of data from case studies of three classroom teachers revealed three themes relating to assessment and instruction. The themes were further investigated by means of a Likert survey. The case study and survey methodologies provided descriptive data of teachers' beliefs regarding the value of various assessment types, the influence of different types of assessment on teaching practice, …
School Board Members’ Perception On Their Roles And Responsibilities In Developing Policy That Affects Student Achievement, James D. Hutsell
School Board Members’ Perception On Their Roles And Responsibilities In Developing Policy That Affects Student Achievement, James D. Hutsell
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine how school board members perceive their individual roles with regard to individual student achievement. The study participants were public schools that have completed the fourth cycle Missouri School Improvement Program in Missouri. With the accountability movement that is facing every public school system, the school board’s involvement must be accounted for in that process of increasing student achievement. The traditional school board has taken a lesser role in the student learning process and has spent the majority of its time on management of policy and facilities. A clear understanding of the board’s …
A Multi-Case Study Of Americorps Tutoring Programs, Kimberly E. Hawk
A Multi-Case Study Of Americorps Tutoring Programs, Kimberly E. Hawk
Dissertations
An analysis of the practices and results of AmeriCorps tutoring programs in a Midwest state was the basis of this study. Volunteer management theory, the theory of planned behavior, and social change and justice theory were used as the theoretical foundation of this qualitative, multi-case study. Understanding the essential components of effective AmeriCorps tutoring programs will assist program directors in establishing or improving AmeriCorps tutoring programs throughout the country. The essential components identified in this study will serve as a model for program directors and provide state and national AmeriCorps leadership insight as to the support needed to establish effective …
Influencing The Opinions And Beliefs Of Teachers And Counselors Middle School Advisory, Chelsea Coleman Watson
Influencing The Opinions And Beliefs Of Teachers And Counselors Middle School Advisory, Chelsea Coleman Watson
Dissertations
Developmentally responsive middle schools provide young adolescents with a culture of caring that translates into action when the adults are attentive to the needs of the students. It is necessary for teachers and counselors to address the academic, social, and emotional well being of students. A philosophy held in middle schools with advisory programs is that every child should be known well by at least one adult, and a relationship facilitated with an adult advisor and a small group of peers is noteworthy. This research included a mixed methods experimental one-group pretest-posttest formulated to answer the following question: How do …