Education Commons^™

The Challenges For A Closed-To-The-Public Animal Sanctuary: Prioritizing Animal Welfare While Engaging In Educational Community Outreach, Lisa Tweed

All Master's Theses

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is a small primate sanctuary in Cle Elum, Washington, and is presently home to seven chimpanzees who were retired from biomedical research. I used this sanctuary as a case study to find out how a closed-to-the-public sanctuary can engage in educational outreach without compromising the welfare of the residents. I employed a combination of semi-structured interviews of sanctuary personnel, ethnographic participant-observation as a volunteer caregiver, and an online survey offered to the local community to help me understand the goals and limitations of sanctuaries. I also designed and conducted two educational programs for local area schools as …

Behavioral Skills Training To Train Teachers To Conduct A Brief Functional Analysis, Rachel O'Connor, Rachel E. O'Connor

All Master's Theses

Teachers are required to be a part of behavioral assessments for children in special education classrooms. Most teachers lack the tools needed to specifically address each child’s individual need appropriately. To assist with this, a brief functional analysis was taught to teachers using behavioral skill training. Using written instructions, role-play, modeling and immediate feedback each of the teachers were taught how to conduct a brief functional analysis. While conducting this, the teachers were able to learn how to identify which function of behavior was providing enough reinforcement to maintain the challenging behaviors. Behavioral skills training was conducted with the experimenter …

“No Other Agency”: Public Education (K-12) In Washington State During World War I And The Red Scare, 1917-1920, Jennifer Nicole Arleen Crooks

All Master's Theses

This paper examines the impact of World War I and the Red Scare upon public education in Washington State. Schools, expected to be the instruments of governmental policy, played an important role in the everyday lives of people on the American homefront. Although many helped in the war effort willingly, this wartime drive included both instilling nationalism and loyalty to American political and economic institutions as well as the assimilation of immigrants. While these forces existed well before World War I and the Red Scare, they strengthened and became more publicly acceptable in 1917-1920 as more people grew convinced that …

The Impact Of The Arts For Students With Moderate To Severe Disabilities, Rebekah Fuss

All Master's Theses

Students with moderate to severe disabilities are often left out of arts programs, especially in rural areas where resources are limited and drama, music and art classes are often not available. This action research study focused on a small group of students in a self-contained classroom in a high school. The classroom teacher worked with a teaching artist to start an art program for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Even though there are limited resources in rural areas, it is still possible to create a quality arts integration program which requires planning and effective collaboration with other teachers and …

Music And Attention For Children With Developmental Disabilities, Mallory M. Bentley

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of the use of music in the form of a song with instructional lyrics on the attention of children with developmental disabilities. The study took place in a self-contained special education classroom, which served third through fifth grade students. A single-subject with ABA or reversal design (Creswell, 2012) was utilized, including five days of baseline, 15 days of intervention, and five days of reversal data collection. During the intervention phase, the teacher sang a cappella an original song with instructional lyrics that explain the type of attentive behaviors that students …

Effective Learning Strategies For College Students With Asperger's Syndrome, Jamie Susanne Gilbert

All Master's Theses

More and more students with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) are being accepted into college without having the proper foundation in place to successfully graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. Students with AS need support systems in place to properly prepare them to face the challenges of college. The purpose of this study is to discuss the current research in regards to effective learning strategies that lead to academic success for college students with AS and to further discuss how to implement the learning strategies in higher education institutions. A single-subject study, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, was performed. It involved one …

Teachers' Handbook For Using Picture Books To Promote/Reinforce Mathematical Concepts In The Early Primary Grades, Andrea Lynn Bannister

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to design a handbook for early primary grade teachers interested in using picture books to promote/reinforce mathematics. The handbook includes ten lessons based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards, 2000.

Environment-Based Education: Policy, Practice, And Place, Eric N. Wickwire

All Master's Theses

The policies of the environment-based education movement are benefiting teachers and students participating in several model programs operating in the United States. Place-centered learning enhances the interdisciplinary practice of Essential Academic Learning Requirements, and actively engages students in local issues. The study of cultural landscapes encourages a sense of place within the Lower Columbia River Gorge, and fosters student connections with the Dalles Mountain Ranch. Policy recommendations are made for environment-based learning in Washington State's public schools. An example place-centered curriculum is outlined for practice at the Dalles Mountain Ranch, and a residential environmental learning center is proposed in the …

A Parent Handbook: How Parents Can Foster Learning To Enhance Formal Schooling, Janet M. Mckee

All Master's Theses

This project examined the role of fostering brain development before formal schooling begins.

The Value Of Hebeler Children's School, Janet Lucille Smith

All Master's Theses

This thesis consists of a historical review of laboratory schools at Central Washington University. It is supplemented by the results of two informal surveys of in-service teachers who graduated from Central, along with present and retired faculty, administrators, teachers, and others connected and concerned with the education of teachers (see Appendices A and B). The surveys focus on the perception of the role of laboratory school experience in teacher preparation. Also included are interviews and correspondence with persons connected to Central and its laboratory schools (see Appendix C). Recommendations were given for opportunity to explore, study and identify the roles …

Using Music To Enhance Beginning Reading, Shirley Yvonne Herrud

All Master's Theses

Research finding of factors which facilitate beginning reading were investigated. Results were used to form the foundation for developing an approach that integrated music with beginning reading instruction for first grade students. A handbook was produced to enhance the development of reading skills through song-reading techniques. Materials such as song charts, overhead transparencies, sentence strips, student and class song books, language experience songs, mini-books, big books, cassette tapes, records, and videos were used to motivate beginning readers through increased interest and excitement for learning .

Promoting Children's Writing For Publication, Minnie Mary Mckay Merrill

All Master's Theses

The main emphasis of this project was a description of a writing program "Promoting Children's Writing for Publication" as it evolved at Grass Lake Elementary School, Kent School District, Kent, Washington.

Pre-Academy Placement In The Washington State Patrol: Factors Associated With Academy And Job Performance, Richard Franklin Hamack

All Master's Theses

Washington State Patrol Trooper Cadets serve in a number of positions, a number of locations across the state and for varying lengths of time before they are selected to attend the academy. The purpose of the present research was to determine whether these factors were related to subsequent academy performance and job performance.

To that end, 255 cadets hired between 1979 and 1985 were studied. The results indicated that only pre-academy assignment duration was significantly correlated with academy completion and academy performance. Implications for further research and departmental policy are discussed.

Adjustment Of South African Education Program Students And South African Higher Education Program Students In America, Ronald T. September

All Master's Theses

The self-perceived adjustment of black South African undergraduate and graduate students in two educational exchange programs in America was investigated by means of a questionnaire administered through the mail during Fall 1985. Sixty-one female and male students at various American institutions participated in the study. The results showed that students perceived themselves to have achieved a high level of personal, social and academic adjustment, and that the undergraduate females, graduate females, undergraduate males and graduate males do not differ significantly in their perceived adjustment. Recommendations for further adjustment strategies are put forward.

Absenteeism Trends In The North Franklin School District From 1974 To 1985, Gail A. Thompson

All Master's Theses

This study is concerned with the question: Is there a trend toward an annual increase in certificated absenteeism in the North Franklin School District, Connell, Washington, and does any such change parallel trends as identified in the literature?

An Analysis Of Parental Rights In The Education Of Their Children, Marylou Brain Mundy

All Master's Theses

This study presents an analysis of the parental rights involved in the selection and direction of the education of their children.

Six kinds of source materials are examined in the study: (1) legal citations, annotations, and digests; (2) constitutions, laws, codes, statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and proceedings; (3) law reports, reviews and analyses; (4) general reading lists, books and periodicals; and (5) related graduate degree dissertations.

There were two major reasons for analysis of parents' rights in the affairs of learning and education of their children. They include (1) that many of the controversies involving parental rights have their roots …

Selected Sources Of Funding For The Third World Educational Projects, Joseph M. Ndisya

All Master's Theses

A hundred philanthropic foundations were surveyed with an aim to find out their attitudes toward the educational growth in the developing countries. This was done in order to have an idea of the percentage that would reply positively that they would consider project proposals seeking funds for continuous educational growth in such countries. Of those that replied to the questionnaires, about 50% replied positively thereby agreeing that they would consider such proposals. Hence those developing countries of Latin America, Asia Minor, and Africa could seek more funds to keep their educational development growing a bit faster.

The Use Of Children's Literature In Improving The Secondary Remedial Reader's Attitude Toward And Fluency In Reading, Jane Watson

All Master's Theses

A six week course in children's literature was taught to ten alternative tenth through twelfth grade students. The purposes were to determine if the secondary student's attitude toward and fluency in reading were improved by working in easy and pleasurable material. The Estes Attitude Scale and an informal reading inventory were administered to the students at the start and end of the course. No statistically significant difference was found in the attitude scale, but reading fluency increased significantly.

The Cost To And The Public Relation Effects Of Federal Education Dollars To The Local School District, Raymond L. Cooper

All Master's Theses

The costs and public effects of using federal vocational education dollars in the local school district were studied. Twenty-five Washington school districts were randomly selected. Financial data were compiled and a survey distributed to these schools. The results showed increased use of federal vocational monies resulted in increased local administration, as school size decreased use of federal monies decreased, smaller schools spend more money per student, and local advisory committees feel that vocational education needs federal monies.

The Development Of A Comprehensive Preschool Screening Instrument, Jana Lee Johnson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to research criteria for screening for young, handicapped children with the intent of developing a single, comprehensive screening instrument. Analyses of existing screening devices and data from educators in the field were also included in the study.

The resulting screening instrument was designed to assess the developmental acquisition of skills. Major developmental areas included in the screening instrument are language skills, motor development, perceptual skills, cognitive development, social skills, and self-help skills.

A Content Analysis Of Public School Education News In An Independently Owned Small Daily Newspaper, Linda L. Mccleary

All Master's Theses

Newspapers and school districts form a tentative partnership in the dissemination of education news. Subjects preferred by readers have not been reflected in actual education news coverage. Emphasis on utility information at the expense of in-depth writing about what is going on in public education has been standard practice. Content analysis shows that while quantity of education news seems reasonable, the quality of that news fails to transmit to readers the substance of what teachers and children are accomplishing in the public schools.

Teacher's Reactions To An Implemented Competency Based Education Program In Tigard Senior High School, Merle Dean Winder

All Master's Theses

Teachers' reactions to an implemented competency based education program were evaluated. Twenty-four high school teachers were asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning competency based education. It was concluded that teachers understand competency based education and its components. The majority of teachers performed tasks related to competency based education. Teachers did not change their course content nor evaluation methods to accommodate competency based education. Teachers have varied opinions on the virtues of competency based education and their major concern is record keeping processes. Implications of the competency based education innovation arc discussed.

A Follow-Up Study Of A Public Law 89-10 Title Iii Elementary And Secondary Education Act Project, Patricia Ann Clark

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a follow-up study of a Public Law 89-10, Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title III project, number 754, The Central Washington Regional Supplementary Center that served public and parochial schools in the nine central Washington counties.

Data were gathered by the questionnaire technique and site visitations.

Recommendations included investigating the possibility of requesting additional Title III funds and providing workshops to instruct teachers how to fully utilize the instructional materials and equipment provided by the Regional Center.

A Proposed Classification Schedule For A Curriculum Materials Collection, Robert E. Jones

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a classification schedule which may be utilized to organize the printed materials found in a curriculum laboratory. The schedule is designed to provide the user with maximum ease of access to the materials contained in the collection and relieves the curriculum librarian of many of the clerical routines common to the processing of new materials. The summary ir.cludcs general recommendations for the application of the schedule and suggestions relating to the organization and administration of the entire collection of printed curriculum materials.

Relationship Of Convergent And Divergent Teaching To Creative Performance, Robert Bruce Kibler

All Master's Theses

This study investigated the effect on test scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Form A, resulting from convergent and divergent methods of teaching fifteen half-hour mini-lessons in social studies to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Results favored the Divergent Group, and their scores were more widely dispersed. Recommendations included a follow-up study, replication of the experiment with variations in the sample and treatments, and investigation of the possible utility of a two-score achievement test.

A Comparative Investigation Of The Effects Of Frequent Testing Upon Achievement In Secondary Advanced Algebra, John Thomas Fullerton

All Master's Theses

Relatively speaking, few studies have concerned themselves with the problem of frequent testing, and as Keys pointed out, empirical evidence, uncomplicated by differences in the amount of testing material employed, on the effects of frequent testing is, at best, scarce (14:427). Also many studies used tests and test results for direct instruction, thus introducing additional variables. Furthermore, the choice of subjects and disciplines has been limited, the better part being taken from college psychology and sociology classes or high school science classes. This investigation was not an attempt to modify previous experiments, nor was it an attempt to identify which …

Duration Of State-Dependent Learning Induced By Ncfs-Ecs, Larry Wayne Morris

All Master's Theses

This paper investigated the course of the state-dependent function induced by NCFS-ECS at 24 hr. time intervals, beginning at 24 or 48 hrs. after NCFS-ECS treatment and terminating at 120 hrs. Results of both experiments indicate a state-dependent effect lasting up to 72 hrs., was absent at the 96 hr. retention test but, apparently returned by the 120 hr. retention test. Recommendations included investigation of fixed time intervals after the 120 hr. retention test.

Problem Solving Ability And Effective Group Behavior Of Introductory Education Students, Gary Lewis Lord

All Master's Theses

The need to understand group processes in the classroom and to use them to develop more effective learning is growing among educators. The group and its dynamics comprise significant conditions for learning and work either for or against the individual's development. One of the most significant learning developmental characteristics that is readily influenced by group variables is the individual's ability to solve problems. Not only is problem solving ability influenced by group variables, but it is through group process methods that this ability is most effectively learned. Thus, problem solving is believed to be a social skill. That group variables …

Effects Of The Cle Elum Reservoir On The Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) Of The Cle Elum River, David Bruce Ainsworth

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and chemical effects of the Cle Elum Reservoir on the Cle Elum River and to evaluate these effects in respect to the Ephemeroptera of the Cle Elum River. Specific objectives were: (1) To determine the effects of the reservoir on current velocity, volume of flow, turbidity, and temperature. (2) To determine the effects of the reservoir on alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen, and pH. (3) To evaluate the effects of the reservoir on the Ephemeroptera of the Cle Elum River.

Innovative Instructional Materials For Eighth Grade English, Mary Lou Clerf

All Master's Theses

This study was undertaken for the purpose of reviewing current literature and developing new instructional materials suitable for classroom use by teachers of eighth grade English.