Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

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.

A Study Of The Neurological Impress Method With Remedial Secondary Students, Larry Charles Reynolds

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study of the Neurological Impress Method, with junior high students two or more years behind their expected Reading Comprehension level. Thirty students were randomly selected and placed into control and experimental groups by a random number process. These S's received eighteen weeks of special treatment with either the N.I.M. or oral reading practice for the controls. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the Reading Comprehension gains of controls and experimentals. The gains of both controls and experimentals was, however, found to be of significance. Conclusions and recommendations included suggestions for additional research and a discussion …

The Effect Of Diagnostic Prescriptive Instruction Using Team Teaching Of Language Arts, John Edward Gilmore

All Master's Theses

This study attempts to determine the effect or using diagnostic prescriptive instruction under the organization of team teaching. The study was designed to evaluate the academic progress of students in a pilot program using team teaching. The results indicate that students having team teaching do not score significantly higher than students receiving conventional instruction. During the study the author developed and fieldtested a semantic differential attitude scale that will be used to determine attitudinal differences among groups of students.

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 …

Retention As A Function Of Competition And Cooperation In Learning, Neil Orin Combelic

All Master's Theses

Educators in our school systems continually try to determine what kind of motivational atmosphere should be established to obtain the fullest potential from every student that enters an institution of higher learning. Since our society is built on competition, many educators would like to increase competition among students in the classroom. Other educators point out that too much competition can be harmful, and would like to see students cooperatively motivated in the classroom.

Comparison Of Effectiveness Of Basal Readers And Sullivan Programmed Materials, Joan E. Lorenz

All Master's Theses

The aim of this study is not to tear down or ridicule any method, Sullivan Programmed or Traditional Basal, but to evaluate as objectively as possible, the merits and limitations which exist in both and to show, through testing a group of 99 first graders and 64 second graders, the possible effectiveness of these methods.

The Teacher's Contingent Use Of Praise And Privilege To Improve Classroom Study Behavior, Margaret E. Taylor

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this experiment to determine if the study behavior of an entire classroom and two target students could be increased by teacher implementation of a program of contingent praise and privilege for appropriate study behavior. It was proposed in this study that a regular classroom teacher receiving instructions in the concepts of reinforcement theory from a school psychologist intern, would be able to elicit significant behavioral changes in the classroom as the result of the implementation of this contingency program.

A Comparison Of Emphasis Of Training And On-The-Job Effectiveness Of Media Personnel, Roy E. Williams

All Master's Theses

It has long been recognized in our society that formal training plays a strong role in the development of attitudes, and that attitudes are important determinants of behavior. Consequently, the behavior of one whose formal training has been oriented in a particular direction is often somewhat different from the behavior of one whose training has been oriented in a different direction. Does the training orientation of instructional materials personnel affect their on-the-job effectiveness? Will a person who is primarily oriented toward print materials be more or less effective in promoting the use of instructional materials than one whose orientation is …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Various Methods Of Teaching Reading In Special Education Classrooms, Mary Ann Fisher

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two reading programs, Sullivan's Programmed Reading and the Psycholinguistic Color System, and to try to determine if one program did, in effect, have a particular value over the other when used with children in an intermediate special education program. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a teacher-centered program brought about different results than one which was student-centered.

The Effects Of Conferencing On Teacher And Pupil Verbal Behavior In The Classroom, Dwayne B. Fickel

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral effects of conferencing with high school teachers following observations of their behavior in the classroom. The basis of observation, feedback, and conferencing was Flanders' System of Interaction Analysis. All observations were recorded, but feedback was given only to the experimental group.

Contingency Management In A Language Development Program, James E. Clark

All Master's Theses

The problem was two-fold. The first part of the problem was the investigation of whether a person with no formal training in speech could successfully administer Gray's (1970) language development program. The second part of the problem was the investigation of whether the two subjects involved would gain the ability to use new language structures.

Group Counseling The Underachieving New College Student, Kenneth F. Burda

All Master's Theses

The present study will deal with underachievement on the college level. A critical examination of the progress and process of underachievers in a group setting will be attempted. The major difference will be this experiment will be geared to help underachievers before they become probationaries.

Reading Interests In Relation To Vocational, Extracurricular, And Academic Interests Of Boys In Grades Two Through Six, Diane C. Mccarty

All Master's Theses

Educators are continually seeking ways of aiding children in preparation for their adult lives. There has been much research involving the interest and aspirations of the secondary and college student, often leaving the elementary child behind. The writer felt the need to explore the possibilities of a positive relationship between reading, vocational, academic, and extracurricular interests within the elementary grades. If a correlation could be established, this would aid the teacher in developing the necessary skills in a strong foundation for future use by the student. The three-part research hypothesis would determine (1) if a significant relationship exists between the …

Operational Expression Of Attitudes In A Self-Selecting Curriculum, James Richard Carnes

All Master's Theses

The goal of this study was to describe the operational expression of attitudes in a self--selecting curriculum. Information was revealed concerning children's attitudes toward specific curricular areas, how those attitudes are expressed behaviorally, and how attitude changes are reflected in behavior patterns.

A Study Of The Reading Background And Current Program Practices In Reading Used By Elementary Principals In Washington's Second Class School Districts, Kenneth William Anderson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which the training and backgrounds possessed by elementary principals affect their actions as leaders of reading instruction with their buildings.

Effects Of Controlled Reading Reinforcement On Junior High Students, Earl Albertson

All Master's Theses

The initial purpose of this investigation was to design a motivating environment based upon operant reinforcement theory. The second purpose of this study was to show how a high degree of structure and systematic application of operant reinforcement theory works in a junior high school reading class.

A Survey Of Changing Of Units Of Measure In First Grade Through Eighth Grade Mathematics Materials, Thomas E. Anderson

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study (1) to compare the ability of eighth grade students to change units of measure in the English system and in a fictional system of measurement; (2) to survey four mathematics textbook series, grades one through six, and four series, grades seven and eight, on changing of units of measure; and (3) to survey three college level textbooks, which could possibly be utilized in an arithmetic methods course, to see how changing of units of measure is suggested to be taught to children.

A Comparative Investigation Of The Affects Of Parental Cooperation And No Known Parental Cooperation In Children’S Reading Skills, Suzanne Dorothea Lorain

All Master's Theses

Due to the low economic area from which the subjects for this experiment were chosen, many were lacking in environmental experiences which contributed to their growth in reading skills and interests in the primary grades. This experiment was devised as a means to study reading difficulties in children from a low socioeconomic area, while, at the same time, parents were used to help overcome those problems. The main purpose of this study was to compare and contrast improvement in reading interest and reading skills in matched groups of subjects of an experimental and a control group.

Individualized Instruction In Contrast To Total Classroom Instruction In Vocabulary Development, James N. Haner

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the null hypothesis there was no significant difference in methods used in teaching vocabulary development in an individualized method as opposed to normal classroom methods. It was also the purpose of this pilot study to: (1) compare the amount of progress in vocabulary development the girls made as to the amount of progress in vocabulary development the boys made; (2) compare the boys of the control group and the experimental group as to which made the greater gains in vocabulary development; (3) compare the girls of the control group and the …

Implementing Team Teaching In First Grade At South Auburn Elementary School, Linda Scarvie

All Master's Theses

A review of the literature reveals a lack of information on planning and implementing team teaching at the first grade level. From the interest shown by visitors to South Auburn and the questions asked about the program, it is apparent that information on implementing team teaching is needed by educators considering similar implementation.

The purpose of this study is to record the preliminary planning accomplished prior to the initiation of team teaching in first grade at South Auburn Elementary, and the continuous planning accomplished throughout the year which was necessary to implement team teaching at the first grade level.

This …

Teacher Performance In The Nongraded Elementary Schools Of Central Washington, Helen Kathryn Dickson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which a non graded structure in the elementary schools "permits teachers to operate more freely with respect to instructional decisions."

A Descriptive Study Of Focus Room As A Method Of Integrating The Educationally Disadvantaged With The More Abled Student, Edward J. Novak

All Master's Theses

The problem was to develop a descriptive method of meeting the needs of underachieving students in the junior high. Focus Room was then decided upon as a method of meeting these needs by integrating the educationally disadvantaged with the more abled students. The general purpose of Focus Room was to attempt to establish a method of providing reparation experiences that would enable the student to evaluate and rebuild in these areas in terms of his own needs. The specific intent of student assignment to Focus Room was intended to be as varied and individual as the needs of the students …

Ninety Day Follow-Up Of A Boy To Determine The Effects Of The Use Of Operant Techniques In The Classroom, Kim Gene Kay

All Master's Theses

The present study was undertaken in part to determine the effectiveness of operant conditioning techniques when applied to a virtually ignored child in a regular classroom. However, the main emphasis of the study was on the maintenance of the modified (desirable) behavior in the classroom after the period of summer vacation.

A Comparative Study Of The Open Court And Basal Reading Programs, Janice Kathryn Smith

All Master's Theses

The purpose was to compare the Open Court first grade reading program with a traditional Basal Method being taught at Lakeview Elementary School in the Lake Washington School District.

A Study Of The Effect The Value-Clarification Process Had On Fifth Grade Students In Auburn, Washington, Kathleen Agnes Hagen

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there was any significant difference in the behavior ratings of the two groups of fifth graders between those students who received the "value-clarification" process and those students who did not. The clarification process is an approach to clarifying the values of students. The teacher asks questions, during group or private individual sessions, of the students.

An Analysis Of Parents’ Reaction To A Reporting System, Janice Louise Demmon

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze parents' reaction to a new reporting system. The system had been modified to eliminate all marks, and conferences and narrative reports were used in place of report cards.

An Experiment In Teaching Perfect Pitch With Programmed Learning, Harry Ross Nelson

All Master's Theses

Ten college students were subjects of an experiment dealing with the teaching of perfect pitch through programmed learning. The experiment was based on a similar study by Dr. Robert W. Lundin. An attempt was made to use equipment readily available in public schools, and to make the lessons as nearly self-teaching as possible.

Individualized Reading Instruction With Programmed Materials In A Third Grade, Alpha Pauline Lieb

All Master's Theses

This study was made to determine whether programmed reading materials could correct some of the reading difficulties that develop in children more effectively than the conventional basal approach to reading. Other purposes were to evaluate (1) the financial and administrative feasibility of programmed materials, (2) their effectiveness in individualizing instruction in reading, and (3) the benefits and/or hindrances these materials were to the teacher and students while working in a self-contained classroom situation.

Attendance Patterns Of The Secondary Indian Students Who Attended Camp Chaparral In 1967, Thomas H. Elgin

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is to study these secondary Indian students after a summer's training at Camp Chaparral in 1967 and determine what their attendance pattern was in school the following three semesters. The study will attempt to: 1. Determine the total percentage of absenteeism individually and as a group. 2. Determine the percentage of dropouts during the three semesters studied. 3. Compare frequency of absence of boys and girls. 4. Indicate which grade had the highest percentage of attendance. 5. Trace the movement of students if they transferred from one school to another. 6. Determine days of the …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Effect On Interest Of Reading Children’S Literature To Sixth Grade Students In Aberdeen, Washington, Donald R. Grieb

All Master's Theses

To determine the effect of a teacher's reading literature upon the interest in reading books among sixth grade students, one group (experimental) participated in a twenty-eight week program of scheduled daily time during which they listened to literature read by their teacher. A second group (control) were not exposed to literature in this manner but otherwise participated in a similar school program.