Community-Based Research Commons^™

Use Of Psychological Skills Training By Ncaa Softball Teams, Angie Kenney

Student Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine if there were significant differences in the use, administration, frequency, and coaches’ perceived benefit of psychological skills training (PST) among NCAA Division I teams that qualified for a regional tournament, teams that did not qualify for a regional tournament with .500 or above wining percentage, and teams that did not qualify for a regional tournament with below .500 winning percentage. No significant differences were found between more and less successful NCAA Division I softball teams in the use, administration, frequency, and coaches’ perceived benefit of PST based on performance with the season …

An Examination Of The Theoretical Orientation To Reading Profile (Torp): Results Of Selected Graduate Students In A Literacy Course, Guadalupe Sotelo

Student Dissertations & Theses

This survey research study was utilized to explore participants’ views and knowledge of balanced literacy programs before and after a 45-hour graduate level literacy course and to document any changes using the Theoretical Orientation to Reading Profile (TORP; Deford, 1985) questionnaire. The TORP’s main purpose is to designate the philosophical position of individuals on their preferences to teaching reading. The TORP examines orientation to phonics, skills, and whole language. Twenty-seven participants who designated themselves either as established school administrators or graduate students pursuing Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership or Reading were surveyed at the beginning and end of the course …

Parents' And Teachers' Family Involvement Perceptions In Elementary Schools, Isabel S. Gutierrez

Student Dissertations & Theses

The perceptions of X.I.S.D.'s teachers and parents are studied to understand why a negative teacher attitude, concerning family involvement, seems to dominate the district. Participants perceived limited parents' support in special school activities, home tutoring, teacher-parent communications, preparing and organizing materials for teachers, and volunteering in committees that require parent representation. Parent participants that were experienced in the schools perceived parent involvement as assisting in the classrooms. Those individuals that perceived limited involvement probably get their attitudes in part from the concerns of administrators about parents' criticism as well as their belief that the district is financially able to provide …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Parental Involvement Programs, Cindy Tucker Harbour

Student Dissertations & Theses

This report examines many recent cultural and family unit changes that have affected the home-school relationship. It addresses reasons for implementing parental involvement, the different programs available and assessment procedures. There are several key components in a parental involvement program: promoting parents as educators, training teachers to cooperate with families, promoting cooperation among families, involving the larger community and presenting family learning activities. These aspects have shown significant benefits to school staff members, students, and parents. How these relate to each other, identifies the positive expectation of the responsibility of education for all concerned. There are a variety of ways …

Student Satisfaction With The Counseling Education Program At The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, Christy Hamilton

Student Dissertations & Theses

A survey was conducted to assess student satisfaction of the Counseling Education program at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The survey was given to currently enrolled counseling education students. Fifty-seven out of 68 students completed the survey. Several recommendations were made based on the results. Overall, the program is perceived as adequately meeting the satisfaction of the students.

The Effects Of Educational Kinesiology On The Self-Esteem Of At-Risk Students, Julian W. Thrasher Iii

Student Dissertations & Theses

A study was performed on at-risk students in the Midland Independent School District, Midland, Texas utilizing Educational Kinesthetics as an alternative counseling technique for improving the self-esteem of the students. Students were divided into control and experimental groups and pretested and posttested with the School Attitude Measure. The experimental group was given twelve sessions of treatment utilizing Educational Kinesthetics. Results of the study showed a trend toward improved self-esteem at the conclusion of the study.

Attribution Of Stigma As A Function Of Disease And Mode Of Transmission, Alfred Maxdee Decker

Student Dissertations & Theses

The knowledge and attitudes of Odessa College health care students (N=114) towards hypothetical patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) were measured via questionnaires. Transmission variables for infection were: anal sex with another man, injecting drug use, or blood transfusion. An Attribution Theory model was used to explain differences in knowledge and attitudes. Results suggest that students tend correctly to identify HBV as being more infectious than HIV and also to recognize that as future health care workers they are much more likely to die from HBV than HIV infection. In spite of this knowledge, …

The Attributes Of Leadership In Southern Baptist Churches In West Texas, Tim Winn

Student Dissertations & Theses

This study deals with leadership attributes in Southern Baptist churches in West Texas. A review of literature indicated that leadership in the congregations would tend to reflect the perceived purposes of the group, would be elected by the church or arise to counter poor leadership by the elected leader(s), probably be relationship oriented, and that the selection of leaders would be affected by the size of the churches and the length of tenure of the pastors. The study attempted to determine if there were characteristics that set leaders apart from non leaders in the churches. Six variable clusters of characteristics …

A Descriptive Study Of The Alternative Education Center, Ector County Independent School District, Jack H. Hargis Ii

Student Dissertations & Theses

No abstract was provided.

A Study Of Pease Elementary School, Odessa, Texas; The Development Of The Pease Elementary School Neighborhood And Its Changing Demographic Characteristics, Harriet Jan Rudd

Student Dissertations & Theses

The economic development of the city of Odessa flourished when oil was discovered in the Permian Basin. Oil field service businesses opened which provided jobs for the educated as well as for the uneducated. These available jobs encouraged people to move to Odessa. In 1958, Pease Elementary was built. The area around the school was being developed by local developers. The city grew to the east which decreased development in west Odessa. There have been no significant residential developments in the Pease neighborhood since 1981. This neighborhood has basically been unchanged for ten years. During this time the properties have …

At-Risk Students' Reports Of Teachers' Instructional Behavior, Virginia E. Rios

Student Dissertations & Theses

This study investigated secondary teachers' instructional behavior from the at-risk students' perspective. The research concentrated on three areas— teaching styles, teacher encouragement, and homework assignments. A series of interviews with at-risk students yielded the following results: When dealing with at-risk students (1) most teachers use only two of four modalities (auditory and visual) in their teaching approach, (2) teachers do not encourage these students, and (3) teachers assign homework less than half of the time. When homework is assigned it is completed by students approximately half of the time.

A Follow-Up Study Of A Dropout Intervention Program Utilizing Experimental Counseling Strategies, Cynthia Sue Ferguson

Student Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the long range effects of a seven week summer dropout intervention program. The program featured academic remediation, job skills training and random assignment to one of three counseling models: Multidimensional, group or individual. Twenty-four male and 24 female economically and academically disadvantaged students averaging 15.5 years of age were tested in a pre-test, post-test, follow-up format on measures of dropout potential, locus of control and academic achievement. The Demos Dropout Scale revealed no change in attitude over the nine month period. Results obtained from Rotter's Internal/External Scale revealed a general movement to …

Altruism, Cooperation, And Type A Behaviors In Kindergarten And Third Grade Children, Pamela S. Martin

Student Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships of altruism, cooperation and Type A personality types in school-aged children. It was predicted that older children and Type A children would be more competitive and show fewer altruistic behaviors. Forty third-grade students and fifty-two kindergarten students served as subjects. Teachers completed the MYTH on each child to determine his/her personality type. Subjects were then paired according to Type A or Type B profiles, AA, AB, BB. The children played two games, a marble pull and a teaching task. By the time all of the games were completed, each child …

Grade, Sex And Ethnicity Differences In Career Maturity, Level Of Career Aspirations And Decision-Making Of Adolescents, Diane Dougherty Rhoden

Student Dissertations & Theses

Grade, sex and ethnicity differences in career maturity, level of career aspirations and decision making of adolescents were examined. The subjects were one hundred and two students drawn from regular seventh through twelfth grade classes of three schools. The subjects were given the Career Development Inventory to assess career maturity. National Opinion Research Center prestige ratings for occupations were used to determine the subjects' level of career aspiration. The subjects were also presented with ten decision dilemmas. The responses to the dilemmas reflected willingness to delay temporal gratification for future goals and adherence to personal goals or deference to the …

Adult Illiteracy: A Survey Of The Material And Teaching Preferences Of Local Tutors, Mary Margaret Byrom

Student Dissertations & Theses

An overview of adult illiteracy in the United States from an historical and current perspective is presented. Regarding current efforts at improving reading ability, a study was conducted of local tutors whose names were supplied by the Midland Need to Read program. A survey form was used to indicate 1) the experience level of the tutor, 2) the preference of tutors as to the ability of students they preferred to instruct, 3) the reading series they found most effective, and 4) interesting and effective supplemental materials. Findings indicate that tutors with prior teaching experience have more confidence in instructing students …

Anger Control, Fred Berec Ongaga

Student Dissertations & Theses

This study was designed to assess the efficiency of anger control training with twenty-three institutionalized male delinquents evidencing verbal and physical aggression. The study employed a two group crossover design. After an initial test session assessing anger with a variety of measures, the immediate treatment group received anger control training. Following this training both groups participated in a test session. The delayed treatment group then received training and both groups were finally tested a third time. For a number of measures, both groups showed significant differences between the first and the second testing sessions. However no significant differences could be …

A Descriptive Study Of School Dropouts By Ethnicity, Socio-Economic Status, And Neighborhood Schools At Pecos High School 1983-1987, Albert Joe Bishop

Student Dissertations & Theses

An abstract was not provided.

A Comparison Of The Academic Success Of Ged Recipients And High School Graduates At Midland College In 1984, Barbara H. Gideon

Student Dissertations & Theses

Abstract not made available.

A Combined Language Experience And Writing Approach To Reading Instruction For Below Grade Level Junior High Readers, Lori Beth Christiansen

Student Dissertations & Theses

No abstract was provided.

An Evaluation Of The Vocational Education Program In Stanton High School And Recommendations For Expansion, Marsha Bristow Todd

Student Dissertations & Theses

An evaluation and recommendations for change to the vocational education program at Stanton High School was conducted on the basis of existing programs, community needs survey, interviews with administration personnel, and a review of literature on vocational education. A survey of the 204 Class AA high schools was conducted to ascertain the type of vocational programs that were provided and the reasons for inclusion of each listed program. 166 responses were received. The accumulated data was then translated into tables showing what existed, what was being done elsewhere, and what was perceived as being needed.

The resulting recommendations supported current …

A Study Of The Career Maturity Of Low Socio-Economic Teenagers, Margaret Saunders

Student Dissertations & Theses

This experiment was a comparison of the pre and posttest scores of low socio-economic teenagers on Cirites' Career Maturity Inventory and the Gordon occupational Checklist. The experimental group was exposed to learning modules with emphasis on personal relations, problem-solving techniques, and decision-making methods. A MANOVA test revealed no significant differences between the pre and posttests on either the Career Maturity Inventory or the Gordon Occupational Checklist. There is an indication that these Subjects may need development in other areas as their career maturity is within the normal range. The results of the Gordon Occupational Checklist show a very narrow view …

A Formative And Summative Evaluation Plan For The Carver Cultural Center, Beverly Jean Ihinger

Student Dissertations & Theses

No abstract made available.

The Effectiveness Of A Family Service Center As Evaluated By The Clients Served, Sue T. Burnett

Student Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a small family counseling center as evaluated by the clients themselves. A questionnaire, designed and used by the National Family Service Association of America in 1970, was utilized as the measure for evaluation. A total of 46 clients comprised the sample group representing 25% of the population receiving questionnaires. Descriptive case data were collected and analyzed on the total population and compared to the sample. Results showed a marked deficiency in the number of minority and low-income groups both in requesting services and responding to the questionnaire. Agency services …

Attitudes Of Elementary Teachers Toward Participation And Representation In Decision-Making, Willie R. Guster

Student Dissertations & Theses

It was the purpose of this study to investigate the attitude of elementary teachers toward direct participation and representative participation in educational decision-making. A population of elementary teachers from six elementary schools were given an attitude survey concerning involvement. The results of this study suggested that elementary teachers attached more importance to direct participation than representative decision-making concerning areas of instructional leadership. Teachers were more dispersed in their attitudes toward direct and representative participation in the areas of administrative leadership, school-community relations, and professional self-improvement

A Systematic Approach To Education In The Andrews Independent School District, Pat K. Watkins

Student Dissertations & Theses

During the past decade, people in most areas of public and private life have turned to questioning the conditions under which they live and the quality of life itself. After years of rapid expansion, deficiencies, obsolete facilities, and practices, inadequacies in the educational product, and lack of long-term goals that are generally agreed upon by consumer and producer became apparent. Many people think that somebody is responsible for the shortcomings and should be held accountable. Determining responsibility for learning results is complicated by the many variables, controllable and uncontrollable, that affect the outcomes of the learner's experiences. Who is responsible …

A Study Of The Relationship Of School Disciplinary Procedures And The High School Dropout At Odessa High School, James K. Adian

Student Dissertations & Theses

The document presents a review of relevant literature providing research findings relevant to problems concerning dropouts. Data for the document was obtained by sending a questionnaire to selected drop out students at Odessa High School. The results of the survey were organized into statistical data and reported in the document in tables and diagrams. The results of the survey imply a significant number of dropouts have a negative attitude about the treatment they received from school personnel, but school is generally regarded as a needed and good experience. Further implications are for a controlled study to determine the cause of …

A Study Of The Career Education Needs Of Freshman And Senior Students In The Midland Independent School District, Randall S. Braddock

Student Dissertations & Theses

This study examined the career education needs of students and obtained information that will be beneficial to those involved in implementing career education into the existing curriculum at the local level. The major problem which this study addressed was the need to gather and evaluate information about learners in terms of their career education needs. Specifically developed for this purpose, the survey test of the Texas Career Education Measurement Series was used to identify student strengths and weaknesses in each of the 9 Basic Learner Outcome Categories for Career Education (Appendix E) and 26 sub-categories. The test was administered to …

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Group Listening Skills On The Frequency Of Questions Asked By Students, Margaret J. Crook

Student Dissertations & Theses

No abstract was provided.

A Comparative Study Of The Characteristics Of Dropout Students In The Midland Independent School District In 1962-62 And 1974-75, Ula Joe Williams

Student Dissertations & Theses

No abstract was provided.

Employment Qualifications For Community Service Agencies And Organizations In Midland And Odessa, Susan Garfield Edwards

Student Dissertations & Theses

The terms "social work," "casework," and "counseling" signify similar but separate professions, occupations, and techniques. Their places within the spectrum of community or helping services are clarified by a discussion of relevant literature. Based on these perspectives, ad survey of 104 local helping service agencies and organizations was undertaken to establish employment qualifications (educational, experiential, professional) for the helping professions. Follow-up was done in 10 situations where Master's Degrees in Social Work, Counseling, and Psychology were required for employment - to determine the particular value of the degree for the specific position. Indications from this study are: that most positions …