Digital Commons Network^™

Ageless Hope: Diversity's Effects (Access & Equality) On Accreditation, Curtis B. Charles

Faculty Working Papers from the School of Education

In 1994, the cover of the February issue of Progressive Architecture (PA), featured an article entitled: “Can this Profession be saved?” The following year, (September 1995), PA continued its examination of the architecture profession, this time focusing on “The Schools: How they are Failing the Profession.” In January 2003, the Chronicle of Higher Education added to this literary invasion by deploying a missile across the bows of architecture education with an article entitled: “The Multiple Failures of Architecture Education.” All three of these articles paint a very pessimistic picture of the state of architecture education and forces one to question …

Effects Of Item Positions On Their Difficulty And Discrimination : A Study In Pisa Science Data Across Test Language And Countries, Luc T. Le

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

This study was based on a four-cluster rotation design of 13 linked test booklets from PISA 2006 science data. It investigated effects of item positions on their difficulty and discrimination parameter estimates obtained from one and two parameter IRT Partial Credit models. The analyses were done separately for 57 test language groups from 53 countries with a total of about 340,000 students.

The results revealed that for all of the test language groups the items tended to become more difficult when they were located later in the test. However, a high linear relationship between the item difficulty estimates by the …

Evidence Of Heterarchical Planning Within Higher Education Institutions: Learning Garden Planning And Development At Rowan University, Sheri K. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes during the early stages of planning for an educational garden at Rowan University. This study also attempted to fill the gap in the literature that exists between garden planning and development and planning at higher education institutions. The investigator surveyed 20 committee members involved in this large-scale project, in addition to interviewing six committee members who were considered key stakeholders and have displayed high levels of involvement during the initial stages of the project. Participants were administered a Likert-scale survey that looked for the emergence of heterarchical practices during the development …

Addressing The School Psychologist Shortage : Past Trends And Implications For The Future, Erin Delaine Mccoy

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis begins with a brief history of the field of school psychology, starting with the Hybrid years and continuing through to the present day. Research on the trends that have occurred in the field of school psychology are reviewed. Past trends discussed include: demographics, personnel needs, function and roles, employment conditions, and job satisfaction. This study examined reasons why school psychologists in Iowa left their positions and, specifically, what effect job satisfaction played in their decision to leave. Results indicated two reasons Iowa school psychologists left their positions: role restrictiveness and lack of building support. School psychologists in Iowa …

Online Student Evaluations And Response Rates Reconsidered, Joan Anderson, Gary Brown, Stephen Spaeth

Innovate: Journal of Online Education

No abstract provided.

Home Education: Declaring His Power To The Next Generation, Sandra Anderson

Master of Education Program Theses

Home education researchers have studied many facets of home schooling in America. They have studied the academic progress, the social interactions, the college acceptance and the characteristics of adults who were home schooled. But in spite of the fact that many home educators consistently claim they home school because they want to pass on their faith, there are no major studies and few research questions that link the method to religious values acquisition. This action research report discusses the results of an online survey of 1693 home-educated adults and parents of home-educated adults who were asked questions about whether home …

Examining The Relationship Between Student Support Services And Student Outcomes At A Four-Year Institution, Angela Williams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study identified and examined the service variable combination(s) provided by Student Support Services (SSS) TRIO program that had a statistically significant relationship with program participants’ academic performance and retention. SSS is a federally funded program designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of undergraduate first-generation, low-income, disabled college students. While SSS has played a significant role in the retention of disadvantaged students, scarce empirical research exist which examine the combination of SSS services that affect students’ academic performance and retention. Considering SSS programs will probably not experience large increases in federal support in the future and given the …

An Exploration Of Adolescent Spirituality In A Single-Gender Urban Catholic High School : A Phenomenological Inquiry, Elizabeth E. O'Donnell

Doctoral Dissertations

unavailable

Online Student Evaluations And Response Rates Reconsidered, Joan Anderson, Gary R. Brown, Stephen Spaeth

Office of Academic Innovation Publications

In what follows we provide an overview of the reasons why the evaluation process has failed to elicit sufficient involvement from students and instructors as well as the ways in which an online format can help address these problems. We then offer the results of an ad hoc study in which student response rates to an online evaluation tool were measured and assessed at a particular institution in order to determine the factors that influence participation, engagement, and perceived relevance.

Socioeconomic Characteristics As Factors Of Academic Success On The Exame Nacional De Cursos Among Undergraduate Students Of Selected Study Programs In Brazil, Josmar Sionti Arrais De Matos

Dissertations

This study investigated the possible relationships among socioeconomic characteristics as factors influencing the success levels of Brazilian students. Data were provided by the 2002 Exame Nacional de Cursos [National Examination of Study Programs], or ENC , in five cursos . For this study, the following programs, representing three levels of prestige, were selected: low (Modern Letters and History), middle (Law), and high (Medicine and Dentistry). The purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of the issues associated with relationships among various socioeconomic characteristics, as well as to gain a more global understanding of the implications of the socioeconomic process as …

Senior Women Leaders In Higher Education Overcoming Barriers To Success, Nan-Chi Tiao

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of what it takes for women to succeed as cabinet-level higher education administrators. The findings not only offer a wealth of strategies for career success and for overcoming professional and personal challenges, but also shed new light on critical factors that affect women’ experiences at work.

This qualitative, phenomenological study was based primarily on confidential interviews with nine senior women leaders. Two informants are presidents, six are vice presidents, and one serves as a senior executive officer of their universities. Before assuming their current posts, they worked in a …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of A Modified School Calendar Versus A Traditional School Calendar On Student Achievement, Gordon Powers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Many attempts at education reform have been implemented. Of all the numerous and well intended reform efforts, the most controversial may be the discussion and debate concerning the school calendar. Year-round Education (YRE), which uses a balanced or modified school calendar versus the traditional school calendar, has become an issue being fiercely debated in all 50 states. An alternative to the traditional calendar, YRE has become a more accepted solution to some of the problems recognized in the educational system. This research study was designed to investigate the impact of YRE on student achievement in a modified school and traditional …

The Experiential Art And Crafts Preferences Of Senior Adults: A Preparatory Assessment For The Implementation Of The Project Senior Art Model., Charlynn Watson Campbell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Project Senior Art was conceived in answer to the growing need for worthwhile directed activities in our community senior centers and to provide valuable community-based learning experiences for university art students. This intergenerational program recognizes the unique intellectual abilities of older adults and meets the educational needs of senior participants and college art students, providing both creative opportunities for personal growth. Fundamental to the successful development and implementation of the program, and the focus of this study, is ascertaining the experiential art and crafts preferences of the targeted senior adult population. Personal interviews, focus group discussions, and a survey instrument …

Animals And Biographies: Integrated Units For Third/Fourth Looped Classes, Kimberly Lynn Bonsen

All Graduate Projects

This handbook was designed for teachers in a third-to-fourth grade looping classroom. The lessons integrate reading and writing, and the second year (fourth grade) builds upon skills and strategies introduced in the first year (third grade). The third grade set of lessons focuses study on animals while the fourth grade set of lessons focuses on biographies. The handbook contains a OLE/Lesson plan matrix, information for teachers before beginning both sets of lessons, twelve third grade lessons, thirteen fourth grade lessons, and extension activities for both animals and biographies. The final section in the handbook is an appendix that contains every …

The Effectiveness Of Student Support Services At A Research Extensive University In The South, Eric Lyle Penalber

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the influence of level of participation in services provided by the Student Support Services (SSS) Program on the grade point average, retention, and the six-year graduation rate of first-time entering freshmen who also entered the SSS program at a research extensive university in the South. Participants in the study were one hundred, fifty-two (152) SSS students who entered this university in the fall of 1996 and fall of 1997. Tinto’s (1987) longitudinal model of institutional departure was used as the conceptual framework for this study. Services provided by the SSS program …

A Study Of Feelings Of Alienation Among Relief Teachers Servicing Western Australian Government Metropolitan Primary Schools, Ralph G. Lunay

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is perhaps fair to say that the relief (substitute) teacher should be viewed as an extremely important educational resource, Reviewed literature spanning the better part of twenty years indicates that in parts of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, many students spend as much as one full year (or more) of their K-12 education having curriculum delivered to them by these individuals. Unfortunately, the literature also indicates that many relief teachers are still viewed by many as less than "real" teachers in terms of perceived competence, skill and capability. In addition to this, the existence of a …

Jordan Elbridge Central School District Study Of Student Use Of Illegal Substances And Alcohol, Syracuse University. Maxwell School. Community Benchmarks Program

Community Benchmarks Program

This report provides information about the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco as well as information on the lifestyles of middle and high school students in the Jordan Elbridge Central School District (JECSD). This study was requested by members of the school district’s Illegal Substance & Alcohol Abuse Forum.

University Reporter - Vol. 09, No. 02 - October 2004, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1996-2009, University Reporter

No abstract provided.

Unlv Magazine, Holly Ivy De Vore, Nancy Syzdek, Patrice E.M. Hollrah, Douglas Unger, Eugene Moehring, Gillian Silver, John F. Gallagher, Lori Bachand, Gian Galassi, Hal Rothman, Mark Hoversten, Phil Hagen, Donna Mcaleer, Suzan Dibella

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Factors Correlating With Teachers' Use Of Computers In The Classroom, Samia A. Wahab

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This study examined several factors relating to the use of computers in the classroom by teachers. The factors examined in this study included teacher attitudes, emotions, beliefs and outside influences. This was done by a review of past studies, administering two surveys (demographics questionnaire and Computer Attitude Scale) and analyzing the survey data. Questionnaires were distributed to faculty at five randomly selected schools in the Chicagoland area participating in the study. Data from the surveys were then examined by principle components analysis, multiple correlation and multiple regression analyses to determine which factors correlate with teacher computer use in the classroom. …

The Journey Of Education: Characteristics Of Shoshone-Bannock High School And Community Members On The Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Ed Galindo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation examined personal, cultural, school, and family factors that contribute to the decision of Native American students to remain in school until graduation or to drop out. One hundred eighty-one participants who had either graduated or dropped out of school completed a 140-item questionnaire. Participants lived on the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Reservation located at Fort Hall, Idaho.

Factors examined in the survey instrument included substance abuse by self or family members, peer pressure, trouble with the law, self-esteem, teen pregnancy, family structure, socioeconomic status, parents education, academic achievement, teacher attitudes and expectations, school attendance, tribal self-identity and pride, and bilingualism. …

Journal Of Women In Educational Leadership, Vol. 1, No. 2 - April 2003

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

No abstract provided.

"I Have Work To Do" Work Roles And Affirming Or Marginalizing Experiences Among Women At Professor Rank, Florence A. Hamrick

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

This qualitative study of women at professor rank at a Research Extensive university explored work roles as well as occasions and events that signified affirmation or marginalization to respondents as they performed their work. Three primary work roles emerged: disciplinary expert, mentor or model, and advisor or change agent. Although all respondents clearly identified themselves as disciplinary experts, the other two roles were often more complex. Respondents generally experienced affirmation through student, collegial,and institutional recognitions of expertise and effectiveness. Marginalizing experiences included serving token roles on committees or other bodies and being a "lone voice" on issues of equity.

A Media Literacy Curriculum For The Adolescent Learner, Chris Lopez

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a media literacy curriculum for teachers of young adolescents. Media literacy is a new, evolving field of study that teaches students to become critical consumers of today's media. Media have often been blamed for the ills of student learning, critical thinking, performance and/or behavior skills. In the review ofliterature, the author investigated media's impact on the adolescent learner, the need to teach media literacy, and recommended curriculum that would benefit the adolescent learner. The curriculum unit is designed to be a useful teaching tool for teachers of adolescent and preadolescent learners who …

The Effects Of Individualized Recruiting On Minority Teacher Hiring In Henry County Schools, Winifred E. Johnson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Despite positional and empirical literature documenting the benefits of having sufficient representation of ethnically diverse teachers serving in schools where there are significant numbers of minority students, a gap continued to exist in Henry County Schools between these two segments of its school population. Additionally, census data indicated that Henry County’s explosive growth was having dramatic effects on the demographics of the school system.

Although traditional recruiting activities had aided the personnel department with overall staffing needs, human resource professionals in private and public domains were espousing a more individualized on-campus recruiting approach to help in critical areas. This study …

Improving The Representation Of Minority School Age Children In Gifted Education Programs Through A Multifaceted Referral And Evaluation Process, Magali Balado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the problem that teachers were unable to meet the needs of academically talented minority children. The major goals for this applied dissertation were to increase the representation of academically minority children in gifted programs, provide training to teachers in the area of identifying gifted characteristics, and to develop a multifaceted process for the referral and evaluation of academically talented minority children.

The writer developed training materials to provide in-service and training to teachers, school staff personnel, counselors, and psychologists in the areas of observing and assessing gifted characteristics in academically talented minority children. …

The Effect Of Different Modes Of Communication For The Deaf Student On Verbal Achievement, Maureen A. Dugan

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation compared hearing-impaired populations that have been educated with and primarily communicated with either the use of Sign Language, Cued Speech, or the Oral Method. The purpose of the study is to give an overall picture of how each method impacts the hearing-impaired learner.

The sample of this study was hearing impaired males and females over the age of 18 who have taken either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). All had a significant hearing loss labeled as profound and none were considered mild losses.

A sixteen-question survey was given to the participants consisting …

The Educational Pipelinie For Women In Biology: No Longer Leaking?, Louise Luckenbill-Edds

ADVANCE Library Collection

Describing the past 30 years of progress toward gender equity in science, one observer wrote: "Although optimistic about future prospects, I must also point out some daunting toads and serpents lurking in the gardens of science. These challenge the rising generation of young scientists to be no less intrepid [that past activists who catalyzed change]" (Herschbach 1999, p. 66). The failure of the sciences to attract and retain women has meant a loss of diversity, as well as a loss of talent and creativity, that impoverishes research viewpoints and limits effective communication of science with diverse sectors of society.

Evaluation Of The School Psychology Program At Marshall University Graduate College, Mary L. Winters

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This research evaluates the structure, purpose, and efficiency of the School Psychology Program at Marshall University Graduate College and will be utilized as baseline research for further measures of program efficiency and accountability. This study investigates the satisfaction levels and opinions of the student population, including all current and recent students who have graduated from the program. The methods of data collection were a survey, developed primarily from the goals and objectives of the program, and telephone interviews. The information requested in these methods was structured to provide both qualitative and quantitative data. Frequency analysis of the data resulted in …

Parental Involvement Typologies As Related To Student Achievement., Stacia Maria Derrick-Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine specific parenting practices in four East Tennessee counties to determine their relationships, if any, to student achievement among various demographic groups. The investigation included status variables, such as parents' educational level, annual income level, and family structure. Students' Normal Curve Equivalent scores on the Terra Nova Standardized Test were used to measure student achievement. The Epstein (1987) typologies were used to classify parent involvement modalities.

The analysis consisted of four research questions and were tested at the .05 level of significance. Pearson's product-moment, Spearman's rho, and Kendall's Tau B correlation coefficients were …