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Teacher Evaluation: Assessing Principals’ Perceptions In The State Of New Jersey, Robert J. Fisicaro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation describes a study assessing New Jersey school principals' attitudes towards various characteristics of teacher evaluation and compares perceptions among sub groups. Four-hundred sixty-two building principals completed a survey which measured perceptions of four constructs of teacher evaluation that were selected from current educational theory: teacher evaluation should be founded in a partnership, differentiated for individuals, ongoing, and considerate of student learning outcomes. Principals were examined as sub groups according to gender, level of school, and years of experience. Descriptive statistics indicated that principals agreed that evaluation systems should be part of an ongoing cycle. Principals were neutral to …

A Biblical-Covenantal Perspective On Organizational Behavior & Leadership, Kahlib Fischer

Faculty Publications and Presentations

WHAT IS A WORLDVIEW? For starters, it’s important to recognize that our view on organizational behavior, and indeed on life itself, is influenced by our worldview. A worldview is an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual framework by which every person views reality, makes sense of life, and applies meaning to every area of life. Everyone has a worldview, but the sad fact is that most people don’t really know that they have one, or how their unspoken assumptions about truth, meaning, values, and humanity influence every decision they make and every perception they have. As a result, most people’s worldviews are …

A Comparison Of Student Achievement Between Missouri Professional Learning Communities Project Participants And Non-Participants, Chanda Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to suggest a response to the following research question: Is there a significant relationship between student scores on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) achievement test and the type of Missouri high school attended, PLC or NPLC? This study focused on two populations of high school students in the state of Missouri: those that were participants in the state’s Professional Learning Communities Project (PLC) and those that were not participants in the state’s Professional Learning Communities Project (NPLC). Both school populations were arranged in a typical ninth through twelfth grade configuration.

The means …

The Power Of ‘When I Was Your Age’: Research On Parental Narratives And Their Influence On Cognitive Dissonance In Children, Darci C. Adams

Masters Theses

Parents are continually looking for correct and effective ways to discipline and instruct their children. Often, parents will tell a personal narrative beginning with “when I was your age” to demonstrate to their children the appropriate way to think and behave. This thesis asks three research questions: What are the common themes in parental narratives that young adults remember in relation to instruction or discipline? How does the narrative structure demonstrate narrative coherence and fidelity? What do young adults self-report about the impact of the parental narrative on their cognitive dissonance? Through a content analysis of eighty completed surveys by …

Comparing Leadership Scores Of Collegiate Level Basketball Players And Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (Rotc) Students, Lawrence A. Braue

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the differences in the transformational leadership practices of collegiate level basketball teams and students from an Army Reserve Officers Training Program as measured by Kouzes and Posner’s Student Leadership Practices Inventory (SLPI) (2006). The purpose was to determine if ROTC students with formal leadership training obtained higher leadership scores on the SLPI than the basketball players who had not received formal leadership training. The study compared the overall mean scores of ROTC students who had participated in at least one year of formal leadership training and the players from a university men’s and women’s basketball team who …

The Pioneering Journey Of Christian Radio Through Satellite Distribution: A Historical Overview Of The Moody Broadcasting Network 1982 – 2002, Kornel Gerstner

Masters Theses

Moody Broadcasting was the first Christian radio network that developed and used satellite distribution effectively. The project looks at the uniqueness of Moody Broadcasting Network, as part of a greater organization, Moody Bible Institute. During the twenty years, MBN was able to not only to maintain its previously owned-and-operated radio stations, but also acquire more listener-supported radio networks, without ever selling airtime. Even though the original “dream” was never fully implemented, the growth of MBN is indisputable. Chapters examine at different challenges and victories that MBN faced during these crucial years of serving the needs of listeners. This project also …

Contradiction And The Carnival: A Study Of Mcgregor’S Theory X And Theory Y Framework Applied To Communication Within A Carnival Setting, Ashley Dawn Johnston

Masters Theses

The following study addresses Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y management paradigm as applied toward carnival executives' (CEs) communication to employees. Fifteen CEs were interviewed and elicited narratives that held either Theory X or Theory Y paradigm. From the narratives it was discovered that most CEs held a Theory Y paradigm toward employees. However, it was also discovered that the Theory Y paradigm may be a result of increased use of foreign labor or a swing in the carnival industry itself.

The Feasibility Of Effective Online Mentoring Of School Principals, Donald C. James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Comparing the qualities of traditional mentoring with the qualities of online mentoring, this study examined the feasibility of uniting the two mentoring approaches in the preparation of school principals. The communication and implementation of national principal preparation standards via online and face-to-face methods were ranked by four categories of key individuals (university professors who prepare principals, active principals who have mentored a novice principal, novice principals being mentored, and mentored principals) involved in the principal mentoring process. Using a pilot-tested original survey instrument, 73 individuals completed the survey indicating perceptions toward the feasibility of online principal mentoring. A one-way ANOVA …

Adult Retraining Programs And Reemployment For Dislocated Workers, Tony J. Perry

Faculty Dissertations

A variety of government sponsored programs provide retraining and income assistance to dislocated workers, yet it is unclear whether these initiatives are effective in providing workers the essential skills needed for new careers. Using Mezirow’s transformational learning theory, this study was designed to evaluate programs in selected counties in the states of Virginia and North Carolina. Using self-administered surveys, data were gathered from college instructors, dislocated workers, and local business owners. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and related to each research question. Results showed that instructors were effectively using adult training methods, the majority of students perceived their retraining …

An Assessment Of Effective Senior Level Leadership Within The United States Air Force Chaplain Service, David W. Kelley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to determine what leadership qualities, traits, and/or behaviors will produce effective leadership of chaplains within the Air Force Chaplain Service. Twelve senior level Air Force chaplains were assessed using three tools: the Dimensions of Leadership Profile, the Contextual Leadership Questionnaire, and Personal Leadership Interviews. Based upon the responses of the senior chaplains the results of these leadership tools will be analyzed and conclusions drawn in reference to successful leadership within the Air Force Chaplain Service.

The Professional Development Of Academic Librarians: How Should Institutions Contribute To The Process?, Gregory A. Smith

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Professional development is universally recognized in education and librarianship as imperative for ongoing effectiveness. Most—though not all—academic libraries support professional development through financial assistance and release time. However, while funding and release time are necessary to professional growth, they are not sufficient. The role of the leader as a steward of organizational culture suggests that academic library administrators should concern themselves with fostering an environment conducive to their subordinates’ professional development. Innovative professional development programs in place at a number of academic libraries stand as a corrective to the seemingly haphazard practices of many libraries and librarians. Further research on …

Black, Yellow, Red & White, Marcy M. Pride

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Let’S Get Informed And Involved, Hila J. Spear

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Relationship Between The Mentorship Of Student Athletic Trainers And Their Outcome On The National Athletic Trainers' Association Certification Examination, Jerry Vance Pickard

Faculty Dissertations

Purpose . The purpose of this study was to determine if the mentorship of student athletic trainers affects outcome on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) examination.

Method . Results from the Athletic Training Mentor Questionnaire and NATABOC examination test scores for each part (written, oral, written simulation) were used as variables within the study. The sample population for this study consisted of 119 participants who completed both sections of the required study information and delimiting questions applied to the population. Proper methods of selection were incorporated into the study to assure that a national population would …