Digital Commons Network^™

Alignment Of Academic Preparation And Job Skills: A Health Promotion Case Study, Michael P. Mcneil

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to describe the alignment or misalignment between the essential and preferred competencies at the Director-level outlined in the American College Health Association’s (ACHA) Guidelines for Hiring Health Promotion Professionals in Higher Education and the graduate-level course learning objectives in a single site case study. The study used a document review methodology with an evaluative matrix to demonstrate the connections between the ACHA Hiring Guidelines and learning objectives from the study site graduate courses. Additionally, the researcher utilized experts to describe the potential need for a concentrated program of study addressing health promotion in higher education. …

An Evaluation Of A 21st Century After-School Tutoring Program At A Rural County Middle School, Jimmy H. Ramey

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this research was to evaluate a 21st century after-school tutoring program at a rural middle school. The program was designed to improve achievement, attendance, and behavior.

The evaluation sought to determine if the components were implemented as designed. It also sought to determine what components should be sustained and any unanticipated effects. The evaluation was guided by Stufflebeam’s (2003) CIPP evaluation model. Only the process and product evaluation types were used. Empirical, interview, and survey data were gathered to answer the research questions. In addition, there was a review of various archival documents. Results from the evaluation …

An Exploration Of Staff Retention Among Child Care Center Directors, Gale S. Vanater

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A qualitative phenomenological methodology was used in this study to explore lived experience of staff retention among 15 child care center Directors (Moustakas, 1994; Sokolowski, 2008; Van Manen, 1990). In this study, the researcher also attempted to identify the skills that are critical for successful administration of early childhood education organizations and to discover what leadership training can aid leaders to retain quality staff. The study addressed 3 applicable research questions:

1. What is the lived experience of staff retention among center directors?

2. What leadership attributes promote staff retention in early childhood centers?

3. Which types of leadership trainings …

Teaching Presence And Communication Timeliness In Asynchronous Online Courses, Erik Skramstad

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to examine student perceptions of teaching presence and communication timeliness in asynchronous online courses using a survey research methodology. The community of inquiry model developed by Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2000) provided the framework of the study while asking the following research questions:

1. What are student perceptions of teaching presence in asynchronous online courses?

2. What is the communication timeliness of instructors for direct feedback on students’ assignments?

3. What is the relationship between instructor communication timeliness for direct feedback on students’ assignments and student perceptions of teaching presence?

Participants were 59 anonymous …

A Study Of The Processes Involved In Sexual Battery Investigations, Kelly S. Boone

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to identify the common and unique processes employed during investigations of sexual battery. While departmental policies and state statutes provide guidance on the processes to be used in sexual battery investigations, there is a great deal of variability in the combination of processes that can be employed to investigate these cases. There is also some degree of variability in the outcomes associated with these investigations. This study examined the processes employed during sexual battery investigations in an effort to identify common themes. Importantly, the study identified the variation in cases that are genuine versus unfounded, …

Effects Of Remedial Reading On The Oral Fluency Skill Of Students With Disabilities Enrolled In An Inclusive Setting, Willie B. Green

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Research showed students with poor reading skills face difficulties in general education classes. Schools are face with the challenge of meeting the needs of all students. Therefore, researchers recommended using a research-based reading intervention program to improve students’ reading achievement.

The Reading to Read intervention program was used to supplement reading benchmarks for each student. Instructions were provided and monitored by assistant teachers trained in the Reading to Read procedure. To measure the effects of the program, pretest-posttest scores were compared for 20 students in the treatment group who participate in the interventions and 20 students in the control group …

Effects Of Teacher Training On Implementation Of Research-Based, Reading-Comprehension Strategies With Students With Autism, Katie Roggie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Mastering reading comprehension is vital to an individual’s long-term success. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) typically struggle with developing reading-comprehension skills. Adequate teacher training in research-based, reading-comprehension strategies is necessary for developing students’ skills in implementation of the strategies. This applied dissertation addressed the lack of training teachers in the research setting received to adequately teach reading-comprehension strategies to students with ASD.

Teachers of students with ASD received in-service, workshop-style training sessions and individualized mentoring sessions. The content was developed and delivered by the researcher based on current literature on reading-comprehension strategies for students with ASD and effective teacher-training …

Impact Of The Four Brain-Essential Learning Steps On Preschool Teachers In The Development Of Instructional Strategies To Create A Positive Learning Environment, Andrea Seidman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the ways in which the use of the Four Brain-Essential Learning Steps (4BELS) may impact preschool teachers in the development of instructional strategies that create a positive learning environment. For the purpose of this study, a positive learning environment was defined as emotionally safe, of high quality, and using differentiated instructional strategies.

This study sought to answer the following research questions:

1. What factors should be considered when exploring the ability of preschool teachers to implement new instructional strategies using the 4BELS to create a positive learning environment?

2. What …

Developing Athletic Accountability Systems To Control Spending At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Travis A. Blue

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Athletic departments at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) were not performing well due to anomalies in accounting systems. Further, because the HBCUs lacked the funding, staff, and training necessary to support such programs, strategic plans were needed to help establish better accounting systems in HBCUs. This goal involved training staff within the athletic departments to take full responsibility for their fiscal accountability.

The researcher developed two surveys to provide a quantitative assessment, to make recommendations, and to develop ideas for training that would strengthen the fiscal accountability of athletic department personnel. The research questions for this study were as …

Process Evaluation Of The Bully Proofing Your School Program, Donna D. Wilkes

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate the Bully Proofing Your School curriculum and safe-school initiatives, at the researcher’s school site. School bullying is an international problem that can have negative social, emotional, and academic consequences in the life of a child. The writer developed a logic model, as an analytical framework, for evaluating the bullying prevention curriculum. The objective of the study was to develop a process evaluation, utilizing the model to review staff training, student behavior initiatives, survey results, and security measures.

An analysis of the data included survey results from 2003 in comparison to student survey results …

A Preliminary Validity Study Of The Modified Fresno Test As A Formative Indicator Of Student Mastery Of Evidence Base Practice Skills Within An Integrated Case Based Physical Therapy Curriculum, Amy Miller

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Evidence based practice (EBP) is a core skill required for physical therapists. This applied dissertation investigated a method to provide formative assessment of EBP skill development for entry level physical therapy students. The study utilized a version of The Fresno Test of competence in EBP, modified for physical therapy (Tilson, 2010). Evidence based practice skills are taught throughout the study site’s integrated case based physical therapy curriculum. Assessment methods addressing EBP skills currently utilized in the program are summative or do not provide standardized assessment of key component skills to guide individual student development.

The Modified Fresno Test was administered …

Generational Differences In Work Ethic: A Study Of Four Generations In The Workplace, Kathleen J. Barlow

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which differences in work ethic existed among four generations and two genders in the workplace. Data from four subsets of the Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (MWEP) were examined (delay of gratification, hard work, morality/ethics, and self-reliance). Popular press has raised awareness of differences in work ethic between generations; however, scholars have disagreed about whether generational differences existed in the workplace. The writer used archival data to examine the work ethic of four generations of workers.

Two research questions guided this study:

1. What differences in work ethic, if any, …

An Ethnographic Case Study Of Elementary Principal Leadership Strategies And The No Child Left Behind Act, Cassandra J. Poole

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Leadership is regarded as the key to comprehensive school improvement efforts and the principal is expected to lead the charge/change. Book knowledge is good, but the difference between effective and less effective principals is not what they know but what they actually do. What do principals do to meet AYP? Young (2004) pointed out that some principals recognize they can gain the edge and survive by learning from other effective practitioners. NCLB and AYP demand change to meet the mandates that will bring about improvement in student achievement. NCLB has changed the educational landscape. Numerous articles and literature exists on …

Impact Of A Rural Elementary School Closing On Parents’ Satisfaction Level, Crycynthia F. Gardner

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation study sought to determine what impact the closing of a small elementary school whose students were predominately Black had on parents’ levels of satisfaction with their children’s education now that they attended an integrated school and what cultural differences, if any, existed among and between different ethnic groups of parents. The Parent Opinion Inventory and an open-ended, structured interview were used to gather data in this mixed-method study.

A random select technique was used to generate a pool of 226 participants from 1 rural elementary school in the southern part of the United States. Eighty of these …

An Analysis Of Kindergarten Through Grade 5 Teacher Efficacy And Character Education, Timothy J. Tierney

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This quantitative study examined teacher efficacy in implementing character education in the classroom. The construct of efficacy is paramount to successful performance. The research demonstrated that the construct of efficacy as it related to teaching character education could be the major contributing factor in the success of the district character education.

This study was conducted in an urban southern school district with a diverse population. The study examined both general teacher efficacy and personal teacher efficacy as measured by the Character Education Efficacy Belief Instrument (CEEBI). The CEEBI was distributed to 30 elementary schools and approximately 1,400 district teachers of …

The Analysis Of How Single-Gender Eighth Grade Science Classrooms In A Magnet School Will Impact Student Achievement And Behavior, Susan Ellen Weiss

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a choice for parents to understand how their child may learn better, plus to show whether a student in a single-gender classroom was more successful with regards to grades, test scores and behavior. The teachers involved in the analysis received a chance to view the results of how the single-gender students did compared to other students in mixed classrooms. The entire teaching staff had the chance to train and use the single-gender strategies with their classes to see if it assisted them, as well.

There was training sessions developed for the teachers who …

Does The Current Inclusion Program Provide Skills Needed By Students With Disabilities To Meet Standards On The Georgia High School Graduation Test?, Kathy Lynes-Jordan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation proposal was designed to evaluate whether the current inclusion program contributed to the development of skills needed by 11th-grade students with disabilities (SWD) in meeting the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) by the time they graduated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the present inclusion model had any impact on SWD achievement in English Language Arts (ELA). This study had 2 foci: (a) to explore affects of inclusion on special education students at the 1st administration of the GHSGT and (b) to explore the effects of inclusion on SWD passing the GHSGT by …

An Assessment Of Administrator Perceptions Regarding Undergraduate Accelerated Degree Programs For Adults, Honour H. Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to identify perceptions of undergraduate accelerated degree programs for working adults held by chief academic officers and accelerated program deans or directors and to determine if a national accreditation process would enhance those perceptions. Available research on time shortened learning formats was reviewed and analyzed as it pertained to the history and perceptions of such programs. Five areas were identified to measure attitudes toward accelerated programs: instructional hours as a measure of academic quality, faculty quality and teaching skill, assessment of student learning and program effectiveness, relationship of program to parent institution, and …

Does Memory Predict Decline In Activities Of Daily Living In Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease?, Sarah West, Robert Mccue, Charles Golden

Archives of Assessment Psychology

As the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) increases, neuropsychologists will need to make accurate recommendations regarding cognitive and functional decline in these individuals. Since memory impairment is the hallmark of AD, this study examined whether auditory and visual memory could significantly predict deficits in self-care activities. Participants were older adults diagnosed with AD, who received a neuropsychological battery assessing their functional decline and memory. Of auditory memory measures, immediate auditory memory was significantly correlated with declines financial and medication management; none of the auditory memory measures were significantly correlated with declines in driving, dressing, grooming, or feeding abilities. Of the …

The Impact Of Involvement Of African American Parents On Students’ Achievement In A Middle School, Raquel Lopez

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide better understanding of issues related to parental involvement to school officials and scholars. The parental involvement at the school was very low and academic achievement was also low. The school leaders were requested to increase parental involvement and the School Improvement Plan specified that such increase would occur. The parents of the students were interviewed and surveyed in order to access current information as to why the participation was low. In addition, parents of high-achieving students and parents of low-achieving students were interviewed and surveyed separately in order to establish the possibility of …

The Impact Of Selected Behavior Intervention Strategies On Achievement Of Students In Adult Basic Education, Doris J. Granberry

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a better understanding of the strategies that were available to practitioners in adult education programs that were designed to improve student retention. The adult center where this dissertation was implemented experienced a large number of Adult Basic Education Program students who discontinued their studies before earning either the General Equivalency Diploma or the traditional High School Diploma. Many students exhibited aggressive behavior toward the teachers and other students. Consequently, the teachers felt helpless to alter the trend.

The writer developed lesson plans and strategies to train the students and to teach them how …

Assessing The Effect Of Mentoring On First-Semester Associate-Degree Nursing Students, Arlene Walker-Adams

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This research study assessed the perceptions of first-semester nursing students about mentoring. The first purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions of first-semester nursing students in an associate-degree nursing program about mentoring. The second purpose was to ascertain the students‟ perceived values of mentorship as a strategy to support their learning and promote retention.

The sample population consisted of 10 first-semester nursing students who participated as mentees. The researcher utilized a qualitative methodology to assess the perceptions of first-semester nursing students. The researcher used three instruments to collect the data: focus groups, individual interviews, and a demographic questionnaire. …

2011 Law Commencement, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

The Current Volume 22 : Issue 15, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Synthetic Cortical Bone Thickness And Force Vector Application On Temporary Anchorage Device Pull-Out Strength As Related To Clinical Perspectives Of Practicing Orthodontists, Ira Rothstein

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

December 2011.

A thesis submitted to the College of Dental Medicine of Nova Southeastern University of the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry.

Background: Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) provide a versatile means by which orthodontic anchorage can be established without the need for patient compliance and complex force systems. Their use is predicated on their ability to remain stable throughout the course of treatment in which they are needed. This has been shown to be the result of "primary stability" which is achieved through mechanical interlocking of the screw threads with the surrounding bone immediately upon placement. Therefore, evaluating …

The Current Volume 22 : Issue 14, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Current Volume 22 : Issue 13, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

A New Look At The Role Of Management History In The Management Curriculum, Jane Whitney Gibson, Regina A. Greenwood, Edward Francis Murphy, David Andrew Lamond

HCBE Faculty Presentations

We replicate surveys from 1989 and 1997 to examine the role of management history in the management curriculum. Respondents were members of the Management History Division of the Academy of Management. Our findings indicate that management history is not often a part of the curriculum, most management history courses rely on Wren and Bedeian’s Evolution of Management History (2009), and most respondents believe that more management history should be in the curriculum, as a separate course and within courses. We also discuss the value of management history and present suggestions for making that value more apparent.

The Current Volume 22 : Issue 12, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 13 No. 6 (November/December 2011), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.