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Improving Second-Grade Students’ Language Arts Achievement Scores, Thomas W. O'Neill Ii

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to determine whether or not changes in curriculum, teacher selected activities, and grouping techniques have an impact on standardized test scores. Second-grade teaching techniques were limited to teacher driven activities including worksheets and lectures. Teachers were not familiar with student-centered instruction such as cooperative learning or center-based instruction. Teachers of second grade believed the reading series at their grade level was outdated and that there was a need to purchase a current curriculum that included the use of phonics in conjunction with the whole-language approach. Teachers in kindergarten, first, and third grades agreed to change …

Strategies For Increasing Enrollment In A High School Gifted And Talented Internship Program, Bruce D. Riegel

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This Applied Dissertation Investigation was designed to determine the effectiveness of Targeted Outreach as a recruiting strategy in increasing overall enrollment and enrollment by minority students in a high school Gifted and Talented Intern-Mentor Program (IMP). An analysis of enrollment trends in the program indicated a 90% decline in enrollment of minority students in the program during the period fall 1997 through winter 2001.

Targeted Outreach, a recruitment strategy tested on a population of 10 students during a preliminary investigation and 39 students during the Applied Dissertation Investigation. Data was collected using enrollment figures and a data-collection form administered to …

Reading Achievement In The Elementary Grades, Jeri Cepura

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was to raise the reading achievement of third grade students in a diverse city school with a student population of 618. Analysis of archival data for the past three years indicated that reading comprehension scores on the state test (MSPAP) and local criterion-referenced tests have remained unchanged with a relatively flat trend. Approximately 50% of all students had reached a satisfactory level as opposed to the 70% state expectation. Staff development for teaching reading was provided through external conferences or at the county level as a one-time in-service with no follow-up, application expectancy, or examination of student …

Implementation Of Measures That Establish An Atmosphere Of Safety, Order, And Discipline On School Grounds, Robert N. Baldwin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to determine the effects that specific interventions have on student behavior change regarding drug and alcohol use on school grounds. A change in leadership philosophy, drug and alcohol survey results, and school community input were the impetus for a study as to the effectiveness of interventions of behavioral indicators. The researcher was clearly interested in systematically reducing alcohol and other drug use on school grounds in order to promote an environment of high-level learning. School accountability was focused on increasing student achievement levels in English language arts and math. A review of related research substantiated …

An Analysis Of The Developmental Education Program At Bevill State Community College, Teresa L. Johnson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to conduct a gap analysis, using a formative evaluation model, to compare the components of the developmental education program at Bevill State Community College (BSCC) to components of effective programs. The problem was that at least 40 percent of the students who complete the developmental education program at Bevill State Community College never enroll in college level courses. This analysis determined changes which could be made to increase the effectiveness of the program at BSCC. Eight procedures were completed to answer seven research questions.

The results of the study showed twenty-three areas which need to …

Educators’ Perceptions Of The Purposes, Procedures, And Goals Of The Gifted Education Programs In Suffolk Public Schools, Phyllis L. Sharpe

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Suffolk Public Schools implemented gifted education programs to meet the needs of students with exceptional abilities and to comply with state mandates. Baseline data were needed to complete an evaluation of these programs. This study sought to examine the perceptions of the gifted education programs among Suffolk Public Schools’ educators. Specifically, this study consisted of 23 interviews with central office and building-level administrators, gifted education teachers, and general education teachers on the elementary and middle school levels and review of archival data. Analysis of these data addressed the perceptions of the programs’ purposes, goals, identification practices, instructional practices, and expected …

Improving Science Education For Middle-School Students By Integrating Mathematics Into The Scientific Method Process, Robert L. Wells

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve student success in science by integrating mathematics into the scientific method process. Students were routinely asked to perform experiments that required mathematical computations in measurement, numeration, geometry, and statistics; however, they were largely unable to perform these calculations because of their inability to apply mathematical concepts outside the mathematics classroom. The mathematics curriculum did not afford the student the opportunity to apply mathematics to real-life situations, nor did the science curriculum consistently apply mathematics to experiments.

The writer developed a series of science experiments that incorporated these four mathematical concepts into earth science …

Resiliency Training Of Sixth-Grade Students In An Educational Setting, Matthew K. Boggan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study was designed to investigate the effects that resiliency training had upon a selected group of students in a rural school with a student population of approximately 600. Planned solution strategies included staff development training and implementing activities to establish the school climate and student readiness.

Resiliency Skills and Abilities Scale was used as a pretest, a 45-item survey to determine resiliency scores, before implementing resiliency skills. Training from The Resiliency Training Program, a Training of Trainers by Nan Henderson, M.S.W. was used as an intervention strategy. The intervention strategies involved a section of sixth-grade students, teachers, counselor, administrators, …

The Effect Of Three Variables On The Academic Performance Of Elementary Students, Teresa F. Mccorry

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The major purpose of this study was to determine the extent that 3 variables influence the student achievement of 3rd-grade students in this elementary school setting. More specifically, the researcher was concerned with the extent to which the independent and combined effects of the variables parental involvement, attendance, and reduced class size had on the academic performance of 3rd-grade students on the reading and mathematics section of the Ohio Off-Year Proficiency Test (Ohio Department of Education, 1997).

The design that was most conducive for this applied research is a descriptive design. An experimental design was not feasible because control groups …

Improving Reading Scores In A Low-Socioeconomic Environment, Bessie Karvelas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a better understanding of the reasons why Von Humboldt School has had a history of low reading scores. The school has a high mobility rate, which has made it difficult for any academic continuity. The students at the school are at a 94% poverty level with 64% Hispanic, 34% African American, and 2% Caucasian. The low-socioeconomic status of the students partially contributes to the low reading scores. There are other factors as well. The training that teachers had received in teaching reading also attributed to the low scores. Not enough time spent on …

Implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports At Aspen High School, Kendall Evans

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was a case study designed to describe, analyze, and evaluate the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to reduce the incidents of problem behavior at Aspen High School. Data collected regarding discipline referrals to the office, during the years from September 1998 to May 2003 indicated that 84 individual students on average were referred to the office each year. In addition, students who were in the juvenile justice system represented a disproportionate number of discipline referrals to the office when compared to the percentage of the student body that they represented, and the educators at …

Integrating Socioemotional And Moral Education Within Early Childhood Teacher Preparation, Dianne K. Alexander

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to prepare early childhood student teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of a peacemaker to manage classroom aggression with competence and confidence. During field placements student teachers reported frustration in their ability to manage the increasingly aggressive and disruptive socioemotional behaviors of their young students. Recurring patterns of anti-social behavior became a daily challenge, exacting a toll not only on instructional time, but also on student teacher attention, patience, and, over time, efficacy. An in-depth study of the university nursery through third grade early childhood teacher preparation program revealed little or no violence prevention …

Increasing The Use Of Spatial And Musical Intelligences To Demonstrate Understanding Of Learning In Middle-School Students, Tempest Diane Booth

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was implemented to provide opportunities for nonexceptional middle-school students to demonstrate understanding of learning in the content area using the spatial and musical intelligences. The subject site emphasized more traditional learning strategies thus fewer opportunities existed for students to demonstrate content learning through the music and spatial intelligences.

An after school enrichment study was provided to give students opportunities to demonstrate understanding of learning using the spatial and musical intelligences. An effort was made to minimize traditional practices and place greater emphasis on creative teaching and learning experiences. The eight month study met twice weekly for one …

Improving Math Scores At Hutto Middle School, Marvin V. Thomas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to determine if the Pre-Algebra Interactive Computer-Aided Natural Learning Education System (I CAN Learn Education Systems, 1999) could improve 8th-grade students’ performance in math on the Stanford Nine Achievement Test and Criterion Referenced Competency Test. Students are encouraged to become lifelong learners through a self-paced learning environment.

The writer implemented this system to deliver interactive multimedia curricula, enabling each student to learn at his or her own pace. Instruction was delivered to each student through a television-quality video, which is an integral part of every I CAN Learn (I CAN Learn Education Systems, 1999) lesson. …

The Creation Of A Diagnostic Reading Program Designed To Meet The Developmental Needs Of Primary Grade Readers, Thomas A. Baruffi

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Over a 5-year period from 1995-1996 to 1999-2000, an average of 18% of the students entering fifth grade in the Linwood Public School system were reading below grade level. This statistic clearly indicates that reading difficulties must be addressed early in the process of reading acquisition. With the understanding that learning to read is a developmental process, classroom teachers were challenged to obtain and utilize the diagnostic skills necessary to meet the individual educational needs of their students by identifying their learning strengths and weaknesses.

With the goal of developing a reading program designed around the diagnostic process, All Students …

Implementing The Six-Traits Model And Step Up To Writing To Improve The Writing Skills Of Fourth Grade Students, Precious E. Broadnax

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the pedagogy of writing in the elementary schools. Students in the 4th grade were being instructed in an inconsistent pattern of process and product writing strategies, and were not demonstrating adequate achievement. The 4th grade teachers were trained in the Six-Traits Analytical Assessment Model and Step Up to Writing techniques, but there was little evidence that the strategies were effective.

The researcher developed a writing intervention that involved a 9-week aggressive approach teaching a combination of Six-Traits and Step Up to Writing. There were 3 components of the treatment: (1) extended staff development …

Effects Of Computer-Assisted Instruction On Kindergarten Students’ Concept Age Gains, Denise Hutchinson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine whether kindergarten students in instructional technology classrooms have a greater concept age gain than students in traditional kindergarten classrooms at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. The 4 kindergarten classrooms to which students were randomly assigned are the subjects of this study. The 2 instructional technology kindergarten classrooms incorporated three computers into the required centers to be completed daily by each student. The 2 traditional kindergarten classroom used the same daily center plans; however, the 3 computers in each of these classrooms were used for free exploration and play after the other centers …

Poetry: An Intervention To Improve The Fluency And Comprehension Skills Of Reluctant Readers In The Primary Grades, Monica A. Boyko

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation provided third grade reading students an opportunity to develop reading fluency and comprehension skills. These students had poor literacy skills as evidenced by their scores on standardized reading proficiency exams, report card ratings and reports from their previous instructors. The fluency and comprehension instruction that students received was not effective. Students were not making an emotional connection to the material they read.

Third-grade students were taught ways to apply both comprehension and fluency enhancing strategies to their reading. This was accomplished through weekly lessons focused on the poetry genre that enabled students to practice these skills in …

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. …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Collaborative Co-Teaching On The Achievement Of Eighth Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Karen Culmo Fontana

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of co-teaching on the academic achievement of eighth graders with learning disabilities. Although much has been written on the logistics of starting and maintaining co-teaching relationships between teachers of students with and without disabilities and teachers of students with exceptionalities, there is less written on the effectiveness of co-teaching on the achievement of students with learning disabilities. Using a one group pretest-posttest design, the study was designed to determine if attendance in co-taught English and math classes would contribute to an increase in written language, math and self-concept scores. The …

Improving The Reading Comprehension Achievement Of Third Grade Students, Delores L. Bedar

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Students at DePriest Elementary School were performing poorly on standardized assessments in reading comprehension. The possible causes of low student performance were (a) teachers’ beliefs and practices, (b) the reading curriculum, (c) students’ lack of knowledge as to how to read for meaning, and (d) the lack of parent involvement in their children’s schooling.

This dissertation examined the improvement of students’ reading comprehension performance through the use of strategic reading instruction, professional development of teachers, and parental involvement. It examined whether instructing students in the use of comprehension strategies improved their reading comprehension performance.

A reading comprehension strategies curriculum model …

Training Teachers To Meet The Developmentally Appropriate Needs Of Preschool Children, Sharon R. Brown

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teachers were having great difficulty meeting the developmental needs of the children. This was evidenced by the teachers’ restriction of unstructured playtime, lack of interaction by the teachers with the children during outdoor play, and the children’s inability to engage in probing, exploratory dialogue.

The solution strategy combined a series of trainings for teachers to learn how to engage children actively in meaningful and age-appropriate learning activities to meet their developmental needs. There were two inservice trainings for the teachers. The topics of the trainings were The Use of Outdoor Space as a Learning Environment for Preschoool Children and How …

Connected Math Program: A Math Intervention Program For Sixth-Grade Students, Kathleen Mrozak

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The objective of this study was to find a means of increasing math achievement in the middle school grade levels of the City School District of Albany. Low math achievement was documented on the Grade 8 math assessment of the New York State Testing Program for 1998-2001. Possible causes include poor alignment of the curriculum to the state learning standards and the state testing program in math. In addition, professional development on topics of math reform needed to be made available to middle school math teachers.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a program of math reform …

Implementing Study Groups To Improve Reading Achievement Scores Of Jensen Elementary School Students, Margaret Gayle Woodall

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was conducted to provide an historical review and assessment of the implementation of teacher study groups at Jensen Elementary School for the purpose of improving student reading skills during the 1997-1998 school year. The reading study groups were grade level groups that met monthly to participate in team learning (Senge 1990) by obtaining new information, revisiting information from a 4-day district in-service session, discussing strategies, problem solving, sharing successes and supporting one another.

The evaluation of the initiative consisted of a formative evaluation to determine if the program was implemented and a summative evaluation to determine if …

Development And Implementation Of A Compliance Plan For A School Magnet Program In East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Parish School System, Clayton M. Wilcox

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study presented information which indicated that there was a need to improve the non-Black enrollment in the programs within a school magnet program in East Baton Rouge Louisiana Parish School System. An analysis of data indicated that of the 22 magnet programs studied, only one had achieved the non-Black enrollment stated in the Consent Decree (desegregation plan).

Techniques were identified which were implemented to enhance the programs within a school magnet program to make them more inviting and attract more non-Black students. Techniques identified included: (a) identifying a staff member in each magnet designated as being accountable for recruiting, …

Leading The District-Mandated Technology Focus At Twin Lakes Elementary Through The Development, Validation, And Implementation Of A Technology Training Program, Kristen E. Bazley

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Twin Lakes Elementary will be emphasizing the areas of math and technology beginning in the school year 2003-2004. The school’s infrastructure and curriculum had to be completely revised in order for technology integration to occur. Moreover, most of the teaching faculty possessed few, if any, of the computer skills they needed to function in this new environment and there was a significant degree of skepticism and resistance in adopting this new way of teaching.

The purpose of this project was twofold: (1) to develop and present a training program that would enable faculty members to utilize technology instruction methods in …

Closing The Achievement Gap One School At A Time: Reading Achievement And Hispanic Children, Nereida Inocencia Santa-Cruz

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Research indicates that the importance of learning to read is critical. An inability to read stands as an enormous barrier to one’s potential knowledge and social participation. Florida’s System of School Improvement and Accountability Act (1999, F.S.) also known as Florida’s High-Quality Education System rates schools in terms of performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Reading is the focal point of this accountability system. In Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), 29 elementary schools have been designated grade category F since the inception of the Florida’s High-Quality Education System. James H. Bright Elementary School was one of the originally …

Improving The Reading And Writing Skills Of Retained Eighth Grade Students, Beverley Mckenzie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to assist eighth grade students who were retained in improving their Reading and Writing skills. These students failed school courses and did not meet the required standards for promotion to high school. The students were previously in large classes with other low-achieving students, were not given individualized attention, were not exposed to the use of technologies, were not given adequate support services, and were not taught by experienced teachers.

The writer designed an after-school program to assist the students with Reading and Writing skills. An experienced Language Arts teacher was asked to work with the …

Development Of A Plan At Germanna Community College For Responding Quickly To The Training Needs Of Local Business And Industry, Kathleen P. Habel

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to develop a plan for a quick response process to provide timely adult education and training to meet the requirements of business and industry. The plan was developed to ensure that the principles and practices of adult education were included to enhance quality training.

There was no direct linkage at Germanna Community College between adult workforce training and the training requirements of business and industry. Evidence of this need came from two sources. The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce conducted focus groups in 2001. These focus groups, along with a Germanna Community College …

Evaluation Of The Math Project At Horace Mann High School, Lula Brooks Reeves

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation studied the improvement of student course grades through the math program in 10th grade at Horace Mann High School, Gary, Indiana. In order to improve students' outcomes, strategies using Performance Based Learning, small group instruction and student collaboration were implemented.

The Math Project was implemented with 10th-grade teachers who agreed to participate in this study. The students in the study were a heterogeneously mixed group of students with common scores from the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP+/state competency) test at the 8th-grade level, common socioeconomic status according to the Federal Lunch Program guidelines, and common …