Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Test Scores Through A Language Arts, Mathematics, And Test-Taking Program, George M. Marzotto Jr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The topics researched in this applied dissertation were the language arts, mathematics, and test-taking remediation program effects on the Indiana State Test for Educational Progress (ISTEP) and Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE).

An analysis of the past 4 years of ISTEP and GQE scores indicated a need for a remediation program that focused on study skills with the emphasis on test-taking skills and in the areas of language arts and mathematics to aid the 10thgrade students in passing the GQE exam. The study skill plan consisted of a comprehensive study of 4 basic study skills and 8 organizational skills to enhance …

Using Title I Funds To Provide Supplemental Services To Improve Reading Achievement, Maybelline Pinkston-Truesdell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

In 2000-01 and 2001-02, schools with populations of poor, Black, and Hispanic 4th-grade students indicated different levels of reading achievement as demonstrated by a 4% rank difference on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in 2000-01 and an 11%-point difference in 2001-02 between the highest point and lowest demographically similar Title I schools. Miami Park Elementary is a Miami-Dade County Public School receiving Title I funds due to their large population of Black and Hispanic students eligible to receive free and reduced-price lunch. Fifty-eight percent of 4th-grade students at Miami Park Elementary School did not meet state standards in reading as …

The Effect Of Pediculosis On Student Attendance And Performance, Gwendolyn Jarvis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to improve attendance and achievement by combating the pediculosis problem at an urban public school in Ohio. The study involved 37 students who were absent an abnormal amount of time due to the impact of pediculosis on their health. Of these 37 students, all were excluded from school at least once, and 14 of the students mis sed 2 or more days. One student missed 47 days and another missed 70 days of instruction due to pediculosis. During the 2001-2002 school year, approximately 5 to 10 students were excluded every day due to pediculosis …

Development Of An Improved Collaborative Counseling Program Between Ramsay Counseling Center, Discovery, And Roy Allen Elementary Schools, Marlene A. Sassaman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The collaborative counseling program between Ramsay Counseling Center, Discovery, and Roy Allen Elementary Schools was not operating effectively. The purpose of this project was to develop an improved program. The program included a policy and procedures manual, a training program, and plans for implementation and evaluation.

The research was based on 5 questions that asked about the relevance of the literature to the study as well as questions leading to an improved collaborative counseling program.

The procedures included a literature review, establishment of formative and summative committees, assessment of counselors’ and educators’ needs, development of the design and content for …

Development Of A Counseling Services Resource Web Site With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, Diana L. Mccullough

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

At Irvine Valley College (IVC), student services counselors lacked proficiency in technology and a common online resource. Thus, counselors could not provide students with timely, accurate information. This project developed (a) a Counselors’ Resource Extensive Web Site (CREWS), (b) a Web site implementation plan, and (c) a Web site evaluation plan.

Five research questions addressed (a) appropriate content for the CREWS, (b) CREWS Web site design criteria, (c) training needed by counselors, (d) a CREWS implementation plan, (e) a CREWS evaluation plan. Development, research, and evaluation methodologies were used in 22 procedures. These comprised literature reviews, analysis of sister colleges’ …

Self-Reported Versus Recorded Sleep Position: An Observational Study, Susan J. Gordon, Karen A. Grimmer, Patricia Trott

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Patient reports of ‘usual’ and ‘recent’ sleep positions are used by allied health professionals to direct the management of waking and nocturnal musculoskeletal symptoms. However no published studies have determined if self reports of sleep position are valid, consistent or reliable. An observational study was conducted at the Centre for Sleep Research of the University of South Australia. Twelve subjects, four in each of the age groups 18 to 39 years, 40 to 59 years and 60 years and over, without any known sleep disorders or sleep-disturbing medical or emotional problems participated in the study. Subjects spent two non-consecutive …

A Program To Reduce Incidents Of Violence On A High School Campus, Marvin J. Howard

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

There had been a continuing problem with violence on the campus of Bradwell Institute (BI). Efforts had been made to reduce the number of incidents, and, although improvements were realized, the situation was still not acceptable. Parent and community involvement were key components of the implementation. Peer court and conflict resolution programs were continued and enhanced, and a Watch D.O.G.S. (T. Moore, 1998) program was initiated.

There were 3 terminal objectives: (a) The number of incidents of BI students fighting on campus will decrease by at least 20% as measured by a comparison of reported incidents of fighting prior to …

The Effect Of Assistive Technology Staff Development On Improving Reading Of Intermediate Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Verna R. Benjamin-Lambert

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A 3-year review of Pow Elementary School’s test scores showed that there was a decline in reading scores on standardized tests. The IOWA test results in 2000 and the Stanford 9 and the Georgia Criterion Competency Test results in 2001 and 2002 showed a decline in reading comprehension. The decline in test results among students with learning disabilities was even more significant. A 2-year comparison of test score results on the Georgia Criterion Competency Test of students with reading disabilities in Grades 3, 4, and 5 showed that 76% did not meet state standards in school year 2001 and 100% …

Developing The Behavioral And Instructional Qualities Of An Effective Interactive Television Educator, M. Elizabeth Klein

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study examines the implementation of distance education over a compressed video system in a public school district. It explores the progression of distance education initiatives developed by the school district, beginning with instructional television, to the present system that is capable of delivering two-way interactive video-conferencing to eight high schools over a wide area network. Properly implemented, this videoconferencing system should result in an expanded curriculum at the smaller high schools, and a greater variety of learning opportunities for students at all the high schools in the district.

Research identified the instructional practices that distinguish an effective interactive television …

Reducing Discipline Referrals At State Bridge Crossing Elementary School In Alpharetta, Georgia, Renay R. Dixon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The major purpose of this study was to reduce the number of student discipline referrals in a suburban elementary school with a student population of approximately 830 in 2003. An analysis of the annual School Administrative Student Information System Discipline Report indicated that over the past two years (2000-2002), discipline referrals had increased by 44%.

The design most conducive for this applied research was a descriptive design. Pre- and postdata were compared to determine if there was a decrease in student discipline referrals. Data were gathered from students, parents of the 133 representative fifth-grade students, and teachers regarding the school …

Development Of A Training Program For Postsecondary Allied Health Career School Practitioners, Evelyn Elliott Presley

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was developed to provide a training program for practitioners in postsecondary, for-profit allied health schools. The project was created to provide solutions to challenges that schools face when they hire individuals with technical work experience to teach adults. Too often, new hires are put in class without experience in teaching, an understanding of adult learners, and knowledge of the policies and procedures of the school.

The research questions that guided the developmental process were as follows:

1. What areas of concern currently exist in post-secondary, for-profit schools regarding the need for a training program for practitioners?

2. …

Development Of An Entrepreneurial Training Seminar Using Adult Education Principles For The University Of North Florida Small Business Development Center, Philip R. Geist

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation developed an entrepreneurial training seminar to fill a gap between an existing 3-hour workshop and a semester-long FastTrac™ class. The existing 3-hour workshop, required by contract between the UNF SBDC and the U.S. SBA, serves as a screening mechanism to identify potential entrepreneurs. The FastTrac™ class is designed for existing business owners and assumes significant understanding of business concepts. The new seminar will act as a bridge and be a prerequisite for the semester-long class.

The writer developed lesson plans, an instructor’s manual, a strategy for multicounty implementation using local area presentation partners, and an implementation plan. …

Commitment To Change Statements: Results From A Workshop On Interventions For Tobacco Cessation, Patricia L. Harper

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Continuing medical education for health care professionals has been found to be ineffective in motivating clinicians to change their practice behaviors. Employing the commitment to change model, learners in a workshop or educational activity write 3-5 statements regarding areas that they intend to change in their practices as a result of the workshop or educational information. Follow-up after such educational activities indicate this activity elicits a positive outcome. This study tested the commitment to change model after a 1-day workshop on smoking cessation interventions for women. The workshop was attended by clinicians interested in providing intervention for tobacco users.

Participants …

Image Is Everything: An Analysis Of One Urban Middle School’S Culture And The Development Of A Plan For Change, Thelma B. Jackson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the process used by 1 urban middle school to understand and to improve the school’s image, internally and externally through the collaborative efforts of administrators, school leaders, and beginning teachers. Parent surveys, teacher surveys, and a variety of negative media coverage validated a concern regarding the school’s culture, ability to sustain change, the public’s lack of satisfaction, and the propensity to attract undesired media coverage. The major concern was the school’s inability to maintain a professional learning community that focused on student achievement, staff collaboration, and marketing successes, rather than failures.

The research …

Rank-Ordering Factors Influencing Integration Of Learning Technologies In Elementary School Classrooms, Eric Joseph

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to identify factors reported in the literature as influencing the integration of learning technologies in elementary school classrooms. Further, this study attempted to create an empirical rank ordering of factors influencing teachers' integration of these technologies into elementary classrooms using data collected from a sample of classroom teachers.

This applied dissertation used the mixed methods research design: Sequential exploratory case study approach. It consisted of 3 phases of data collection: qualitative-quantitative-qualitative data collection. A survey instrument was created using items from 5 pre-existent surveys. This was followed by a qualitative open-ended questionnaire that was …

Factors Impacting Reading Achievement: Where’S The Accountability?, Theresa Ann Liggett Smotherman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Although the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education developed scales that measured variables of assessments, the state of Missouri failed to identify probable causes for the below level results. The purpose of this applied dissertation was to systematically inquire into detail factors which might have an effect on the teaching and learning process. These factors could explain the below level assessment results. The reading discipline was chosen from the Communication Arts component of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). This was the state’s testing instrument. Reading was a necessary skill in all tested areas and a criterion that gauged academic achievement; …

Implementing Hands-On Training For Social Workers Working With Psychologically Vulnerable Families, Lana J. Mcclain

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide Child Welfare Specialists (CWS) with hands-on, home-management skills that were necessary in providing comprehensive services to the Court and Permanency Services (CAPS) clients. The CWS lacked the skills to provide clients with the necessary tools to be successful parents. The CAPS clients previously received parenting instruction that was limited to child discipline and guidance, child safety, development, and nutrition and health. The parenting instruction did not include the how to or demonstration of home-management skills needed for the high-risk caregivers to provide their children with safe and nurturing home environments.

The writer developed …

Reducing Peer Victimization At A Southeastern Middle School By Utilizing An Anti-Peer Victimization Curriculum And Student Leader Peer Support, Arlene M. Mcdermott

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to decrease the high levels of peer victimization at a suburban middle school. Many students attending the institution were actively engaging in negative aggressive behavior such as bullying, teasing and isolating peers. They did not understand what types of behaviors constituted peer harassment or the affects it had on the aggressor, victim and general school climate. In addition, student leaders were not aware that they could act individually or as a collective body to help aid in its prevention.

The writer developed an Anti-Peer Victimization Curriculum that included a series of lessons, activities and strategies …

Increasing Reading Scores Through Teacher Collaboration, M. Reed Bain

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate students’ reading test scores in the teacher mentor program. Over the past few years, students at the selected school have scored poorly on the reading portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Teachers have used a number of teaching methods to increase their students’ performance on the reading section of this assessment to no avail.

The researcher developed a strategy designed to increase teacher mentoring/collaboration at the middle school level. This strategy included a comprehensive program for the development of a teacher mentor cluster. The cluster, and the inherent increased collaboration, provided …

Evaluating The Impact Of Mentoring On The Performance Of New Adjunct Faculty Members In The School Of Professional Studies At Eastern University, Darrell F. Boyd

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The Associate Faculty Mentoring Program (AFMP) was developed in 2002 for the purpose of training new adjunct faculty hired to teach in the School of Professional Studies (SPS) Programs. The problem was that the effect of the mentoring program on the overall performance of new adjunct faculty members was not known and the tools needed to determine that effect had not been developed. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of the AFMP on the overall performance of new adjunct faculty members.

Five research questions were addressed. One, “What evaluation models are currently being used by higher …

Enhancement Of English Language Learner Literacy In An Urban High School, Cassandra L. Barker-Carr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was a study that used a curriculum unit that was developed by Thombs (1998). It was a study to investigate the use of e-mail and preservice teachers as tools to enhance the literacy skills of high school students enrolled in the English as a second language (ESL) classes. A curriculum unit was used to encourage mentor feedback facilitated by e-mail communication. The ESL students wrote on topics that were assigned by their teacher, submitted the writings to their mentor via e-mail, and then received feedback from the mentor in the same manner. Originally, this curriculum unit was …

Moving Toward A Strength Perspective: A Case Study Of Counselor Change, Candis Carr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

According to their mission statement, employees of the Family and Youth Counseling Agency, Inc., (FYCA) operated on the assumption that all individuals possessed the ability to solve their own challenges and live full and healthy lives when support was available. In practice, however, agency counseling reflected a deficit-based, hierarchical framework, wherein counselors expanded on clients’ deficits and failings, defined the goals of counseling, and regarded counselors as more knowing than clients about how best to change. By discrediting the client’s voice, counselors failed to put into action the agency’s guiding principle.

To develop a strength-based practice, counselors met on a …

Affect Of Increasing Team-Planning Time And Improving Team Classroom Proximity On Student Achievement, John Deuber John Deuber

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to increase the amount of team-planning time and classroom proximity provided to teaching teams at 1 middle school. The amount of time provided within the school day to each team for team planning was inadequate to meet the needs of effective teams. Additionally, teachers had been assigned to classrooms with little concern for team member proximity.

Student achievement as measured by the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills 5, a nationally recognized standardized test, had shown a slight downward trend for 3 preceding years. The interventions were meant to address and correct this problem. Teachers completed …

Evaluation Of The Cooperative Education And Internships Program At Prince George’S Community College, Diana Y. Doman Wilkins

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The Cooperative Education and Internships program is charged with placing students in positions that will allow them to gain experience in a work environment related to their major area of study. Job development specialists receive no type of written feedback from the employer, the faculty advisor, or the student on whether or not the placement was successful. The problem is that Cooperative Education and Internships has not demonstrated its effectiveness; therefore, there is reluctance from students, faculty advisors, and job development specialists to continue participating and/or promoting the program.

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of …

Assistive Technology: Increasing Access To The Curriculum For Students With Disabilities, Brian T. Fay

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Students with motoric and cognitive disabilities are unable to use traditional technology tools to complete the assignments on a daily basis. Lack of formal training in the field of assistive technology (AT) places elementary school special education teachers at a disadvantage for facilitating curriculum via technology. This applied dissertation proposed to increase students with disabilities' utilization of AT as a means of integrating components of the curriculum and to increase the full scope of educational opportunities, which then decreases the educational inequalities between regular education and special education students.

The writer used an inclusive model of AT integration during implementation …

Development Of A Marketing Plan For International Dual Degree Programs, Marla Friedman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was that the NSU Law Center needed to create means other than the juris doctor program to stimulate enrollment. The creation of dual degree programs was conceived with the intent to draw prospective students to apply to the Law Center. The global economy created a need for a multi-cultural and multi-lingual pool of lawyers. International dual degree law programs allow students to earn a law degree in the United States and another country by studying at a foreign law school while they are enrolled at the U.S. law school.

The research questions that were addressed included: (a) “What …

Teacher Education, Computer Technology, And Physical Education In Jamaica, Joyce Graham-Royal

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study proposed an investigation into the use of computer technology in the teachers’ colleges in Jamaica. This paper examined the factors that promoted and/or contributed to the incorporation of computer technology in physical education teacher education programs in Jamaica and determined, within this context, how the diffusion of innovation in this program was encouraged to prepare students to use computer technology in instruction The diffusion of innovations theory (E. Rogers, 1995) was used to guide the examination and interpretation of perceived technological changes and barriers.

Lecturers in the 8 teachers’ colleges, 5 administrators of the Ministry of Education, Youth …

A Study Of The Correlation Between Self-Reported Fear/Anxiety And Mathematics Grades At The University Of Phoenix, Las Vegas Campus, Mohammed Miah

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The goal of this research is to persuade math instructors that there may be an inherent flaw in how math is taught in traditional settings, and there is a need to revise the delivery of math in the adult learning environment. This new approach should emphasize equally the content and the need for alleviating the fear and anxiety adult students experience in a math class. However, before such an application can be put in place, it is imperative that the presence of fear/anxiety factor in math class and its influence in overall performance of a student be established by empirical …

Experiential Learning In Communication Courses: Development And Evaluation Of Learning Activities With Development Of A Resource Manual For Experiential Learning At Olivet Nazarene University, Elizabeth J. Patrick-Trippel

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation addressed the relative lack of experiential learning activities in communication courses at Olivet Nazarene University. Though there had been changes in the curriculum, degrees, and identity of the department over the past 5 years, there had been no attempt to understand the pedagogical implications of these changes.

The objective of this applied dissertation was threefold: first, to develop original experiential activities for use in 3 different communication courses that were content/lecture-based courses; second, to evaluate the newly developed educational activities; and third, based on the evaluation information, to compile a resource manual for interactive learning for professors …

The Development And Validation Of A Mentoring Program For The Cook County School District, Torrance D. Choates

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was the current mentoring program in the Cook County School District in Georgia. The mentoring program was not providing support and guidance to student teachers, beginning teachers, and colleagues in establishing peer-coaching relationships. At present, mentorship is left up to each school-based administrator. The concern was that there was not enough consistency in relation to a true systemwide mentoring program in the Cook County School District. Within the project, 7 questions were addressed: (a) status of mentor and teacher induction program within Cook County School District, (b) attrition rates for new teachers in the district, (c) …