Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Character Education In Preschool Programs Through Improved Program Policies, And Through The Training Of Teachers And University Student Teachers, Cheryl N. Priest

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide training, coursework, resources, children’s materials, and program policies that would improve the development of character within preschool children enrolled in a university laboratory preschool setting. Many of the young children enrolled in this school were not exhibiting the skills often associated with character development. A number of these children were not working with others to solve social problems, did not verbalize feelings or expressed feelings in unacceptable ways, and did not identify classmates as friends. Classroom teachers also found that some children were unwilling to help others and that they were doing nothing …

The Effects Of Home-School Communication On Parental Involvement, Diana L. Watson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to study the effects of home-school communication on parent involvement by implementing the program Project S.P.E.A.K.: Students, Parents, and Educators Actively Keeping in Touch.

The targeted population consisted of 24 certified general education teachers, 505 students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 5, and 505 parents of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. The problem to be solved in this applied dissertation was that parents and teachers were not communicating well with each other. At the targeted site, parent involvement and attendance at school functions had dropped drastically over the past 5 years. The data collected …

Effects Of The Phoenix Program On Behavior And Academic Performance Of Participants, Grace Y. Wyatt

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report is a formative evaluation of the Phoenix Program, an alternative program for high school students who are at risk of dropping out of school. A 1-year follow-up study of 75 of its participants indicated that the program had positive effects on students’ behavior and attendance. The study indicated that the greatest positive impact of the program was on students’ behavior. The program had minimal but positive effects on students’ academic performance.

A time series analysis was used to examine program impact. Data were collected from students, teachers, counselors, and administrators. Data that described attendance, discipline, and grades were …

Teaching Innovative Preventive Strategies To Minority Students With Limited English Proficiency, Joyce Wright-Evans

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The major purpose of this applied dissertation was to address the issue of minority students with limited English proficiency not meeting the educational standards necessary to graduate from high school within 4years of entry. The relationship of achievement with self-determination is described in this report. The theoretical base for this study centered on the work of R. M. Ryan and E. L. Deci (2000) in the areas of motivation and self-determination, the self-determination theory. Moreover, the social cognitive career theory (R. Lent, S. W. Brown, & G. Hackett, 1996) provided a strong theoretical base in the areas of career and …

Measuring The Effectiveness Of A New Midterm Feedback Form On The Graduate Clinicians’ Ability To Discern Their Clinical Strengths And Weaknesses, Tambi L. Braun

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was an investigation of the impact of a New Midterm Feedback form on the graduate clinicians completing their first on campus clinical experience. Thirteen graduate clinicians and 12 clinical supervisors participated over an eight week period. The 13 graduate clinicians were instructed to complete a pretest/posttest measure rating their satisfaction with the feedback they were receiving from their clinical supervisors. The participating graduate clinicians and clinical supervisors also rated eight clinical skills, pretest and posttest, on the basis of a five-point rating scale.

The results of this investigation revealed that the clinical supervisors’ use of the New …

Evaluation Of The Utilization And Usefulness Of Chaos Theory In Human Services Education And Professional Practice At Western Washington University, Trula Morehead Nicholas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The study evaluates the utilization and usefulness of chaos theory in human service education and professional practice. One purpose of this study was to determine if current and former students in the Human Services Department at Western Washington University use the concepts outlined in chaos theory in the delivery of human services. A second purpose was to discover if chaos theory is being incorporated into the curriculum of other human service education programs that grant four-year degrees.

Methodologies used in this study included the summative evaluation methodology, the development methodology, and the ex post facto research methodology. Surveys were sent …

Improving Reading Achievement By Integrating Technology In After School Instructional Programs, Timothy L. Cliby

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This research endeavor institutes change in an after school program for elementary students of an inner city elementary school. The program seeks to improve student performance on standardized English language testing, improve student motivation and attendance. The hypothesis that a prescriptive after school program, that utilizes Web based activities as an integrated component of instruction, will lead to improved student performance through increased motivation, instructional habits and attendance. Redesigning the program will establish an environment capable of sustaining student motivation and attendance resulting in sustained instructional engagement.

The instructional design is a transformation of traditional instructional practices for this program. …

Development Of An Applied Phd Degree Program In Hospitality Administration For Nova Southeastern University’S H. Wayne Huizenga School Of Business & Entrepreneurship, George Alexakis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship’s (SBE) programs needed a marketing edge. A PhD program was designed to fuel enrollments and improve budgetary figures. The purpose was to develop an applied hospitality administration PhD program for the SBE. The Research Questions were. (a) What are the needs of hospitality educators and administrators related to an applied PhD degree in hospitality administration? (b) What PhD program content best meets the needs of hospitality educators and administrators? (c) What is an appropriate strategy for implementing a PhD program in hospitality administration? (d) What is an appropriate …

A Strategic Approach To Promote Ninth-Grade Academic Success, Beverly W. Glover

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation, conducted February 2000 through April 2001, describes an approach to increasing student motivation that promoted 9th-grade academic success in an inner-city high school of a Southeastern Georgia community. The targeted population was freshman students in a very large, diverse, multicultural environment. The students ranged from the very highest affluent socioeconomic group to the lowest poverty group.

Low performance was evident on standardized measures of student progress upon their entering 9th grade. A lack of motivation for successful learning was evident. The students in this study were in need of extensive help to succeed academically and reach their …

Adolescent Participation In School Nutrition Meal Benefit Programs: A Case Study, Janice P. Maddox

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation is a historical case study targeted at the segment of a high school population who are eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits but do not take advantage of these benefits. The population to be studied is those students who take advantage of the free or reduced price benefits to which they are entitled less than 50% of the days that school is in session. Frequency of eating counts will be compared for the past 11 years in order to discern if the target population participation has changed over the years by programs designed to increase …

Scaffolding Transfer Activities Through The Use Of Concept Maps To Enhance Adaptive Problem Solving, James Jay Houdeshell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The use of concept mapping following the Schwartz and Bransford (1998) protocols were tested as a scaffolding intervention with ill- and moderately well-structured transfer activities to determine the impact on transferring those skills to the solution of new problems. This study included three faculty members, six course sections, and a total of 55 students conducted at a large midwestern community college. All students completed well-structured pretest and posttests that measured their declarative, structural, and procedural knowledge skills in basic statistics and problem solving tools. Half the students completed a summary page describing the problem solving approaches for two contrasting cases. …

Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Strategic Planning Process For Flagler College, William T. Abare Jr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The underlying problem for this project was that the planning process at Flagler College was more internally focused, did not take into account the external forces that could impact the institution, and did not address the strategic issues confronting the institution. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a strategic planning process at Flagler.

There were five research questions. First, “What are the different approaches to strategic planning, including general principles that should guide the development and implementation of the planning process?” Second, “What is an appropriate strategic planning model or approach to strategic planning for …

Teacher Mentoring And Teacher Attrition In A Rural Georgia School System, Brenda K. James

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teacher attrition is a critical issue. The literature suggests that schools provide professional opportunities for master teachers to mentor new teachers through the use of well-designed induction or mentor programs. These opportunities develop teaching skills, improve teaching performance, and increase teacher retention.

This applied dissertation was designed to improve teacher retention at a high school located in a rural community in South Georgia. A mentoring program was developed and implemented at a high school. The program provided training to select mentors that included nonevaluative supervision, coaching, conflict resolution, collaborative problem solving, communication, and effective feedback strategies.

Mentor teachers and protégés …

Developing A Comprehensive System Of Care For Children In Placement With Relatives: Collaboration, Organizational Culture And Family Roles In Local Service Development, Elan Welter Lewis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to support the development of a comprehensive system of care for grandparents and other relatives raising children, noncustodial parents, and children in out of home placement. The family constellation was changing in the community were the applied dissertation was implemented. Many children were in out of home placement with relative caregivers; there were few resources and no formal system of care designed to respond to the needs of these at risk families. This left many grandparents and other relative caregivers, children, and noncustodial parents without support or access to services.

The problem identified to be …

Attachment Theory And The Secondary Student: Notes To Teachers, George H. Biggs

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide knowledge of attachment theory to secondary teachers in middle schools and high schools. Teachers were working with students who were displaying behaviors caused by student disruptive attachment to a primary caregiver. However, the teachers, not aware of attachment theory, misinterpreted the reason for the disruptive class behavior and associated the behavior with the behaviors of students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The writer developed a series of monthly workshops that middle school teachers attended. The workshops focused on the following topics: attachment theory, children’s multiple foster placements, and the effects of multiple …

Developing A Support-Based Program To Decrease The Complaints Of Racial Profiling In The Miami-Dade Police Department, Richard E. Holton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to focus on the problem that African American citizens are complaining about being stopped and detained unnecessarily by police officers and treated unfairly for no apparent reason in Miami-Dade County. National police organizations, special interest groups, and local citizens have defined this action as Racial Profiling or Driving While Black (DWB). The Miami-Dade County Commission adopted a resolution prohibiting racial profiling; however this problem continues to exist. Minorities have argued in town hall meetings and filed complaints, indicating that the criminal justice system has been insensitive to what appears to be a system that supports …

Development Of An Academic Assessment Plan And Evaluation Process For Devry Institute Of Technology Curricula Delivered By Devry Online, Donna Gardner Liljegren

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

N/A

The Implementation Of Behavior Management Strategies In An Elementary School Setting, Leary B. Adams Jr.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Action research methods were used to examine the effects of behavior management strategies on the rate of discipline referrals at Twin Lakes Elementary School, an inner-city elementary school in Nevada. A review of archival records revealed that during the 3-year period from 1997 through 2002, the number of discipline referrals at Twin Lakes Elementary School increased from 73 to 170 referrals while enrollment showed no significant increase.

Some possible causes of the large number of discipline referrals were identified as: (a) inconsistencies in the referral process, (b) lack of support for teachers experiencing difficulty with student misbehavior, (c) lack of …

Improving Academic Performance Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Francis Bundukamara

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This implementation was designed to improve the academic performance of students with learning disabilities. A learning disability is described as a physical, emotional, or cognitive delay that creates a deficit in language and learning. These identified students were not excelling in the classroom. Classroom measures (grade point average, attendance records, discipline records, and Individual Education Plan goals) showed that 78% of 288 students with learning disabilities at the writer’s school site were showing deficits in areas of academic performance. A target group of 16 students was selected. The target group’s classroom measures were recorded, and it was found that their …

An Intervention To Remediate Motivational Shortcomings Caused By Childhood Maltreatment, Glade Eggett

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

By using a program called the WhyTry Program (C. Moore, 2001), the researcher was able to change some motivation-related behaviors caused, in part, by parent maltreatment. The study took place in a school in the east Los Angeles area. Motivation was a key factor studied.

The applied dissertation utilized the theory of multiple intelligences (H. Gardener, 1987) in a counseling setting. The writer used the WhyTry Program to create a meaning modality of communication using the visual analogies, music, and interpersonal activities. Students increased positive behaviors. The study was conducted on students who were identified as being physically, sexually, or …

Improving Reading Achievement By Reviewing And Adopting A Kindergarten-Grade 6 Balanced Reading Program, Rodney L. Borger

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes a process of reviewing and adopting a kindergarten-Grade 6 reading program in a Pennsylvania suburban school district with a student population of approximately 3,800. An analysis of the district’s 5th-grade reading scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 1997, indicated that for the years 1997–2000, district mean scores were 50 to 70 points lower than the mean score of schools of similar community type and socioeconomic characteristics.

Planned solution strategies included (a) reviewing and evaluating recently published reading programs, (b) revising the district’s reading curriculum to be …

Evaluating A Life Skills Curriculum For Adolescent Males At New Direction, Fitzgerald B. Mcqueen

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation sought to evaluate a real-life Life Skills Curriculum for adolescent males with behavioral, emotional, and mental disabilities. The previous Life Skills curricula had not been revised since 1996. Survey and interview data obtained from counselors, current and past adolescents, teachers, and parents indicated that the previous Life Skills curricula failed to meet the adolescent’s needs, and was impractical and irrelevant.

Planned strategies included (a) evaluating the Life Skills curriculum for relevance and practicality to “here and now” issues of adolescents in an educational treatment facility, (b) evaluating the Life Skills curriculum for enhancement of adolescent’s verbal and …

Measuring The Prevalence And Assessing The Determinants Of Depression Among Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implications For Treatment, Drew Edwards

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) frequently suffer from isolation and loneliness; have ineffective coping skills, poorly developed social networks and low self-esteem; and struggle with socioeconomic stressors (Dow & Mest, 1997). As a result, such people are frequently characterized in the literature as a population of chronically ill patients with a higher than normal prevalence of emotional distress (Van Ede, Yzermans & Brouwer, 1999). A study was conducted to (1) measure the prevalence of depression among clinic patients with COPD, (2) determine the demographic and clinical variables, and (3) assess the implications for treatment.

Methods: An ex post …

Helping Parenting And Pregnant Teens Become Effective Parents And Successful Students, Zandra Rucker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Based on alarming results of adolescent pregnancy in several areas of Miami-Dade County for the past 3 years, programmatic research methods and strategies were implemented in a joint collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Public School system and Miami-Dade County Health Department, Healthy Start Division, to address the issue of high teenage pregnancy in 3 targeted high schools.

The Miami-Dade County Public School system is required to provide an education for pregnant and parenting teens, coordinate the health and psychological services, and provide ancillary services to the students who attend the program. Although the Continuing Opportunity for a Purposeful Education Centers …

Development Of A Peer Tutor Training Model At Fort Valley State University With A Plan For Implementation And Evaluation, Darlene H. Harper

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was that Fort Valley State University had a low retention rate, and the mean grade point average fell over a 4-year period. As the population at Fort Valley State University became more diverse, tutors needed to be aware of cultural differences, various learning styles, and strategies necessary to promote success in students who might lack college level skills in certain academic areas.

The purpose of this project was to develop a peer tutor training model at Fort Valley State University. The use of a model enhanced tutorial services in an effort to increase the retention rate and the …

The Effect Of Humor On Test Anxiety And Performance In Distance Learning Students, John Briggs

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the study was to find if humor in testing alleviates test anxiety in distance learning students. The study determined if students given a test with humor had better performance than students given a “normal” test. The study included two groups of students: an experimental group that had humor inserted into the tests and a control group that had a normal test. The humor was “content irrelevant humor”, humor not related to the subject tested. Classes that teach at a distance were used in this study. The study measured the anxiety levels of students preceding the test, the …

Development Of An Associate Of Applied Science Degree In Digital Photography At The Community College Of Southern Nevada, Edie Chiarappa

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Since 1996, the Community College of Southern Nevada has offered the only associate of applied science degree program in commercial photography in the state. This program offered a basic introduction to digital technology in the electronic imaging class but lacked more advanced courses in digital technology with a focus on commercial photography.

The college was interested in enhancing its digital photography technology curriculum to prepare students better for the world of advertising photography. This project was designed to develop an associate of applied science degree in digital photography for the Community College of Southern Nevada.

The results of the study …

The Development Of A Discipline And Training Plan For Teachers And Administrators At Roland Park School, Dana D. Lazzara

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Roland Park K-8 School of Choice is a school in Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida. The problem was that there had been a dramatic increase in discipline referrals and suspensions at Roland Park School from December 2001 to December 2002. This increase was apparent when the discipline logs and The School Improvement Team (SIT) plan were observed. The discipline logs and SIT plan demonstrated a sharp rise of 42% more referrals and suspensions at the school site from 2001 to 2002. Leaders needed to be on the same page when handling discipline and other behaviors across the school organization.

A …

The Design Of A Professional Development Program To Train Reading Teachers To Coach Content Area Teachers, Cara Richardson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate and provide middle school content-area teachers with ongoing support in an effort to foster reading across the curriculum. Mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts teachers participated in a mandatory content area literacy training where they were provided with research-based reading strategies to implement into their classrooms. The requirement to implement these new strategies into their daily instruction seemed overwhelming, which led to reluctance and frustration among many of the teachers.

The development methodology was used to develop the product utilizing a formative and a summative committee. The formative committee gathered data that …

Improving Behavior And Academic Achievement For Students At Sandersville Elementary School, Fate R. Simmons

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve discipline and academic achievement at Sandersville Elementary School. This school, located in the Washington County School System, serves students in Grades 3-5. An analysis of data collected in the 2001-2002 school year revealed that 53% of the teachers were dissatisfied with student discipline, and 55% were dissatisfied with the academic climate at Sandersville Elementary School.

Planned solution strategies included a 2-part discipline and academic achievement improvement program. The program focused on helping teachers to understand and address the needs of Early Intervention Program students. The program included in-service training for teachers on specific …