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The Effectiveness Of Placement Exams And A Free Remedial Summer Program At A Midsized Selective Private University, Kadie Mullins Jan 2016

The Effectiveness Of Placement Exams And A Free Remedial Summer Program At A Midsized Selective Private University, Kadie Mullins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In order to explore the effectiveness of MSSPU's remedial placement practices and the impacts of participation in the Free Remedial Summer Program on student outcomes, this ex post facto study examined performance in remedial courses, persistence to graduation, and time to graduation as it relates to mathematics and English composition placement level, high school grade point averages, entrance exam scores, and participation in the Free Remedial Summer Program. Five unique statistical tests were utilized to address fifteen hypothesis related to seven research questions. Several major findings were a result of this study. First, students who complete the mathematics placement exam …


The Diffusion And Performance Of The Accountable Care Organization Model, Yi-Ling Lin Jan 2016

The Diffusion And Performance Of The Accountable Care Organization Model, Yi-Ling Lin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Unity in pursuit of the Triple Aim: better health, better care, and lower per capita cost, can be achieved through a well-designed health care delivery system. The accountable care organizations (ACOs) model is considered a key component of health care delivery system improvement because the model fosters better coordination of care through clinical integration and financial accountability. Within the six Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) ACO programs, the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO has the largest size with a total of 432 ACOs formed; the service subjects of the MSSP ACO are the fee-for-service beneficiaries. Recently, …


The Source And Impact Of Student Engagement For Black Students In An Urban High School, Deshawn Sims Jan 2016

The Source And Impact Of Student Engagement For Black Students In An Urban High School, Deshawn Sims

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The achievement of Black students has repeatedly met only the lowest standards of performance on standardized assessments, which begs the question; do American schools have the capacity to educate Black children? The purpose of this action research manuscript dissertation was to explore the teacher behaviors and instructional strategies that developed a culture of high achievement among Black students as measured by student engagement and discourse, immediately before and after desegregation, and in classrooms today. The examination of popular theories concerning the education of Black people in the early 1900's and narratives of individuals who attended segregated schools, provided a historical …


Examining Elementary Preservice Teacher Efficacy To Teach Writing In A Title 1 School: A Mixed Method Study Of A School-Based Teacher Education Course Intervention, Norine Blanch Jan 2016

Examining Elementary Preservice Teacher Efficacy To Teach Writing In A Title 1 School: A Mixed Method Study Of A School-Based Teacher Education Course Intervention, Norine Blanch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the demographics of the United States change, barriers persistently thwart efforts to ensure that all students, regardless of ethnicity, academic ability, or family circumstance, have equal opportunities to learn. Diminished retention rates of effective educators in Title 1 schools, elevated rates at which students from low-income families are taught by inexperienced or unqualified teachers and insufficient preparation of preservice teachers (PSTs) to teach in Title 1 schools are three such barriers. Policy reform organizations interested in improving the effectiveness of teacher education programs nationwide suggest forging strong clinical partnerships between universities and schools by relocating coursework to school-based settings …


Setting The Agenda For Stem Literacy In Higher Education: A Content Analysis Of The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Maya Abdallah Jan 2016

Setting The Agenda For Stem Literacy In Higher Education: A Content Analysis Of The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Maya Abdallah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Enhancing achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is a long-standing national concern. The current national agenda, to instill an "all hands on deck" approach to creating a STEM literate citizenry, calls for broadening the scope of inclusion in STEM efforts. A critical population, higher education administrators, faculty, and staff are a valuable resource to advancing this agenda. Under the proposed Agenda Setting Communication Theory (ASCT) model developed for this study, their level of exposure to needed information is an important indicator of their potential participation in this agenda. As the leading news medium for the higher education community, …


Women With Influence: Creating A Powerful Woman Leader Identity Through Impression Management, Alex Rister Jan 2016

Women With Influence: Creating A Powerful Woman Leader Identity Through Impression Management, Alex Rister

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women hold few leadership roles in the workplace, and even though research indicates the positive benefits of more women in top positions, leadership has a longstanding association with masculine qualities. If a woman seeks a position of power, she may find herself negotiating between a conflicting "woman" identity and "leader" role performance. Previous literature on the subject offers two opposing perspectives. While the first school of thought emphasizes the importance of a woman assuming masculine characteristics to successfully assume leadership positions, a second body of research points to gender equality in leadership by driving industries and organizations to change. The …


A Priori Analysis Of Error And Bias In Value-Added Models, Matthew Lavery Jan 2016

A Priori Analysis Of Error And Bias In Value-Added Models, Matthew Lavery

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past 20 years, value-added models (VAMs) have become increasingly popular in educational assessment and accountability policies because of the sophisticated statistical controls these models use to purportedly isolate the effect of a single teacher on the learning gains of his or her students. The present research uses a Monte Carlo simulation study design in order to investigate whether VAMs are able to provide accurate estimates of teacher effectiveness when all assumptions are met and to determine how robust the models are to endogenous peer effects and nonrandom assignment of students to classroom. The researcher generates three years of …


Access And Student Success: An Examination Of The Perceptions And Experiences Of First-Year Seminar Professionals At Florida Historically Black Colleges And Universities., Amanda Wilkerson Jan 2016

Access And Student Success: An Examination Of The Perceptions And Experiences Of First-Year Seminar Professionals At Florida Historically Black Colleges And Universities., Amanda Wilkerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to understand the lived experiences and working perceptions of Florida HBCU first-year seminar professionals. Much empirical work has been done to examine the experiences of students transitioning into the college environment. In contrast, there is little work that specifically looks at the professionals that service first-year students within a minority serving context, specifically Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As a result, the findings of this study suggest that Florida HBCU first-year seminar professionals are active partners in the scholastic success of its freshman students.


An Exploration Of Postsecondary Education Programs For Students With Intellectual Disabilities In Public Universities And Colleges In Florida, Lisa Jester Jan 2016

An Exploration Of Postsecondary Education Programs For Students With Intellectual Disabilities In Public Universities And Colleges In Florida, Lisa Jester

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and The Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act of 2014, legislators have created opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities to participate in postsecondary education with their typically developing peers. This study utilized the results of web-based survey data from public universities and colleges in the state of Florida to explore the varying options available for students with intellectual disabilities. This study applied a quantitative approach to the survey of 12 state university system (SUS) and 28 college system (CS) institutions in Florida to explore current program options and services afforded students with intellectual disabilities …


Female Student Services Staff Perceptions Of Safety On A State College Campus: An Exploratory Study, Catherine Chimera Jan 2016

Female Student Services Staff Perceptions Of Safety On A State College Campus: An Exploratory Study, Catherine Chimera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the perceptions of female student services staff members' perceptions of safety on a state college campus. Through the lens of social construction theory, six staff members were interviewed about their views of safety both on and off campus. The goal of this study was to better understand how female staff members formed their perceptions of safety on campus, through social, political and cultural processes. The results of this study were that although the informants all were aware of the same threats and dangers on campus, they each had differing views …


A Correlational Study Of Emerging Modalities Of Developmental Education And Learning Styles In A Florida State College., John Britt Jan 2016

A Correlational Study Of Emerging Modalities Of Developmental Education And Learning Styles In A Florida State College., John Britt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developmental education course modalities in Florida were drastically changed in 2013 with the passage of Senate Bill 1720. These courses can no longer be offered in a traditional 16-week format as other postsecondary courses are offered. Developmental education courses must now be offered in a compressed, contextualized, or corequisite instruction modality; or direct enrollment into a gateway course (1720-Education, 2013). This changes the student's experience in the courses. This research was framed by Kolb's experiential learning theory, which states that people learn through their experiences (Kolb, 1984). Chi-Square correlational tests were conducted to examine the relationship between students' learning types …


Chlamydia Trachomatis Transformants Show A Significant Reduction In Rates Of Invasion Upon Removal Of Key Tarp Domains, Christopher Parrett Jan 2016

Chlamydia Trachomatis Transformants Show A Significant Reduction In Rates Of Invasion Upon Removal Of Key Tarp Domains, Christopher Parrett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate, intracellular bacterium which is known to cause multiple human infections including nongonococcal urethritis (serovars D-K), lymphogranuloma venereum (serovars L1, L2, L3) and trachoma (serovars A-C). The infectious form of the bacterium, called the elementary body (EB), harbors a type III secreted effector known as Tarp (translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein) which is a candidate virulence factor and is hypothesized to play a role in C. trachomatis' ability to invade and grow within epithelial cells in a human host. C. trachomatis L2 Tarp harbors five unique protein domains which include the Phosphorylation Domain, the Proline Rich Domain, …


The Community College Student's Social Construction Of Global Learning In The Florida College System, Jennifer Robertson Jan 2016

The Community College Student's Social Construction Of Global Learning In The Florida College System, Jennifer Robertson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine the Florida community college student's understanding of and engagement in global learning through the lens of constructionist theory. Using a grounded theory methodology, seven students in three Florida community colleges were interviewed to hear in their own words how personal and academic experiences have shaped their interest in other countries, cultures, and current international events. The goal of this study was to explore students' perspectives using the principles of social constructionism and constructivism to create a new model of understanding of global learning. The final results of the study found …


Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivators That Impac Teacher Retention In Challenging Urban Schools, Lasonya Moore Jan 2016

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivators That Impac Teacher Retention In Challenging Urban Schools, Lasonya Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although a plethora of research about teacher attrition exists, very little research has been conducted on the factors that influence teacher retention. The need to identify factors that promote teacher retention is critical to both maintain a well-prepared and contented workforce and also to remedy the current national urban teacher attrition problem. School districts and administrators need to know how to implement systems that support the critical needs of teachers who teach in high-poverty, low-performing schools. This phenomenological research study identifies common experiences, practices, supports, and attitudes regarding teacher retention in high-poverty, low-performing urban schools by exploring the lived experiences …


Playing Back Spirituality: Using Applied Theatre Practice For Spiritual Exploration An Meaningful Community Building In College, Ann Kinnebrew Jan 2016

Playing Back Spirituality: Using Applied Theatre Practice For Spiritual Exploration An Meaningful Community Building In College, Ann Kinnebrew

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Higher Education in the U.S. today is experiencing a theoretical and practical shift toward educating the "whole person" and to that end, is investigating ways to include spirituality in all facets of the academy. This requires focusing on the concept that "in addition to material knowledge, spiritual, emotional, and ethical knowledge is imparted to students" (Khan 2009). Many colleges and universities are searching for avenues to answer this call and better prepare students as business, political and social leaders in a new millennia that defines religion very differently than it did twenty years ago. Today, students are exposed to a …


Inclusion: A Question Of Practice, Stance, Values And Culture, June Sellers Jan 2016

Inclusion: A Question Of Practice, Stance, Values And Culture, June Sellers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exclusionary practices based on a deficit perspective of disability are not supported by law and are inconsistent with the rigorous standards for teaching, learning, and accountability in our public schools. Moreover, consequences of failed change will continue to have significant negative effects on the performance of educational organizations. The purpose of this mixed-methods phenomenological research (MMPR) study was to explore the lived experience of teachers who identify as champions of inclusion, including their views, perceptions and appraisal of the status of inclusion in a large urban school system. The research questions were designed to generate insight and recommendations for establishing …


Practicing Teachers' Beliefs Regarding Racially, Culturally, Ethnically, And Linguistically Diverse (Rceld) Students In A Title I Secondary-School Environment, Lisa Sabino Jan 2016

Practicing Teachers' Beliefs Regarding Racially, Culturally, Ethnically, And Linguistically Diverse (Rceld) Students In A Title I Secondary-School Environment, Lisa Sabino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Based on school-level data that included disparities in discipline rates, Title I status, teacher attrition, and teachers' statements, I designed a dissertation in practice to understand practicing teachers' personal and professional diversity beliefs regarding racially, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse (RCELD) students in a Title I, secondary-school setting. Four hypotheses concerning type of secondary degree, years of experience, subjects taught, and racial or ethnic background were tested. Pohan and Aguilar's (2001a) Teachers' Belief Survey was administered to 59% of the GHS staff in order to measure the personal and professional beliefs of practicing teachers. I used descriptive and parametric tests …


A Study On The Influence Of Perceptual Distortion In The Scoring Of Musical Performances By Florida Bandmasters Association Adjudicators, Raymond Donato Jan 2016

A Study On The Influence Of Perceptual Distortion In The Scoring Of Musical Performances By Florida Bandmasters Association Adjudicators, Raymond Donato

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored adjudicator reliability in scores assessed at the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Music Performance Assessment. It investigated how adjudicators under conflicting sets of circumstances interpreted the criteria and rated musical performances. A sample of five concert band audio recordings from the FBA resource library were chosen and a sample of participants were selected to score the recordings using the criteria currently in use by the Florida Bandmasters Association. These participants were chosen from Certified FBA concert band adjudicators, FBA members who are not certified concert band adjudicators and out of state judges who are certified though other judges …


The Impact Of Board Capital And Servant Leadership On Board Effectiveness: A Study Of Florida Community Foundations, Lauren Obyrne Jan 2016

The Impact Of Board Capital And Servant Leadership On Board Effectiveness: A Study Of Florida Community Foundations, Lauren Obyrne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Community foundations have considerable potential for positive social change in the communities they serve yet are understudied in nonprofit management and leadership literature. Recently, community foundations have become one of the largest avenues of organized philanthropy. The boards of community foundations frequently consist of a different composition of members than other nonprofit organizations, making a focus on individual characteristics of board members a worthwhile area of study. This exploratory study considers board capital through human capital, structural capital, and social capital and the impact this has on board effectiveness. In addition, it considers the impact of servant leadership on board …


Christ On The Postmodern Stage: Debunking Christian Metanarrative Through Contemporary Passion Plays, Joseph Dambrosi Jan 2016

Christ On The Postmodern Stage: Debunking Christian Metanarrative Through Contemporary Passion Plays, Joseph Dambrosi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As a Christian theatre artist with a conservative upbringing, I continually seek to discover the role of postmodernism in faith and how this intersection correlates with theatre in a postmodern society. In a profession that constantly challenges the status quo of Christian living, and a faith that frowns upon most "secular" behavior, I find myself in a position of questioning the connection between these two components of my life. Furthermore, I am troubled by the exclusive nature of the evangelical Christian community for people who do not meet its expectations of absolute truth—namely, the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and …


Team Cohesion In The Restaurant Industry: The Influence Of Core Evaluations, Marissa Orlowski Jan 2016

Team Cohesion In The Restaurant Industry: The Influence Of Core Evaluations, Marissa Orlowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Team cohesion has been clearly established in the literature as an essential component of effective work teams, yet little research has been conducted in regard to what factors lead to cohesion within a restaurant management team. What is currently known about the antecedents of cohesion indicates that it emerges from individual team member attitudes and perceptions as a collective property of the team. This, in turn, suggests cohesion is influenced by the dispositional traits of team members. The core evaluations construct, which represents a model of dispositional traits existing within each individual at the most basic level, offers implications for …


The Impact Of Various Characteristics Of Prekindergarten Services For Students With Disabilities On Later School Performance, Tanya Shores Jan 2016

The Impact Of Various Characteristics Of Prekindergarten Services For Students With Disabilities On Later School Performance, Tanya Shores

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the problem of limited data for determining the effectiveness of prekindergarten programs for students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in ESE services during prekindergarten and long term outcomes for students who received these services. Outcome measures included third grade academic performance and needs for exceptional student education (ESE) services. Regression analysis and correlational analysis were conducted for each of two research questions as appropriate. The findings of this research indicated inconsistent statistically significant relationships between the characteristics of ESE services students with disabilities received during prekindergarten and the …


A Study To Determine The Degree Of Fairness Resulting From Section 8002 Of The Federal Impact Aid Program On Qualifying Local Education Agencies, Danielle Thomas Jan 2016

A Study To Determine The Degree Of Fairness Resulting From Section 8002 Of The Federal Impact Aid Program On Qualifying Local Education Agencies, Danielle Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Educational funding is a topic of much focus given the impact school budgets have on instructional decisions and school programs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the funding received by Local Education Agencies (LEAs) from Section 8002 of the Program to determine how the amount received equates to the local property tax from the land assessment. In addition, comparisons were drawn as to how the amounts between LEAs equate within a state and across states. Through the use of qualitative data received from the United States Department of Education regarding the amount paid to LEAs during fiscal years …


Second-Year To Third-Year In College: Identifying Factors In The Decision 'Not To Return', Paul Viau Jan 2016

Second-Year To Third-Year In College: Identifying Factors In The Decision 'Not To Return', Paul Viau

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine if there are characteristics that can be identified as predictors in an undergraduate's second year of college that may forecast the possibility of students' attrition prior to their third year. This current research was based on the literature that identified the following variables as impacting issues of retention and attrition between the second and third years in college: Term of admission offer, type of admission offer (Roth-Francis, 2013), home mailing address (Tierney, 2000), gender and age (Schaller, 2010), college enrolled in and major (Graunke & Woosley, 2005; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005), ethnicity …


An Analysis Of High School Homework Guidelines In One Urban School District, James Larsen Jan 2016

An Analysis Of High School Homework Guidelines In One Urban School District, James Larsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate homework guidelines according to criteria identified in the literature. Further the researcher attempted to determine the relationship, if any, between homework guidelines and student achievement results as measured by 2014-2015 high school graduation rates, American College Test (ACT) scores for reading and mathematics, and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores for reading and mathematics for high schools in one urban school district. A document analysis was conducted focusing on curriculum guides, faculty handbooks, parent handbooks, student handbooks and school websites. Any reference to the identified criteria was recorded in the Homework Criteria Matrix. …


A Framework For Transforming Elementary Literacy Coaches' Professional Learning, Lenora Forsythe Jan 2016

A Framework For Transforming Elementary Literacy Coaches' Professional Learning, Lenora Forsythe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Elementary literacy coaches serve as one component in a professional learning system to support teacher learning. This dissertation in practice intended to highlight the need for an effective professional learning system for elementary literacy coaches that will enable them to impact teacher and student learning. The pilot study explored needs and perspectives of professional learning opportunities for elementary literacy coaches in a central Florida school district. Findings from the pilot study, along with literature surrounding the topic, resulted in the design of A Framework for Elementary Literacy Coaches' Professional Learning. This Framework utilized components from existing resources to develop access …


Learning In The 21st Century: A Study Addressing Educational Trends And Implications, Rodney Harshbarger Jan 2016

Learning In The 21st Century: A Study Addressing Educational Trends And Implications, Rodney Harshbarger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The 21st century workforce is very different from the workforce of our predecessors. With the rise in automation and technology there are new demands that are being placed on employers to produce goods that are faster, more personalized, and more accessible. In order to meet these demands, this generation of employees must have a skillset that complements these demands. This skillset includes communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity (4C) skills. The problem of practice addressed in this dissertation is the lack of 4C skills among students currently in the K-12 education system, and the lack of opportunities students have to …


Inquiry As Practice For Continuous Improvement: A Framework For The Curricular Redesign Of The Education Doctorate In Curriculum And Instruction Research Continuum At The University Of Central Florida., Paola Clark Jan 2016

Inquiry As Practice For Continuous Improvement: A Framework For The Curricular Redesign Of The Education Doctorate In Curriculum And Instruction Research Continuum At The University Of Central Florida., Paola Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This design-based research study was conducted at the University of Central Florida with the aim of informing the Education Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction research course sequence within the College of Education and Human Performance. The main purpose of this dissertation was to enhance and enrich the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction research continuum courses to ensure that they support the use of applied research and practical theory as central to the development of scholarly practitioners. In order to fulfill its purpose, this study addressed three main goals: clarifying the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program goals, objectives, and research …


A Holistic Framework For Effective Engineering Leadership Development Using 3d Virtual World Simulation, Hamed Almalki Jan 2016

A Holistic Framework For Effective Engineering Leadership Development Using 3d Virtual World Simulation, Hamed Almalki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problems associated with the limited success of traditional engineering leadership development are the absence of embedded real-life industry case studies in leadership development and incorrect applications of leadership strategies in the various contexts. Though recommended programs for enhancing leadership development exist, they lack an examined framework, especially when it comes to leadership development of undergraduate engineering students. In this research effort, the impact of a framework using 3D virtual world simulation and the 4-D Leadership System to enhance the leadership abilities of undergraduate engineering students at the individual and team levels based on industrial leadership case studies was investigated. The …


Social Disorganization And Florida Public High School Academic Performance, David Kanaan Jan 2016

Social Disorganization And Florida Public High School Academic Performance, David Kanaan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Failing public high schools are a perpetual limitation to community sustainability. Conversely, economically disadvantaged communities more often produce schools with reduced academic performance. Unfortunately, comprehensive community-based remedies are generally outside the scope of a school district's control. Social disorganization theory attributes variations in crime and delinquency to a breakdown in communal structure and relationships. Applied in a similar manner, social disorganization has also been associated with lower student achievement. This research examined how social disorganization is associated with Florida public high school academic performance in a two phase analysis at the community and school district levels. In addition, the research …