Digital Commons Network^™

Developing Oral Reading Fluency: Effects Of Daily Use Of Word Walls And Daily Independent Silent Reading On Oral Reading Fluency Development Of Second Grade Students, Douglas F. Osborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher measured the effectiveness of two popular supplemental reading instruction strategies, word walls and independent silent reading, in 6 second-grade classes over 12 weeks. The study involved the comparison of eight oral reading fluency growth measures (Rate, Accuracy, Fluency, Comprehension, Oral Reading Quotient--overall oral reading ability, Sight Word Efficiency, Phonemic Decoding Efficiency, and Total Word Reading Efficiency). The researcher used the individually administered Gray Oral Reading Tests (fourth edition) and the Test of Word Reading Efficiency in a pretest-intervention-posttest experimental design to obtain these measures. Although pretest and posttest comparisons of the standard scores and percentile ranks revealed no …

The Relationship Between Participation In Service-Learning Projects And Youth Leadership Life Skills Development Among Middle Grade Students In Selected Private Schools, William A. Kamm

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Middle grades are a time of transition and development. It is during this time, as students move through grades 6, 7, and 8, that the development of life skills, especially for those who have leadership potential become increasingly important. Within these few years engaged learning and the pedagogical tool of service-learning enhances the meaning and impact of traditional course content and offers potential in helping to develop leadership skills in middle grade students. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of the effectiveness of a community service-learning project as related to the specific development of leadership skills. The …

Workforce Development Via Targeted Industry Training Grants And Ohio Two-Year Community Colleges, Danette E. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined educational workforce development in Ohio between the years 1986 and 2005. Since the mid-1970s, Ohio industry has experienced plant closings, employee lay offs and economic workforce challenges as a result of the United States shifting from an industrial economy to a global economy. This quantitative study examined the nature and extent of utilization of Targeted Industry Training grants (TITGs) by businesses eligible for or receiving TITGs administered via community colleges. The sample for this study consisted of 100 Ohio businesses that were divided into the nine Enterprise Ohio regions. The researcher conducted a telephone survey with these …

The Effects Of Life Skills Instruction On The Personal-Social Skills Scores Of Rural High School Students With Mental Retardation, Mary K. Quigley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Effects of Life Skills Instruction on the Personal-Social Skills Scores of Rural High School Students with Mental Retardation. (Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Ackerman) School of Education, March, 2007. The current legislation No Child Left Behind mandates that students with mental retardation have access to core curriculum courses. A comprehensive life skills program, Life Centered Career Education (LCCE), was integrated into the curriculum of high school students with mental retardation. The LCCE program was utilized to educate students on Personal-Social, Daily Life skills, and Occupational lessons with an academic emphasis. The study measured improvements made in the personal-social …

Effect Of Short Internships On Student Self-Concept, Toni S. Oakes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the effect of short internship on college students’ self-concept. The null hypothesis of this study is that there will be no significant difference in the total self concept, as measured by a standardized self-concept instrument, with college students who complete a course requiring a short internship and students who complete a course that does not have a short internship component. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale: Second Edition was used to assess the self-concept of the participants. Higher education institutions have increased the requirement of service learning experiences and internships in their curriculums. There has been little research to …

High School Athletic Eligibility Policies: A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Perspectives Of Public School Athletic Directors, Harlie G. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

High school students in North Carolina public schools must meet academic eligibility requirements in order to compete on school sponsored teams. While all districts must follow the state association guidelines, local education agencies may elect to create policies that are more rigorous. This mixed-methods study investigated the impact of the academic eligibility policies on high school campuses. The research relied heavily upon interviews with high school athletic directors, but also analyzed measures of student academic success. Interviewees were male and female, white and African-American. They had varied years of experience, and were from schools that were different geographically and demographically, …

Factors Of Teacher Turnover In Church-Related Schools In A State Association Of Christian Schools, Joanna Ruth Oster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher turnover is high in schools, identifying the factors may possibly lead to solutions to reduce this problem. Factors of teacher turnover in private and public schools were researched through the literature review and factors were identified. The goal of this descriptive study is to provide information on teacher turnover for administrators in a state association of Christian schools. A research table was developed through the literature review, which led to the pilot survey where a team of experts, the coordinator of the state association of Christian schools, one high school principal, two elementary principals, and three headmasters, made recommendations. …

Christian Premarital Training In The Local Church Setting: A Study Of The Effectiveness Of The Symbis Model In Reducing Divorce And Producing Stable And Satisfying Martial Relationships, James Paul Marks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The state of marriage in the United States of America and inside the four walls of the local church is alarming. Marriages are going by the wayside at record numbers which has lead to family breakdown, rise in child delinquency, increased numbers of cohabiting couples and confusion in the church. It is upon this backdrop that the SYMBIS premarital program at Hyland Heights Baptist Church was birthed. The fundamental goals of the program were to virtually eliminate divorce in the church body and to significantly reduce the amount of marital counseling brought by troubled couples. In order to accomplish these …

Sixth Grade Fitness Levels And The Fitnessgram Assessment Program, Reginald S. Kimball

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine sixth grade students’ level of fitness on the FitnessGram physical fitness testing program at the beginning of the 2006 – 2007 school year. This study examined if students entering the sixth grade were in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or needs improvement zone of the FitnessGram. The primary participant population for the study was 155 sixth grade students from four different Metro-Atlanta middle schools. Although there were 155 students, gender was not reported for two of the students. Data was collected during the 2006 – 2007 school year during the first 3 …

The Relationship Between Oral Reading Fluency And Comprehension, Jessica A. Talada

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Oral reading fluency and reading comprehension are identified as components in effectively gaining meaning from text. A reciprocal relationship exists between the two that allows one to comprehend more thoroughly as one reads more fluently. Additionally, as one reads more fluently, one’s ability to comprehend also improves. This is due to the fact that one’s brain is more capable in processing text meaning when one is able to read fluently. Therefore, when one automatically identifies words one is able to comprehend text more completely. The oral reading fluency and comprehension relationship was tested for a second and third grade population …

Understanding The Influences Of Parenting A Child With Oppositional Defiant Disorder On The Marital Relationship: A Phenomenological Study, Jimmy Kyle Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Using a phenomenological framework this qualitative study explored the experience of parenting a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and its influence on the marital relationship. Eight intact married couples with children previously diagnosed with ODD were interviewed to assess each couple’s communication, non-sexual and sexual intimacy, conflict management, conflict avoidance, parenting disagreement related conflict, religious faith and practice, and social/recreational activities as it related to parenting an ODD child. The results of the study confirmed that the couples perceived several negative effects which included disagreement over parenting, being critical of or blaming spouse for parenting difficulties, increased stress levels, …

The Integration Of Church And Home: A Strategic Partnership For Spiritual Formation, Michael B. Haynes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The American family is deteriorating according to current research. This deterioration stems from the church’s inability to develop Christians who practice life according to the principles of the Bible. In a culture characterized by an atomic worldview, the church and family must work together to develop Christians who live according to the relational worldview of Scripture. This project describes how one church developed and implemented a strategy partnering the church and family for the spiritual formation of the next generation. This project is designed as a model for churches seeking to impact the culture one home at a time.

Proportional Process Conflict In Undergraduate Cooperative Learning Groups, Glenna K. Dunn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The first purpose of this research was to determine if minimal training on the concepts and effects of relational, task, and process conflict would have an effect on proportional process conflict (Jehn, 2000) in undergraduate cooperative learning groups. Proportional process conflict is explained as the amount of process conflict in proportion to relational and task conflict and to the overall amount of conflict within the group. The second purpose was to increase knowledge about the cultural patterns and perspectives of undergraduate cooperative learning groups. The sample consisted of 68 undergraduate students from four classes of the same course at a …

Developing A Purpose Driven Model For Today’S Korea Evangelical Holiness Church Pastors-Teachers, Seung Min Chang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis is to develop a purpose driven model for the pastors-teachers of the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church. This project explains that being a purpose driven education ministry means following the biblical principles behind the movement rather than copying specific characteristics that are unique to the Saddleback Church. In that view, this paper discusses how to implement Rick Warren's paradigm in the educational setting of the KEHC that has its own theological and cultural distinctives. Two kinds of surveys show that the denominational educational needs can be effectively covered through the results of the implementation.

Select Counselors’ Perspectives On Alcohol And Substance Abuse Among Hispanic Adolescents., David E. Tetrault

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative instrumental case study investigated the issue of alcohol and substance abuse among Hispanic adolescents through the perspectives of select counselors. Hispanic-Americans are the largest and fastest growing minority population in the United States. Simultaneously, alcohol and substance abuse among Hispanic adolescents is increasing with the commensurate consequences and need for solutions.

Data was collected using semi-structured, recorded, transcribed interviews with middle school and substance abuse counselors—key informants—who practiced in a community located in the Southwestern United States. Participants’ interactions with Hispanic adolescents spanned Hispanic adolescents’ experience with alcohol and substance abuse prior to onset through treatment.

The first …

Characteristics Of A Healthy Church From The Seven Churches Of Asia That Can Apply To Yohan Tokyo Christ Church, Jong Yoon Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to understand the characteristics of a healthy church from the seven churches of Asia, using Revelation 2-3 and to apply those characteristics to Yohan Tokyo Christ Church. The project carefully examines the characteristics of a healthy church from Jesus Christ’s commendations and condemnations to the seven churches of Asia. It also analyzes and evaluates current situation of the Yohan Tokyo Christ Church based on surveys. Five practical strategies for spiritual health development of the Yohan Tokyo Christ Church are offered. Those strategies will help the spiritual health of the Yohan Tokyo Christ Church and …

Father Presence Matters: A Case For Family, Marcia Redmon Miles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Children from single parent homes experience disadvantages that often continue into adulthood. This qualitative dissertation project examines the pain and lived experiences of a family where father absence continued through three generations. Literature regarding father absence is reviewed, and the negative outcomes associated with fatherlessness are explored. This project combines a l2-week curriculum training, a 12-day Twelve-Step component, and a 12-month mentorship in a faith-based response to fatherlessness. The objective of this project is to reconnect fathers in a meaningful way with their children, ease pain and facilitate healing of all involved parties.

An Experimental Study Of The Effects Of Remote Intercessory Prayer On Depression, Jason Gary Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study utilized a double-blind, controlled, pre-test/post-test design to examine the effect of remote intercessory prayer on 20 participants who received counseling for depression in various clinics throughout central Virginia. The researcher randomly drew from a pool of 20 numbers; participants given even numbers were assigned to the experimental group and were prayed for by assigned intercessors for 28 days. Participants given odd numbers were assigned to the control group and were not assigned intercessors. Twenty-eight days (or as soon a possible) after all participants took the first BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory, second version) they completed the BDI-II for …

“Waltzing With The Monster,” Interventions With The Substance-Abusing Adolescent For Pastors, Treatment Providers, And Family, Philip A. Watkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The biblical story of the "Prodigal Son" is a universal experience made significantly more precarious by the use of mind altering chemicals. A review of the literature reveals that approximately half of all problems impacting American families are caused or exacerbated by the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. This project's focus is the impact of substance abuse on the developing adolescent. Chemical "hijacking" of the brain's pleasure centers and resultant dysfunction is examined. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention are discussed. Interventions which facilitate the young person's "homecoming" and implications for the community of faith are integrated.

Distance Counseling: Perceived Advantages And Disadvantages Among Christian Counselors, Anthony J. Centore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Not available.

The Effect Of Spiritual Attitudes On Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Ralph W. Fox Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study hypothesized that there is a relationship between religious orientation (conservative, moderate, or liberal) and the occurrence of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) among Christian women. The participants of this study were 71 married Christian women who were patients from a Christian obstetrical! gynecological medical practice in southern Georgia and who volunteered for an anonymous survey. The survey instruments used in this study included the Sexual Self-Assessment Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Christian Religious Orientation Scale. Demographic information was also gathered on each participant.

Results showed that all of the women had a conservative orientation and …

Selected Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Programs Variables Impacting Graduate Scores On The National Council Licensure Examination For Registered Nurses, Lois B. Borek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students graduating in 2005 from a state approved BSN program in a Christian University experienced a reduced passing rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination as compared to their peers in 2004. An examination of program variables provided insight into the cause for such decline. The quantitative analysis of variables reported in this study identified the significant differences occurring between the two groups of students as (a) cumulative GP A, (b) grades in selected pre nursing science courses, and (c) grades in post admission nursing courses. Findings from this study may enable program administrators to better identify students who have special …

Early Childhood Cognitive Development: A Descriptive Study On The Effectiveness Of Preschool Curricula, Alisa Shook Dyson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the lack of rigorous, systematic evaluation of preschool curricula utilizing three survey instruments developed by NSSE: Parent/Guardian Questionnaire, Staff Questionnaire, Program Specific Indicators o/Teaching and Organizational Effectiveness. The measures were designed to reflect the concepts of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) as presented in the revised 2005 NAEYC guidelines, Association of Christian Schools International Intended Student Outcomes, and The National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) accreditation assessment instruments. Two hundred surveys completed by nonprofit, Christian early childhood center administrators across the United States were utilized in this study. Quantitative data presented utilizing NSSE's psychometric instruments provides the information …

Analysis Of Reading Comprehension And Thinking Process , Kevin D. Washburn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to the U.S. Department of Education, middle school literacy research in four areas is currently mandated: neurocognitive elements, instructional processes, instructional materials, and professional development. This study presents appropriate statistical analysis of fifth grade student gains in reading comprehension and thinking processes. The results suggest reading programs based on findings from the four key areas of research produce significantly greater student achievement in reading comprehension and thought processes than programs not based on findings from the key research areas. The study includes a Research-Based Rubric for Reading Comprehension Components, detailing findings from the four research areas. This rubric serves …

The Perceived Effectiveness Of A Beginning Teacher Mentoring Program In Central Virginia, Toni M. Flanagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This descriptive study examined the perceived effectiveness of a beginning teacher mentoring program in a public school district in Central Virginia. A total of 87 participants, including beginning teachers, new-to-district teachers, mentor teachers, and administrators were surveyed about the perceived effectiveness of the teacher mentoring program and general demographic information. In addition, 17 of the survey respondents were interviewed as a follow-up to the study. A 5-point scaled survey questionnaire based on Virginia’s guidelines for teacher mentoring programs was the primary means of assessment. Results from the study indicated that the teachers and administrators surveyed had overall positive perceptions of …

A Consideration Of Church Planting Through Radio Broadcasting In Thailand, Byung Jo Chang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation focuses on the meaning of church planting, and the successful church planning through radio broadcasting and its benefit in Thai missions. Radio broadcasting is the best way of opening up the door for spreading the gospel to start church planting. The research focuses on founding and organizing the broadcasting station in the hopes of giving non Christians opportunities to hear the gospel for the first time, and helping them to become Chris like.

The potential radio broadcasting missions carry, the meaning of it all, and the efficiency behind planting a church through the broadcasting missions is examined. These …

Introversion And Self-Advocacy: Concomitant Predictors Of End-Of-Year Attrition Rates For College Freshmen With Learning Disabilities, Shirley E. Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This attrition research investigated the social aspect of two independent variables, introversion and self-advocacy, and explored whether they functioned as a concomitant unit to reliably predict end-of-year attrition rates for college freshmen with learning disabilities. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator categorized subjects dichotomously as introverts or extraverts while the Tucker Self-Advocacy Tool used a continuous scale to indicate the degree of self-advocacy each subject exhibited.

Several statistical procedures facilitated this correlational study: the Fisher's Exact Test compared the percentage of dropouts between the introvert and extrovert groups while a two-sample t-test compared the average self-advocacy score between the group that dropped …

The Relationship Between Student Perceptions Of Parental Involvement And Grade Eight Reading And Math Achievement In A Rural Georgia Middle School, Wayne A. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between students' perceptions of parental involvement and grade 8 reading and math achievement as measured by the Georgia Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT). This study relied on a theoretical framework developed by Epstein (1987). This framework includes a six-part categorization of parent involvement typologies (Type 1—parenting, Type 2—communication, Type 3—volunteering, Type 4—learning at home, Type 5—decision-making, and Type 6—collaborating), which were used as the basis for data collection and analysis. The High School and Family Partnerships: Questionnaires for Teachers, Parents, and Students were developed by Epstein and Salinas (1993) for …

Strategies For 21st Century Healthy Church Growth Through The Spiritual Diagnosis Of Osan Baptist Church In South Korea, Gi Chul Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to understand the nature, purpose, and a brief history of healthy church growth, and analyze the spiritual factors of Osan Baptist Church in Seoul, Korea based on Natural Church Development written by Dr. Christian A. Schwarz, who suggests eight quality characteristics of growing healthy Churches.

Through this research, strong points for healthy church growth and weak ones for hindering church growth will be discovered. Finally, six strategies of healthy church growth will be suggested to the Osan Baptist Church and other churches for 21 st century.

A Model For Pastoral Care And Shepherding Of A Large And Growing Church, Aaron J. Rummage

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study addresses the challenges related to the care giving ministry of New Lire Church located in LaPlata, Maryland. This revitalized church has grown from 60 attendees in 1999 to over 1,100 by 2004. The growth has led to many challenges, including the development of a shepherding strategy that will meet the needs of the congregation. The leadership team sought to answer the question of an appropriate shepherding strategy through examining scriptures, reviewing the history of shepherding and evaluating current models of care giving used in large Wesleyan churches. Additionally, a survey of pastoral care methodology employed in large Wesleyan …