Digital Commons Network^™

Secondary Educator And Administrator Perceptions Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports And Student Academic Achievement, Cynthia Everitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study addresses secondary educator perceptions of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and student academic achievement. PBIS is a proactive approach with a multitiered framework. When used properly, PBIS can be a tool for school faculty to establish behavioral expectations and procedures, prevent disruptive behavior, and improve the school climate and culture. This phenomenological study was conducted using two secondary schools in West Virginia. Participants were identified and chosen through purposive sampling techniques according to their years of experience teaching and utilizing PBIS interventions.

The data for this study included unstructured, open-ended interviews based on three research questions. …

The Relationship Between Academic Self-Efficacy And Academic Achievement Of First-Time First-Year Students Enrolled At A Technical College, Heather Marie Hoppe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student persistence, retention, and completion are continued concerns in higher education. While external influences contribute to persistence and retention, the focus of this research study was to determine the academic self-efficacy and self-regulated factors that influence the academic achievement of first-time first-year students who persist from the fall to spring semester at a Southeastern technical college. One hundred four first-time first-year students who persisted from fall 2021 to spring 2022 completed an Academic Self-Efficacy Survey. There were five significant predictors identified in the analysis. The three self-regulated learning tasks: “I can finish homework assignments by deadlines,” “I can organize my …

Student Success Programming, College Academic Achievement Scores, And Retention Rates, Leslie D. Merritt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student success programming was created to help students transition to the college environment and coursework. While many university-created programs are geared to all students, federally-funded programs and some university-created programs aim to specifically help students from marginalized populations. With Spady’s (1970) and Tinto’s (1975) theories guiding the conceptual framework, this study examined the relationship between participation in student success programs as it related to grade point averages and retention rates. Additional focus was placed on Black and Pell-eligible participants of student success programming. The study was conducted using archival data from two mid-size, public, four-year institutions of higher education. One …

Schooling Black Males: Hegemonic Discourses, Structural Barriers, And Strategic Resistance, Cleo Wadley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black males have scored at the lowest levels of academic achievement compared to other racial groups in many Texas school districts. The achievement gap for this population of students has been explained by both material constraints and oppressive hegemonic discourses. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to understand how such barriers and discourses affected these students and how the students negotiated their experiences in school. This study was designed to describe the problem, its background and to discuss a relevant theoretical framework. This study examined the academic achievement data for Black males and the current literature on adverse …

Interventions For Ninth-Grade Middle-Achieving Students, Bradley C. Cook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Implementing intentionally designed interventions to improve students’ academic performance has been a focus of educational stakeholders for decades. However, the implementation of academic interventions for average-achieving students, particularly during their freshman year of high school, appears to be lacking. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to explore designed interventions implemented by high school administrators from two unified school districts in California that focused on the academic performance of middle-achieving students during their ninth-grade year. This qualitative grounded theory study focused on the perspective of a purposive sampling group of high school administrators, which included principals, assistant principals, …

A Qualitative Study On Elementary School Principals’ Perspectives On How Leadership Practices Influence The Academic Achievement Of African American Male Students, Jamel Kimbro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School leaders are responsible for implementing effective strategies that improve African American male students’ academic and social performance. Hence, this study focused on the elementary African American male population and the influence school principals’ leadership practices have on African American male students’ academic achievement. This qualitative case study examined the perceived impact of 10 elementary school principals’ leadership practices on African American male students in the Southeastern United States. This study identified several key leadership practices and strategies that school leaders implemented towards African American male students to improve their ability to meet academic and behavioral expectations.

Health And Academic Achievement In College And University Students, Amber Beane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative correlational study was to investigate the relationship between academic achievement and health in a national sample of college students using quantitative data analysis. Specifically, the researcher analyzed the relationship between three health-promoting behaviors (physical activity, strength training, and fruit and vegetable consumption), three negative health behaviors (cigarette, e-cigarette, and opioid use) and obesity with GPA.

Cross-sectional data on student health collected from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA-II) and completed by 426,650 college students from 650 U.S. colleges during the semesters between 2015 and 2019 formed the foundation for …

An Instrumental Case Study: Growth Mindset Instructional Best Practices For Learning Disabled Students, Brenda L. Cornell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem that drove this study was that students who struggle in school, especially those with a non-intelligence-based learning disability, suffer from a fixed mindset after years of feelings of failure in school. This mindset causes them to develop maladaptive approaches to learning that inhibit success. The purpose of this study was to describe the best practices of reading teachers who have a reputation for high student achievement and who adhere to a growth mindset in an effort to build a growth mindset culture with their students. This qualitative instrumental case study was conducted through interviews of eleven reading teachers/specialists …

Effect Of Virtual Reality On Motivation And Achievement Of Middle-School Students, Michelle Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of low-cost hand-held devices has provided K-12 educators with the opportunity to teach using virtual reality (VR). However, the efficacy of VR in K-12 classrooms for teaching and learning has not been established. Therefore, the purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the influence of virtual reality field trips on middle-school students social studies academic achievement and motivation. The district chosen for the study is in a rural, economically depressed county, where generational poverty persists. However, the district has a history of being an early adopter of technology. Participants included 76 seventh-grade students at two middle schools, …

The Relationship Between Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports In Elementary Schools And Mathematics Achievement., Robert Larry Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This causal-comparative study examined the relationship between Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and academic achievement in elementary school mathematics. Research has shown that PBIS may help establish a positive school climate, which supports the conditions for effective teaching and learning (Bradshaw, Koth, Bevans, Ialongo, & Leaf, 2008; Horner, Sugai, & Vincent, 2005; Hoy, Tarter, & Bliss, 1990). Accordingly, this study examined variables of particular interest, which were mathematical performance, including mathematical performance by male academic achievement, female academic achievement, and socioeconomic status, based on PBIS implementationThe data used were school-level, 5th grade mathematics achievement scores. Elementary schools, which participated …

Diversity For Diversity's Sake? The Relationship Between Diversity And School-Level Academic Achievement., Richard Aaron Wisman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is contention among researchers about how to best operationalize socioeconomic status (SES). This study seeks to provide an explicit definition of one metric of socioeconomic status, the diversity index (DI) of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and investigates its efficacy at predicting the aggregate academic achievement of students within a school, relative to other common metrics of SES which are analogous to components of the DI. Another purpose of this study is to investigate possible peer effects of socioeconomic diversity on low SES students. This study utilizes a correlational – multiple regression approach to explore relationships among study variables …

The Difference In Academic Achievement For Students In The Healthy Fitness Zone Compared To The High Risk Zone For Bmi And Aerobic Capacity, Nathan C. Pennington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Childhood obesity rates have climbed significantly over the past 40 years. With that, there has also been an increase in the number of associated health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, of many. Quite independently, there has also been an increase in the accountability placed on schools to improve their reading and math test scores. This has resulted in a decrease in physical activity times in schools in order to provide more class time for reading and math. This study’s purpose has been to identify whether a difference exists in academic outcomes for students in the HFZ compared …

Weightlifting, Performing Arts Electives, And Academic Achievement: A Comparison In An East Tennessee High School, Lana Page

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant relationship between the academic achievement as measured by ACT English, math, and composite scores of students who took 6 or more credits of weightlifting, 6 or more credits of performing arts, or no elective focus in an East Tennessee high school serving grades 9-12 from the graduating classes of 2010 through 2014. The independent variables were the elective focus groups students took during high school and race and ethnicity. The dependent variables were ACT English, math, and composite scores. A series of one-way analyses of variances (ANOVAs) …

Secondary Student Outcomes And Perspectives On A Multiple Pathways Approach To Education : Engagement, Achievement, And Transitions., Lisa-Anne Ferris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education, earlier known as Vocational Education, has been formally part of public education since 1917. Federal policies have been used to support linking academic and vocationally-based curricula to give secondary and postsecondary students practical work experience within schools to prepare them for the workforce (Gordon, 2008). The current policy, The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, or Perkins IV, is the most recent policy to integrate academic and vocationally-based curricula’s using a career pathway model under Programs of Study (POS) (USDE, 2013). POS are career pathways that students choose in the beginning of their high …

Examining Teacher Perceptions Of Leadership And Student Achievement In Kentucky Schools., Angela L. Newcomb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Leadership is crucial in schools, especially when implementing change. Research shows that leadership can have a positive effect, albeit indirect, on student achievement (Cheng, 1994; Heck, Larsen & Marcoulides, 1990; Hallinger & Heck, 1996; and Johnson, Livingston, Schwartz, & Slate, 2000). This indirect effect implies a need for teacher expertise and distributed leadership to increase teacher buy-in for reform movements in schools. Recent studies have attempted to tie leadership to student achievement (Heck, et al., 1990; Chen, 1994; Hallinger & Heck, 1996; Johnson, et al., 2000; Heck & Hallinger, 2009; Leithwood, Patten, & Jantzi, 2010; Supovitz, Sirinides, & May, 2010; …

Stereotypes, Perceptions Of Similarity, And Cultural Identity: Factors That May Influence The Academic Achievement Of Immigrant Students., Tamara Fagan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For decades, the United States has been known as the nation of immigrants due to the increasing number of immigrant students in the public school system. Although the population of immigrant students steadily increases annually, American society still pressures immigrants into acculturation to fulfill the United States ideals of academic achievement despite the United States claim of multiculturalism (Malcolm & Lowery, 2011). This research focuses on 1st - and 2nd generation immigrant students’ strife of acceptance in U.S. culture, while sill preserving their own native culture, and the influence it has on academic achievement. The researcher interviewed eight (8) adult …

The Implications Of A High Academic Ability Learning Environment On Third Grade Gifted Students' Academic Achievement In Florida Public Schools, Julie Cady

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this two year study was to investigate the implications of a high academic ability learning environment on the achievement scores of third grade gifted students who attended the Florida Brevard County Public School System. Learning environment was defined by the students’ academic ability level, whether high academic ability or heterogeneous academic ability, and for this study was the independent variable. Academic achievement, as measured by the 2011 and the 2012 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test® 2.0 (FCAT 2.0) Mathematics and Reading Developmental Scale Scores (DSS), was the dependent variable. Other student data such as gender and socioeconomic status …

Teacher Perceptions Of Middle School Concept Implementation And Effect Upon Science Achievement, Shelly Lindsey Bruce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current educational reform intends to enhance our nation's competitiveness through specific focus upon curricular and instructional improvement of math and science education for all students in America. The implementation of nationwide common internationally-benchmarked standards is purposed to advance student academic performance through enriched curriculum and better prepared teachers. This research investigates the relationship between school demographics and implementation of the middle school concept to improved science achievement. A teacher questionnaire and state testing data will be utilized to determine: (1) which middle school concept characteristics, within each of the three domains of curriculum, instruction and advising, and school governance, …

Preparing Students For Post-Secondary Success : Exploring The Efficacy Of An Information Technology Certification Program., John Lawless Lanham 1967-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has a long and rich history of achievement among diverse populations. Two recent events have added to the complexity of CTE. First, the accountability movement forces traditional programs to show growth and achievement with students. Accountability trends affect the content and delivery of almost all programs. Perhaps more significantly, measureable performance is increasingly becoming tied into program funding with CTE programs. Second, while CTE in general has enjoyed a long history in secondary education, an emerging subcomponent is gaining attention. Information Technology (IT) classes have been present in secondary institutions for over 30 years. Business, …

An Examination Of Factors That Impact Persistence Among Adult Students In A Degree Completion Program At A Four-Year University., Mathew J. Bergman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For more than 100 years, nearly half of all undergraduate students have failed to persist to degree completion (ACT, 2010; Tinto, 1993; U.S. Department of Education, 2008). To make matters worse, adult students have consistently been victims of higher levels of attrition than their traditional student counterparts (Justice & Dornan, 2001; National Adult Attitudes Report, 2008). This study utilized the theoretical underpinnings from the Bean and Metzner (1985) Conceptual Model of Nontraditional Undergraduate Student Attrition and Braxton, Hirschy, and McClendon's (2004) Theory of Student Departure in Commuter College and Universities model to create a new model to examine variables that …

Influence Of Early Intervention Career Exploration On Student Persistence, Ben Littlepage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study examined whether 181 academically underprepared, first-time freshmen were found to increase persistence and academic achievement due to the early intervention of a career exploration assessment. Persistence was defined as continuous, active enrollment from Fall 2010 to Fall 2011. Academic achievement was defined as grade point average. The study site was a rural community college located in northwest Tennessee where household poverty was high, educational attainment was low and 70 percent of first-time freshmen had a remedial education need in 2010. Pre-existing characteristics and the level of academic preparedness for each participant were collected. Participants were purposefully sampled by …

Strengths Of Secondary School Principals In One Large Florida School District, And Achievement Of Adequate Yearly Progress In 2010-2011, Kelly Noel Paduano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased accountability has led to increased pressure on administrators to meet AYP. By identifying strengths that are present in successful administrators, superintendents will be better equipped to make well-informed selections and administrators can target specific areas for professional growth. This study used a self-assessment created from the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment to analyze the strengths of principals and the commonalities in those strengths based on (a) percentage of adequate yearly progress (AYP) achieved, (b) grade levels served (middle school or high school) and (c) community served (urban or suburban). It is important to note that community served is not meant to …

The Influence Of Components Of Positive Psychology On Student Development, Yo Sang Ha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Considering a wide range of student's delinquencies and problems, preventive intervention in school is strongly required for healthy student development. American School counselor Association (ASCA) has focused on three areas, academic development, career development, and personal/social development to provide various skills and learning opportunities for the successful life of students. During the past 50 years, psychologists have concentrated on the disease treatment model. However, unlike this psychological trend, positive psychology has paid attention to prevent school violence and delinquency. Further, Positive psychologists have discovered not only to prevent problems but also to facilitate human strengths and virtues to live successful …

The Impact Of Homelessness And Remaining In School Of Origin On The Academic Achievement Of Fourth Through Eighth Grade Students In Brevard County Public Schools, Richard Dunkel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of homelessness and the ability of homeless students to remain in their school of origin on the academic achievement of fourth through eighth grade students in Brevard County, Florida. To determine effects of homelessness, homeless students were compared to non-homeless students who qualified for free lunch utilizing developmental scale scores and learning gains from 2011 FCAT Reading and Mathematics. To determine effects of remaining in school of origin, homeless students who changed schools were compared to homeless students who did not change schools utilizing the same assessment data. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests of association …

African American Male Students' Perceptions Of Factors That Contribute To Their Academic Success, Gertrude Rolland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to understand African American high school males' perceptions of factors contributing to academic success. The researcher gathered information by interviewing students and collecting their demographic profile data. This qualitative research method enabled the researcher to learn directly from students what factors African American male students associated with academic success as well as challenges to academic success and solutions for achieving academic success. Participants were three junior and three senior African American high school male students attending a rural high school in Georgia. Data collection occurred during the spring semester of 2011. Each participant was asked 16 questions …

Yes We Can Achieve In Mathematics And Why We Don't : African American Female Eleventh And Twelfth Grade Students In A Career And Technical Setting., Courtenay Grace-Rochelle Mayes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The underachievement of African American students in the mathematics classroom and the underrepresentation of African Americans in advanced mathematics courses and mathematics related career fields has been a concern for the mathematics education community for many years. The objective of this research was to investigate the perceptions and mathematical experiences of seven African American female high school students who were on a continuum from succeeding at high levels to struggling in mathematics. These particular African American females were eleventh and twelfth grade students enrolled at a career and technical high school located in the Midwestern United States of America. This …

Person-Environment Congruence And Academic Achievement Of College Students: An Application Of Holland's Theory, John Michael Hargett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis presented in Holland's theory that academic achievement is a function of the congruence between students' personality types and their academic environments. Holland asserts that higher levels of stability, satisfaction, and performance are a function of the fit or congruence between students' personality type and the environment in which they reside. The subjects in the study were 741 students who graduated from high school between 1998 and 2007 and matriculated to a private, Catholic, comprehensive university in the mid-South during those years. Students were assigned to one of six Holland personality …

A Comparison Of Eighth Grade Athletes And Non-Athletes Academic Achievement, Time Spent On Homework, Future Educational Goals, And Socioeconomic Status, John F. Shelby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the differences between eighth grade athletes and nonathletes in terms of mathematics and reading achievement based on standardized test scores from direct cognitive assessments in mathematics and reading. The data for this study came from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Class of 1998- 1999 (ECLS-K). Data were collected from student and parent surveys in conjunction with direct cognitive assessments. The research questions were as follows: 1. To what extent is there a difference in mathematics achievement between eighth grade athletes and non-athletes while controlling for self-reported future educational goals and socioeconomic status? 2. To what extent …

Direct, Hands-On Or Inquiry Instruction A Study Of Instructional Sequencing And Motivation In The Science Classroom, Jamie Vander Wiede

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, a debate exists between the strengths and weaknesses of direct and inquiry instruction. Inquiry instruction is related to positive effect on learner motivation whereas supporters of direct instruction point to its ability to adequately support learners’ working memories (Hmelo-Silver, Duncan, & Chinn, 2007; Kirschner, Sweller, & Clark, 2006; Kuhn, 2007; Sweller, 1988). This study examined the possibility of combining the best features of both inquiry and direct instruction by sequencing them together. A two-part lesson on electrical circuits was presented in three separate sequences of instruction to middle school students to determine if differences in student motivation and academic …

A Middle School Mathematics Teacher's Exploration Of The Relationship Between Parent-Teacher Communication And Student Achievement, Viana Pierre Gilles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to increase the overall achievement gains of my students who are currently receiving overall grades below a 69% in my middle school mathematics class by promoting parental involvement. The purpose of my action-research study was to answer the following three research questions: 1. What changes occur in students‟ test scores and overall grades when a variety of parental contacts are made over a six-week period? 2. How can I promote parental involvement? 3. What can I do to educate parents on how to become more effectively involved in their child‟s education? To answer …