Digital Commons Network^™

A Kenyan Revolution: Mau Mau, Land, Women, And Nation., Amanda Elizabeth Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Kikuyu, the largest ethnic group in Kenya, resisted colonial authority, which culminated into what became known as Mau Mau, led by the Kenya Land Freedom Army. During this time, the British colonial government imposed laws limiting their access to land, politics, and independence. The turbulent 1950s in Kenyan history should be considered a revolution because of its violent nature, the high level of participation, and overall social change that resulted from the war.

I compared many theories of revolution to the events of the Mau Mau movement. Then, I explained the contention for land in the revolution, the role …

Life And Debt For Etsu Graduate Students., Laura Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through in-depth interviews with 21 participants, this thesis investigates how graduate students at East Tennessee State University feel about their finances. Although all adults, by necessity, have everyday money concerns, this study explores the unique experiences that post-baccalaureate students have with debt, how they talk about it, and what meanings they attach to student loans in their daily lives. This study is novel in that little research to date has examined how graduate students' perceptions of adulthood are connected to their financial situations and their stage in life. For example, saving money is important to this population mainly because it …

Integration Of Fifth Grade Math And Science Curriculum, Accompanied By Increased Parental Involvement, Produces Higher Virginia Test Scores., Kathy Diane Perkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The National Educational Society, through much research and testing, discovered that American students are not performing as well on the academic level as their counterparts. As a nation the math and science scores fell behind other tested disciplines. The Virginia Department of Math and Science Report Card scores confirm that students are struggling in these areas.

As a resolution to correct this problem a proposal for the integration of fifth grade math and science curriculum accompanied by increased parental involvement was devised. The program involved thirteen elementary students and their parents. Pretesting, math and science labs, worksheets, posttesting, and a …

Relationships Between Student Attendance And Test Scores On The Virginia Standards Of Learning Tests., Jeffrey Cassell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between student attendance and student test scores on a criterion-referenced test, using test scores of all 5^th graders in Virginia who participated in the 2005-2006 Standards of Learning tests in reading and mathematics. Data collection for this study was performed with the cooperation of the Virginia Department of Education using a state database of student testing information. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined for the overall student population and for the subgroups of economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, limited English proficient, white, black, and Hispanic. The results of this study indicate that there is a …

I Think I Can: Identity And Social Experiences Of Adolescents With Physical Disabilities., Amy Sorensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An online survey was completed by 40 adolescents and young adults (ages 12 to 22) with physical disabilities for the purpose of exploring their social experiences. The survey focuses on key variables associated with individual identity, group identity, social relationships and activities, and future aspirations. Positive outcome variables were explored including: self-esteem, self-efficacy, body satisfaction, cultural identity, relationship quality, activity participation, and future orientation. Independent variables included sex, population size, ability level, and proximity to disability. Ability level proved to be the most predictive of positive outcomes. Sex, population size, and proximity to disability exhibited small associations to some of …

The Use Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support At A Rural High School To Decrease Disruptive Behavior For Both Typical Students And Students Identified With Special Needs., Leia Dowdy Blevins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is ever-increasing pressure on school officials to provide a safe school environment that is conducive to learning. There is also a growing concern from teachers and administrators that many students are unrecognized for their continual appropriate behavior(s), in part, because of the attention consumed by both challenging students and students with exceptional talents and abilities. In response, a School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) approach is growing in popularity to address both of these issues. SWPBS is implemented across an entire school population and involves all individuals whether they are challenging, exceptional, or typical. The initial research shows encouraging results …

The Long March Of The German 68ers: Their Protest, Their Exhibition, And Their Administration., Gracie M. Morton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The postwar children coming of age in the late 1960s in West Germany mounted a widesweeping socio-political protest against what they saw as the strangling silence of their parents, the Nazi generation. These protesters, referred to as the 68ers for their pivotal year, continued their struggle in following decades, incorporating an important and controversial exhibition, and finally culminating in their own administration thirty years from their defining moment. Using such diverse kinds of information as parliamentary debates, interviews, and contemporary criticism, this thesis explores the impact of the 68ers' initial protest and the influence they ultimately had on their nation …

The Effects Of Psychological And Biological Gender On Gender Role Conflict And Mental Health Of Gay And Lesbian Individuals., Kevin James Herdman 1969-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation represented an examination of the interrelationships between psychological gender (i.e., masculinity, femininity, androgyny, and undifferentiated), biological gender (i.e., male and female), gender role conflict, self-esteem, and loneliness in a sample of gay men and lesbian women. Psychological gender and biological gender served as the independent variables in the study while gender role conflict, self-esteem, and loneliness served as the dependent variables. A two-way factorial MANOVA was used as the statistical model of choice in addition to correlational analyses. A confirmatory factor analysis was also completed on the instrument used to measure gender role conflict, the Gender Role Conflict …

Dismantling The Master's House : Deconstructing The Roots Of Antiblack Racism And The Construction Of The "Other" In Judaism, Christianity And Islam., John Chenault

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This critical inquiry into the social constructions of "black" and "white" identities analyzes the roles of the three "western" monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) in the cognitive and sociohistorical developments of racial slavery and antiblack racism. Specifically, it investigates the sociohistorical consequences of the inherent dualisms of the "western" monotheisms and how those dualisms are expressed in the production of social theories and systems that rely on believer/non-believer oppositions and binaries defined by a Manichaean view of the universe and a teleological conception of history that fosters and sustains an eternal holy war against infidels. What emerges from this analysis …

A Study Of Gender Differences In Academic Performance In A Rural County In Tennessee., Olivia Joy Sparks-Wallace

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes differences in academic performance measures of males and females in a rural county in Northeast Tennessee. A transcript review was performed for the graduating classes of 1993, 1998, and 2003. Overall GPA and individual math, science, and English grades were recorded. Comparisons of females and males enrolled in AP English, Advanced Math, and Advanced Science courses were also recorded and analyzed.

Findings revealed that females performed better than males in every subject. In 1993 the advantage is slight and is not statistically significant. However, in 1998 and 2003 the advantage is much more pronounced. In 1993 slightly …

Adolescents And Marijuana Use: The Affects Of Peer And Parent Relationships And Substance Abuse Education., Samuel Joseph Cosimano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze gender, race, substance abuse programs such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), parents, and peers and their ability to influence or predict adolescents and their decisions to use marijuana. All of the variables used for this study came from secondhand data collected by Esbensen and Osgood (1999), Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.). The analysis revealed that males are more likely to have ever used marijuana, that mixed race adolescents have a higher rate than other races to have ever used marijuana, that when adolescents complete the substance abuse program, D.A.R.E. have …

The Impact And Efficacy Of Diabetes Education Programs Among Adults., Mireille Hamdan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of diabetes education classes in increasing knowledge and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Thirty-three subjects participated in the classes between October 2004 and October 2005. Only six subjects agreed to participate in this study. Changes in knowledge after the classes were measured by a survey test one year following the completion of classes. Survey responses were analyzed using percentages. Subject's Hgb A1C and weights were also collected to measure the direct impact of education on participants' blood glucose management. Overall, participants were very knowledgeable of diabetes symptoms, complications, carbohydrate counting, and …

Evaluation Of An Elementary School Wellness Concept In Rural East Tennessee., Audrey Lynn Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parents of elementary school children in the small, rural area of Unicoi County, TN were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward health, nutrition, and Unicoi County Schools' Wellness Policy. Elementary school classrooms were randomly chosen to receive surveys for the children's parents to return by mail. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS software. Over 99% of parents stated that nutrition education in schools was important, and 96% stated schools played an important role in their child's health. The assessment provided meaningful data and laid groundwork for future nutrition education programs. The research showed rural, lower-income parents are supportive of …

A Study Of Perceptions Of Achievement Factors For At-Risk Students In Comparison To Honor Students At A Northeast Tennessee High School., Christopher Michael Hampton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student success and motivation are issues that baffle parents and educators. Various factors go a long way in explaining why these educational phenomena occur. Current research has confirmed that issues such as parental involvement, home life, attitude, intellect, and teacher and student relations and rapport have an impact on motivation and future success of students. This research project focused on students' perceptions of factors that affect their success and achievement. These factors were categorized into four areas: intrapersonal influences, parental influences, educational influences, and external influences. These areas were explored in an attempt to promote an awareness of the factors …

An Evolving Change In Public Schools: An Assessment Of Teachers' And Administrators' Perceptions And Classroom Changes Concerning High-Stakes Testing., Selena Marie Kiser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this study was to investigate changes in the curriculum caused by high-stakes testing mandates within 3 Southwest Virginia school systems to find best practices for instructional application in classrooms. This qualitative study was comprised of indepth interviews and observations with elementary school teachers and administrators. High-stakes testing has impacted the nation in myriad ways. The mandates from the government presented teachers and administrators with conditions that must be met according to the No Child Left Behind Act and individual state's standards. Teachers' perceptions of curriculum changes, Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP), testing mandates according to high-stakes testing, and …

An Assessment Of Read 180 Regarding Its Association With The Academic Achievement Of At-Risk Students In Sevier County Schools., Jayson Nave

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

READ 180 is an intensive reading intervention program designed to meet the needs of students whose reading achievement is below the proficient level. The program addresses individual learning styles through adaptive software, interesting literature, and direct instruction with reading skills. The purpose of this study was to compare the achievement of academically at-risk students in Sevier County Public Schools in East Tennessee who participated in the READ 180 pilot program with the achievement of their academically at-risk peers not enrolled in the intervention program before and after its implementation in order to assess the reading intervention program. The Sevier County …

A Comparison Of The Academic Achievements Of Intermediate Students Based On Socioeconomic Status And Participation In An After-School Program., Anthony Fayne Maxwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what, if any, associations exist between students' academic success on achievement tests and the predictor variables of students' socioeconomic status, participation in an after-school program, and gender. Middlesboro Intermediate School contains a high number of students who participate in the federal free- or reduced-price school meals program, as well as attend the after-school program. This study factored in the student's academic success on the Kentucky Core Content Test and the socioeconomic status of students based on their qualification for the federal free- or reduced-cost school meals program, their participation in the after-school …

Science Inquiry Learning Environments Created By National Board Certified Teachers., Jon Saderholm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discern what differences exist between the science inquiry learning environments created by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and non-NBCTs. Four research questions organized the data collection and analysis: (a) How do National Board Certified science teachers' knowledge of the nature of science differ from that of their non-NBCT counterparts? (b) How do the frequencies of student science inquiry behaviors supported by in middle/secondary learning environments created by NBCTs differ from those created by their non-NBCT counterparts? (c) What is the relationship between the frequency of students' science inquiry behaviors and their science reasoning …

A Theory-Based Intervention To Increase Dental Utilization By Disadvantaged Children., Catherine J. Binkley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oral disease is the greatest unmet healthcare need of disadvantaged children in the United States, with only 20% of disadvantaged Medicaid-eligible children receiving routine dental care. Peter Margolis proposed a theoretical model of access to healthcare services and reported the effectiveness of a case manager intervention in increasing medical care utilization by disadvantaged mothers and infants. This study was based on Margolis's theory and used a case manager to assist parents in obtaining dental care. Methods. The study was based on secondary analyses of data from the "Parental Help Seeking for Dental Care" project. The randomized, controlled intervention study was …

Creativity And Economic Development : Exploring The Relationship Between Index Rank, Index Components And Economic Development Context., Stephen Dennis Rausch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Richard Florida's (2002a and b) work ranks 276 U. S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) according to a creativity index. This dissertation explores whether the creativity index or its subcomponents are related to the economic strength or growth in MSAs. The dissertation initially explores the relationship between the creativity index or the proportion of the creative class in an MSA with measures of per capita income and mean earnings adjusted for cost-of-living and region. It further tests the relationship between the creativity index or the proportion of the creative class in an MSA and economic strength and growth where economic strength …

Comeback Of Appalachian Female Stroke Survivors: The Interrelationships Of Cognition, Function, Self-Concept, Interpersonal, And Social Relationships., Patricia Mckenzie Vanhook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine the comeback phase of the Trajectory of Chronic Illness Management for Appalachian women stroke survivors. This study predicted comeback as a relationship between physical healing, biographical reengagement, and psychological coming to terms that was mediated by rehabilitation.

The concepts were evaluated through investigation of function and cognitive abilities, self-assessment of recovery, health rating, ability to control life, relationship changes, physical and mental health, and limitations of activities due to poor physical or mental health. Data were collected using, the Stroke Impact Scale (3.0) (Duncan, Bode, Lia, & Perera, 2003), the …

A Study Of The Evolving Practices Of Reading First Reading Coaches In Virginia., Shelia Denise Sargent-Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore and document the various roles of Virginia's Reading First reading coaches. The goal of Reading First is to ensure that all students learn to read at grade level or above by the end of third grade. Because of No Child Left Behind legislation and the mandates set forth by Reading First, reading coaches are in demand. In order to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of reading coaches, this study was based on qualitative methodology. Specifically, the data collection consisted of a self-administered survey sent to Virginia's 95 Reading …

Media: Effects On Attitudes Toward Police And Fear Of Criminal Victimization., Bradley Edwards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the effects of the media on attitudes toward police and fear of crime, while controlling for selected audience trait variables. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 351 students at East Tennessee State University. The survey consisted of demographic and audience trait variables. The survey also contained items that measured the respondants' media consumption. Respondents were asked, for example, which format they typically get news from (e.g., newspaper, television), how often they watch television, and how real they perceive crime related television to be. Multivariate analysis showed that demographic and audience trait variables explained more variance than did …

Evaluation Of A Ninth Grade Transition Program For At-Risk Students., Terry William Caldwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have identified the transition from middle to high school as a critical point in teenagers' educational development. Despite sweeping educational reforms, many students are leaving high school without graduating. Local school districts are struggling to redesign high schools to provide the educational programs necessary for at-risk students' success. Creating smaller learning communities and developing transition programs have shown success in addressing these problems.

Sustained research shows promise in minimizing the effects of the transition process and adds to the body of knowledge.

A case study approach using archival data was used to explore the differences in three Bearcat "PRIDE" …

The Adolescent Rebellion Against Panoptical Society: A Foucauldian Analysis Of Adolescent Development In Contemporary Young Adult Novels., Clarissa Elizabeth Allen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Young adult literature has developed from a didactic means of behavioral control over adolescents to a means of promoting the reader's psychological development as an independent individual. In contemporary works (1970s onward), the use of Foucault's theory of the Panoptical society has given way to the development of the role of the adolescent rebel. In these novels, a pattern can be seen in which the protagonist defies the control of the Panoptical society and accepts the role of adolescent rebel. In particular, this pattern can be seen in the works of Francine Prose (After), Jerry Spinelli (Wringer …

Impact Of Self-Esteem, Adult Attachment, And Family On Conflict Resolution In Intimate Relationships., Jessica Lynne Holt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the use of physical aggression in intimate relationships and the effects of self-esteem, adult attachment, and witnessing violence in the family of origin on such. Participants were 189 males and 379 females enrolled in classes during the fall semester 2006 at East Tennessee State University. Participants were recruited via 2 methods and participated either via an online survey through the Psychology department or paper-based surveys administered to random cluster samples of students. The 2 versions differed only in administration format. The surveys consisted of a demographic questionnaire, CTS2 for their relationships, CTS for their parents' relationship, Rosenberg …

A Study Of First-Time Full-Time Freshmen's Attributes And Their Associations With Fall-To-Fall Retention Rates At A Two-Year Public Community College., Susan E. French Graybeal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the associations between first-time full-time freshmen's attributes and fall-to-fall retention at Northeast State Technical Community College. The 15 attributes included age, first-generation student status, gender, high school classification, race, the student's application date to the institution relative to the start of the semester, the 4 ACT test sub-scores, remedial/developmental course placement, major program of study, financial aid status, first-semester grade point average, and end-of-first-semester credit hour enrollment status. In addition to collecting the variables under study, each first-time full-time freshman's entry term and enrollment status for the subsequent fall semester was ascertained. …

Leadership Practices Of School Nutrition Professionals., Linda Gail Dycus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School-aged children's nutritional needs have changed from a 1946 underweight and undernourished population to rapidly increasing numbers of overweight and obese children with associated health complications. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore leadership practices of state and system school nutrition professionals. By obtaining information regarding the past and present practices of school nutrition professionals, this researcher strove to provide insight into best practices for future leaders.

Electronic mail messages linked to Kouzes and Posner's (1995) self-reporting leadership practices survey were sent to 194 Tennessee school nutrition professionals (53 state directors and 141 system supervisors). The survey had …

Employee Use Of The Internet And Acceptable Use Policies In The Academic Workplace: Controlling Abuse While Creating Culture., B.J. King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of the Internet has grown substantially, especially since the late 1990s. Businesses are relying increasingly on the Internet and intranet as tools to promote productivity. Use of the Internet has several implications for institutions of higher education. Some of the issues institutions are faced with include legal liability for defamatory postings and sexually explicit materials, monitoring versus privacy, motivations to abuse Internet privileges, and use of the Internet to create a corporate culture. Institutions of higher education need to consider how the Internet is being used and how it should be used when acceptable use policies are being …

The Burley Tobacco Buyout Program And Its Impact On Farmers In Tennessee, Virginia, And North Carolina., William T. Jarrett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the Burley Tobacco Buyout Program and its impact on three local economies. Data collection involved obtaining information from government reports, internet sources, public documents, agriculture offices, federal agriculture officials, and books. Personal interviews were conducted with 32 farmers in Sullivan County, Tennessee; Washington County, Virginia; and Watauga County, North Carolina.

This study is significant because it addresses not only the decline of an agricultural product but also changes in a way of life in Southern Appalachia. The future of burley tobacco growing in this region appears to be bleak because of foreign market competition and decreasing domestic …