Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of School-Based Mentoring On At-Risk Youth, Barbara Dobzanski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of school-based mentoring on at-risk youth. The study was conducted on a group of clients from a Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. The clients were individuals who are at risk of academic and social failure or difficulty. The experimental group consisted of 21 students who were receiving mentoring services on a weekly basis. The control group consisted of 18 students who remained on a waiting list to be mentored. The variables examined were self-concept, behavioral and developmental issues, and academic performance. The extent, if any, to which mentoring benefits an individual …

The Role Of The School Media Specialist As Perceived By Teachers, Principals, And School Media Specialists, Veronica M. Gaskill

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the school media specialist as perceived by principals, teachers, and school media specialists. According to the current literature, the role of the school media specialists is multi-faceted. The role includes teacher, information specialist, technology person, and instructional consultant. A survey was prepared to determine if principals, teachers, and media specialists perceived the role in the same way. Two principals and thirty-five teachers were surveyed for this project. Three school media specialists were interviewed. The participants were from two districts in Atlantic County in the state of New Jersey. There …

A Cognitive Approach To Teaching Research Skills, Christine M. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop a method for teaching research skills to sixth graders that would be appropriate for their cognitive abilities and prepare them for the research skills required by the seventh grade curriculum. Three classroom teachers and fifty-seven sixth grade students participated in this project. A short research project served as a pretest and inventory for knowledge of research skills. A unit of research skills and project preparation was then taught to the students in a series of eight lessons. Each skill modeled during the lessons provided concrete student learning. Examples of content materials and …

A Survey Of The Familiarity Of Gloucester County Secondary School Librarians, Child Study Teams, And Special Education Teachers With Assistive Technology, Dianne Clement

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this survey was to assess the familiarity of Gloucester County high school librarians, child study team members, and special education teachers about different types of adaptive technologies. Two hundred twenty-one surveys were sent to the 13 school districts in Gloucester County. Eighty-four participants responded. The largest response was from librarians. Results indicated that all three groups were more unfamiliar than familiar with the technology on the survey. Librarians were the group with the most overall familiarity response, 31%. Child study teams and special education teachers were very close in familiarity responses with 26%. Taped text, large-print materials, …

A Study Of The Circulation Patterns And Lifestyle Demographics Of Year-Round Residents Who Use The Ocean City Free Public Library, Judith C. Perkins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine if adult lifestyle behaviors, as identified in the 1990 U.S. Census, could be linked with circulation statistics for fiction and nonfiction books, and thereby, used to assist acquisition librarians in the purchase of library materials. The project, a partial replication of the Davis and Altman (1997) study, focused on the book selections made by adults at the Ocean City Free Public Library in Ocean City, NJ. The methodology included the examination of circulation records for these subjects during December, January, and February 1992-1997, and relating these choices to the spending potential index …

A Comparison Of New Jersey Certification Requirements For Educational Diagnosticians With Six Other States, Elizabeth O'Neill

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the New Jersey certification requirements for educational diagnosticians with the requirements of six other states. Child Study Team compositions were also examined. The search was narrowed to six states when interviews with state licensing agencies and state universities did not yield comprehensive information. In order to obtain more in-depth information, the research was conducted via phone interviews with employees from counties within each of the six states. Information received was hand recorded. Raw data was converted to percentages. None of the other six states required additional certification for the educational diagnostician who determines eligibility for special education. …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Adolescents And The Use Of Ritalin, Joanne Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see if a combined stimulant intervention/behavior improvement system facilitated greater gains on achievement tests and on a behavior improvement level system than a behavior improvement system alone with ADHD adolescents. The sample used consisted of 10 subjects classified with ADHD. Subjects were matched for IQ, age, educational classification and placement, socioeconomic status, and family type. Five subjects received stimulants and five received no medication, but all subjects were involved with the behavior improvement system at school. Pretest results were gathered using the KTEA (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, brief form) and the student's …

Attitudes Toward Inclusion: A Survey Of General And Special Educators, Debra M. Shinn

Theses and Dissertations

Whether or not the attitudes toward inclusion differ between regular educators and special educators was investigated. From the current literature reviewed, it was hypothesized that special educators would have a more favorable attitude toward inclusion than regular educators. Forty-nine regular educators and sixty-three special educators responded to a questionnaire. The results of an independent groups t test did confirm a statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, the significant difference revealed that, overall, regular educators had a more favorable attitude toward inclusion than special educators.

Over half of the regular educators believed that the challenge of a regular class …

Exploring Teacher Thinking About Practices In Inclusive Early Childhood Settings Through Case Study Method: Early Childhood And Early Childhood Special Educators' Perspectives, Karen R. Danbom

Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of the thinking and reasoning underlying the teaching practices of early childhood and early childhood special educators. It provides an opportunity to better understand the nature of teaching in integrated classrooms by understanding the knowledge, beliefs, and thoughts that inform practices of individual teachers. The thinking of teachers was studied as they were interviewed about situations in integrated classrooms and as they reflected on their own teaching of children with and without disabilities. The questions guiding this study were (a) How do early childhood educators and early childhood special educators reason and think through issues of …

Elazar's Political Culture: Is It Applicable Today?, Mark M. Springer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the utility of Daniel J. Elazar’s political culture, developed in 1%6. Dr. Ira Sharkansky conceptualized Elazar’s political culture in 1969 by applying measures pertaining to participation; size and perquisites of bureaucracy; and scope, magnitude, costs, and innovative character of government programs. He used simple correlation, Pearson’s r, to determine whether political culture had any influence on the 23 dependent variables that he arranged under the three different measures. Then, he tested for partial correlation, using per capita personal income and the percentage of the population living in areas considered “urban” as controlling variables. Finally, he tested the …

Heatlh Education In The Postpartum Population Of The Native Americans On The Ft. Peck Reservation Following Early Postpartum Discharge, Debra Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Early postpartum discharge 24-48 hours after delivery has become a current trend in the United States. There are numerous and substantive issues relating to this concept which affect not only hospital personnel, but more specifically new mothers and babies.

On the Ft. Peck Reservation in northeast Montana the standard of early discharge postpartum has been initiated. The purpose of this study was to identify postpartum/newbom education deficits among the population of postpartum women on the Ft. Peck Reservation and to compare and contrast these results between the Poplar and Wolf Point. MT. communities. Additionally, the identification of the resources used …

Impact Of The 1997 Red River Valley Flood On Marital Relationships, Karen M. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the gains in disaster research on families, there is little research on the impact of disasters on marital relationships. This study addresses this under- researched area through the examination of the effects of the 1997 Red River Valley Flood on marital relationships.

Data was collected through in-depth interviews with ten heterosexual married couples. The results indicate that the 1997 Red River Valley Flood did have an impact on marital relationships. However, the impact of the flood appeared to be mediated by the state of the couples' relationships prior to the flood. Couples who reported strong relationships prior to the …

Perceptions Of Member Principals And Superintendents Relative To The Operation Of The North Dakota Nca State Committee And Its Director, Darryl G. Tunseth

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Factors That Influence Academic Achievement, Leah Georgene Shaffer

Theses and Dissertations

Does environment affect academic achievement? The dispute over environmental influences has been the topic of numerous debates. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between academic achievement and the following environmental factors: family structure, ethnic background, socioeconomic circumstances and family size. The 1,500 participants of this study were collected from a large, extremely diverse elementary school population. From this general population, 134 students were selected for the control group based on participation in the Basic Skills Program. Data was collected using teacher surveys and parent contact information. State and federal guidelines were used when identifying children for Basic Skills …

Definition And Decisionin Social Skill Instruction: What Are The Benefits?, Gerri E. Eck

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Women, Sex And Dating: A Qualitative Study Of College Men's Perceptions, Rosemary E. Barke

Theses and Dissertations

A two-hour focus group of ten, 19, 20, and 21-year-old male college studnets who expressed an interest in dataing women was undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of men's perceptions of women, sex, and dating. Data analysis of verbatim transripts was conducted by three female qualitative researchers. Findings suggest that young men experience confusion, frustration, and lack of trust of young women, at the same time that they experience pressure to be sexually active, perceive women as potential status enhancers and objects, and fear contracting sexually transmitted diseases and impregnating young women. Reported readiness for intimate relationships varied within the …

Gender Differences In Social Support At Work And At Home, Kristi L. Walz

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated gender differences in social support received at work and at home, along with the role of different sources of social support in job satisfaction (JSAT) and dyadic satisfaction (DSAT). A total of 144 participants (72 men, 72 women) employed at 2 different health care facilities served as participants. Participants completed the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSS), the Personal Accomplishment Subscale, the Dyadic Satisfaction Subscale, and the Contract Rating Scale.

Analyses revealed that men and women did not differ in the amount of support received at work, family support, or in DSAT, or JSAT. However, results indicated that …

Paraprofessionals In Inclusive Classrooms: Working Without A Net, Carole Anne Milner

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study was designed to answer the question: "What happens when a paraprofessional is assigned to provide individual, direct service to a student with disabilities in an inclusive classroom?" Selection of the primary participants, paraprofessionals, was completed by securing the cooperation of three paraprofessionals identified as successful by the school principals and the special education teachers supervising the paraprofessionals. Three paraprofessionals were observed in inclusive classrooms one morning and one afternoon per week throughout the fall semester of 1997. Interviews were conducted with the 3 paraprofessionals, 3 special education teachers, 11 general education teachers of inclusive classes, 3 middle …

Establishing An Implementation Manual For Melrose Area Public Schools, Robert J. Huot

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pet Attachment And Health Status In Urban And Rural Families, Julia K. Senchuck

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Aspects Of American Bittern Ecology In Northwest Minnesota, David Anthony Azure

Theses and Dissertations

American bittern breeding populations have been declining for at least 3 decades. Lack of information on life history traits precludes the conclusive determination of causal factors. The objectives of this study, conducted in northwest Minnesota, were to 1) estimate summer home-range size of American bitterns, 2) document local movements and habitat use by American bitterns, and 3) refine capture and marking techniques. Results of this study should facilitate further research and may be useful to wildlife managers for implementing management practices to benefit bitterns.

Radio-marked American bitterns were systematically relocated from May through August, 1996-97. Seasonal core-areas and low-use areas …

A Mentor Program Study At The Pennsauken Campus Of Camden County Technical Schools, Fredrica Macdonough

Theses and Dissertations

Mentoring many at-risk students who benefit from contact with teachers and other faculty members, the ten-year-old program at the Pennsauken Campus of Camden County Technical school needed change and improvement.

The study identified students who had ability but did not succeed in school because of discipline, attendance, or academic reasons.

Previously only freshmen were initially included in the program, but this study included upper class students in need of mentoring and encouraged additional mentors to participate.

Mentors and students were paired and met either daily or twice monthly. Each month the intern collected brief reports of the meetings and met …

Study In The Use Of Modifications With Students Diagnosed With Attention Deficit Disorder, Judith M. Thourot

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to survey the modifications made for students who had been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder in two school districts and to compare the results with those recommendations made by experts. This was accomplished by comparing two school district programs: Waterford Township Public School and Edgewater Park School District.

A survey recorded the information on these recommendations. The results provided the documentation of individual student needs.

The conclusions indicated that there was a correlation between the modifications being used by the professionals in both school districts and the recommendations as proposed by experts.

An Internship Experience In Educational Leadership At The Camden County Technical Schools, Pennsauken Campus, Rosann Hofstrom Kasuba

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the program implemented at our school to prepare students to take the reading section of the HSPT11, the state graduation test of New Jersey. Evaluation of the program promoted enhanced instructional practices to improve student achievement.

The methodology for my research relied on the theoretical framework of educational policy analysis, the interpretive paradigm of teacher cognition, and the interview as a tool for inquiry. Extended interviews of four teachers who taught at each level were conducted to access teacher cognition. The classes of these four teachers were designed to prepare students for …

An Internship Experience In Educational Leadership At Sterling High School District, Cleve W. Bryan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of teacher attitudes on the integration of educational technologies into the curriculum at Sterling High School as a means to assess the effectiveness of the district's technology plan.

A descriptive research method was used in the study that included a school-wide technology survey of teachers and follow-up interviews with 20% of the teaching staff. The technology survey instrument and interview questions were developed by the researcher and reviewed by the technology committee of Sterling High School. Percentages of responses were used as the primary method of data analysis along with …

An Internship Experience In Educational Administration At Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School, 1997-1998, Ruthmarie Schopfer Weinberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this internship was to provide the candidate with an opportunity to acquire competencies and skills which are essential to an effective administrator of a secondary school.

The internship focused on the project: Alternate Methods for At-Risk Students Who Disrupt the Educational Environment. The areas addressed in this study were: (1) The purpose and setting of the study, (2) Review of the literature, (3) The design of the study, (4) Presentation of the research findings, (5) Conclusions, implications, and further study, and (6) The need for alternative methods re: Scared Straight – Haddon Heights Style, In-School Suspension, Out-of-School …

Special Educators And Job Satisfaction, Joyce A. Devito

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how specific variables affected job satisfaction among special educators at a special education school district. The variables examined were gender, student population, number of years teaching, number of years teaching a specific population, and age of students. It was hypothesized that female teachers and teachers who worked with emotionally disturbed students would express less job satisfaction than male teachers and teachers working with other special education populations. It was further hypothesized that the greater the number of years teaching and working with a specific population, the greater the expressed job satisfaction. In addition, it was thought that …

An Internship Experience In Educational Leadership At Oakcrest High School, Mays Landing, New Jersey, 1997-1998, Linda R. Brennan

Theses and Dissertations

Early identification of academically at-risk students combined with effective intervention has a significant impact on the academic performance of academically at-risk students. Students were identified as academically at-risk if they failed two classes in one report period or if they failed one class twice during their eighth grade year.

Faculty members volunteered to serve as mentors for these students. Through advising, referring to student resource personnel, reviewing work, or providing a quiet place to study, teachers were committed to providing additional time and assistance to their mentees' educational process.

The identified students were also given contact time and opportunities to …

An Internship In School Administration At The William Davies Middle School, Mays Landing, New Jersey, Robert Baker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this internship was to provide the intern with an opportunity to acquire and utilize professional administrative skills necessary to become a successful school leader.

The internship at William Davies Middle school included the implementation of the PRO plan, a discipline strategy designed to reduce the amount of discipline referrals.

The PRO plan included three main elements: 1) the institution of a teacher-mentor program, 2) the utilization of the Project Success Program and 3) the development of a school discipline committee.

The results of the PRO plan included a forty-three percent reduction of discipline referrals. Additionally, there was …

A Study On Parental Involvement: Getting Parents Going, Lois W. Lantz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether kindergarten and first grade parents would be more inclined to be actively involved in their children's educational endeavors if provided with workshops and training sessions that would make them more knowledgeable and comfortable in the academic setting. Specifically, the study addressed the following areas: (1) would there be an increase of parental participation in the workshop and training sessions, (2) would more parents be inclined to become active educational partners, and (3) would student achievement increase.

To investigate these areas of the study, a sample of eighty (80) parents of kindergarten …