Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Hospital Alumni Membership And Its Effect On Donor Giving, Linda Michael

Theses and Dissertations

This study profiled Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center's Baby Alumni Society to determine whether members are likely prospects for financial support. Established in 1980 by The Cooper Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the hospital, the Baby Alumni Society consists of 6,500 members who range in age from infancy to senior citizens.

To determine alumni attitudes and opinions about the institution, a questionnaire was conducted. Participants were selected using the systematic random sampling method. Of the five hundred questionnaires mailed, eighty-five were returned. Overall, respondents were pleased with the publication Baby News and wanted to continue receiving it. Members also expressed an …

A Study To Determine The Effects Of The Use Of Sign Language With Mildly Mentally Retarded Students On Social Interaction And Communication, Catherine Serafinelli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if the use of sign language with mildly mentally retarded children would increase their social interaction and communication. All the children in the study have been described as having moderate to severe language delays. Pre and post intervention observations were conducted for five consecutive days during free play in the classroom setting. After the completion of data collection, intervention was begun. Intervention consisted of a selection of basic signed vocabulary pertinent to classroom activities which were introduced during a sign circle three afternoons a week for ten minute sessions. After the signs …

General Case Principle Applied To Microwave Cooking: Can Severely Handicapped Students Generalize The Skills They Learn In The Classroom, Victoria Elizabeth Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper was to apply an example of general case strategy when training severely handicapped students how to use a microwave. Two types of machines were chosen that represent the range and type available: (push button, turns dial - color: white, brown).

Three students were selected to participate in the study all coming from a special education district. The students were 17 years old and classified multiple handicapped. In addition, their test scores and other data indicated they were severely disabled.

Using a task analysis approach both machines were taught simultaneously. Instruction was given on the relevant/non-relevant …

Generalization Of Organizational Skills From One Setting To Another, Kristine J. Jansen

Theses and Dissertations

Learning disabled students have consistently had difficulty generalizing organizational skills from a resource center, where the skills are taught, to a mainstream classroom without support. This study hypothesized that organizational skills taught in a mainstream classroom with resource support (inclusion) would generalize more frequently to a mainstream classroom without resource support than skills taught in the resource center. Ten seventh grade students with learning disabilities were taught strategies for organizing themselves to complete classwork and homework, keep an organized notebook and come prepared to class. Mainstream classroom teachers felt these four skills were necessary for students to become successful in …

The Effect Of A Self-Monitoring Program On Perceptually Impaired Students' Compliance To Class Rules, Michael A. Scully

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a self-monitoring procedure that was designed to increase compliance to classroom rules in a middle school setting. Four male seventh grade students classified as Perceptually Impaired with histories of discipline and academic difficulties served as subjects for this investigation. After a baseline period in which a rating scale was used to evaluate their behavior, the subjects were taught to use the same scale and were required to rate their compliance to a predetermined set of rules. Points to be used for participation in a reinforcement activity could be earned …

What Is The Prevalence And Effectiveness Of Teacher Versus Student Managed Approaches Of Classroom Management, Marshall Paul Edmonds

Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at two distinct classroom management styles: teacher versus student managed and their effectiveness and prevalence at three southern New Jersey high schools unique to each other via location and student composition. A twelve item questionnaire was given to ten ninth to twelfth grade students and a nine question survey to three teachers from each school. I personally administered the forms to all participants to clarify any questions they had. The majority of the students' questions dealt with their opinion of school and classroom rules and their effectiveness. The teachers' survey elicited input on what are the major …

The Effect Of Brushing On A Tactilely Defensive Child, Christine Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Previous investigations of sensory defensiveness seem to indicate a direct relationship between sensory defensiveness and the "sensory diet" approach as proposed by Wilbargar (1987). This study examined the implementation of the "sensory diet" or brushing technique begun with one mildly tactilely defensive subject. Brushing took place three times a day, every day, for approximately an eight week period. Pre and posttest instruments used to gather data were the Touch Inventory for Elementary School Aged Children (Royeen, 1986) and the Sensory Integration Inventory for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (Reisman, Hanscher, 1990).

The results indicated that there was no difference between pre …

An Investigation Of The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Strategies Applied To Students In Inclusive Education Settings, Theresa Thum Gerber

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop strategies for regular education teachers to use in order to control the behavior/attention problems exhibited by some classified students included in their classrooms.

The study consisted of five regular education teachers, grades three through seven, and twelve classified students from Southampton Township Schools, New Jersey. The teachers were obtained through a letter which asked for teachers to volunteer who had classified students exhibiting behavior problems.

Success of the implemented strategies were measured through a pretest, posttest design using the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-28 (CTRS-28). Analysis of the pretest results and teacher input …

Specific Strategy Instruction To Enhance Revising And Editing Skills For The Learning Disabled, Barbara J. Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

For years, research and replications of research have supported the findings that grammar taught in isolation is at best ineffective. As a result, some teachers have abandoned grammar instruction altogether. Other teachers are unaware of the findings or simply choose to ignore them. With so many mildly handicapped students being placed in regular education classes, these curricular decisions are having an impact on their success in producing correct written communication.

This study compares eleven learning disabled seventh grade students taught in the mainstream with traditional grammar instruction to nine learning disabled peers taught in a resource center with specific strategy …

The Efficacy Of An Alternative School, Celeste Wilden

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines a self-contained day school for emotionally disturbed adolescents by evaluating whether changes produced by the intervention result in practical personally and socially worthwhile improvements. Such evaluation, often called social validation (Kazden, 1977) involves determining whether the changes have brought the student's performance within acceptable levels. Social validation deals with how closely the student's functioning fits expectations of appropriate performance in society (Haring & McCormick, 1990). This hypothesis was tested by the results of a questionnaire given to graduates from the program since DYFS withdrew its funding in 1983. Success was defined as having the ability to support …

The Effects Of A Career Awareness Program On The Recidivism Rate Of An Inmate Population, Bernardine Rochelle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this ex post facto research, a two year follow-up, was to determine the effect of a Career Awareness Program on the recidivism rate of an inmate population. The participants in the study were sixteen male inmates, ages nineteen to forty-six, with less than three months before release who had attended the first Career Awareness class.

Using a cross-sectional design survey, a two-paged selected-response questionnaire was mailed to the subjects. The responses of the respondent group were summarized through descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages.

After two years, eighty-seven percent of the studied population remained out of jail and …

Kindergarten Curriculum, Kelly-Ann Grossman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop a kindergarten curriculum suitable for a rural disadvantaged full-day kindergarten program. This was accomplished by a review of literature including five major theories of curriculum: the enrichment curriculum, the directed teaching curriculum, the cognitive emphasis curriculum, the custodial care curriculum and the combination curriculum. A combination curriculum was decided on and specific curriculums were reviewed for further content and design. Curriculums from nearby schools were reviewed and blended with the textbooks and areas of content felt necessary by the school's kindergarten teachers.

Does Learning Style Instruction Have A Positive Effect On Academic Achievement In The First Grade?, Nancy D. Rosenberg, Pamela M. Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of learning style instruction when implemented in a typical first grade classroom setting. The study was designed to determine if the use of several learning style methodologies would produce an increase in academic achievement.

Two regular first grade classes were used as the Study and Control Groups. Each student in the Study Group was surveyed to discover possible learning styles present within the group. For approximately six months, the Study Group received instruction which was modified, wherever possible, to allow for each student's individual needs. During this period, the Control …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Teacher Stress And Pupil Control Ideology, Genevieve Nichole Pacitti

Theses and Dissertations

Education is a priority in our society. Teacher stress has been identified as a disruptive factor toward productiveness within the classroom. Pupil control ideology has been seen in educational literature as a teacher characteristic affecting individual stress levels of teachers. The purpose of this study was to investigate: the relationship between teachers' pupil control orientation and five factors of teacher stress; the relationship between years of teaching experience and perceived job-induced stress; and the relationship between gender and pupil-control orientation. Data was collected through two questionnaire surveys and an information sheet. Subjects were 72 full-time secondary Catholic school teachers. Analyses …

The Impact Of An In-Class Support Program On Regular And Special Education Teachers, Cheryl A. Marino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an in-class support program on teachers. The subjects of this study were six pairs of teachers consisting of one regular educator and one special educator. To solicit participation, cover letters and a narrative survey instrument were mailed to each of the twelve educators. The responses were analyzed using content analysis. Most responses provided positive feedback on in-class support programs. There are some concerns for future implementation of these programs.

The Effectiveness Of Prereferral Interventions Through Pupil Assistance Committees On Academic And Behavioral Needs Of Students, Barbara G. Fletcher

Theses and Dissertations

The general purpose of the study was to determine if prereferral interventions, through a PAC team, were effective in adding to the ability of a school to respond to a broad range of students' academic and behavioral needs. The population of this study consisted of 31 students. These fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students were referred to their elementary school's PAC team for behavioral and academic needs. PAC records were analyzed for information including the problems and reasons for referral, the goals of the teachers, suggested interventions, the results of each meeting, and the success of the interventions. Both a …

A Study Of The Effects Of In-Class Support On Math Performance Of Regular Education Students, Classified Special Education Students, And At-Risk Students, Susan Wenger

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to service special needs students, service delivery models have progressed from self contained classrooms and separate facilities for special needs children to resource center pull-out programs, in-class support, mainstreaming, and full inclusion.

The in-class support model, which provides a special educator or aide in the regular classroom, attempts to enhance the academic success of identified special education students in such placements.

This study focused on the effects of in-class support. The population consisted of 76 7 to 9 year old math students in a New Jersey school district. Curriculum-based pre and posttest math scores achieved by regular …

Intergenerational Programs In The Public Schools, Marguerite F. Maines

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of this study was to research intergenerational programs in the public schools. The research was undertaken to establish whether intergenerational programs improve community attitudes and benefit the school systems that provide these programs. A broad base literature search and a database search were conducted. Numerous letters were written to school systems, state and county agencies, volunteer groups, and senior citizen groups that have instituted programs. The responses collected resulted in a compilation of successful programs that can be used by superintendents, community coordinators, and school public relations directors.

Several major conclusions were drawn from this study. Activities …

A Handbook For First-Year Teachers Dealing With Parental Communication, Connie Nowosacki

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to create a handbook beneficial to teachers in dealing with parental communication. A review of the research yielded a wide range of practices that teachers can use to involve parents.

These practices can particularly help the first-year teacher communicate effectively to gain support needed for academic, discipline, and homework efforts.

An instrument was devised asking respondents to rank in order of importance ten of the most common topics and activities used in teacher-parent communication. Responses were arranged according to Very Important, Important, or Not Important. The list was sent to five public relations experts nationwide and …

Using School Foundations As A Public Relations Tool To Market Schools To The Community, Linda Y. Sherry

Theses and Dissertations

This study shows how school foundations, created by local school districts to raise additional revenue to supplement their tax-based funding for educational programs and projects, generate benefits beyond the fund-raising aspect.

Existing research was compiled and reviewed to explore what school foundations are, why school districts have foundations, what the extra benefits of foundations are, why foundations are helpful in fund-raising, and what impact foundations have at the polls. Telephone interviews with various experts in the field of school foundations as well as school districts with foundations in place provided further relevant information on guiding principles, keys to success, and …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Special Education Emotional Support Behaviorally Disordered Students And Their Moral Reasoning, Frank G. Iacobucci

Theses and Dissertations

Very few studies have examined moral reasoning in students identified as having behavioral disorders and enrolled in a special education setting. Little attention has been paid to the impact of interventional education programs designed for behaviorally disordered youth on moral reasoning development. The research examined the moral reasoning of behaviorally disordered adolescents enrolled in a self-contained high school setting. The results indicate that behaviorally disordered emotional support high school students are significantly lower in moral reasoning compared to their nonbehaviorally disordered peers. The development of moral reasoning has been considered an important component of both social and cognitive growth in …

Correlational Study On Reading Readiness And Reading Achievement Test Scores, Josephine A. Morales

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between Reading Readiness and Reading Achievement Test scores. Reading Readiness was associated with higher Reading Achievement.

Three schools in a low socio-economic section of an inner city school district provided the sample used in this study. The sample consisted of thirty-five Limited English Proficient Students (17 boys and 18 girls). All children were of Hispanic heritage.

The Reading Readiness and Reading Achievement Test scores were compared and analyzed. A Spearman's rho correlational coefficient was used to measure and describe the relationship between both reading test scores.

The analysis …

Comparison Of Two Approaches In Teaching Reading To Limited English Proficient Students And Their Academic Achievement, Gloria Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine which of two instructional approaches. Whole-Language or Distar (Direct Instruction), was more effective in producing higher levels of academic achievement in bilingual first grade students. It was predicted that the bilingual students receiving instruction through the Whole-Language approach would demonstrate higher academic achievement than those receiving instruction through the Distar approach.

A Pre and Post District Skills Inventory Test for reading (Communication Arts) was administered to the students in each instructional approach group. There were nine students in each group. The resulting scores were analyzed statistically using a t test design for …

Factors Relating To Successful Placement In A Minimal Supervision Program For Mentally Retarded Adults, Scott Rahl

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine what characteristics are significant in determining successful adjustment to residence in a minimal supervision apartment program for mentally challenged adults. The subjects consisted of nine women and four men, all of whom are mentally deficient to varying degrees, and four of whom suffer from mental illness as well. The subjects range in age from 22 to 76 with a mean age of 43. The subjects intellectual functioning levels, as determined by their psychological evaluations, were examined along with the rate at which they completed daily living tasks as detailed by their Individual …

Sensory Stimulation During The Prewriting Stages Of Creative Writing, Randy G. Yarwasky

Theses and Dissertations

Written expression is becoming more and more important in the language arts classrooms of America. Research has shown that sensory stimulation can help students access previously encoded experiences. These encoded representations are viable material to be used in the creative writing process. Fifth grade level 11 readers from Lower Township Elementary School District were employed in this study to determine the role of sensory experience in the language classroom. Students were read a selection and then received either visual stimulation, audio stimulation, audiovisual stimulation, or a control treatment. Hypotheses were that students who received stimulation would preform significantly better on …

Profile Of Adolescent Depression, Mary E. Delcorio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine specific factors related to adolescents diagnosed with major depression, admitted to an inpatient adolescent mental health unit. The specific factors are birth order, family stability, history of drug and/or alcohol abuse and gender. There were 31 subjects in this study, ages 11 to 17 years. Of these subjects, 18 were female and 13 were male. The data collected was ex post facto. From the subjects' charts, gender, age, birth order, family stability and history of drug and/or alcohol abuse were obtained. This data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, mostly percentages. The results …

A Study Of The Effects Of A Social Problem Solving Intervention With Emotionally Disturbed Youth At A Special Services School, Wendy E. Sack

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this pretest-posttest descriptive study was to examine the efficacy of a SPS training intervention for emotionally disturbed children in the special education system, with respect to social skills acquisition, family environment, reduction in non-compliant behaviors and sociometric status. Participants included eighteen students in four self-contained classrooms of a Special Services Regional Day School. The sample included one white female, eleven white males, three black and three Hispanic males with a mean age of eleven years and ten months.

All classes were exposed to a six month program with lessons from the Readiness Phase of Elias and Clabby's …

Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Youth At Risk For Low Self-Esteem And Depression, Lynne M. Rossi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine if gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are at a higher risk for low self-esteem and depression than straight male and female youth. This study further investigated whether gay and bisexual male youth are at a higher risk for low self-esteem and depression than lesbian and bisexual female youth.

The 59 participants, ages 15 to 21, were obtained through a general undergraduate college sample and a selected sample of subjects involved in gay/lesbian community youth groups and college organizations. Of the 59 subjects, 29 were straight males and females and 30 were gay, …

Review Of A Partial Care Program For Severely Emotionally Disturbed Youth, Christina Schoener

Theses and Dissertations

The need for research on programs for Emotionally Disturbed (ED) children and adolescents is great. The present study examined a partial care program for ED youth in New Jersey. There were 120 subjects in this study. Several characteristics of these subjects were examined – gender, race, age, diagnosis, and family status. The study also examined the subjects' average length of stay in the program.and reasons for being discharged. In addition, the ratio of clients to staff was studied. The data was collected by examining the files of past and present clients to gather the necessary information. Descriptive statistics were used …

The Effects Of Nursing Home Placement On The Stress Levels Of Caregivers, Ellen E. Thomson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discuss the relationship between nursing home placement and anxiety levels of the people placing their loved ones. The study used 20 subjects from a nursing home in southern New Jersey. Subjects were people who had cared for a parent at home for at least one year prior to placement. Subjects were administered the IPAT anxiety scale on the day of placement and again one month later.

Relationships were shown through T-Tests and correlation coefficients. This study indicated that there were significant changes in anxiety levels of subjects after a one month period.