Digital Commons Network^™

A Second Chance For Struggling Students, Irene R. Fujii

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The focus on standards and the California high school exit exam has had an impact on all students, especially students who are already having a difficult time in school. For the past 3-year period, 1999 through 2002, students from a bay area continuation high school had a retention rate of less than 25% in career technical programs.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Skills Tutor Program (Achievement Technologies, 2000), a computerized instructional program, would assist continuation students to stay in school by helping them to enhance their academic performance and attitudes toward school.

The population for …

Ethical Decision Making In Speech-Language Pathology: What Is The Difference In Perception Between Faculty And Second Year Graduate Students?, Kerrilyn R. Phillips

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether speech-language pathology faculty perceptions of ethical behavior are different from speech-language pathology graduate students’ perceptions of ethical behavior. Participants consisted of 34 second-year speech-language pathology graduate students and 27 faculty members from Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) training programs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. All participants completed an investigator-designed instrument consisting of ethical scenarios. Results of this study indicated that significant differences between faculty and student perceptions for ethical decision-making were indicated in two of eight scenarios. The two scenarios in which significant differences were identified related to supervision and …

Implementing Therapeutic Conflict Management Groups To Decrease Serious Incidents Of Misbehavior In A Middle School Setting, Kelvin E. Rogers

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A review of the literature indicated that there were concerns from the public and public school officials regarding too many serious acts of misbehavior being committed in our public schools, which included recent events of violence in Oregon, Colorado, and California that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries of students and staff. During the 2001-2002 school year at this writer’s site, discipline records indicated that several students were suspended off-campus for fights, verbal abuse towards their peers, weapons on campus, and gross defiance towards school authority.

In order to combat the amount of episodes of serious acts of misbehavior, 30 …

Caught In The Crossfire: A Defense Of The Cultural Theory Of Gun-Risk Perceptions, Donald Braman, Dan M. Kahan

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In this article, Dan Kahan and Donald Braman expand upon the cultural theory of gun-risk perception and respond to the commentaries on their previous article, More Statistics, Less Persuasion: A Cultural Theory of Gun-Risk Perceptions, 151 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1291 (2003). Their critics argue that the authors are too quick to dismiss the power of empirical information to influence individuals’ positions on gun control. But in analyzing the variety of their critics’ arguments, Kahan and Braman note the strange pattern of opinions that has emerged on the relative importance of culture and data in the gun debate. What could …

China's Legal System And The Wto: Prospects For Compliance, Donald C. Clarke

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The impact of WTO membership both on China and its trading partners, both for good and for ill, has been greatly overstated. WTO treaty obligations and Dispute Settlement Body rulings will not become part of Chinese domestic unless specifically incorporated by Chinese legislation. Moreover, the WTO does not require a perfect legal system of its members; instead, it requires a degree of transparency and fairness in certain limited areas. Although some of China's WTO commitments will be difficult for it to fulfill, even non-fulfillment will not result in the predicted flood of WTO dispute settlement proceedings, since such proceedings can …

Model Behaviour? Anecdotal Evidence Of Tension Between Evolving Commercial Public Procurement Practices And Trade Policy, Steven L. Schooner, Christopher R. Yukins

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The international trade community increasingly focuses upon the purchasing practices of nation states. Developing nations and states seeking to improve their procurement systems expect to glean lessons from the evolution of procurement law regimes in developed nations, including the United States. To the extent that the U.S. procurement regime is perceived (at least by some) as a model, the global community has been intrigued by the United States government's efforts to adopt more commercial practices and buy more commercial items. Yet numerous impediments to a purely commercial public procurement model remain, because commercial practices are invariably less transparent, and raise …

The Impact The Organizational Leadership Has On Selected Factors At The Georgia Commission On Equal Opportunity, Lisa L. Burroughs

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to research the impact the organizational leadership has on selected factors--climate and culture, employee retention, and employee training and development--at the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO) in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years, the GCEO had implemented several privileges in an attempt to retain and motivate the employees. These privileges were compressed work schedules, teleworking, and maintaining a high level of technology. Other benefits that were offered were paid holidays, vacations, and sick days. The question became whether these were enough to retain quality employees. Although these benefits had created longevity in a few employees, …

Implementing A Plan For Prekindergarten Teachers To Use Developmentally Appropriate Practices Consistently In The Classroom, Luisa P. Martin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to establish a method to increase the transfer of learning from on-site training to the classroom in order to increase the use of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP). The major goal was to have teachers consistently use DAP in the classroom, which would lead to establishing higher quality services to children at the writer’s work site.

The writer developed strategies to work with two prekindergarten teachers and one assistant teacher. On-site training, classroom observations, a system of daily communication, and a revised school budget were strategies used to address the problem. Monthly meetings were used to …

An Evaluation Of The Failure Free Reading Program Used With Learning-Disabled Students, Shelia M. Martin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study examined the effect of using Failure Free Reading (Lockavitch, 1995) as a supplemental intervention reading program with fourth- and fifth-grade LD students at Howard Elementary School. The reading achievement and reading perceptions of 16 LD students were studied. An overview of the assessments for determining the perceptions and achievement of the students is discussed. Although an analysis of the data indicated some gain in pre- and posttests scores on the Standardized Test of Assessment of Reading (STAR) for some of the students, positive perceptions of reading were noted by all of the LD students in the study.

Implications …

The Design Of A Professional Development Program To Train Reading Teachers To Coach Content Area Teachers, Cara Richardson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate and provide middle school content-area teachers with ongoing support in an effort to foster reading across the curriculum. Mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts teachers participated in a mandatory content area literacy training where they were provided with research-based reading strategies to implement into their classrooms. The requirement to implement these new strategies into their daily instruction seemed overwhelming, which led to reluctance and frustration among many of the teachers.

The development methodology was used to develop the product utilizing a formative and a summative committee. The formative committee gathered data that …

Development Of A Fee-Based Service Delivery Model For The Department Of Career Services At The University Of Connecticut, Cynthia F. Jones

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation project provided a partial solution to the problem of reduced state government budget support for the Department of Career Services at the University of Connecticut. A reduction in fiscal resources will hinder the operation of the Department of Career Services at the University of Connecticut and prevent the department from providing adequate career development services to help students reach career goals. The creation of a model for fee-based service delivery to users, using a development methodology, was the product of this project.

The research questions addressed and answered in this project explored following issues related to developing …

Increasing Enrollment Sustainability: A Practical Model For A Community College’S Leadership, Dwight D. Dorman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes an academic achievement program designed to keep 1st-year college students eligible for continued learning. At the onset of the program, results of the English department’s records indicated that approximately 60% of the students enrolled in English 101 were not eligible to continue to advance in a sequential manner. This study identified the problem areas that confronted 1st-year English 101 students who did not successfully complete the course.

A creative teaching model was developed that sought to improve the attendance and retention rate of students. The project also sought to empower the students to be responsible and …

Improving Behavior And Academic Achievement For Students At Sandersville Elementary School, Fate R. Simmons

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve discipline and academic achievement at Sandersville Elementary School. This school, located in the Washington County School System, serves students in Grades 3-5. An analysis of data collected in the 2001-2002 school year revealed that 53% of the teachers were dissatisfied with student discipline, and 55% were dissatisfied with the academic climate at Sandersville Elementary School.

Planned solution strategies included a 2-part discipline and academic achievement improvement program. The program focused on helping teachers to understand and address the needs of Early Intervention Program students. The program included in-service training for teachers on specific …

Addressing The Response And Responsibility Of The Education System To The Social Concerns Of At-Risk Students In American Schools: An Evaluative Study Of A Partnership Intervention Program, Ina Dorman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The social problems of students and society in general have changed dramatically over the past 2 decades, and school leaders are now challenged with how to address these changes effectively while preserving the integrity and purpose of an institution of learning.

This study identified the social, environmental, and behavioral issues facing students in a large, urban school district with a population of over 250,000 students. This qualitative analysis examined the data and risk factors that impact the academic achievement of students and the response by the organization leaders to respond adequately to the challenges.

The school district is situated in …

Developing And Using A Welfare Reform Model Of Social Work To Increase The Role Of Social Workers In Assisting Welfare Customers To Self-Sufficiency Through Employment, Jessie Jordan-Parker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to increase and enhance the role of the Welfare Social Workers in providing case management services to Welfare customers. Welfare Reform (WR) Social Work positions were being eliminated because some thought that traditional social work models could not be adapted to the requirements of employment centered WR programs. This was thought because no research had been carried out and no data was available to indicate the efficacy of social workers or social work models in assisting those welfare customers to self-sufficiency through employment.

The writer developed a WR model of social work intervention. The model …

Reducing Teen Use Of Alcohol And Drugs Through Parent Involvement, Judy Watson Olson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to help parents prevent teen substance use. School leaders and parents were concerned about the high teen substance use by teens. A review of the literature showed that involved and caring parents who monitored their teen’s activities had a positive impact on helping prevent substance use.

The writer worked with school and parent leaders to develop a Parent Network. A directory was written to provide parenting tips and phone numbers so parents could contact each other. Parent leaders recruited other parents to join the Network. Parents were not interested in attending activities, so a parent …

Development Of A Portfolio Process For Beginning Early Childhood Education Student Teachers With A Plan For Implementation And Evaluation, Kelly O. Lake

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The Early Childhood Education Department at Santa Barbara City College has the mission of offering coursework and applied student teaching opportunities to those interested in working with young children, birth through age eight. Based on current teacher training practices and an administrative direction, the Early Childhood Education Department has made the decision to implement a portfolio process. However, there is no existing model on campus or any expertise in the Early Childhood Education Department. As a result, the Early Childhood Education Department is faced with a problem.

Research questions focused on identifying the appropriate standards and type of portfolio as …

A Saturday School Program For At-Risk Students, Melvin Hitchens

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation is the frequency and severity of behavior related infractions. Township administrators are concerned because growing populations of students were violating the district’s policy on character education. Administrators were also concerned because a majority of these students academically lagged behind their peers.

The Saturday School Program was established for students who demonstrated a lack of respect for others. Students have threatened administrators with physical violence. Such behavior was a violation of the school policy on character development, which states that students should exhibit an attitude of caring, courage, honesty, responsibility and self-discipline. Although the lack of character …

The Negative Impact Of Middle School Mathematics Achievement On Classical High School, William G. Frost

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ version of high stakes assessment testing that has moved to the forefront of education reform over the past decade. True accountability for students and principals is present only at the high school level because students must pass the English language arts and mathematics sections of Grade 10 MCAS to qualify for a diploma.

Archival MCAS data over 4 years of testing reveals 2 inescapable conclusions. First, regardless of level (Grades 4, 8, and 10 are MCAS benchmark years), students have performed significantly better in English language arts than mathematics, …

Establishing A Culture Of Reading At The Middle School Level To Improve Reading Achievement, Neal W. Clark

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Based on an analysis of the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), 30% of 6th-8th graders at Wheeler County Middle school were not meeting state reading standards. Based on evidence from questionnaires and surveys to administrators, parents, students, and teachers, students spent little time reading and have poor attitude toward reading. Students at Wheeler County Middle School simply were not reading enough to build a sufficient vocabulary or an effective level of reading comprehension. Thus, the problem on which this study focused was how to get students to read more and be more positive about reading.

The intervention for this study …

Development And Evaluation Of A Leadership Skills Curriculum For The Committee To Aid Abused Women In Northern Nevada, Susan Joy Edwards

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was that the Committee to Aid Abused Women (CAAW) recognizes that the organization does not adequately prepare clients to enter the competitive job arena. The purpose of the project was threefold. First, the project presented a leadership program specific to the needs of female domestic violence survivors. Second, the project offered the program to CAAW clients. Third, the project evaluated the perceived effectiveness by the women who attended the program entitled “Leading to Empower.”

Three research questions were addressed in this study. First, what does the review of the research reveal about effective, applied leadership skills? …

Balanced Literacy: An Evaluation Of A Ninth Grade Literacy Program, Drew Ashley Atkinson Jr.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes the evaluation of an existing program that uses balanced literacy in ninth grade English classrooms to accelerate the reading development of students entering high school reading below grade level. This evaluation consisted of two target goals for the program. Goal one set a target improvement standard of two full grade levels of improvement for students reading at or below the sixth grade level upon entering high school, and one full grade level of improvement for students reading at the seventh grade level. Goal two dictated a standard of statistical significance between the mean reading ability of an …

Improving School Bus Safety By Reducing Bus Accidents, Thomas F. Boyle

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes an accident prevention training program for school bus drivers who transport students for the Somerset County Educational Services Commission (SCESC) on a countywide basis. Students were transported on bus routes that spanned mountainous rural areas, winding suburban streets, and high-speed congested highways in all weather conditions. It was the goal of this applied dissertation to identify and implement a program that would reduce bus accidents and improve student safety.

Planned solution strategies included (a) a customized instructional course on school bus defensive driving taught to a cohort of bus drivers by the SCESC’s certified school bus …

Promoting Social Emotional Intelligence In Elementary School Children, Beryl Irene Bailey

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide educators with a curriculum embedded program to prevent, curtail, or reverse the negative trajectory of poor social emotional development of elementary students. Third-grade students failed to demonstrate social emotional intelligence. They lacked discipline. They exhibited difficulty staying on task and working cooperatively with peers, repeatedly interrupted instruction, used negative language, did not return homework, and were often referred to the office for disciplinary action.

In a 5-week training session, teachers learned how to implement the writer’s Sowing SEEDS (Social Emotional and Educational Development of Students) Curriculum. This literacy-based program contained children’s literature aligned …

Implementing The Six-Traits Model And Step Up To Writing To Improve The Writing Skills Of Fourth Grade Students, Precious E. Broadnax

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the pedagogy of writing in the elementary schools. Students in the 4th grade were being instructed in an inconsistent pattern of process and product writing strategies, and were not demonstrating adequate achievement. The 4th grade teachers were trained in the Six-Traits Analytical Assessment Model and Step Up to Writing techniques, but there was little evidence that the strategies were effective.

The researcher developed a writing intervention that involved a 9-week aggressive approach teaching a combination of Six-Traits and Step Up to Writing. There were 3 components of the treatment: (1) extended staff development …

Communication Competence: Does Augmentative And Alternative Communication Intervention Make A Difference?, Jessica L. Perciak

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation addresses the issue of communication competence as it relates to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. Existing practices in AAC intervention are reviewed with emphasis on techniques and strategies. The current study investigated whether AAC intervention correlates to the perceived level of communication competence for individuals who use AAC. Four individuals who use an AAC high-technology device as their primary means of communication participated in this study. The AAC participants included 2 males and 2 females ranging in age from 13-55. Each AAC user interacted with the researcher at two points in time during which communicative behaviors …

Improving Adolescents’ Reading Achievement By Offering Increased Time To Read And Teaching Reading Strategies, Susan Albright Currie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study was designed to increase student reading achievement of 6th-grade students at Sparkman Middle School by offering increased time for reading with availability of student preferred genres and the use of selected reading strategies.

Participants selected for this study consisted of 6 teachers and 48 sixth-grade students who scored in the 1-3 stanine cluster on the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition. Additional time was built into the school’s daily schedule for independent reading of self-selected genres and individual student-teacher interaction. Students were then trained, through direct instruction and teacher modeling, to incorporate strategies during reading activities. Sixth-grade teachers participated …

Effects Of Computer-Assisted Instruction On Kindergarten Students’ Concept Age Gains, Denise Hutchinson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine whether kindergarten students in instructional technology classrooms have a greater concept age gain than students in traditional kindergarten classrooms at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. The 4 kindergarten classrooms to which students were randomly assigned are the subjects of this study. The 2 instructional technology kindergarten classrooms incorporated three computers into the required centers to be completed daily by each student. The 2 traditional kindergarten classroom used the same daily center plans; however, the 3 computers in each of these classrooms were used for free exploration and play after the other centers …

Meeting The After-School Needs Of Early Adolescents, Ann Michele Allen

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a more attractive after-school program to youth at a middle school. The program was located on the school campus and offered minimal activities, which were facilitated by untrained staff, with limited activity space for the youth to congregate. The program met daily in a school classroom, offering limited supplies and activities to the youth after school. Due to these limitations, very few youth participated in the afterschool program, thereby placing themselves at risk for harmful and inappropriate behaviors in the after-school hours.

The writer developed a more attractive after-school program for the youth. …

Poetry: An Intervention To Improve The Fluency And Comprehension Skills Of Reluctant Readers In The Primary Grades, Monica A. Boyko

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation provided third grade reading students an opportunity to develop reading fluency and comprehension skills. These students had poor literacy skills as evidenced by their scores on standardized reading proficiency exams, report card ratings and reports from their previous instructors. The fluency and comprehension instruction that students received was not effective. Students were not making an emotional connection to the material they read.

Third-grade students were taught ways to apply both comprehension and fluency enhancing strategies to their reading. This was accomplished through weekly lessons focused on the poetry genre that enabled students to practice these skills in …