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Body Image And Quality Of Life: A Comparative Study Between Black And White Females, Chrissy Mitchell

Theses

This research examines the relationship between body image avoidance behaviors and quality of life for black an white females. The subjects in this study included 39 black females and 24 white females in St. Louis County. The ages of participants ranged from 14 to 20 years old. In order to examine the relationship between these two variables the mean, standard deviation, and an independent t-test was performed. There was a strong positive correlation between BIAQ and QOL Importance subscale for Black and White females. A discussion of limitations of this study and implications for future research will be discussed later.

The Development Of An Entrepreneurship Certificate Program At Athens State University, Brenda Harper

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was to develop an Entrepreneurship Certificate Program at Athens State University. Awareness in the field of entrepreneurship has increasingly become an integral part of educational institutions’ accepted curriculums. However, Athens State University has no curriculum in place that provides, produces, and develops leadership in the area of entrepreneurship. Additionally, the strong economic growth in new and existing businesses the area has experienced has not kept pace with the demand from local businesses and industries to train the new work force terrain.

The writer examined the benefits of an entrepreneurship education as well as the essential elements of …

A Classroom Management Training Program For Miami-Dade County Public School Teachers, Clarence Jones Jr.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

During the 1999-2000 school year, 43% of Miami-Dade County Public School (MDCPS) teachers were rated as unsatisfactory in the area of classroom climate and 32% in managing the learning environment. In the 2000-2001 school year the percentages were 44% and 24%, respectively. There was an urgent need to investigate thoroughly the MDCPS training and in-service programs that addressed deficient classroom management and to develop strategies to improve teaching skills.

Interventions to improve the classroom management skills of MDCPS teachers included the development of a comprehensive learner-centered training program that focused on developing and enhancing the skill level of teachers who …

Achieving School Literacy: The Davis Elementary School Reading Initiative, Emily Walker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation focused on a schoolwide program of reading interventions that was implemented to increase the reading ability of elementary school students at Edward T. Davis Elementary School in Montgomery, Alabama. These interventions included (a) teacher training in research based reading instruction; (b) the implementation of Direct Instruction (Englemann, 1996); (c) the implementation of additional reading time, (d) a student reward program, and (e) a home-school literacy connection.

The school is a public school with a population of 697 students in Grades Kindergarten through 6. An analysis of formal and informal data such as the Stanford Achievement Test (American …

Development Of A Textbook With A Plan For Its Evaluation For The Acting I Course At Austin Community College, Jamee Kennedy

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this dissertation project was two-fold. First, the purpose was to develop a textbook for the Acting I course at Austin Community College that fully supports the required standardized curriculum created in 1999. Second, an evaluation plan for the textbook was developed to help determine the text’s validity.

The effectiveness of the text will be determined by the implementation of this plan. Based on the results of the evaluation plan, the administration at Austin Community College will make a recommendation to either adopt the text as is, modify the text, or to reject the text.

There were three …

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? …

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 …

Teaching Innovative Preventive Strategies To Minority Students With Limited English Proficiency, Joyce Wright-Evans

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The major purpose of this applied dissertation was to address the issue of minority students with limited English proficiency not meeting the educational standards necessary to graduate from high school within 4years of entry. The relationship of achievement with self-determination is described in this report. The theoretical base for this study centered on the work of R. M. Ryan and E. L. Deci (2000) in the areas of motivation and self-determination, the self-determination theory. Moreover, the social cognitive career theory (R. Lent, S. W. Brown, & G. Hackett, 1996) provided a strong theoretical base in the areas of career and …

Improving Student Achievement By Infusing A Web-Based Curriculum Into Global History, Robert A. Scheidet

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The arrival of Internet use in today’s classrooms has moved the learning environment beyond the drill and practice use of computers. The creation of a web-based curriculum enables students to have access to the global network of multimedia information while being engaged in self-directed learning activities. This study investigated whether infusing web-based computer technology into the global history curriculum could increase the percentage of students achieving mastery level and increase student interest and motivation in schoolwork. Studies have shown that achievement does increase when computer technology is utilized in the classroom because it individualizes the educational process; incorporates constructivist learning …

Evaluation Of The Utilization And Usefulness Of Chaos Theory In Human Services Education And Professional Practice At Western Washington University, Trula Morehead Nicholas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The study evaluates the utilization and usefulness of chaos theory in human service education and professional practice. One purpose of this study was to determine if current and former students in the Human Services Department at Western Washington University use the concepts outlined in chaos theory in the delivery of human services. A second purpose was to discover if chaos theory is being incorporated into the curriculum of other human service education programs that grant four-year degrees.

Methodologies used in this study included the summative evaluation methodology, the development methodology, and the ex post facto research methodology. Surveys were sent …

Improving Reading Achievement By Integrating Technology In After School Instructional Programs, Timothy L. Cliby

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This research endeavor institutes change in an after school program for elementary students of an inner city elementary school. The program seeks to improve student performance on standardized English language testing, improve student motivation and attendance. The hypothesis that a prescriptive after school program, that utilizes Web based activities as an integrated component of instruction, will lead to improved student performance through increased motivation, instructional habits and attendance. Redesigning the program will establish an environment capable of sustaining student motivation and attendance resulting in sustained instructional engagement.

The instructional design is a transformation of traditional instructional practices for this program. …

A Strategic Approach To Promote Ninth-Grade Academic Success, Beverly W. Glover

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation, conducted February 2000 through April 2001, describes an approach to increasing student motivation that promoted 9th-grade academic success in an inner-city high school of a Southeastern Georgia community. The targeted population was freshman students in a very large, diverse, multicultural environment. The students ranged from the very highest affluent socioeconomic group to the lowest poverty group.

Low performance was evident on standardized measures of student progress upon their entering 9th grade. A lack of motivation for successful learning was evident. The students in this study were in need of extensive help to succeed academically and reach their …

Evaluation Of The Systematic Curriculum And Instructional Development Model For Curricula At The Broward Technical Centers, Tripat Pal Kaur

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this project was to conduct an evaluation of the utilization of the Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development (SCID) model. Current curriculum development models were researched, experiences of the technical centers were evaluated, elements for a curricula development model were researched, a pilot implementation was performed, and based on the pilot evaluation recommendations were made for the future adoption of the SCID model.

The methodologies that were utilized include the evaluation, development, and research methodologies. The procedures used to conduct the project were, (a) reviewing the literature, (b) appointing and meeting with formative and summative committees, (c) creating …

Reducing Fighting And Bullying Among Second And Third Grade Students Through Instruction In Peace Education, Cecil W. Scott

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to reduce fighting and bullying among second and third grade students. The behavioral plans used by individual teachers were ineffective. Students were exhibiting deviant behaviors in the form of fighting, bullying, using profanity and name-calling. Children were being placed in time out, and many were internally and externally suspended for antisocial behaviors. Teachers could not help students resolve conflicts using peaceful methods.

The writer developed a Peace Education curriculum to be used by teachers to reduce deviant behaviors in students. They used daily peace and conflict resolution strategies in their classrooms that assisted children to …

Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Strategic Planning Process For Flagler College, William T. Abare Jr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The underlying problem for this project was that the planning process at Flagler College was more internally focused, did not take into account the external forces that could impact the institution, and did not address the strategic issues confronting the institution. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a strategic planning process at Flagler.

There were five research questions. First, “What are the different approaches to strategic planning, including general principles that should guide the development and implementation of the planning process?” Second, “What is an appropriate strategic planning model or approach to strategic planning for …

Training Teachers To Meet The Developmentally Appropriate Needs Of Preschool Children, Sharon R. Brown

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teachers were having great difficulty meeting the developmental needs of the children. This was evidenced by the teachers’ restriction of unstructured playtime, lack of interaction by the teachers with the children during outdoor play, and the children’s inability to engage in probing, exploratory dialogue.

The solution strategy combined a series of trainings for teachers to learn how to engage children actively in meaningful and age-appropriate learning activities to meet their developmental needs. There were two inservice trainings for the teachers. The topics of the trainings were The Use of Outdoor Space as a Learning Environment for Preschoool Children and How …

Leadership Development Program Emphasizing Accessibility, Accountability, And Responsibility Through A Training Component For Faculty, Clair D. Hart

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate a student character development program. Also addressed was how teachers could ally this module. Education can be viewed as a puzzle. A piece of the puzzle that is missing bridges the gap between academia, work, and adulthood. Many students are ill prepared for the transition from high school to the real world. The leap from public education to adulthood has become a struggle. Students believe they are ready to take on the world, but the world has been taking on the students for a much longer time. Teachers need to assist students in …

Attachment Theory And The Secondary Student: Notes To Teachers, George H. Biggs

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide knowledge of attachment theory to secondary teachers in middle schools and high schools. Teachers were working with students who were displaying behaviors caused by student disruptive attachment to a primary caregiver. However, the teachers, not aware of attachment theory, misinterpreted the reason for the disruptive class behavior and associated the behavior with the behaviors of students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The writer developed a series of monthly workshops that middle school teachers attended. The workshops focused on the following topics: attachment theory, children’s multiple foster placements, and the effects of multiple …

Using Graphic Organizers To Enhance The Academic Achievement And Self-Esteem Of Haitian Esol Students, Ingrid Chrisphonte

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to increase the academic achievement and self-esteem of English to Speakers of Other Languages Haitian students in language arts through reading and writing. Haitian students were not at the academic level of their counterparts in English. Teacher assessment and observed student behavior in writing assignments and class participation were evidence that a problem existed. Haitian students submitted writing tests that were incomplete. They were unlikely to participate in classroom discussion or to share answers aloud. It was important to make learning enjoyable in a nonthreatening environment.

The writer used various strategies to accomplish the goals. …

Molding Minds, Making Links: Mentoring And Staff Development To Reduce Suspensions For Major Offenses At The Secondary Level, Ginger W. Hamilton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was two-fold. The first part addressed school-based administrators. They were offered opportunities for professional development programs to help them improve intervention services at the school level. The second part was a mentoring program designed to provide students who seemed to be on a path leading to serious behavior problems at school with an adult who provided daily guidance and assistance.

The writer designed and implemented a professional development program for school-based administrators. Seven sessions were held to assist with improvement of their knowledge of school discipline and intervention. In addition, fifteen students from three secondary schools were …

Development Of A Plan At Concordia University Wisconsin To Create A Campus Where Racial And Cultural Diversity Is Valued, Teresa Wanbaugh

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to develop a plan at Concordia University Wisconsin to create a campus where racial and cultural diversity is valued. Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community dedicated to integrating faith and learning. Concordia University Wisconsin lacks an inclusive environment where racial and cultural diversity is valued. Without valuing racial and cultural diversity, Concordia University Wisconsin cannot effectively represent the communities it serves, and it cannot meet the needs of all student populations. The purpose of this study was to discover what the attributes of an inclusive campus are, discover what barriers must be …

Reducing The Failure Rate Of English For Students Of Other Languages (Esol) In Levels Iii And Iv In The Mainstreamed Classroom, Manuel Ferrer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The program was intended to help reduce the failure rate of English for Students of Other Languages (ESOL) III and IV students in the middle school, mainstreamed classroom. The objectives for the program were to provide both ESOL levels III and IV students and their teachers with the strategies found in the available literature that had shown to be effective.

It was anticipated that ESOL levels III and IV students would initiate a student portfolio that would be used as an alternative method of evaluation. It was further anticipated that 100% of teachers with ESOL III and IV students enrolled …

Development Of An Academic Assessment Plan And Evaluation Process For Devry Institute Of Technology Curricula Delivered By Devry Online, Donna Gardner Liljegren

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

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Improving Academic Performance Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Francis Bundukamara

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This implementation was designed to improve the academic performance of students with learning disabilities. A learning disability is described as a physical, emotional, or cognitive delay that creates a deficit in language and learning. These identified students were not excelling in the classroom. Classroom measures (grade point average, attendance records, discipline records, and Individual Education Plan goals) showed that 78% of 288 students with learning disabilities at the writer’s school site were showing deficits in areas of academic performance. A target group of 16 students was selected. The target group’s classroom measures were recorded, and it was found that their …

Improving The Spatial-Temporal Reasoning Ability Of Low-Achieving Third-Grade Students, Austin G. Buffum

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

At Viejo Elementary School in South Orange County, California, third-grade average mathematics scores on the Stanford 9 and California Mathematics Standards Test were noted to lag far behind district, county, and state averages. At Viejo Elementary School, a greater percentage of students are living at or near the poverty level--as evidenced by qualifying for the free or reduced lunch program--than the average percentage of students so qualifying in elementary schools in the district, county, and state. Analysis of probable cause data supported the hypothesis that children raised at or below the poverty level can suffer profound and enduring effects on …

An Alternative Staff Development Plan For An Alternative Education Setting, Vashti Moore Clayton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to develop an intervention behavioral plan to improve special needs students’ behavior by reducing the number of discipline referrals that were received annually. This plan was implemented at a specialized residential school in a southeastern state. Implementation of interventions included suggested techniques for detecting and dealing with inappropriate behaviors. Students and staff members in a residential southeastern school were interviewed, observed, and provided with a survey for this study. A review of the literature revealed that staff development and the establishment of an alternative learning center are relevant to student learning and to the …

Evaluating A Life Skills Curriculum For Adolescent Males At New Direction, Fitzgerald B. Mcqueen

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation sought to evaluate a real-life Life Skills Curriculum for adolescent males with behavioral, emotional, and mental disabilities. The previous Life Skills curricula had not been revised since 1996. Survey and interview data obtained from counselors, current and past adolescents, teachers, and parents indicated that the previous Life Skills curricula failed to meet the adolescent’s needs, and was impractical and irrelevant.

Planned strategies included (a) evaluating the Life Skills curriculum for relevance and practicality to “here and now” issues of adolescents in an educational treatment facility, (b) evaluating the Life Skills curriculum for enhancement of adolescent’s verbal and …

Measuring The Prevalence And Assessing The Determinants Of Depression Among Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implications For Treatment, Drew Edwards

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) frequently suffer from isolation and loneliness; have ineffective coping skills, poorly developed social networks and low self-esteem; and struggle with socioeconomic stressors (Dow & Mest, 1997). As a result, such people are frequently characterized in the literature as a population of chronically ill patients with a higher than normal prevalence of emotional distress (Van Ede, Yzermans & Brouwer, 1999). A study was conducted to (1) measure the prevalence of depression among clinic patients with COPD, (2) determine the demographic and clinical variables, and (3) assess the implications for treatment.

Methods: An ex post …

Helping Parenting And Pregnant Teens Become Effective Parents And Successful Students, Zandra Rucker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Based on alarming results of adolescent pregnancy in several areas of Miami-Dade County for the past 3 years, programmatic research methods and strategies were implemented in a joint collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Public School system and Miami-Dade County Health Department, Healthy Start Division, to address the issue of high teenage pregnancy in 3 targeted high schools.

The Miami-Dade County Public School system is required to provide an education for pregnant and parenting teens, coordinate the health and psychological services, and provide ancillary services to the students who attend the program. Although the Continuing Opportunity for a Purposeful Education Centers …

Development Of A Peer Tutor Training Model At Fort Valley State University With A Plan For Implementation And Evaluation, Darlene H. Harper

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was that Fort Valley State University had a low retention rate, and the mean grade point average fell over a 4-year period. As the population at Fort Valley State University became more diverse, tutors needed to be aware of cultural differences, various learning styles, and strategies necessary to promote success in students who might lack college level skills in certain academic areas.

The purpose of this project was to develop a peer tutor training model at Fort Valley State University. The use of a model enhanced tutorial services in an effort to increase the retention rate and the …