Digital Commons Network^™

Teachers' Beliefs About Their Efficacy On Parental Involvement, Anette Melvin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The History Of Our Lady Of The Lake College, 1923--2000: A Study Of Organizational Change., Linda Carol Rakestraw Pendergast

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This qualitative research study investigated the history of Our Lady of the Lake College from 1923 through 2000. It endeavored to determine the influence of the times, the events, the people, and the traditions that have contributed to its development and progress in the seventy-seven years that have passed since it was established. The study also sought to document the important institutional events that transpired during this time period and establish a continuity of the College's progress through the years from a hospital-based diploma program in nursing to a free standing degree granting institution. In addition to the evolutionary development …

School Life On The Mississippi: An Inquiry Into The Impact Of The Louisiana Reform Movement Related To Standards In World History Instruction In Three Secondary School Settings., Michael Joseph Schramm

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of standards on the instruction of world history in three secondary school settings. Contact with the Department of Education of the State of Louisiana found that the implementation of standards had only begun in 1997. After a grace period for implementation, the inaugural testing of the accountability system for these standards occurred in the spring of 2000. Therefore, this study became an exploratory investigation into the use of standards as they impact world history instruction. The first research question was designed to assist the researcher in exploring the influence that …

Comparing Interventions On Disruptive Classroom Behaviors Derived From Descriptive Analysis, Experimental Analysis, And Reinforcer Assessment., Heather Peshak George

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated whether descriptive analyses, experimental analyses, and reinforcer assessments produced similar patterns of data. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify baseline levels of disruptive behavior and to systematically describe the co-variation between disruptive behaviors and teacher attention, peer attention, and the academic task. Data on disruptive behavior were analyzed by computing conditional probabilities associated with the preceding and maintaining stimuli (e.g., peer attention). Experimental analyses were conducted to examine the extent to which disruptive behavior was sensitive to the instructional task or to the systematically programmed consequences (e.g., teacher attention). A preference assessment was conducted to identify preferred …

Intention To Leave Teaching: A Study Of Louisiana Elementary School Teachers Early In Their Careers., Karen Elizabeth Callender

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the intention to leave teaching of teachers early in their careers and the variables: teacher self-efficacy, teacher age, school size, community type, socioeconomic background of student population, student discipline, and salary. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to investigate these relationships. Survey data were collected from kindergarten through fifth grade teachers in Louisiana public schools, and interviews were conducted with those reporting the highest intention to leave. The quantitative data revealed school size to be significantly related to teacher intention to leave teaching, and teacher self-efficacy, student SES, …

An Inquiry Into The Impact Of Teacher Variances Within The Implementation Of The Success For All Reading Program In Two School Districts., Karen Parker Guillot

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Elementary school students walk single file to their respective classrooms where literacy should miraculously transpire. For literacy to occur, some schools adopt reading programs provided by their local district or state, while others utilize externally developed program designs. This multiple-case qualitative inquiry examined the externally developed program, Success for All, a program designed to benefit high poverty schools, founded by Robert Slavin and Nancy Madden as well as their cohorts at Johns Hopkins University. This research study examined the variances among seven teachers implementing the SFA reading program, "Reading Wings," in three schools in two school districts in Louisiana. It …

Psychosocial Correlates Of Decision Certainty In Academic Major Selection Of College Students., Claire Bienvenu

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study explored relationships between several psychosocial variables and academic major decision certainty. Specifically, the study purpose was four-fold. First, this study attempted to expand the traditional conceptual framework for understanding academic major selection by creating a new construct of academic major decision certainty. Second, incorporated in this study was development of new instruments to measure academic major decision certainty, student academic self-appraisal, and student academic major self-efficacy motivation. Third, this study utilized social cognitive theory to better understand academic major decision certainty as a complex, multi-faceted construct. Finally, because the sample utilized in this Study extended to all subsets …

Effects Of Preservice Peer Coaching On Student Teachers In Special Education, Kit-Hung Lee

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of a peer coaching program among Traditional and Non-Traditional student teachers and to compare their subsequent teaching behaviors and attitude toward peer coaching. The variables investigated through direct class observation were effective and ineffective teaching behaviors using the criteria of the Florida Performance Measurement System (FPMS). Attitude toward peer coaching was investigated using survey methodology; Data analysis indicated the following findings. There was a statistically significant ordinal interaction effect between the group and timing of the assessment in effective teaching behaviors after participation in peer coaching. There was neither a …

Basic Skills Teacher Licensure Test Scores As College Of Education Admission Criteria, Audrey Lawrence

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this paper is to analyze the criterion-related validity of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) cut-scores as teacher education program admission criteria. PPST and American College Test (ACT) scores of 372 graduates, and PPST scores and other academic characteristics of 1,062 graduates of a Nevada teacher education program were examined. Findings of this study support that PPST and ACT subtests measure similar constructs, PPST scores do not predict success in student teaching, nor do they predict teacher candidates' college GPAs over and above ACT scores. In addition, over 99 percent of students who received scores of 22 or …

An Outcomes Study Of Diabetes Education, Tara Lynn Mcgill

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a twelve-hour diabetic education program on self-care behaviors and level of integration of diabetes in patients with type 1 & type 2 diabetes. Using the Theory of Integration (Hernandez, 1995) as the study's conceptual framework, an outcomes study was conducted. Thirty-five questionnaires were distributed to subjects at the initial class of the diabetes education program, with 22 being able to be utilized for analysis; The results of this study showed that there was a significant increase in the level of integration of diabetes (t(21) = 2.998, p < .005). When individual statements of integration were assessed, three areas were found to have a significant increase. These included, understanding how diabetes affects one's body by living with diabetes (t(21) = 2.890, p < .005), being aware of bodily cues that distinguish blood glucose levels (t(21) = 2.822, p < .005), and knowing more about taking care of one's diabetes more than anyone (t(21) = 3.044, p < .005); Analysis of individual statements of self-care behavior included significant changes in eating the foods according to a diabetes meal plan (t(22) = 2.802, p < .005), eating snacks at the right time of day (t(21) = 3.049, p < .005), knowing how to treat a hypoglycemic reaction (t(22) 3.323, p < .005) and carrying a sugar source to treat those hypoglycemic reactions (t(22) = 3.045, p < .005). Significant increases were also noted in the logging of blood glucose results (t(22) = 3.239, p < .005), and in obtaining the amount of exercise needed for diabetes (t(22) = 3.023, p < .005). This study is an important initial evaluation of the effects of a diabetes education program on diabetes patients' selfcare behaviors and level of integration.

Returns To Education In The Nevada Hotel Industry: Incentives For Education In Nevada, Alan Lee Beard

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The present study estimates returns to education in Nevada based on ideas found in human capital theory to provide insight into the incentives facing students or potential students in Nevada. Four industry/location categories were constructed using data from the Current Population Survey: the Las Vegas hotel industry, the hotel industry elsewhere in Nevada, all other industries in Las Vegas, and all other industries elsewhere in Nevada. Results indicate that there is a lack of a significant wage penalty for less educated workers in the hotel industry, this effect seems further compounded in Las Vegas. Furthermore, there appear to be clearer …

Factors Influencing The Decision To Transfer As Perceived By Students Currently Enrolled In A Four -Year University Who Have Transferred From Another Four -Year University., Brenda Griffin Hanson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe selected perceptual, academic, and personal demographic characteristics of transfer students that transfer from four-year to four-year institutions to facilitate implementation of policies, intervention procedures for retention, and recruitment. The population was students currently enrolled in one public funded, Carnegie Class Masters-II, four-year university in the southern region of the United States who have transferred from another four-year institution within the previous year. Data for the study was collected as part of a two-stage process, and includes both primary and secondary information. Primary data collection was the information provided by the …

Regional Differences In Understanding Between Two Groups Of High School Science Students On A Complex Environmental Science Concept Known As The Dead Zone Of The Gulf Of Mexico: A Web -Based Approach., Sharon Ann Flanagan

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The main research focus of this study was on the regional differences in understanding of two groups of high school science students for a complex environmental scientific phenomenon known as the Dead Zone of the Gulf of Mexico. Participating high school students were drawn from Dead Zone source and effect areas---Iowa chemistry students and Louisiana environmental science students. Students were given a pre- and postinstructional survey concerning environmental issues---including the issue of the Dead Zone or hypoxia of the Gulf of Mexico. The treatment group visited a web site on the Dead Zone constructed for this study, and interacted with …

Master Of Science Degree Programs, 2000-2001, Nova Southeastern University

College of Engineering and Computing Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Is Our Drug Policy Effective, Jefferson M. Fish

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The article begins by stating that the time has come for a reexamination of our drug policy. It continues by discussing the two day conference "Is Our Drug Policy Effective?" "Are There Alternatives?" organized by several committee's. Because of space constraints, the article mainly delves into two topics, certain substances both licit and illicit with regard to both their physiological effects and the policies governing them, and also the disproportionate emphasis placed by the war on drugs on combating marijuana. The article then gives summaries of the speakers at the conference. These include: Objectives of our drug policy, overviews of …

Augmentative Communication Devices In The Classroom And Community, Matthew Sableski

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Assistive technologies may be defined as "any item, device, or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional abilities of persons with disabilities"(Holder-Brown & Parette, 1992, p.73). Devices such as automatic door openers, chair lifts, large print books, customized cars, hearing aids, and wheelchair ramps enhance the independence and productivity of persons with disabilities and increase their ability to participate in the mainstream of society. In a school setting, this technology is not an end in itself; rather it is a means to provide increased experiences, opportunities, and independence for children who have disabilities. Assistive …

Understanding The Headteachers’ Role In Pakistan: Emerging Role Demands, Constraints And Choices, Muhammad Memon, Rana Nazir Ali, Tim Simkins, Viv Garret

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Little effort is made to study the role of headteachers in the eastern context, including Pakistan. This paper is based on the study conducted in the government and non-government schools in Pakistan in order to understand headteachers ' role in terms of the emerging demands, constraints and choices. The study suggests that the government school headteachers seem to be less proactive and more interested in maintaining status quo because of the influence of the 'topdown management model'. The study also suggests that the government headteachers have limited choices and many constraints because of the influence of the bureaucratic system. Their …

Developing Students' Understanding Of Similar Figures: A Perceptual Approach., Danny Ray Mcnabb

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Children encounter and recognize similar figures in their everyday experiences with such things as basketballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, ping-pong balls; or a candy bar that comes in various sizes of the same shape. Yet their school experience with the mathematics of similarity generally does not build on these perceptual intuitions. Traditional mathematics curricula bypass students' visual intuitions and their quantitative understandings, proceeding directly to set piece problems solved by formal algebraic methods. The result for many students is that the topic of similarity contributes to their evolving view of mathematics as a domain of complex procedural methods divorced from …

Mapping The Learning Organization: Exploring A Model Of Organizational Learning., Sandra Grin Mae Kaiser

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A field study examined the effects of Learning Organization variables on organizational learning and on performance drivers. Four hundred and thirty-nine employees of a nuclear power-production facility completed inventories asking about perceptions of the organization. Variables measured through a learning lens included leadership, culture, mission and strategy, management practices, organizational structure, organizational systems, climate, motivation, learning, innovation, and external alignment Hierarchial regression analyses were employed to examine the role of organizational variables in explaining variance in learning, innovation, and external alignment. Variables were entered into regression models based on the Byrke-Litwin Model of organizations. The study also examined the role …

Sociomathematical Norms Of Elementary School Classrooms: Crossnational Perspectives On The *Reform Of Mathematics Teaching., Jeongsuk Pang

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Mathematics education reform in the United States has marshaled large-scale support for instructional innovation, and enlisted the participation and allegiance of large numbers of mathematics teachers. However, there is concern that many teachers have not grasped the full implications of the reform ideals. This study explored the breakdown that may occur between teachers' adoption of reform objectives and their successful incorporation of reform ideals by comparing and contrasting two reform-oriented classrooms. This study was an exploratory, qualitative, comparative case study using constant comparative analysis. Seven mathematics lessons were video-taped from each class, and intensive interviews conducted with the two teachers. …

Performance Assessment And English Skill., Zhenghe Zhang

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Recent developments in the philosophy of validity, highlighting the importance of investigating the consequences of assessment use, provide theoretical support for the move toward performance assessment. Numerous issues related to the choice of assessment approach (e.g., multiple-choice or performance-based) are not well understood today. This study investigated the potential interaction between assessment approach and the English skill of the examinee and the similarity of the information provided by multiple-choice and essay writing tests. Four hypotheses were examined in this study. Hypothesis 1 results indicated that students who were native speakers of English (regular students) achieved higher scores on the writing …

A Behavior Analytic Approach To Developing Mathematics Skills In Second Graders: A Precision Teaching Intervention., Bruce Pierce Mortenson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the relative effects of two rates of responding on student endurance, accuracy and retention of basic math skills. Three cohorts, each consisting of four students, participated in the study and received training on two separate math skills. One skill was trained to a rate of responding consistent with a fluency standard and the other skill was trained to a rate of responding consistent with accurate but not fluent performance. The main finding underscored by the present study is that successful learning is enhanced if precipitated by fluent rates of responding. The data presented in each cohort demonstrated …

A Study Of The Effects Of Two Instructional Programs In Reading On Student Reading Self -Efficacy, Personal Perceptions Of The Learning Environment And Reading Levels., Cathy Elaine Smith Daniel

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in students' reading self-efficacy, students' personal perceptions of the learning environment, and change in reading level across instructional programs. In addition, the study explores the relationship between students' personal perceptions of the learning environment as measured by the My Class Inventory-Short Personal Form (MCI-SPF) and student reading self-efficacy as measured by the Reader Self-Perception Scale (RSPS). Analyses showed that: (1) Students in the Success for All (SFA) reading program exhibited higher levels of general reading self-efficacy than did students in the language-based comparison group, (2) Students in the SFA instructional program …

Environmental Education Programming For The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service., John William Branch

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Environmental education is a component of community-based education programs. Environmental education in the United States and in Louisiana was described (Objectives 1 and 2). Because of rapid changes in environmental science, and the responses of citizens to environmental topics, extension faculty need additional programming techniques and more process and strategic skills training. Programming techniques and skills training were reviewed (Objective 3). Extension has included representatives from key state and federal agencies with expertise in, and responsibility for, environmental topics on its environmental education advisory committees. The Delphi technique was utilized in this study, with agency representatives as panelists, to determine …

First Graders' Efferent And Aesthetic Responses To Informational Trade Books., Kay Monroe Broders

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of the study was to describe young children's efferent and aesthetic responses to informational trade books. During the study a first-grade teacher read aloud the trade books to the whole class and four children were interviewed following the read-alouds using a standard open-ended interview approach. A scale developed for the study was used to code the efferent and aesthetic level of the responses as: most efferent, primarily efferent, primarily aesthetic, and most aesthetic. Data were analyzed to answer the following questions: (1) Do children have aesthetic as well as efferent responses to informational trade books? If so, how …

Lifers: A Study Of At -Risk Adolescent Readers, Pamela Nottage Mueller

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study I put a face and voice to the at-risk adolescent reader. No strangers to failure, these are students who by and large have struggled with reading their entire educational lives but who for whatever reason have been unable to escape the cycle of frustration in which they find themselves caught. These are students who have a great deal to say but who until now have had no forum in which to say it. These are students who deserve to be heard.

For my primary source of data, I utilized Seidman's phenomenological approach to interviewing, conducting a series …

The Perceived Effects Of State -Mandated Testing In New Hampshire, Stephen A. Kossakoski

Doctoral Dissertations

The purposes of this study were: (1) to examine the perceptions of third grade teachers in the state of New Hampshire concerning the state's mandated testing program, and (2) to determine if there was a relationship between teachers' perceptions and their schools' socioeconomic status. The survey instrument designed for this study contained 61 closed response Likert scale items that measured teachers' perceptions regarding changes in curriculum and instruction, sources of pressure to improve test scores, and attitude toward the third grade test. A stratified random sample of 310 third grade teachers was selected to participate in this study. The percentage …

Mathematics And Socio -Cultural Behavior: A Case Study Of The Enculturation Of A New Mathematician, Timothy Byron Gutmann

Doctoral Dissertations

Research has shown that mathematics as we know it is a product of the socio-cultural climate in which it was developed. This research attempts to address the related question of how being involved in mathematics influences the socio-cultural lives of mathematicians. A new Ph.D. mathematician hired in his first faculty position was observed for a period of 13 weeks, most during his first semester. Analysis of this long-term, in depth case study followed ethnographic methods and drew on theories of rites of passage, organizational socialization, self-identity, and evolution. The role of mathematics in the departmental culture and in the newcomer's …

Nsu Graduate Teacher Education Program (Gtep) Class Schedule Fall–Winter–Summer 2000–2001, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

(2000) Thinking, Inquiry And Community: Teacher Perspectives On Philosophy For Children: Part I, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

This report is the first part of a longer Report into the state of Philosophy for Children in Australia gathered from data collected in 1994-5. It gives a picture of the early spread of P4C in this country and how teachers approached their task. The second part of the Report appears in the next issue of Critical and Creative Thinking.