Education Commons^™

A Differentially Reinforcing Token System In A Public School Classroom, John Sparks

All Master's Theses

If token reward systems do exert control of behavior in the classroom, it should be possible to test the various hypotheses: (1) A token reward system increases academic test performance in a classroom not defined as exceptional, (2) The increase in test performance is equivalent across academic courses, (3) In terms of maximum performance there are optimum levels of reinforcement.

A Curriculum For Language Arts In Lincoln Prevocational School Bremerton, Washington, Roy A. Williamson

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study (1) to determine whether the proposed reading program, a program using tape recorders, would improve reading disabilities; (2) to compare it with the regular program; and (3) to evaluate these findings for use in the curriculum.

The Meaning Of Two Categories Of Verbal Reinforcement To Middle And Lower Class Children, Steven John Talmadge

All Master's Theses

Many variables contribute to the effectiveness of social reinforcement in eliciting changes in children's behavior. To date, little work has been done on subject variables such as cognizance of reinforcement contingencies and preference for one type of reinforcement as opposed to another. In previous research the effectiveness of verbal, social reinforcers have been evaluated on task performance criteria (e.g., marble in the hole game) with Subjects in direct contact with the reinforcing agent. The present study investigated these variables by having children rate two categories of verbal, social reinforcers. One category was composed of student-centered statements and the other consisted …

Teacher Performance In The Nongraded Elementary Schools Of Central Washington, Helen Kathryn Dickson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which a non graded structure in the elementary schools "permits teachers to operate more freely with respect to instructional decisions."

An Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of The Alameda County Oral Communication Program In Listening, James Wiliam Poe Jr.

All Master's Theses

There is concern among educators that students are not as skilled in the area of listening as they could or should be. As a result of this concern an oral communication program was developed in Alameda County, California to improve students' listening skills. It was the purpose of the study to determine the effectiveness of the Alameda County Oral Communication Program in an itinerant speech and hearing program in Central Washington. The study sought to answer the question: 1. Does the use of the Alameda County Oral Communication Program in Listening effect a change in the language skills of public …

Ninety Day Follow-Up Of A Boy To Determine The Effects Of The Use Of Operant Techniques In The Classroom, Kim Gene Kay

All Master's Theses

The present study was undertaken in part to determine the effectiveness of operant conditioning techniques when applied to a virtually ignored child in a regular classroom. However, the main emphasis of the study was on the maintenance of the modified (desirable) behavior in the classroom after the period of summer vacation.

The Relationship Of Reading Achievement And The Speech Problems Of Four Children Attendng C.W.S.C. Speech Clinic, Wanda Lee Raap

All Master's Theses

This study attempts to find a relationship between speech problems and reading difficulties. This was accomplished by giving reading achievement and reading diagnostic tests to the children at the C.W.S.C. speech and hearing clinic. The results of the reading tests were analyzed and, by the use of the speech records, related to their speech problems. This study attempted to find the relationship between speech problems and reading difficulties using four children, their speech records and their reading tests.

Sex Differences In The Sixth Grade: An In-Depth Study Of A Neglected Learning Factor In Reading, Gail Purvis Johnson

All Master's Theses

Concern for the differences between the sexes in the reading area has prompted the following questions:

1. If there is an obvious difference between the sexes in the area of reading achievement, why is it that sex differences are not considered a pertinent learning factor?

2. What factors might be involved in causation and therefore, worth investigating?

3. More specifically, how do boys differ from girls in their response to the situation called ''learning to read?" Is there a relevant developmental or related neurological difference?

4. What factors within the school situation might be significant? Do reading programs accommodate possible …

An Application Of A Revised Morrissett's Curriculum Analysis System To A High School English Program, Eldon Richard Loewe

All Master's Theses

The problem presented in this thesis is threefold. Taken together, these items present the bulk of work for any person attempting curriculum evaluation at the local level:

1. Meaningful evaluative information must be obtained. Instead of glib and generalized assumptions about what ought to be, one should achieve specific information relevant to the researcher as well as his departmental colleagues.

2. The information must relate to other studies so that a larger curriculum analysis will result. If the soundest method of national evaluation is to create concrete building blocks locally, these individual studies must mesh to provide something larger and …

College Freshman Decisions Concerning A Teaching Career As Influenced By In-School Experience In Public Schools Of Ellensburg, Washington, Leilani Mae Bangs

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to: (1) determine the influence of in-school experience during the freshman year upon decisions for or against a career in teaching; (2) ascertain the over-all effectiveness and efficiency of the design of the in-school experience as outlined in the Pre-Professional Preparation Program at Central Washington State College as to its relative value in equipping the Freshmen to make aforesaid decisions; and (3) briefly state and enumerate the specific values of the experience itself.

A Pilot Program In World Geography Using Modern Educational Methods And Techniques, Harry Ernest Clemmons

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to compare the difference in achievement of students in a multi-instructional method approach to the achievement of a similar group of students in a traditional classroom instructional approach.

Strengthening Concept Development Through The Inquiry Method, Larry Joe West

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was (1) to review the literature on concepts and concept development through inquiry; (2) to present guidelines for inquiry within the classroom; (3) to develop classroom lessons about contemporary Soviet life using the concept of inquiry and thirty-five millimeter slides; (4) to summarize and to offer recommendations for the use of inquiry in the classroom.

A Comparison Of Reading Readiness Between Kindergarten And Non-Kindergarten Children In The Wenatchee School District, Kenneth Dean Yancey

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to compare the percentile scores of the Metropolitan Readiness Test of first grade children in Wenatchee School District No. 246 who have had kindergarten with those first grade children in Wenatchee School District No. 246 who have not had kindergarten. The following factors were considered in this study: Chronological age, sex, and total percentile score. This data was taken from the Metropolitan Readiness Tests over a two-year period, 1966-67 and 1967-68.

A Validation Study Of The Predictive Screening Test Of Articulation, Stanley G. Kibbey

All Master's Theses

The primary purpose of this study will be to conduct a test of the validity of the Predictive Screening Test of Articulation. Does the PSTA identify first grade children who will master their articulation errors without speech therapy by the time they enter third grade? Conversely, does the PSTA identify first grade children who will not master their articulation errors without speech therapy by the time they enter third grade? In short, does the PSTA predict as expected? Secondary purposes of this study include the assessment of the possible effects of sex, age, intellectual functioning and socioeconomic status on the …

A Study Of How Teachers Evaluate Handwriting, Marvalee Maxine Nance

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to identify the problems teachers encounter as they evaluate handwriting products, to determine how effectively and consistently teachers can evaluate handwriting products, to determine what methods teachers use to evaluate handwriting products and to ascertain the need for a handbook to be used by third grade teachers and students in the evaluation and corrective teaching of cursive handwriting. Special emphasis will be placed upon the consistency of evaluation by the teachers and their attitude toward the teaching of handwriting.