Education Commons^™

Persistence Motivation Of Foreign-Born Doctoral Recipients In The Field Of Education, Maurice Liguori Okoroji

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Although there has been growing enrollment and doctoral degree production of foreign-born doctoral students in U.S. higher education, persistence/degree completion and time-to-degree remain a continuing problem in doctoral education in general. Despite the substantial number of studies conducted on various aspects of doctoral education, there is still a scarcity of research on exploring the doctoral process of foreign-born students. When foreign-born students are included in the samples, researchers use a theoretical framework that does not give a comprehensive understanding of doctoral experiences of foreign-born students thereby ignoring the salient differences between them and their native-born counterparts, which makes it difficult …

Structural / Organizational And Human Capital Determinants Of Variations In Women Attaining The Full Professorship At Research Universities, Sandra Darkey

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

While there is evidence of substantial progress in the past generation in women’s representation on college and university faculties, the data shows female underrepresentation persists – at the higher academic ranks and is greatest at the Research Universities. Schuster & Finkelstein (2016), report an increase from 342,059 to 717,359 in the head count for female faculty - a 109.7% overall growth between 1993 and 2013. Data from IPEDS, however, shows that women’s proportionate representation at the rank of full professor increased only from 13% to 24% at Doctoral/Research Universities between 1993 and 2013 and indeed the proportion of all women …

The Relationship Between Principal Leadership Behavior And Student Achievement In Low Performing Schools, Janice E. Garland

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the relationship between principal instructional leadership behaviors and student achievement in the context of low-performing Title I-eligible schools. The intent was to identify specific leadership behaviors that evidenced a relationship to improved student academic achievement in Virginia’s identified priority schools. Results of teacher surveys regarding principal tenure and experience and school size and level were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics and simple regression models.

While results revealed no significant correlation between principal leadership behaviors and student achievement in English/Reading, a significant positive relationship was found between principal leadership behaviors and mathematics. The strongest relationship between …

Improving Instructional Practice Via Walkthrough Implementation: A Superintendent Centered Perspective, Michael J. Celoski

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions and reflections of former and current superintendents of suburban public school districts throughout the state of New Jersey regarding their districts’ use of classroom walkthroughs as a means to improve instructional practice. Comprehensive, in-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight superintendents. The participants were purposefully selected based on their qualifications, their willingness to participate in the study, and their experience using the walkthrough protocol.

Utilizing interview questions that were steered by the study’s three overarching research questions, the researcher was able to delve deeply into the perceptions and reflections …

Exploring Parental Involvement In Public Secondary Schools In Imo State, Nigeria: The Role Of Socioeconomic Status, Longinus Nwakire Ugwuegbulem

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Recent academic achievement gaps of public secondary students in Imo State, in WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations posed a threat to students’ aspiration to college education. The poor academic achievement level was denting previously achieved high academic record in Imo State. This trend was disturbing to parents and educators. However, this trend could be remedied if appropriate educational policy was enacted and implemented in secondary schools. One educational policy initiative that seemed to have worked in some countries is parents’ participation in their children’s education, otherwise, called “parental involvement.” Studies have shown that parental involvement in the education of their …

Understanding The Knowledge And Attitudes Of Parents Of Students With Limited English Proficiency Towards Standardized Testing, Michele P. Tiedemann

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

State and federal regulations mandated standardized testing of students, including disadvantaged students: economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The results of the standardized tests were used for the accountability of school districts by way of state and federal reports, resulting in standardized testing also being referred to as high-stakes testing. Standardized testing was criticized for a number of reasons, including holding teachers accountable for students’ scores (Ysseldyke et al., 2004) and subjecting students to stress and anxiety brought on by the demands of standardized testing (Albrecht & Joles, 2003; Von der Embse & …

Perceptions Of Middle School Math And Language Arts Teachers On High-Stakes Testing Cultures In Public Schools, Robert Daniello

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Instruction in public schools today is highly prescribed to meet state standards, which, in turn, prepare students for success on standardized assessments. Teachers in language arts and mathematics are being held accountable for standardized assessment results in their end-of-year, summative evaluations. The development of curriculum and delivery of instruction is being impacted and, most specifically, revised and paced according to skills required to demonstrate levels of proficiency on standardized assessments. No Child Left Behind (2001) changed the game for teachers and started the mandate of placing teacher accountability and evaluation on high-stakes tests. However, it was difficult to place a …

The Impact Of Academic Co-Curricular Activity Participation On Academic Achievement: A Study Of Catholic High School Students, Gail M. Ritchie

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Catholic secondary school students’ involvement in academic co-curricular activities on their academic performance. The data in this study were collected from Catholic high schools in a northeastern state of the United States. They consisted of de-identified data taken from school student information systems. The number of academic co-curricular activities, the length of time for which a student participated, and his or her grade point average were included. Student ethnicity and gender were analyzed for interaction with the above-mentioned factors.

The research questions for this study were answered using descriptive …

An Analysis Of The Higher Order Thinking Requirements Of A Grade 8 Online-Based English Language Arts Skills Program, Paige D. Sydoruk

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Higher order thinking skills have been embedded into state teaching standards, including Standard 9 of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS) for 21st Century Life and Careers. These standards aim to encourage problem solving, critical thinking, reasoning, and real-world application in order to prepare students for the workplace and are expected to be embedded consistently in classroom practice and learning. With the promotion of Standard 9 in New Jersey schools, technology has become a paramount tool because of its multitude of capabilities. Over the years, private companies have begun developing online-based programs catered to building content area skills …

The Effectiveness Of Additional Guided Reading Instruction On Fourth Grade Reading Achievement In A Nj Urban School District Measured By Renaissance Star Reading And The Parcc, Wanda Kopic

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined if additional Guided Reading instruction increased the oral reading fluency and comprehension of fourth-grade students as measured by the Renaissance Star Reading and PARCC state assessment in a low-socioeconomic school district located in northern New Jersey. Propensity score matching was utilized to select the sample to provide a balanced sampling technique. The final sample was comprised of 12 participating schools which consisted of 374 fourth-grade students during the 2016-2017 school year. Three out of the 12 schools provided additional Guided Reading instruction in addition to the mandatory Guided Reading instruction during the literacy block. The variables that …

The Career Trajectory And Ambitions Of Women Chief Student Affairs Officers, Mariel Pagan

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study was inspired by a simple question: Why are there so few women leaders at the highest levels of higher education? The 2017 American Council on Education (ACE) American College President Study reported that only 30.1 % of presidencies were held by women in 2016. As the retirements of institutional leaders upsurge in the next few years, there will be increased demand for leadership in colleges and universities. Higher education needs more women prepared to assume executive leadership roles, both to fill the openings from anticipated presidential retirements and to provide their leadership as decision makers at all levels …

The Relationship Between Parents’ Perceptions Of School Climate And Their Inclination To Report A Bullying Incident To A School Administrator, Debra Strauss

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

It is common for school administrators to be unaware of school bullying that has occurred because students typically conceal it. Yet recent legislation has made schools responsible for eliminating bullying. Research indicates that students who choose to reveal victimization are more likely to tell a trusted parent than school personnel.Consequently, the information gained through parental reporting is essential to the school’s ability to help students and conduct interventions and prevention efforts in general. Examining the relationship between parental perceptions of the school climate and their inclination to report student victimization offers valuable information that can aide schools in combating bullying. …

Black Mothers' Counter-Narratives Of Agency: A Pulse On Racism And Parent Involvement Strategies In Twenty First Century Schools, Sharnee N. Brown

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study examined African American mothers’ perceptions of their children’s schools (public, charter, and private) within the context of institutional, structural, and individual racism. Employing qualitative techniques, interviews and focus groups of middle to lower working class Black mothers were conducted to explore their lived experiences with individual, institutional, and structural racism within American schools. The goal of this study was to learn how these mothers make meaning of the educational institutions that serve their children, the racial barriers they encountered and the strategies of contestation they employed in order to address these perceived barriers.

The results of the …

Developing An Internal Leadership Pipeline In Urban Districts: A Pathway To Capacity Building, Marnie G. Mckoy

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how an urban school district designs and implements leadership development programs for internal candidates. The challenge of continuously developing a cadre of committed and qualified leaders is not new (Darling-Hammond, LaPointe, Meyerson, Orr, & Cohen, 2007). To maintain the high standards of instructional leadership and to continue sound practices in teaching and learning, school districts must think and move strategically to protect their investments in professional development and coaching, and to secure the future growth of its students and staff. The literature is clear and consistent on the elements of effective …

African-Born Black Women Faculty: Their Lived Experience, Challenges, And Perceived Barriers To Success And Progress In U. S. Higher Education, Kieran C. Nduagbo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This dissertation study explored the lived experiences, challenges, and perceived barriers to progress and success encountered by African-born Black women faculty in U.S. higher education. It is imperative to contextualize the experiences of this study’s participants to gain an understanding of where their individual narratives fit within the broader landscape of diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusiveness in American colleges and universities. The focus of this study was to give a voice to the multiple dimensions of African-born black women faculty experiences in the U.S. institutions of higher learning, bringing to light how gender, race, and ethnicity inform their experiences. This study …

The Influence Of Mathematical-Instructional Minutes On The Percentage Of Proficient And Advanced Proficient Scores In Mathematics On The New Jersey Assessment Of Skills And Knowledge For Grades 6-8, Eric Walter Kosek

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational study was to examine the influence, if any, of mathematical-instructional minutes on academic achievement as measured by the 2014 New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) 6, 7, and 8 mathematics scores. Additionally, the study accounted for other factors that influence student achievement, including selected metrics and variables listed on the 2013-2014 New Jersey School Performance Report. The variable of interest, mathematical-instructional minutes, was obtained via survey from all schools in New Jersey that educated students in Grades 6-8. The survey data were then matched with each responding school’s New Jersey …

The Influence Of Chronic Absenteeism On Graduation Rate And Post Secondary Participation In New Jersey High Schools, Michael Jay Tash

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Chronic absenteeism affects the majority of schools in the United States. An assessment of centers of learning illustrates that a majority of students miss a month of learning in an academic year through excused or unexcused absences. The majority of schools exhibit 95% average daily attendance rates, as the learners tend to not miss school, on the same day. Results from previous studies have focused on factors that influence chronic absenteeism within the kindergarten level and elementary school, and these evaluations contribute to the development of interventions that cut across the K-12 system.

This study explains the influence of chronic …

Teaching Compassionate Care: Nurse Educators' Perspectives, Jane Defazio

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: The provision of compassionate care to patients is a core competency expected of nurses, thus nurse educators must help students develop the necessary skills, understanding and motivation to achieve that competency. These educators face the challenge of preparing student nurses for the realities of healthcare delivery, while fostering a meaningful understanding of what constitutes compassionate care in professional practice. They can influence their students both during clinical interaction with patients and through the academic nursing curriculum.

Problem: A considerable amount of research has been published on the value of providing compassionate nursing care; however, there is only minimal research …

Doctoral Program Completion: Grit, Goal-Setting, Social Support, Valerie Blanchard

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

A problem in academia exists regarding the length of time it takes doctoral students to finish their program. More doctoral students are enrolled in a doctoral program than ever before, however, graduation rates have not been increasing at the same rate as student enrollment. Of those students who do graduate from their doctoral program, approximately 50% of students who start do not finish. Research tells us common reasons why doctoral students withdraw, but there is a critical need for research about best practices of how doctoral students persevere through to completion. Less is known about the successful practices of doctoral …

Institutional Aid And Net Tuition Revenue: Understanding The Relationship Across Private Institutions Of Different Carnegie Classifications, Warren P. Lord

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Private nonprofit four-year institutions have been increasing the amount of institutional aid provided to students, in the pursuit of enrollment and revenue management objectives and goals. Most of this aid is being funded using the institution’s operating funds. This study investigated the relationship between unfunded institutional aid and net tuition revenue, controlling for institutional characteristics and financial factors. The study was based on panel data analysis using Delta Cost Project data from 2006 to 2015. The findings of this study show that the relationship between unfunded institutional aid and net tuition revenue varies by Carnegie classification. Private nonprofit Bachelor’s institutions …

An Exploratory Study On Perceptions Of (Ipe) Towards Interprofessional Practice In Athletic Training, Carolyn Goeckel

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

An Exploratory Study on Perceptions of (IPE) Towards Interprofessional Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Healthcare professional, including athletic trainers (ATs), are called to be collaborative-ready practitioners to effectively meet the needs of today’s patient-centered care. Currently, little research exists exploring the infusion of IPE (interprofessional education) practices in athletic training programs or its effectiveness in producing collaborative-ready athletic training (AT) professionals. While research is needed to evaluate whether IPE learning models can produce AT professionals that are collaborative-ready for PCC (patient-centered care) several foundational questions should be addressed. First, educational researchers need to establish an understanding of athletic trainers’ perceptions …

The Perceived Mentoring Experiences Of Male And Female Doctoral Students In Sociology, Macsu A. Hill

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Over the years, women have made significant strides in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Nevertheless, women continue to be underrepresented at the graduate and academic career entry levels, and minority women continue to lag behind Whites in navigating the pipeline to an academic career in the STEM disciplines. In sociology for instance, women overall are well represented at the BA level, but experience a steep decline when moving to doctoral education and then into subsequent academic careers. Numerous explanations have been advanced by educators and researchers to explain the dearth of underrepresented minority (URM) female doctoral students. …

Mentoring Relationships As Social Capital In The Career Advancement Of Latina School Administrators, Ligia Veronica Alberto

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, specifically on the underrepresentation of Latina women holding leadership administrative positions in education. Using social capital as the theoretical framework, this study explored the role of mentoring relationships in the career advancement and promotions of Latina women. A narrative research design was selected to collect participants’ stories about their career advancement into school leadership positions. The narratives were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews. A total of 20 Latina school administrators were interviewed for 45 to 60 minutes. Upon completion of the interviews, the data was analyzed using narrative analysis. This …

Does College Experience Matter? A National Study Understanding Graduates’ Job Satisfaction, Kevin R. Majewski

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002), a nationally representative and longitudinal survey, this dissertation investigated the impact of the college experience on the post-graduation outcome of job satisfaction as graduates enter the workforce. Through the lens of the Social Cognitive Model of Career Self-Management and Utility Theory, this study identified demographic, college, and workplace factors that relate to job satisfaction. The synthesis of these factors was the basis for a comprehensive model of job satisfaction for college graduates. Controlling for the background and workplace environment of graduates, the proposed model with …

Alternating Treatments For Idiom Interpretation By Children With Specific Language Impairments, Monique S. Kaye

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of two idiom interventions by students with Specific Language Impairment (SLI). Idioms are linguistic expressions that have figurative meanings other than their literal interpretation. There is a strong correlation between idiom interpretation and academic success (Nippold & Martin, 1989). Students are exposed to idioms in media, in school, literature, and in daily interactions with peers and adults (Nippold, Moran, & Schwarz, 2001).Method: Three school-aged students (n=3) with SLI ages 11;9–13;8 (mean age = 12;8) were provided a language intervention for idioms embedded in stories with pictures (n=10) …

The Internationalization Of Teacher Education Faculty In Two Global Cities: A Case Study Of Two Universities In New York And Hong Kong, Maribel Roman

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

With the increasing integration of the world economy, nations are under growing pressure to compete internationally, resulting in a need to re-shape national education systems to train a multi-cultural workforce capable of competing globally. Consequently, the imperative to internationalize must focus on the preparation of teachers. This research study examined the internationalization of teacher education faculty through case studies of two universities: one in New York and one in Hong Kong. The main purpose is twofold: (1) to compare the extent to which, and the ways in which teacher education faculty in the two settings have internationalized the content of …

Effectiveness Of Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs To Teach Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders (Asd) In A Medium Southeastern Maryland School District, Donnie Renee Johnson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

One strategy for improving teacher preparation programs for teaching Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is to enhance the coursework offered at colleges and universities at the undergraduate level. The goal is to better equip college programs to provide effective and substantial preparation for teacher candidate to effectively instruction ASD students. Programs offered by colleges and universities to prepare new special education teachers with the appropriate skills is multi-faceted. First, a clearly defined curriculum or coursework design is required. Secondly, an extended student teaching schedule is needed for an authentic and practical application experience. Finally, offering a monetary incentive for special educators …

How Teachers Experience Change: A Case Study Of The Merger Between Two Catholic Schools, Anika J. Logan

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This single, qualitative case study seeks to evaluate how teachers experience changes associated with the merger of two Catholic schools. Using the multiple perspective approach to case studies, this study explores the experiences of middle school teachers and the school leaders involved in establishing a merged K–12 Catholic School. Thirteen semi-structured, personal interviews were conducted, and relevant school documents were reviewed. The results from this study support previous literature on leading through change. The findings show that teachers experience various emotions while transitioning in a merger. Additionally, the analysis reveals that how communication is handled directly affects teacher morale. The …

The Influence Of Arts Participation On New Jersey Middle School Student Outcomes In Grades 6 Through 8, Carly Mcilvaine-York

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Many studies over the past several decades point to the overall academic benefit that arts education provides to students. A large number of those studies look at the impact that arts education has on economically disadvantaged students (Catterall, 2009; Bellisario & Donovan, 2012; Israel, 2009; Costa-Giomi, 2004; Kinney, 2008). In fact, several federal and state government initiatives have used arts integration as a means for improving under-performing schools (Stoelinga, et al., 2015). However, there is limited quantifiable evidence to show whether or not arts education can have a significant positive impact on the overall academic performance of students from across …

A Case Study: The Perceptions Of Teachers Of Urban Eighth-Grade At-Risk Students, In One Nj School District, Regarding The Classroom Factors That Facilitate And Inhibit At-Risk Student Motivation To Excel Academically, Tabina H. Adam

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of teachers of urban eighth-grade at-risk students in one New Jersey school district regarding the classroom factors that facilitate and inhibit at-risk student motivation to excel academically.

An interview protocol that included semi-structured, open-ended questions was utilized to capture the perceptions of 18 teachers of at-risk students in core content areas. Interview questions were designed in consultation with seminal research in the area of student motivation as well as Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs. The latter also provided the conceptual framework through which the study’s findings were analyzed.

Rich …