Education Commons^™

Teachers' Attitudes Toward The Inclusion Of Young Children With Special Needs Into Regular Early Childhood Classes, Marilyn I. Forbes

Theses and Dissertations

All children have special abilities and special needs that make them unique individuals. Most teachers work with children who have a wide range of abilities and learning styles. Early childhood teachers are no exception. They may have children enrolled in their classrooms who have subtle learning disabilities, significant physical, mental or emotional problems, high intelligence, or conditions which limit speech and motor development. Teachers may not have been taught that the continuum of development is similar for all children, but that timetables may vary. This thesis examines staff attitudes toward the placement of young children with special needs into regular …

A Study Of The Educational, Experience, And Managerial Performance Requirements For Preparing Logistics Commanders, Thomas C. O'Malley

Theses and Dissertations

For some time, senior logistics leaders have been concerned that logisticians with experience in only one logistics function are unable to create and maintain an integrated, seamless logistics system. The Air Force has recently decided to consolidate logistics career fields at the Field Grade level to ensure future Logistics Group Commanders and other senior logisticians have the broad-base of skills, experience, and knowledge that is needed to effectively manage logistics activities. One important outcome of this consolidation is the adoption of a career progression model in which logistics officers will have experience in at least two logistics functions. Preparing officers …

A Follow-On Study Of University Efforts To Provide Students With The Ability To Comprehend And Apply Total-Quality Principles In Their Fields Of Study, Joseph J. Koizen, Michael D. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This follow-on research investigated the educational processes employed by universities to enable their students to comprehend and apply Total Quality principles. The results of this research are intended to be used by Department of Defense institutions of higher education as a current guide to help them adopt practices which will enable their students to comprehend and apply Total Quality in their future assignments. Using a source list of schools from Quality Progress (Sept. 1995), contact individuals were interviewed at several civilian and military universities across the United States. Investigative questions were developed and asked concerning the specific educational processes of …

Measuring Computer Usage By Air Force Contracting Personnel As It Relates To Computer Training, John H. Van Hufel

Theses and Dissertations

We know little about how Air Force personnel use the computer resources with which they have been provided, though current plans call for spending over $75M on computer resources throughout the Air Force in FY 97. Research suggests that computer use relates to computer training, computer anxiety, and computer self-efficacy. Managers can take action to ensure that computers are better utilized with knowledge of how computer resources are being used, and an understanding of the effect that training, computer anxiety, and computer self-efficacy have on that usage. This study examines the use of computers by contracting personnel in the Air …

A Study Of The Effects Of Shared Peer Reading On Students' Reading Attitudes, Christine Ellen Arsenis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of shared peer reading on students' reading attitudes. It was hypothesized that students who participate in shared peer reading would show significant reading attitude improvements, as measured by the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey, over students who do not participate in shared peer reading. The study was a quasi-experimental design consisting of students in two first grade classrooms. Twenty students from each classroom participated in the study. One class was identified as the "participation group" and the other class was identified as the "nonparticipation" group. Both groups were first pretested using …

Study Of The Effects Of Inclusion On The Academic Progress Of Regular Education Students, Tracy Alcoy-Clouser

Theses and Dissertations

It was the goal of this study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Team Approach to Mastery (TAM) program on the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT) scores of regular education students in the TAM classroom. The hypothesis suggested that the TAM students would do as well as or better than the students in the non-TAM classroom.

This study observed the progress of twenty-nine fourth grade students that live in a rural area with an urban school population. A pretest posttest design was used. The dependent variable was the MAT, and the TAM program was the independent variable.

An analysis of the …

A Study Of Students' Attitude Toward School Climate As Compared Within A Conflict Resolution Group And A Traditional Group, Dawn D. Kelly-Pearson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate students' attitudes toward school climate. One group received Conflict Resolution training and the other group received no training. The program, SCRC, Students Creative Response to Conflict was designed to empower students by giving them the tools to confront and resolve problems that develop on a daily basis. The program focuses on five major areas: affirmation, communication, conflict resolution, cooperation, and bias awareness/appreciation of differences.

The sample group was drawn from four fourth grade classrooms. Each group consisted of thirty-six subjects. There were 61% males and 39% females. Further, 64.6% were Caucasian, 31.7% …

Student Ethnicity And Teacher Expectations, Daisy Mercado

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between student ethnicity and teacher expectations and how these expectations were communicated to students through the types of questions they were asked. The subjects for this study were twenty-two second grade students. The first phase of the study consisted of observations in which the questions asked by the teacher and the ethnicity of the student were recorded. They were later categorized as low order and high order questions. Finally, a Chi square test was used to determine if there was a significant relationship between ethnicity and teacher expectations. The study revealed that no significant relationship …

General Educators And Their Needs For Inclusion Classrooms, Lisa B. Minkin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the perceptions of available inclusion supports by elementary teachers and their attitudes toward inclusion education. This correlational study used a non-random, convenience population: all thirty-nine members taught in a common district that implemented inclusion. They completed a closed-ended questionnaire which measured attitudes toward inclusion and their perceptions of available supports.

The research yielded inconsistent evidence related to the null hypothesis. Attitudes of teachers concerning inclusion and their perceived level of supports were not found to be statistically related. However, there were corresponding percentages of those who considered substantial resources …

Correlational Study Of Self-Concept, Social Self-Perception, Academic Self-Concept And Behavior Problems Among Elementary School Children, Malthi Lingaraju

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships, if any, between General Self-Concept, Social Self-Perception, Academic Self-Concept, and Behavior Problems among elementary school children. Twenty-two third grade students participated in this study. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory was used to measure self-concept. Social Self-Perception and Academic Self-Concept were measured by subscales of the Coopersmith Inventory. The Connors' Teacher Rating Scales-39 was used to measure the general dimension of behavior problems. Findings from these two measures indicated a significant positive correlation between General Self-Concept and Social Self-Perception; General Self-Concept and Academic Self-Concept, and Social Self-Perception and Academic Self-Concept. There was, …

A Study Of Television Violence And Its Effects On Elementary School Children's Social Interactions, Shari Lonker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the amount of antisocial and aggressive television shows a child views and the occurrence of negative social interactions in which that child is involved while under school supervision. One hundred 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders in a southern New Jersey school district were given television viewing questionnaires to take home and fill out with their parents. Upon completion, the questionnaires were scored according to the child's habit of watching specific television shows targeted with violent content. Each student's teacher then rated the frequency of the child's antisocial or aggressive …

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Romanticism Among Parenting And Nonparenting Adolescents, Francine D. Ramsey

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to assess the difference between romanticism and self-esteem among parenting (n=13) and nonparenting adolescents (n=18). One subject did not specify status. Parenting adolescents where those who were or had been pregnant. Nonparenting adolescents were those who had never been pregnant. Of the thirty-two subjects, 29 were African American and three were Hispanic. All were a part of a social support group. The subjects ranged in age between 13 and 19. The Dean Romanticism Survey and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory combined were administered. An independent t-test was performed on the variables. The results indicated that parenting adolescents did …

A Correlational Study Of Teachers' Attitudes Towards The Computer And The Use Of Computer-Assisted Instruction In The Classroom, Lynn Karen Lore

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the relationship between the attitude of the classroom teacher towards computers and the utilization of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAl) in the classroom instructions. The teachers were from three public schools and one private school in urban and rural districts of southern New Jersey.

The teachers completed a Computer Attitude Survey (CAS), and a Computer Assisted Instruction Survey (CAIS). The CAS measured the attitude of the teacher in four areas: their anxiety towards computers, confidence in their ability, liking of computers, and their perceptions of the usefulness of computers. Each subclass and the overall score …

The Effects Of Journal Writing On Academic Achievement In High School Integrated Mathematics I, Jane Lamarra

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in the level of academic achievement in responding to open-ended questions between those students who wrote in journals and those who did not write in journals, in an Integrated Mathematics I class.

The sample consisted of thirty-three students from two Integrated Mathematics I classes; there were eighteen students who wrote in journals (the experimental group) and fifteen students who did not write in journals (the control group.) Integrated Mathematics I is a course designed for ninth grade non-college-bound students, where emphasis is placed on skills necessary …

The Effects Of Intensive Block Scheduling On High School Mathematics, Anna Elena Bogardus, Eileen Star Dubois

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare intensive block scheduling to the traditional scheduling used in the high school setting, especially focusing on the areas of mathematics achievement and the patterns of higher level mathematics course selection.

Surveys were sent to 67 high schools throughout the United States and Canada which are currently using intensive block scheduling. Mathematics supervisors were asked questions regarding: school population, percentage of college bound students, higher level mathematics courses offered, and the sequence of mathematics courses taught leading to Advanced Placement Calculus. The remaining part of the survey requested specific data comparing standardized test …

The Effect Of Graphing Calculator Use In Algebra One, Anne Lawrence Hudock

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the learning of basic concepts of analytic geometry by students instructed with graphing calculators to that of students instructed by traditional methods. Three chapters, covering the basic concepts of analytic geometry, were taught to two separate algebra one classes at Salem High School, Salem, New Jersey over a nine-week period. The control group was taught using traditional instruction and the experimental group was taught using graphing calculator assisted instruction.

A unit test was administered to both the experimental and control groups at the conclusion of the study to evaluate student learning. From …

The Development And Evaluation Of A Basic Skills Mathematics Curriculum For Adult Learners, Shirley Hofer, Annette M. Schenkel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop a basic skills mathematics curriculum for adult learners, evaluate student progress, and survey the instructors' opinions.

Gagne's curriculum model was used to develop a new curriculum addressing the problems of the traditional curriculum. Research was cited to substantiate each curriculum change. The new curriculum successfully addressed each of the concepts gathered from the related literature.

Student progress was evaluated at Gloucester County College from January to March of 1996. All of the nine MAT-010 classes used the new curriculum. A dependent t-test was applied to pretest and posttest scores of the New …

Effects Of Journal Writing On Mathematics Anxiety, Kevin J. Pelton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of journal writing on mathematics anxiety in developmental algebra classes at the college level. Two classes of "Elementary Algebra," comprised of twenty-three college level students, were used for this experiment. During the six week study, the experimental group, consisting of ten students, wrote in math journals on various mathematics topics assigned by the researcher. The control group, consisting of thirteen students, did not keep a journal. Both groups were pretested and posttested using the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale for Adolescents. Independent t-tests were used to analyze the results. It was …

A Comprehensive Description And Critical Analysis Of Portfolio Assessment, Cindy J. Simione

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of portfolio assessment and analyze critically the use of portfolios for student assessment at the high school level with specific application to the mathematics content area.

A portfolio is a purposeful collection of student work that demonstrates their learning experiences, knowledge, applications and development over time. There are many variations of portfolio assessment depending upon the specific purpose of compiling the portfolio.

Portfolio assessment is a new trend in the area of student assessment that will address the need for an alternative to traditional pencil and paper testing procedures. …

The Development Of A Mini Course On Fractal Geometry For The Community College Mathematics Student, Kananathan Satchithananthan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to construct a mini introduction to a fractal geometry course appropriate for community college students. The researcher evaluated the related research and the literature related to fractal geometry appropriate for community college students. Fractal geometry lesson plans were constructed. The topics covered in this introduction course include the Koch Curve, Sierpinski's Triangle, iterations, complex numbers and the Mandelbrot set.

The course is intended for students who have completed Calculus I at Atlantic Community College which is located in the southern part of New Jersey. The course is intended to be taught for five weeks …

A Study Comparing Two Methods Of Teaching Inequalities And Polynomials To College Prep Algebra 1 Students, Kimberly Ann O'Rourke

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences existed in the learning of inequalities and polynomials by using the traditional Algebra I book as opposed to Applied Mathematics units.

The population used for this study was comprised of students from two college prep Algebra I classes at Collingswood High School, Collingswood, New Jersey. The experimental group was taught inequalities and polynomials using the Applied Mathematics units and the control group was taught these subjects using the traditional Algebra 1 book. At the beginning of the study, the mean of each group's first marking period grades was used …

The Effect Of Parental Remediation On The Musical Literacy Of Elementary School Students As Measured Through Their Music Aptitude, Margaret Davis Clement

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to study the effect of parental intervention on the music literacy of children in grades Kindergarten through Third Grade. The problem of the study was to determine if parental remediation at home could have an effect on the music literacy of children as measured through their music aptitude.

The entire population of a Kindergarten through Third Grade school participated in the study. Six classes were excluded for practical reasons. A parent survey was sent home. Some families were randomly asked to participate as the experimental group. At the same time, the Primary Measures of …

Social Acceptance Of Classified Versus Non-Classified Students, Sandi Kresch Bregler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the social acceptance status of classified students versus non-classified students. Another purpose was to identify reasons why students perceive someone as having lower social status. A total of 95 students completed a rating scale and were surveyed for a nomination scale. Out of the 95 students, 27 were classified as learning disabled (21 boys, 11 girls). The scales and surveys allowed all the students to rate one another on peer ratings of liking and disliking and social acceptance. Students who were classified rated within the top 50%, of overall students, as being …

A Survey Of The State Of Teacher Effectiveness In Four South Jersey High Schools, Maryanne A. Knudsen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' subjective perception of their teaching effectiveness and the factors that facilitate and/or inhibit their sense of efficacy in four South Jersey high schools. In addition, two problems were examined as to the impact of class size on teaching efficacy and does experience in teaching affect a teacher's sense of effectiveness?

The sample was selected from high school teachers in a two county area in southern New Jersey. Teachers were given a questionnaire to complete which was designed to identify important attitudes toward teaching efficacy. A total of 275 questionnaires were distributed …

Measures Of Psychological Androgyny In Female Paramedics, Lynn M. Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether female paramedics were found to be more psychologically androgynous than female non-paramedics. The study group consisted of forty-two female paramedics. The control group consisted of forty-two females from occupations typically considered to be "feminine" professions. All subjects were administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory and asked to rate themselves on the sixty (60) personality characteristics contained within the instrument. Independent samples t-tests were performed on the androgyny scores and the masculine and feminine scores for the questionnaire. The results were contrary to prediction and found that the control group was …

A Two Year Study Of Children Enrolled In A Transitional First Grade Program, Sharleen Selfridge Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on a longitudinal followup of the educational status of children years two and three after completing a transitional first grade program. The samples selected for the study were fifteen children from the first and second grades in a southern New Jersey public school system.

Data was gathered through the use of questionnaires. Kindergarten, first and second grade teachers completed survey forms. Parents of previous transitional first grade students were also asked to respond to a questionnaire.

Information noted included: (1) factors influencing the decision to place a child in a transitional first grade (T1) program; (2) attitudes …

Effects Of Active Or Passive Error Correction Procedures On The Learning, Generalization And Maintenance Of Math Facts By Students With Multiple Handicaps, Barbara J. Trzaska

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of active or passive error correction procedures on the learning, generalization and maintenance of math facts by students with multiple handicaps. The hypothesis stated that students actively involved will exhibit greater success in learning their facts. Using an alternative treatment design, six students from Midway School, Lumberton, New Jersey, were introduced, taught and tested on ten flashcards each week for four weeks. Students received the correct answer from an instructor when an error was made. They in turn, either repeated the problem and answer or listened attentively to the instructor's corrected answer. Active Student Responses …

Secondary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Increased Mainstreaming: Use Of Effective Instruction For Students With Learning Disabilities, Nancy Tartaglione

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of instructional strategies offered in mainstream classes. Twenty mainstream teachers of academic subjects in grades 9 through 12 were asked to complete a self-evaluation concerning instructional strategies used in their general education classes. Also, the teachers completed a questionnaire concerning their attitudes toward mainstreaming and their perception of the success of the mainstreaming program in their school. Results indicate that over one third of the teachers felt no strong commitment to mainstreaming and did not utilize many instructional modifications that are proven to benefit students with disabilities. Implications of these …

An Investigation Of The Association Between The Musical Aptitude Of Elementary Students And The Musical Aptitude Of Their Biological Parents, Susan Guerrini

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a hereditary link between the musical aptitude of elementary students and the musical aptitude of their biological parents.

The problem of the study was to determine if three age specific tests, created by the same author, could be equalized to measure the association of the musical aptitude of students and their biological parents.

Eighty-eight students from Grades 1 through 5 and eighty-one volunteer parents took part in the study, totaling 169 participants. The students from these families attended the same suburban, middle class elementary school, where they received fifty …

Does Secondary Educational Programming As Reflected In The Iep Differ For Students Classified Emotionally Disturbed And Those Classified Perceptually Impaired?, Diane Saaybe

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study of three K-12 school districts was designed and conducted in order to determine how educational programming, as reflected in the IEPs (Individual Education Plan) of secondary students, differed for students classified as Emotionally Disturbed and Perceptually Impaired (Learning Disabled). In each of these three districts, six files of students classified ED and six files of students classified PI were pulled at random and examined as to content in particular areas.

Specifically, the congruency of the IEP, or how the annual goals were related to assessment data and vice versa, was examined, as were related services recommended, and …