Education Commons^™

The Effectivness Of The Jordanian Arabic Version Of The Cognitive Abilities Screening Test (Cogat, Seven) In Identifying Gifted And Talented Children In Kindergarten And Elementray School, Ali M. Alodat

Wayne State University Dissertations

A great debate has been occurring in the field of gifted education regarding the validity of the identification procedures. Many scholars have called to change the current criteria that has been used to identify gifted students based on their intellectual abilities. The new trend in the field is calling to adopt comprehensive evaluation procedures that start with screening all students especially at an early age.

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of using a Jordanian Arabic version of the Cognitive Abilities Screening Test (CogAT) Form Seven in identifying gifted and talented children between the ages of five and eight …

Impact Of Self-Selected Versus Prescribed Level Reading On Arabic Speaking Ell Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Manal M. Assi

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

IMPACT OF SELF-SELECTED VERSUS PRESCRIBED LEVEL READING ON ARABIC SPEAKING ELL STUDENTS: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

by

MANAL M. ASSI

May 2016

Advisor: Dr. Sandra Gonzales

Major: Curriculum and Instruction; English as a Second Language

Degree: Doctor of Education

This study uses the Accelerated Reader collection to find which reading model, reading within the Lexile range versus having the choice to read outside the Lexile range, will positively impact Arabic speaking eighth grade ELL students and improve their attitude towards reading. The study was conducted in a Title III charter school in the metro-Detroit area. Participants included six female …

Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) Counselor Education: Exploring Opinions, Knowledge And Perceived Preparedness To Counsel Ipv Clients, Alvis Talata Ayaba-Apawu

Wayne State University Dissertations

Intimate partner violence has both physical and psychological effects and its monetary cost on the economy is enormous. IPV affects large number of people regardless of their religious affiliations, gender, sexual preference, or nationality. Because counselors are most likely to counsel IPV clients due to the high prevalence of partner violence, in depth knowledge of IPV is required to effectively handle IPV cases. Existing literature shows that novice counselors feel inadequate and experience difficulties in counseling IPV clients. To understand the challenges associated with counseling IPV clients, the current research study explores the opinions, knowledge, and perceived preparedness of counseling …

An Examination Of Urban School Governance Reform In Detroit Public Schools, 1999-2014, Shaun Michael Black

Wayne State University Dissertations

In 1983, the A Nation at Risk report stated that our educational institutions in the United States and especially in urban areas were not meeting the educational needs of our students. Since A Nation at Risk, elected school boards in urban areas were under fire from the media, parents, other civic and community leaders, and voters due to fiscal irresponsibility and poor student achievement. In selected urban cities across the nation, elected school boards were replaced in favor of mayoral control (e.g., Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC) and appointed school boards (Wong et al., …

High School Students' Physical Health: Associations With Intrapersonal, Family, Peer, Academic, And Risk Behavior Factors, Kathryn Therese Combs

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

High School Students’ Physical Health: Associations with Intrapersonal,

Family, Peer, Academic, and Risk Behavior Factors

by

KATHRYN THERESE COMBS

MARCH 2016

Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Somers

Major: Educational Psychology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

A significant body of research and literature supports the need to address the obesity epidemic as it pertains to children and adolescents. Research has suggested that a multitude of factors are associated with overweight status. This study explored the relationships among weight status (represented in the current study by BMI), key environmental contexts that adolescents are concurrently exposed to, including family and peer relationships, and intrapersonal variables, …

Development Of The Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Risk Model For Emergency Room Resident Training, Zora Cvetkovski-Injic

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to characterize patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure with and without low systolic blood pressure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Direct and surrogate measurements were measured. The aim was to use EFA for data reduction to elicit a parsimonious set of factors summarizing the relationships between variables by measuring intercorrelations of the clinical variables collected as part of standard care, and abstracted from electronic medical records.

A better understanding of the characteristics and outcomes of the target group could potentially lead to individualized treatment modalities tailored to effectively and economically improve care. Patients …

The Role Of Individual Character Strengths In Adolescent Academic Achievement And Risky School Behavior, Paul Deschamps

Wayne State University Dissertations

Adolescent achievement is a major developmental task in adolescence and reducing Risky School Behaviors is an important part of the process. Patterns of adolescent achievement and general development are the result of the cumulative process that includes a long history of experience and socialization in school, in the family, in the peer group, and in the community. This study is the first to expand understanding of these key interrelated but unique outcome variables of both Academic Achievement and risky School Behavior through examination of individual Character Strengths in the presence of other key intrapersonal and contextual variables from multiple systems …

Variables That Impact The Implementation Of Project-Based Learning In High School Science, Kellie Renee Cunningham

Wayne State University Dissertations

Wagner and colleagues (2006) state the mediocrity of teaching and instructional leadership is the central problem that must be addressed if we are to improve student achievement. Educational reform efforts have been initiated to improve student performance and to hold teachers and school leaders accountable for student achievement (Wagner et al., 2006). Specifically, in the area of science, goals for improving student learning have led reformers to establish standards for what students should know and be able to do, as well as what instructional methods should be used. Key concepts and principles have been identified for student learning. Additionally, reformers …

Understanding The Experiences Of A Group Of Yemeni Students In An Esl Science Class, Gihan Fradi

Wayne State University Dissertations

American classrooms are experiencing an influx of diverse language speaking students while for science educators the study of EBL students’ learning in science classrooms is a relatively new field (Lee & Buxton, 2010). At the same time there is a growing emphasis on the importance of science practices (NGSS). This poses significant challenges for science educators who are enacting science curriculum that supports all students’ learning. Supporting EBL students’ academic achievement is significant because literacy is important for students’ access to economic and social benefits that come with science literacy (Atwater, 1996).

The purpose of this study was to examine …

Parental Mind-Mindedness And Language Development In Early Infancy, Nada Alrajhi

Wayne State University Dissertations

Research suggests that mother-child interactions, including sensitivity, responsiveness, and stimulation, are linked to children’s early language. Mind-mindedness refers to mothers’ proclivity to consider and treat their infant as having an active and autonomous mental life of thoughts, intentions, desires, etc. Mind-mindedness is a foundation of parental sensitivity and responsivity. Little research has been conducted on mind-mindedness and infant language development. The purpose of this study was to assess: 1) to assess the relationships among maternal sociodemographic characteristics and mind-mindedness, parent-child interactions and infant language development; 2) to determine whether variations in infant language development were associated with maternal mind-mindedness and …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Teacher-Student Interactions In Diversifying Suburban Middle Schools, Yolanda E. Bloodsaw

Wayne State University Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the kinds of troublesome teacher-student interactions that principals in a large Midwestern metro community manage. Personal interview data from nine suburban middle school principals as well as a group interview with four of the nine participants followed an interpretivist paradigm. This study found that the tense teacher-student interactions are triggered by conflicting perceptions held by students and teachers as a result of racial/cultural differences and socioeconomic status. Conflicting perceptions included stereotypes, cultural insensitivity, student motivation, student survival, loud Black kids, and tardiness. The bulk of the teacher-student interactions described by participants primarily concerned interactions between the …

Effect Of Expert Modeling On Ill-Structured Problem Solving In An Undergraduate General Education Honors Course, Minakshi Lahiri

Wayne State University Dissertations

Abstract

Effect of Expert Modeling on Ill-Structured Problem Solving in an Undergraduate General Education

Honors Course

by

Minakshi Lahiri

May 2016

Advisor: Dr. Ke Zhang

Major: Instructional Technology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

This dissertation research was based on David H. Jonassen’s recommendation that not all problems are the same and different types of problems require different approaches of instruction and scaffolding (Jonassen & Hung, 2008). Jonassen (2011) provided a set of recommended components (problem types, case components, cognitive supports) for designing effective Problem Based Learning Environments (PBLEs).

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of using expert …

Self-Directed Learning And The Development Of Self-Efficacy In Basic Writing, Amy Ann Latawiec

Wayne State University Dissertations

This dissertation examines and analyzes the work of two sections of basic writing over the course of one semester. I explore relevant research in Writing Studies, Cognitive Psychology, and Educational Psychology to build a framework within which to discuss pedagogical strategies implemented to support student’s self-directed learning behaviors and to positively affect their efficacy beliefs. Through an analysis of students’ written work, I determined whether and how this pedagogy facilitated students’ articulation of efficacy beliefs as evidence through the language of their reflective writing assignments. Analysis of the data suggests three major arguments: first, that while self-efficacy is a complex …

Developing University Students’ Argumentative Discourse: An Ill-Structured Issue Pertaining To Black African Immigrants And African Americans, Olubusayo Olojo-Adeoye

Wayne State University Dissertations

The overarching goal of this three-article five-chapter dissertation was to develop university students’ argument-counterargument integration abilities in persuasive essay writing on an ill-structured issue pertaining to black African immigrants and African Americans. Article One consisted of using phenomenography as a research approach to identify the qualitatively different ways university students perceive black African immigrants and African Americans. The university participants had 24 perceptions in which 10 pertained to black African immigrants and 14 to African Americans. The perceptions were grouped into six descriptive categories. The variations in perceptions were then used as statements for argumentation. The study implies that university …

Examining The Relationship Between Mental Health Professionals Knowledge And Beliefs As Predictors Of Attitudes Toward The Deaf, Pearl M. Weiss

Wayne State University Dissertations

Individuals who are D/deaf experience significant barriers and disparities when accessing mental health services. Factors associated with improving knowledge and beliefs could reduce these disparities among mental health professionals by incorporating cultural competence during professional training, academic curricular, and internship programs. The purpose of this study was to examined the relationship between mental health professionals’ knowledge and belief as predictors of attitudes toward individuals who are D/deaf. Variances in demographic data also were explored as predictors of attitudes regarding individuals who are D/deaf.

A nonexperimental, correlational research design was used for this study. The survey was completed by 65 mental …

Redesigning The Inacol Standards For K-12 Online Course Design, David Adelstein

Wayne State University Dissertations

The research presented created a revised K-12 online course design rubric based off the iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses. The redesign was completed in three distinct phases, beginning with a literature review of the iNACOL standards that compared current K-12, higher education, and other related literature to each element found in the standards to test for content validity. Results of phase one showed that the iNACOL standards did match up to current literature. Phase two consisted of an expert panel review of the standards, along with phase one suggestions, over three rounds. Viewing the standards through the specific …

The Evaluation Of Educational Inclusion Programs For Students With Intellectual Disabilities In Jordan, Ahmad Salem Algolaylat

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL INCLUSION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN JORDAN

By

AHMAD SALEM ALGOLAYLAT

August 2016

Advisors: Dr. Marshall Zumberg

Major: Special Education

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusive education programs for students with intellectual disabilities in Jordan, quantitative and qualitative research methods were utilized in this study to collect data. These methods included the Jordanian inclusive education scale and teacher interviews. The sample of the study consisted of thirty schools and eight teachers from both governmental and private sector, schools and teachers were selected from Amman. To achieve the aim …

Program Evaluation Of The Wayne State University (Wsu) Transition To Independence Program (Tip), Dinah Ayna

Wayne State University Dissertations

Background: A significant number of children in the US are placed in the child welfare system every year. Among the multiple negative outcomes associated with being in the foster care system is a wide academic achievement gap between foster students and the general population, as well as other disadvantaged groups (e.g. low income). Low academic achievement is particularly pronounced in college. The government and higher education institutions are recognizing these educational gaps and developing specialized programs to address the unique needs of foster students; however, the effectiveness of these programs remains unclear. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of …

Teen Perceptions Of Cell Phone And Internet Sexual Messaging: Trends And Predictors, David Gregg

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to propose and test a predictive model for high school sexting in order to better understand influences and characteristics that contribute most to one’s decision to sext. Sexting was defined as either sending or receiving photos, videos, or text messages that contained full nudity, partial nudity, sexual requests, or comments of a sexual nature. Rates and typical recipients of sexual content were also examined in this study. A sample of 314 high school students in an urban area of Southeast Michigan were surveyed. Males were found to more frequently report engaging in nearly …

Youth-Led School Health Initiatives: Perceptions And Processes, Lila Murphy Gutuskey

Wayne State University Dissertations

Disparities in obesity prevalence, based on a child’s race and income, establish that health interventions should prioritize these target populations. Additionally, children who are from low-income families in urban neighborhoods and of ethnic minorities have unequal access to environmental determinants of healthy eating (HE) and physical activity (PA). Schools might be the best setting for health interventions, given the understanding that a school’s mission should be to educate the whole child and the substantial amount of time that a child spends in school. The purpose of this study was to examine student-led, school-health interventions in four elementary schools. The Fuel …

The Convergence Of Emotional Geography And Teaching: Considering The Influences Of Emotionality On Female High School English Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Work, Brigitte Diane Knudson

Wayne State University Dissertations

This qualitative research study explored the ways in which sociocultural and professional emotional geographies contribute to female high school English teachers’ perceptions of the work of teaching, as well as how they shape their professional identities. Data collection methods over a 12-week period included a researcher reflective journal, survey, focus group interviews, and individual interviews.

The study sought to understand how female high school English teachers understand the work of teaching and considered their perceptions through lenses of gender and socioeconomic class of both the teacher and the teacher’s school of employments. To this end, the findings represented both a …

Math Coaching In Metropolitan Detroit, Monica G. Mcleod

Wayne State University Dissertations

On-going professional development for in-service teachers is critical to efforts to reform schools and increase student achievement. Coaching has been advocated as an approach to meet the conditions of quality professional development, and it has demonstrated a positive impact on student mathematics achievement scores when implemented over multiple years. Ambiguity of title, definition, and role surround coaching, presenting challenges to its execution in schools.

This study proposed a definition of Enacted Math Coaching to help address this ambiguity. As schools throughout Metropolitan Detroit adopt coaching as a component of school reform initiatives, the purpose of this study was to document …

Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Clubhouse Organizational Structure And Employee Motivational Variables Of Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment And Perceived Task Significance, Meghan Elizabeth Pace-Slot

Wayne State University Dissertations

The current study evaluated the role of clubhouse accreditation status on staff motivational variables of job satisfaction, organizational commitment and perceived task significance. In addition, of interest was the degree to which accreditation status predicted staff perception of clubhouse climate. Participants included 98 clubhouse employees (63 staff from Clubhouse International Accredited clubhouses and 35 from non-accredited clubhouses) from a variety of clubhouses across the United States. Results suggest that self-reported job satisfaction differs across accredited and non-accredited clubhouses, dependent upon the type of licensure staff have obtained. Organizational and individual level implications are explored with regard to better understanding employee …

The Relation Between Patient Education And Picc Line Occlusion, Patricia Louise Petroulias

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of using an electronic tablet to supplement patient and caregiver education about PICC line maintenance and to compare the percentage of PICC line complications in the intervention group with national percentage rates for patients and caregivers. Newly diagnosed cancer patients who had PICC lines inserted participated in this study. They used an electronic tablet to learn the 10 steps for flushing their PICC lines correctly. They also met with the researcher via FaceTime to review the steps.

A total of 11 patients participated in this quasi-experimental pilot study. They completed …

Meta-Synthesis Of Sampling Methods Using Coding Strategies And Social Media For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Nursing Students, Timberly Robinson Robinson

Wayne State University Dissertations

In 2010, the birth of an aggressive strategy began to emerge aimed to increase the number of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) individuals in professional healthcare fields. Employers and higher education admission officials desired more research. Data revealed that the field of nursing had a higher percentage of Deaf and Hard of Hearing professionals than other areas. Yet, there is a gap in the literature related to in-depth accounts about the learning experience and clinical training of D/HH nursing students. A phenomenological study was conducted to examine nursing experiences (homogenous sampling) compared to other clinical and non-clinical D/HH majors …

Learning About Healing In Family Medicine: Making Doctors In An American Medical Residency Program, Edward John Rohn

Wayne State University Dissertations

This ethnographic study identified and described healing and the making of healers in the context of an American family medicine residency training program. The project goal was to describe the training of family medicine physicians through observation and interviews with resident and faculty physicians. The project investigated discourses and practices around healing. The aims of this study included: (1) to identify and describe the educational processes in a residency training program towards professional socialization of residents into family medicine. (2) To describe how the habitus of the residency informed the ways in which residents came to embody of the role …

Leading African American Boys Towards Critical Literacy, Stiles Xavier Simmons

Wayne State University Dissertations

Historically, African American boys have underperformed their Caucasian, Hispanic, and female counterparts in the area of reading. Key indicators reveal that the reading achievement gap between African American boys and their counterparts persists despite efforts to ameliorate the problem. Some researchers and school reformers point to the instructional practices and testing mandates as part of the reason as to why boys, and African American boys, in particular, are underperforming in reading. Critical literacy and literature discussion groups are presented as two processes that might improve African American boys reading achievement. This study investigated the impact of critical literacy practices within …

Acculturation And Multiculturalism Of Students In Secondary Level Education Programs, Rachelle Warren

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Even with the rapid changes that individuals are currently experiencing in the U.S. as a result of its fluctuating economy, increased immigration, and evolutionary technological advances, there is not a curriculum or course requirement that exists for Michigan students in secondary level education programs which specifically addresses the issue of acculturation and multiculturalism. This situation is a present reality. Whether planned or unceremoniously imposed, adjusting to a new way of life can be challenging for many people, and establishing a venue for learning the skills to successfully accomplish this task is imperative. If there is a demonstrated need for …

The Prevalence Of Key Needs Assessment Tasks As Perceived By Human Performance Improvement Practitioners, Hasan Alzahrani

Wayne State University Dissertations

This study explores the prevalence of key tasks of Needs Assessment (NA) and the factors that impacted the conduct of each task as perceived by Human Performance Improvement (HPI) practitioners. The study is motivated by two research questions: (1) What is the frequency of using each key NA task by HPI practitioners? (2) What are the factors that impact the use of each key NA task as they are perceived by HPI practitioners? Four tasks were identified as key tasks of NA, and six factors were determined to be examined as related to each key task in terms of two …

A New Logic Model For Change, Zsa-Zsa Lashawn-Marie Booker

Wayne State University Dissertations

Logic models are defined as visual diagrams that help to explain the theory of change for a program. Over the years the logic model has become a common tool for educational programs who seek to apply for and obtain grant funding. However, the limitations of the logic model make it ineffective at managing evaluations. This study is a retrospective cohort design. The three main goals of this study are to (1) research logic model limitations and adapt a revised logic model that could effectively evaluate an educational program, (2) test both the original and revised logic models on an educational …