Education Commons^™

Paraprofessional Training Materials, Program Implementation & Review, Breann Brewer

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

If ever you enter a special education classroom, you may encounter a few events. You may witness a classroom of impressive, almost automatic interactions, delivered in a way so eloquent that the students and staff seem to be in an effortless dance with one another. Or, you may witness a classroom that feels heavy with needs; needs of more staff, more help, more hands, and more time. This visual exercise demonstrates how the structure of a special education classroom sets the tone for student growth and success.

One pivotal part of a special education classroom is the paraeducators. Paraeducators, also …

Training Needs And Applications For Special Educators With Paraeducator Supervision Responsibilities, Joanna M. Cornejo

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This project highlights the need for training for paraeducators working in Special Education settings. Duties performed by paraeducators often overlap with teacher duties and much of the direct instruction provided to students in self-contained classrooms is delivered by paraeducators. The tasks of training and supervising paraeducators often falls on the special education teacher, who may not have received training in supervision. The project includes a brief review of the literature on this topic and two project reports. I designed my project with the objective of improving the quality of instruction being delivered to students in my classroom through training of …

An Examination Of How Qualitatively Different Delayed Outcomes Are Discounted, Jonathan E. Friedel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Jonathan E. Friedel, a graduate student in the Experimental and Applied Psychological Sciences program at Utah State University, will complete this dissertation as part of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.

Outcomes that are received far in the future are less valuable than outcomes that are to be received more proximally. Delay discounting describes how outcomes in the future lose value. The goal of this dissertation is to examine how people discount different types of delayed outcomes. Two experiments examine the value of a wide
variety of delayed outcomes for cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. These …

Effects Of A Self-Management Procedure Using Student Feedback On Staff Members' Use Of Praise In An Out-Of-School Time Program, Cade T. Charlton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Out-of-school time (OST) programs are under increasing pressure to improve student achievement. However, OST program administrators face a number of challenges to improving program effectiveness including inconsistent student participation, inexperienced staff members, and a lack of high-quality professional development. OST program administrators can address these challenges by implementing staff development practices that encourage the use of effective instructional strategies.

Specific praise is a simple and effective instructional strategy that has been linked to improved student engagement, enhanced academic achievement, and stronger student-teacher relationships. Unfortunately, there have been very few studies examining the effects of interventions designed to increase OST staff …

Impulsive Choice, Alcohol Self-Administration, And Pre-Exposure To Reward Delay, Jeffrey S. Stein

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Prior research indicates that drug dependence is associated with a tendency to discount the future. For instance, compared to control participants, drug-dependent participants more strongly prefer small, immediate rewards (e.g., $10 now) over larger, delayed rewards (e.g., $100 in 6 months). Similarly, in animal models of addiction, impulsive preference for small, immediate over larger, delayed food rewards in rats is associated with greater consumption of a number of drugs of abuse, including alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine. These and other findings suggest that this form of impulsive choice plays a causal role in addiction; however, this account has not been tested …

Implementation Of Effective Instructional Routines, Praise Statements, Response Opportunities, And Error Correction Through Professional Training, Coaching And Observation, Sallie Richardson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Professional development opportunities can range from a single workshop to long term ongoing training. Research shows that an inspiring and informed teacher is one of the most important school related factor influencing student achievement. The best professional development for new teachers is ongoing, experiential, and collaborative, while providing an opportunity for practice, reflecting and mentoring for successful development. Most professionals involved in professional development would agree that the goal of staff development is to produce a change in participant’s knowledge, behaviors, understanding, skills, values, and beliefs (Hord, S. & Monk, B. 1997). The purpose of this creative project was to …

Interagency Barriers And Facilitators In Transition Planning For Students With Disabilities, Deanna Lynn Taylor

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This study examined the barriers and facilitators identified by both vocational rehabilitation counselors and special educators in four states (Florida, Maryland, Oregon and Utah) regarding collaboration in transition planning. Two survey questionnaires were disseminated: one to vocational rehabilitation counselors and one to special educators in that requested information on perceptions of the level of knowledge on transition planning and activities, level of satisfaction, and open-ended questions for suggestions on how to improve collaboration between the two groups. The surveys were nearly identical and were designed to explore barriers that the two disciplines experience working with each other as well as …

Development Of The Parental Acceptance Questionnaire (6-Paq), Ryan L. Greene

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For over 10 years, mental health professionals have used acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help parents in the therapy context. However, to date the field lacks a psychometrically sound measurement tool to assess ACT-pertinent factors within parenting or frameworks. Such a limitation indicates that investigation into the development of an alternative measure is warranted.

In collaboration with Utah State University (USU), Dr. Clint Field, a psychology professor, and Ryan Greene, a USU school psychology student, sought to develop a reliable and valid measure for use with parents that is rooted in the six primary processes theorized to contribute to …

Evaluation Of A High School Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (Siop) Implementation, Samuel L. Ray

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many school systems across the USA have implemented sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP) strategies to help their English language learners (ELLs) master core content while they learn English. Most studies have reported positive results from using SIOP strategies with ELLs. Elementary and middle school studies were available, but studies of SIOP implementation in a comprehensive high school were lacking. This action research project was initiated by teacher leaders (department chairs) and the school principal. It included a year of combined SIOP training and implementation. After the first academic year of utilizing SIOP school-wide, an anonymous electronic survey was used to …

The Social Validation Of Institutional Indicators To Promote System-Wide Web Accessibility In Postsecondary Institutions, Heather Ann Mariger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Internet is an integral part of higher education today. Students, faculty, and staff must have access to the institutional web for essential activities. For persons with disabilities, the web is a double-edged sword. While an accessibly designed website can mitigate or remove barriers, an inaccessible one can make access impossible. If websites that provide necessary information are not accessible, those with disabilities will be unable to independently complete their daily tasks or compete in the modern world.

Project GOALS (Gaining Online Accessible Learning through Self-Study) has developed a document outlining a set of four institutional indicators of Web accessibility. …

Teacher Reflection Among Professional Seminary Faculty In The Seminaries And Institutes Department Of The Church Educational System, Ryan S. Gardner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This qualitative study aimed at exploring and explaining the practices and processes of teacher reflection among a group of professional secondary-level religious educators in the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as seeking to understand the perceived impact of those reflective practices on the professional development of these teachers. The researcher described, analyzed, and interpreted the data to develop a mid-range grounded theory for explaining the process of teacher reflection in a way that could lead to the improvement of teacher reflection among these teachers as an integrated function of professional development. …

Exploring The Use Of The Student Readiness Inventory™ To Develop A Retention Plan For Incoming Freshmen In The College Of Agriculture At Utah State University, Lisa B. Allen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to utilize the Student Readiness Inventory^TM to profile retention and academic success rates for College of Agriculture freshmen. The Student Readiness Inventory (SRI) has been developed to help measure psychosocial issues related to academic achievement and college student retention. This information, combined with high school grade point average and admission test scores from American College Testing (ACT, Inc.), will help advisors and administrators in the College of Agriculture identify potential at-risk students during their first year of college. From SRI test results, a model for intervention will be built to meet the students' …

Who Knew? An Autoethnography Of A First-Year Assistant Principal, Gerald R. Jackman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Few studies have been conducted to take an in-depth look at the role and experience of a new middle school assistant principal. Advantageous timing provided the opportunity for the author to conduct this research study examining his experience as a first-year assistant principal. The guiding question for this autoethnography was "What can be learned from the experiences of a first-year assistant principal that can be used to improve the administrative certification program and training of future assistant principals"? Autoethnography is employed as a methodology to portray the experience and understanding of the participant/observer in comparison to his training and preparation …

Combining Comprehension Reading Instruction With Video Anchors With Middle-Level Learners, Heidi Andreasen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Reading comprehension is a multidimensional process and a key component of this process is the activation of prior knowledge in the comprehension of text. This study utilized video clips as a means to anchor instruction and assist struggling middle-level readers in comprehending text. Participants in this study were 17 seventh- and eighth-grade students from a rural middle school. The study used a single-subject reversal design.

During the baseline phase of the study, students read four different titles before a stable baseline could be established. The data collected were the combined mean scores of the teacher-created comprehension assessments and commercially produced …

An Assessment Of The Perceived Value Of Teacher Portfolios In The Early Years Enhancement (Eye) Program By Primary And Secondary Teachers In Utah's Schools, Teresa J. Denison

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the teacher portfolio as an evaluation of professional development in Utah's new teacher licensing--the Early Year's Enhancement (EYE) program. This study explored teacher perceptions of the value of the portfolio. Results of the study identified the perceived value of teacher portfolios related to: (a) accuracy as an evaluation tool, (b) usefulness with respect to teacher professional growth, (c) feasibility with regard to teacher time, and (d) appropriateness related to the effect of portfolios on teaching practices. It also identified the relationship of the teacher's perceived value and the required …

Effective Practices Of Project Lead The Way Partnership Teams, Cody J. Reutzel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to gather information from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) partnership team experts. This project follows the methodology of a modified Delphi study. A review of literature in the areas of curriculum development, pre-college engineering, and the Delphi research technique provided the background for the structure utilized. Top programs from across the country were questioned to identify and come to a consensus on top components essential to developing and utilizing a successful PLTW partnership team. The components were categorized into two lists: effective practices utilized to make a program successful and effective practices employed by …

A Qualitative Study Of Seminary Principals For The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Eric W. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This qualitative study investigates how leadership is embodied within the role of seminary principals in released-time seminaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This study utilized a grounded theory approach and constant comparative analysis while triangulating the data obtained from personal interviews, participant observations, and analysis of documents. The primary sources of data came from the personal experiences and perspectives of four principals, eight teachers, and one area administrator that are analyzed through biographical interviews.

Analyses of the data were completed to determine common themes of leadership that were embodied by principals in released-time seminaries for The …

Utah Middle-Level School Community Councils: An Evaluation Of Compliance, Processes, And Perceived Impact, Richard Jackson Nygaard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The historical perspective of schools in our democratic society provides a framework of tension between local parent and community control versus professional and state control of public school decisions. Today, federal and state requirements demand increased student achievement. The state of Utah requires each public school to have a school community council (SCC) that is responsible for the development of plans for school improvement. Limited funds are provided to each school community council through the School LAND Trust Program to assist in the implementation of the developed plans for the purpose of increased student achievement. Three Utah middlelevel school community …

The Effect Of Parent Involvement In A Nutrition Education Program For Primary Grade Pupils, Barbara A. Kirks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three schools were matched for socioeconomic data, location, and quality. Students in kindergarten through grade three in two schools received nutrition education; the third school was the control. Of the two treatment schools, one was randomly assigned to receive parent as well as student education in nutrition. Three-hundred and seventy cognitive scores, 168 affective scores, and 100 plate-waste analyses were collected in both pretest and posttest phases. At the end of the four-month treatment period, 24-hour food frequency recalls were collected for 151 children.

Students at the school where both parents and their children were involved had higher dietary quality …

Student Involvement In The Governance Of Institutions Of Higher Education And The Campus Unrest (A Study Of University And College Officers' Views Of Student Participation In Campus Governance), Elliot Alfred Chand

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of student participation in various aspects of college and university governance in contrast to the extent to which selected administrative officers would allow them to participate.

Objectives of the Study

1. To determine what the opinion of the university officials is on the general scope of student involvement in university affairs and institutional governance.

2. To determine the extent to which students are and should be involved in areas of administration including general governance, as viewed by the officers included in this study.

3. To compare the latitude of …

School Systems In Communist China (1949-1963), Ting Chih Lang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conduct historical research of the educational systems of the People's Republic of China during the period of 1949-1963. It is hoped that this study will help to clarify the Chinese Communist regime's approach to education and some of the problems encountered in its attempt to mold an educational system suitable for its economic and political need and purpose. More specifically, this study met the following objectives:

1. To know the picture of the school ladder.
2. To understand the deviation between actual practice and propaganda of Communist China's education.
3. To comprehend relationships between Party …

Teaching Critical Thinking Through Student Self Analysis Of Video Taped Seminar Discussions, James M. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main objective of the Cedar High School (C.H.S.) study was to develop a curriculum that would be useful to the social studies educator interested in teaching critical thinking skills to high school students. The model for teaching critical thinking that was followed during the C.H.S. study included three requirements. The first was to identify those critical thinking skills that would be useful to students during discussion of controversial issues. The second requirement of the critical thinking model was to teach these context specific critical thinking skills to students. This requirement was met by using a variety of materials, including …

A Study Of Faculty And Administrators' Perceptions Of The Factors Affecting Salary Increases At Utah State University, Izar Antonio Martinez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any differences in faculty members' and administrators' perceptions of those factors which should be influential and those factors which are actually accounted for in making decisions pertaining to salary increases at Utah State University.

The data for this study was collected from 55 administrators and 303 faculty members at Utah State University. A total of 21 factors, which were identified as being influential and/or determinants of faculty salary increases at Utah State University, were analyzed through the testing of four hypotheses using the chi square test for independence. The …

Educational Mathematical Games As An Aid To Learning With Seventh Grade Mathematics Students At Wahlquist Junior High, Lewis Riley Taylor

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

One of the trends in mathematics has been the introduction of educational games as learning devices . A student's attitude toward mathematics is recognized to be very high when games are used. Walter Cronkite, on CBS television, summed up the promise of educational gaming when he said, "By participating, by playing a game , an other - wise dull subject becomes fascinating and unforgettable to the student." (Nesbitt, 1971, p. 2) Bradfield states it in this manner:

Many teachers of mathematics are unbelievably boring in their approach to teaching. Consequently , many potentially strong students never develop any great liking …

A Work-Study Program For Educable Mentally Retarded In Lincoln Junior High--Salt Lake City, Utah, Jay Elmo Christensen

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In the spring of 1968 this writer was assigned to teach a group of seventh, eighth and ninth grade students who had been labeled Educable Mentally Retarded at Lincoln Junior High School. The students ranged from twelve to sixteen years of age, and many of them were from lower income homes.

In attempting to set up a work-study program the administration had decided that they preferred a work-study orientation program for these pupils. It was hoped that this type of program would motivate the students to become more involved in the school program.

Organization And Administration Of Student Government - Particular Reference To Intermountain Indian School, Maurice C. Whitaker

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The student council idea is now widely accepted in secondary schools in the United States; its full potential in contributing to the education and lives of students has not been realized fully in a great many instances.

The student council is a dynamic movement and because it is dynamic it is capable of change to meet new conditions. Hence, it cannot remain basically the same year in and year out. The changing dimensions of the student council can be realized only if students, faculty and principals work at it.

Administration Of Utah's Governmental Immunity Act By Utah's School Districts, Steven Howard Peterson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Purpose

Since the Utah Governmental Immunity Act went into effect on July 1, 1966, the experience of Utah's school districts under the law was not known. For the purpose of determining the experience of Utah's districts in administering the law and to determine the adequacy of the law, this study was undertaken.

Procedures

To accomplish the purpose of this study, a questionnaire was sent to each of Utah's 40 school districts. Instructions were sent with the questionnaire indicating that the writer would be making contact either by telephone or a personal interview to assist in filling out the questionnaire. A …

Some Background Considerations To The Establishment Of A Consortium Of Four Intermountain States, In The Area Of Independent Study, Suresh C. Kaushik

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The growth of Independent Study divisions of the state-supported educational institutions of the area covered by the states of Utah, Nevada, Idaho and Wyoming, and the increasing demands for the establishment of new curricular offerings, coupled with these states' limited financial resources, make the exploration of possible cooperative offerings a rather crucial necessity.

The purpose of this study was to develop and appraise the climate for developing a consortium of the Independent Study divisions of Utah State University, University of Utah, University of Nevada, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming. A systematic sequence of approach for accomplishing the stated …

A Survey Of Teacher Aide Utilization In Elementary Schools With Suggested Application Toward Improved Use Of Teacher Aides In The Elementary School Of Logan City, Utah, Clyde Ray Bartlett

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

WANTED**TEACHER AIDES

Students and teachers want them and need them. New school programs and citizens' advisory groups require them. All interested persons inquire at the nearest Board of Education, County or State Department of Education, or at the United States Office of Education (Department of Health, Education and Welfare). (Wright, 196 9, p. xi)

NEW CAREERS IN EDUCATION ARE WAITING! WANTED

Another pair of helpful hands, two kindly, watchful eyes and listening ears, enveloped by one willing spirit with understanding heart. No special training needed, but all talents will be utilized. Ability to give encouragement, helpful. Eager parents and interested …

A Survey Of Sixth Grade Students' Reactions To Selected Situations Involving Certain Elements Of Civil Rights, Robert Neldon Hanson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine :

1. What actions sixth grade children think should be taken in situations that contain certain elements of civil rights.

2. The reasons given by the sixth grade children for choosing these actions.

A measuring instrument was constructed from 14 court cases containing certain elements of civil rights. These court cases were then rewritten so that sixth grade students could comprehend the vocabulary and situations described. Statements for students responses were developed from the case itself, newspapers, and magazine articles.

Two sixth grade classes and one fifth grade class served as a …