Education Commons^™

Peer Perceptions Of Students Without Learning Disabilities Toward Students With Disabilities And A Self Perceptions Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Vernell Greene Scott

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of the nondisabled students toward students with learning disabilities and the self perceptions of learning disabled students. A survey research design was used for this study. Subjects were students in grades 6-8 with and without disabilities from a rural area in Virginia. The participants who were chosen were general and special education students at the middle school level.

The results from this study showed on most issues the two groups agreed, on such topics as friendship, social gathering, and favoritism. Findings indicated students without disabilities are accepting students with disabilities …

Public School Principals’ Perceptions In Accredited And Non-Accredited Elementary Schools Regarding Strategies To Improve Student Performance On The Michigan Education Assessment Program, Mattie P. Hampton

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to investigate whether principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of non-accredited elementary schools significantly differ in their perceptions in regards to selected strategies used to prepare students for the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP). More specifically, this study attempted to address three focused interrelated questions: (I) Will principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of nonaccredited elementary schools significantly differ in their perceptions in regards to selected curriculum strategies used to prepare students for the MEAP? (2) Will principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of non-accredited elementary schools …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Culture In Relation To Job Satisfaction And Commitment, Mayda Bahamonde-Gunnell

Dissertations

The concepts of culture and climate have been investigated in the corporate world and have been found to relate to increased job satisfaction and commitment. Schools can also benefit from such findings. In the school setting there are a number of studies that have been conducted relating school culture and climate to student achievement, but few have investigated the relationship of school climate and culture to job commitment and satisfaction.

Organizational culture, employee job satisfaction, an d employee commitment are all variables that must be measured in order to investigate how culture affects the organization. In this study, teachers’ perceptions …

Conflict Resolution And Anger Management, Lori M. Kling

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

An applied project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Education Specialist at Morehead State University by Lori M. Kling on September 11, 2000.

The Benefits Of Observational Learning On The Mathematics Achievement Of Fourth Grade Students Involved In Peer Tutoring Sessions, Trisha R. Parish

Masters Theses

Many students struggle with mathematical concepts and operations. This leads educators to search for the most effective and efficient means of improving their academic performance. The present investigation sought to determine if a triadic peer-tutoring program would increase the acquisition of basic multiplication facts for fourth grade students. Secondly, this investigation assessed the extent to which students would benefit from observational learning opportunities within the peer tutoring sessions. A multiple baseline design across two peer-tutoring triads was utilized with student performance being assessed by measuring responses to flashcard presentations and completion of three types of mathematics probes. The first type …

Parental Involvement: Quantifying Parent Behavior And Its Influence On A Child's Readiness To Learn, V. Yvonne Conner

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to assist with developing resources that encourage parental involvement. The overall research question for this study is: "What types of parent behaviors have significant influence on literacy development among children enrolled in a local Head Start Program?" Parent behaviors are presented as a resource by quantifying their impact on a child's language development and personal-social development. This is a nonexperimental study, designed to analyze childhood readiness to learn among children enrolled in a local Head Start Program. Multiple regression was used to assess parent behaviors as predictors of language development and personal-social development of …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Epistemic Style And Evaluation Practice, Deanna Draze

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between personal epistemic styles of professional evaluators, the influence those styles have on evaluation practice, and to determine whether a typology of evaluation practice can be extrapolated from a study of epistemic style. Epistemic style was defined as how one determines what is true (or what constitutes knowledge). The intent was to provide empirical evidence of the relationship between theory and practice in the hope that it will contribute to an increased awareness of the evaluator “as an instrument’' through which data is filtered.

The Psycho-Epistemological Profile (Royce, Mos, and …

The Fair Play Project: Evaluation Of Ethical-Value Choices In An Educational Sportsmanship Program, C. Bruce Martin

Masters Theses

The erosion of ethical values of athletes and the rise of unsportsmanlike behaviors by our nation's athletic programs is at near epidemic levels. This study evaluated the four-year Fair Play Project intervention in its attempt to correct the problem of poor sportsmanship behaviors created by a lack of ethical reasoning. Beginning in the summer of 1996 as an initiative from athletic directors representing an interscholastic athletic conference in Southwest Michigan, the Fair Play Project had four goals: (I) Plan and implement an annual student leadership conference; (2) Create a school-based student Sportsmanship Task Force in order to improve the sportsmanship …

A Comparison Of Learning In Adult Accelerated And Non-Accelerated Courses, Donald J. Green

Dissertations

The focus of this study w as a comparison of learning acquired by adult students in two accelerated sections and one nonaccelerated section o f a college-level course in diversity held at a private school in the Midwestern United States. The course was identical in title, instructor, course materials, examinations, and course outcomes. To measure other potential differences in the experience of the three sections, student participants were asked to complete a precourse survey, postcourse survey, and postcourse classroom environmental assessment instrument called the College and University Classroom Environment Instrument (CUCEI; Treagust & Fraser, 1986).

Upon completion of the course, …

Phonological Awareness Activities For The Elementary Classroom, Susan Diane Au

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a manual for teachers to guide decision making about how and when to include phonological awareness instruction in the elementary classroom. The manual includes assessments and sample activities to facilitate acquisition of phonological awareness. Activities were designed based on research which suggests that phonological awareness be taught in the following order: rhymes & alliteration, oddity tasks, blend & split syllables, phonological segmentation, and phoneme manipulation. Many of the activities were field tested with a class of 19 first graders in the last quarter of the school year.

Effective Homework For Primary Students: A Handbook For Parents And Teachers, Gillian Buchanan

All Graduate Projects

After serving on a committee to create a homework policy for my school, I found that both teachers and parents need clarification about issues surrounding homework. I discovered many misconceptions about the effects of homework on student learning, and saw a need to explain these. I compiled research on the history of homework, and the main purpose of homework. As well, I gathered information to understand the positive and negative effects of homework, and homework at the elementary level compared to middle and high school. I found research on guidelines for parents, teachers, schools, and districts. Based on the research, …

An Elementary Schoolwide Discipline Model, Christopher John Beck

All Graduate Projects

Current schoolwide discipline models were studied in conjunction with a review of literature relating to discipline, and a schoolwide discipline model was subsequently developed for Thompson Elementary in the Bethel School District in the State of Washington. The schoolwide discipline model was developed to reflect the research and focused upon developing individual responsibility, reflection, and the use of literature to help students understand the values of work in everyday life.

A Comparison Of Reading Comprehension And Problem Solving Abilities, Darren A. Cooper

All Graduate Projects

Recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Washington State Commission on Student Learning Essential Academic Requirements are addressed. Reading comprehension and problem solving skills of 9th grade students at Zillah High School are compared to see if a correlation between these two abilities exists. Recommendations for creating and implementing a curriculum are given.

Balanced Reading In An Intermediate Classroom, Rochelle Marie Cramer

All Graduate Projects

Research in the process of balancing the reading curriculum was read, evaluated and summarized. This research showed the need for further study in the areas of shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and responding to literature; as combining these four components create a balanced reading program. In a balanced approach students receive skill and strategy instruction in addition to reading and responding to authentic literature. A yearlong balanced reading guide and ten sample supporting lessons were created for the intermediate grade teachers at Washington State Centennial Elementary in the Bethel School District.

A Crisis Management Guide For Ilalko Elementary School, Ryan Brent Foster

All Graduate Projects

The current building level emergency procedmes manual for Ilalko Elementary School in the Auburn School District in the State of Washington was reviewed and critiqued. The manual contains the school's emergency preparedness policies and procedmes to be implemented in the event of a disaster. The results of the review showed a need for updating policies and practices at the building level as well as creating additional resources to guide the school should other disasters occur which were not addressed in the current manual. A handbook was also created to increase teacher response effectiveness in the event of an emergency situation.

Assessment Of Seventh Grade Students' Attitudes Towards Writing, Frances Downey Gregory

All Graduate Projects

Eleven students in seventh grade were pretested regarding their attitudes towards writing, using the Knudson Writing Attitude Survey for Children. A writing workshop based on the Nancie Atwell model was implemented for one month with the group. The students took the Knudson Survey again as a post test after the workshop. Results varied, with some of the students' attitudes remaining the same, some improving, and some declining. Suggestions for further research include studying the impact of specific teaching methodologies on writing self-efficacy beliefs, designing surveys to assess only self-efficacy beliefs, and studying the reasons for the drop in self-efficacy beliefs …

Comparison Of In-Season And Out-Of-Season Academic Achievement Among Single-Sport Male Student Athletes At A High School In North Central Washington, Kai D. C. Knell

All Graduate Projects

This study illustrates and compares the academic achievement of male high school athletes (single-sport participants) in and out of their respective sport's seasons, to determine if extracurricular athletic participation hinders or enhances academic performance based on their students' GPAs. This study was conducted at a High School in North Central Washington. Fifty randomly selected high school male student athletes, ranging from sophomores to seniors were measured on academic performance during the 1999-2000 school year. The student athletes participated in an athletic sport in either the first or the second semester of the school year, and both the in-season and out-of-season …

Parent Involvement: Behind-The-Wheel Guide Sample Lessons And Driving Procedures, David Elroy Kinnunen

All Graduate Projects

Yearly, thousands of novice, young drivers are licensed and embark upon a driving career within the state of Washington. Many of these young drivers end up as statistics in collisions and collision related fatalities. This project report reviews the importance of parent involvement in education and supports the involvement by developing a parent and student handbook for home driving practice. This behind the wheel handbook applies the element that is missing in most young driver's training programs, experience through additional practice time behind the wheel. The current minimum standards for classroom and behind the wheel instruction in the state of …

Infusing The Multiple Intelligences Into Fifth Grade Curriculum, Kelly Eugene Mattson

All Graduate Projects

Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences involves eight different ways to learn (linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, naturalistic, interpersonal and intrapersonal). These categories of intelligence, along with the guidelines of Washington State's Essential Academic Leaming Requirements, were applied to thirty lessons that were derived from the fifth grade curriculum at Tieton Middle School in Tieton, Washington. The lessons reflect the fields of reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies and health/fitness.

An Intercultural Play, Donna Lee Mcclung

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to write a play that could be used as a teaching tool for addressing multicultural issues in educational curricula. The literature review suggests that dramatic activities can be effective teaching strategies to address multicultural and diversity issues. The one-act play, Irene, is set in a middle-class American neighborhood and focuses on the conflict within a broken home.

A Model Continuous Learning Progress Program Designed For K-6 Students In Easton School District #28, Sara J. Mccoy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model continuous learning progress program, aligned with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements designed specifically for elementary students, grades kindergarten through sixth grade in Easton School District 28, Easton, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature concerning serving students in nongraded continuous progress learning programs were reviewed, and assisted in the development of student profiles, student learning plans, learning continuums, and student assessment portfolios.

A Balanced Reading Program For The Primary Grades, Hope Kranz Mcdonald

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to create specific.activities that teach children various tools that assist in learning how to read. The project implements a balanced reading curriculum with an emphasis in kindergarten and first grade. Throughout this project the students will be exploring a variety of ways to acquire the knowledge of reading. The project concentrates on two philosophies of how to teach reading; phonemic awareness and whole language. The final product encompasses both philosophies and creates a curriculum that links the two into a balanced approach to reading.

An Individualized Spelling Program, Rashelle Noreen Pratz

All Graduate Projects

Spelling is a subject taught in school that is often in debate about the most effective way to teach it. There has been vast research about the correct way to teach spelling. Traditionally, spelling has been taught with word lists compiled of isolated words that students don't often use in everyday writing. Advocates for new ways to teach spelling suggest the use of high frequency words and words students will most often use in their writing experiences. This project report provides an individualized spelling program to fit the needs of each student, in which learning to spell plays a significant …

A Third Grade Special Education Pre-Referral Assessment Tool For Inner City African American Students, Richard Dean Newton

All Graduate Projects

A disproportional high number of African Ametican students are referred by regular education teachers for placement in special education programs and services. Recent implications of state wide uniformed student testing has intensified special education placement trends. The purpose of this project was to develop an alternative third grade special education pre-referral intelligence assessment tool, which would be used to provide alternative placement other than special education programs and services.

Standards-Based Education: Lessons For The Essential Academic Learning Requirements In The Seventh-Grade Social Studies, Karl Anton Schelbert

All Graduate Projects

This project focuses on aligning seventh-grade social studies with Washington State's Essential Academic Leaming Requirements, the state's curriculum guide. In the last decade standards-based education has swept across the United States and the results in Washington have changed the face of education. The project itself presents a variety of lessons that are aligned with the seventh-grade standards for social studies. Lessons are separated into the four disciplines in social studies: history, geography, civics, and economics. Each lesson teaches some aspect of a selected social studies requirement. The review of literature examines the standards-based reform and its resulting affects in Washington …

Effective In-Car Driver Education, Michael L. Smith

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between young drivers' driving habits and the time of day in which they received their Behind-The-Wheel instruction was studied. Three hundred and ninety-five junior and senior level high school students were surveyed on their personal driving histories. The results showed differences between those students that received instruction after regular school hours and those that received instruction before or during school hours. Implications for Traffic Safety Education are discussed.

Meeting The Academic And Social Needs Of Diverse Mainstreamed Students (K-4): A Series Of Workshops For Mainstream Teachers, Carren Renee Tallman

All Graduate Projects

A series of workshop materials was developed to help educators meet the academic and social needs of students at Goldendale Primary School in Goldendale, Washington. The targeted students are those who make insufficient academic and social progress in mainstream classrooms. The materials included in the workshop series consist of assessment training, behavior management strategies, and curriculum adaptation and modification skills that can be used by rural primary mainstream teachers.

Special Education Discipline: A Procedural Manual, Barbara Townsend

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project is to create a systematic procedural manual for the disciplining of students protected under the mandates of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Research on the IDEA Amendments of 1997, as it pertained to the disciplining of students with disabilities was studied. A procedural manual, for administrators, and teachers was created. The manual includes case histories, which helped develop the discipline changes in IDEA Amendments of 1997. It also includes information and sample forms, which can be used to help navigate the discipline process.

Home Schooling: A Resource Guide For Parents And Teachers, April L. Stucker

All Graduate Projects

Home schooling was researched for the purpose of determining how many students are home schooled, the rules and regulations regarding home schooling, and the effectiveness of home schooling. A resource guide has been developed for home schooling parents and teachers dealing with home schoolers. Many of the resources are geographically specific to the Yakima Valley, but most can be used or adapted for a variety of age and maturity levels. The guide is divided into three topics: Public Resources, Private Resources, and Community Resources.

Perceptions Of Interns And Mentors About The Yearlong Internship In The Central Washington University Masters/Certification Program (1997-2000) Wenatchee University Center, Tracy Mills Day, Sara Joanne Ferry

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to determine the perceptions of the yearlong internship by Interns and Mentors in the Central Washington University Masters/Certification Program (1997-2000) at the Wenatchee Center. To accomplish this purpose, questionnaires were sent to all Interns and Mentors of Central Washington University Masters/Certification pilot Program at the Wenatchee Center. Additionally, related information from selected sources was obtained and analyzed.