Education Commons^™

Characteristics Of At-Risk Students, Michael Sollitto, Robert K. Gable

K-12 Education

This study focused on a major problem facing today’s educators: high school dropouts. Research questions addressed differences in teacher perspectives of the characteristics of struggling students. Differences in teachers’ perspectives based on teaching level (elementary & secondary) were examined. The researcher conducted focus groups with a total of 12 teachers. The research was conducted in two suburban districts. Focus group questions were designed following a survey administered to 108 suburban public school teachers. The survey responses reported previously identified four dimensions of characteristics of at-risk students: behavior, achievement, family involvement, and family background. The data from the focus groups can …

Faculty Curriculum Styles: Do Style Preferences Influence The Preparation Of Aspiring Teachers?, Ralph Jasparro, Felice D. Billups

Higher Education

This study explored university education faculty perceptions of their curriculum styles and their influence on the preparation of aspiring teachers. Using Miller’s (2011) curriculum inventory, a sequential explanatory mixed methods design included (N =11) graduate education faculty who self-identified with one of four schools of curriculum design: linear, holistic, laissez-faire, critical theorist. A follow-up focus group was conducted with N = 7 participants, where their views and theories of curriculum were shared regarding effective design and implementation of curriculum, and the transmission of personal theories to aspiring teachers. Results may be valuable to those who prepare aspiring teachers and develop …

Beginning Teachers’ Perceptions Of Preparedness To Differentiate Instruction For Diverse Learners, Michelle K. Casey, Robert K. Gable

K-12 Education

A two-phase, sequential mixed-methods design was used to assess perceptions of Preparedness (28 items, alpha = .96) to differentiate instruction for N = 36 graduates from one MAT teacher preparation program. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and t-test procedures. A focus group with N = 10 purposively selected 2010 graduates and interviews with N = 2 graduates each from the 2008 and 2009 classes, and N = 2 faculty were conducted. The following areas presented challenges to teachers when attempting differentiation: pre-existing ideas of how to teach which contradict differentiation, misinformation regarding differentiation, and classroom management skills. …

Perspectives Of Suburban Public School Teachers On The Characteristics Of Students At-Risk For Dropping Out Of School, Michael J. Sollitto, Robert K. Gable

K-12 Education

This study focuses on a major problem facing today’s educators: high school dropouts. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the reasons that students drop out of school and programs that may address the needs of students at-risk for dropping out of school. Literature in this area was reviewed to identify what can be learned from these studies. Research questions addressed differences in teacher perspectives of the characteristics of elementary, middle, and high school struggling students. Differences in teachers’ perspectives based on tenure and type of teaching assignment were examined. A sequential, mixed methods approach was taken. The researchers began …

Teacher Professional Development In One K-12 School District In Rhode Island: A Study Of Perceptions, Casale B. Maryann, Ralph Jasparro

K-12 Education

The purpose of the qualitative phase of this study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions of professional development and the extent to which teachers believe it expands their knowledge and skills and improves student learning. Teachers from an urban ring district in Rhode Island were asked to participate in a focus group discussion. A thorough analysis of the content of the responses to focus group questions was completed. In general, teachers felt that the most effective professional development experiences had been on topics of their choice and those facilitated by teachers. According to focus group results, collaboration and relevancy were two …

College Student Perceptions Of Student Life Programs, Felice D. Billups, Ed.D.

Higher Education

The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to describe and explore undergraduate student satisfaction with student life programming at a small, specialized college in the Northeast. Phase I of the study employed a quantitative instrument to determine the satisfaction and extent of involvement with programming (N = 240); Phase II employed focus groups (N = 4) to further probe and clarify findings from Phase I and to develop a holistic profile of student perspectives on programs designed to supplement their collegiate educational experience.

Assessment Of Students’ Knowledge Of Internet Risk And Internet Behaviors: Potential Threat To Bullying And Contact By Internet Predators, Stacey L. Kite, Robert K. Gable, Lawrence P. Filippelli

Cyberbullying

Given the serious issue of bullying, this study sought to assess middle and high school students' knowledge of appropriate use and their behaviors on the Internet and social networking sites, especially regarding behaviors that may lead to cyberbullying or contact with potential Internet predators.

Anxiety And Depression As Comorbid Factors In Drinking Behaviors Of Undergraduate College Students Attending An Urban Private University In The Northeastern United States, Charles J. Vohs, Robert K. Gable, Cynthia V.L. Ward, Ronald L. Martel, Joseph Barresi, Dameian Slocumb

Higher Education

High-risk drinking is the number one public health concern on college campuses (Berkowitz, 2003; Kapner, 2003; Wechsler, 2002). To date, high-risk drinking prevention programs have met with limited success (Kapner, 2003).

This study examined differences among four drinking behavior groups: non-drinkers [(ND), (n = 128)], low-risk drinkers [(LRD), (n = 252)], high-risk drinkers [(HRD), (n = 272)], and frequent high-risk drinkers [(FHRD), (n = 290)] with respect to anxiety and depression for male (n = 457) and female (n = 485) undergraduates (N = 942) attending an urban private university in the northeastern United States; and, the perceptions of two …