Education Commons^™

Reducing Levels Of Elementary School Violence With Peer Mediation, Rita Cantrell Schellenberg, Agatha Parks-Savage, Mark Rehfuss

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The effectiveness of an existing peer mediation program in a diverse, suburban elementary school was examined. Peer mediation was available to all students (N = 825). Three-year longitudinal data showed significant reductions in the school's out-of-school suspensions after implementation of the peer mediation program. Mediation training also resulted in significant mediator knowledge gains pertaining to conflict, conflict resolution, and mediation, which was maintained at 3-month follow-up. All mediation sessions (N = 34) were successful in resolving conflict, and mediators as well as participants viewed the peer mediation program as valuable.

Viewing Skills & Methods Of Visually Representing, Kathie C. (Johnson) Morgan, Connie Mcdonald

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The International Reading Association and National Council Teachers of English have recognised the importance of teaching viewing and visual representing as a means of communication amd have included it in the Standards for the English Language Arts. This presentation offers methods to address and teach those modes of communication, arguably the most used of all language arts skills for today's student.

Developing Oral Reading Fluency: Effects Of Daily Use Of Word Walls And Daily Independent Silent Reading On Oral Reading Fluency Development Of Second Grade Students, Douglas F. Osborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher measured the effectiveness of two popular supplemental reading instruction strategies, word walls and independent silent reading, in 6 second-grade classes over 12 weeks. The study involved the comparison of eight oral reading fluency growth measures (Rate, Accuracy, Fluency, Comprehension, Oral Reading Quotient--overall oral reading ability, Sight Word Efficiency, Phonemic Decoding Efficiency, and Total Word Reading Efficiency). The researcher used the individually administered Gray Oral Reading Tests (fourth edition) and the Test of Word Reading Efficiency in a pretest-intervention-posttest experimental design to obtain these measures. Although pretest and posttest comparisons of the standard scores and percentile ranks revealed no …

High School Athletic Eligibility Policies: A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Perspectives Of Public School Athletic Directors, Harlie G. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

High school students in North Carolina public schools must meet academic eligibility requirements in order to compete on school sponsored teams. While all districts must follow the state association guidelines, local education agencies may elect to create policies that are more rigorous. This mixed-methods study investigated the impact of the academic eligibility policies on high school campuses. The research relied heavily upon interviews with high school athletic directors, but also analyzed measures of student academic success. Interviewees were male and female, white and African-American. They had varied years of experience, and were from schools that were different geographically and demographically, …

The Effects Of Life Skills Instruction On The Personal-Social Skills Scores Of Rural High School Students With Mental Retardation, Mary K. Quigley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Effects of Life Skills Instruction on the Personal-Social Skills Scores of Rural High School Students with Mental Retardation. (Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Ackerman) School of Education, March, 2007. The current legislation No Child Left Behind mandates that students with mental retardation have access to core curriculum courses. A comprehensive life skills program, Life Centered Career Education (LCCE), was integrated into the curriculum of high school students with mental retardation. The LCCE program was utilized to educate students on Personal-Social, Daily Life skills, and Occupational lessons with an academic emphasis. The study measured improvements made in the personal-social …

Brain-Based Learning Theory: An Online Course Design Model, Abreena Walker Tompkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The development of a theoretical brain-based online course design model with potential transferability across course management systems in higher education is the problem for this study. Qualitative inquiry was the emergent design and consisted of an extensive current, relevant literature review of educational literature in brain-based learning theory, online course design, and course management systems for the purpose of developing a theoretical brain-based online course design model for higher education. The model developed includes synthesized indicators from the analytical charting. The proposed model is presented in acronym form, which in and of itself aligns with brain-based learning theory. The acronym …

Improving Instruction For Teacher Candidates In Classroom Management And Discipline Issues, Scott Watson, Michelle Goodwin, Beth E. Ackerman, Karen L. Parker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The effective teaching of classroom management and discipline skills remains a major challenge for teacher educators in the 21st century. In some ways, instruction and experience with these issues should be the priority for all education programs. Why is this? The answer is simple. If teachers cannot manage their own classroom and control their students, they cannot effectively teach. All of the subject matter knowledge that teachers expect to impart on their students is useless if their students cannot or do not listen and participate in learning activities. The major purpose for this presentation is to provide research-based suggestions on …

Character Education In Literature-Based Instruction, Karen L. Parker, Beth E. Ackerman

Faculty Publications and Presentations

As schools mandate character education, teachers face the dilemma of crowding another requirement into their teaching schedules while continuing to meet increased accountability for academic performance. Therefore, teachers are seeking the most effective approach to teaching character education and one that conserves time in their classrooms. Teaching character principles that apply to children’s literature is a character education strategy that conserves classroom time because it does not infringe upon the academic schedule. The principles of character education are an effective match for guided reading activities to enhance reading comprehension and character.

Sixth Grade Fitness Levels And The Fitnessgram Assessment Program, Reginald S. Kimball

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine sixth grade students’ level of fitness on the FitnessGram physical fitness testing program at the beginning of the 2006 – 2007 school year. This study examined if students entering the sixth grade were in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or needs improvement zone of the FitnessGram. The primary participant population for the study was 155 sixth grade students from four different Metro-Atlanta middle schools. Although there were 155 students, gender was not reported for two of the students. Data was collected during the 2006 – 2007 school year during the first 3 …

The Relationship Between Oral Reading Fluency And Comprehension, Jessica A. Talada

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Oral reading fluency and reading comprehension are identified as components in effectively gaining meaning from text. A reciprocal relationship exists between the two that allows one to comprehend more thoroughly as one reads more fluently. Additionally, as one reads more fluently, one’s ability to comprehend also improves. This is due to the fact that one’s brain is more capable in processing text meaning when one is able to read fluently. Therefore, when one automatically identifies words one is able to comprehend text more completely. The oral reading fluency and comprehension relationship was tested for a second and third grade population …

Neophyte Group Therapists (Ngts): Needs, Training, And Supervision, Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw, Lucinda C. West, Anita M. Castillanos

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Promoting Diversity In Higher Education, Shante' Moore-Austin

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Many institutions are working on ways in which they can promote diversity. Within a diverse society, there are so many different cultures. Faculty, staff, and administrators have been working hard to implement strategies that will assist in diversifying their institution of higher education. As we continue to advance through the millennium, institutions of higher education are making changes in their programs of study in order to have a more diversified learning environment. This paper discusses diversity in higher education and how the university community can work together to make the institution a more welcoming environment for everyone.

Enhancing Christian School Field Experiences Through Academic Coaching In A Service-Learning Partnership, Beth E. Ackerman, Karen L. Parker, Leonard W. Parker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article gives an overview of service learning as it relates to learning and understanding a college student’s field of study. A survey was given to our education candidates who were completing a service learning project in a local Christian school. Results from the survey indicate that students were more likely to work in Christian school after having been exposed to this experience.

Standards Blending: Aligning School Counseling Programs With School Academic Achievement Missions, Rita Cantrell Schellenberg

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper proposes a standards blending approach that provides a means by which to explicitly demonstrate that direct impact of school counseling on student academic achievement. Standards blending is the process of combining school counseling standards with core academic content standards to provide students with a practical means by which to better comprehend and visualize the interrelationships of their learning and real life situations.

Parkers' Study Skills Inventory Form, Leonard W. Parker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Parkers' Learning Styles Profile Form, Leonard W. Parker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

What Does Math Have To Do With Reading, Kathie C. (Johnson) Morgan

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Elementary students must be able to read in order to do content area material. Integration of reading and math can make the teaching of either subject more fun. Using narrative materials to teach math can help overcome math negativity. The presentation includes steps and strategies for improving comprehension in math and reading.

Content Subjects And Reading: Are All Teachers Reading Teachers?, Jill A. Jones

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Proactive Behavior Intervention, Beth E. Ackerman

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Participants in this presentation will learn keys to being a proactive teacher that prevents negative behavior from occurring.

Puzzling Classroom Behavior, Beth E. Ackerman

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Why does Johnny act that way while I am teaching? This presentation addresses the five main reasons that students misbehave in class.

The Study Of Music: A Valuable Part Of School Education, Melanye Crayton

Senior Honors Theses

Music has been a part of human experience since the existence of man. It has been studied throughout the ages by philosophers and students, laymen and courtesans. When America was settled, it became a part of a student's education, eventually becoming part of the curriculum of public schools. In the twentieth century, the study of music experienced a decline in the public educational systems.

The study of music is beneficial for all students. It provides students with an opportunity to excel in school work, the benefit of learning in a constructive and positive atmosphere, and the opportunity to learn about …

Teacher Professionalism., Christopher K. Shon

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Is teaching a profession? This article compares teachers with other professionals, such as medical doctors or lawyers, in professional knowledge, autonomy, and commitment to the welfare of the clientele. The implications for teacher professionalism include establishment of national/state standards for professional teachers, increased autonomy in teacher education, salary increase, and opportunities for promotion. However, there still remains a question of whether there will be a genuine improvement in the quality of education with “professional” teachers.

Adolescent Literacy: What Is It And How Might You Support Its Development?, Jill A. Jones, Zhihui Fang, Joyce Fine, Linda Ray, Vicky Zygouris-Coe

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Lining Up The P'S, Marcy M. Pride, Pat Fisher

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation addresses four aspects of marketing and is applicable to academic, special, school and public libraries.

A Descriptive Study Of The Marketing Mix Strategies Utilized By North American Christian Schools, David D. Horner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educators often misunderstand marketing. Frequently it is viewed as simply advertising or selling. Marketing is far more encompassing. A closer look at the components of marketing reveals an involvement in virtually all aspects of private school operations. Other than miracles or providential guidance, a solid business plan, based on the “marketing mix,” might contribute most to the overall growth and customer satisfaction within a Christian school. This dissertation is a qualitative study designed to research the marketing mix strategies of private, Christian schools throughout America and Canada. This research effort was designed to collect both descriptive and historical data. A …

Moral Self-Concept Of Public And Christian School Teachers In An Atlanta Metropolitan Area County, Timothy Reid Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Historically, the importance of moral and ethical behavior has helped govern the educational process in the United States. The research shows that students notice and are affected by the moral character of a teacher as it is conveyed by a teacher’s behavior and lifestyle, both in and out of the classroom. This quantitative causal-comparative study, conducted in October and November of 2004, examined the moral self-concept of teachers as measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale: Second Education (TSCS:2). The population consisted of 210 teachers from a metropolitan Atlanta county employed by public and Christian elementary and secondary schools. The investigation …

Return To The Past:, Teaching Cooperation Through Play And Games Of The Past, Kathie C. Morgan

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the past play has prepared children for life by teaching: fair play, cooperation, compromising skills, mediation skills, and responsibility. Character skills learned through play promote community and are universally accepted. The games of the past teach students today those exact same skills.

Return To The Past:, Teaching Cooperation Through Play And Games Of The Past, Kathie C. (Johnson) Morgan

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the past play has prepared children for life by teaching: fair play, cooperation, compromising skills, mediation skills, and responsibility. Character skills learned through play promote community and are universally accepted. The games of the past teach students today those exact same skills.

Student-Involved Classroom Libraries, Jill A. Jones

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Keys To Collaboration, Beth E. Ackerman

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the field of special education it is vital that we are able to collaborate with the team that provides services to our students. This presentation addressses keys to successful collaboration.