Education Commons^™

Nova University National Ed.D. Program For Educational Leaders 1991-1992, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Nova University Graduate Education Module (Gem) Program: Master's And Educational Specialist Degrees And Graduate Courses In Education 1991-1992, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Revision Of The Computer Technology Curriculum At Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Based On Small Business Training Needs, James E. Mcdonnell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (O-C Tech) is one of sixteen two-year institutions comprising the statewide comprehensive technical education system in South Carolina. At O-C Tech, over sixty-three percent of the students register for computer technology courses. Many of these students discover that the series of computer courses they are taking may not qualify them for an entry-level position in local small businesses. This results in increased attrition and loss of money and time for students.

The purpose of this major applied research project was to provide O-C Tech's Computer Technology (CPT) department with a model microcomputer applications curriculum and a sense …

Development And Analysis Of A Comprehensive Program For The Implementation Of Site Based Management Into The Milwaukee Public Schools, Clement L. Magner

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

In October 1986, the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Board of School Directors appointed a broadly based committee to study the feasibility of Site Based Management (SBM) for the MPS. The committee was comprised of varied staff from the educational community including elementary, secondary and college levels. Also included were business and professional people from the Milwaukee community. In March of 1987, the committee delivered their report to the Board. The committee recommended that the MPS establish SBM in all of the 140 school buildings, starting with a small number of volunteer pilot schools. In the fall of 1987, ten schools …

A Feasibility Study For The Development Of A Continuing Professional Education Program And Contract Training Services At Bauder College, Joanne Di Benedetto

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

National Education Corporation, boulder College Campus of Fort Lauderdale, Florida has recently been required to eliminate three degree grinding programs. National Education Corporation, on October 1989, began an extensive reorganization and adjustment program, which included cutbacks, school, closings, and the elimination of various programs at several schools. This reorganization and adjustment was considered essential by the corporation because of the financial difficulties encountered by many of the schools and the drastic decline in the corporate stock values from $30.00 per share to less than $6.00 per share.

The Corporation, in an attempt to increase enrollments, eliminated unprofitable programs and schools, …

A Study To Develop A Multicultural Orientation Program For Staff And Faculty, Carlos S. Moran

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this project was to identify the practical components of a successful multicultural orientation program for faculty and staff at West Coast Christian College. The case study method was utilized as a problem-solving process to determine the multicultural needs of the college community, to identify current practices in multicultural programs and other institutions and to develop the program with a plan for implementation and evaluation.

The methods of investigation utilize in this project included a review of significant and relevant literature about multicultural orientation issues in general, race, relations, campus, climate, multicultural, orientation, program, guidelines, staffing, and program …

Using Critical Thinking Skills To Improve Achievement: An Inservice And Instruction Program., Dolores L. Higgins

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This Major Applied Research Project proposed three specific ways to improve the Critical Thinking Skills of students at the Carrie Downie Elementary School as measured by standardized achievement test results, increased placement of students in the Colonial School District's program for the gifted, and the inclusion of critical thinking skills in teacher's daily lessons. During the course of this project, 50 underachieving students were given a learning styles inventory to assess their specific learning needs. Inservice for teachers was conducted to review the results of this inventory and provided instruction in other areas related to thinking skills, such as questioning, …

Implementation Of Successful Staff Development, Training And Follow-Up, Using Quality Circle Employee Involvement In School-Based Management Schools, Margaret B. Petersen

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Implementation of Successful Staff Development, Training, and Follow-up Using Quality Circle Employee, Involvement in School-based Management Schools. Peterson, Margaret B., 1991: Practicum Report, Nova University, Ed. D Program in Early and Middle Childhood. Inservice Training/ Quality Circles/ School Based Management/ Employee Involvement/ Staff Development/ Shared Decision Making

This practicum was designed to determine what elements of training and staff development were necessary to successfully transfer training in the quality circle process and techniques from the training sessions to the school site to enable staff to become involved in the decision making for the school.

The writer interviewed leaders at two …

Redesigning An Indoor Preschool Environment To Enhance And Promote Active Learning For Preschool Children, Sue A. Wheeler

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum aimed to promote active learning for preschool children by redesigning a recreation center’s indoor preschool environment to include interest areas and utilize the entire indoor space of the facility. Corollary goals were to improve the behavior and engagement of the children within the environment, to increase parental approval of the redesigned environment, and to increase preschool enrollment. Two classroom module units, measuring 25 ft by 20 ft each, comprised the former preschool environment. The units were placed next to each other in a room that measured 95 ft by 80 ft. The remainder of the room was not …

Homework And Study Skills: Strategies For Improvement, Kevin J. Mcgrath

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to improve the homework-study skills routines of elementary students. This was to be done by educating the parent group. In-servicing staff members and providing materials and workshops for students. One goal of the program was to reduce the number of students attending homework sessions. A second goal was to plan evening workshops for parents and provide materials for use at home.

The writer met regularly with staff members to disseminate information dealing with the two major practicum areas. Home and School Information Devices we sent home regularly with students and four formal evening sessions for parents …

Using Video Technology To Encourage Reluctant Primary School Children To Participate Actively In The Evaluation And Counseling Processes, Daniel J. Russo

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum aimed to reduce the number of children whose counseling services are terminated prematurely, or who receive suboptimal counseling services because their active participation cannot be engaged in the evaluation and counseling processes.

Seven individual sessions were held with each child participating in the program. Using the view-through mode with VCR camera and monitor, children who could not previously be engaged were encouraged to interact with the television on a variety of activities. Evaluative activities involving art, story-telling, and play were carried out while interacting with the television. An additional three sessions were held with each child without use …

Developing Positive Attitudes Toward Reading Through Cross-Age Tutoring, Mentoring, And Reading Aloud Strategies For Third Graders, Flora I. Mckenzie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The activities of this practicum were to develop the reading attitudes of six at-risk third graders. There were regular teacher-student sessions that were devoted to reading aloud. Practicum participants were assigned mentors. The mentors and mentees met two times during the implementation cycle. The targeted group served as tutors for a group of first grades. The tutors shared a variety of literature with their tutees.

The writer took members of the group to the main branch of the public library. Donations of reading material were solicited from colleagues. The writer scheduled evening meetings with parents. The group worked collectively on …

Improving Teacher Articulation To Increase Program Continuity Preschool Through First Grade, Barbara A. Malaspina

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to improve preschool, kindergarten, and first grade teachers group decision making skills to enable articulation to occur more frequently and comfortably to encourage program continuity from grade to grade for children. A second aim was to reduce teacher isolation through shared skill building and focus on problem solving related to barriers to articulation.

The writer used a pre and post training survey, follow up interviews of principals, and two and one half hour training targeted to preschool. kindergarten and first grade teachers at two schools to determine previous skills and attitudes toward group decision making skills …

Expanding Third Graders’ Vocabulary Using A Data Base, Individual Thesauri And Brainstorming Strategies, Ann M. Gaffuri

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum aimed to expand written vocabulary for third graders through training in using a data base and brainstorming strategies. Individual thesauri were written and published to demonstrate the results of collecting vocabulary and applying it to specific topics.

Daily process writing which gave the third graders time, ownership and response became an integral part of the curriculum. Class time became an on-going procedure consisting of reading, writing, editing. Author's chair and rewriting. Brainstorming and computer bank word collecting were developed and linked to all aspects of written expression. Mini lessons in publishing and the use of a thesaurus were …

Improving Active Parent Involvement For Preschool Teachers And Parents Through In-Service Training, Robin M. Irving

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to provide information and support for preschool teachers to help parents in teaching an active role to parenting. The primary goal was that there would be more active parent involvement between parents and children ages three to five years. The literature indicated that training sessions to provide information and support to teachers and parents could be successful in teaching an active role to parenting. Because the center parents were responsible parents, seeking advice to help in teaching their children, the community preschool teachers were supportive of the center's program and staff, and had requested parent education …

Knowledged Base Expansion As A Mean Of Improving Staff Management With Preschoolers In A Child Crisis Center, Ruth M. Wong

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to strengthen and expand staff members' knowledge in working with children who were from crisis families. The first goal was to provide the staff members with information about children who are in stressful situations. The second goal was for the staff members to recognize child behaviors which need special attention. The third goal was for staff members to implement appropriate play programs for their clients. And, the fourth goal was for other staff members to provide an understanding and warm atmosphere for the children.

The writer provided a four session in-service training program for staff members …

Improving Collaboration Among Primary Teachers To Facilitate Mainstreaming Of Limited English Proficient Children, Joy W. Trute

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to organize collaborative efforts among primary, ESOL, and bilingual teachers. Limited English proficient children were receiving instruction isolated from mainstream class instruction. There was no cohesiveness between the plans of mainstream teachers and ESOL/ bilingual teachers. The students were at an academic disadvantage when mainstreamed because they were not familiar with the same materials as mainstream students.

The writer and mainstream primary teachers held planning meetings to develop a cohesive curricular plan whereby language arts and content area studies would be integrated. Bilingual instruction was coordinated with ESOL plans that were, in turn, reflective of mainstream …

Improving The Quality Of Substitute Teachers Services Through Training And Evaluation, Patsy Sanson Jenkins

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to increase the effectiveness and number of available substitute teachers for elementary schools. Two specific behavioral objectives were: (1) to increase the number of available substitutes for the local elementary schools; and (2) to increase the overall effectiveness of substitute teachers working in the district.

The writer provided inservice for substitute teachers which provided both information, teaching strategies, techniques, and materials useful in working with the various grade levels. The writer was available for school site visits or for individual assistance through conferences. A handbook was developed and distributed to all substitutes providing general information, school …

Decreasing Overreliance On Basal Readers Through Staff Development, Deborah J. Evans

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum aired to reduce overreliance on the basal reading program in the elementary school. It also endeavored to provide teachers with quality choices to enhance and enrich their reading/writing programs.

Five workshops were designed to meet specific areas of need in this district. Reducing the time spent on the tests accompanying [illegible] series was the first goal. Then teachers were [illegible] suggestions for successfully incorporating whole class reading activities and integrating the teaching of reading and writing. Decreasing the number of workbook and skillsheet pages used was another focus. Proven strategies were modeled for teachers during the workshops, through …

Designing A Staff Development Plan To Improve Instructional Practices In A Preschool Special Education Program, Kathryn F. Yocco

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to improve the ability of instructional practices in a preschool special education program. The major goal was to offer teachers strategies for systematic and consistent planning in order to produce optimal learning conditions in five preschool special education classtes. The objectives were to improve the classroom environments, to improve planning for small and large group interactions and to develop methods of individualizing to meet the wholistic needs of each child.

Practicum implementation included twelve weekly inservice sessions followed by twelve weeks of classroom implementation of techniques and materials that had been developed. Utilization of the unit …

Helping Dysfunctional Recovering Drug-Addicted Mothers To Build Healthy Families By Enhancing Parenting Skills And Providing Opportunities For Bonding, Nan Kelly Wilson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to enhance the parenting skills of drug-addicted recovering women and to give opportunities for successful family experiences in a half-way house setting.

The writer developed a curriculum, led weekly group meetings, arranged for guest speakers, assisted mothers with individual problems, and administered an evaluation. The Walker Problem Behavior Identification Checklist (1983) and the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting Workshop (Dinkmeyer & McKay, 1989) were used.

Results were positive. Recovering mothers completed parenting course activities, participated in weekly family experiences to develop bonding, and reported feelings of higher value as parents. Children’s scores on the Walker Problem …

Expanding Programs In An Early Childhood Center To Meet The Community’S Needs And To Improve Center Fiscal Stability, Theresa C. Rothschild

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to provide additional sources of revenue for an early childhood center. The primary goal was to increase enrollment and offer new special classes.

The writer held meetings with the board and the staff to discuss the decline in enrollment. Ideas for new program offerings were suggested and tried. New programs were offered to increase center revenue. Advertising, marketing, public relations, and surveys were developed and implemented to increase enrollment.

The results of the practicum were positive. Analysis of the data revealed that the new special enrichment classes were successful. Board and parents revealed that the new …

Educating Parents, Teachers And High School Severely Emotionally Disturbed Students Regarding Vocational Rehabilitation Supplemental Security Income And Vocational Training, Van E. Wallace Iii

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to educate Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) students, parents, and educational professionals in regards to supplemental security, income, vocational rehabilitation, and vocational training. Application and procedural information was conveyed to empower students and their parents with skills necessary to apply and receive, when eligible, financial assistance in enrollment in appropriate vocational training programs. The practicum also attempted to provide information to Exceptional Student Education (ESE) professionals involved with special needs students.

Instructional in-services were provided in one on one and family counseling sessions to S.E.D. students and to their families. And in service was provided to E.S.E. …

Improving Reading Comprehension In Grade Three, Using Whole Language Activities And The Computer, Patricia B. Wyatt

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to improve reading comprehension in third grade. The peripheral goal was to improve the efficient use of the microcomputer as a tool to supplement reading comprehension.

The writer-developed program included computer lab experiences to teach keyboarding skills, language arts, software use and the use of a word processing program in combination with the Junior Great Books to promote discussion and interpretive evaluation skills along with other whole language activities. The writer began implementation by administering a pre-test of reading comprehension. Students were also given a post-test of reading comprehension and their reading scores on the Comprehensive …

Project Kind (Keeping Interfering Noncompliance Down) A Social Skills Training Program For Noncompliant Primary Students, Janice A. Masters

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The practicum addressed the need of improving noncompliant, oppositional, defiant, under-socialized, primary aged, at risk students’ social skills. They exhibited poor study habits, academic failure, and were subsequent prime candidates of early school departures.

Project kind, a weekly social skills training program, was designed and developed by the writer to help students acquire socially acceptable behaviors. Its focus aimed at helping them acquire conflict resolution tools by developing problem-solving and decision-making skills that included anticipatory outcomes and/or consequences. Improved social adjustment embodied the concept of solving problems without physically or verbally abusing others.

The 18 students were selected by their …

Improving Communications Between Parents And Teachers Of Middle School Age Students By The Use Of The Telephone And Other Techniques, William E. Cottle

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to improve communication among parents, teachers and students. A telephone answering machine allowed students and parents to access information about homework, classwork, and upcoming events during evening hours. Additional parent outreach efforts were made by the teacher, including introductory telephone calls to parents, drop-in conference time, and solicitation of parent classroom volunteers.

The writer developed the system of recorded telephone messages for parents and students; surveyed parents and teacher, regarding existent parent-teacher communication; prepared forms to enhance parent-teacher communication; and surveyed students and parents to analyze the effectiveness of these interventions.

Analysis of data shows that …

A Peer Group Dependency Approach To Improve Tenth Grade Research Writing Experiences, Elaine L. Harrington

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The situation needing improvement was that 85% of tenth grade students did not complete the research paper required by the Unified Curriculum. This practicum’s three main objectives were: (1) encouraging students to work in teams and utilize peer evaluation techniques to encourage, support, guide, and assist one another in pre-reading, sharing resources, and gleaning information, (2) achieving the goal of positive and successful completion of the research paper requirement for tenth grade in clients with specific curricular standards, and the students own calendar, design, and (3) increasing the percentage of students who successfully complete research paper. Additional aims were to …

Improving An Extended Day Care Environment Through Staff Training And Activity Development, Mary Kathryn Lopez

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The aim for this practicum was to increase parent, child, and caregiver satisfaction with the site’s extended day care program through training of caregivers and development of appropriate activities. Two groups participated, one for preschoolers through first graders, the other for second through fifth graders.

Three training sessions designed to improve the caregivers’ understanding of the school’s philosophy and goals, basic developmental characteristics of children in the various age groups, and a strategy for effective disciplinary action were implemented. Arts and crafts, cooking, organized sports, and opportunities for unstructured play were designed for each group and supervised by caregivers on …

Improving The Morale Level Of Direct-Care Staff In A Residential Group Setting Through Support, Communication, And Recognition, Jimmy Mcadams

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum sought to elevate the morale level of direct-care staff in a residential group care setting. Corollary aims were to reduce staff turnover and to improve staff performance both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Four solutions strategies were attempted, which addressed the areas of staff support, communication, and recognition. The writer, representative of a top administrative position, conducted personal visits with staff at service sites. Three round table, dialoguing meetings were held within each of three regions. Agency communication was enhanced through retargeting and increasing the frequency of an intro agency publication so that its focus was on direct care staff. …

Decreasing Alternative Placement For At-Risk Students At The Secondary, Paul J. Everette

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The objective of this practicum was to decrease the number of at-risk students that were being transferred to alternative sites for disruptive behavior. The strategies that were implemented for this project were twofold. The first began with conducting a school within a school. This involved having the program participants stay in one class all day while the teachers of each subject area come into the classroom to teach their particular subject area. The second phase of the program included 15 mentors that were former students of the school that were attending the local community college. Each mentor was assigned a …