Education Commons^™

The Transition Into Higher Education For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tj Estabrook

Masters Theses

There are more students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in higher education now than ever before and these students need to be supported in ways that will guarantee their success. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of six students with ASD as they transition into higher education through the use of semi-structured interviews. What was discovered is that students with ASD typically overestimate the difficulty of academics and underestimate the amount of social interaction they will encounter at the college level. These students are able to identify aspects of themselves that help them to succeed …

Assessing The Reliability Of The Five-In-20 Classroom Observation Tool, Danielle Buechlein

Masters Theses

Effective classroom management practices are crucial to fostering a positive learning environment, student achievement, and student social-emotional development, as well as teacher job satisfaction. The Five-in-20 Classroom Observation Tool (FCOT) was developed from the 21 evidence-based strategies identified by Simonsen and colleagues (2008) to assess and support teachers’ classroom management; however, its psychometric properties are unknown. The present study looks at the interobserver agreement of the FCOT, specifically at how consistent observers’ ratings are with each other and how consistent observers’ ratings are with a standard coded copy of the FCOT. Forty-four participants, using the FCOT, rated the same 20-minute …

Critical Consciousness, Social-Emotional Learning, And Serving Diverse Students, Brooke Poeschl

Masters Theses

Ensuring that adolescents get the care and support they need to be successful both academically and socially is crucial as an educator. A major part of this process is examining your personal biases and beliefs in order to identify areas that may negatively impact the students in your classroom. This is especially true for students who are high needs, either in terms of learning differences or cultural differences. The following addresses how teachers can impact their students and what practices observable within the classroom have shown beneficial to students of diverse backgrounds, with a specific focus on Muslim students. This …

Hybrid Learning And Standards Based Grading: Fostering Writing Instruction During A Pandemic, Elizabeth Dietz

Masters Theses

Hybrid learning is steadily growing in popularity and showing to be an effective learning modality to accommodate diverse student populations. The pandemic is an unexpected outlier in the overall picture of hybrid learning, and it is helpful to reflect upon best academic practices, including grading methods, to help mitigate loss of learning and to continue to make improvements in pedagogical practices. This thesis explores the relationship between the hybrid learning model and evaluation, specifically Standards Based Grading, and how this combination of methods influences best writing practices. Using reflections gathered from teacher surveys via a case study, it appears the …

Unchallenged And Obedient: Status Of Nigerian Junior Secondary School Social Studies Curriculum, Toluwalase Solomon

Masters Theses

Bolstering best practice social studies pedagogy is crucial to raising analytical, responsible, moral, and civic-minded students in Nigeria. This study, using content analysis research methods, examined the contents of Nigerian junior secondary school (JSS) social studies curriculum materials to determine the extent to which the curriculum aligns with major social studies teachers’ epistemologies (citizenship transmission, social sciences, and reflective inquiry). Though there have been numerous studies on examining the major social studies teachers’ epistemologies—citizenship transmission, social sciences, and reflective inquiry—yet few have examined the extent to which Nigerian social studies curriculum materials aligns with these epistemologies. Three major findings emerged …

Exploring Secondary Students’ Abilities In Judging The Credibility Of Digital Content On The Internet, Katie Dailey

Masters Theses

The shift from print to digital environments has created an opportunity and responsibility for educators to focus on instructional planning and practices that reflects the growing complexity of online texts students helping to ensure that their students are information literate. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the how 83 eleventh grade high school English students judge the credibility of information on the internet. The researcher used methodological triangulation to qualitatively analyze by comparing and aligning data from the survey results, observations of students during class discussions, responses to class assignments, and the quality ratings of students’ think-aloud …

An Investigation Of Parental Involvement And Student Academic Achievement In Middle School, Laura Smokoska

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the relationship between parental involvement and student academic achievement in middle school. Additionally, this study investigated whether there were patterns among parental involvement and student academic achievement among different ethnicities. The study was conducted in a diverse school in the Chicago suburbs to determine parental involvement levels and student academic achievement levels among different ethnicities. The study had 41 student and parent participants who took a survey about parental involvement at home and parental communication with the school. In addition to the surveys, students’ final English grades, final science grades, and …

Exploring High School Students' Attitudes Towards Reading, Heather G. Crivilare

Masters Theses

This study explored high school students’ attitudes towards reading as both a recreational activity and academic endeavor; while there are numerous studies regarding the reading habits of younger children, there is a deficit of research into the reading habits of students beyond the middle school years. This study surveyed and interviewed freshmen-through-senior students in a medium-sized, rural Illinois high school about their habits as readers in order to explore the relationship between different environmental factors and reading, as well as between reading habits and college readiness. This study found a gender gap in reading enjoyment favoring female students; a decline …

Student And Instructor Attitudes Toward 21st Century Writing Technologies In The Rural Secondary English Classroom, Casey Crowhurst

Masters Theses

This thesis focuses on how students and teachers feel about the current use of technologies like Chromebooks and laptops in the rural secondary English classroom. Chapter one describes my personal journey as a student and educator using various technologies in the classroom, and how I came upon the idea for this study while observing one of the first high schools to implement full 1:1 Chromebook technology in the United States. Then, I discuss my review of the current literature on the subject, and find that there is a lack of knowledge about the emergence of these types of technologies, and …

Professional And Technical Writing In The High School Setting, Kristy C. Bennett

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Using Young Adult Literature To Confront Mental Health: A Culturally Relevant Approach, Briana Hendrickson

Masters Theses

This thesis highlights the need for addressing mental health in secondary school settings and argues that high school English educators can help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness using young adult (YA) literature. I discuss the benefits of using YA literature in the secondary English classroom and why YA literature is an effective tool for introducing timely topics like mental health. I analyze the limitations of popular YA novels such as Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Jennifer Niven's All the Bright Places and argue that the mental health representation in these novels hinders students' ability to challenge the current …

Selective Methods Of Teaching Secondary English: The Scarlet Letter: A Study And Application Of The Collaborative And Mastery Learning Methods, Janine M. Kardas

Masters Theses

This study is about the relationship of content in teaching to the process in teaching for the purpose of helping students to become better readers of literature. This study investigates two selected teaching strategies supported by research to be effective, and applies them to the teaching of a canonical piece of literature, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This study employs literary theory in the development of the objectives and applies both cooperative learning and mastery learning methods to the teaching of this novel. Two sets of lesson plans are developed from the objectives and subsequently analyzed for their effectiveness …

Perceptions Of Teachers And Students Of School Effectiveness Factors At Knoxville High School, Roger A. Stevens

Masters Theses

This field study was designed to investigate teacher and student perceptions of school effectiveness factors as related to Knoxville High School. Specifically, this study compared actual perceived school effectiveness factors between teachers and students. A comparison of past achievement tests was also initiated to determine what effect, if any, school leadership might play in the process.

Two instruments were designed for this study, Teacher Feedback Survey and the Student Opinion Survey. Dr. David Bartz, of Eastern Illinois University, developed the survey instruments based on research conducted by Edmonds, Brookover, Lezotte and Weber and a review of current literature addressing the …

An Analysis Of Factors Associated With The Change In Graduation Requirements At Champaign Centennial High School, David H. Pike

Masters Theses

The graduation requirements for the students at Champaign Centennial High School, Champaign, Illinois, changed effective with the class of 1988. This field experience investigated the possible effects of the new and more stringent graduation requirements. A comparative analysis using students in the classes of 1985, 1986, and 1987 for the baseline data with the students in the classes of 1988 and 1989 was completed. Specifically, the evaluator designed a procedure to statistically study the students' American College Test and SRA Survey of Basic Skills Test scores. A two tailed t-test for the difference of the means at the .05 level …

School-Centered And Individual-Centered Benefits Derived From A Selected Secondary Level Intramural Program, Glenna Kathleen Lewis

Masters Theses

An analysis of student perceptions regarding the following research questions constituted the basis of this study: (1) To what extent does an intramural program attract the lost athlete? (2) What school-centered benefits were derived from an intramural program and to what extent? (3) What individual-centered benefits were derived from an intramural program and to what extent? The North High School (NHS) Intramural Program in Downers Grove, Illinois was selected as the basis for this study. Surveys with instructions for distribution only to intramural participants were completed by freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Data revealed the lost athlete was attracted to …

Follow-Up Study Of Counselors Using Individualized Career Plans, Margaret Slattery Fiorillo

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem

This study took place in public high schools in east central Illinois. The subjects studied consisted of 13 school counselors who were using Individualized Career Plans in their respective high schools. All of these counselors had received a mini grant from the Career Guidance Center, Region 9, Lake Land College, Mattoon, Illinois.

The study was done to provide information from the counselors involved about usage, evaluation, future plans, advantages, and disadvantages of Individualized Career Plans.

The study also was conducted to determine whether or not the Career Guidance Center should continue funding and support of Individualized …

Career Planning Center: Development Research, William L. Geurin

Masters Theses

Statement of Problem

The concern of this study is the type of facility presently available for career planning activities at Mt. Carmel High School, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The present facility offers only a minimum opportunity to the Mt. Carmel students for effective career investigation. Hopefully the work applied to this research project will result in paving the road to a modern, successful career center at Mt. Carmel High School. This can best be accomplished by gathering the information necessary to convince the local administration and board of education through presentation of the information acquired, about the need and value …

Analysis And Trends Of Education And Employment: 1985 Fountain Central High School Graduates, Beverly J. Shelton

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived quality of education and the employment expectations of the 1985 graduates of Fountain Central High School and to gather current statistics on those graduates. Subjects comprised 103 graduates of a rural, west central Indiana public high school. The graduates were administered a survey to determine opinions and perceptions of education received, to determine whether they were employed or continuing their education, and to determine what trends may be developing or maintained.

Today' s students reflect a much wider range of preparation, as indicated by grades and class rank. The test …

A Handbook For The Development Of Recorded Interviews For A Course In Oral History, Rickie Dean Everett

Masters Theses

The local community has a natural resource that in all too many places is not being used properly. If this resource is not preserved, it will be lost forever. The natural resource is the experiences and recollections of people, people who have memories of the events that the students of the community have only read about. These people's recollections, with their unique way of conveying them should be saved.

Charleston High School is suggesting just such preservation. A class in oral history is under study for Charleston High School. This paper is part of an attempt to lay a foundation …

Implementation Of The Individualized Career Plan In Effingham Unit Schools, Larry Micenheimer

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to develop an Individualized Career Plan program for use at Effingham High School. An Individualized Career Plan is based on a process that relates a student's formal learning experiences to his/her career goals. The Individualized Career Plan is a tool for students and staff to use to coordinate school career developmental experiences. The Individualized Career Plan is used as a roadmap for the future to help students make effective career decisions.

Procedure

A review of the literature and research included information from field test sites around the state and from …

Improvement Of Supervision For Vocational High Schools In Taiwan, Republic Of China, Kuo-Hung Tseng

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems involved in current supervision of vocational high schools in the Republic of China and propose methods of improving such supervision. Emphasis was placed on the supervision of teaching and administration in the field of vocational education.

A review of related literature revealed that supervision was a synthesis of curriculum, instruction, administration, human relationships, management, and leadership. Supervision should stimulate, coordinate, and guide vocational high school teaching.

A questionnaire was developed to gain information concerning "supervisory problems" administrators and technical faculty perceived, and the ways supervision could be improved. The questionnaire …

A Sophomore World History Gifted Program: A Second-Tiered Curriculum, Franz Grossman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is to describe the establishment of a second level of instruction in a Western World History course, offered in the sophomore year of the public high schools of Decatur, Illinois, District #61. This program of studies is designed to more fully develop the intellectual capabilities of students of high abilities, who may otherwise feel restrained as a member of a class containing many different academic levels. The curriculum seeks to aid students in developing more self-direction, confidence and historical awareness by various approaches of study of events, personalities of the past, dilemmas and conflicts …

A Student Developed Minimum Competency Test For Donovan High School Study And Use, Stephen Anthony Shuda

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to research the literature concerning minimum competency testing and using twelfth grade students at Donovan High School, develop a student originated minimum competency test. Further consideration was given to potential use in curriculum study and minimum competency evaluation.

The students were instructed in the basics of minimum competency tests and testing programs. Care was given to not bias their choice or selection processes.

The completed test was evaluated and considered to be a foundation for future studies in minimum competency testing and curriculum applications.

Procedure

Although this project was designed …

Supplementary Materials On Drug Education, Vickie Ellen Clay

Masters Theses

Statement of Problem:

The problem of this paper was to develop supplementary drug materials to be used with the health textbook at Potomac High School. The information provided in the current health textbook is not thorough enough to provide adequate information in some areas of drug pharmacology. The supplementary materials are designed to not only provide factual information but also to encourage attitudinal changes in the students through the use of various activities.

Procedure:

Four steps have been taken in order to solve the problem of developing supplementary drug materials for the Potomac High School health education class. A review …

Needs Assessment Model For Microcomputer Utilization By Public School Systems, Michael W. Throneburg

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to prepare a needs assessment for development of administrative and instructional programs using the microcomputer at Paris High School in Paris, Illinois. It was hypothesized that this study might serve as a model for other school districts wishing to establish microcomputer programs.

A Microcomputer Survey Questionnaire was developed to gain information concerning the current status of microcomputer utilization throughout the Educational Service Region 11 of East-Central Illinois. This information proved valuable in helping to determine what was "actually'' taking place in area school districts regarding microcomputer utilization.

In addition, a review of the current …

A Comparison Of Teacher Time Spent With Students Who Have Learning Disabilities And Students Who Do Not Have Learning Disabilities At The Secondary Level In The Mainstreamed Setting, Dottye Hogue

Masters Theses

Since legislation has been enacted to insure the educational rights of handicapped students in the least restrictive environment, teachers and administrators are concerned with the placement of the students with learning disabilities in the regular classrooms.

Secondary teachers who do not have a background in special education find it difficult to accept students with learning disabilities into their regular classrooms. Many of these teachers feel they will have to spend a disproportionate amount of time with this particular type of student, thus taking much needed time away from students who are not handicapped. The purpose of this study was to …

Determination Of Shorthand Enrollments And Homework Procedures In East-Central Illinois High Schools, Nancy Louise Rippy

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to determine shorthand enrollment trends and homework procedures being utilized in secondary schools in the East-Central Illinois area. The study was conducted through a questionnaire at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, during the fall semester, 1981.

The survey instrument was given to a shorthand instructor in each high school in the East-Central Illinois area and consisted of five sections. The first section pertained to the instructors' teaching experience. The second section included information about each school's shorthand program. The third section requested information about current shorthand enrollments while the fourth section was centered around teaching …

A High School Mini-Course Program, Darrell Dean Tucker

Masters Theses

Most schools are designed for adults, for the comfort and convenience of faculty and administration. The faculty is divided by the administration into specified areas of the facility and given tasks for which they are specifically trained. This has been the traditional method of educational instruction.

One of the major responsibilities of the principal is that of educational leader in instruction. The effective principal must be constantly in search of methods of improving instruction.

An important program has been implemented at Windsor High School. This program is designed to enrich the traditional curricular offerings. The program is called the mini-course …

The Establishment Of A Student Self-Scheduling System At Greenville High School, Bill Wells

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to explain the mechanics involved with a scheduling system which will reduce student schedule changes and promote a smoother start to the academic school year.

The study will not only trace the history of self-scheduling at Effingham High School beginning in 1975 but will outline the method used to continue a similar scheduling system at Greenville High School in 1978.

As a guidance counselor at Effingham High School starting in the school year of 1974, I was dissatisfied with the scheduling system. Not surprisingly, the other two guidance personnel plus most of the teaching …

High School Self-Contained Classroom: A Program Description, Dennis Downey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is the description of a program involving a self-contained classroom for those freshmen entering high school who exhibit difficulty in adjusting to the high school setting. The program seeks to aid these students in developing confidence in themselves and their decisions, improving or altering negative self-concepts, encouraging feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction in participating in high school activities, enhancing relationships with others, and emphasizing successes in the academic area.

Chapter one examines the major problem areas facing students as they make the transition from the junior high to the senior high school. A major …