Education Commons^™

Effective Classroom Strategies For Students With Adhd, Jennifer A. Berenguer

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this exploratory investigation were to (a) identify practical strategies for ameliorating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder currently being implemented by teachers in the classroom setting; and (b) identify the strategies found to be most effective. Diagnostic criteria for the identification of students with ADHD are identified. Empirically validated treatments are identified and discussed. The role of educational professionals is delineated, demonstrating the need for identification of effective practical strategies for classroom utilization. Teachers demonstrated a high rate of frequency for utilizing practical strategies that they identified to be most effective. Implications for teaching students with ADHD in the …

The Effectiveness Of Teaching Moral Development On The Ethical Decisions Of First And Second Grade Children, Anna M. Grant

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a program of character education administered to a group of first and second grade children over a six-month period. The subjects for this study attended or are presently attending Atlantis Elementary School, located on McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. This information can help determine whether or not an unstructured character education curriculum can lead to improvement in moral and ethical decisions. Participants were administered two forms of an assessment over a six-month period. The first assessment was executed in September of 2001. The participants were then introduced to …

Dual Diagnosed Clients And Rate Of Relapse, Michele Fredericks

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to gather information on dual diagnosed clients' level of social support in the environment and to assess the degree to which this has an impact on the rate of relapse or rehospitalization. The sample for the study consisted of 46 clients with an Axis I diagnosis of schizophrenia or a chronic mood disorder according to the DSM IV criteria along with poly substance abuse. The age of the clients ranged from 19- 59 with a mean of 38.8. All clients used in the study were enrolled in a nonprofit intensive case management program (ICMS) …

Average Effort Extended In Person Hours To Complete An Initial Child Study Team Evaluation, Lisa Hak Licciardello

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of person hours necessary to complete a Child Study Team initial evaluation by School Psychologists and Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultants in a random sample of school districts in Southern New Jersey. Sixteen components of an initial evaluation were identified and respondents were asked to report the time in minutes devoted to each component. Thirty questionnaires were distributed and twenty-four were returned. On the basis of the responses, it was found that School Psychologists spend fourteen hours completing an initial evaluation, and Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultants spend ten hours completing an …

When Human Life Begins, Susan K.P. Das

Theses and Dissertations

The moment attributed to the beginning of human life is debated not only in religious and political communities, but within the scientific community as well. Particular attention is given to this issue as advances in science make it possible to manipulate the embryo and fetus at early stages of development. This study explores these issues as they are revealed in the literature. In particular, examination of the stages of human development associated with this issue and the correlation between these stages and their influence on ethical concerns in current scientific technologies such as abortion, cloning, and embryonic stem cell experimentation.

Block Scheduling And Its Effect On The Academic Performance Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Paul J. Blass

Theses and Dissertations

This study surveyed the professionals from one middle school in southern New Jersey regarding their perceptions of block scheduling as well as their views on its effectiveness with students who have learning disabilities. The survey indicated that the participants favored teaching under the block schedule format. They felt that they can address the students' needs more effectively and that the quality and quantity of student work has improved. Some questions were directed only to special education teachers, and they also agreed that the time allocated using the block format helped them work more effectively with their students.

The Effect Of Different Modes Of Communication For The Deaf Student On Verbal Achievement, Maureen A. Dugan

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation compared hearing-impaired populations that have been educated with and primarily communicated with either the use of Sign Language, Cued Speech, or the Oral Method. The purpose of the study is to give an overall picture of how each method impacts the hearing-impaired learner.

The sample of this study was hearing impaired males and females over the age of 18 who have taken either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). All had a significant hearing loss labeled as profound and none were considered mild losses.

A sixteen-question survey was given to the participants consisting …

Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion, Megan E. Ireland

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the type of attitude towards inclusion that exists among regular classroom teachers, special education teachers, and specialist teachers in a middle school setting. Seventy-one subjects – forty-nine regular classroom teachers, ten special education teachers, and twelve specialist teachers – from a suburban New Jersey community were studied. Participants were given the Survey of Attitudes Toward the Inclusion of Students with Special Needs, a twenty item Likert-type scale. Data was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and the Games-Howell post hoc test. Findings suggest that regular and specialist teachers believed that inclusion results in …

The Effects Of Breakfast On The School-Aged Child, Alicea J. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between eating a nutritious breakfast and academic performance. The sample consisted of 20 Second Grade Students, 12 males and 8 females, attending an elementary school in an urban school district. The subjects ranged in age from 7 to 9. Five males and two females were of Hispanic descent. Seven males and six females were of African American descent. The participants were given the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement to determine if the children were on grade level. A daily log was kept of what each child ate for breakfast and …

Patterns Of Extracurricular Participation In High School, Adrienne Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

Participation in extracurricular activities is associated with higher educational aspirations and expectations, higher levels of academic achievement, higher levels of self-esteem and a lower likelihood of dropping out of high school. There is extensive research documenting the value of extracurricular activities.

The primary purpose of this study was to write a descriptive analysis of the patterns of participation in high school extracurricular activities among the various ethnic groups. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine patterns among each ethnic group and each extracurricular activity. The patterns of participation were examined in 10 High Schools. Participants of each activity …

Gender Role Differences In Relation To Family Of Origin, Laura M. Moran

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family of origin and an individual's gender role characteristics. Eighty undergraduate students enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses at Rowan University participated in the study. Participants were asked to fill out the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and a demographic questionnaire in order to determine if differences in gender roles exist between students growing up in single parent families, those growing up in intact two-parent families, and those growing up in blended families. Data was analyzed by use of a two-way between ANOVA to determine if a significant difference exists …

The Relationship Of Biological Parent Or Relative Involvement And Academic Success Among Special Education Students, James Murtaugh

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between biological parent and relative involvement in special education students' lives and academic success. Also investigated was the relationship between biological parent and relative involvement in special education students' lives and the amount of time spent out of the classroom for behavioral reasons. Other variables include age at separation, type of placement, classification, number of siblings, or if the child's home school district was urban or non-urban. Each city of the urban districts examined was also analyzed. Statistical tests were performed to establish correlation between these variables and GPA scores. …

Alternative Discipline: "In Or Out", V. Anthony Cattani

Theses and Dissertations

The design of this project was to determine the effectiveness of the in-school suspension program at Westervelt compared to the prominent alternative, out of school suspension practiced at Westervelt, Luyber and Shauna High Schools.

The results of this study were based upon the analysis of the feedback of the stakeholders and discipline records to assess the data subjectively and objectively when feasible to determine the effectiveness of the program. The data collected revealed that Westervelt's stakeholders supported the in-school suspension program as an effective alternative to out of school suspension.

The researcher found that the majority of the suspensions assigned …

A Study Of Self-Esteem In Middle Children, Louise Henshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether middle children who are the only male or only female child in the family have higher self-esteem than those middle children who are the same gender as one or more of their siblings. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was administered to a total of fifty middle children, who ranged in age from ten through fourteen years old. These children were students in grades five through eight at a small, urban middle school in southern New Jersey. There were thirty-six students who had one or more siblings of the same gender as the …

Summer School Safety Net: A Chance For All To Achieve, Denise Horton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of summer school in raising the reading, writing, and mathematics achievement level of 41 "at risk" incoming third and fourth graders in a middle class suburban school district.

The study was conducted using modified case study methodology, participatory action research. A purposeful sample of forty-one students who were identified by their school Pupil Assistance Committees as being at-risk were selected as the study population. The intern collaborated with a team to design a summer school experience. She collected field notes and qualitative data to evaluate the program's effectiveness and to …

The Effects Of Viewing Television Violence On School Children, Jennifer M. Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of viewing television violence on children. It was hypothesized that children who watch more than 3 to 4 hours of television daily, and who are exposed to inherently violent television programming in which physical and/or verbal confrontations and actions are commonplace, will be more likely than other peers to have received disciplinary referrals.

The study took place within an urban middle school serving children grades 6 through 8. A sample of 52 students was randomly selected, consisting of some students who had and some who had not received disciplinary referrals. …

Parental Involvement And Its Effects On Student Academic Achievement, Kevin G. Pinkett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of parental involvement on student academic achievement. Parental involvement using forty-nine fifth graders and twenty-five sixth graders from an inner city public school in Wilmington, Delaware was measured by monitoring agenda book signatures and parent-teacher conference attendance. Reading test scores of students with high parental involvement were compared to students with low parental involvement using a comparison of test score means and Pearson correlations. Results indicated that there was no significant difference between the reading test scores of students who had high parental involvement and the students who had low …

The Effects Of Sleep Patterns On Academic Performance Among School-Age Children, Evelyn M. Rosa

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects that sleep patterns have on a student's academic performance. The study intended to determine if sleep disruptions affect a student's capacity to learn at school by comparing a group of students with disrupted sleep patterns to a comparison group. The sample size was n-46, with 28 female students and 18 male students. The participants involved were from an inner city middle school and were of Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Hispanic descent. The students' sleep patterns were monitored over a course of several months through self-report method. The students were …

The Effects Of Naltrexone On Severe Self-Injurious Behavior In Inpatient Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Kimberly L. Simmerman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the probability that Naltrexone can reduce self-injurious behavior, specifically the frequency, as measured by total number of incidents, and severity, measured by total number of self-inflicted injuries. Naltrexone is a pure opiate antagonist, which internally alters the reinforcement contingencies that maintain self-injurious behavior. One of the factors that contribute to the maintenance of self-injurious behavior is the endorphins that are naturally released when the body experiences pain. These endorphins can cause a pleasant, euphoric feeling, which internally reinforces self-inflicted painful experiences.

Available records were reviewed for 7 male inpatient adults with developmental …

The Benefit Of Alternative Scheduling On A Large High School, Brian Wert

Theses and Dissertations

In 2002 the teaching staff at Washington Township High School were asked to participate in a survey that would determine what scheduling format would benefit the large population enrolled at their school. This report presents the results of an analysis of a needs assessment survey administered to the entire staff. The results of this mandatory survey were compiled manually and appear in tabular form. The analysis of the results of the teacher survey yields the following findings: most teachers felt that the "nine period day" scheduling option would best address the needs of WTHS with regard to mechanics and logistics. …

Test Anxiety And Age: As We Grow Older Do We Become More Test Anxious?, Sharon Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this investigation were to (a) establish the test anxiety level of students in the second grade, fourth grade, and sixth grade (n=92); and (b) determine the difference in the levels of test anxiety between the three grade levels. Students demonstrated surprising results on the test anxiety measure (TASC). The average score for the second grade was the highest and the average score for the sixth grade was the lowest. A multiple comparisons analysis revealed a significant difference in test anxiety levels between the second and sixth grade. However, the difference was not an increase in test anxiety, …

A Survey Of Students' Attitudes On The Implementation Of An Integrated High School Mathematics Program, Lori Ann Austin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the attitudes of general education students toward their math education before and after the implementation of an integrated mathematics program.

The study population was comprised of students enrolled in ninth grade general education classes at Williamstown High School in Williamstown, NJ. The sample consisted of ninety-six students.

A survey was administered to students to examine their attitudes toward general math class. After a four-week implementation of the Interactive Mathematics Program, the survey was administered a second time. T-tests and an ANOVA were performed to determine …

The Relationship Between Foreign Language Ability And Achievement In Other School Subjects, Samantha J. Chabotar

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the ability to learn a foreign language and abilities in other school subjects at the high school level. The sample included 134 tenth grade students recruited through their English classes. Foreign language ability was measured by an Artificial Language test. Students completed a one-page questionnaire about their experience and exposure to foreign languages. Then they were given a set of new vocabulary and grammar rules. They were asked to translate phrases and complete fill-in-the-blank questions, utilizing the new grammar rules. These test scores were then correlated with various sub-sections …

The Awareness And Use Of Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculums In Secondary Schools Of Southern New Jersey, Nancy D. Ciandella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and usage of specific standards-based mathematics curriculums in the southern New Jersey area.

A three-part survey was developed and sent to department chairpersons in 135 secondary schools in eight southern New Jersey counties. Part one of the survey determined the population characteristics and participant information. Part two was utilized to determine currently used mathematics curriculums. In part three, mathematical philosophy was determined from responses to Likert scale questions. An analysis of the survey included tallies of currently used curriculums, knowledge of standards-based mathematics programs, and a correlation of mathematical philosophies …

Community Service Plan, Joseph Depalma

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to see if a school-wide discipline program with positive rewards and consequences is a need for the Happy Dale Elementary School. The study will consist of a case study design that would include all staff members, certified and non-certified to take part. The group will meet as a study team to develop a Community Service Plan in which students who do not follow school rules will have to give back to the school community by participating in school community service.

Students in grades three through five will participate in the program. The student body …

Using Self-Management Strategies To Increase On-Task Behavior Of Students With Add/Adhd, Carolyn M. Porretta Grossi

Theses and Dissertations

This report describes the results of a self-management program to increase on-task behaviors of students with ADD/ADHD in an inclusive setting in a suburban community in the northeastern United States. Three 8th grade students participated in the study. The students' appropriate responses, inappropriate actions and inappropriate vocalizations were observed prior to and after self-management skills were introduced. The types and frequencies of behavior occurrences that were observed and recorded in the study were appropriate phrases, comments on topic, appropriate voice, inappropriate vocalizations, noises, talking to neighbors, name calling, walking around the room, banging and touching a neighbor, fooling around and …

New Egypt High School's Single Lunch: "It's Common Sense", Joseph Dipietro

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine if hosting an open campus single lunch at New Egypt High School would positively affect the cultural climate of the entire school. The single lunch project involved the entire school community. As the administrative intern I served as the project coordinator, as well as a lunch monitor.

To determine the project's effectiveness, students and staff members were randomly selected to provide feedback on separate questionnaires. The intern also held informal interviews with cafeteria workers and the school custodian to better understand their perceptions of the project.

Staff members perceived the single lunch policies and …

The Behavioral Effects Of Placing Emotionally Disturbed Students In An Alternative School Day Setting, Allen Randall Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the effects on student behaviors, of taking emotionally disturbed students out of the regular high school and placing them in an alternative afternoon (1PM - 5PM) program. The researcher attempted to determine whether removing the students from the regular population and placing them in a self-contained setting would improve their behaviors. The subjects of the study were all high school aged students attending a regional high school in southern New Jersey. Each of the students was classified as either emotionally disturbed or multiply handicapped. Prior to being placed in this program, the students had …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of A Structured Tutoring Program On Student Reading Skills, Rita M. Neyer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the students in the after school tutoring program made greater gains when receiving tutoring by certified teachers in a consistent structured program when compared to students not enrolled in the program as measured by a pre and post assessment using the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Informal Reading Inventory and Decoding and Phonics Inventory.

The population for the study consisted of two groups of first and second grade students. Group one (treatment group) attended the tutoring program, which met two times per week. A certified teacher tutored students, one on one. Group two (control Group) …

The Effects Of Authentic Assessment In Elementary School Science, Timothy L. Trow

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of authentic assessments on Bells Elementary School students' understanding of science concepts. In this study the Washington Township Public Schools' Elementary School Science Committee created open-ended authentic assessments to enhance the district's science curriculum. The subjects of the study were of various ethnic and economic backgrounds. They were heterogeneously grouped members of self-contained fourth grade classrooms. Surveys of the classroom teachers at Bells Elementary School found that the teachers believed their instruction had changed as a result of the new assessments. They also felt that students were better able to …