Education Commons^™

The Effects Of Multi-Sensory Teaching Practices On The Reading Fluency And Comprehension Of Bilingual 2Nd Grade Students, Gloria Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Language, the heart of the educational process, is the vehicle through which students are primarily being educated and prepared throughout their schooling (Lam, 1996). Language acquisition is described as having four processes: socio-cultural, linguistic, and academic and cognitive. Teaching, learning, and curriculum content must; therefore, be culturally meaningful, interactive, and collaborative. Since a student's learning style is a major contributing factor in teaching and not all students learn in the same manner, educators must know and understand the bilingual and bicultural child's identities and emphasize interdisciplinary, cooperative, and multi-sensory lessons in their classrooms (Chamot,1994). Educators must incorporate the wealth of …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The High School Department Head Role In Teacher Evaluation, Instructional Improvement, Curriculum Development, And Student Performance Standards, John Thomas James

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to ascertain what relationships exist between a variety of departmental variables and the role of the department head. Data was collected from department heads in the 56 largest secondary schools in Nebraska during the 1994–95 school year using a 66-item survey containing yes/no, open response, and scaled response questions.

The Benefits Of Supplementing The Eighth Grade American History Curriculum With Historical And Realistic Fiction Novels, Susan Shadle

MALS Final Projects, 1995-2019

As the textbook remains the driving force of instructional methodology in the secondary history curriculum, student enthusiasm and achievement in the discipline continue to decline. Textbooks, which fail to tell the complete story of the American experience, are not just shortchanging history, they are ill-suited to the developmental requirements of the adolescent learner. Through personal classroom experience, literature review, and a one-year site-based study, the evidence compiled in this study endorses the integration of social studies trade books, in particular historical and realistic fiction novels, as a prescription for diminishing, if not turning around, the discouraging trend in middle school …

A Comparative Study Of Leadership Behaviors Of Principals From High And Low Socio-Economic Elementary Public Schools In Nebraska, Marilou Niemeyer

Student Work

This study examined the differences, if any, between leadership behaviors of elementary principals from low and high socio-economic schools as defined by the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch schedule. A total of 80 principals with at least one year of experience were asked to participate in this study, a sampling of 40 principals from high socio-economic schools in Nebraska and a sampling of 40 principals from low socio-economic schools in Nebraska as measured by the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

Teachers' Perceptions Of And Interventions In Episodes Of Bullying In Schools, Carynn Townsend Wiggins

Doctoral Dissertations

Bullying, defined as the repeated exposure of a less powerful person to negative actions by a more powerful person or group of people, is a serious problem in schools. There are often severe negative consequences, both short-term and long-term, for both the victim and the bully. The attitudes of teachers play a major role in determining the extent and the acceptance of bullying in schools.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of selected teachers in reference to bullying. Six teachers were chosen from regional and state teacher of the year competition during 1998–2000. In addition, six …

An Ethnographic Study Of Participants' Perceptions Of Character Education Including Students, Parents, Teachers, Club Sponsors, Administrators, And Community Support People, Lily Odessa Hogan Stoppleworth

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative study examined character education within one educational setting. The researcher created a holistic, narrative description of the extent, quality, and impact of character education at one North Louisiana high school. An emergent design was utilized to examine inductively participants' perceptions of character education initiatives within this single, educational site.

The research questions in this study were: (a) How do participants (students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members) define character education, and what do they perceive its value to be? (b) How do participants perceive character education in relation to values? (c) How is character education viewed by the …

Guarding The Sacred Fires: Elizabeth E. Farrell's Contributions To The Creation Of Special Education In New York City, Kimberly E. Kode

Dissertations (1934 -)

The department Farrell founded became a model for those that followed, causing a ripple effect in the practice of teaching and the organization of school systems across the United States. Further, Farrell's involvement in professional organizations such as the Council for Exceptional Children and the New York State Psychological Association established the basis for a special education professional network, still in existence---and thriving-- today. Although a few short biographical pieces on Farrell are available, and she is referenced in numerous journal articles in the area of special education history, there has been no detailed account of Farrell's life and accomplishments. …

Fulfilling The Mission Statement Through Senior Projects, Steve Kortenhoeven

Master of Education Program Theses

This descriptive study researched the benefits of Senior Projects as a culminating activity during the senior year of high school. The anecdotal evidence shows that Senior Projects help keep students motivated and interested during the final semester of their high school years. More importantly, this paper focused on the impact that a Senior Project program has at fulfilling a school's mission statement. Eighty-six students at Calvin Christian School in Escondido, California were surveyed regarding the school's mission statement; a high percentage felt that the mission statement was being fulfilled via extra-curricular activities (i.e., chapel, spiritual emphasis week) while a considerably …

Special Focus Programs, Magnet Programs And Schools, And Early Childhood Education Centers: Equal Access In Portland Public School's Elementary Options, Nancy Seidule Hauth

Dissertations and Theses

As parents and educators demand more choice programs in their school districts, it is important for district officials to govern issues around equal access. When specialty programs are designed by grassroots groups and school staff without district-level guidance or funding, as it is in Portland, Oregon, equal access provisions can be overlooked resulting in lower ethnic and socio-economic diversity.

The purpose of this study was threefold: to determine if all families in Portland Public School district have equal access to special focus/magnet programs at the elementary grades; to better understand the link between Portland's past desegregation policies and current choice …

Neuropsychological And Electrophysiological Assessment Of Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, John Noland White Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study evaluated the neuropsychological performance of adults with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: Computerized Version 3 (WCST), and the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA). The quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) was also collected during task performance to examine possible difference in cortical activity between groups and tasks. Results suggest that adults with ADHD demonstrate lower levels of performance on neuropsychological tasks that involve working memory, processing speed, and sustained attention, namely the PASAT and IVA. Furthermore, adult ADHD appears to be characterized by …

The Effects Of Reform Mathematics Curriculum On Student Achievement, Mark Roger Brown

Masters Theses

Middle school mathematics instruction is in need of reform. In response to this call for reform, school districts across the country are adopting curriculum based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards.

This thesis studies the impact of the use of a reform curriculum on student achievement. The study looks at two districts in Western Michigan, one of which uses a reform curriculum and one that uses a traditional curriculum. The study compares the results of the districts on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program mathematics assessment to determine if students using the reformed curriculum materials scored significantly higher …

Socioeconomic, Demographic, Attitudinal And Involvement Factors Associated With Math Achievement In Elementary School., Jennifer N. White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which socioeconomic factors, demographic factors, parent and student attitudes, and parent involvement were associated with math achievement. Students in Grade 5 were selected as the population for this study. Random sampling procedures were used to select the sample. Students in the sample completed a modified version of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales. Normal Curve Equivalent Scores (NCEs) from the math scales on the TerraNova Standardized Achievement Test were obtained for all students from the individual school records. Parents of the students also participated by answering questions pertaining to …

Strategies To Ease The Negative Effects Of Mobility On Academic Achievement., D.Kaye Reed Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mobility, the movement of students from school to school, affects students, classrooms, schools, and systems. Extensive research has been conducted on the relationship between mobility and student academics. Although the research has not determined mobility is the cause of lower academic scores, it is certainly a contributing factor. Most students with high mobility rates also have difficulty in math, reading, or language. Teachers of classrooms with these students tend to "flatten" the curriculum by reviewing more than usual. Long-range planning for these students can be difficult. Schools and systems may plan programs for students who have moved on by the …

The Impact Of The Program For Athletic Coaches Education (Pace) Certification –Mivca Coaching Association, Heather L. Sawyer

Masters Theses

This study identified the level of awareness, and perceived usefulness of the Program for Athletic Coach (PACE) by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) (n=296). The study further examined: (1) the extent MIVCA coaches are engaged in PACE; (2) the relative importance of content delivered; (3) the important content to improve coaching; and (4) what the MIVCA coaches believed their personal investment should be in a coaching education program.

The participants were asked to complete a survey that ranked the importance of the domains and standards found in the National Standards for Athletic Coaches (NSAC). Results indicate a relatively …

Attitudes Of Male Athletes In Their Last Year Of Eligibility In Division Ii College Athletics And The Relation To Their Academic Success, Brian Paul Bauer

Masters Theses

This study examined male college student athletes in their final year of eligibility and the relation to their academic success. The purpose was to find out if student athletes who plan on participating in professional athletics are relinquishing their academic responsibilities in college. Three male student athletes, who were finished with their last year of eligibility at a Division II institution, were interviewed. The cumulative grade point averages of each of the participants were viewed and compared to the statements given during the interviews. Results of the study were compared to the literature found.

Physiological And Perceptual Responses To Elliptical Trainer Exercise At Three Different Grade And Resistance Settings, Katherine A. Wehmeyer

Masters Theses

The study compared the effects of elliptical trainer exercise at different grade (G) and resistance (R) settings on the following variables: (a) heart rate, (b) heart rate as a percentage of maximum heart rate, (c) relative VO₂, (d) relative VO₂ as a percentage of VO₂ max, (e) absolute energy cost, (f) relative energy cost, (g) RPE for legs, (h) RPE for chest, and (i) RPE for overall body. Heart rate, relative VO₂, Respiratory Exchange Ratio, and RPE were measured as 30 subjects completed nine experimental conditions. The experimental conditions consisted of striding forward on …

The Role Physical Maturation Plays When Children Perform The Presidential Fitness Test, Anil M. Joseph

Masters Theses

The problem of the study was to determine the relationship between maturational age and performance on the Presidential Fitness Test. Seventy three subjects, boys and girls ranging in age from 8 to 12 years were involved in the study. It was the intent of the researcher to determine the relationship between maturational age and performance on The Presidential Fitness Test. The Roche, Wainer and Thissen (RWT) (Roche, Wainer, & Thissen, 1975) method of maturation was used to establish maturational age for all the subjects. The researcher used data that waere previously collected by Spring Arbor College for this current research. …

Alternative Methods Used By States To License Technology Education Teachers To Fill Shortages Of Teachers At The Secondary School Level, Percy M. Gregory

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

With the purpose of determining if alternative methods are used by states to license technology education teachers, this study was developed with three goals in mind. They were: Which states were using alternative methods to prepare licensed technology education teachers? What alternative methods were used by states to license technology education teachers? Were the alternative methods used judged adequate in preparing teachers for the classroom?

Learning To Construct Proofs In A First Course On Mathematical Proof, Peter R. Atwood

Dissertations

This study examined the conceptions o f proof that undergraduate students have upon entry to a transition course on mathematical proof how they develop skill in planning and reporting proofs, obstacles encountered, and effects of instruction on their performance in solidifying schema in proof-planning and proof-reporting.

The subjects were sophomores and juniors (n=16) in a transition course at a large midwestern university. The course was taught by one o f the co-authors o f the text, "Mathematical Proofs" (Chartrand, Polimeni, and Zhang, 1999, in press). Assessment of learning to construct proofs was through quizzes and a final exam developed by …

New Teachers’ Perceptions Of Discipline-Related School Problems And Teacher Satisfaction, Amy L. Kavanaugh

Dissertations

Satisfaction The public is concerned with school safety because of recent school shootings resulting in multiple deaths. Educators are concerned that perceptions of school safety may affect new teacher attrition.

Three questions were examined in this study: (1) What is the trend of new teachers’ perceptions of discipline-related school problems? (2) Do new teachers’ perceptions of school problems vary by teacher gender, school level, size, location, and percentage of minority students?, and (3) Are new teachers’ perceptions of school problems related to their professional satisfaction?

National data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics through the Schools and Staffing …

Examining At-Risk Students Based On Their Attitudes Toward Educational Factors: Is There A Gender Difference In Identification Of At-Risk Students?, Cynthia Mae Tilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among four specific typologies of environmental factors and at-risk teenagers. The four typologies explored were influences by parents and peers, teachers, educational setting, and factors relating to school behavior.

Six research questions guided the study and six null hypotheses were formulated and tested at the .05 level of significance. The degree of relationship between the independent variables and the environmental factors was analyzed by using the Independent samples t-test and One Way ANOVA. The study sample consisted of 195 middle school students in three counties in Northwestern North Carolina and …

Effects Of Software Use On The Preparation Of The Individualized Education Programs (Iep’S), Nancy Ann Beukema

Dissertations

Special educators are required to process paperwork mandated by federal regulations for students with special needs. The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997 (IDEA ’97, Public Law 105-17) requires the evaluation of students with special needs occur as frequently as their non-disabled peers. An annual review is also mandated for each student’s individualized educational program (IEP), in order to reevaluate the future goals and objectives of the IEPs. A student identified as needing special education services is one who needs specially designed instruction and this instruction must meet the specific individual needs of that student. IDEA ‘97 mandates the need …

The Making Of A Textbook On Behavior Analysis And Autism A Behavior Analytic Approach, Sebastien Bosch

Dissertations

After deciding that a need existed for writing a textbook on autism from a behavior analytic perspective, Dr. Malott and I developed Behavior Analysis. Autism and Related Disabilities (BAARD) for use by the students enrolled in the autism practicum at Western Michigan University. As in a circular relationship, the practicum students evaluated and guided the subsequent revisions of the manuscript, and the revisions influenced the subsequent evaluations. BAARD covers all the principles and concepts of behavior analysis that are relevant to treatments and issues in autism and related disabilities and numerous treatments and phenomena specific to developmental disabilities.

During its …

A Behavioral Systems Analysis Of Textbook Quality Improvement, Elizabeth T. Suarez

Dissertations

Behavioral systems analysis is a deliberate approach to systems-design that is intended to help a system achieve its ultimate goals. The present study used behavioral systems analysis in an attempt to improve the quality o f a college-level textbook. Formative and expert evaluations were used to assess the needs of the textbook. Once the needs were determined, a six-step process of analysis, goal specification, design, implementation, evaluation, and recycling was used to meet the objectives specified by the needs assessment.

The first objective of this study was to produce and publish an improved edition of a textbook and to begin …

Visual Iconic Object-Oriented Programming To Advance Computer Science Education And Novice Programming, Nancy Silva Martinez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Learning how to program a computer is difficult for most people. Computer programming is a cognitively challenging, time consuming, labor intensive, and frustrating endeavor. Years of formal study and training are required to learn a programming language's world of algorithms and data structures. Instructions are coded in advance before the computer demonstrates the desired behavior. Seeing all the programming steps and instruction code is complicated. There exists a tremendous gap between the representations the human brain uses when thinking about a problem and the representations used in programming a computer. Often people are much better at dealing with specific, concrete …

How Is A Child's Perception Of Self Affected By Retention?, Brenda S. Tweed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to inform educators of the impact of grade retention on a child's perception of self, and to provide recommendations and practical applications for educators in the future.

Although the long-term effects of grade retention are still unclear, the number of students being retained annually is steadily on the rise. Conflicting beliefs about the advantages and disadvantages of the retention experience make it difficult to clearly predict which students will benefit from being retained.

A large body of research reports the impact of grade retention on scholastic achievement. As retention has usually been considered to …

Why Volunteer And Is Volunteering Worth The Effort?, Patricia Avery Bellamy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes why people volunteer in two counties of East Tennessee. The study describes the concept of volunteering and its positive impact upon society on a regional and national level. The characteristics of people who volunteer, why people choose to volunteer, and the significance of their volunteering were assessed through a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire was administered in Carter County (Elizabethton) and Washington County (Johnson City) Tennessee to 13 charitable and non-charitable agencies that utilize volunteers aged 18 years and over. Out of 243 survey questionnaires distributed in Elizabethton and Johnson City, Tennessee, 124 individuals responded. Data collected …

Effects Of Institutionalization On Romanian Adoptees, Diane Castano

Theses and Dissertations

The overall health and well-being of Romanian adoptees has deteriorated significantly as a result of the deficient living conditions of Romanian orphanages. Several of the effects of institutionalized children include; developmental delays in speech, gross and fine motor areas, and emotional and behavioral impediments. Moreover, these children may develop mental and/or physical disabilities and an overabundance of health problems. This study reports findings from a survey completed by 38 American families with adopted children from Romania. The results of this study reflect; parents perceptions of their child's health at the time of adoption and current health status, the child's behavioral …

A Three-Dimensional Analysis Of Subtalar And Knee Joint Coupling During Running Over Obstacles, Tracy Allan Dierks

Student Work

Running has been associated with a number of lower extremity overuse injuries. Attention has been given to biomechanical factors, specifically, excessive pronation and excessive tibial rotation. It has been suggested that excessive tibial rotation is due to excessive foot pronation transferred through a coupling mechanism. The ankle and knee are mechanically linked via the tibia and excessive tibial internal rotation may delay tibial external rotation as the knee begins to extend. Increased impact forces have also been implicated as a cause of running injuries, although little is known about this possible relationship. Obstacle heights have been used previously to produce …

A Study On The Learning Styles Of Limited English Proficiency Students, Linda J. Clay

Masters Theses

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students are not attaining academic success in public schools. Enrollment of Hspanic students is increasing, but at the same time assessment of their work shows little achievement. A crucial issue in the education of language minority students is how they learn. This thesis examines their learning style preferences through data gathered from student and teacher surveys and then correlates it to existing research. The conclusion drawn is that Hispanic LEP students are not being taught in their preferred learning styles and that the primary manner of verbal/linguistic instruction used in schools is a deterrent to successful …