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Full-Text Articles in Education

Student Persistence Predictors And Community College Institutional Effectiveness, Jeffery Lee Shelley Jan 2013

Student Persistence Predictors And Community College Institutional Effectiveness, Jeffery Lee Shelley

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to expand the literature on student persistence in community colleges through three research innovations. First, the literature on student persistence in community colleges was expanded by applying theory to the identification and testing of predictors. Second, it was expanded by validating retention prediction equations using independent data to test the generalizability of predictors. Third, it was expanded by determining the extent to which student major potentially mediates retention rates for community colleges. Aggregated student entry characteristic, external environment, and internal campus environment variables were obtained for 127 public community colleges in six states using …


Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adults: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2007-2010, Hope S. King Jan 2013

Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adults: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2007-2010, Hope S. King

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be prevented and controlled through vaccination. However, only 24%-50% of high-risk adults in the United States (U.S.) have been vaccinated against HBV infection. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for two time periods, 2003-2006 (n=6459 adults) and 2007-2010 (n=6652 adults) to (1) assess the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination uptake and the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational level factors that may be associated with receiving hepatitis B vaccination among U.S. adults and (2) assess whether any changes occurred in the prevalence of and factors associated with hepatitis …


Using A Mixed Methods Sequential Design To Identify Factors Associated With African American Mothers' Intention To Vaccinate Their Daughters Aged 9 To 12 For Hpv With A Purpose Of Informing A Culturally-Relevant, Theory-Based Intervention, Jennifer Cunningham Jan 2013

Using A Mixed Methods Sequential Design To Identify Factors Associated With African American Mothers' Intention To Vaccinate Their Daughters Aged 9 To 12 For Hpv With A Purpose Of Informing A Culturally-Relevant, Theory-Based Intervention, Jennifer Cunningham

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this sequential, explanatory mixed methods research study was to understand what factors influenced African American maternal intentions to get their daughters aged 9 years to 12 years vaccinated in Alabama. In the first, quantitative phase of the study, the research questions focused on identifying the predictive power of eleven variables, representing selected factors associated with maternal intentions to vaccinate their daughters. The data were collected via a self-developed instrument that used a mixed mode survey design that was web-based (N = 14) and paper-based (N = 228). Participant demographics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A binary, logistic …


A Mixed Methods Study To Assess Family Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury, Stephen Louis Firsing Jan 2013

A Mixed Methods Study To Assess Family Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury, Stephen Louis Firsing

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem. It is the leading cause of disability and death among young adults and children globally. Family members often assume the primary caregiving role for the member with TBI; this responsibility may lead to less than ideal family outcomes. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to develop a valid and reliable survey instrument to assess hypothesized domains of Family Quality of Life (FQOL) among caregivers of adults with moderate-severe TBI. Method: The first phase critically assessed literature on family-level outcome measures for families with a member with TBI. …


Kindergarten Goes To The Fair! How The World's Fair Of 1876 Advanced The Kindergarten Movement In The United States, Elizabeth Cornelius Pruett Jan 2013

Kindergarten Goes To The Fair! How The World's Fair Of 1876 Advanced The Kindergarten Movement In The United States, Elizabeth Cornelius Pruett

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this historical narrative study was to discover how the World's Fair of 1876 advanced the kindergarten movement in the United States. Historical documents, photographs, and drawings were used as data sources. The following questions guided this study: "What were the purposes of the kindergarten exhibits at the World's Fair?" "Who were the individuals that demonstrated the kindergarten at the first Centennial World's Fair and how did they influence the kindergarten exhibits at the next fair in 1893?" and "How did commercialism associated with the fair affect thekindergarten movement?" The kindergarten exhibits at the Centennial World's Fair had …


Perceptions Of District Leaders, School Administrators, And Teachers Regarding The Professional Learning Community Model To Support Adult Learning, Kristi T. Sayers Jan 2013

Perceptions Of District Leaders, School Administrators, And Teachers Regarding The Professional Learning Community Model To Support Adult Learning, Kristi T. Sayers

All ETDs from UAB

This qualitative multiple case study explored what district leaders, high school administrators, and high school teachers in a large southeastern school district in the United States thought about participating in Professional Learning Communities (PLC)s as a form of professional learning for teachers. One common method of professional development over the last decade is the Professional Learning Communities. Learning communities are popular as a way to support student achievement; however, there is limited research to show how teachers learn as a result of participating in professional learning communities. There is also limited research to support this type of professional development as …


Overcoming The Challenges Of School Improvement: A Phenomenological Study Of Nine Alabama Principals, Corvetta Vann Jan 2013

Overcoming The Challenges Of School Improvement: A Phenomenological Study Of Nine Alabama Principals, Corvetta Vann

All ETDs from UAB

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ABSTRACT The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Alabama principals who have overcome the challenges of School Improvement. The signing of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has led to wholesale changes within the public education system and has had lasting effects on school leadership. The role of principal has become more complex due to the multifaceted responsibilities to which one must adhere. Under the current legislation of NCLB, schools must attain 100% proficiency in reading and math by 2014. Additionally, schools must meet the state goals of adequate …


A Quantitative Study Of Mathematics Teaching Self- Efficacy And Principal Instructional Leadership In Alabama Elementary Schools, Dilhani Uswatte Jan 2013

A Quantitative Study Of Mathematics Teaching Self- Efficacy And Principal Instructional Leadership In Alabama Elementary Schools, Dilhani Uswatte

All ETDs from UAB

Given the current pressure on educational leaders to successfully implement the Mathematics Common Core Standards, which is currently in its infancy stages in Alabama, the possible relationship between mathematics teaching self-efficacy of Alabama elementary teachers and principal instructional leadership was evaluated. The relationship between mathematics teaching self-efficacy and grade level taught, years of teaching experience, gender, and school location were also evaluated individually and as part of a multiple regression model. A representative sample of 144 Alabama elementary teachers completed an on-line survey which contained demographic questions, and questions from two previously validated instruments to measure mathematics teaching self-efficacy (the …


Development And Validation Of A Survey Instrument To Assess Health Information-Seeking Behaviors Among African-Americanyoung Professionals, Shauntice Allen Jan 2013

Development And Validation Of A Survey Instrument To Assess Health Information-Seeking Behaviors Among African-Americanyoung Professionals, Shauntice Allen

All ETDs from UAB

The lay public has had more opportunities than ever before to take an active role in their own health care. Despite these opportunities, many questions remain regarding the basis for barriers relating to seeking preventive health information. Following publication of the report of the Secretary’s Task Force of Black and Minority Health, health education researchers have documented health disparities among populations of color, in particular African Americans (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1985). Brashers, Goldsmith, and Heish (2002) pointed out the complexity of health information-seeking behaviors (HISB) and highlighted the increasing need to clearly understand the process …


Urban Kindergarten Teachers' Perceptions Of Former Head Start Students And Their Readiness For School, Stephanie Hardy Parker Jan 2013

Urban Kindergarten Teachers' Perceptions Of Former Head Start Students And Their Readiness For School, Stephanie Hardy Parker

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the experiences and instruction of kindergarten teachers in an urban school district who are teaching students who were previously enrolled in a Head Start program. Eleven kindergarten teachers who taught in an urban school district in the southeastern United States participated in this study. Data sources collected for this multiple case study included: (a) semi-structured interviews, (b) observations, and (c) curriculum documents. Results from the study revealed mixed experiences teaching former Head Start students. While some teachers expressed positive experiences teaching former Head Start students, others indicated teaching former …


Describing Primary Grade Teachers' Practice Of Shared Reading As A Strategy To Build Vocabulary And Comprehension During Literacy Instruction In A Southeastern Urban School System, Daisy Lee Chandler Jan 2013

Describing Primary Grade Teachers' Practice Of Shared Reading As A Strategy To Build Vocabulary And Comprehension During Literacy Instruction In A Southeastern Urban School System, Daisy Lee Chandler

All ETDs from UAB

DESCRIBING PRIMARY GRADE TEACHERS' PRACTICE OF SHARED READING AS A STRATEGY TO BUILD VOCABULARY AND COMPREHENSION DURING LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN A SOUTHEASTERN URBAN SCHOOL SYSTEM DAISY LEE CHANDLER EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ABSTRACT The National Reading Panel (NRP, 2000) reported the need for explicit and systematic instruction in vocabulary and comprehension in primary grades. Students have to know the meaning of words in order to develop comprehension. Therefore, vocabulary is essential to reading. In regards to shared reading NRP (2000) noted a lack of attention to comprehension. However, several researchers illustrated the value of shared reading and its link between vocabulary …


The Alabama Promise To Improve Student Achievement: A Phenomenological Study Of Torchbearer Principals, Stacey P. Gill Jan 2013

The Alabama Promise To Improve Student Achievement: A Phenomenological Study Of Torchbearer Principals, Stacey P. Gill

All ETDs from UAB

STACEY P. GILL EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ABSTRACT This study examined leadership characteristics from the perspective of urban school leaders in high-poverty and high-achieving schools in the state of Alabama in order to better understand their relationship to student achievement. Principals were selected from three school sites in three urban school districts located in central and southern Alabama. The study's theoretical framework was drawn from change theory, transformational leadership, instructional leadership, and the effective schools movement. A phenomenological approach was used to understand the essence of the phenomenon, in this instance, urban school leaders' and teachers' perceptions of Torchbearer leadership characteristics, was …


The Incidental Leader: The Role Of Reading Recovery Training In The Professional Lives Of Teachers In A Rural Alabama School System, Sharon Lynn Bounds Jan 2013

The Incidental Leader: The Role Of Reading Recovery Training In The Professional Lives Of Teachers In A Rural Alabama School System, Sharon Lynn Bounds

All ETDs from UAB

This qualitative multiple case study was undertaken to answer the following question: How did Reading Recovery ® (RR) teachers and former Reading Recovery teachers in a mid-sized rural school system in the southeastern United States describe the influences of their Reading Recovery training as it related to their current professional lives? Additional questions included: (1) How did training in Reading Recovery position the teacher as a reading expert within her school? (2) How did Reading Recovery change her approach to working with struggling readers? (3) How did the "behind the glass" experience impact the teacher's own teaching? (4) How did …


Academic Advising Experiences And Retention Of First-Generation Students At A Public Historically Black College And University In The Southeastern United States, Jarrod Ennis Patterson Jan 2013

Academic Advising Experiences And Retention Of First-Generation Students At A Public Historically Black College And University In The Southeastern United States, Jarrod Ennis Patterson

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to explore the academic advising experiences of first-generation students at a public, historically black college and university (HBCU) in the southeastern United States. A qualitative analysis using a phenomenological multiple case study approach was used to explore the students' academic advising experiences. The theoretical framework for this study consisted of: the Interactionalist Theory of College Student Departure (Tinto, 1987, 2006), the Theory of Involvement (Astin, 1984, 1999), and the Psychological Model for Student Retention (Bean & Eaton, 2000). In their interviews, participants were asked questions from an approved interview protocol. The questions were open-ended …


Engaging First Graders In Transformational Early Childhood Emergent Learning Themes, Amanda Daniel Pendergrass Jan 2013

Engaging First Graders In Transformational Early Childhood Emergent Learning Themes, Amanda Daniel Pendergrass

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to encourage learners to care for others and make a difference in the world through Reggio Emilia-inspired teaching and learning practice that promoted transformational education. Students were anticipated to take an active role in helping to develop the transformational educational curriculum. Students recommended ways of making a difference in their school, neighborhood, and community while investigating a learning theme of their interest and choice. A total of 15 first grade students and nine parents participated in this study. Limited literature exists on the topic of Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood classrooms and recycling …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of African American Female School Leaders In Suburban School Districts, Armentress Denise Robinson Jan 2013

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of African American Female School Leaders In Suburban School Districts, Armentress Denise Robinson

All ETDs from UAB

Abstract The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the personal, professional, and sociocultural experiences of African American female school leaders in suburban school districts. These school districts were identified as suburban locations because of low to no student poverty, stellar performances on standardized tests, high graduation and college going rates, and champion academic and athletic team honors. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological design to allow the researcher the opportunity to investigate and gather data through open-ended, face-to-face, one hour interviews with study participants. Three theoretical frameworks--critical race theory, racial identity development …


Oral Language Development In Title I Preschools In Central Alabama: A Multi-Case Study, Suzanne O'Rear Snow Jan 2013

Oral Language Development In Title I Preschools In Central Alabama: A Multi-Case Study, Suzanne O'Rear Snow

All ETDs from UAB

Among risk factors associated with reading difficulties, underdeveloped oral language skills can be detrimental to students' reading success. Many educators are teaching early reading skills without prior knowledge of scaffolding methods and developmentally appropriate developmentally appropriate factors from research (Kirkland & Patterson, 2005). This multi-case study examined aspects of how five preschool personnel developed oral language development in two Titles I preschool by answering the following questions: How do preschool teachers and paraprofessionals describe the ways in which oral language development is developed in a preschool setting? The research sub-questions included were: Two Title I schools were purposefully chosen for …


A Phenomenological Study Of Principals' Self-Efficacy Beliefs In Alabama Torchbearer Schools, Mark Anthony Sullivan Jan 2013

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals' Self-Efficacy Beliefs In Alabama Torchbearer Schools, Mark Anthony Sullivan

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A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF PRINCIPALS' SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS IN ALABAMA TORCHBEARER SCHOOLS MARK A. SULLIVAN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ABSTRACT The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the self-efficacy beliefs of 10 principals of Torchbearer schools in Alabama. Principals who serve in schools that have high concentrations of students who are living in poverty face challenges in improving student achievement. Principals of these schools are required to promote school environments that are conducive to learning for all students. In February 2005, the Alabama State Department of Education began recognizing high-poverty public schools and their principals for overcoming …


Exploring Rti Reading Intervention For Hispanic English Learning Kindergarten Students In Central Alabama:, Kelly Leah Hill Jan 2013

Exploring Rti Reading Intervention For Hispanic English Learning Kindergarten Students In Central Alabama:, Kelly Leah Hill

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This study addressed issues in implementing RTI Tier II reading intervention in kindergarten classrooms which contained Hispanic students learning English. In addition, the scope of reading progress of Hispanic students learning English was explored. The purpose of this research was to examine the frequency in providing RTI reading interventions and how they were implemented in kindergarten with Hispanic children who are learning English. This study employed an explanatory sequential (Quan QUAL) mixed methods design (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011). To address the purpose of the study, the overarching mixed methods question was: What is the frequency of RTI Tier II …


Perceptions Of Participating K-12 Educational Leaders' Experiences And Decisions Regarding The Crisis Caused By The April 27, 2011 Tornadoes In Rural Alabama, William Earl Bishop Jan 2013

Perceptions Of Participating K-12 Educational Leaders' Experiences And Decisions Regarding The Crisis Caused By The April 27, 2011 Tornadoes In Rural Alabama, William Earl Bishop

All ETDs from UAB

PERCEPTIONS OF PARTICIPATING K-12 EDUCATIONAL LEADERS' EXPERIENCES AND DECISIONS REGARDING THE CRISIS CAUSED BY THE APRIL 27, 2011 TORNADOES IN RURAL ALABAMA WILLIAM E. BISHOP, JR. (BILL) HUMAN STUDIES ABSTRACT April 27, 2011, will be remembered by many as a catastrophic day and event in Alabama, and specifically by K-12 educational leaders. Natural disasters like tornadoes have a significant impact on leaders, on their decision making and, obviously, on the survival of many of their victims. The possibility and threat of a major crisis caused by natural disasters is always going to be present. Organizations, businesses, and leaders at various …


Use Of Social Ecology And Mixed Methods Research To Develop An Instrument To Assess Determinants Of Hiv/Sti Risk Among A Young Adult Population, Lasonja Bonita Kennedy Jan 2013

Use Of Social Ecology And Mixed Methods Research To Develop An Instrument To Assess Determinants Of Hiv/Sti Risk Among A Young Adult Population, Lasonja Bonita Kennedy

All ETDs from UAB

Globally, 340 million people are affected by HIV/AIDS. Approximately 50,000 are newly infected within the United States each year with HIV. One in five of those infected is unaware of his/her status. Young adults are particularly impacted by the disease; 39% of new HIV infections are diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 13 and 29. To comprehensively examine the independent and interrelated determinants of HIV/STI risks among young adults, the researcher developed, validated, and psychometrically examined a self-report instrument guided by constructs from the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Development and validation of the content within the survey was conducted …


Classroom Support Strategies For Students With Adhd: Frequency Of Use, Level Of Effectiveness And Roadblocks To Implementation, Angela Walker Jan 2013

Classroom Support Strategies For Students With Adhd: Frequency Of Use, Level Of Effectiveness And Roadblocks To Implementation, Angela Walker

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CLASSROOM SUPPORT STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS WITH ADHD: FREQUENCY OF USE, LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS AND ROADBLOCKS TO IMPLEMENTATION ANGELA WALKER EARLY CHILHOOD EDUCATION ABSTRACT The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how often specific instructional strategies that support students with ADHD are used in kindergarten through third grade classrooms, how effective these strategies are in improving student performance on formative assessments, and what interferes with their implementation. Such a study is important because there is limited information about specific strategies used and their effectiveness. Reasons why teachers do not use effective strategies provides important information for policy makers, teacher …


Pregnancy Intentions Of Impoverished African American Boys, Jasmine Darrington Ward Jan 2013

Pregnancy Intentions Of Impoverished African American Boys, Jasmine Darrington Ward

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Despite a 20-year low, the United States continues to have the highest teen pregnancy and birth rates among all industrialized countries. As teen childbearing is associated with adverse consequences for teen mothers, fathers, and their children; it remains a priority of public health professionals, policymakers, and practitioners. Although empirical data reporting sexual determinants of teen pregnancy (such as frequency of intercourse, number of sexual partners, condom or contraceptive use, and early sexual debut) commonly tie males into conversations surrounding teen pregnancy; studies that explore the complexities of pathways to adolescent paternity are limited. Using adolescent data from the Mobile Youth …


Visible Learning In A Reggio Emilia Inspired Kindergarten: Parents' Descriptions Of Documentation, Melissa Gibbons Whetstone Jan 2013

Visible Learning In A Reggio Emilia Inspired Kindergarten: Parents' Descriptions Of Documentation, Melissa Gibbons Whetstone

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative study was to reveal multiple perspectives and thoughts of seven parents and a family member in a Reggio Emilia inspired kindergarten classroom in a southeastern state of the United States regarding pedagogical documentation, an essential tool for teaching practice and reflection. It served to make knowledge construction visible through children's interpretive concrete work. Throughout the study, pedagogical documentation was defined as both a learning process as well as the products of early childhood content. The content were concrete materials in the form of notes, photographs, audio and video recordings, computer graphics, and examples of children's …