Education Commons^™

The Effect Of A Required Character Education And Class-Wide Peer Tutoring Program On 5th-Grade Students’ Reading And Writing Performance, Anthony P. Dancer

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a required school year long Character Education and Class-Wide Peer Tutoring program (CE+CWPT) for students who scored at or below proficiency in one, two, or three of their reading fluency, reading comprehension, or writing assessments at the beginning of their 5th-grade school year. The study analyzed performance on criterion referenced tests, performance on norm-referenced tests, behavioral referrals, and attendance to determine what relationship, if any, exists between levels of achievement amongst students participating in a required CE+CWPT program. Following a year of program participation, 5th-grade students with one or …

The Effect Of A Required Character Education And Class-Wide Peer Tutoring Program On 5th-Grade Students' Reading And Writing Performance, Anthony P. Dancer

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a required school year long Character Education and Class-Wide Peer Tutoring program (CE+CWPT) for students who scored at or below proficiency in one, two, or three of their reading fluency, reading comprehension, or writing assessments at the beginning of their 5th-grade school year. The study analyzed performance on criterion referenced tests, performance on norm-referenced tests, behavioral referrals, and attendance to determine what relationship, if any, exists between levels of achievement amongst students participating in a required CE+CWPT program. Following a year of program participation, 5th-grade students with one or …

Retention Of Beginning Teachers Through Comprehensive Induction Programs, Debora L. Easterday

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Student achievement has become a critical concern in education since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Legislation of 2002. At the same time, the retention rate of beginning teachers is 50% within the first five years. This low retention rate affects student achievement, building initiatives and districts' finances. Research indicates that comprehensive induction programs can raise the rate of retention of beginning teachers. One component of a comprehensive induction program is site based professional development. This project, with the use of a PowerPoint presentation, is an introduction to site based staff development for beginning teachers. The target audience …

Integrating The Wasl Into The High School Algebra Curriculum, Kent Stafford Pearsons

All Graduate Projects

Most Algebra courses in Washington are supplemented with Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) material. However, in the last two years, little more than half of Washington sophomores passed the math portion of the WASL; for about half of tenth graders the extra worksheets did little to no good. Students need relevant WASL material that correlates with the current math they are studying. In this manner, even though questions may be phrased differently, the material is familiar and so answering questions are more possible. Also, since new worksheets have multiple choice, teachers can discuss how most wisely to answer this …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Higher Education And Police Misconduct In The New Jersey State Police, Steven C. Gerding

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Effective Mentoring Programs: A Guide To Developing Successful Programs, Casey Cutter

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Effective Mentoring Programs: A Guide to Developing Successful Programs The following research project addressed the current state of the educational community and focused on mentor programs and how they can help reduce attrition and provide adequate support for beginning teachers. The research addressed the challenges first year teachers face; the author discussed mentor programs as an ideal support mechanism for beginning teachers. The author used a guidebook format to summarize research and present a resource that can be used to develop and implement new mentor programs. The guidebook did not encompass all methods to developing a mentor program, however, it …

The Effect Of A Founding International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme On Participating Seventh Grade Students' Achievement, Behavior, Extra-Curricular Involvement, And Perceptions Of Life Skills, Joan C.R. Wilson

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a founding International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) on participating 7th-grade students' achievement, behavior, extra-curricular involvement, and perceptions of life skills compared to 7th-grade students' completing the same school's standard of care traditional academic program (TAP). The study analyzed data of IBMYP and TAP students to determine if the IBMYP has significantly impacted student outcomes. Following two consecutive years of program participation IBMYP students (n = 30) demonstrated a significant pretest-posttest improvement on norm-referenced achievement test math scores but their measured language and reading achievement test scores remained consistent …

The Design And Implementation Of An International Day Project To Foster Cultural Awareness And A Global Perspective In Tukwila Elementary School, Zakariya Salim Palsha

All Graduate Projects

The primary purpose of this project was to successfully design and implement cultural awareness and a global perspective at Tukwila Elementary School utilizing an International Day project, as there are a large number of ethnic groups and various cultures represented in the school. This provided students and parents from different cultures with an avenue to celebrate their own cultural heritage while simultaneously they learned about and celebrated the diverse cultures of the entire school community. The project had five components, which included: 1) a flag ceremony that included forty-nine different flags; 2) cultural dances (performed by students, parents, and community …

Creating Culturally Relevant Techonological Operas In An Urban School, Dianna Isaac-Johnson

Dissertations

The project described in this study developed due to the gap in achievement between African-American and white students. As music teacher I noticed my urban students could rap all the words of popular songs. Therefore I incorporated the use of technology with an authentic need to learn reading, writing, and lyric development for science and history content within a "hip-hop opera". This study details the instructional sequence, in which students watched musical performances, learned songs with a karaoke machine, and wrote new lyrics for the songs based on history and science material. I combined the students' lyrics into new versions …

Trust Me, I'M The Principal! A New Conceptual Model Of Trust For Educational Leaders, Bryan W. Blair

Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate aim of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of how trust influences and relates to those practices that best support student development and growth as educated and productive citizens, prepared to share in our democratic society-which is the ultimate purpose of our schools (Dewey & Dewey, 1915). Specifically, this thesis investigates the role of trust in relationships between school principals and teachers. A comparative analysis of available literature was conducted using grounded theory methodologies to inform the development of a proposed conceptual model describing the role of trust in organizational processes within the school, specifically between …

Art Therapy In The Mainstream Classroom, William C. Forrester

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The purpose of this project will be to provide art educators with a curricular unit plan that is based on the premise of art therapy. There will be little emphasis on the interpretation of images; the main concern will be with the idea of how the creative process can be therapeutic. The art teacher should be able to use the unit plan with a diverse range of students, from the emotionally stable to the emotionally disturbed.

A Poetry Unit For Middle School Students, Dana Louise Longmire

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to review the available research on using poetry as a method for teaching literary terms, enhancing comprehension, and developing creative writing skills. The results of the research show that there is a need for poetry instruction and that including this instruction in the middle school provides remarkable benefits for students. Poetry is suitable for the varying levels of ability found within the classroom. The project includes a guide providing teachers with activities to implement a poetry unit.

Phonemic Awareness: The Nature And Role In Reading Acquisition, Toni Michelle Paganelli

All Graduate Projects

Phonemic awareness and its link to reading are a current topic in education. Research has shown that the two are interrelated and those students lacking in phonemic awareness are at a higher risk for reading failure. The terms phonemic awareness and phonics tend to be used simultaneously, but phonemic awareness is not the same as phonics. Children can naturally acquire phonemic awareness through their environment. However, children who are lacking phonemic awareness can be taught using many different methods and materials in the classroom. Within phonemic awareness there are many different skills. These skills can be tested using commercially produced …

An Opportunity Gap: Focusing On The Issue Of Boys’ Underachievement In School Literacy, Whitney Ann Cromwell

All Graduate Projects

Male students statistically have not been as successful as females on standardized test scores or literacy activities. The discrepancy between literacy achievement between boys and girls at the elementary level is cause for concern. This gap between the literacy achievement of girls and boys will continue unless we change the way we teach. "All educators share the common goal of providing equitable learning opportunities for every student in the classroom. Providing equitable opportunities for girls is a familiar topic; providing them for boys is a relatively recent issue, but one that is appearing with increasing urgency on education agendas around …

A Guidebook Of Resources And Interactive Literacy Activities For Use By Parents With Primary Students, Cheryl Ann Youngblood

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a home Literacy Guidebook to increase children's reading and writing skills. By encouraging parental support at home through the use of children's literature and relevant activities, the lessons are intended to make learning fun and meaningful for children and their parents. Research reviewed supported the significance of the parents' role in literacy development at home and at school. Parents who read to their children and practice related activities contribute to their children's success in school. The guidebook includes children's literature selections, book lists for future readings, step-by-step instructions to guide parents through …

A Guide To The Identification And Use Of Field Trips And Guest Speakers-Pertaining To U.S. History-For The Seattle Area Social Studies Teachers, Jesse Daniel Flajole

All Graduate Projects

This project is an exploration of the large amount of community resource possibilities in the form of field trips and guest speakers that the Seattle area social studies teacher has available. This resource will aid teachers in selecting and evaluating field trips. The scope of this project lends to the realization of the goal: to provide a product that is informative, educational, and useful. A review of the literature of effective field trips and guest speakers is included. Furthermore, the definition of quality community resources is included and a criterion was established for determining such resources for the Seattle area. …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In The Classroom: Practical Strategies For Teaching To Student Strengths, Lisa Kreutz

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the Classroom: Practical Strategies for Teaching to Student Strengths This project discusses the necessity of differentiated classroom instruction based on the educational and learning needs of students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Current estimates suggest that as many as 2 million school age students in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. A student with ADHD can be inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive in his/her behaviors. With consideration for these behaviors and actions, this project identifies appropriate classroom instructional practices, which are based on the modifications and differentiation necessary for teaching students with ADHD. …

A Personalized Art Curriculum That Promotes Art Advocacy, Nicole Marie Walters

All Graduate Projects

The following project shows the development of a personalized drawing curriculum that will encourage students to become art advocates. The curriculum is based upon art history and is designed for students to relate historical ideas to their own lives. This personalization will help students learn more about art as a form of communication. Through this art experience, students will see the value of art in their own education and it is hoped that in the future, when these students are adults they will be advocates for the arts.

A Student Teaching Manual For The Preservice Student Teacher, Alecia L. Rochelle

All Graduate Projects

This project is designed to assist and support student teachers and first-year teachers who feel unprepared during their preservice training, and novice teachers who are teaching out of their certificated field. The review of related literature and personal research shows that there is an essential need for additional direction, encouragement, collaboration, and guidance among student and first year teachers. This project contains a student teaching manual designed for Parkside Elementary School that provides specific tips on how to be an effective student/first year teacher. The purpose of this project is to design a manual that would assist student and first …

The Effect Of Required Tutoring Option Participation On Failing Eighth-Grade Students' Academic And Behavioral Performance, Larry Murry

Student Work

Tutoring programs were evaluated to determine the effect of required option participation on failing eighth-grade students' achievement, behavior, and attitude following a year implementation phase. The eighth-grade pretest compared to eighth-grade posttest gains made by students in the 45-Minute Morning Tutoring Session (45-MMTS n=15), 75-Minute After-School Tutoring Session (75-MASTS n=15) and 120-Minute Combined Morning and After School Tutoring Session (120-MCMASTS n=15) demonstrated positive achievement, behavior and attitudinal outcomes for all programs. These levels of performance were also found to be congruent with the posttest achievement, behavior and attitude data.

The Effects Of Increased Racial Isolation On 5th-Grade Students' Achievement, Attendance, And Behavior, Peter J. Smith

Student Work

Achievement, attendance, and behavior data of African American, Hispanic American, and Caucasian students from racially segregated and racially integrated settings were analyzed to determine the effect of racial isolation on achievement, attendance, and behavior of each racial group. Achievement, attendance, and behavior data of randomly selected students from each racial group were analyzed (N = 120). African American students from segregated schools (n = 20) and from integrated schools (n = 20); Hispanic American students from segregated schools (n = 20) and from integrated schools (n = 20); and Caucasian students from segregated schools (n = 20) and from integrated …

Effect Of Movement Activities On Student Engagement: A Handbook Of Movement Activities For Elementary Teachers, Leanne Kaye Procter

All Graduate Projects

A handbook has been developed to aid teachers in the incorporation of movement activities in the elementary classroom. The activities can be done between lessons or between long periods of focus. The activities will help to gain attention and engagement of students. The activities in the handbook are to be used as a supplement to any existing elementary curriculum. The handbook consists of seventy-eight activities that may be used in a variety of classroom settings. Current literature and research surrounding the topics of engagement, stimulation, retention, and the importance of movement for adolescents were explored.

Increasing Social Interaction Skills In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Through Parent Implementation Of The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based (Dir) Program, Yvette Cantu

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purposed study examined the changes in positive and negative social interactions based on parent implementation and non-implementation in the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR) program designed for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Nine participants were randomly selected and assigned to a DIR treatment group and a control group. The study was conducted over an eight week period. Overall, the statistical analysis of the implementation of the DIR program at home did not yield a significant change in positive social interaction skills. However, the parent's perspective of their children's social skills, as demonstrated through the parent questionnaire and through …

Differentiated Spelling Instruction: A Theoretical Approach To Instruction, Amanda Gibson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Research has been conducted to determine the best method of teaching spelling instruction. Several studies have concluded that differentiated spelling instruction is the best method to teach spelling. In this type of instruction, the teacher determines the students' spelling level and then delivers spelling instruction based on their spelling level. To test this theory of instruction I conducted my own study using fourth grade students. I determined that differentiated instruction improves students' spelling by providing instruction that is specific to students' ability level and needs while offering high-quality instruction.

I compared two groups of students in my study. With the …

Teaching Strategies For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Trevor P. Higgins

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Teaching Strategies for Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a multifaceted condition which can be influenced by multiple factors. Once the various aspects of the condition are acknowledged, the student with ADHD will be more understood by his or her teacher. Teaching students with ADHD can be a challenging task. A variety of strategies can be implemented by instructors to help alleviate the problems that can occur when there is a student with ADHD in the classroom. By the use of these techniques, students with ADHD will experience more academic success, and the teacher …

Multiple Intelligence Theory In The Classroom, Carolann Ellingson

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Howard Gardner first proposed his theory of Multiple Intelligence theory in 1983. Over the past two decades this theory has made its way into classrooms and has gained positive attention. However, with the restrictions of set curriculums and standardized testing, Multiple Intelligence theory has faced obstacles implementing fully into the classroom. To effectively apply this theory into the classroom there needs to be openness to differences within the classroom and how students learn. The goal of this project was to present a project that will be a useful tool for beginning and experienced teachers. The strategies presented in this project …

Teacher Candidates' Perceptions Of Traditional Classroom Assessments And Electronic Portfolio Classroom Assessments, Robert L. Goeman

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in teacher candidates' perceptions of the contributions of traditional classroom assessments and electronic portfolio classroom assessments to the candidates' development of their understanding of education core content areas and the use of reflections. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine teacher candidates' knowledge of Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC)(1992) principles given hours spent within the traditional and electronic portfolio classroom assessments.

The Impact Of Elementary Principal Supervision On Public Prekindergarten Classrooms And Student Development, Lisa A. St. Clair

Student Work

This study examined the impact of public elementary principal supervision, and prior prekindergarten coursework/experience on the measured quality of public prekindergarten classrooms and students' developmental outcomes. Pretest-posttest results indicated that students' developmental outcomes significantly improved across six early learning domains in all three of the independent variable principal conditions where (a) principals supervised and had prior prekindergarten coursework/experience or (b) principals supervised and did not have prior prekindergarten coursework/experience or (c) principals who did not supervise their prekindergarten classrooms. However, posttest-posttest results comparing student's developmental outcomes indicated no patterns of significant differences between the three principal conditions. Furthermore, posttest-posttest classroom …

Extending The Reach Of Educational Research: Applying Product Commercialization Processes To Communities Of Practice, Richard Edward Culatta

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to extend educational research beyond the research community could have a great impact on end-users such as teachers, students, or educational administrators. One way to extend the use of educational research is to create tangible educational products; such as virtual simulations, instructional videos, and printed materials; which can be easily and widely distributed. In order to transform research into products, members of the research community must adopt and implement certain product commercialization processes. Effective processes, if not recognized by members of the community, are not helpful for ensuring that quality end products are reached. Likewise, a supportive community …

Cynicism In Christian Secondary Schools: A Phenomenology, Victor H. Fordyce

Student Work

This study was accomplished to further the understanding of the phenomenon of cynicism in 3 conservative Christian secondary schools in the Midwest. The study consisted of interviews with 12 secondary school teachers from 3 schools in 3 different states and was designed to discover more about the definition, attributes, causes, and effects of cynicism in the context of Christian schools from the perspective of the teachers. Participants did not believe there was a large amount of cynicism in their schools. They identified negative affectivity, lack of trust, lack of self-efficacy, alienation, poor communication, and actions of leaders as contributors to …