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Improving Grade 6 Reading Comprehension Skills At Dvorak Academy By Implementing A Reading Program, Leonard B. Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes a reading literature-based program to increase reading achievement of Grade 6 students at Dvorak Academy, public school, located in Chicago, Illinois. Based on the skills analysis report of Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) reading scores from 1999 through 2001, 64% of Grade 6 students averaged below the national 50th percentile.

Possible causes for the problem included (a) inappropriate reading instructional methods, (b) lack of student motivation in reading the required number of recreational reading books, and (c) lack of teacher preparation in teaching reading.

The goal of this applied dissertation was to improve reading by …

Hands And Hearts For Children: A Family/School/Community Partnership Initiative, Charla C. Evans

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes the efforts of a rural, Appalachian elementary school to improve the level of collaboration for family and community involvement through the application of a systemic and systematic planning process for partnership development. An analysis of available data and survey reports indicated that the school had a history of poor family involvement and negative perception in the community.

The author implemented a plan based on Lueder’s (1998) Self-Renewing Partnership Model over the 2001-2002 school year. The implementation provided for staff, family, and community training jointly and individually. It established a building action team for improvement composed of …

Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Hiv And Aids Knowledge And Peer Education Program For African American And Caribbean American Women, James Mbachiantim

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this research project was to conduct a quantitative evaluation that employed a pretest and posttest HIV and AIDS knowledge assessment and a qualitative evaluation of an HIV and AIDS peer prevention-intervention program. Quantitative data from the pretest and posttest knowledge assessment instrument were used to determine the effectiveness of the program in improving HIV and AIDS knowledge. Qualitative data from process evaluation were used to determine which aspects of the peer prevention-intervention program were working and which aspects needed changing and to provide a model for the evaluation of HIV and AIDS prevention program in other settings. …

Development Of A Needs-Driven Theory-Based Model For Medication-Taking Education With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, Jana M. Bajcar

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The medication-taking education needs of individual patients on long-term medications are not being adequately met by traditional medication-taking education provided by health care providers. The aim of this study is to develop a model for an approach to medication-taking education that can be used by health care providers for patients on long-term medications. The goal is to develop an approach that is based on patients’ perspectives of their medication-taking education needs and that is also grounded in relevant health and education theories.

The present research study is a qualitative study of the medication-taking education needs of 10 well-educated individuals who …

Development Of A 42-Volt Power Systems Training Manual, Mark L. Quarto

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The 42-volt power system will comprise the next generation standard for automotive electrical system. The problem is that there is limited technician awareness, knowledge, and training materials to provide the technician with adequate skills to diagnose and repair 42-volt power electrical systems.

The research questions addressed automotive technician awareness, preparedness, and knowledge of 42-volt power systems and the appropriate valid content and model for developing a 42-volt power system training manual. The procedures included analysis of literature, collaborating with formative and summative committees that produced established criteria, valid content, and training manual design model.

The substance of the results for …

Implementing The Six-Traits Model And Step Up To Writing To Improve The Writing Skills Of Fourth Grade Students, Precious E. Broadnax

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the pedagogy of writing in the elementary schools. Students in the 4th grade were being instructed in an inconsistent pattern of process and product writing strategies, and were not demonstrating adequate achievement. The 4th grade teachers were trained in the Six-Traits Analytical Assessment Model and Step Up to Writing techniques, but there was little evidence that the strategies were effective.

The researcher developed a writing intervention that involved a 9-week aggressive approach teaching a combination of Six-Traits and Step Up to Writing. There were 3 components of the treatment: (1) extended staff development …

Measuring The Effectiveness Of A New Midterm Feedback Form On The Graduate Clinicians’ Ability To Discern Their Clinical Strengths And Weaknesses, Tambi L. Braun

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was an investigation of the impact of a New Midterm Feedback form on the graduate clinicians completing their first on campus clinical experience. Thirteen graduate clinicians and 12 clinical supervisors participated over an eight week period. The 13 graduate clinicians were instructed to complete a pretest/posttest measure rating their satisfaction with the feedback they were receiving from their clinical supervisors. The participating graduate clinicians and clinical supervisors also rated eight clinical skills, pretest and posttest, on the basis of a five-point rating scale.

The results of this investigation revealed that the clinical supervisors’ use of the New …

Communication Competence: Does Augmentative And Alternative Communication Intervention Make A Difference?, Jessica L. Perciak

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation addresses the issue of communication competence as it relates to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. Existing practices in AAC intervention are reviewed with emphasis on techniques and strategies. The current study investigated whether AAC intervention correlates to the perceived level of communication competence for individuals who use AAC. Four individuals who use an AAC high-technology device as their primary means of communication participated in this study. The AAC participants included 2 males and 2 females ranging in age from 13-55. Each AAC user interacted with the researcher at two points in time during which communicative behaviors …

Improving Adolescents’ Reading Achievement By Offering Increased Time To Read And Teaching Reading Strategies, Susan Albright Currie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study was designed to increase student reading achievement of 6th-grade students at Sparkman Middle School by offering increased time for reading with availability of student preferred genres and the use of selected reading strategies.

Participants selected for this study consisted of 6 teachers and 48 sixth-grade students who scored in the 1-3 stanine cluster on the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition. Additional time was built into the school’s daily schedule for independent reading of self-selected genres and individual student-teacher interaction. Students were then trained, through direct instruction and teacher modeling, to incorporate strategies during reading activities. Sixth-grade teachers participated …

A Northwest Florida School District’S Response To Chartered Public Schools, Vivian L. Green

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the impact of charter schools on a school district and to develop a strategic marketing plan for the School District of Okaloosa County. With the proliferation of charter schools, home schools, and other schooling options within the School District of Okaloosa County, the typical orientation of school staff members at traditional public schools must be broadened to include marketing of the school and its services.

The researcher developed a strategic marketing plan for targeted schools within the School District of Okaloosa County. Development of the plan included the following planned solution interventions: (a) …

Effects Of Computer-Assisted Instruction On Kindergarten Students’ Concept Age Gains, Denise Hutchinson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine whether kindergarten students in instructional technology classrooms have a greater concept age gain than students in traditional kindergarten classrooms at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. The 4 kindergarten classrooms to which students were randomly assigned are the subjects of this study. The 2 instructional technology kindergarten classrooms incorporated three computers into the required centers to be completed daily by each student. The 2 traditional kindergarten classroom used the same daily center plans; however, the 3 computers in each of these classrooms were used for free exploration and play after the other centers …

Improving The Representation Of Minority School Age Children In Gifted Education Programs Through A Multifaceted Referral And Evaluation Process, Magali Balado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the problem that teachers were unable to meet the needs of academically talented minority children. The major goals for this applied dissertation were to increase the representation of academically minority children in gifted programs, provide training to teachers in the area of identifying gifted characteristics, and to develop a multifaceted process for the referral and evaluation of academically talented minority children.

The writer developed training materials to provide in-service and training to teachers, school staff personnel, counselors, and psychologists in the areas of observing and assessing gifted characteristics in academically talented minority children. …

The Impact Of Technology Workshops And Technology Integration In An Elementary School, Jill L. Carr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Effects of technology workshops on the implementation and integration of technology in the elementary level course curriculum was studied. The technology facilitator, who is also a member of the elementary school faculty, participated in the study as the implementer and writer. Participants completed a presurvey that measured their prior knowledge, skills, current attitudes, and expectations regarding the infusion of technology into their course curriculum. All teachers participated in a series of small group workshops given by this writer in their workplace at a time convenient to all participants.

Implementing and restructuring technology training development into an effective staff development plan …

Will A New Math Program Improve Burnsville Elementary School Third Grade Student Achievement?, Debra B. Brewer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation implemented a curriculum change in math for third graders in a rural elementary school with a student population of 530. An analysis of the end of grade testing over the past two years indicated that the third graders at this school scored 11.5 Normal Curve Equivalent (NCEs) below the other third graders in the school district.

The intervention implemented the Saxon Math Program, along with an appropriate professional development program designed to strength the math program and to increase third grade students’ math skill development. The intervention focused on training the third grade teachers to use the …

Evaluation Of The Averett University Leadership Minor Program, Paul A. Bryant

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Averett University Leadership Minor Program. There were four research questions for this project. First, “What are the criteria to be used to evaluate the Averett University Leadership Minor Program?” Second, “What are the criteria for effectiveness and the assessment design for the leadership minor program?” Third, “Do the benefits of the program outweigh the direct cost associated with maintaining the program?” Fourth, “What are the findings and recommendations based on the assessment information?”

Development and evaluation methodologies were used to address the problem and research questions. The …

An Assessment Of Vocal Conservation/Hygiene And Vocal Exercise Treatment Programs For Middle School Teachers With Voice Problems, Jennifer H. Vinson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Nationally, over 38% of teachers are diagnosed with vocal disorders due to heavy demands placed on their vocal mechanisms with resulting abnormal laryngeal biomechanics and repeated exposure to upper respiratory infections and other airborne irritants (Smith, Kirchner, Taylor, Hoffman, & Lemke, 1998). The incidence of vocal disorders among teachers in the north Alabama area appears to be higher than the national average of 38% according to local otorhinolaryngologists interviewed and preliminary data collected from middle school teachers in the Madison County School System in Huntsville, Alabama. Preliminary data indicated a 44% voice-disordered teacher population within the targeted middle school teaching …

Success Through Access: A Plan To Serve Students With Disabilities In The Liberty Central School District, Barbara Hackett Blakey

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate the current education program for students with disabilities. The key performance indicators established by the state education department indicated that the program was weak. Specific areas of weakness were the lack of success of students with disabilities on state tests at Grades 4 and 8, lack of passing scores on the high school level exams, high incidence of dropout rate, and low percentage of students with disabilities earning a high school diploma and lack of integration into the regular education classroom. A specific assessment was needed to determine the root causes of these …

Development Of An Applied Phd Degree Program In Hospitality Administration For Nova Southeastern University’S H. Wayne Huizenga School Of Business & Entrepreneurship, George Alexakis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship’s (SBE) programs needed a marketing edge. A PhD program was designed to fuel enrollments and improve budgetary figures. The purpose was to develop an applied hospitality administration PhD program for the SBE. The Research Questions were. (a) What are the needs of hospitality educators and administrators related to an applied PhD degree in hospitality administration? (b) What PhD program content best meets the needs of hospitality educators and administrators? (c) What is an appropriate strategy for implementing a PhD program in hospitality administration? (d) What is an appropriate …

The Development Of A Bilingual Program Assessment Tool, Francisco R. Grullon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

An average of 43% of limited English proficient (LEP) students in Grade 4 failed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System in spring 2001 compared to 6% of the regular education Grade 4 students within Massachusetts. The failure rate of LEP students should be at the same level or close to the same level as the failure rate of regular education students. Moreover, the achievement gap between regular and LEP students seems to increase from elementary school to middle school and on to high school.

This applied dissertation identified the variables that affect the academic achievement of LEP students through a review …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Collaborative Co-Teaching On The Achievement Of Eighth Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Karen Culmo Fontana

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of co-teaching on the academic achievement of eighth graders with learning disabilities. Although much has been written on the logistics of starting and maintaining co-teaching relationships between teachers of students with and without disabilities and teachers of students with exceptionalities, there is less written on the effectiveness of co-teaching on the achievement of students with learning disabilities. Using a one group pretest-posttest design, the study was designed to determine if attendance in co-taught English and math classes would contribute to an increase in written language, math and self-concept scores. The …

Designing Student Teaching Experience To Reflect Best Practice, Joanne Ferrara

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes the strategies designed by a college to improve its student teaching experience for preservice teachers enrolled in field placement during the 2001-2002 school year.

The framework for the program was based on the work of L. Darling-Hammond (1999), the Holmes Group (1990), and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE; 2000), which suggested that teacher education programs build and sustain effective field-based experiences. This program sought to improve students’ performances by implementing field experiences containing these key elements: collaboration between a college field adviser and cooperating teachers, clearly defined goals, reflection, ongoing feedback, and observations …

Utilizing Professional Development With Kindergarten Teachers To Change Instruction And Student Outcomes, Donna Kelley Goode

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation implemented professional development activities with kindergarten teachers to improve teachers’ knowledge of instruction and assessment of early literacy. An emphasis was placed on using diagnostic testing to gather data on students' performance and then to provide differentiated instruction. The program was implemented in a rural elementary school with a student population of approximately 335. Sixty percent of the kindergarten students were identified as at risk in the area of reading. This applied dissertation produced results at one elementary school that reduced the number of at-risk kindergarten students in the area of literacy.

Professional development supported and guided …

Project Uplift: A Program To Ensure The Promotion Of Students Who Had Previously Failed, Auty G. Horn

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes a program that assisted students in Grades 6-8 who had previously failed 2 or more grades in meeting promotion requirements. The setting was Green Acres Middle School, an urban school with a 99% African American student population of 535 and a free and reduced-price lunch rate of 80%. In 2000-2001, 100% of students for whom data were available and who had failed 2 or more times performed below the 5th stanine on the Stanford Achievement Test 9 (SAT-9)for the total battery.

Project Uplift was a program that was designed to meet the needs of these students. It …

Improving The Performance Of Transfer Students In Mathematics At Jericho Christian Academy, Joyce Y. Parker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide mathematics enrichment activities for 7th-grade students who transfer to Jericho Christian Academy (JCA). The students who were continuously enrolled at JCA were outperforming the 7th-grade transfer students on daily performance and on the Stanford 9 Test. The transfer students were having difficulties adjusting to their new environment, expectations, and requirements. Attendance and behavioral referrals were higher for the transfer students than for the continuously enrolled students. The parents of the transfer students were not actively involved in their children’s education.

The writer developed a 4-part intervention to address the areas of concern. The …

The Effects Of Parental Involvement On The Homework Of Fifth-Grade Students, Chiron White-Legree

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to help students achieve better homework grades. Previous attempts at getting students to return their homework assignments had been unsuccessful. Parents did not know what the homework assignments were. Parents needed more information on grade-level standards.

The writer developed a weekly report of student progress that was sent home each week with the students. The report was to be signed by a parent and returned to the school. Students used homework logbooks to record daily assignments to inform parents of their assignments. A homework rubric was developed for students to inform their parents of the …

Developing Block Schedule Instructional Methods In A Learning Organization At Theodore High School, Tammy D. Dennis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a developmental model of staff development for Theodore High School. Currently, the school employs the block scheduling format, and has failed to provide teacher with training in instructional methods most appropriate for the restructured curriculum. It was initially discovered that several teachers did not know how to use various instructional methods better suited for block scheduling. This project explores using a teacher mentorship program as a part of staff development to increase the use of instructional methods in the block scheduling curriculum format. The teachers will be trained in various block scheduling methods …

Scaffolding Transfer Activities Through The Use Of Concept Maps To Enhance Adaptive Problem Solving, James Jay Houdeshell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The use of concept mapping following the Schwartz and Bransford (1998) protocols were tested as a scaffolding intervention with ill- and moderately well-structured transfer activities to determine the impact on transferring those skills to the solution of new problems. This study included three faculty members, six course sections, and a total of 55 students conducted at a large midwestern community college. All students completed well-structured pretest and posttests that measured their declarative, structural, and procedural knowledge skills in basic statistics and problem solving tools. Half the students completed a summary page describing the problem solving approaches for two contrasting cases. …

Effective Leadership Skills: The Development Of A Professional Improvement Plan, Maxine Woodside

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation represents a study of personal and professional leadership development. The study consists of reflective chronological accountings of influences on the writer from infancy to adulthood. The analysis highlights the opportunities in the early and formative years that support the development of a professional improvement plan.

The framework of this study was based on assessment results taken from the Florida Principal Competency Assessment (Florida Department of Education, 1995) and the Educational Leadership Appraisal (A. Ellis, 1993). More specifically, previous evaluations and reflections on previous leadership positions were used as a focus of professional growth. Based upon the results …

Development And Evaluation Of A Certified Educational Program To Insure Dental Provider Compliance With Federal And State Health And Safety Law, Cathy Turbyne

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was to design, develop, pilot test, and evaluate an educational process and product that would assist dental care providers in the state of Maine to effectively comply with federal and state health and safety laws. Dental care providers faced many types of workplace injuries in the form ofneedlesticks, dental instrument injuries, ergonomic illnesses, and latex allergy/asthma. Changing federal and state laws, lack of knowledge, interest, and/or inability to self-manage compliance implementation of OSHA and state of Maine laws increased the risk of employee workplace accidents, illnesses, and OSHA inspection. Other potential risks of non-compliance included employee disability, …

Development Of A Plan To Enhance The Athletic Training Facilities At Nova Southeastern University With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, Alberto J. Baca Jr.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied research project was to develop a facility plan to assist in the planning and design needs of a new sport and recreation facility and specifically the sports medicine portion of the building to enhance athletic training services to student athletes. A plan for implementation and evaluation was also developed.

There were four research questions prepared, researched, and answered for this project.

1. What are university best practices in regard to athletic training facilities?

2. What is a plan to incorporate best practices in athletic training facilities?

3. How should the plan be implemented?

4. How …