Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Leadership Training On Collegiate Student Athletes, Jerry Bergsma

Dissertations

This research is an exploratory study of the impact of leadership training on the student-athletes at an NCAA Division III member institution. Leadership education and training for athletics has seen a lack of research that could give insight into identifying attributes and actions that are associated with high-quality leadership training experiences. The purpose of this study is to identify the: (a) quality and outcomes of the Gainey Leadership Retreat training program, and (b) the attributes and impact of the Gainey program using the lens of Eich's (2008) wounded theory of high-quality student leadership programs.

The study participants are 60 female …

Special Education Teachers' Perspectives Of The Functional Behavior Assessment Process, Stephanie A. Woodley

Masters Theses

This study investigated special education teachers' perspectives of the functional behavior assessment (FBA) process including assessment methods, behaviors warranting an FBA, and perceptions. It also explored FBA training, time commitments, and participants. Ninety-eight special education teachers who graduated from a special education program at a state regional comprehensive university two or more years ago completed a survey designed for this study. Results indicated FBA training and time commitments as concerns. Overall, assessment methods and behaviors leading to FBA development were similar; however, some variances were found when compared by grade levels. Significant statistical differences were found in the use of …

Undergraduate Leadership Development Perceptions, Jordan Baumgardner

Masters Theses

Since the founding of America's first institution of higher education in 1636, one of our primary purposes has been to develop leaders. There is a plethora of literature focused on leadership, yet there is a dearth of literature from the perspectives of student. The purpose of the present study was to understand how undergraduate student leaders defined leadership, their perceptions of how they experience this phenomenon, and how they perceive their development ofleadership skills and abilities. Through a mixedmethod approach, this study sought to understand leadership from the students' perspectives. Findings from the present study suggest that a single definition …

Student Athlete: From Recruitment To The Academic, Athletic, & Social Experiences, Moetiz Y. Samad

Masters Theses

Student-athletes in the present study seemed more athlete-students in that they were consistently more concerned about their athletic performance than their academic performance. With the number of road trips and early scheduled classes, students freed up their mid-afternoons to late evenings for the respective sport of which they were a part of. By conducting such research, a number of different elements became clearer during the researcher's efforts to find out why an athlete chooses a specific institution, the nature of his or her overall university experience, and the interpersonal relationships college athletes make throughout the course of their undergraduate careers.

Increasing Male Volunteering One Motivation At A Time, Matthew C. Nance

Masters Theses

Much research had shown that men volunteer at a lesser rate than women do. Additionally, research had shown that the motivations to volunteer differ for each gender. Two samples of college students who participated in single day service projects were surveyed using the Volunteer Functions Inventory-an instrument that assesses the importance of six possible motivations that range from a focus on others to a focus on gains for one's self-by the Student Community Service office. The data from the VFI was divided along gender lines to see to which motivations millennial males adhered. In an effort to further understand the …

Imsa 2011 Profile, Office Of College And Academic Counseling

IMSA Profile

Independent Study - is a student-selected learning experience that provides the opportunity to personalize learning beyond the IMSA course offerings. An Independent Study may be conducted by a senior (or junior with Princi- pal's permission) under the direction of an IMSA faculty member for one or two semesters.

The Impact Of A Sociology Career Planning Seminar On Students' Perceptions Of Career Barriers, Career Decision-Making Difficulties And Career Decision Self-Efficacy, Wendy M. Downing

Masters Theses

This study examined a sociology career planning seminar's impact on students' perceptions of barriers to career planning, career decision-making difficulties and career decision self-efficacy during the fall 2010 semester. Students enrolled in the career seminar were placed into the treatment group, while students enrolled in a sophomore sociology course were placed in the control group. The Perceptions of Barriers Scale - Modified Version (Luzzo & McWhirter, 2001), the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (Gati, Krausz & Osipow, 1996) and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy. Scale- Short Form (Betz, Klein, & Taylor, 1996) were used to determine the impact of the course. Paired …

The Role Of Mindfulness In Academic Stress, Self-Efficacy, And Achievement In College Students, Brian D. Brausch

Masters Theses

This study was designed to assess the predictive quality of specific measures toward academic success in college students. In particular, high school grade point average, (GPA), American College Testing exam scores (ACT), academic stress, academic self-efficacy, and mindfulness measures were used as independent variables to determine their predictive significance toward undergraduate fall 2010 semester GPAs. Data from 268 undergraduate students at Midwestern university were collected and analyzed. Results revealed significant predictive quality of high school GPA and academic self-efficacy toward undergraduate performance. However, ACT scores, academic stress, and mindfulness measures were not found to be predictive of undergraduate semester GPAs. …

A Study Of Psychological Sense Of Community Within Living-Learning Environments, Jacob R. Hanley

Masters Theses

The present study measured the level for Psychological Sense of Community (PSOC) using the Sense of Community Index 2 (SCI-2) inside various living-learning communities at a medium sized, mid-western public university. It compared the PSOC scores with various demographic characteristics that were measured with the PSOC instrument. Based on responses of 455 participants, there were significant differences between size of living-learning communities and the PSOC levels they demonstrated. There were no significant differences between sex of participants and demonstrated PSOC levels. There were also minor differences between race, age, year, time lived on campus, and time in current residence hall …

Transition Of Freshmen Student Athletes, Jessica R. Leach

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to explore the transition of first-time, first-year freshmen student athletes to the collegiate setting. By looking at student learning outcomes as defined by their behaviors in critical domains (i.e., critical thinking, self-awareness, communication, diversity, citizenship, membership and leadership, and relationships), the study evaluated the differences between student athletes and non-athlete students at a specific institution and then compared student athletes at that institution to their peers across the nation. Differences were found in all domains between the student athletes and non-athlete students at the researched institution, and differences were found between this institution's …

Effect Of Collaborative Planning For An Activity-Based Approach To Early Intervention For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Across School And Home Environments, Marisa J. Salazar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to rise, families and educators are challenged with providing intensive, evidence-based practices in the least restrictive environment. Evidence exists for a variety of effective intervention approaches. Selection of appropriate interventions requires consideration of the individual needs of the child and family. An activity-based approach to early intervention combines strategies from a variety of evidence-based practices and allows for intensity of instruction through distributed opportunities for practice. Brief teaching interactions are elicited within the context of typical routines and activities throughout the day. Thus, intervention can be provided in inclusive classroom settings …

Addressing The Achievement Gap And Disproportionality Through The Use Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices, Angela Griner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Culturally responsive teaching practices in schools and classrooms have been shown to be an effective means of addressing the achievement gap, as well as the disproportionate representation of racially, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students in programs serving students with special needs. While there has been a recent influx in research discussing these issues, teachers and school staff lack clear examples and tools for best practices that will aid them in addressing the achievement gap and disproportionality effectively within their schools. Conducted in three phases, this research provides a framework for developing, implementing, and evaluating a culturally responsive tool for …

Selling "Dream Insurance" : The Standardized Test-Preparation Industry's Search For Legitimacy, 1946-1989, Keegan Shepherd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the origins, growth, and legitimization of the standardized test preparation ("test-prep") industry from the late 1940s to the end of the 1980s. In particular, this thesis focuses on the development of Stanley H. Kaplan Education Centers, Ltd. ("Kaplan") and The Princeton Review ("TPR"), and how these companies were most conducive in making the test-prep industry and standardized test-preparation itself socially acceptable. The standardized test most frequently discussed in this thesis is the Scholastic Aptitude Test ("SAT"), especially after its development came under the control of Educational Testing Service ("ETS"), but due attention is also given to the …

Effects Of Deadline Conditions On Learners Of Different Procrastination Tendencies In An Online Course, Pin Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three deadline conditions (i.e., frequent-instructor-set-deadline condition, flexible-instructor-set-deadline condition, and self-imposed-deadline condition) on students of different academic procrastination levels (high, medium, and low) in terms of their perceived learning, academic performance, and course satisfaction in an online course. A 3 x 3 factorial quasi-experimental design was adopted for this study. One hundred and seventy three students from three classes of different majors voluntarily participated in the study with 50 students majoring in Agriculture, 61 in International Trading, and 62 in Food Manufacturing. The three classes were randomly assigned to three …

The Relationship Between Counselor Hope And Optimism On Client Outcome, Michelle M. Muenzenmeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The counselor is an important contributor to client outcome. Research findings about therapist effects are mixed. In this study positive psychology variables, hope and optimism, were evaluated with client outcome. The sample for this study consisted of 43 graduate-level counselor trainees in the first or second practicum semester and their adult clients in a university’s community counseling clinic. Results revealed no statistically significant relationships between student counselors’ hope and optimism and client outcomes. Post hoc analysis of student hope and their post-graduation expectations, revealed statistically significant relationships. Implications for counselor educators are presented along with areas for future research.

A Qualitative Case Study Of Novice Kenyan Primary School Teachers What Messages Transmitted By The Teacher Training Colleges Are Internalized And Applied?, Carol A. Kranz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The method of instruction and the formal curriculum within two Kenyan teacher training colleges were studied in order to discover which messages regarding pedagogical practice are internalized within novice Kenyan primary school teachers and then actualized within their classrooms. An educational connoisseurship approach was utilized to give descriptive, interpretive, evaluative, and thematic insight. Three data streams were collected through interview, observation, and design evaluation in order to establish structural corroboration and internal validity. The study found that the method of instruction by the teacher training college faculty was teacher-centered and utilized lower order cognitive methodology. Though the formal curriculum design …

An Analysis Of Knowledge Of The Bible, Private School Law, And Business And Finance Between Christian School Principals With And Without Graduate Degrees, Dennis E. Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the performance of a sample of K-12 Assemblies of God Christian school principals on the Christian School Principal Preparation Assessment Questionnaire (CSPPAQ). The CSPPAQ, developed especially for this study, assesses knowledge in three areas: knowledge of the Bible, knowledge of private school law, and knowledge of business and finance. A sample size of 102 was determined using the sample size formula, based on a population of 611and a bound of 4 (+ 2). Numerous school closures over the course of this study caused the population size to drop to 490. This fact, coupled with a 45% survey …

Middle School Literacy Coaches In Florida A Study Of The Relationships Among Experience, Coaching Activities, And Other Factors Related To Reading Achievement, Patricia A. Bowman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to investigate and clarify the work lives of middle school literacy coaches in central Florida by studying their backgrounds and experiences before assuming the role of literacy coach. Additionally, the beliefs of literacy coaches on what factors influence reading achievement were examined. The responses of 44 participating middle school literacy coaches were used to investigate (a) the academic and professional experiences of each coach, (b) the percentage of time spent in 13 literacy coaching activities, and (c) the working factors related to student reading achievement as evidenced on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Data …

Supporting Hispanic Mothers With Preschool Children With Speech And/ Or Language Delays Via Dialogic Reading And Coaching Within The Home, Natalie Elizabeth Dopson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Young children who are Hispanic, from low-income homes and have developmental delays are at a disadvantage for not having the basic early literacy foundation to become successful readers later in school (Ballantyne, Sanderman, D‘Emilio, & McLaughlin, 2008; Hammer, Farkas, & Maczuga, 2010; Ezell & Justice 2005; McCardle, Scarborough, & Catts, 2001). These challenges can be addressed in several ways. Early intervention including parent education and collaboration along with shared book reading are considered best practices and critical to improving child outcomes (NELP, 2008). In addition, children who have a solid foundation in early literacy skills including vocabulary development in their …

Write The Community The Effects Of Service-Learning Participation On Seven University Creative Writing Students, Lauren Hodges

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research in higher education service-learning suggests that there is a positive relationship between service-learning and student learning outcomes as well as a positive relationship between students‘ interactions with the ―real world‖ through service-learning and the effects of these experiences on deepening students‘ knowledge in their disciplines. Recent studies have established this positive relationship between service-learning and university composition and literature students. However, aside from the existing literature on service-learning and composition and writing, there has been virtually no examination of the relationship between service-learning and creative writing. The purpose of this study was to investigate how seven creative writing students …

Program Completers' Perceptions Of Teacher Preparedness In Planning, Instruction, And Professionalism In Florida A Comparison Of District Alternative Programs, Traditional Programs, And Educator Preparatory Institutes, Lucile Heald Oldham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this research, data collected by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 program completers of the following three Florida teacher preparation programs were compared: the Initial Teacher Preparation Programs (ITP) of approved colleges and universities, District Alternative Certification Programs (DACP), the Educator Preparatory Institutes (EPI). A factor analysis was performed to identify factors perceived by program completers as important to their preparedness to teach. The factors that most closely supported completers’ perceptions of Florida teacher preparation programs regarding successful preparation for the classroom were: Planning and Instruction; Assessment, Communication and Research; Professional Responsibility and Ethical Conduct; …

Effects On Teachers' Mathematics Content Knowledge Of A Professional Learning Community, Beverley Christmas Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study the implementation of a professional learning community comprised of one group of third-grade teachers in a Florida elementary school where the emphasis was on research-based practices in the teaching of mathematics. Investigated were the growth of teachers‟ content knowledge in mathematics, specifically in the areas of multiplication and division, and the effects of their professional learning within their classrooms. Specifically this study looked at whether or not the participation of a group of third grade teachers in a professional learning community PLC improved the mathematical content knowledge of the participants of the …

A Comparison Of Routes To Certification Instructional Decisions And Teacher Preparation, Amy Lynn Trogan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study examined whether there is a relationship between teacher preparation and instructional practice. The dataset for this study was the1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). Specifically, variables created in SASS from the information provided by the Public School Teacher Questionnaire were utilized. The teacher population sample for this research study was derived from these data and then separated into two groups (alternatively and traditionally-certified teachers) based on certification variables within the dataset. The study conducted was a correlational study with instructional practices variables extracted from the dataset. Using Chi Square Goodness of Fit statistical tests, the data were …

Graduated Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders And Their Parents Lived Experiences In Public High School, Karen F. Uhle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With a dramatic increase in the prevalence of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including those with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome, educators are challenged to meet the educational needs of a complex and widely diverse group of exceptional learners. The focus of this research was to gain insight into the experiences of the graduated student with autism and his/her parent(s) during the student's time in public school. This study had three research questions: 1) What were the lived experiences of students with ASD who graduated from an urban public high school in the southeast United States?; 2) What were …

An Investigation In Journal Writing And Cooperative Learning With 8th Grade Geometry Students In The Construction Of Proof, Paul Wojcik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action research study summarizes the investigation of journal writing and cooperative grouping with 8th grade geometry students in the construction of proof. Students written responses to prompts in journals were analyzed over the course of twelve weeks. Case studies of four students were developed from the researchers’ three geometry classes. All four students in the study participated in an academic program called Pre International Baccalaureate Preparation. Standardized test scores and an attitude scale categorized the four students. The ATMAT survey (Appendix A) measured each student’s attitude toward mathematics. Writing prompts focused on the students’ perceptions of the group process …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Counseling Students' And Practicum Supervisors' Experiences With The Counselor Competencies Scale, David L. Ascher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Counselor educators are charged with facilitating the development of counseling students towards becoming ethical and competent counselors (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2005; Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs [CACREP], 2009). In addition, counselor educators serve as gatekeepers for the profession and deny entry to counseling students who demonstrate deficiency of necessary competencies (ACA, 2005; Association for Counselor Education and Supervision [ACES], 1993; CACREP, 2009). Numerous assessment tools utilized for the evaluation of counseling competencies have been developed, yet none has gained universal acceptance in the field of counselor education. The Counseling Competencies Scale© (CCS, UCF Counselor Education …

College Science Teachers' Inquiry Beliefs And Practices In The Science Classroom, Janet L. Bisogno

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine college science professors’ beliefs regarding the use of inquiry in the college science classroom, how these beliefs impacted their instructional choices and how these beliefs were enacted in the classroom. Additional questions were how teachers’ beliefs vary across institution types (community college, private, four year college, and large research institution), and how beliefs vary across disciplines (life sciences and physical sciences). A case study design was required for this study due to the complexity of the topic and different data sources needed to answer the fore stated research questions. These data sources …

Inter-Institutional Comparison Of Faculty Perceptions On The Purpose Of Freshman Year Composition Programs, Rosemarie N. Branciforte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is an investigation of instructors‟ perceptions of composition learning objectives focusing on which should be taught and which should be emphasized. The researcher observed that instructors do not regard all course objectives in English Composition courses equally; emphasizing some and giving others brief consideration. From this observation, this study was developed to measure objectives as well as to examine principal reasons for the differences in perception. Using an 18-question (16 content area and two demographic) survey based on content areas chosen to mirror general learning objectives in composition courses, along with six focused interviews, the …

The Relationship Between Principal Reported Instructional And Organizational Practices Of Title I Elementary Schools And Adequate Yearly Progress, Marsha Bur

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the practices of Title I elementary school principals in the state of Florida for the school year 2009 - 2010. Elementary school principals in six Florida school districts responded to a survey to determine the extent of implementation of instructional and organizational practices identified by research to improve instruction and learning. The practices (sub-constructs) examined were identified as curriculum, instruction, assessment, educational agenda (vision, mission, beliefs, goals), leadership for school improvement, community building, and culture of continuous improvement. The results of this study indicated that participating Florida Title I principals believed that they were implementing effective instructional …

The Role Of Cognitive And Metacognitive Reading Comprehension Strategies In The Reading And Interpretation Of Mathematical Word Problem Texts Reading Clinicians' Perceptions Of Domain Relevance And Elementary Students' Cognitive Strategy Use, Taylar Brooke Clements

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this concurrent mixed method study was to examine teacher perceptions and student applications of cognitive reading comprehension strategy use as applied to the reading and interpretation of a mathematics word problem. Teachers’ perceptions of the relevance and application of cognitive reading comprehension strategies to mathematics contexts were investigated through survey methods. Additionally, students’ cognitive strategy use was explored by eliciting verbalization of cognition using think aloud protocol and clinical interview probes with purposively selected first through sixth-grade students. An experimental component of this study involved the random assignment of teachers to a professional development book study focused …