Education Commons^™

Effects Of Remedial Reading On The Oral Fluency Skill Of Students With Disabilities Enrolled In An Inclusive Setting, Willie B. Green

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Research showed students with poor reading skills face difficulties in general education classes. Schools are face with the challenge of meeting the needs of all students. Therefore, researchers recommended using a research-based reading intervention program to improve students’ reading achievement.

The Reading to Read intervention program was used to supplement reading benchmarks for each student. Instructions were provided and monitored by assistant teachers trained in the Reading to Read procedure. To measure the effects of the program, pretest-posttest scores were compared for 20 students in the treatment group who participate in the interventions and 20 students in the control group …

Impact Of The Four Brain-Essential Learning Steps On Preschool Teachers In The Development Of Instructional Strategies To Create A Positive Learning Environment, Andrea Seidman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the ways in which the use of the Four Brain-Essential Learning Steps (4BELS) may impact preschool teachers in the development of instructional strategies that create a positive learning environment. For the purpose of this study, a positive learning environment was defined as emotionally safe, of high quality, and using differentiated instructional strategies.

This study sought to answer the following research questions:

1. What factors should be considered when exploring the ability of preschool teachers to implement new instructional strategies using the 4BELS to create a positive learning environment?

2. What …

A Preliminary Validity Study Of The Modified Fresno Test As A Formative Indicator Of Student Mastery Of Evidence Base Practice Skills Within An Integrated Case Based Physical Therapy Curriculum, Amy Miller

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Evidence based practice (EBP) is a core skill required for physical therapists. This applied dissertation investigated a method to provide formative assessment of EBP skill development for entry level physical therapy students. The study utilized a version of The Fresno Test of competence in EBP, modified for physical therapy (Tilson, 2010). Evidence based practice skills are taught throughout the study site’s integrated case based physical therapy curriculum. Assessment methods addressing EBP skills currently utilized in the program are summative or do not provide standardized assessment of key component skills to guide individual student development.

The Modified Fresno Test was administered …

Effects Of An Extended-School-Year Summer Program On The Language-Arts Achievement Of At-Risk Students, Jeffery S. Zito

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the study was to improve the reading and writing skills of underperforming students in Grades 3 through 5 at an elementary school located in the northeastern United States. Proficient literacy skills are essential for future academic success (National Early Literacy Panel, 2009). Because acquiring literacy skills is a prerequisite to the attainment of all other academic skills, learning to read is considered a necessary foundational ability by researchers (Krezmien & Mulcahy, 2008; Lo, Wang, & Haskell, 2009; Murphy, 2004). The problem addressed in this study was that, in the 2004-2005 to 2006-2007 school years, a mean of …

Analysis Of The Retention Level Of A Foreign Language Among High School Students After Graduation, Obed Barrientos

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to measure student retention levels of the Spanish that they learned during high school. The researcher compared the scores of participants who took Spanish in college to the scores of participants who did not attend college. In addition, the purpose of the study was to (a) see if motivation had an impact on retention, (b) see if high school grade point average correlated with retention, and (c) investigate specific topics of the curriculum that former students remembered the most. The researcher tested former students who graduated from high school between 2002 and 2011.

Students completed …

Developing Athletic Accountability Systems To Control Spending At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Travis A. Blue

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Athletic departments at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) were not performing well due to anomalies in accounting systems. Further, because the HBCUs lacked the funding, staff, and training necessary to support such programs, strategic plans were needed to help establish better accounting systems in HBCUs. This goal involved training staff within the athletic departments to take full responsibility for their fiscal accountability.

The researcher developed two surveys to provide a quantitative assessment, to make recommendations, and to develop ideas for training that would strengthen the fiscal accountability of athletic department personnel. The research questions for this study were as …

Relación Entre La Auto-Eficacia En Estudiantes De Bajo Aprovechamiento Académico Y La Percepción Sobre La Efectividad De Las Modalidades De Instrucción En Su Aprendizaje, Esther A. Rubio Negrón

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada, se diseñó para determinar si la autoeficacia, en la materia de los cursos nivelatorios, modera las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre la efectividad de la instrucción en línea, híbrida y tradicional. Guiados por el interés de los estudiantes en las tecnologías y el uso de las redes sociales, la administración de la universidad donde se efectuó el estudio, autoriza la incorporación de una variedad de modalidades instruccionales en los procesos de enseñanza aprendizaje. Estos ofrecimientos pretendían servir a todos los estudiantes universitarios, incluyendo los de primer año que toman cursos nivelatorios.

El estudio se basó en la …

Exploratory Study Of Preferred Learning Styles Of Maine Family Forest Owners, Kevin D. Doran

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this exploratory study was to provide natural resource educators with an understanding of Maine family forest owners’ preferred learning styles. The problem was that despite a legislative mandate to provide information and education to Maine family forest owners, students, and adults in a manner that leads to informed decisions regarding their forests, limited research existed about instructional best practices to accomplish this mandate. A major tenet of andragogy, the art and science of teaching adults, is that content geared to the specific learning needs of an individual results in more effective education. By determining preferred learning styles …

Generational Differences In Work Ethic: A Study Of Four Generations In The Workplace, Kathleen J. Barlow

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which differences in work ethic existed among four generations and two genders in the workplace. Data from four subsets of the Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (MWEP) were examined (delay of gratification, hard work, morality/ethics, and self-reliance). Popular press has raised awareness of differences in work ethic between generations; however, scholars have disagreed about whether generational differences existed in the workplace. The writer used archival data to examine the work ethic of four generations of workers.

Two research questions guided this study:

1. What differences in work ethic, if any, …

An Ethnographic Case Study Of Elementary Principal Leadership Strategies And The No Child Left Behind Act, Cassandra J. Poole

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Leadership is regarded as the key to comprehensive school improvement efforts and the principal is expected to lead the charge/change. Book knowledge is good, but the difference between effective and less effective principals is not what they know but what they actually do. What do principals do to meet AYP? Young (2004) pointed out that some principals recognize they can gain the edge and survive by learning from other effective practitioners. NCLB and AYP demand change to meet the mandates that will bring about improvement in student achievement. NCLB has changed the educational landscape. Numerous articles and literature exists on …

Examining The Effects Of Extracurricular Activities On Grade Point Averages And Discipline Referrals, Jessica Keaton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide information for school administrators, school board members, instructional staff, parents, and students. Expectations for student achievement continue to increase due to many federal, state, and local initiatives. Many schools are analyzing current programs to determine what programs have the most effect on students‘ achievement. Additionally, schools are faced with reduced budgets, so it is imperative that the most effective programs are maintained while less effective programs are discontinued in order to spend funding in the areas that most directly impacts student achievement.

This causal comparative study compared Grade Point Averages (GPA) and discipline …

A Preliminary Examination Of A Program That Provides Free Blood Glucose Testing Meters, And Subsidies On Test-Strips To Adult Diabetics, Cecil White

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to conduct a preliminary examination of the effects of the provision of free glucose testing meters, and test-strips subsidies on blood glucose control among diabetics. The study examined whether there was any impact on the frequency of testing, and whether there was a correlation between the frequency of testing and blood sugar control, as measured by HbA1c tests.

The researcher conducted a study of the program using a quasi-experimental design, and used the Glucose Monitoring Patient Questionnaire to compare the results between a test group and a control group of participants. Independent t tests were …

The Effectiveness Of A Ninth-Grade Mentorship Program For Increasing Reading Comprehension, Yolanda M. Tucker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation compared 50 Grade 9 students’ reading and English language arts performance before and after a mentoring program focused on reading. There were no instructional support programs at this high school that could assist struggling students in the area of reading and English language arts. This high school mentoring program was implemented during the 2008–2009 school year to help students in areas such as oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in response to a growing number of Grade 9 students failing the state’s annual reading assessment. Foundational reading skills are needed to succeed in all subject areas. …

Daily Flash Card Drills And Systems Thinking To Master Math Addition Facts, Jerome Ravenna

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide better access to information for the students and staff in an elementary school regarding acquisition and retention of basic addition math facts. Teaching techniques and strategies were explored that would enable elementary students to master essential skills in mathematics.

By the end of the first semester in Grade 1, learners must demonstrate knowledge of basic mathematic facts, especially in addition. Learners are subjected to diversified instruction where schools strive to teach a wide variety of subject materials rather than focus on basic skills and mastery. The result is broader student awareness of many …

An Evaluation Of Teaching Strategies Using Computer Technology, Anthony Griffin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The push to integrate technology into teachers’ daily practices has met with many forms of resistance. A common approach to increasing technology integration has been to provide teachers with professional development. This applied dissertation was designed to investigate the impact of a peer-led professional development program on teachers’ ability and confidence to integrate computer technology in daily classroom practices.

The writer prepared and facilitated a peer-led professional development program on the use of computer technology for volunteer English and social studies teachers. The program was presented as a 6-hour training. At the conclusion of the training, the participants evaluated the …

Developing A Standardized Articulation Model For Florida High School Career And Technical Graduates To Florida’S Community And State Colleges, Dennette Foy

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide Florida college educators with a standardized process for determining credit portability for Florida high school career and technical graduates to career programs of Florida’s 28 community and state colleges. This study focused on the process of local articulation development and the analysis of assessment methods employed to determine college credit for career pathways (formerly Tech Prep) within the Florida colleges and the local school districts.

This study employed a survey and document analysis. Study participants were key college administrators involved in the career pathways articulation process, including the articulation officer, student advising administrator, …

Adjunct Faculty Perceptions About Educational Technology Integration In Higher Education Courses: A Descriptive Study, John Lutzyk

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to gain an understanding of adjunct faculty members’ perceptions about integrating educational technology in the classroom. Surveys were distributed to adjunct faculty at the targeted university to collect quantitative data to determine perceptions about educational technology and integration in the classroom. In addition, two focus groups consisting of university administrators were held to discuss the target university’s perceptions and expectations of the both university and adjunct faculty members with regards to technology integration in the classroom.

There were 25 procedures used to complete this study. First, a literature review was completed. Next, formative …

An Investigation On Self-Esteem And Battered Women In A Shelter In Belize: A Guide To Treatment Intervention, Dorla E. Rosado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem investigated involved the increasing numbers of reported cases of domestic violence in Belize between 2000 and 2009. As a result of this situation, the purpose of this applied research was to investigate the self-esteem of battered women who access the services of a shelter in Belize. This first of its kind study in Belize provided baseline data on the self-esteem of battered women to guide the development and implementation of treatment intervention for the women. Key to developing any treatment intervention is that the format is based on data-driven evidence that indicates how battered women in the shelter …

Impact Of A Supplemental Instruction Model On The Mathematics Skills Of College Students, Cara S. Harrell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The applied dissertation was designed to determine if a supplemental tool would improve the achievement of students enrolled in an introductory college mathematics course. The study was conducted to determine if students who were exposed to a mathematical model would learn information at a more significant level than those students who did not use the mathematical model.

Four research questions were investigated. During this study, 53 students were members of the experimental group and control groups. Eight individuals were part of the evaluation committee. The experimental group consisted of 26 participants who were exposed to the mathematical model, and the …

Can Professional Development Improve Teachers’ Perceptions About Inclusive Teaching In An Inner City School, Solomon Homidas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation examined the question of whether professional development can improve teachers’ perceptions of inclusive teaching in an inner city school. The study drew upon survey methods to collect measurements of teachers' perceptions about inclusive teaching before and after professional development sessions. The hypothesis was that exposure to professional development would give teachers an improved impression of inclusive teaching, which in turn could make them more committed to the inclusive teaching paradigm. If the hypothesis was correct, the study would show that professional development should be considered an important component of developing teachers who work in inclusive settings, especially …

The Effect Of Principal Leadership On New Teacher Retention Rates, James A. Avila

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide increased knowledge of the effect of principal leadership on new teacher retention. When compared to other mobility rates, the new teacher attrition rate is higher; new teachers leave the school systems at faster rates than they can be replaced (Darling-Hammond & Sykes, 2003; Ingersoll & Smith, 2003; “NEA Study,” 2005; “Support new teachers and keep them teaching,” 2005; Watkins, 2005). The failure to retain new teachers often results in fewer quality teachers and poorer levels of instruction (Brown & Wynn, 2009). This study speculates that principal leadership, specifically instructional leadership, directly affects new …

El Webquest Como Generador Del Aprendizaje, Marilia Villafañe

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta investigación cualitativa utilizó la técnica de estudio de caso con el propósito de describir cómo los maestros integran el WebQuest en su curso y determinar si actuó como generador de aprendizaje. El WebQuest es una herramienta tecnológica cuya meta es conducir al estudiante a una actividad de aprendizaje que facilite la solución de problemas y el aprendizaje significativo. Las preguntas de este estudio fueron las siguientes: ¿Cómo los maestros utilizan el WebQuest como herramienta de enseñanza en el curso?, ¿En qué medida los maestros perciben el WebQuest como generador de aprendizaje constructivista y colaborativo?, ¿En qué medida están los …

Reading Acquisition And Learning Gains In Special-Education Students Using The Adventure Island Intervention Reading Program, Wilhelmina Tanner-Early

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed (a) to address the target school’s failure to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) for the 2007–2008 academic year due to its declining performance on the New York State English Language Arts Assessment (NYSELA) and (b) to investigate the impact of the Adventure Island Intervention Reading Program (AIIRP) on the reading performance of students with disabilities in Grades 3–8. Results on the NYSELA showed that special-education students had failed to meet standards for 3 consecutive years.

Participants were 70 students with disabilities, 6 special-education teachers, and 6 content-specialist teachers. Quantitative and qualitative measures consisted of (a) …

Assessing Collaborative Conversations Between Mentor Coaches And School Administrators: A Qualitative Study, Bonnie L. Tryon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The proposed dissertation is designed to assess the contributions of collaborative conversations between school administrator mentor coaches and mentees. There is no statewide program available for school administrators to receive professional learning in a blended mentor-coaching model, and, as such, the qualitative research study aims to assess the nature of collaborative conversations that grow leadership practices.

Members of the mentoring committee of a statewide professional association spent over 2 years reviewing and visiting many mentor and coaching programs. Committee members discovered that current and aspiring school administrators had little access to the vital support literature indicating that a mentor-coaching relationship …

An Intervention Designed To Increase Student Perseverance In An Undergraduate Teacher Education Environment, Heather Hansen

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide additional support services to online undergraduate teacher education students. The students who were enrolled in EDUC 2500 Pre-Enrollment Seminar did not have a supportive learning environment previously. This study was conducted to determine whether adding a mentoring and supportive learning environment leads to student persistence in the course. This research shows that mentoring and supportive learning environments lead to increased graduation rates for the university in the teacher education program and qualified teachers in the school districts if students persist in the first semester online course.

The course assessment survey was sent to …

Factores Que Influyen En La Adopción De La Tecnología Educativa En Las Escuelas Elementales Del Sur De Puerto Rico, Carmen Milagros González De Jesús

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

El presente estudio tuvo como propósito determinar los factores que influyen en la adopción y uso de lo s equipos tecnológicos como herramienta educativa en tres escuelas del sur de Puerto Rico. La investigación se centró en determinar los usos que le dan los maestros a los equipos disponibles, las actitudes hacia el uso de la computadora en la sala de clases, los factores que contribuyen con el uso de la tecnología, así como los factores que actúan como barrera. Para determinar los factores que influyen en la adopción y uso de la tecnología como herramienta educativa se utilizó un …

A Program To Improve The Reading Skills Of Eighth-Grade Students, Timothy Thurman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The applied dissertation examined the effectiveness of Reader’s Workshop (Orehovec & Alley, 2003) on students’ reading skills on the SAT-10 state assessment and the Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading (STAR, Renaissance Learning, 2002).

The site of the applied dissertation was a school located in rural Alabama. Based on STAR tests administered in August 2008, 19 out of 48 (40%) of the 8th-grade students taking the STAR at the school that was the site of the applied dissertation scored below grade level in reading. The 8th-grade class for the 2009-2010 school year followed the same trend and produced scores …

Perceptions Of Secondary Teachers And Administrators About Coteaching, Brenda Brie Cederna

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Educating students with disabilities in the general education classroom continues to increase as districts are mandated to meet federal requirements. The use of coteaching to support students in the general education classroom is on the rise. By having a content area teacher and a special education teacher share classroom responsibilities, students gain access to the general education curriculum while continuing to receive services and supports to meet their individual needs. This qualitative study allowed the researcher to gather information directly from the teachers and administrators who were responsible for the implementation of the coteaching model at one high school in …

Evaluation Of A 21st-Century After-School Program At A Southeastern Elementary School, Timothy B. Hunter

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the research was to evaluate a 21st-century after-school program at an elementary school in the southeastern United States. The program focused on the improvement of academic skills for students in Grades 3 through 5 in the academic areas of English and math. Implementation was in response to the high rate of students scoring below average on standardized tests. The Stufflebeam model was used to guide the program evaluation. Interview data were gathered from the after-school coordinator. Survey data were gathered from the after-school teachers and regular-school teachers. Data were also gathered from archival and empirical sources.

Test …

An Elementary-To-Middle School Transitional Program And Its Effect On Student Behavior, Kyle Sheer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The transition from elementary to middle school has proven to be difficult for all stakeholders. Reports of increased discipline infractions and truancy, combined with a noticeable drop in overall student achievement, have resulted in numerous attempts to ease the anxieties and frustrations that are characteristic of this transition. Schools often establish transitional programs to prepare incoming middle school students with the skills needed to be successful in a new educational environment. Transitional programs are often very expensive to operate and require an extensive amount of planning. This program evaluation considered 1 specific transitional program that took place during the summer …