Education Commons^™

Kim Hofmann, Kim Hofmann, Institute Of Child Nutrition

Oral History Project (all interviews)

With over 25 years’ experience, Kim has extensive skills in multiple aspects of management, cost control, training, DISC, and customer service (and she is a past school nutrition director). She is a Trainer/Consultant and eLearning developer for ICN, and a certified trainer for DISC training. She has published numerous articles for Carroll Service’s Child Nutrition Professional’s magazine, has presented at many SNA conferences, taught Food Systems Management at the University of Akron, was a cost control specialist for US Foods, and was a trainer for Career Track/Fred Pryor specializing in management training.

The Effects Of Continuous Improvement Practices Using State Value-Added Data For Reading Educator Program Enhancement, Kristin A. Gansle, Gerlinde Grandstaff-Beckers, Angelle Stringer, Nancy Roberts, Jeanne M. Burns, George Noell

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

Louisiana’s value-added evaluation of teacher preparation programs has provided a salient impetus for program improvement; however, due to the nature of the assessment, teacher preparation programs need to use additional sources of data to identify actionable responses to the value-added results. This paper describes one teacher preparation program’s approach to continuous program improvement in reading education and describes some of the limitations and benefits of value-added assessment results for that purpose.

Protean And Boundaryless Career Attitudes: Do Teacher Candidates Have These?, Tony Michael, Kevin B. Stoltz, Lori A. Wolff, Laith G. Mazahreh, Ann E. Monroe

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

Since the late 20th century, the Protean (Hall, 1996) and Boundaryless (Arthur, 1994) career concepts have been posited as explanations for employment transformations in corporate structures. While previous research (Briscoe, Hall, & Fratschy DeMuth, 2006) provides evidence of these constucts with business students, research has lacked in evaluating the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitudes Scale (PBCAS) with other professions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the PBCAS with 350 undergraduate teacher candidates and to test the new model with a second sample (n = 194). The results showed moderate support for the validity of …

Light Technology For Promoting Learning In Schools: A Review Of The Educational Research, Jessica F. Simpson, Michael S. Mott, Virginia J. Moore, Susan S. Mcclelland, Lisa Thomas

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

Research addressing light technology has been conducted since the early 1900s primarily in industrial settings for determining how to make the workplace more productive. Presently, the role of how light technology impacts the workplace, home and community settings has broadened to include research on light for positively impacting education. The current review addresses lighting by learning in educational settings to date and focuses on the two latest light technologies of fluorescent and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Results of studies reveal that various light technical specifications lead to behavioral improvement, cognitive growth and achievement in oral reading fluency. Implications for educational …

Praise In The Elementary Classroom: The Teacher’S Perspective, Steven J. Bourgeois

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

While words of encouragement from teachers may seem innocuous on the surface, the practice may have hidden costs (Kohn, 1993). Although effective in the short-run, the use of extrinsic motivators, such as praise, has been shown to have an undermining effect on long-term motivation to learn (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Mindful of the fact that academic intrinsic motivation decreases from ages 9-18 (Gottfried & Gottfried, 1996, 2006), the present study sought to gain insight into the phenomenon of classroom praise from the perspective of 105 elementary teachers, revealing their explanation and justification for this practice. Although research has documented the …

Teachers’ Needs And Preparation To Use Technology In The U.S. And Japan K-12: Learning From Teachers, Svjetlana Curcic, Makito Yurita, Kathryn Young, Lori Wolff, Ziazi Ziazi, Elena Garcia Ansani

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

A body of literature on the changing nature of knowledge acquisition, teaching, and learning with technology, has been rapidly growing within the last decade. In examining how teachers learn to use technology in the U. S. and Japan, it seems that those processes follow a similar pattern: to some extent, teacher preparation programs prepare future teachers in technology use. Frequently, however, many students learn how to use technology (e.g., various computing devices and software) on their own. Because technology is constantly evolving, it seems that those responsible for regular professional development, such as school districts (U.S.) and the Board for …

Contingent Rewards In The Elementary Classroom: The Teacher’S Perspective, Steven J. Bourgeois

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

With growing force, extrinsic motivators, such as stickers, certificates, gold stars, and monetary compensation, permeate the educational environment (Kohn, 1993). While innocuous on the surface, such incentive-laden practices represent a level of teacher control that has profound consequences for student motivation (Reeve, 2006). Although considerable field experiments have shown the effects of contingent rewards on subsequent intrinsic motivation for engaging in proscribed activities (Deci & Ryan, 1985), such studies do not shed light on the motivational realities of the classroom environment, complete with student discipline, standardized curricula, and accountability measures. One hundred five (105) elementary teachers of grades one to …

Research In Higher Education: The Neverending Story, Alice M. Clark

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

Guest Column

Uniform Policies, School Violence, And School Outcomes: From Principal’S Perspective, Seunghee Han

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

This study explores the relationships between uniform policies and school outcomes by analyzing data from the School Survey on Crime and Safety 2007-2008. Data from 387 urban elementary schools indicate that schools with uniform policies tend to have more violent incidents than schools without uniform policies. Perceptions of principals indicate more frequent incidents (e.g., verbal abuse of teacher, disrespect to teacher, and classroom disorder) in schools with uniform policies than schools with no uniform policies. In addition, school violence measured by disciplinary outcomes shows that schools with uniform policies have more drug problems, physical attacks or fights, insubordination, gang-related incidents, …

Educating Engineers, A. Louise Perkins

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

In this paper we discuss educational pedagogy vis-á-vis its impact on preparing students for careers in engineering. We relate their learning needs to the field of Educational Psychology by defining this focus group in terms of IQ metrics and relate these metrics to child development theory. We point out where we believe the current educational system is failing them. We then present a vertical study that follows eight students from 1st through 5th grade, emphasizing the improvements gained between third and fifth grade after the new approach was used. The traditional pedagogy was used in grades 1-4, while the suggested …

The Impact Of Exclusionary School Discipline Policies And An Analysis Of Alternative Approaches To Punishment, Harvard Law School Mississippi Delta Project

Delta Directions: Publications

This report evaluates out-of-school suspension (OSS) in the context of the Clarksdale Municipal School District (CMSD) using research based in positive behavioral systems and alternative approaches to exclusionary punishment. Not only does OSS detrimentally impact suspended students hindering their learning and increasing their risk harmful behaviors, but OSS also has harmful collateral effects on the larger student body, the economy, public safety, and society. This report aims to identify particular problems associated with OSS as well as offer solutions, specifically examining Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) through a local school case study, discussing effective teacher training for these types …

Beth Hanna, Beth Hanna

Oral History Project (all interviews)

Beth Hanna, PhD, RD, LD, SNS, is a registered dietician who received her PhD in Food and Lodging Management from Iowa State University.

Her work experience includes serving as Director of Nutrition Services for West Des Moines Community Schools where she managed all aspects of the school nutrition program in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Dr. Hanna also served as an instructor with Iowa State University and a consultant for the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Food and Nutrition. She reviewed child nutrition programs and offered specialized support in equipment layout and design.

In addition to being a …

Principal Preparation Effectiveness: A Program Evaluation Of The University Of Mississippi's Principal Preparation Programs, Summer Pannell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the creation of the principal's position, the role of principal has evolved from building manager and disciplinarian to a multi-faceted role responsible for strategic planning, managing funds, ensuring legislative compliance, implementing reforms, and increasing student achievement. Past research contends principal leadership may be the second most influential factor in student achievement, surpassed only by the effect of the classroom teacher (Marzano, Waters, & McNulty, 2005; Joyce & Showers, 2002). The role of the university Principal Preparation Program (PPP) is to equip participants with effective leadership practices to face the demands of school leadership roles (Duncan et al., 2011; Hernandez …

Exploring The Use Of Criminal Background Checks In Higher Education: Perceptions Of Leaders At Four Institutions Of Higher Education In Mississippi, Tiffany Edwards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Criminal background checks as a requisite for employment is not a new idea, specifically when recruiting for security sensitive job positions. In recent years, this practice has become increasingly widespread within the workforce, not only with businesses, but also with institutions of higher education. Four institutions of higher education within the state of Mississippi were randomly selected for this qualitative, phenomenological study. The researcher sought an answer to the following question: how has the use of criminal background checks transformed the nature of recruitment and hiring on university campuses? To answer this question, the researcher explored historical practices at each …

African American Vernacular English (Aave) In The Classroom: The Attitudes And Ideologies Of Urban Educators Toward Aave, Melanie Hines Knapp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burton Place is an antebellum home site located in the City of Holly Springs, in Marshall County, northeast Mississippi. The property was built in 1848 and features the main home, or "big house," and one remaining dependent structure recognized as former slave dwellings. Through archival and ancestral research, one African American Burton descendant traced her ancestry to individuals enslaved by the original property owner. This descendant then approached the current property owner with this knowledge who, following this initial meeting, invited her to visit Burton place with her family. The family now holds a portion of their family reunion at …

The Effects Of Departmentalized And Self-Contained Structures On Student Achievement, Carrie Renee Skelton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of departmentalized and self-contained classroom structures on student achievement of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students in Mississippi schools. Historical MCT2 proficiency level percentages were collected from the Mississippi Department of Education website for the following school years: 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013. This data was used to calculate a revised Quality of Distribution Index (QDI-R) for each school included in the study. Using the QDI-R, differences were generated between school year (SY) 2009-2010 and SY 2010-2011; between SY 2010-2011 and SY 2011-2012; and between SY 2011-2012 and SY 2012-2013. This yielded three data …

The Diverse Nature Of Corporal Punishment: An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Students’ Perceptions Of The Discipline Method, Academic Performance, And Social Behaviors, Demeka Lashun Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of corporal punishment has been debated due to linkage to decreased academic performance (Hickmon, 2010) and negative social behaviors (Hicks-Pass, 2009). Disparities exist in who has received corporal punishment (Rollins, 2012). Although there is much research pertaining to corporal punishment, there have been few studies conducted where students' opinions of it have been obtained (Holden, 2002). Thus, there is a need to examine students' perceptions of corporal punishment. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between academic performance, social behaviors, and previous experience with corporal punishment at school and perceptions of corporal punishment among elementary …

The Attitudinal And Cognitive Effects Of Interdisciplinary Collaboration On Elementary Pre-Service Teachers Development Of Biological Science Related Lesson Plans, Jada Mills

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a need for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education to be taught effectively in elementary schools. In order to achieve this, teacher preparation programs should graduate confident, content strong teachers to convey knowledge to elementary students. This study used interdisciplinary collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Liberal Arts through a Learning-by-Teaching method (LdL): Lernen durch Lernen in German. Pre-service teacher (PST) achievement levels of understanding science concepts based on pretest and posttest data, quality of lesson plans developed, and enjoyment of the class based on the collaboration with science students. The PSTs enrolled …

An Investigation Of The Effect Of Single-Gendered Instruction On Achievement In Math And English In An Urban High School, Beverly Bacchus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the inception of the No Child Left Behind Act, many initiatives have been implemented to increase academic achievement. Single-gender education is an initiative that public schools have adopted with the hope of seeing boys and girls achieve significant gains in their core classes. This study explored the achievement levels of 9th grade girls and boys in their English I and Algebra I classes. After a year of learning in single-gender classes, the students' end of course scores were compared to the previous cohort of students who were taught in a traditional co-educational format by using an independent t-test. Scores …

How Does Executive Function Skills Instruction Impact Student Executive Function Levels And Academic Achievement On Comcore State Standards Assessments?, Donna Akers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Executive function skills are vitally important to student success in school and later in life. Executive function skills can and are improved with specific skills instruction. The literature reveals a correlation between executive function and academic achievement. So, the theory proposed is that raising executive function levels will raise achievement levels. The role of executive function in student achievement in the ComCore State Standards was studied with a fourth grade class. It was conducted over a nine-week period, and used an experimental and control group. Both groups were given an executive function pretest and academic achievement (ComCore) pretest. During the …

Mississippi Statewide Accountability System: A Measure Of Academic Attainment Or Other Factors, Eddie De Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study analyzed the construct validity of the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System through an analysis of the relationship between teacher, financial, socio-economic, and social characteristics and the Quality of distribution index of public school districts in Mississippi. This study sought to determine if there were constructs outside the control of schools and districts that significantly correlated to outcomes of the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System that were not accounted for in the calculations. Educational leaders, communities, and other educational stakeholders have paid close attention to the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System as legislators have chosen to use it to rank schools …

A Study Of Retention Rates Among Non-Resident Students Enrolled In Freshman Retention Programs, Chelsea Welch Bennett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract: this mixed methods, relational design involved a Qual-Quan sequential exploratory design to determine the relationship between two freshman retention programs, cohort-based and non-cohort based freshman year experience (fye) courses, and the retention of academically less-prepared, non-resident students at a Southern University (SU). Structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted for the qualitative purposes of this study. Qualitative data was obtained from 31 non-resident, first-year students at SU enrolled in either the non-cohort fye course (n=22) or the cohort-based fye course (n=9). Of the 31 participants, 14 were male, and 17 were female and, at the time of interview, all …

A Phenomenography Of Mississippi African American High School Students' Progress In English Language Arts (Ela), Ebonee Nicole Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing academic achievement among African Americans has become increasingly challenging for several educators. To receive aid in their pedagogical efforts, many of these teachers read qualitative literature and often discover success stories told by teachers and/or administrators. Qualitative research rarely includes African American students who share their own journey of academic achievement. To offer different insight that will specifically help high school educators increase ELA achievement among students of color, this qualitative study employed a phenomenographic approach to uncover how African American students in a Mississippi public high school perceived their experiences of meeting growth in English Language Arts (ELA). …

Leadership Orientation Frame Preferences Of School Boards In Mississippi, Patrick Laquincy Washington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The work of schools is becoming more complex and demanding. Administrators, teachers and parents are often at the core of the educational debate about what is needed to improve schools. The demand for better results in America's schools has led to many efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning that mainly rested on the shoulders of teachers and school leaders. The past decade has led to added accountability measures that also include local school boards. Accountability for the school board calls for an in-depth look at school board capacity. This research looks at the role of the school …

Technology Access, Integration, And Student Achievement: Examining Diverse Technology Learning Environments And College And Career Readiness In Rural North Mississippi High Schools, Randi Nicole Peel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teaching and learning practices influence college and career readiness (CCR) as measured by newly implemented ComCore State Standards (CCSS) through next-generation assessments. This mixed-methods study examined different levels of technology access and integration on current CCR measurements in two rural North Mississippi school districts. The approach incorporated a causal-comparative design and an exploration of attitudes and perceptions about technology’s impact on college and career readiness. The study found statistical significance in differences of ACT® mean scores for the composite, English, reading and science assessments between the two school districts. The district with a one to one laptop learning environment demonstrated …

The Effect Of A Second-Order Factor Wellness Intervention On The Total Wellness Of Female Collegiate Athletes, Mindy Dunagan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given that college athletes focus a great deal of time on physical wellness, some might assume that they tend to enjoy higher levels of wellness than their non-athlete counterparts on campus. However, Watson and Kissinger (2007) found that the average wellness scores were higher for the undergraduate non-athlete students when compared to college athletes. More specifically, researchers have found that female collegiate athletes are more susceptible than male athletes to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders and report higher levels of stress (Brunet, 2010; Haupt, 1993; Hudd et al., 2000). In addition, there is a lack of research examining …

Perceptions Of Race And Privilege: An Examination Of Intercultural Competence And Service-Learning In The Mississippi Delta, Laura Antonow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods constructivist case study was to examine how college students process issues of race and privilege when participating in service-learning in a predominantly minority, underserved region, and if that experience impacts their intercultural competence. The participants were University of Mississippi students (N=20) conducting service in the Mississippi Delta. The qualitative research included pre-service focus groups and post-service in-depth interviews, and syllabi and class written reflections were analyzed. The quantitative research included pre- and post-tests using the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) that assessed participants’ awareness of and attitudes about racial inequities and privilege before and …

Effects Of Information Communication Technology Connectedness On The Stress Levels On Student Affairs Professionals, Joshua Coulter Ward

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Value Of Internships Within Athletic Training Education: Educators’ Views, Heather Arlene Landry Shirley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In a struggling global economy, internships offer students the opportunity to connect with a network of resources early on in their career journey and provide students with the hands-on work experience that is not often found within the confines of the classroom (Hindmoor, 2010). Higher Education is continuously posed with the challenge of defending the type of education that students are being given and the value that education has (Arum & Roska, 2011a; Arum & Roska, 2014b; Hacker & Dreifus, 2010). With that in mind, internships could be the missing link that leaves future graduates equipped with the much-needed preparation …

Perspectives On English Language Instruction Techniques: Lessons From Latin American Bilingual Programs, Kendal P. Herring

Honors Theses

This paper reviews current research about programs available for English language learning (ELL) students in the United States. It discusses what programs are best for language acquisition according to research and how to most effectively teach English to ELL students, specifically Spanish-speaking students. It tells the importance of implementing effective English instruction techniques due to the growing number of Spanish-speaking students in the United States. The paper analyzes information gathered from interviews with educators who have experience at bilingual schools in Latin America. Bilingual schools in Latin America provide English education in an environment consistent with evidence-based methods of language …