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Full-Text Articles in Education

Best Practices Used By Assistant Superintendents Of Curriculum And Instruction: Improving Teacher Instruction In A High Accountability Environment, Julie Madden Dec 2017

Best Practices Used By Assistant Superintendents Of Curriculum And Instruction: Improving Teacher Instruction In A High Accountability Environment, Julie Madden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative multi-case study investigated not only the role of assistant superintendents of curriculum and instruction, but the strategies and best practices used by four assistant superintendents of curriculum and instruction and a deputy superintendent of teaching and learning from East Texas in order to improve classroom instruction and support teachers in the high-stakes testing environment. The study sheds light on the role of central office leaders, their views related to the high-stakes testing environment and the impact they have on instruction for teachers and students. The responses given in this qualitative case study were carefully analyzed in order to …


Women In Recovery: Perceptions In Transition To Community College, Mandi Walker Dec 2017

Women In Recovery: Perceptions In Transition To Community College, Mandi Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance abuse is an area of concern for college administrators, and they have implemented campus programming in an attempt to address it. Additionally, prior researchers have studied substance abuse on college campuses in order to better understand how substance abuse affects student success. However, limited research exist that addresses the unique perspective of college students who are in recovery from substance abuse, and most studies were conducted in 4-year institutions rather than community colleges. This qualitative case study explored the transition experiences of female students in recovery who attend community college or have recently graduated. The sample included students from …


Modeling Student Enrollment At Etsu Using A Discrete-Time Markov Chain Model, Lohuwa Mamudu Dec 2017

Modeling Student Enrollment At Etsu Using A Discrete-Time Markov Chain Model, Lohuwa Mamudu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discrete-time Markov chain models can be used to make future predictions in many important fields including education. Government and educational institutions today are concerned about college enrollment and what impacts the number of students enrolling. One challenge is how to make an accurate prediction about student enrollment so institutions can plan appropriately. In this thesis, we model student enrollment at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with a discrete-time Markov chain model developed using ETSU student data from Fall 2008 to Spring 2017. In this thesis, we focus on the progression from one level to another within the university system including …


Exploring The Ways In Which Highly Efficacious Intermediate Teachers Employ Best Practices In Reading Instruction For Struggling Readers, Terrence P. Young Aug 2017

Exploring The Ways In Which Highly Efficacious Intermediate Teachers Employ Best Practices In Reading Instruction For Struggling Readers, Terrence P. Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed method study was to build on the earlier efficacy work of Tschannen, Moran, and Hoy (2001) and the reading teacher efficacy work of Szabo and Mokhtari (2004) to add to educational research related to teacher efficacy and reading. This study is specifically focused on the teaching of reading to struggling readers at the intermediate levels. The study was guided by four research questions that focused on the teaching of struggling readers at the intermediate level. Reading teacher self-efficacy levels were established through a survey instrument. In addition, data from two interviews, structured and semi-structured, about …


The Impact Of Student Abroad On Intercultural Competence As A Professional Disposition: Narrative Stories From Student Affairs Professionals, Dare Chronister Aug 2017

The Impact Of Student Abroad On Intercultural Competence As A Professional Disposition: Narrative Stories From Student Affairs Professionals, Dare Chronister

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student affairs professionals (SAP) have been tasked to educate students and provide opportunities to develop skills to live in a culturally diverse and global society. The shortage of culturally competent SAP could hinder students’ abilities to gain intercultural competence. The purpose of this narrative non-fiction study was to understand how SAP’ study abroad experiences helped them to grow and develop intercultural competence. Furthermore, the study aimed to identify how intercultural competence shaped their practices and strategies to provide students with safe environments to gain knowledge and understanding about different cultures. Data collection included three levels of semi-structured interviews. Identified themes …


A Phenomenological Study On The Motivating Factors Influencing Participation In Tennessee’S Governor’S Academy For School Leadership, Amy B. Horton Mrs. Aug 2017

A Phenomenological Study On The Motivating Factors Influencing Participation In Tennessee’S Governor’S Academy For School Leadership, Amy B. Horton Mrs.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Educational administration is such a demanding field, so it is important to understand why an aspiring principal would self-select to commit to an optional yearlong, intensive professional development activity with very little compensation and no promotion. Motivation may prove to be a key component of the recruitment and sustainability of professional development activities. By discovering the factors affecting both personal and professional motivation of beginning administrators to participate in a professional development led by the collaboration among the Tennessee Department of Education, Vanderbilt University, and Governor Bill Haslam, the researcher hopes to gain an understanding that may apply to future …


Examining Attrition Through The Hierarchal System Of Education For Zero - Fifth Year Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study, Joshua D. Nation May 2017

Examining Attrition Through The Hierarchal System Of Education For Zero - Fifth Year Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study, Joshua D. Nation

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition was the focal issue of this mixed-methods study. Teachers, for a wide variety of reasons, have left the profession of education due to issues surrounding school leadership, compensation, and student behavior, just to name a few. This study intended to expand the understanding of zero through fifth year teachers, and if this population of teachers is satisfied, and staying in the field, or if they are dissatisfied. By using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the factors within in the hierarchal educational system were explored to identify which part of the educational system is connected to teacher attrition: the microsystem, …


Discourses Of Developmental English Education: Reframing Policy Debates, Aaron R. Tolbert May 2017

Discourses Of Developmental English Education: Reframing Policy Debates, Aaron R. Tolbert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to the National Educational Longitudinal Study, an estimated 28% of academically underprepared students who take developmental courses (preparatory, not credit-bearing) graduate within 8.5 years (Attewell, Lavin, Domina, & Levey, 2006), far below the national average graduation rate of near 60% of students for all postsecondary institutions (USDE, 2016). Given these statistics, some conclude that developmental education itself contributes to the low graduation rate of developmental students (Bailey, Jaggars, & Jenkins, 2015). Indeed, the causes of this attainment gap are the focus of vigorous debates by scholars from numerous disciplines, defining whether the problems exist within the organizational structure and …


Developing Effective Classroom Environments In A High School Looping Program: A Narrative Research Study, Caleb C. Tipton May 2017

Developing Effective Classroom Environments In A High School Looping Program: A Narrative Research Study, Caleb C. Tipton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study captures the narrative of the lived experiences of four teachers as they developed effective classroom environments in a high school looping program in an Eastern Tennessee school district. The study examined the stories and reflections of the participants in order to discover teacher perception, behaviors, and attitudes that help to establish teacher-student relational involvement which produces positive academic, behavioral, and socio-emotional student outcomes. The stories collected during the narrative study provide real-life, contextual data with which other practitioners might reflect upon their own teaching experiences and practices. The study also adds to the discussion on the potential impact …


Instructional Teacher Job Resources And Student Achievement In Mathematics., Amy Stokes-Levine May 2017

Instructional Teacher Job Resources And Student Achievement In Mathematics., Amy Stokes-Levine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that teachers who are supported with job resources are more engaged regardless of the level of demands (Klusmann et al., 2008). Additionally, teachers who are engaged with their work are less likely to report their intention to leave the teaching profession (Klassen et al., 2012), which is particularly important for mathematics teachers who are in high demand (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond, & Carver-Thomas, 2016). Supporting employees with job resources is a commonly accepted practice in many professional fields (e.g., Christian, Garza, & Slaughter, 2011), yet is not a common practice in education (e.g., Bidwell, 2013; Gewertz, 2014; Layton, 2015; Rentner …


Balancing Multiple Roles: A Re-Examination Of How Work Impacts Academic Performance For Community College Students, Celena Ziems Jan 2017

Balancing Multiple Roles: A Re-Examination Of How Work Impacts Academic Performance For Community College Students, Celena Ziems

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated how work impacts academic performance for community college students, from a multiple role balance perspective. Perna (2010) called for a re-examination of the role of work in college students' lives, especially regarding the exploration of benefits, rather than just the detriments of working while studying. According to Karp and Bork (2014), more research was also needed on community college students and how they balance multiple roles. Exploring the relationship between balancing multiple roles and academic performance may provide new insight into how community college students contend with demanding roles, while striving to achieve academic success. This study …


An Investigation Of State College To University Transfer Students' Sense Of Belonging, Claire Brady Jan 2017

An Investigation Of State College To University Transfer Students' Sense Of Belonging, Claire Brady

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the sense of belonging of state college transfer students who enroll at a large research-intensive university through structured and unstructured transfer pathways using the Sense of Belonging Instrument (SBI; Hoffman, Richmond, Morrow, & Solomon, 2002). The SBI includes five subscales (Peer Support, Faculty Support, Classroom Comfort, Isolation, and Empathetic Faculty Understanding). To date, no systematic investigation has considered the construct of belonging with this population or transfer pathway. The findings from this study (n = 54) found a positive statistically significant correlation between Peer Support and Isolation (r(52) =.801, p …


An Investigation Of The Help-Seeking Behaviors Of Women Student Veterans, Tanya Armstrong Jan 2017

An Investigation Of The Help-Seeking Behaviors Of Women Student Veterans, Tanya Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women with military experience are attending colleges and universities across the United States. It is important to understand how they describe their experiences as students and how their help-seeking behaviors impact their success (DiRamio & Jarvis, 2011; Baechtold & Da Sawal, 2009). Using Schlossberg's Adult Transition Theory (1981, 1984) as a framework, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the help-seeking behaviors of women student veterans. In addition, the events that caused them to seek help and the resources they utilized are described. The research questions were: (1) Does the prior military experience of women student veterans influence their willingness to seek …


A Comprehensive Study Of The Learning Styles Of Student Athletes And Academic Advisors At Three Institutions In The American Athletic Conferences And The Tools And Resources Used To Ensure Academic Success., Dianna Lampitt Jan 2017

A Comprehensive Study Of The Learning Styles Of Student Athletes And Academic Advisors At Three Institutions In The American Athletic Conferences And The Tools And Resources Used To Ensure Academic Success., Dianna Lampitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collegiate athletics plays an important role in higher education. As a result of this importance student athletes also play a significant role in higher education. However, due to their athletic responsibilities they face a number of challenges while enrolled in a college or university. An academic advisor for student athletes is responsible for not only helping the student athletes with their academics, they also play an important role in ensuring the eligibility of college student athletes so they are able to compete. As a result, academic advisors for student athletes use a number of tools and resources that help ensure …


An Investigation Of Low Performing Central Florida Teacher Evaluation Feedback And Improvement Plans As Related To Value-Added Model Scores And Instructional Practice Scores, Tara Butler Jan 2017

An Investigation Of Low Performing Central Florida Teacher Evaluation Feedback And Improvement Plans As Related To Value-Added Model Scores And Instructional Practice Scores, Tara Butler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if low performing Central Florida teachers, according to Florida VAM scores, had related instructional practice evaluations that were being used to determine placement on improvement plans in the 2013-14 school year. Additionally, the feedback held within the instructional practice evaluations was analyzed to discover the levels of feedback most frequently rendered by administrative evaluators to the lowest performing teachers. Deidentified data from a population of 528 Central Florida teacher evaluations and improvement plans within the lowest 10% of VAM scores for the 2013-14 school year were gathered from a Florida Department of …


Doctoral Supervision: An Analysis Of Doctoral Candidates' And Graduates' Perception Of Supervisory Practices, Colton Tapoler Jan 2017

Doctoral Supervision: An Analysis Of Doctoral Candidates' And Graduates' Perception Of Supervisory Practices, Colton Tapoler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to collect and examine the reported supervisory practices experienced by professional doctoral candidates in the last year of their program, and recent program graduates, within the last three years, from across multiple disciplines. Doctoral supervisors, specifically in the United States, are not usually provided a set of practices or concrete training prior to advising doctoral candidates (Walker, 2008, p. 35). With this in mind, and the limited amount of research available on doctoral supervision in professional doctoral programs in the United States, it was critical to analyze the experienced supervision of professional doctoral candidates …


Improving The Practice And Culture Of Early Learning In Ohio, Diana Morello-Deserio Jan 2017

Improving The Practice And Culture Of Early Learning In Ohio, Diana Morello-Deserio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

How can preschool programs situated in public schools “get better at getting better?” This dissertation suggests a framework based on the principles of Improvement Science as one-way school districts can include preschool in their continuous improvement efforts. Document Analysis, is the method used to examine a continuous improvement protocol used in Ohio school districts known as The Ohio Improvement Process (The OIP Guide was the document analyzed). Additionally, Portraiture as “lived” experiences including both early learning educators and traditional school age leaders were reflected upon. The following research questions guided the study: What are the key operational components of the …


Examining The Experiences Of Latino/A Parents Of First-Generation College Students Pursuing A Doctoral Degree, Natalia Toro Jan 2017

Examining The Experiences Of Latino/A Parents Of First-Generation College Students Pursuing A Doctoral Degree, Natalia Toro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research points to Latino/a parents as an important source of motivation and support for high achieving Latino/a students who are the first in their families to go to college (Arellano & Padilla, 2006; Gandara, 1982; 1994; Hurtado & Sinha, 2006; Zalaquett, 2005); however, very little is known about their experience as they parent children whose educational paths are so different from their own. Cultural values such as collectivism and familism play a unique role in the level of connection between these parents and their children (Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, 1995), creating dynamics that merit exploration. This dissertation qualitatively examines how seven …


Pre-College Sources Of Influence For Traditionally Underrepresented Students Attending College: A Social Network Analysis Approach, Rebekah Kester Jan 2017

Pre-College Sources Of Influence For Traditionally Underrepresented Students Attending College: A Social Network Analysis Approach, Rebekah Kester

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined a variety of sources of influence for traditionally underrepresented students at a primarily White institution of higher education. The sources of influence ranged from 2-way communications in high school to 2-way communications in the community, and from 1-way communication influences in the school such as AP courses, to 1-way communication influences outside of the school such as social media. The data were collected via an online survey distributed to first time in college freshmen in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. The survey results were analyzed using ANOVA and social network …


A Collective Case Study: Student Voice And The Implications For Partnership, Activism And Leadership, Brian Eric Duwe Jan 2017

A Collective Case Study: Student Voice And The Implications For Partnership, Activism And Leadership, Brian Eric Duwe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, collective case study was to explore urban high school student and teacher perceptions of student voice, specifically in the areas of partnership, activism and leadership. This study addresses the Civic Opportunity Gap, which impacts urban youth and the disjuncture between the civic ideals of the United States and their day-to-day experiences within the civic institutions that shape their lives. This study was designed to examine the following three questions: What opportunities exist within the urban high school setting for partnership, activism and leadership? What are the perceived barriers that influence opportunities for partnership, activism …


The Creation Of Choctaw Central High School And Its Transition To A Bureau Of Indian Affairs Contract School: An Oral History, Fredrick L. Hickmon Jan 2017

The Creation Of Choctaw Central High School And Its Transition To A Bureau Of Indian Affairs Contract School: An Oral History, Fredrick L. Hickmon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are the invisible heroes of Mississippi. Because of the limited attention placed on the Tribe in Mississippi high school social studies curriculum, and no course of study in any post-secondary institutions in the State, citizens who do not live in close proximity are oblivious to the Choctaws’ existence. Absent is any thought on Mississippi Choctaws deep, rich, background, as the original defenders of the State, or their feelings and contributions toward education. As such this work explored the history of the Mississippi Choctaw with emphasis on education using data collected from …


The Relationship Between The Mississippi Adequate Education Program And Student Achievement In Mississippi Schools, Avence Pittman Jr Jan 2017

The Relationship Between The Mississippi Adequate Education Program And Student Achievement In Mississippi Schools, Avence Pittman Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation research examined the effects of school funding upon student achievement in Mississippi public schools from 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014. The detailed description of the MAEP and its relationship to revenues derived from ad valorem taxes and how they explain the primary basis for revenues that support public education in Mississippi. Hence, a secondary problem in this study identified a prediction equation based upon selected school characteristics and derived funding levels (using MAEP data) to predict student achievement. Six hypotheses were examined in the study to determine the effects of school funding upon academic achievement.


Can We Improve Student Achievement Through Multiple Interventions? A Test Of Theory, Joshua Guillemette Jan 2017

Can We Improve Student Achievement Through Multiple Interventions? A Test Of Theory, Joshua Guillemette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research conducted tested a theory based on work by Tinto (1999), Astin (1984), and the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE, 2012) that multiple interventions are needed to significantly improve graduation rates at community colleges. The literature says little about this approach for community college students; therefore, this dissertation contributes to the knowledge base for educational programs. A first-year program at a large, diverse community college using multiple interventions assisted in determining the validity of the theory. The interventions built into the first-year program included learning communities, a student success course (SSC), proactive advising, and experiential learning. The …


Exploring The Experiences Contributing To The Success Of High-Achieving Black Female Undergraduate Students At A Predominantly White Institution, Whitney Watkins Jan 2017

Exploring The Experiences Contributing To The Success Of High-Achieving Black Female Undergraduate Students At A Predominantly White Institution, Whitney Watkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Much of the literature regarding Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWI) focuses on these students' academic difficulty, while there is far less attention paid to the performance of higher achieving Black students (Fries-Britt, 1998; Fries-Britt & Griffin, 2007). Therefore, this study explored the lived experiences of high-achieving Black female students, focusing particularly on the experiences which contribute to their success at a PWI. The qualitative phenomenological research design was used to highlight emergent themes revealed during the study. Eight purposely selected students participated in one-on-one semi structured interviews and a Sister Circle group process. The participants' stories were highlighted …


An Analysis Of The Readiness And Confidence Of High School Administrators To Provide Instructional Leadership In Digital School Environments, Andrew Shepherd Jan 2017

An Analysis Of The Readiness And Confidence Of High School Administrators To Provide Instructional Leadership In Digital School Environments, Andrew Shepherd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceived knowledge and confidence of high school administrators to lead in a digital school environment. This study utilized an exploratory mixed-methods case study analysis along with the 62-item Digital Instructional Leadership Readiness Instrument (DILRI)© to measure school administrators’ knowledge and confidence to lead in a digital school environment. High school administrators within the target school district were requested to complete the DILRI© at two separate points in time: September 2016 and June 2017. Based on these two administrations, this study’s six Research Questions were answered. Research Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, …


Student Conduct Administrators' Perceptions Of Effective Sanctions That Reduce Recidivism Of Alcohol Violations Among College Students, Andel Fils-Aime Jan 2017

Student Conduct Administrators' Perceptions Of Effective Sanctions That Reduce Recidivism Of Alcohol Violations Among College Students, Andel Fils-Aime

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent researchers have found that when alcohol use and/or abuse is a factor in an undergraduate students' college experience, there is a substantial increase in dependence, decreased academic productivity, an increase in safety and security issues, an increase in suicide ideation and attempts, unprotected sexual encounters, and physical assaults that result in injuries (Amaro et al., 2010). One of the most effective ways that institutions in higher education can combat alcohol-related issues on their campuses is for the institutional leaders to play a role in addressing this issue (Busteed, 2008). In many institutions of higher education, student conduct administrators have …


Dance Students At A Two Year College: Making Sense Of Their Academic, Cultural, And Social World, Benjamin Lopez Jan 2017

Dance Students At A Two Year College: Making Sense Of Their Academic, Cultural, And Social World, Benjamin Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the lived experiences of community college dance students. Previous research was examined to provide a more holistic picture of dancers during their college years and while in the workforce. The literature reviewed indicated that the emergence of dance as a field of study was controversial. Its beginnings were marked by debates concerning (a) the very definition of dance as a body of motion and a body of knowledge that includes a history and a philosophy as asserted by Dimondstein (1985), (b) its legitimate place within the academy (the perception that university dance …


Academic Engagement, Motivation, Self-Regulation, And Achievement Of Georgia Southern University Sophomore Students, John O. Lemay Iv Jan 2017

Academic Engagement, Motivation, Self-Regulation, And Achievement Of Georgia Southern University Sophomore Students, John O. Lemay Iv

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that engagement, motivation, self-regulation, and their individual effects on student achievement are established factors that influence college students’ success. However, what is less clear are these variables’ relationships and their collective influence on achievement. Since students face unique trials as they persist through college, consideration of these relationships and their effect on the achievement of all students is necessary. There is a widening achievement gap between sexes; females have now passed males in enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates. Previous research in this area has been largely centered on undergraduate female students in their freshman year, but the …


Puzzled Representations: Popular Media And How Educators Come To Know Autism, Vanessa N. Keener Jan 2017

Puzzled Representations: Popular Media And How Educators Come To Know Autism, Vanessa N. Keener

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

People learn about the world through popular culture. Popular culture media representations of autism can be found in TV, film, literature, Internet media, advertisements, and more. This study employed a quantitative correlational design to survey 273 Georgia educators regarding their perceptions of autism, including knowledge about autism, best practices for teaching students labeled as having autism, perceived positivity and accuracy of popular media representations of autism, as well as participant identification with popular media representations of autism and personal characteristics (i.e., age, sex, level of education, type of degree, years of teaching experience, professional and personal experiences). Six major findings …


Relationship Between School Climate And Student Achievement, Gail H. Greenway Jan 2017

Relationship Between School Climate And Student Achievement, Gail H. Greenway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasingly public schools in the United States are finding that factors beyond curriculum and instruction impact student achievement. Much research has been conducted on the relationship between school climate and student achievement (Cohen, McCabe, Michelli, & Pickeral, 2009; Guo & Higgins-D’Alessandro, 2011). This study set out to determine if there was a correlation between school climate and student achievement in middle schools in the Central Savannah River Area Regional Educational Service Agency region in the state of Georgia. Findings from this quantitative study indicated that there is a statistically significant, positive relationship between school climate and student achievement in middle …