Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Teacher Acceptability Of Curriculum Based Measurement As A Universal Screener In Reading, Brooke Adams

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to extend the existing literature concerning teacher perception of acceptability of universal screening, specifically examining the use of Curriculum Based Measurements (CBM) as a universal screening tool in reading. Eighty-three first through fifth grade teachers from Washington State participated in an online survey utilizing the Acceptability Rating Profile – Revised (APR-R), a 6-point Likert scale measuring practitioner acceptability for a tool. The APR-R was revised to reflect the use of CBM measuring Oral Reading Fluency as a universal screener with response options ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). In the present …

The Challenges For A Closed-To-The-Public Animal Sanctuary: Prioritizing Animal Welfare While Engaging In Educational Community Outreach, Lisa Tweed

All Master's Theses

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is a small primate sanctuary in Cle Elum, Washington, and is presently home to seven chimpanzees who were retired from biomedical research. I used this sanctuary as a case study to find out how a closed-to-the-public sanctuary can engage in educational outreach without compromising the welfare of the residents. I employed a combination of semi-structured interviews of sanctuary personnel, ethnographic participant-observation as a volunteer caregiver, and an online survey offered to the local community to help me understand the goals and limitations of sanctuaries. I also designed and conducted two educational programs for local area schools as …

The Impact Of Mindfulness On Student Success, Casey D. Nightingale

All Master's Theses

As schools are adopting the whole child approach, it is important to examine how the approach impacts academic success. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a school-based mindfulness curriculum on student reading scores and classroom engagement. Using a multiple baseline design, this study examined the rate of improvement in reading scores and academic engagement in elementary students receiving a mindfulness curriculum. The curriculum was introduced in addition to the regular curriculum in 15-minute lessons twice a week. Rate of improvement was examined utilizing curriculum-based measures, while student engagement was evaluated through classroom observation methods. This …

Residential Solar In Washington State, Sam Pfeifer

All Master's Theses

Electricity generated through residential solar provides a low carbon source of electricity. However, diffusion of residential solar remains low across the United States. Growing this diffusion takes an understanding of localized uptake trends, which can focus policy and business efforts to help increase residential solar market penetration. This is the first research to investigate residential solar uptake in Washington State and to examine environmental education as a potential driver of residential solar uptake. Through a snapshot analysis which considers environmental, economic, education, and cultural variables the present research fills this gap. Triangulated results include mapping of variables, ordinary-least squares multiple …

“No Other Agency”: Public Education (K-12) In Washington State During World War I And The Red Scare, 1917-1920, Jennifer Nicole Arleen Crooks

All Master's Theses

This paper examines the impact of World War I and the Red Scare upon public education in Washington State. Schools, expected to be the instruments of governmental policy, played an important role in the everyday lives of people on the American homefront. Although many helped in the war effort willingly, this wartime drive included both instilling nationalism and loyalty to American political and economic institutions as well as the assimilation of immigrants. While these forces existed well before World War I and the Red Scare, they strengthened and became more publicly acceptable in 1917-1920 as more people grew convinced that …

Literary Devices: Effects Of Classroom Management On Student Engagement With 1:1 Devices, Elizabeth Parker

All Master's Theses

The study compares two different classroom management strategies in a 5th and 6th grade classroom using an iPad based intervention. The students participated in 10 sessions of a language and grammar intervention on the Moby Max program. During five of the sessions, the teacher actively monitored the classroom, walking around the room, and redirecting students as necessary. For the other five sessions, the teacher used data from the intervention and monitored and redirected students from her computer screen. The data collected included the number of corrections given to each student by the teacher, the number of minutes the program considered …

Just World Beliefs, Identity Development, And Social Justice Advocacy Of Counselor Trainees, Sara Rundlett

All Master's Theses

This was the first study exploring the relationship between the belief in a just world, identity development, and social justice advocacy (SJA). A mixed methods design was conducted using a nationwide sample of ninety-seven counselor-in-training participants. Hypotheses included positive correlation between identity development and SJA, negative correlation between belief in a just world and SJA, and negative correlation between belief in a just world and identity development. Results were not significant but provided implications for future research and counselor training programs.

Collaborative Reading At Home To Assist Children With Reading Difficulties, Criste R. Goldy

All Master's Theses

The effects of a collaborative home reading program on children with reading difficulties was studied. Students selected for the study were currently enrolled in special programs for reading and/or English as a second language. Students who participated in the Reading-At-Home program made substantial and immediate gains in reading skills, although greatest gains were made by younger students (five to eight years old). Participant reactions were also discussed.

Promoting Children's Writing For Publication, Minnie Mary Mckay Merrill

All Master's Theses

The main emphasis of this project was a description of a writing program "Promoting Children's Writing for Publication" as it evolved at Grass Lake Elementary School, Kent School District, Kent, Washington.

The Use Of Children's Literature In Improving The Secondary Remedial Reader's Attitude Toward And Fluency In Reading, Jane Watson

All Master's Theses

A six week course in children's literature was taught to ten alternative tenth through twelfth grade students. The purposes were to determine if the secondary student's attitude toward and fluency in reading were improved by working in easy and pleasurable material. The Estes Attitude Scale and an informal reading inventory were administered to the students at the start and end of the course. No statistically significant difference was found in the attitude scale, but reading fluency increased significantly.

The Effect Of An Intensive Study Skills Approach On Grade Point Average Of Secondary Learning Disabled Students, Jeanne Lancaster Vaughan

All Master's Theses

This study compared an intensive study skills approach with remedial instruction in basic skills for their effects on grade point average of secondary learning disabled students. The experimental group consisted of 12 students, as did the control group. Grade point was tabulated at the onset and conclusion of the study. The statistical analysis consisted of a t-test which showed no significance at the .05 level. The null hypothesis was retained. Discussion follows.

Exercises For Developing Student Leadership For The Middle School, Gene Robert Laes

All Master's Theses

This paper surveyed the training methods used to develop student leadership at Bremerton Junior High School, and presents exercises and activities adapted for use by Middle Schools for providing student leadership training.

Results of the study indicate that training methods at Bremerton Junior High were viewed by parents and teaching staff as providing positive learning experiences for the students. Students reported their experiences to be valuable in several key areas: communication, assertiveness, and gaining a better understanding of the key concept of leadership. Recommendations of the study would include permitting the students to take an active role in important school …

Energy Education Materials For Elementary School, Marcia Keizer Fraser

All Master's Theses

The materials created introduce intermediate elementary level children to a selected basic energy vocabulary and to concepts of energy-environment inter-relations. The approach is multi-dimensional, employing a slide tape presentation, posters, charts, and vocabulary cards. Energy concepts and vocabulary are repeated through the various media forms as a means to reinforce learning. The content tone is deliberately positive so that in the process of gaining knowledge about energy issues, children will feel successful, encouraging further achievement in the area of energy education.

Teacher's Reactions To An Implemented Competency Based Education Program In Tigard Senior High School, Merle Dean Winder

All Master's Theses

Teachers' reactions to an implemented competency based education program were evaluated. Twenty-four high school teachers were asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning competency based education. It was concluded that teachers understand competency based education and its components. The majority of teachers performed tasks related to competency based education. Teachers did not change their course content nor evaluation methods to accommodate competency based education. Teachers have varied opinions on the virtues of competency based education and their major concern is record keeping processes. Implications of the competency based education innovation arc discussed.

Comparative Study Of The Relative Merits Of Core Curriculum And Challenge Examination For The Career Ladder Concept As They Relate To The Licensed Practical And Associate Degree Registered Nurse, Margaret M. Fromherz

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study of comparative achievement of practical nurses who have progressed on the career ladder through the use of challenging examination with those in core curriculum. Questionnaires and site evaluations determined the more effective method of career mobility. A core program with minimum expectations for the practical and associate degree nurse was developed.

Recommendations included evaluation of the program and additional study to develop career mobility for the associate degree nurse.

An Approach To The Teaching Of Handwriting, Patricia J. Belter

All Master's Theses

Present systems for teaching handwriting are based largely on custom or preference of previous systems utilized (Templin, 1960). Groff (1960) mailed questionnaires to seventy-two large city school systems and found that decisions on handwriting programs are based on tradition and not on research findings.

Nineteen different handwriting systems supply about ninety-five percent of the instructional materials in use today in the United States. Many of these systems have not been changed in the last fifty years (Mullins, Turner & Saltzman, 1972).

Comparison Of Oral And Silent Comprehension Scores On An Informal Reading Inventory, Linda Leah Carlton

All Master's Theses

The study presented in this paper was designed to compare the comprehension scores of an informal reading inventory taken orally with the scores of an informal reading inventory taken silently to determine any significant differences. The final data analysis indicated that no significant difference existed when the scores where compared using the two-tailed t-test at the .05 level of significance.

Further study and testing with the informal reading inventory is recommended for additional information.

Development And Testing Of An Individualized Programmed Guide Designed To Introduce Selected Components Of Production Typewriting, Irvin W. Sonker

All Master's Theses

The purpose was to design and field test an individualized programmed guide for learning selected aspects which are normally introduced in second-trimester typewriting. The selected aspects were (1) analysis and typing of business letters of selected styles and lengths, and (2) analysis and typing of tables of selected styles and lengths. the guide was developed, pilot tested, revised, retested, and field tested with seventy-four students with positive results.

Recommendations include additional testing comparing different methods of presentation of the selected aspects.

Investigation Of The Reading Achievement In The Instructional Language (English) Of The Secondary And High School Students In Lesotho, South Africa, Kathleen Shannon

All Master's Theses

This study investigates the vocabulary and comprehension achievement in the English language for secondary and high school students in Lesotho, Southern Africa.

The Nelson Reading Test was administered to seven hundred forty students in various high schools in Lesotho. A statistical analysis was run on the data and conclusions yielded that reading achievement increases with school age, but the rates of improvement differ from one group to another.

Recommendations include additional research suggestions.

An Examination Of Emergent Functions And Responsibilities Of The Instructional Media Center In Alaskan Schools, Marvin E. Sophusson

All Master's Theses

This paper is concerned with the status of instructional media programs in Alaskan schools. It presents a survey of instructional materials facilities available in Alaskan schools. An identification of current practices and standards in instructional media centers is investigated.

Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for implementation of these current practices and standards into the Alaskan schools and school system.

Assessing The Effectiveness Of An Experimental Method Of Presentation Of The Sullivan Mathematics Program, Harry L. Carthum

All Master's Theses

This study compared the effectiveness of a revised presentation method with the standard presentation format of the Sullivan Mathematics Program. Using two measures of achievement gains, a comparison of results revealed no significant difference between the experimental and the standard methods. The study was limited by the use of a highly inferential standardized achievement test, and possibly, by the "Hawthorne" effect.

The Vocational Preference Inventory As A Measure Of Probable Teaching Effectiveness, Landon A. Fitch

All Master's Theses

This paper is a report of a study investigating the potential of the Vocational Preference Inventory as an instrument to predict the probable effectiveness of students preparing to be teachers. The Vocational Preference Inventory was given to effective teachers and to student teachers who were rated most and least effective by their college supervisors. The resultant profiles from the Vocational Preference Inventory scores were compared. The profiles and the profile interpretations of the effective teachers and the most effective student teachers were much more similar than those of the effective teachers and the least effective student teachers.

It is strongly …

Comparison Of Curriculum Proposals For The Tri-Cities Junior High School And Middle School Special Education Programs, Wayne T. Robertson

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study which examines the curricula of the junior high and middle school special education programs of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, Washington. A questionnaire was circulated and the data were used to compile a comprehensive skill inventory to be proposed for use by the junior high and middle school special education teachers of these cities.

A Comparison Of A Student Generated And A Teacher Directed Sixth Grade Social Studies Course, James Joseph Walker

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a test of the effectiveness of a largely student generated sixth grade social studies program in comparison to a teacher generated conventional program. Pupil achievement levels, attitude toward social studies, and behavioral ratings in various areas related to the study of social studies were measured and statistically or graphicly analyzed.

Recommendations included further studies eliminating the uncontrolled variables of this study and allowing for longer time periods with larger samples as well as a longitudinal study.

An Experimental Study Of Two Audio-Visual Aids Used In Beginning Drafting, Ronald Norman West

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study designed to identify the effectiveness of two visual aids, the chalkboard, and the overhead projector, as they are used in a junior high drafting program. The students involved in the study were randomly selected and placed in two treatment groups and one control group. The experiment did not prove that either visual aid was better than the other, but indicated that the overhead projector had more advantages and greater versatility than the chalkboard.

Identification Of Observable Student Behavior In Open Education Classrooms, Michael C. Wahle

All Master's Theses

This paper identifies differences in behaviors, noted by open classroom teachers, between those students seeming to benefit most and those seeming to benefit least from an open education approach. Thirteen behaviors were identified as indicating strong differences between student groups in the ability to make a choice between work alternatives, to make productive use of time, and to demonstrate that they value their work.

Recommendations include a research on diagnosis of individual learning behaviors in relation to classroom environments.

Aerospace And Environmental Education As An Interdisciplinary Curriculum In The Middle School, James Brooke Madill

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the union of aerospace and environmental education, and from their common ground draws a direct relationship with all subjects in the curriculum. This program was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of developing the middle school program around intrinsically interesting exploration in two fields of science which are of extreme importance in the world today. Following examples of possible connections with other areas in the curriculum a method of presentation is explored.

A Comparison Of Traditional And Operant Conditioning Methods In Classroom Management For The Teaching Of Arithmetic In The Junior High School, William P. Rudberg

All Master's Theses

The effects of a token reinforcement program where points were exchanged for free time in an "average" public school seventh grade arithmetic class was studied using two groups.

The experimental group mean scores for percent correct on worksheets were the only ones that made a significant gain. The percent correct on worksheets was the only variable reinforced. There was a significant difference in favor of the control group on percent correct on worksheet tests and rates on worksheets.

There was no significant difference on the pre-test nor on the post-test in achievement as measure by grade equivalents in computation on …

Traditional Vs. Individualized Fifth And Sixth Grade Arithmetic Program, Donald Paul Giaudrone

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative study involving two methods of arithmetic instruction for fifth and sixth grade students. Thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using a traditional approach and thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using an individualized approach. Each group was divided into high, average, and low ability students and between group achievements compared at the end of an eight month period with encouraging results. Evaluation and statistical analysis followed. The findings were discussed and recommendations offered for further study.

A Survey Of The Fifty States To Determine Design Standards For The Multiple Car Method, Donaldson Martin Carnahan

All Master's Theses

A survey of the supervisors of traffic safety education programs of the fifty states was conducted to determine what, if any, design standards or guidelines were imposed upon school districts when designing multiple-car facilities for use in traffic safety education programs.

From the information gathered it is apparent that many states are improving the pupil-teacher ratio through the inclusion of the multiple-car methods of instruction and thereby reducing the cost of the traffic safety education programs.

However, only two states, Texas and Minnesota, had well-defined minimum standards for the design and approval of such facilities in approved programs. Georgia and …