Educational Administration and Supervision Commons^™

The Investigation Of Block-Eight Scheduling In Illinois High Schools, John E. Reif

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether principals believed that the implementation of block-eight scheduling in Illinois high schools had an impact on improved student achievement (specifically the A.C.T. and I.G.A.P. test scores), attendance, and discipline.

The results of this study should provide needed information to those school districts in Illinois that are contemplating the implementation or conversion to block-eight scheduling in their high schools.

The study involved a survey of principals of 160 high schools selected at random throughout Illinois. The school population of these districts ranged from 100 students to over 1,000 students. These school districts …

The Impact Of Prekindergarten Participation Upon Academic Placement, Mary Suddarth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Prekindergarten Program for Children At Risk of Academic Failure had impact on a child's future academic placement. Current uncertainty regarding continued ISBE or federal funding of programs makes such a longitudinal study imperative. This study examined the 1995-1996 academic placement, including additional resources required, i.e., Title 1, speech, or learning disabled services, for 40 children who participated in the 1990-1991 Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Educational Service Region cooperative prekindergarten program in Jefferson County. Results indicated that all children reached expected placement, regardless of one …

The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Junior High School Study Skills Program For A Small Rural School, Donald Lawrence Burton Ii

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience project was to develop a junior high school study skills program for a small rural school. Upon completion of its development, the study skills program was pilot-tested in the Tower Hill Junior High School in Tower Hill, Illinois. After the background and possible significance of this field study is discussed, specific project objectives and research hypotheses are listed along with the appropriate operational definitions, assumptions and delimitations for this field experience. A representative review of the literature and research is given on the subject of study skills and study skills programs. Field experience activities …

A Survey Of Fifth And Sixth Grade Parents At Jefferson Elementary School, Charleston, Illinois, James M. Louthan

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study was to survey parents/guardians of fifth and sixth grade students concerning their opinions of programs, practices and procedures used at Jefferson Elementary School in Charleston, Illinois. An instrument was designed and given to students to take home to be completed by their parents/guardians and returned to school via the student. Results of the survey indicated that, in general, most parents were satisfied with the programs, practices and procedures except for the schoolwide discipline program, certain curricular offerings (handwriting, math and physical education) and the amount of homework assigned. Opinions of the parents surveyed will …

Assessing The Impact Of Illinois Revised Statutes 122, Article 24a On The Identification And Remediation Of Unsatisfactory Performers, Teresa Lane

Masters Theses

Article 24A of the Illinois School Code was enacted in order to improve instruction in the State of Illinois. One of the underlying beliefs of the legislators who designed and passed the School Improvement Act of 1985, which contained Article 24A was that one way to improve instruction is to eliminate the unsatisfactory performers in the classroom. Since the implementation of Article 24A no data based studies have been conducted on the effects of this legislation on those teachers evaluated as unsatisfactory. This study is intended to gather data on the number of unsatisfactory performers as well as the characteristics …

Perceptions Of Teachers And Students Of School Effectiveness Factors At Knoxville High School, Roger A. Stevens

Masters Theses

This field study was designed to investigate teacher and student perceptions of school effectiveness factors as related to Knoxville High School. Specifically, this study compared actual perceived school effectiveness factors between teachers and students. A comparison of past achievement tests was also initiated to determine what effect, if any, school leadership might play in the process.

Two instruments were designed for this study, Teacher Feedback Survey and the Student Opinion Survey. Dr. David Bartz, of Eastern Illinois University, developed the survey instruments based on research conducted by Edmonds, Brookover, Lezotte and Weber and a review of current literature addressing the …

An Analysis Of Factors Associated With The Change In Graduation Requirements At Champaign Centennial High School, David H. Pike

Masters Theses

The graduation requirements for the students at Champaign Centennial High School, Champaign, Illinois, changed effective with the class of 1988. This field experience investigated the possible effects of the new and more stringent graduation requirements. A comparative analysis using students in the classes of 1985, 1986, and 1987 for the baseline data with the students in the classes of 1988 and 1989 was completed. Specifically, the evaluator designed a procedure to statistically study the students' American College Test and SRA Survey of Basic Skills Test scores. A two tailed t-test for the difference of the means at the .05 level …

School Effectiveness Factors And Elements Likely To Enhance Student Performance In The Kell, Illinois, Consolidated School District, Bob C. Wilson

Masters Theses

This study identified from the literature and research school effectiveness factors which can be applied to the Kell Community Consolidated School District for the purpose of improvement. The seven factors identified were: (1) Safe and orderly environment, (2) Clear and focused school mission, (3) Instructional leadership, (4) School climate of high expectations, (5) Opportunity to learn and student time on task, (6) Frequent monitoring of student progress, and (7) Home-school relations. This study also identified elements within each of the seven school effectiveness factors which could be utilized by the Kell Community Consolidated School District to conduct a self-evaluation. These …

A Curriculum Review And Coordination And Articulation Study Of The Niantic-Harristown Unit School District #6, David O. Bills

Masters Theses

Reform of the public schools is a major issue in Illinois today. Numerous reports claim that public education is mediocre at best. These reports have fostered public concern that has led to a call for school accountability that has caused those involved in education to take a close look at their schools. In this atmosphere of school accountability, a careful and thorough examination of the school curriculum by the local administration can be useful.

Strong instructional leadership from the Superintendent of Schools in a local school district is an important characteristic of an effective school. In the face of state …

Evaluation Of The Language Arts Curriculum In Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District #100, Keith Ashcraft

Masters Theses

Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District #100 in Cerro Gordo, Illinois has a student population of approximately 700 pupils. The schools are located within Cerro Gordo, a village of 1600 residents, but gain students from surrounding areas in the ninety-nine square mile district. Most of the parents are employed in farming or in Decatur which is twelve miles to the east.

During the 1985-86 school year teachers were surveyed as to what academic area needed evaluation. The teachers selected language arts as the subject for study. A committee of volunteers was formed and began meeting.

The researcher served as committee …

Educational Leadership: A Study Of Graduates Of Eastern Illinois University's Educational Administration Program, Elizabeth L. Smith

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate the perceptions of graduates from Eastern Illinois University’s Educational Administration program as to how effective their preparation was in preparing them for the role as instructional/educational leader.

A survey was developed and distributed to 214 Educational Administration students who graduated between 1982 and 1986. The data collected was broken down into three different categories to study: Female and Male Graduates, Teacher and Administrative Graduates and Graduates before 1983 and after 1985. A response rate of 42% was obtained.

An independent t test was utilized to compare the mean scores for the Foundations …

An Evaluation Of The Altamont Community Unit #10 Gifted Program, Ann Louise Mcdaniel Chandler

Masters Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to research the entity of gifted education from an historical viewpoint, to review gifted education as it is today, and most importantly, to review evaluation procedures and studies connected with gifted education. A formal evaluation had never been done in the history of the Independent Study Program at Altamont Community Unit #10. The result of the evaluation procedure was to determine how to modify, revise, and re-evaluate the program in order to more effectively meet the needs of the gifted students in the school district.

Procedure

After the historical review of gifted …

Self Assessment Model For Local Boards Of Education To Evaluate Effectiveness, Charles N. Sutton

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to develop a model self-assessment process for local boards of education. Since 1977, this researcher has served as Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools in Champaign and Ford Counties. From that experience the researcher determined that many local boards do not define and implement a formal self-evaluation process. Of the twenty-one school districts in Champaign and Ford Counties only three have planned and conducted a self-assessment program during the past four years. Since 1983, 57 per cent of the total school board membership of these districts has changed.

In 1985, the …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of The New Discipline Policy Of Danville School District 118, Danville, Illinois, Robert M. Thomas

Masters Theses

Most educators will agree that a good sound discipline policy is a necessity for a school environment in which learning can take place most effectively. Education cannot proceed effectively without good, consistent discipline.

The Public Schools of Danville have had a discipline policy for many years. After many years of updating and revising, a new policy was approved by the Board of Education. This policy entitled "Ownership in Education'' was implemented in the fall of 1982.

The researcher investigated this new policy through an administrator/teacher survey, a review and assessment of the extent of student removal from class due to …

Teachers' Perceptions Of School Effectiveness Factors In The Stewardson-Strasburg School District, Edward Lee Allen

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to determine how the Stewardson-Strasburg schools in Stewardson, Illinois, would do when assessed on school effectiveness factors. As high school principal for the district since 1982, the researcher saw the need for a systematic means of receiving teacher input regarding their perceptions of how well the district measured up on school effectiveness factors. The researcher viewed teacher perceptions of the district's school effectiveness factors as a useful starting point for commencing what will be an ongoing study for improving the quality of education in the Stewardson-Strasburg public schools.

Procedure

The …

A Community Climate Survey Of The Mattoon Community Unit #2 School District, Doug Craig

Masters Theses

School district boards of education and administrators need to constantly gather information about the attitudes and opinions of the community they serve if the true educational needs of the community are to be served. Total community consensus or opinion is preferable, but often impractical. Casual information gathered from self-selected individuals from the community is readily available, but unrepresentative and often misleading. Surveys of a selected sample of the school community can be inexpensive, practical and accurate depending on the method of information collection, the nature of the questions and the manner in which the sample is selected.

A Community Climate …

Retention In Salem Elementary Schools, Charles M. Raglin

Masters Theses

Social or chronological promotion has long been a practice of the public schools of the United States. The alternative, nonpromotion or retention, has in the opinion of most psychologists and sociologists led to emotional and sociological trauma for the child. Another and probably the most cogent objection, is many parents oppose nonpromotion and are unwilling to accept the social stigma of "flunking." Children's achievement is a status symbol which profoundly affects families in many communities.

The writer contends that unless parents are directly involved in the decision early in the nonpromotion year, retention will not culminate in satisfactory achievement. Cooperation …

Needs Assessment Project For Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Moultrie, Edgar And Shelby Counties, Rose Mary Shepherd

Masters Theses

This project reflects the concern for maintaining and improving the quality of educational programs in the region to be comprised of Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Moultrie, Edgar, and Shelby Counties.

The establishing of this region of six counties was brought about by a change in the organization and structure of the Illinois State Education Agency. A State Board of Education was established and began a system reorganization which tended to decentralize the state agency into regional area service units. In Illinois, through the elected superintendent-leaders, the kind, quality, and extent of services provided by the Regional Offices of Education have varied …

An Analysis Of The Optimum Learning In Regular Classrooms Project In Charleston, Illinois, Patricia Tucker Chaney

Masters Theses

The Optimum Learning in Regular Classrooms Project is an adoptive-adaptive ESEA Title IV-C project with two purposes: (1) to provide more effective educational service to children with special needs through training the mainstream teacher to diagnose these special needs as well as implement solutions for such children on an ongoing basis, and (2) to provide more efficient support services to the mainstream teacher in his/her efforts to meet the special needs of exceptional children, whether handicapped or gifted.

Four main aspects of the project are examined:

Classroom organization. All classrooms were organized at least in part into learning centers. This …

Constructing And Implementing An Evaluation Program For Certified Personnel In The Stonington School District, David E. Kuetemeyer

Masters Theses

As the title indicates, this field study deals with the process of constructing and implementing a teacher evaluation program in the Stonington School District. The process is broken down chronologically and covers a three year period. The paper attempts to describe the Stonington School District and point out the need for formal evaluation of teachers everywhere, but more specifically in Stonington.

The construction of the instrument by the Stonington teachers is outlined in a step-by-step process. In a series of Inservice Workshops, the district teachers discuss the validity and purpose of evaluation, plus what they felt were evidences of good …

The Observation And Evaluation Of Elementary Teachers In Illinois, Paul C. Burton

Masters Theses

Basic research into the observation and evaluation of elementary teachers in Illinois was conducted during the 1976-77 school year. The research was divided into two major sections. Section I consisted of the development and administration of a 42-question survey instrument designed to probe observations, evaluations, and elementary teachers' opinions concerning such. The sample universe was restricted to full-time elementary classroom teachers taking graduate courses. Section II consisted of obtaining and analyzing evaluation instruments from various size and type school districts in Illinois. Significant findings of the research include:

1. The majority of elementary principals are male, have in-classroom elementary teaching …

An Analysis Of The Pupil Progress Reports For The Charleston Community Unit School District #1 (Grades 1 Through 8), Gary Patterson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Restructuring A Staff Appraisal System, Larry Douglas Janes

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

"Project Dial": An Early Childhood Screening Program, Lewis S. Sarff

Masters Theses

This field study addressed the problem of "actively seeking" out and identifying children (ages 3 to 5 years) likely to develop late learning problems upon school enrollment. The procedures developed and reported in this paper deal with initial public relations, facilities, personnel, an evaluation instrument Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL), hearing and vision testing, and reporting of results to parents and school personnel.

The paper also includes means and standard deviations for DIAL subtest scores by one year age groups and by sex, as well as simple and multiple r's for each of the DIAL variables individually …

Establishment Of A District Media Center In Ottawa School District 141, William L. Connelly

Masters Theses

The study consisted primarily of an evaluation on the media program in the Ottawa Elementary School District 141 and recommendations for improving this program. A key element in improving the program is the establishment of a district media center.

The study begins with a review of the literature concerning the role of the media in schools, the value of coordinating media programs, and the role played by district media centers.

The paper explains the categories used in evaluating the schools and examines each in relationship to the established criteria set forth in Standards for Educational Media (Library and Audiovisual) Programs …

A Study Of Mark Twain Parent, Teacher And Pupil Reactions To A New Pupil Progress Reporting System, Julia Triplett

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Pupil Achievement In The Ninth Grade As Affected By The Instructional Organization Pattern Of School Attended In Seventh And Eighth Grades, A. Lee Shafer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Appraisal Of The Lincoln School Program In The Use Of Non-Professionals In The Classroom, Philip W. Phillips

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

North Central Evaluation: Kansas High School Work Experience, Edgar Gaskill

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Achievement Test Scores For Three Groups Of Lakeview High School Students, Joseph E. Schwalb

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.