Educational Administration and Supervision Commons^™

A Case Study: The Effectiveness Of An In-School Suspension Program At Cherokee High School, Scott D. Agnew

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the effectiveness on an in-school suspension program at Cherokee High School, The intern evaluated three aspects of the program. The intern sought to identify if the population of the school views the program as a deterrent, as well as evaluate the rehabilitation aspect of the program. Additionally, the intern wanted to see how both the classroom and in-school suspension teachers at the high school were applying the program.

Surveys and interviews were used to collect and analyze data from the population of Cherokee High School. The intern administered surveys to a …

Protecting Our Most Valuable Resources, Douglas S. Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of school supervision, policies, and procedures relating to the safety of the students at Collingswood Middle School using interview and action research. The study will result in a report to inform administrators and board members of changes needed in the present policies to create the safest possible learning environment for the students.

The study includes a variety of data gathering techniques. Seven members of the Collingswood Middle School staff, both past and present, were interviewed on their opinions of the facilities and present school policies. The material culture of the …

The Efficacy Of Bridging Middle School To High School Programs For The Improvement Of Ninth Grade Performance, Brian Repici

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, at Timber Creek Regional High School, there is no supportive program for entering students and a lack of communication with the sending school district, Gloucester Township. The purpose of this study was to develop a bridge program that would better the transition for students entering into high school using an action research design resulting in evidence to support the need for teacher and student training in eighth and ninth grades. Through teacher training sessions, the intern provided an atmosphere for sharing teaching methodologies and exchanged expectation levels. Achievement loss associated with the transition to high school from middle school …

Creating, Implementing, And Evaluating A Teacher Mentoring Program For The Mary Bray Elementary And Raymond W. Kershaw Schools In The Mount Ephraim School District, Maureen Vaccaro

Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes key aspects of creating, implementing, and evaluating a teacher mentoring program and handbook. Novice and veteran teachers benefit from a district teacher mentoring program which provides an effective staff development approach for beginning teachers. A novice teacher benefits from a strong start in their career by belonging to a learning community, following a structured induction program, and being mentored by an experienced teacher. Veteran teachers benefit from the sharing, dialogue, and learning during the mentoring process. A mentor group provides a strong training framework that contributes to teacher retention in the school system. Districts are responsible for …

An Investigation Of The Correlation Between Learning And Student Achievement Of Minority Students, Melissa Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate why the grades of minority students in the high school were not up to par with majority students using action research resulting in a description of patterns within the school. At this stage of the research, inequities were generally defined as unfair advantages or disadvantages among groups of students. A sample of the minority population of the high school was compared to the majority population. The subjects participated in the Let Me Learn (LML) program that helped the learner recognize how they learned. By analyzing the data using LML combinations and grade …

A Study To Develop And Implement Differentiated, Hands On Mathematics Instruction Strategies To Improve Student Learning, Edmund F. Cetrullo Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of the study were to research, develop and implement differentiated, hands on mathematics instruction strategies with mathematics teachers in grades six through eight for improvement of student learning. Teachers, through collaborative action research, created and implemented student centered, discovery based, hands on, manipulative centered lessons over two marking periods which provided students with experiential, problem solving, mathematical situations that met their individual and group needs. Analysis of this case study yielded growth through a triangulation of data measured from improved student scores, student observations, and teacher reflection about their pedagogy. Effective classroom strategies for differentiated, hands on instruction …

The No More Bullies Club: Will It Reduce Bullying In School?, Diane R. Brennan-Bernstein

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new 8^th grade anti-bullying club, the No More Bullies Club, which served the 5^th and 6^th grades in the West Deptford Middle School. In this club, 8^th grade club members planned and taught anti-bullying lessons to 5^th and 6^th grade students.

The sample for this study consisted of approximately 300 students in grades five and six in this suburban middle school. The procedure for data collection was a feedback session conducted by the classroom teacher after each lesson taught by the club …

Implementation Of A Cultural Diversity Program In An Urban Catholic Male High School, Diane Casey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to create and implement a cultural diversity team of high school students. These students with a faculty leader will spearhead student activities and events around the topic of diversity. The students will be selectively chosen by the intern to be involved in the leadership and implementation of this project. This program is intended to increase cultural awareness of students; staff, faculty and administration so that they can put into practice the skills to confront prejudice and discriminatory behavior in themselves and others. The high school students will develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills in …

Exploring The Effectiveness Of Using Instructional Aides For Supplemental Instruction, Cheryl A. Fairchild

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of using instructional aides to deliver supplemental instruction in reading and math to at-risk first grade students. The students were identified as at-risk academically and the instructional aides received training in explicit phonics instruction and the use of math games for remediation. Supplemental instruction took place three times a week for thirty minute sessions during the students' first grade year. Student progress was assessed using miscue analysis, a phonics test and District developed math assessments. At the end of five months of supplemental instruction using explicit phonics, leveled readers and …

The Responsive Classroom, Colleen Schroeder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to have a better understanding of the concept Responsive Classroom, and to develop a discipline code and strategy that would meet the needs of the Rush School students emotionally, socially, as well as cognitively. The intern used a case study approach by working with the third grade teachers who actively implemented the concepts of the Responsive Classroom. The study resulted in a cultural picture of the climate of the third grade and the impact the Responsive Classroom had on school discipline referrals, bullying, classroom climate, and achievement.

The intern clustered the participants …

The Efficiency Of A Long Range Facilities Plan In An Abbott School District, Nancy B. Knarr-Pascoe

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the efficiency of the Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) for the Millville School District and sought to determine, through the creation of inventories, the completed and in progress facilities projects, in addition to those that will not be completed by the close of the district's current LRFP. On-going personal communication with the district's facilities coordinator provided continual updates on the status of all facilities projects within the district. In addition, this study examined both the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) (6A:26-8.1) and documentation made available on the New Jersey Department of Education's (NJDOE) School Facilities Web site …

A Study Of The Creation Of A Pupil Assistance Committee Improvement Plan That Facilitates An Effective Committee By Utilizing A Collaborative Leadership Approach, Donald M. Robertson Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The Pupil Assistance Committee (PAC) was created by New Jersey's Department of Education to assist educators in identifying and implementing instructional strategies that would best address the needs of struggling students. PAC committees throughout the State face increased referral rates and limited program options, making for a frustrating situation. The Pupil Assistance Committee of the Dr. Joyanne D. Miller Elementary School is faced with these same problems. To reduce the feelings of frustration among the committee members and increase committee effectiveness a review of PAC procedures must take place and a renewed focus of PAC goals must be facilitated.

A …

Developing, Implementing And Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Code Of Conduct, Letitia Branin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of one approach to discipline, a code of conduct. The population used for the study by the intern was the population of B.C.I.T. The participants were selected through the convenience sampling method using both the quantitative and qualitative research approach. The quantitative research design includes summary reports of monthly discipline infractions beginning in September 2003 and ending in January 2004. The qualitative research design consists of two surveys administered to teachers, secretaries, guidance counselors, child study team members and administrators. The initial survey focused on the discipline …

Mentoring, Training, And True Induction Of New Teachers, Lea Fitzpatrick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an induction program for first year and new teachers that included mentoring, orientation, and training. The subjects in this study were a convenience sample of fourteen new teachers at Oakcrest High School during the 2003-2004 school year. The school was located in Mays Landing, NJ and was one of two schools in the Greater Egg Harbor School District. Surveys were administered to participants both mid-year and at the conclusion of the program. Also at the end, mentor teachers were surveyed regarding their involvement. The quantitative data was analyzed using a …

The Benefits Of An In-School Suspension Program, Dianne M. Hickey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop an effective in-school suspension program for the Ocean City Intermediate School students using a community based action research design. Development of an ISS program provided a positive learning environment where discipline and learning take place within the school setting. The research looked at patterns occurring in a survey given to a 10% random sampling of the 283 Intermediate School parents and 72 teachers. The study reviewed scholarly literature, existing studies, and data on the effectiveness of in-school suspension programs. Analysis of several successful in-school suspension programs resulted in a collection of effective …

Retaining Students: Is It For Gaining Or Restraining?, Terence Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate students in Grades 6-8 who were retained in Elementary School and tracked their academic progress since the retention. This study was conducted to determine whether retaining students benefits or hinders their chances of academic success. Once the retained students in Grades 6-8 were identified, the reasons for their retentions (located in the student's personal files) were investigated and recorded. Questionnaires for selected educational professionals in the district revealed whether their opinions on student retentions were unbiased or not. Student questionnaires revealed the retained student's personal perspective on being retained. Student pre and …

Revising The Teacher Evaluation System For Estell Manor School, Dianna C. Abraham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research and develop a new evaluation instrument for classroom observations using a survey of instruments used by other districts as well as research of various styles of evaluation. The result of the study was a new instrument to be used by administration during classroom observations of teachers in the district. This was shown to be satisfactory for the teachers and the administration. Suggestions for new annual review procedures and peer review techniques were presented and evaluated, with volunteers accepted for a trial period in the upcoming year.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Peer Mediation Program In An Elementary School Setting, Theresa M. Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a peer mediation program on students with behavioral problems and conflicts using an action research design. Further, it informed teachers, administrators, parents, and the guidance department as to the progress of the program.

All students at Mennies Elementary School in Vineland had, if needed, the opportunity to be involved in the conflict resolution program. The participants in the program were in traditional, bilingual, and special education classes. All stakeholders served as the primary data-gathering instruments in the research. To determine if peer mediation improved the climate in …

School-Based Management: Leadership Hand In Hand, Terrence O'Connor Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study, conducted in order to determine the effectiveness of the school-based management team, occurred at the Reeds Road Elementary School. An action research design, using both surveys and interviews, assisted in obtaining the data necessary to make an appropriate determination of the initiative's effectiveness in providing staff with more say in school affairs, as well as positively affecting the school's climate. Twenty-two staff members, chosen randomly to best represent all areas of the school's staff population, completed surveys regarding the school-based management team. In addition, six different staff members were also chosen randomly to participate in an interview process. …

Evaluation In-Service Program For Professional Development, Aida Colon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if an in-service would help the staff gain knowledge and experience in dealing and interacting with different languages and cultures that are represented in the school.

The staff was given an in-service, part of which placed them in different situations and required them to think and react to how they felt in that situation. There was a group of twenty students from different languages and cultures. The students spoke on how they felt being in a country where they did not understand the new culture and language. There was also a question …

The Effects Of The Development And Implementation Of The School Sanctuary Program On Safety And The Climate Of Safety At Egg Harbor Township High School, Theodore Pugliese

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the school sanctuary program on safety and the climate of safety at Egg Harbor Township High School (EHTHS), Using a case-study design, 56 teachers were first surveyed to provide a description of the climate of safety in the high school. It was found that, on average, the staff felt physically, psychologically, socially, and morally safe. Teachers also used the word safe to describe the overall climate of safety at school. Furthermore, this data would be used as a baseline for further comparisons and was to help the …

Evaluating The Effectiveness And Use Of The Peer Mediation Program In The Galloway Township Middle School, Susan Kerrigan

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and use of the peer mediation program in the Galloway Township Middle School in order to improve the program and increase its use.

Data was gathered using four separate research instruments. These instruments included a survey, monitoring the Peer Mediation Reports and interviews with the building administrators and the schools peer mediators. These methods were used to obtain the students' and staff members' perceptions of the process regarding its use and ways to improve the program.

It was concluded that peer mediation is used and supported by the teachers and administrators, however, …

Diversity In Education: Changing Faces, Angela Rose-Bounds

Theses and Dissertations

As America becomes more and more diverse, public schools are forced to adapt to the changing faces in education. The purpose of this study was to promote culturally responsive teaching and analyze programs that impact non-Asian minority students in a suburban school district. The intern used observations, surveys, and interviews to study programs at the Charles W. Lewis Middle School in Blackwood, New Jersey. The research began by examining the school's culture and then went on to form committees and groups to promote diversity throughout the building. During this research, the intern determined that non-Asian minority students were disproportionately represented …

Evaluation Of Custodial Staff Members, Roseanne Donnelly

Theses and Dissertations

This study of custodial evaluation forms was conducted to develop or revise the current form being used in the Mt. Holly School District. Requests for information from surrounding school districts were used to find what similar-sized schools were using and whether they were effective. The sample included eleven school districts in Burlington County, New Jersey. The requests were faxed to the selected school districts requesting they fax back a copy of their current custodial evaluation methods and any written procedures. Interviews were also chosen to get the staff's perspective. The sample included five custodians, the Business Administrator, and the Facilities …

Building A Professional Learning Community, Joanne T. Acerba

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of staff morale and student achievement levels through the formation of a professional learning community at the Ann A. Mullen Middle School in Sicklerville, New Jersey.

The project involved an analysis of the current school culture through small group and individual interviews, a survey, and an examination of the most recent standardized test scores. The researcher involved the entire staff in the creation of a shared mission statement as well as a shared vision statement to form the building blocks of a professional learning community. Teacher study groups were formed, …

How Can Technology Be Used To Improve Instruction And Student Learning?, Frank Corley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to research techniques for integrating technology into the curriculum in order to improve the learning of the students. This was accomplished through analyzing material submitted by the Clearview Middle School's teachers and through the research of the intern. Four different requests for technology information were distributed to the teachers. Only 10% of the teachers submitted material for the handbook. The limited amount of information received after the requests resulted in a technology questionnaire that was used to define the teachers' technology aptitudes and determine how technology was being utilized in the school. The results …

Analysis Of Small Learning Communities On Suburban Schools, Matthew G. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Students in large schools are getting lost. In a school of over 2300 students, it is very easy for a student, who does not excel academically or athletically or those students who gain attention through negative behavior, to blend into the student body for four years without being noticed. Across the nation the move to create smaller learning communities has been an attempt to solve the ills that plague our inner city schools. The intended question of this study is whether or not the smaller learning communities will have the same measurable impact in a suburban district.

The data collected …

The Integration Of Personnel And Budgetary Software Databases At Upper Deerfield Township Schools, Bruce D. Harbinson

Theses and Dissertations

To better serve district needs, the business office developed integrated personnel and budget relational database applications that have the capability to store, compile, forecast, report, and seamlessly transfer in real time. The Microsoft Access server-based programs produce most mandated state and district reports and have the flexibility to incorporate new informational data fields to meet the demands of the ever-changing roles and accountabilities in today's educational field.

The research project is utilizing expert non-probability sampling because the stakeholders have demonstrable experience and expertise in this particular area or field and the population is the same size as the sample. The …

Analysis Of Instructional Technology In The Runnemede School District, David Gentile

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of technology as a tool of instructional delivery. The results informed teachers, administrators, and board members of their current technology status and served in the development of future goals. The goal of the study was to survey the professional teaching staff to gather input and create a focus group to analyze the results.

The Intern surveyed the professional teaching staff at the Volz Middle School to assess how technology was being used to deliver instruction in the Runnemede Public School District. The Intern interviewed a focus group to …

Distance Learning In The Pitman School District: A Window On The World, Marsha K. Hahn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how a well-developed procedure to facilitate the use of distance learning technology would impact teaching practice and student achievement at Pitman High School. As part of the action research, the intern conducted a survey using a questionnaire that employed a Likert-type format. The population for the study consisted of a sample of the teaching staff from Pitman Schools representing an elementary school, middle and high school. Each of these schools had distance learning technology available. The intern analyzed the results of the survey, and computed the mean response to each question for …