Educational Administration and Supervision Commons^™

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 …

The Development Of A School Emergency Plan For The Blue Ridge School District #18, Farmer City, Illinois, Robert D. Hooker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to devise an emergency preparedness plan handbook for the Blue Ridge School District #18, Farmer City, Illinois. The handbook was designed to aid the school administration and staff by defining definite administrative action in carrying out the steps necessary to protect students and staff in the event of an emergency situation. A data base was formed from several sources. Information was received through a review of the literature; a review of organizational materials; a review of information from school districts through a questionnaire; interviews with individuals from professional agencies; and a review of school …

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 Model For Enterprise Elementary School, Lloyd A. Moma

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is to develop a school improvement model for use at Enterprise Elementary School, District #61 in Decatur, Illinois based on effective schools research. There has been a slow, steady change in the student population of this school in the past twenty years. The influx of hard to educate children, combined with the loss of some services, such as Chapter I, required that staff adjust teaching practices to maintain the high level of achievement that past test results have indicated. Because of the increased awareness of effective schools research and an increasing demand for school …

Administrative Field Experience: Educational Service Center #17, Olney, Illinois, Joyce A. Carson

Masters Theses

Being the Director of an Educational Service Center is a position of challenge, responsibility, and leadership. The internship consisted of managing the day-to-day operations of the center and completing two major projects. The first project had been implemented in the center's Full Service Plan involving the recognition of exemplary programs. The second assignment was directed by the General Assembly in regard to family life-sex education.

The day-to-day operations involved managing the Educational Service Center #17's summer staff. The staff consisted of the bookkeeper and two secretaries. Leadership and management skills were necessary. Being punctual, being productive, setting goals, praising staff, …

A Model For Determining Attitudes Towards School District Reorganization, James A. Voyles

Masters Theses

The focus of this study is to provide a model for determining current attitudes toward school district reorganization so that a school board can gain local community data. The small rural school districts of central Illinois are finding fewer and fewer options when considering maintaining or increasing the quality of education in their communities. Illinois school reform legislation of 1985 included a section on school district reorganization which was an effort to reduce the number of districts and increase the quality of education. However, the sentiment was so strong against forced reorganization that the plan for reorganization died a political …

Gifted Underachievers, Jean A. Walters

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Creating A Model For A Student Assistance Program For High School Students Involved In Substance Abuse, George C. Lewis

Masters Theses

Substance abuse is a problem faced by schools, parents, students and communities. The purpose of this field experience was to provide a plan to help educators, parents, students and communities deal effectively with youth involved in substance abuse. The need for this field study became evident to the researcher when twenty-five students from the student body of Salem Community High School were placed in in-patient substance abuse programs during the 1985-86 school year.

The literature was examined and certain reactions and trends indicated in the literature were identified. Many substance abuse programs were reviewed. Key programs reviewed include the following: …

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Policies In Central Illinois: A Survey, Analysis, And Model, Daniel Lathrop

Masters Theses

One purpose of this study was to develop model policies for school districts to use in dealing with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). A second purpose was to identify which school districts in the Educational Service Region (ESR) comprised of Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Moultrie, and Shelby counties had addressed the issue of AIDS policies. The population surveyed in the initial phase consisted of 22 superintendents within the ESR. A survey was developed utilizing many items from a national study (Keough and Seaton, 1987). The survey was administered during a monthly meeting of superintendents hosted by Regional Superintendent Rosemary Shepherd. …

The Effect Of Strikes On Superintendents, Marilyn J. Yokel

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of public school superintendents regarding teacher organizations, negotiations, personnel and influence, progression of events related to the strike, issues that contributed to the strike, and time spent working on strike-related activities during and after Illinois teacher strikes occurring during the 1986-87 school year. A review of the literature revealed much relevant advisory information, but this literature was limited to one aspect or another of a strike situation, for example negotiations or unions. The Superintendent Questionnaire was sent to school districts where teachers struck during the 1986-87 school year. Descriptive statistics, …

A Model For Small Illinois School Districts In Response To Financial Crisis, Michael A. Weaver

Masters Theses

This study describes the options available to small, rural Illinois school districts that face financial crises. The implications for a particular school relative to consolidation, annexation, cooperative high schools, tuitioning out, and tax referenda are described. Survey results relative to school effectiveness, the financial future, and school loyalty are reported and analyzed. The study concludes with a recommendation which appears most appropriate to solve the financial problems of the Findlay Community Unit School District #2.

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 …

Superintendent Internship In Argenta-Oreana School District #1, Jerry D. Zachary

Masters Theses

The purpose of this superintendent internship was to provide practical experiences for the student germane to the role of superintendent. These experiences were selected under the advisement of Dr. Larry Janes with cognizance of the general objectives of the internship (Attachment A) and the student's own voids in administrative experience.

The internship has been under the direction of Superintendent Donald Magee of the Argenta-Oreana Community Unit District Number 1. District Number 1 is a consolidated district with 1,226 students. Dr. Magee has been a high school teacher, coach, and principal and has served as superintendent in four school districts for …

A Report Of A Review And Synthesis Of Findings Of Research Studies About Academic Achievement Of Ethnic Minorities In K-12 Education, Harold C. Wheeler

Masters Theses

The purpose of this report is to review and synthesize findings of research studies about academic achievement of ethnic minorities in K-12 education.

In this paper, the literature in Chapter I is related to findings about children as a result of school desegregation. Specifically it focuses on the effects which desegregation has had on motivation, and social-psychologic development of black and white children.

The second chapter begins with a historical background and discusses the life of economic and political oppression and the attitudes toward education that have shaped black school achievement over time.

In Chapter III, race and academic performance …

A Report Of An Internship At The Ottawa Area Center Ottawa County, Michigan, Donna Sue Angell

Masters Theses

The internship was completed at the Ottawa Area Center in Ottawa County, Michigan during the late spring and summer of 1986. It developed in two main areas: (1 ) the design and implementation of an offcampus community based educational experience for trainable mentally impaired (TMI) students and (2) the development of a computer based data system to maintain and examine student records.

Major experiences included the development of a curriculum which would optimally use the resources of the City of Holland, personal contacts with community leaders to explain and gain acceptance for the program, coordination of other activities at the …

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 …

Personal, Professional, And Educational Characteristics Of Illinois Women Superintendents In 1987, Joyce Simpson Kaufman

Masters Theses

This study reviewed the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of the Illinois women superintendents in 1987. A questionnaire was mailed to the twenty-two women superintendents. Eighteen of them replied.

The three specific problems addressed by the study were:

1. What are the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of Illinois women superintendents in 1987?

2. What are the special problems encountered by women superintendents?

3. What advice do the present women superintendents in Illinois offer to women aspiring to become superintendents?

The responses were based on the perceptions of the eighteen women superintendents who replied. The questionnaire results were reported in …

Contract Negotiations With Classified Personnel In Selected Illinois Public Schools, Frederick Dee Wiley

Masters Theses

This study examined the current status of collective bargaining between boards of education and classified educational employees in eighteen selected Illinois public schools. The collective bargaining agreements from the respondent school districts were examined and data were researched and collected concerning items currently impacting the negotiations process. The results of the study indentified information with regard to the following areas of the collective bargaining agreements: 1. Union affiliation of the employee bargaining units. 2. Classification of the employees covered by the collective bargaining agreements. 3. The duration of the contracts currently in force. 4. Fair share as an issue currently …

A Study Of Perceptions Of Superintendents Of Illinois Public School Districts That Had Teacher Strikes During The 1984-85 School Year, James E. Mcnellis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of public school superintendents before, during, and after the teacher strikes in the state of Illinois during the 1984-85 school year regarding: teacher organizations, negotiations personnel and influences, progression of events related to the strike (before, during, and after the strike), issues that contributed to the strike, time spent working on strike-related activities, terms and conditions of contract settlement, and cost of the strike. The 1984-85 school year was selected for this study because this was the first year teachers could legally conduct strikes in the state of Illinois after …

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 …

The Understanding Of The Roles And Responsibilities Of The Administrators And Board Of Education Members In Schools In The Diocese Of Peoria, Dennis J. Smith

Masters Theses

Purpose

There are specific tasks which are assigned to the board of education and the administrator in policies adopted by the Commission on Education for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. The purpose of this study was to discover how informed or uninformed administrators and board members in the Diocese of Peoria are in understanding their authority and responsibilities. Lack of understanding of the assigned roles may represent a need for in-service or training on role and responsibility clarification.

Procedure

Administrators and board/commission members completed a survey which identified baseline characteristics, revealed a perception of the working relationship between administrators and …

A Discipline Model For Small Rural Schools, Darrell Stevens

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

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 …

Administrators Interview Model (Aim) Interview Instrument For Illinois Educators, Dianne Kay Warren Strufe

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study was to develop an instrument which could be used by school administrators in the State of Illinois for certified staff selection. Research topics utilized include the interview process, qualities of effective teachers, and legal guidelines for interviewing. The instrument will focus on the five areas of teacher evaluation mandated by Illinois as components of effective teaching: classroom management, lesson planning and organization, teaching techniques, competence and attendance. The specific objective of the field study was the development of an instrument which is research-based, includes the competencies mandated by law upon which teachers will be …

Public School District Consolidation: Technical, Economic, Social, And Community Considerations, Dennis G. Catron

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Adult Undergraduate Students Attending Eastern Illinois University, Huey-Li Li

Masters Theses

Adult students over the age of 25 have comprised a significant proportion of student body in traditionally youth-oriented institutions of higher education. At Eastern, adult students comprised 7.2 percent of the population of undergraduate students in the Fall, 1986. Based on an institutional survey, this study attempted to gain a deeper understanding about adult students' academic and personal experiences of returning to a four-year university.

One-fourth of the adult students (N=183) were randomly selected and invited to participate in this study. A total of 104 adult students returned the questionnaires. Participants' responses were categorized into six groups in accordance with …

Conflict Management: Key To Effective School Principals, Henderson O. Days

Masters Theses

Effective school research studies have identified many characteristics of effective schools and effective leaders. In October, 1984, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Commission on Excellence identified 202 schools and 54 principals that met their school effectiveness criteria (Appendix C) and later that year they were given national recognition.

This researcher reviewed literature by Edmonds (1982), Eicholtz (1984), Guthrie (1980), Brookover and LeZotte (1982), Sergiovanni (1984) and others on effective schools as a validity reference in measuring the responses of the surveyed principals who listed what they perceived as being school effectiveness factors.

In establishing effective school programs, …

A Study Of The Organizational Climate Of Effingham High School As Perceived By The Faculty, Calvin R. Kirk

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to determine how the faculty at Effingham High School in Effingham, Illinois, perceived the organizational climate of the school.

As first year assistant principal of the high school, the researcher saw the need to understand the personality of the organization with which he worked. The researcher viewed teacher perceptions of the school's organizational climate as a meaningful beginning point for initiating an ongoing project to build a positive school climate at Effingham High School.

Procedure

The Organizational Climate Index constituted the instrument used to gather faculty perceptions of the organizational …

Administrative Field Experience, Richard E. Manuell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.