Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons^™

Stepping Out To Make A Step Up Through Testing Interventions, Barbara B. Adams

Theses and Dissertations

This study was to evaluate how the Glen Landing Middle School Afterschool Academic Assistance and Investigation and Analysis Intervention Programs impacted the seventh and eighth grade students' language arts and mathematics skills.

The population for this study involved 101 seventh and eighth graders who, during the previous school year, either tested below the 40th percentile on the TerraNova and/or failed one or more subjects.

The results of the TerraNova and GEPA test scores were the basis for the primary data. The data analysis used structured case studies of the students who were divided into two categories. Those students taking the …

Peer Coaching For History Teachers At Oakcrest High School, James M. Reina

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the utilization of Peer Coaching as a tool for increasing teacher communication and promoting the sharing of methodology and content knowledge. Within a high-school setting, scheduling and multiple course-loads kept teachers from capitalizing on the greatest resource that surrounded them; each-other. This program allowed teachers to observe and be observed in a non-threatening, supportive environment outside the domain of supervisors and administrators. Originally designed to focus solely on the History Department, the study came to also include members of the English and Special Education Departments, who work with the history teachers through …

Implementation Of Flexible Grouping In Language Arts As A Form Of Differentiated Instruction, Beth A. Connor

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of one model of flexible grouping on second grade students' progress in reading as measured by their use of decoding and comprehension skills. This classroom-based action research used a pretest and posttest design to determine students' reading levels. In addition to the quantitative results obtained from the pretests and posttests, teacher observation of students' use of reading strategies provided the basis for a qualitative analysis on the effectiveness of using leveled reading materials in a flexible grouping format. Following several months of instruction using one model of flexible grouping …

Technology's Impact On Student Learning In Grades K-8, Anne C. Borger

Theses and Dissertations

Many research studies have found that educational technology that is accessible, equitable, and properly used can make a significant difference in students' academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine if Wildwood Crest Memorial School had a well-orchestrated technology plan, which addressed the technological needs of students and teachers and to determine what impact technology had on student learning. A survey developed by the Southeast and Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium (SEIR*TEC) was used to collect data from students and teachers. An analysis of the data found that the district goals and objectives were being met with …

An Exploratory Investigation Of The Facility Maintenance Program At Sterling Regional High School, Brenden D. Garozzo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to a) determine the effectiveness of the current maintenance program at Sterling High School and to b) make changes in the program to promote staff satisfaction, safety of the environment, and fiscal matters. Administrators and staff members were interviewed regarding the program. A random sample of 100 work orders was analyzed to determine repair time, cost per repair, and percentage of return repairs for each of six maintenance categories, including electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC), fire alarms, other mechanical, and interior. It was determined that the HVAC system required the most repair time, most …

A Study Of The Positive Influence Of A Language Arts Literacy Portfolio Program On The High School Proficiency Assessment Scores Of Eleventh Grade Students At The Creative Arts High School, Stella Nwanguma

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of a Language Arts Literacy Portfolio Program on the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) scores of eleventh grade students at the Creative Arts High School of Camden, New Jersey. Eleventh grade students were divided into two SAT Prep classes. For the purposes of the study, class one was labeled group A while class two was group B. Students in group A used the Language Arts Literacy Portfolio Program to support the traditional SAT Prep curriculum. Conversely, students of group B followed the traditional SAT Prep curriculum and were not exposed …

The Effect Of Suspension On Student Achievement In Mathematics And English Among High School Students, Glen Howard Asch

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of suspension in Mathematics and English achievement among the students at Sequoia Transition High School.

The major aspects of methodology used in this study were collected from material culture of student grades for the.period of September 2004 to January 2005. Fifty one students were researched on several different points of interest based upon suspension frequency, grade level, gender, and average of four consecutive interim and marking period grade point scores.

A summary of the data was compiled. Computerized statistical calculations were used to determine the relevancy of English and Mathematics …

A Longitudinal Study On The Effectiveness Of Preschool Special Education, Kimberley L. Maneval

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this longitudinal cohort study was to analyze the grade school placements of children who received preschool special education services in order to determine how this type of early intervention impacted future learning. Data was obtained through non-interactive evaluation of existing class lists, student records, and Application for State School Aide (ASSA) reports of 342 disabled or developmentally delayed children between 3 and 5 years of age who participated in Evesham Township's Preschool Disabled Program between 1990 and 2001. Data from this study was also used to re-evaluate the preschool curriculum, policies and procedures, and to plan new …

The Effectiveness Of A Discipline Plan On Student Achievement, Wendy Ann Carman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to improve student behavior and increase student achievement at West Avenue School by developing a discipline plan that would create an orderly and respectful environment. The study involved students in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade during the first marking period of 2003 and 2004 school year. Teacher surveys and discussions were analyzed, and it was evident there was a need for a new discipline plan. Report card grades and discipline referrals, written by the teachers, from the first marking period of 2003 were compared to the report card grades and discipline referrals …

Evaluation And Implementation Of A New Teacher Mentoring Program, Tracey M. Eagan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to ascertain the effectiveness of a current mentoring program at Christopher Columbus Charter School and determine the best ways in which to make the program more effective. Throughout this study, the researcher surveyed and held informal conversations with the mentors and the mentees involved to gain insight into the needs of novice teachers. The study was conducted with a limited number of subjects and a majority of the data gathered was through observation and informal conversations. The study was conducted over an academic school year. The study discussed the current mentoring program in …

Determining The Effectiveness Of Two New Reading Programs In The Lower Alloways Creek School, Linda A. Levitsky

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the two new reading programs on the improvement of students' reading scores and the enhancement of instruction in the Lower Alloways Creek School District using an action research design. Teachers involved in using the new programs were surveyed. Student grades from the previous year in the first marking period and the current year during the first marking period were analyzed and compared. At the time of the study, the school enrollment was approximately 220 students. Grades first through eighth were included in the study. The research instruments were a …

Tracking Student Discipline Referrals And Providing Additional Support To Students In Order To Decrease Student Discipline Problems, Katherine Jasmin Keramidaris

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to track student discipline referrals throughout the school year in order to provide additional support to those students who exhibited a pattern of having discipline issues. Students were identified based on the number of infractions they had and then they were targeted and received additional support from the researcher. The researcher compiled a list of the students and met with them regularly in order to establish a relationship with them. Through such a relationship, some students' discipline referral write-ups decreased; others continued to break the school rules. However, all students benefited from such a …

Memorial School & Map: How Did It Do?, Brian Z. London

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the impact on academic achievement of the Memorial After-School Program (MAP) conducted at the Veterans Memorial School in Vineland, NJ. The study is primarily a descriptive study with an examination of a limited number of potential correlations. The sample size included eighty-nine students from grades 5 through 8 who were enrolled in the program for the 2003-2004 school year. These students were invited into the program because they were deemed at risk for failing the state mandated tests required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Participation was voluntary. The study used classroom …

Thirty Days Until The Prom, Henry J. Hartman Iv

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Vineland High School's current ineligibility policy on attendance for ninth through twelfth grade students by using methods of data gathering and data analysis. The intern surveyed the students of the population on their feelings of the revised eligibility policy. The survey was mainly yes or no questions.

The population was a cluster sampling of 1^st period mathematics classes in Vineland High School North and Vineland High School South. This sampling insured that the intern did not get duplicated results from students but did produce a population with various …

What Impact Does An Attendance Incentive Program Have On Student Attendance?, Marilyn Cosme

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an attendance incentive program on the attendance of students in a small, rural elementary school setting. The methodology of the study consisted of collecting attendance data from the previous school year. The data were then compared to the attendance data from the current school year. During the previous school year there was no attendance incentive program. During the present school year an attendance incentive program was created and promoted by the school. The study was conducted on the entire student population in a New Jersey elementary school that housed …

An Investigation Of The Effectiveness And Perceptions Of Middle School Inclusion Programs, Maria S. Mckeown

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this exploratory investigation were to (a) evaluate the effectiveness and perceptions of inclusion programs at the middle school level; and (b) specifically evaluate the program at Voorhees Middle School in Voorhees, New Jersey, for its effectiveness. Educational literature was examined. Nine teachers, three administrators, and fifty students were surveyed, interviewed, and observed at Voorhees Middle School. Data were analyzed in a comparative manner. Students and teachers believe that these programs are effective in meeting the needs of the special education students. The findings from the educational research and the study of the Voorhees Middle School inclusion programs …

A Helping Hand: A Mentoring Program Between Staff And Students, Beth Frances Norcia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a mentoring program in increasing academic success, improving self-esteem and decreasing disciplinary infractions. Data collection and initial interviews conducted with the mentors indicated the program was successful in improving the self-esteem, social skills and academic performance of most at-risk students. However, these evaluations need to be further developed and expanded in order to make a more conclusive judgment on the program's effectiveness, due to several factors.

Results were determined by using two methods of research. The first method used interviews from program participants. The second method was data collection. …

The Effectiveness Of A Multicultural Awareness Day Program, Anne-Sophie I. Kruse-Guth

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Multicultural Awareness Day program on improving student understanding, awareness, and appreciation of world languages and cultures. The study was based on a quantitative analysis research design. The sample used for this study included 7^th and 8^th grade students at Glassboro Intermediate School in the Glassboro Public Schools District of New Jersey. A randomly selected sample of seventh and eighth grade social studies students participated in the study. One technique, surveying, was used as a means for data collection. The data were analyzed both before and after …

Teachers' And Students' Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of A Middle School Bully Patrol, Arnold Jeffrey White

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, as perceived by teachers and students, of the Glassboro Intermediate School's Bully Patrol in reducing bullying for seventh and eighth grade students. The data gathering procedures were teacher and student surveys using the convenience sampling technique. The results of this study were based upon the analysis of the feedback that the teachers and students provided.

The major conclusions of this study provided important insights into the Glassboro Intermediate School's Bully Patrol. The data revealed that almost all of the teachers perceived the bully patrol to be effective in eliminating bullying …

Voter Apathy: Why Does It Exist And What Can Be Done To Overcome It?, Margaret F. Meehan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to ascertain why the stakeholders in the educational process do not participate in the annual school election and to identify and implement techniques that would motivate these stakeholders to go to the polls.

The population of this study consisted of the direct stakeholders in the annual school elections of the Washington Township School District. A disc containing a listing of the individuals who voted in the April 15, 2003, school election was obtained from the Gloucester County Board of Elections. A disc containing a listing of employees who share one of the six zip …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of The Accelerated Math Program At Monongahela Middle School, John F. Schilling

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of the Accelerated Math Program at Monongahela Middle School in the Deptford Township School District. Monongahela Middle School is composed of 7^th and 8^th grade public school students, and is the only middle school in the district. Recently at Monongahela, the implementation of technology into the everyday structure has been recognized. Certain programs have been incorporated in the planning and development of lessons and as teacher aides.

The program was being used as the main tool of instruction in 7^th and 8^th grade Basic Skills classes …

A Case Study: The Development, Influence, And Evaluation Of A Site-Based Management/Advisory Group On The Role Of The Principal At The Delair Elementary School, Curt R. Wrzeszczynski

Theses and Dissertations

This study traced the development and evaluated the effectiveness of a site-based management/advisory council at the Delair Elementary School, and sought to gain insight into the utilization of the advisory group's influence on the role of the principal, the school's daily operations, curricular concerns, and climate. A site-based advisory council composed of faculty members and support staff of the Delair Elementary School, and the community members of the Delair section of Pennsauken, New Jersey was developed, and periodic meetings were held to discuss critical issues. The members of the advisory group were surveyed to gather data on their roles and …

A Study Of Relational Aggression Among Middle School Girls, Susanne R. Wooton

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to evaluate the degree of bullying in the middle grades and to design an effective anti-bullying program using the input of the female students. The participants were selected on a volunteer basis from a pool of 7^th and 8^th grade female students. In addition to two surveys, that were designed to evaluate the extent of bullying in the school and the knowledge that the students gained from the study, the students participated in several small group meetings where they discussed the topic of bullying and ways to eliminate it. Students demonstrated an increased knowledge …

Aerobic Exercise As A Tool To Improve Problematic Student Behavior In The Classroom, Joseph F. Mufferi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research the effect aerobic exercise on the behavior of problematic students. The time period of exercise in this study was between 15 and 18 minutes, two days per week. Two types of aerobic exercise were used, running and progressive resistive exercise, in the form of circuit training. The subjects of study were special education students who had been evaluated to have behavioral problems. These students were then classified as Intensive Learner Centered or ILC and placed in self-contained classrooms. Each student received behavior and academic evaluations in each subject area daily. Evaluations were …

Measuring The Effects Of An Observational Format On The Professional Growth Of The Faculty At Lake Tract School, Shelli Doran

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to design a new teacher observation format used by the building mentors of Lake Tract School in observing the participants. The format revolved around the use of pre and post conferences based on a cognitive coaching approach in order to gain professional development and growth. A total of ten tenured and non-tenured teachers participated in the study. All faculties were surveyed as to their perceptions of the current observational format. The data was analyzed using percentages and the responses of the survey guided the creation of the format. Each participant attended a pre-conference to …

Site-Based Management: A Principal's Strategy For Success, Maria Gioffre

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to determine effective leadership strategies that are the driving force behind the success of site-based management. The intent was to identify key elements that impart some direction to help principals attain strategies that will boost site-based management and its potential to improve the overall quality of educational achievement. It draws on an extensive literature review and includes results from a teacher survey, observations, and informal interviews. The results reported that the respondents generally agreed with the research that presents leadership strategies, which tend to enhance the effectiveness of site-based management. The analysis suggests that …

Implementing A Study Skills Program In Secondary School: What Needs To Be Done?, Margaret R. Ritson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to ascertain if a study-skills program implemented during a study hall in a Southern New Jersey high school might improve the study skills of students who voluntarily participate. At the outset of the study, students were surveyed in order to gauge their perceptions of their own academic study skills. The same survey was administered at the conclusion of the study in order to determine if study-skills growth and improvement had occurred. Information derived from the survey was used to assess the overall effectiveness of the study-skills program. The survey consisted of twenty-five questions …

The Development And Implementation Of A Secondary Peer Mentoring Program, Derryk Sellers

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to help establish a peer mentoring program for ninth grade boys at Lindenwold High School. This study used twelfth grade male positive role models to mentor this group of students. Many of these unmotivated students were the cause of many disciplinary problems. School administration sought to find a way to help these young men to overcome some of the obstacles, which cause their negative behavior. The focus of the study was to help identify those young men who can be mentors as well as young men who need to be mentored. This project helped provide another way …

Assessment Of A Newly Implemented Teacher Induction Program, Jo Ann Doyle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly implemented teacher induction program that commenced in August 2003. Twenty-one teachers who began employment in August 2003 were required to participate in this piloted program. Six months following the initial induction meeting, 18 teachers were surveyed. The survey design conformed to a modified Likert scale. The findings revealed that the need existed for a comprehensive new teacher induction program that was designed to help alleviate some of the fears expressed by the participants. A major goal of the program was to provide all newly hired faculty members …

The Impact Of Block Scheduling On Special Education Student Learning In High School Mathematics, William C. Porch Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated block scheduling and its impact on a special education math program at Delsea Regional High School. It was determined that the end of the marking period test scores were slightly higher for those students in a block schedule than for those students in a traditional setting.

It was also determined that most teachers surveyed do not feel that block scheduling is beneficial for certain special needs students because extended time on task sometimes leads to more discipline problems, especially for those students suffering from attention deficit disorder.