Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons^™

A Study Of The Shamong Township School District's Middle School Program At The Indian Mills Memorial School, Caroline Elizabeth Kerfoot

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the present middle school program at the Indian Mills Memorial School, and create a new program. The program was based on research that enumerated the best practices in exemplary middle schools and the needs and characteristics of young adolescents.

The sample was the 51 teachers of the IMMS, five administrators, parents, and one class each from fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

The survey used was Middle Grades Assessment Program from the Center for Early Adolescence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There were different surveys for students, parents, teachers, and …

Behavioral Change Encouraged Noncoercively: An Effectiveness Study Of Riverside Middle School's Time Out Room, Dennis S. Perry

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the newly implemented time-out room in changing the negative behavior that is exhibited by some middle school children. The time-out room is similar to the traditional in-school suspension room. The rooms differ in the duration of time that a student spends in the room and the services that the child receives while there. The student who was sent to the time-out room for behavior deemed unacceptable developed a plan to prevent any future reoccurrence of a similar offense. The student who spent time in the time-out room also received …

The Quality Of School Life Scale As A Predictive Indicator Of Student Disengagement From School, Sandra M. Lazar

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this ex post facto, action research project is to test the hypothesis that the Quality of School Life Scale (Epstein & McPartland, 1976) has the predictive capability to identify students, early in a school year, who later in the school year manifest traditional disengaged behaviors. If the hypothesis is supported and students who, as a group, score lower on the QSL Scale display significantly more traditional disengaged behaviors than higher scoring students, the finding would support using the QSL as a proactive assessment tool to identify students who are at-risk for disengagement.

This study has several phases: …

Professional Development Through The Use Of Technology, Joan M. Geraci

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to introduce the Gloucester County Special Services School District educators to the concept of using technology for the purpose of professional development.

A descriptive research method was used in the study that included a Technology Survey of the Compensatory Education Teachers. Surveys were distributed prior to and following the inservice component of the study. The technology survey instrument utilized was developed by the Intern and pretested by administrators and educators in the district. The frequency of responses were recorded and calculated into percentages for purposes of data analysis.

After experiencing exposure to the Internet …

Discipline That Builds Student Self-Discipline, Lory O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of a discipline method that builds student self-discipline in the interaction of high school teachers and their students using an action research design. Implementing a discipline system that builds student self-discipline means increasing the effectiveness of teacher management of disruptive students and decreasing the number of disciplinary referrals that are sent to school administrators.

A strategy for training seventeen volunteer teachers in a new disciplinary technique was planned, implemented and evaluated. The teachers involved in the study participated in three workshop sessions designed to teach them a discipline strategy that …

A Quantitative Study Of The Relationship Between Academic Achievement And The Developmental Study Of Vocal And Instrumental Music, James R. Ponter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a quantitative relationship existed between academic achievement as measured by California Achievement Test scores and the involvement of high school students in the developmental study of vocal and instrumental music.

The California Achievement Test Level 20 (CAT-5) scores of a cohort of 170 students were evaluated from grades nine and ten. Students were grouped according to whether they were involved in developmental vocal music, instrumental music, vocal and instrumental music programs, or no music study.

Reading, Language, and Mathematics scores for students in music programs were compared to non-music students using …

The Multiage Classroom, Gertrude E. Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain a thorough understanding of the multiage classroom and to compare the academic and social performance of students in the traditional type classroom to students in a multiage classroom.

The subject of this study were 24 students in the traditional fifth grade classroom at the Hurffville Elementary School and the 30 multiage students in the fourth and fifth grade multiage classroom at the Thomas Jefferson School.

The academic performance was evaluated through the use of curriculum based tests in the area of Reading and Math. Student surveys were used to compare the development …

A Study Of The Educational Climate Of A Suburban Middle School And The Effects Administrative Decisions Have On That Climate, Joseph C. Beierschmitt

Theses and Dissertations

Statement of Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to discover the organizational climate of Collingswood Middle School by using a survey of the students and the staff to evaluate the institutional climate. The data was used to target specific behaviors to make institutional changes that would hopefully improve the climate of the school. The result of these changes were then evaluated with a second survey to determine the effectiveness of the organizational changes.

Description of Methodology:

The study for the assessment of the organizational climate involved surveying the views of the school's administration, the staff, and the students of …

Technology: An Imperative In Schools Today, Maria Malanga

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified, prioritized, and fulfilled technological needs of faculty and staff at an elementary school. A list of technological skills in ascending hierarchical order was devised. From the list, a needs analysis was devised. Through the use of the survey, the intern was able to glean a holistic view of the needs of the faculty. Due to financial constraints, the intern provided workshops to fulfill the needs. A comparison of skills both before the workshops and again afterward, showed a significant increase in computer competency in five of the eight indicators-specifically the ability to recognize hardware components, power up …

Effects Of Support Group Participation On Teachers, Scott Flanegin

Theses and Dissertations

The study observed, analyzed and evaluated the effects of support group participation on the psychological, emotional, and professional needs of teachers. The study used a qualitative research design to gather data on seven female high school teachers participating in a professional development group. The research instruments used included a pre- and post-survey, a questionnaire, and journal entries. The survey recorded data concerning each teacher's pattern of contacts with colleagues, level of job satisfaction, resources for problem-solving used by the individual, and demographic information. Data analysis tabulated and compared survey response percentages before and after the study. The questionnaire and journal …

Using Television & Video To Teach English For Bilingual Students, Thu N. Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the visual program was to stimulate the learning ability in an interesting way. Twenty bilingual students were organized into three condition groups; group A read with videotapes, group B read along and group C read textbook only. Group A and B were students of mixing levels of limited to close mastering level of speaking. Group C mixed students of limited English to none. There were six units of twelve lessons. The students of three groups took the same pretest and posttest for each unit. A final test was given out to measure the reading skills of previous …

Peer Mediation: One Component Of Student Conflict Resolution, Alicia A. Erney

Theses and Dissertations

The study was designed to identify the effectiveness of the peer mediation program instituted at Edgewood Regional Junior High School. A quantitative analysis would establish the validity of the program and replace perceptions with statistical documentation. The action based research design compared the number of disciplinary referrals resulting in suspension for fighting or student assault to the number of cases referred to mediation. The student population was comprised of approximately one thousand students in grades seven, eight, and nine. The mediation statistics were compiled on a monthly basis from the information contained on student forms that were kept as part …

The Development Of A Code Behavior For Holy Name Parish School, Patricia Coonelly Munyan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to review the current discipline code in the school and to revise it if necessary. The study was carried out at Holy Name Parish School in Camden, New Jersey. The predominantly Hispanic school had a student population of 96 in the sample group, grades five through eight. A committee comprising the intern, one faculty member, five students, and four family representatives reviewed the current code and examined codes of other schools.

The intern examined school records for statistics on student disciplinary problems and found that no formal records existed in this area. For her …

Interventions For Increasing Substitute Teachers In Camden City Public Schools, Linnell N. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover and describe any methods or strategies, which could be utilized to reduce or eliminate the shortage of substitute teachers in Camden City Public Schools. The design of the study was based on an action research model. Two areas of intervention were selected for the action research: (1) District level intervention and (2) Substitute teacher preparation intervention. Two populations were surveyed for data collection and analysis: substitute teachers who were new to Camden City Public Schools as of September 1998 and school district principals.

The surveys designed for this study were constructed to …

A Study Of The Use Of Voice Messaging Technology To Maximize School And Community Relationships, Luis A. Pagan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to implement a district-wide voice messaging service that will bridge the gap between our parents and teachers, as well as to provide teachers, parents, and community a communications tool to ensure access and awareness with continuous information and education to all members of the school community.

Surveys were issued before and after the implementation of the Hotline to assess how families felt about the type and quality of communications they have with teachers and administrators at their children's school. Families from elementary, middle and high school were randomly selected to participate. This approach is …

The Effects Of Professional Development On Student Performance Of At-Risk Students, Carol Mizrahi

Theses and Dissertations

The study focused on effective instructional strategies that could be used to improve student performance in the classroom and result in a classroom failure rate of less than 25%. The effects of a professional development workshop presented on instructional strategies were examined as they related to student performance.

The sample of this research consisted of eleven teachers who were required to attend a district-developed instructional strategies workshop based on a midterm failure rate more than 24% during the 1997-98 school year. Four methods of data collection were used: evaluation form, participant observations, interviews, and review of students' grades. The data …

Analyzing And Improving Team Teaching Practices In Southampton Township Schools, Susan C. Schaal

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze current practices of regular and special education teachers working in inclusive settings. The methodology of this study was based on a pre and post test design. The Inclusion Team Teaching Analysis Protocol (ITTAP), developed by Rick Welsh, was administered prior to a four day team teaching training session, and again after the training session. This protocol was administered individually and confidentially. The sample consisted of three teams of teachers who had been team teaching together for varying amounts of time. The ITTAP was analyzed for purposes of comparison on twenty team teaching …

Study Of The African American Male Adolescent In A Suburban School District, Jane Anne Macwright

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the academic and social status of the African American male adolescent in a suburban upper middle class school district and compared the findings with the literature at large. Since most of the literature dealing with the African American male adolescent is conducted in an urban setting, the intent of this investigation was to determine if the same problems that confront today's African American male adolescent in urban centers are prevalent in suburbia. Research was a combination of quantitative and qualitative investigation. The quantitative research compared discipline referrals, grade point average, classification, demographics and referrals to the Pupil …

Factors Which Contribute To Successful Schools For Disadvantaged Students: An Exploratory Case Study Of Two Urban Elementary Schools In Norfolk, Virginia, Lula Saunders Sawyer

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

This exploratory case study examines the perceptions of parents, teachers, students and principals on eight factors of school effectiveness. Two low income elementary schools in the City of Norfolk, Virginia served as the research setting for this study. Though both schools consist almost entirely of African American students, and are otherwise similar in demographics, they have achieved at different levels. While one has been recognized as a national model, based on continuous improvement in students' academic achievement, the other has not attained the same level of achievement, based on standardized test scores.

A case study methodology has been used to …

A Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Roger W. Francis

Graduate Research Papers

Being a principal is a very demanding job. All of the hats that the principal is required to wear means that he is being looked at for leadership in a multitude of areas. Some of which are not a direct part of the education program. Areas other than academics have an effect on the overall educational process. Maintaining an orderly environment, with a good staff, in a safe setting that provides needed services to children, can have a huge effect on the education of our youth. Thus, the role of the principal. in this process is very powerful as the …

The Role Of A School Business Manager : A Reflective Essay, Carl D. Benning

Graduate Research Papers

The responsibilities of a school business manager are diverse, complex, dynamic, variable, and vast in scope. Although the role of an individual school business manager is determined and defined by local district policies and customs, the personal philosophies of the business manager, superintendent, and board of education have a tremendous impact on the actual responsibilities. Situations presented in this paper pertain to Iowa public K-12 schools. References made to federal actions, or other outside influences, are made only to gauge and assess the impacts on Iowa K-12 schools. The personal ideas and feelings expressed in this paper are the results …

Lnservice Educational Activity Needs And Preferred Delivery Methods Of Bement Community Unit School District #5 Teachers, Nyle G. Waters

Masters Theses

A study of the Bement Community Unit School District #5 faculty was conducted in the spring of 1999. The purposes were to determine the inservice educational activity needs of the faculty and to determine which inservice educational activity delivery methods the faculty considers most effective. Bement C.U.S.D. #5 is a small rural district in central Illinois with 38 prekindergarten through 12th grade teachers. A needs assessment questionnaire was constructed and administered to all district teachers. Each item on the questionnaire was designed to collect data on the following questions:

1. What are the perceived inservice educational activity needs of the …

Teacher Feedback Regarding Principal Performance, Dee A. Scott

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to address the need for teacher feedback regarding principal performance at Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4. It examined current uses of critical elements and determined which elements should be used to compose a model program utilizing teacher feedback regarding principal performance. A program which could be used in District C-4 to provide teacher feedback to principals regarding their performance was developed. The program was developed by determining (a) applicable critical elements, (b) type of feedback to be obtained, (c) procedures for administration of the program, (d) procedures for assessment of data, (e) selection of facilitator, …

A Study Of The Perceptions Of Students, Staff, And Parents Regarding Conflict At Mary Miller Junior High School, Georgetown-Ridge Farm Community Unit School District # 4, Georgetown, Illinois, Robert A. Rice

Masters Theses

Too often in schools across the country students and teachers have felt unsafe. Students and teachers have been threatened physically, verbally, and have experienced violence. Besides creating fears, violence in schools has diverted energy and resources from instruction. The researcher believed that based on recent national happenings regarding school violence, it was important to assess the school environment at Mary Miller Junior High School to identify if any problems existed regarding safety at school. It is not surprising that one of the National Education Goals for the year 2000 was to establish safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools that offer an …

A Study Of The Elements For Effective Implementation Of A Full-Day Kindergarten Program At Armstrong-Ellis Grade School, Jamie Ann Dorsey

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine the effective elements needed to implement a full-day kindergarten program at Armstrong-Ellis Grade School, a rural district located in northwestern Vermilion County. It was designed by first looking at how to implement change in a system. After the steps for change were determined, the elements for effective implementation were incorporated into the change process. These elements were established by analyzing the related literature and research.

It was determined that to introduce change within a system a three-step process was needed. These steps are mobilization, implementation, and institutionalization. All three steps are examined in the …

The School Superintendent: Theory, Practice, And Cases, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

This book provides both theoretical and practical insights into the evolving responsibilities associated with being the chief executive officer of a school system. Treats school administration as a science and a craft involving professional artistry, and examines the position in relation to challenges and potential frustrations and accomplishments. Describes contemporary superintendency in the context of four role conceptualizations (professional educator, business manager, statesman, social scientist). Traces the evolution of each role's expectations and discusses their continued emphasis in current practice. Considers policy development -- with an emphasis on deregulation and decentralization. Focuses on relevant issues, including communication, decision making, ethical …

Developing A Vibrant Model For Improving The Quality Of Elementary Education In Pakistan, Muhammad Memon

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

The public education system of Pakistan mostly offers children a prescriptive catalogue of knowledge what Freire (1972) calls it a 'banking concept' in education. Hawes and Stephens (1990) argue that today's schools and children are invariably the victim of yesterday's system. During the last three decades, the quality of education has become a serious concern among the policy makers and donor agencies. In general terms, quality is defined in term of efficiency in achieving the desired students learning outcomes predetermined in the policies. In Pakistan, three types of education reforms namely efficiency; quality; curricularbased (Riddell, 1998) were launched but these …

Reconceptualizing The Role Of Headteachers As Pedagogical Leaders In Pakistan: Implications For Policy Reforms, Muhammad Memon

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Since its independence, Pakistan has launched a series of education reforms, which are either related to curriculum development or teacher education, but no effort has yet been made to address the issues relating to recognition of headteachers' role within the framework of educational management development (Memon, et aI. 1999). However currently the government of Pakistan seems to be cognizant of the importance of professional development of headteachers and others who are responsible for improving the quality of education in schools (Government of Pakistan, 1998). Literature in the area of educational management suggests that schools cannot function effectively without the dynamic …

In Search Of An Effective School Leadership: Some Lessons From Literature, Muhammad Memon

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of 4th And 6th Grade Students, Regarding Their Academic Abilities And Achievement, As Related To Participation In Distance Learning Using Interactive Television, Frances C. Stromsland

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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