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Articles 151 - 180 of 408

Full-Text Articles in Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research

Exercising Their Privilege To Borrow: A Demonstrated Understanding Of The Obligation Of Student Loans In A Community College, Joan M. Meyer-Barrett Sep 2017

Exercising Their Privilege To Borrow: A Demonstrated Understanding Of The Obligation Of Student Loans In A Community College, Joan M. Meyer-Barrett

Dissertations

The costs associated with attending a community college have increased over the years, not unlike most sectors within higher education (Mitchell & Leachman, 2015). As such, community college students often find borrowing student loans a necessity in order to seek the academic credential they intend (McKinney & Backscheider Burridge, 2015). In recent years, it is community college students who stop or drop out without completing an academic credential, with little increased earning potential, who are at high risk of defaulting on their student loan balance (McKinney & Backscheider Burridge, 2015). While enrolled in college, these students are at-risk for completing …

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The Impact Of Federal Level Special Education Policy Internships In Preparing Special Education Faculty: A Preliminary Investigation, Katie Miller, Lisa A. Finnegan, Wilfred Wienke, Angel Lopez Sep 2017

The Impact Of Federal Level Special Education Policy Internships In Preparing Special Education Faculty: A Preliminary Investigation, Katie Miller, Lisa A. Finnegan, Wilfred Wienke, Angel Lopez

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

In this manuscript, the authors examine the reaction of special education doctoral scholars and their response to a federal policy internship. Six doctoral scholar participants participated in a summer federal policy internship opportunity and partook in the study. Doctoral scholars responded to a survey about their knowledge of federal legislation and their perceptions of the federal policy internship. Data were collected and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Three themes emerged after completing their doctoral internship which include: importance of advocacy and its impact on policy, importance of evidence based practices and their role in policy making, and increased knowledge of …

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Housekeeping Chores Or Quality Education: The Dilemmas Faced By Lectures In Public Universities In Kenya, Zedekia Sidha, Justine Magutu Sep 2017

Housekeeping Chores Or Quality Education: The Dilemmas Faced By Lectures In Public Universities In Kenya, Zedekia Sidha, Justine Magutu

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This paper explores the relationship between task prioritization by university lecturers and quality of university education. It is based on the assumption that universities, like most street level bureaucracies, are chronically under-resourced for the work the public expects them to do. The lecturers must therefore make a choice on which of their numerous activities will be done first, which one second, and which will not be done all together. In making these decisions it is assumed that they would make choices that are in the best interest of the students and the university at large. However, lecturers also have their …

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Use Of Technology For Children With Autism: Academic Success In The Least Restrictive Environment, Laura Scott Sep 2017

Use Of Technology For Children With Autism: Academic Success In The Least Restrictive Environment, Laura Scott

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a prevailing neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many aspects of a child’s life. Their communication and emotional regulation are hindered which makes it more challenging for them to thrive in the general education setting. Every child has the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment with needed support provided by its local school. Research has shown the use of technology to be a major contribution to student engagement and success. The focus of this article is to examine how a child’s communication and emotional regulation affect their academics and offer research based solutions. It …

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Leading Through Logic Modeling: Capturing The Complexity, Ann Sebald, Heidi Frederiksen Sep 2017

Leading Through Logic Modeling: Capturing The Complexity, Ann Sebald, Heidi Frederiksen

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Logic modeling supports project and program development and implementation through specific design, planning, communication, evaluation and learning considerations and are typically used for the purposes of explanation, resolutions and assessment. Logic modeling was used in one teacher training program in the U.S. experiencing substantial leadership change. Leading change requires the facets of both leadership and management. This paper will discuss leading change through strategic management; logic modeling as a way of supporting program development and evaluation; share two forms of logic modeling (Theory of Change and Program) used to put into focus one teacher preparation program; discuss the methodology used …

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A Qualitative Study Investigating Facility Managers’ Perceptions Of The Classroom Learning Environment, Eric Shannon Parr Aug 2017

A Qualitative Study Investigating Facility Managers’ Perceptions Of The Classroom Learning Environment, Eric Shannon Parr

Dissertations

Facility managers have the challenge of adhering to community college policies and procedures while fulfilling requirements of administration, students, and teachers concerning specific needs of classroom aesthetics. The role of facility manager and how specific entities affect perceptions of the design and implementation of classroom aesthetics were presented in this study in an attempt to further clarify present classroom design practices and future aesthetic possibilities. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare a facility manager’s perceptions of classroom learning environments, and a student’s learning environment aesthetic needs. A qualitative research design was utilized within the theoretical framework …

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International Student Enrollment Trends From 2008-2014: Country Case Studies And Comparison To A Midwest Liberal Arts Institution, Emin Hajiyev Aug 2017

International Student Enrollment Trends From 2008-2014: Country Case Studies And Comparison To A Midwest Liberal Arts Institution, Emin Hajiyev

Dissertations

The international student recruitment and overall cross-border education have constantly been evolving. In the past two decades, higher education institutions were developing and implementing their plan of campus internationalization. Various universities and colleges have different approaches to the internationalization. However, through the implementation of the process, most of the institutions realized that the cornerstone of the internationalization is the international student recruitment. Despite providing the financial health to the institutions and overall to the process of internationalization, international student recruitment is the provider of the campus multiculturalism and diversity. This research is concentrated on the external factors of the cross-border …

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Dual Credit Instructor And Counselor Opinions Concerning The Effectiveness Of Dual Credit Programs On Post-Secondary Readiness In Southwest Missouri, Natalie Gail Cook Jul 2017

Dual Credit Instructor And Counselor Opinions Concerning The Effectiveness Of Dual Credit Programs On Post-Secondary Readiness In Southwest Missouri, Natalie Gail Cook

Dissertations

Dual enrollment numbers continue to increase in public school districts; therefore, dual credit programs must be effective for students, adequately challenging them academically and preparing them for the college environment (Flores, 2014). The intention of this study was to survey dual credit instructors and counselors to determine their opinions of post-secondary readiness among dual credit learners in southwest Missouri. Results of the study were organized based upon significance regarding effectiveness. Researchers are uncertain concerning the effectiveness of dual credit programs for post-secondary readiness (Cowan & Goldhaber, 2015). This study was intended to close gaps in the research and to support …

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Perceptions Of Academic Advising And Student Retention, Stacy Renaee Soden Jul 2017

Perceptions Of Academic Advising And Student Retention, Stacy Renaee Soden

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine student and academic advisors’ perceptions of advisement techniques to determine the connection between academic advising strategies and student retention. If student retention rates are not addressed, higher education institutions are at risk of losing students, which is costly to the institution and the student (Himes, 2014). Most college students are in a state of change and need academic advice to achieve success during a college transition (Tinto, 2012). Academic advisors can assist students in finding the right career for students’ specific strengths. This qualitative study utilized Tinto’s (2012) theories of student …

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Teacher Job Satisfaction As Related To Student Performance On State-Mandated Testing, James Douglas Crawford Jun 2017

Teacher Job Satisfaction As Related To Student Performance On State-Mandated Testing, James Douglas Crawford

Dissertations

The growing demand placed upon educators has taken a toll on the profession (Walker, 2014). Teacher burnout, stress, and unhappiness may be predestined unless administrators recognize how to prevent these from happening (Elias, 2012). The intent of this quantitative study was to survey teachers in southwest Missouri to determine their level of job satisfaction as it relates to student performance on state-mandated assessments. The survey included items designed to collect data on overall level of teacher job satisfaction in relation to demographic areas of age range, gender, level of education, years of teaching experience, subject areas taught, and salary range. …

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Evaluating The Self-Efficacy Of Novice Educators In Nursing And Allied Health Care Programs As It Pertains To Faculty Development, Amanada Lea Doneski Jun 2017

Evaluating The Self-Efficacy Of Novice Educators In Nursing And Allied Health Care Programs As It Pertains To Faculty Development, Amanada Lea Doneski

Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the self-efficacy of novice nursing and allied health educators as it pertains to their overall desire to enhance their knowledge of educational instruction. Many nursing and allied health faculty transition from clinical practice to teaching with little to no formalized knowledge in education (Cangelosi, 2014; Gresham-Anderson, 2015). Bandura’s (1977a) theory of social learning and self-efficacy was utilized as the theoretical framework for the study. This study was guided by four research questions used to investigate how the self-efficacy of nursing and allied health professionals changed as participants became more experienced educators, …

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Interpreting The Impact Of The Four-Day School Week: An Examination Of Performance Before And After Switching To The Four-Day School Week, Matthew Lee Gower May 2017

Interpreting The Impact Of The Four-Day School Week: An Examination Of Performance Before And After Switching To The Four-Day School Week, Matthew Lee Gower

Dissertations

As four-day school weeks continue to gain popularity among school districts across the United States, determining the potential impact associated with the unconventional school week has become increasingly important (Johnson, 2013). The four-day school week has been credited with producing a number of potential benefits and consequences, but there is currently a limited amount of research available to determine the overall worth of the practice compared to the five-day school week. Some purported impacts of the four-day school week include shifts in teacher and student attendance, changes in achievement, financial adjustments, decreases in dropout rates, and improvement in morale (Plucker, …

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A Case Study: An Andragogical Exploration Of A Collegiate Swimming And Diving Coach’S Principles And Practices At Lindenwood University, Hannibal Najjar Apr 2017

A Case Study: An Andragogical Exploration Of A Collegiate Swimming And Diving Coach’S Principles And Practices At Lindenwood University, Hannibal Najjar

Dissertations

Andragogy, defined as, “the art and science of helping adults learn” (Knowles, 1980, p. 43) has been used in education and organizations for more than five decades. This philosophy was examined in this study to explore to what extent Andragogy was being used, and perceived to be used, by the coach in a collegiate athletic program. Interviews, observations, and surveys of the coach, along with questionnaires, surveys, and focus group sessions of the student-athletes were used to determine whether an andragogically based coaching approach positively affected the performances and outcomes of the participants. By utilizing an adaptation of Henschke’s (1989) …

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Case Study: Exploring The Presence Of Trust In One Suburban Christian School Climate, James Drury Apr 2017

Case Study: Exploring The Presence Of Trust In One Suburban Christian School Climate, James Drury

Dissertations

Trust is a topic that has been written about hundreds of times, still it is hard to define. In the literature, trust and relationships are grouped together as going hand-in-hand. In Christian education circles, trust is something that is implied to be present. This research explored the presence of trust in a suburban Christian school in the Midwest. The research explored trust from the perception of three different stakeholder groups (staff, parents, and board) from the study school. The researcher used data sets that included: The Visible Elements of Trust Inventory (VETI)- online survey, focus groups by stakeholder type, and …

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A Mixed Method Study On The Missouri Beginning Teachers Assistance Program And Teacher Retention In Saint Louis School Districts, Raymond Ciolek Apr 2017

A Mixed Method Study On The Missouri Beginning Teachers Assistance Program And Teacher Retention In Saint Louis School Districts, Raymond Ciolek

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate whether new teacher and new teacher mentor perceptions of the effectiveness of the Missouri State Beginning Teachers’ Assistance Program (BTAP) were positive and whether the new teacher perceptions led to the new teacher remaining in the teaching profession at least five years. At the time of this writing, in the state of Missouri, new teachers must work through a six step process to upgrade their initial teacher certification to a continual (99 year) certification (Appendix A). This paper describes research on the second step of Missouri’s process, which involved the new teacher …

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Identifying And Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jennie Mcfadden Mar 2017

Identifying And Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jennie Mcfadden

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Twice-exceptional students are being over looked because the identification process is one sided and/or eliminates dual diagnoses. Twice-exceptional refers to students who are both gifted and have a disability (Segen’s Medical Dictionary, 2011). The method in which this research was completed included reading scholarly journals, textbooks, and educational websites. Although some children with autism are also gifted, never the less, the gifted talents of these children are often overlooked and not supported, because the disability masks their abilities, testing criteria, and behavior. The results identified that, because the students’ disability camouflaged their areas of giftedness is being over looked. By …

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International Higher Education As Catalyst For Social Change, Fay Patel Mar 2017

International Higher Education As Catalyst For Social Change, Fay Patel

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Developing cultural awareness and competence among learners and employees has been a topic of concern and challenge in higher education for several decades. The general focus in many organizations, including higher education, is on the development of cultural awareness and competencies with a general focus on intercultural communication and cultural diversity training. The paper revisits the notions of cultural awareness and competency development initiatives reframing them within a critical perspective seeking socially responsible actions for social change. It introduces and clarifies global community building, glocalization, social responsibility and justice as requisites for social change. Finally, recommendations are made to ensure …

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Applying Andragogical Principles To Real-Time Embedded Parental Coaching When Helping Their Children With Hearing Loss To Talk, Betsy Moog Brooks Mar 2017

Applying Andragogical Principles To Real-Time Embedded Parental Coaching When Helping Their Children With Hearing Loss To Talk, Betsy Moog Brooks

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the application of andragogical principles to real-time embedded coaching of parents, when teaching their children with hearing loss to talk. The research population included parents of children with hearing loss from 10 months-of-age to three years old. These participants engaged in parent support sessions at the Moog Center for Deaf Education using real-time embedded coaching during face-to-face sessions. The research population also included the teachers of the deaf, employed at the Moog Center, who provided the real-time embedded coaching with the application of andragogical principles during parent-child sessions. At the conclusion of …

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Student Choice And Student Engagement, Joellyn Marie Travis Mar 2017

Student Choice And Student Engagement, Joellyn Marie Travis

Dissertations

The focus of this study was school transformation to accommodate “new literacies, skills, and dispositions that students need to flourish in a networked world” (Richardson, 2016, p. ix). Many schools operate within a traditional model developed during the Industrial Revolution to fit the need for efficiency and compliance (Robinson & Aronica, 2015). However, according to Robinson and Aronica (2015), “These systems are inherently unsuited to the wholly different circumstances of the twenty-first century” (p. xxiii). The purpose of this study was to determine if student choice of where to sit or type of seating positively impact student engagement. Observations were …

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A Mixed-Methods Investigation On Contributing Factors To The Political Efficacy Of Eighth Grade Students In A Suburban School District In Missouri, Colette Edson Mar 2017

A Mixed-Methods Investigation On Contributing Factors To The Political Efficacy Of Eighth Grade Students In A Suburban School District In Missouri, Colette Edson

Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between the political efficacy and expected civic engagement of eighth grade students in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Missouri and demographic factors, reading ability, and parental attitudes. Data on students’ attitudes on topics such as citizenship, trust in institutions, opportunities, political efficacy, school efficacy, and political engagement were analyzed. The 180 students who completed the questionnaire demonstrated lower trust and assessment of access to opportunities and higher youth political engagement than the participants in the 1999 International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IAE) Civic Education (CIVED) study. Tests to determine the impact of student …

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Student Achievement Versus Technology In The Catholic Classroom: Correlation Or Added Bonus, Cheryl L. Boze Hall Mar 2017

Student Achievement Versus Technology In The Catholic Classroom: Correlation Or Added Bonus, Cheryl L. Boze Hall

Dissertations

Spending limited educational budgets on technology for classrooms is a strategy many school districts have used to increase student achievement (Levenson, Baehr, Smith, & Sullivan, 2014). In recent years, the technology movement allowed for arbitrary purchasing of devices with little to no pedagogical planning for how technology device usage was expected to increase student achievement (Johnston, 2014). The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between student achievement and the amount of money spent on technology hardware, technology software, and technology-related professional development. The research design incorporated quantitative methods through collection of test scores and survey data regarding …

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Effects Of The Classroom-Assigned Tasks And Responsibilities Program In Middle Schools, Hollis Faye Avis Feb 2017

Effects Of The Classroom-Assigned Tasks And Responsibilities Program In Middle Schools, Hollis Faye Avis

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of classroomassigned tasks and responsibilities in middle school classrooms. This mixed methods research study focused on perceptions held by students and educational professionals, both classroom teachers and administrators, of the classroom-assigned tasks and responsibilities program in relation to overall classroom environment, overall school environment, and students’ sense of connectedness to the school. Quantitative data consisted of secondary data obtained from a survey taken by students exposed to the program and students not exposed to the program. Student survey results were compared to determine if a difference of perceptions existed between …

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Measuring The Outcome Of At-Risk Students On Biology Standardized Tests When Using Different Instructional Strategies, Dana Burns Feb 2017

Measuring The Outcome Of At-Risk Students On Biology Standardized Tests When Using Different Instructional Strategies, Dana Burns

Dissertations

Over the last two decades, online education has become a popular concept in universities as well as K-12 education. This generation of students has grown up using technology and has shown interest in incorporating technology into their learning. The idea of using technology in the classroom to enhance student learning and create higher achievement has become necessary for administrators, teachers, and policymakers. Although online education is a popular topic, there has been minimal research on the effectiveness of online and blended learning strategies compared to the student learning in a traditional K-12 classroom setting. The purpose of this study was …

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Perceptions Of Missouri Public School Early Childhood Teachers And Administrators In Regard To Technology And Current Practices, Lara Jean Wilbur Feb 2017

Perceptions Of Missouri Public School Early Childhood Teachers And Administrators In Regard To Technology And Current Practices, Lara Jean Wilbur

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of Missouri public school early childhood teachers and administrators in regard to technology and current practices. If educators have not analyzed their current perceptions regarding technology, they may not use developmentally appropriate technology practices with students (Dietze & Kashin, 2013). According to Anderkin (2015), the position statement from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning offers guidance for developmentally appropriate technology practices in early childhood. Participants in this study were asked interview questions to determine their perceptions of technology in …

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Reading Achievement: A Study Of Perceptions Of First-Grade Teachers And The Relationship Between Attendance And Reading Achievement, Mykie C. Nash Feb 2017

Reading Achievement: A Study Of Perceptions Of First-Grade Teachers And The Relationship Between Attendance And Reading Achievement, Mykie C. Nash

Dissertations

This mixed-methods study included an in-depth look at the perceptions of first-grade teachers in southwest Missouri to gain insight into the knowledge, understanding, and perceptions of teachers when considering reading achievement and how it relates to Reading Recovery, student engagement, professional development, and socioeconomic status. A second piece to the study included a quantitative examination of the correlation between reading achievement and attendance. Focus groups were formed and an 11-question interview was conducted to gather insight into the perceptions of first-grade teachers across five different counties. Additionally, reading data and attendance from 249 students in those schools were used to …

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Missouri Public High School Principals Perception Of Zero Tolerance, Sherry Ann Mcmasters Feb 2017

Missouri Public High School Principals Perception Of Zero Tolerance, Sherry Ann Mcmasters

Dissertations

School administrators develop, recommend, and carry out policy for school districts. The policy can have long lasting effect on students. Ideology and gender of the administrator can influence adoption and implementation of individual school’s policy. A study consisting of quantitative and qualitative measures was utilized to determine the difference of opinion between male and female administrators through a survey about zero tolerance discipline policy. Missouri public high school principals were the focus of the study, each receiving the opportunity to participate in the survey via email. The results of this study are consistent with previous studies, but enhance the knowledgebase …

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Departmentalized Classroom Environments Versus Traditional Classroom Environments In Second Through Fourth Grades: A Quantitative Analysis, Staci Janelle Ray Jan 2017

Departmentalized Classroom Environments Versus Traditional Classroom Environments In Second Through Fourth Grades: A Quantitative Analysis, Staci Janelle Ray

Dissertations

Since No Child Left Behind was introduced, kindergarten through 12th-grade educators have seen a dramatic increase in accountability, rigor of standards, and responsibilities in the classroom (New America Foundation, 2015). In order to meet the increased demands of federal education regulations in second through fourth grades, many administrators are looking for alternative methods to ensure student success (Gewertz, 2014). Departmentalization is one of the alternative methods being used (Jacobs, 2014). Educators believe departmentalization results in many benefits (Chan & Jarman, 2004); however, historical research has contradicted this view (American Association of School Administrators, 1965). With the demands of today’s standards …

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Administrative Strategies To Improve Teacher Recruitment And Retention In Rural Public Schools, Christine Kay Butler Dec 2016

Administrative Strategies To Improve Teacher Recruitment And Retention In Rural Public Schools, Christine Kay Butler

Dissertations

The main purpose of this study was to gain insight into the recruitment and retention strategies popularized due to the need to meet high-quality teacher demands. Additionally, recruitment and retention strategies identified by administrators and tenured teachers working in rural public schools of Missouri as effective were collected through a survey. Administrators, as well as tenured teachers currently on staff in rural public school districts of Missouri, were the population of this study. Among 286 administrators, 95 administrative participants and 33 tenured teachers completed the survey. The survey responses were compared to determine if the administrative point-ofview was similar to …

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Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of One-To-One Technology Device Implementation, Stewart F. Pratt Dec 2016

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of One-To-One Technology Device Implementation, Stewart F. Pratt

Dissertations

The influence of technology on society shows little sign of diminishing (Puybaraud, 2012). Increased capabilities and the affordability of technology devices have brought a resurgence of one-to-one device implementation in schools (Dawson, 2016). This qualitative study was designed to elicit the perceptions of administrators and teachers on one-to-one device implementation. Marc Prensky’s (2001) premise that students are digital natives embedded in media and digital device-rich environments provided the conceptual framework for this study. Furthermore, Prensky (2001) proposed modern students learn, conceptualize, and respond differently than previous generations. The participants in this study represented six southwest Missouri school districts with student …

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The Effects Of Extrinsic Motivation On High School Attendance, Eric Conrad Wilken Nov 2016

The Effects Of Extrinsic Motivation On High School Attendance, Eric Conrad Wilken

Dissertations

The Missouri School Improvement Plan’s fourth standard addresses the importance of attendance to the accreditation of school districts. Because of this standard many school districts are in need of a successful plan to increase attendance; therefore, this study was designed to determine the extrinsic motivators educators use to encourage attendance and the influence the motivators have on students. The population for this study included accredited public school districts in the west central and southwest regions of Missouri. A stratified sample consisting of 45 high schools was selected from public school districts with 400 or fewer students in grades K-12 during …

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