Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Implementing Curriculum Based Assessment: A Model To Identify Children Who Are Academically At Risk, Dan L. Tharp

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a curriculum based assessment model using Custer Elementary School's prescribed curriculum that would identify academically at-risk students and provide intervention services. A curriculum based assessment model was developed based upon the major assumptions that measurement of pupil progress should: (1) be directly related to the curriculum the student is taught; (2) be repeated frequently; and (3) guide instructional planning for the student. A review of the related literature indicated curriculum based assessment offers an alternative approach for continuously measuring student achievement of proficiency in basic school skills. Implications for the implementation of …

The Recruitment, Training, And Retention Of Volunteer Tutors For Elementary Reading Programs, Emilee Kay Solomon

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of: a) an overview of four exemplary volunteer tutorial programs, b) a review of the literature regarding recruitment, training, and retention of volunteer tutors, c) a review of a questionnaire surveying reading teachers and volunteer coordinators about their recruitment, training, and retention methods, and d) a guide for the recruitment, training, and retention/recognition of volunteer tutors in elementary reading programs.

Job Sharing Among Elementary School Teachers, Denise Ione Walsh

All Graduate Projects

The practice of job sharing, in which two teachers share the responsibilities of one teacher, is described. A comprehensive review of related literature is presented. Perceptions of those directly affected by the practice in one school district were gathered through 70 structured interviews with elementary principals, job sharing teachers, full-time teacher colleagues, students in job sharing classrooms, and parents. The study reveals predominantly positive reactions to the practice, and supports continuation of job sharing as an employment option for teachers.

A Study Of Enrollment Trends In Accredited Vocational Programs In Small Schools In North Central Washington, Lyle D. Blackburn

All Graduate Projects

Vocational enrollment trends of small school districts in North Central Washington were studied. Seven school districts located in Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan counties were charted. The data provided by the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction show individual program enrollment as well as total vocational enrollment compared to total high school enrollment. The results support the hypothesis that small schools' vocational enrollment remains constant with regard to high school enrollment. Recommendations were made for further studies, to include a more in-depth study of large schools as well as the smaller schools.

Study Skills For School Success, Terry Mills Tanneberg

All Graduate Projects

"Study Skills for School Success" is a project study focusing on the skills characterized by effective study. The specific nature of study skills and the influence of the home environment are also examined. A major product of this project study is a handbook entitled "Study Skills for School Success." Focusing on the parents of elementary children, the step-by-step handbook is designed to serve as a resource guide for the effective implementation of a home study skills program.

A Handbook For Orientation Of First Year Teachers In The Walla Walla School District, Robert C. Maib

All Graduate Projects

The transition from student teacher to becoming a professional teacher can be a very trying experience. Research, interviews and studies were done to point out problems beginning teachers have in their first year of employment. Due to these problems, beginning teachers need to know where to go for help. Administrators, secretarial services and custodial services can be very beneficial to aid the beginning teacher in the first year of employment. The aim of this project is to create a handbook for beginning teachers in the Walla Walla School District with the research discussed.

Chapter 1/Learning Assistance Program Handbook: Central Kitsap School District, Martha Fitzgerald Skinner

All Graduate Projects

A review and development process resulted in a the Chapter 1/Learning Assistance Program Handbook for use in the Central Kitsap School District in 1986 as a procedural reference for the coordinated efforts of the Federally-funded Chapter 1 Regular Program and the State-funded Learning Assistance Program. The handbook details procedures which allow the school district to comply with Washington State regulations which are designed to meet Federal guidelines. During the 1986-87 school year, the handbook was utilized by school district personnel and program staff. A revision incorporating modifications of procedures and clarifications of wording was completed prior to the beginning of …

A Comparative Study Of Student Directed Dialogue Journal Writing And Teacher Directed Dialogue Journal Writing, Yolanda Paez Bailey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare student directed dialogue journal writing with teacher directed dialogue journal writing. Eleven students in the student directed group wrote about self-generated topics while 12 students in the teacher directed group wrote on topics selected by the teacher. Data were analyzed in the areas of amount of writing generated, types of language functions, topics and the ability to stay on topic, level of technical improvement, types of questions posed by students and teacher, and attitudes towards writing. The results revealed that both student directed dialogue journal writing and teacher directed dialogue journal writing …

Retention: The Fourth R, Retention Perception And Practices In The Kennewick School District, Steven G. Linn

All Graduate Projects

A descriptive study was conducted by means of a questionnaire to determine what the Kennewick School District teachers and principals perceived the official district policy to be regarding nonpromotion of a student. The results showed that principals had a clear understanding of the policy while half of the responding teachers did not. Retention practices were investigated and it was found that 74 students were retained for the year 1987 by teachers, with principals reporting 31 retentions district-wide. Criteria for nonpromotion decision making was identified and ranked in order of frequency used by both teachers and principals. Communication of the district …

The Organization Of A Learning Resource Center At The Christian And Missionary Alliance Church In Ellensburg, Washington, Robert Neil Gordon

All Graduate Projects

This paper presents an investigation into providing a model and designing and organizing a learning resource center (LRC) for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Including existing and potential resources and/or media used in teaching and general church ministries, the plan makes provision for systematically using these resources by evaluation. Recommendations for the learning resource center were based on the review of related literature, the philosophy, goals and objectives of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and input from church members.

A Comparison Of Teacher Creativity And Organized Demeanor As Measured By The Tuckman Teacher Feedback Form, Deborah Joanne Karas

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to make a comparison of personality variables between four essential dimensions of classroom climate. Creativity, Dynamism, Organized Demeanor, and Warmth and Acceptance were examined, with specific attention given to the relationship between Creativity and Organized Demeanor. The Tuckman Teacher Feedback Form, an instrument designed to measure these variables, was selected and implemented in this study. One hundred and eighteen teachers teaching in grade level positions that ranged from Kindergarten through the twelfth grade, were administered the Tuckman instrument during their annual evaluation period by their building administrators. After computing and comparing mean percentages, it …

Development Of A Student Handbook For Odessa Junior-Senior High School, James R. Miller

All Graduate Projects

This project presents the development of a student handbook for Odessa Junior-Senior High School. The handbook was designed to define the rules, regulations, procedures, requirements, activities and services of Odessa Junior-Senior High School. This is the first comprehensive handbook in the history of the school. The handbook was developed from the handbooks of many other high schools and the school board policy manual of the Odessa School District. Many sections have been approved as to legality. Recommendations include an annual review and revision of the handbook by a committee made up of faculty, administration, parents, school board and students.

Evaluating The Effect Of Project H.O.P.E.: An After-School Study Hall, Eugene Joseph Schmidt

All Graduate Projects

The effectiveness of Project HOPE, an acronym for Helping Our People Educationally, was tested to determine if improved academic achievement would result from an after-school study hall. Intended for ninth grade students that fall behind because of uncompleted daily work and missed assignments, Project HOPE was created to give students "a last chance." It was thought that daily work scores would rise and that students would realize an overall increase in their final course grades. The actual experiment was run from November 19, 1984 until January 17, 1985. The experimental group was the writer's tenth grade English class. Despite improvements …

A Language Arts Based Curriculum Model For The Talented- Grade 6, Bruce Edward Holway

All Graduate Projects

An investigation into the cognitive and affective characteristics and needs of talented students has resulted in the creation of a working model for a language arts based curriculum for students in grade six. This project identifies the essential components of programs for the education of the academically talented and demonstrates how these ingredients interact in practice. The process for selecting concepts and related content in English, reading and social studies is explained. Suggestions for designing materials and for utilizing commercially prepared lessons are provided.

Group Lesson Training Packet(S) On The Selection And The Uses Of Personal Computers In Ther Home, Cora Gladys Vowell

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project report was to provide a group lesson training packet on the selection and the uses of personal computers in the home including information on their history, their basic components, the criteria to evaluate the need for one, and resource materials available on the topic. The instructional materials developed included: a leader's guide, visual aids, a videocassette tape, an activity sheet, information sheets, two evaluation tools, and a partial listing of existing Extension instructional materials on microcomputers.

Proficiency Appraisal: A Viable Alternative To Merit Pay, Kenneth T. Pietraniec

All Graduate Projects

An original design of an incentive plan to reward and encourage instructional proficiency was developed. The evaluative criteria is based on findings of current research in effective instruction. Students, colleagues, administrators, and a trained outside observer appraise behaviors in the domains of classroom climate, time on task, management of student conduct, and teacher expectations. A proficiency grid rates and maps the collected data. Proficiency point totals determine monetary reward and identify professional development needs.

School Organization Placement For The Ninth Grade Student, Karen D. Garrison

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to obtain information regarding the best placement of the ninth grade student in the school organizational pattern. Thirty-six superintendents, seventy-seven high school principals and sixty-four high school teachers, in the state of Washington, responded to a questionnaire-opinionnaire regarding the physical, intellectual, emotional and social maturity level of the ninth grade student. The results showed support for the ninth grade student to be in a four-year high school grade configuration.

A Follow-Up Study Of Graduate Students Admitted To The Central Washington University Special Education Administrator Program, Richard P. Lynch

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine characteristics of those candidates who had been admitted into the Central Washington University Special Education Administrator Program in order to draw conclusions concerning identifying profiles; ascertain the extent to which the respondents perceived the required courses of instruction as relevant to subsequent educational functions; and finally to determine specific reason(s) for non completion of program leading to Washington State Program Administrator Certification.

Simplified Record-Keeping Project For The Yelm School District Elementary Schools, Jerry L. Higgins

All Graduate Projects

The relationships of student record-keeping, student learning objective tracking, and student progress reporting were studied. The management problems of these record-keeping processes, such as teacher time spent on paperwork, the overabundance of paperwork, and the duplication of labor were studied. The results of the study provided information for the design of a simplified record-keeping project for the Yelm School District elementary schools.

Survey Attitude Towards Title Ix As Indicated By Selected Secondary Physical Education Teachers In The State Of Washington, Lisa Rae Hanson

All Graduate Projects

An assessment of the attitudes of selected secondary physical education instructors towards Title IX was studied. A survey was conducted of 60 participants in the State of Washington. Information of the prime areas of concern and what problems and advantages were involved with the implementation of Title IX was obtained. The results are discussed in relation to the generated data. Recommendations are presented for improvement of school programs and recommendations for further study was discussed. The recommendations were based on information obtained through current research and the survey results.

The Development And Implementation Of A Program Of In-School-Suspension, Loren Grunenfelder

All Graduate Projects

This study concentrates on suspension of students and in-school suspension programs. The end product of this project is a program of ISS which will fit the needs, resources, and facilities of Tumwater Junior High School. This ISS program is to be used to strengthen our existing discipline program.

Selected Private Sources Of Funding For Adult Basic Education, Carol Olson

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to conduct a limited search for support of adult basic education proposals among 35 private foundations. Questionnaires were sent, seeking information about foundations' attitudes toward adult basic education, target populations, and potential proposals. The results showed a wide range of attitudes, from indifference to cautious interest to enthusiasm. Suggestions for researching potential sources of support are presented along with the responses of the 35 foundations.

A Follow-Up Study To Determine Selected Characteristics And Perceptions Regarding The Academic Preparation Of Master Degree Graduates Who Majored In School Administration: Central Washington University 1976-1981, Richard P. Lynch

All Graduate Projects

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine selected demographic characteristics of master degree graduates, who majored in school administration, and who graduated from the Graduate Division of Education since the 1976 Summer quarter through the 1981 Summer quarter; (2) to ascertain the extent to which these graduates perceived the courses of instruction in their academic preparationas being relevant to subsequent educational administration functions; and (3) to determine additional courses of instruction, not in the present curriculum, that these selected graduates perceived would be professionally relevant to current educational administrative functions.

Study To Determine The Effect Of Graduation Requirement Changes On Student Performance, Attitudes, And Retention In School, David R. Betzing

All Graduate Projects

On July 31, 1979, the Yakima School Board of School District 7, Yakima, Washington, approved a graduation policy change increasing the total number of credits required from forty-eight to sixty-six. This change required that eighteen credits be transferred from grade nine of the junior high school setting. This study attempts to assess the impact of the change upon the performance and attitudes of ninth grade students. Indications are that students accepted the changes positively, felt they were working harder, and, in two schools showed a decrease in the failure rate. A look at the general achievement level of students and …

[Improving Instruction In Reading Comprehension Utilizing Basal Readers], Patsy Carol Cada

All Graduate Projects

The specific purposes of this project were to:

1. Analyze the instructional comprehension questions suggested by the Houghton Mifflin teachers' manual for the basal reading series grades 1, 2, and 3. This included oral questions used to guide silent reading and post-story discussion questions.

2. Develop additional instructional resources to correlate with the Houghton Mifflin basal reading series grades 1, 2, and 3. Specifically created were alternative questioning strategies to aid early readers in the development of a process for comprehending written passages as they are reading.

These resources will be submitted for use in the author's local school district.

Textbook Selection Process: An Historical Account Of The Steps Involved In Textbook Selection Guidelines For Washington State Public Schools, James D. Shannon

All Graduate Projects

Local schools and school districts in the State of Washington have the responsibility for selecting textbooks to meet the district's philosophies, goals, and objectives as well as state regulations. To eliminate some of the problems inherent in this situation and to ensure more satisfactory results, this writer developed a procedure based on a committee approach, using a participatory decision making mode. Also, evaluative criteria and a rating tool were designed for use in screening, evaluating, and selecting textbooks. This project presents the steps used in the process.

Development Of The Minimum Competency Exam In Mathematics For The Hoquiam School District, John Daniel Descher

All Graduate Projects

Two competency exams (Test A and Test B) were constructed and field tested on high school students in the Hoquiam School District. Individual results were compared to respective Stanford Achievement Test scores. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate population differences. Results from Test A were compared to results from Test B. Also, differences between performances of juniors and seniors were analyzed. A further statistical analysis was performed to compare performances between boys and girls.

Media Effectiveness Training, Robert Lee Davis

All Graduate Projects

An analysis of the Tolt Junior-Senior High School faculty's use of instructional media showed a need for a program designed to increase the effective use of the Learning Resource Center's available media. This project consisted of developing a series of inservice classes designed to train the teachers to better utilize the overhead, opaque, slide, filmstrip, and 16mm projectors, tape recorders, VTR, microfiche reader/printer, and dry mount press. Appropriate examples have been produced in each medium and a tool created for the evaluation of the inservice program.

Camas School District; Mathematics Curriculum, Student Learning Objectives K-8, Gregory C. Strohmaier

All Graduate Projects

The Camas School District; Student Learning Objectives (K-8) is designed to help school district personnel comply with Washington State Student Learning Objectives Law RCW 28A.58.090, which requires that all school districts in the state of Washington develop student learning objectives in the areas of reading, language arts, and mathematics. This guide was developed to identify, clarify, and catagorize, sets of goals and student learning objectives which will improve students' learning opportunities in the area of mathematics, and at the same time provide direction for the classroom teacher.

This guide does not reflect all of the goals and objectives taught at …

A Study Guide For Eigth Grade Developmental Reading Based On Cooper And Petrosky's Strategies, Barbara Ann Trezise

All Graduate Projects

A study guide, to increase students' ability to use study skills, to read expository and narrative material with greater fluency, and to maintain positive attitudes towards reading, was developed using Cooper and Petrosky's (1976) "A Psycholinguistic View of the Fluent Reading Process." Sequential lessons were designed from available printed materials. A pre/post test attitude scale, study habits survey, and standardized reading achievement tests were administered. Modified miscue analysis provided diagnostic information.