Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

A Comparison Of The Participation Rates And Perceptions Of Males And Females Regarding High School Athletic Participation, Edward Malcom Dreyer

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the athletic participation rate of males and females within the high school of study. Freshmen and senior students were surveyed to gather data on the reasons students chose to participate or not participate in athletics. Focus groups were conducted at a local university to further explore why students participated in athletics and why some of these students discontinued their participation in athletics. Focus groups also explored challenges facing athletes and student perceptions of female participation in athletics. Athletic participation data from the high school of study were also taken into consideration. This …

Human Resources Administrator Perceptions Of Procedural And Distributive Justice In Performance Appraisals As Predictors Of Satisfaction Among Academic Support Staff, Vanessa R. Germeroth

Dissertations

The roles provided by academic support staff workers are critical for institutions, yet the workgroup is often overlooked or underrepresented in scholarly research. Performance appraisal is a necessary component of employment and support staff should experience justice in the appraisal of their performance. The appraisal process for workers should match position descriptions and should align with departmental and institutional strategic goals. A qualitative, phenomenological, interview-based approach was selected for this study. One-on-one interviews occurred to explore the perceptions of human resources administrators at two-year, non-profit community colleges located in three Midwest states in the United States of America. Success in …

One Academic Year Study Of Experiences Of One Cohort Of Graduates From A Midwestern University’S Teacher Education Program, Chris Albers

Dissertations

Teacher attrition is a growing problem within the education system in the United States. A study that tracked the experiences of graduates of a particular program was designed to gauge the program’s success. There were three research questions. The first asked, What are the first year teaching experiences of Midwestern University educator preparation program graduates? The second question was in two parts and asked, What do graduates of Midwestern University educator preparation program perceive as the strengths and weaknesses of their ability to carry out their duties as a first-year teacher? How does this change from August to May? The …

Barriers To Computer Programming Student Success: A Quantitative Study Of Community College Students In Southwest Missouri, Tiffany D. Ford

Dissertations

Student success in computer programming courses has been a long-studied problem and computer science major retention has historically been substantially lower than other majors. The issue of retention for computer science majors has become more pronounced in two-year, open-enrollment institutions. This quantitative study, grounded in Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, attempted to address some of the causes of poor retention for entry-level computer science majors at two-year colleges by looking for predictors of student success in their first computer programming course. Two of the intelligences from Gardner’s (1993) theory, Logical-Mathematical and Visual-Spatial, were used along with two factors: student success …

Analyzing The Change And Development Of Simulation Self-Efficacy Among Practical Nursing Students, Moulay Abdelkarim Moukrime

Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation was to contribute to research on practical nursing students’ self-efficacy and the sources that build self-efficacy including mastery experience, vicarious learning, social persuasion, and physiological and affective states (Bandura, 1986). Specifically, the focus in this study was on students’ self-efficacy change and development through the measurement of students’ confidence in ability to engage in medical surgical simulations during the last semester of a practical nursing program. The results of this study revealed perceived self-efficacy did not change, but participants indicated an overall strong sense of efficacy to engage in medical surgical simulations. Additionally, students relied …

An Analysis Of The Comparison Between Classroom Grades Earned With A Standards- Based Grading System And Grade-Level Assessment Scores As Measured By The Missouri Assessment Program, Gary L. Greene

Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the ability of traditional and standards-based grading practices to predict student performance on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Grade-Level Assessments at the middle school level. This study also explored the perceptions Missouri middle school teachers and administrators had concerning the use of standards-based grading and identified obstacles educators faced during and after its implementation. The research was conducted in phases to observe two sets of data. Phase One involved the collection and analysis of quantitative data from two schools in Missouri that use standards-based grading in the seventh and eighth grades and two schools …

A Mixed-Method Investigation Of The Missouri Pre-Service Teacher Assessment Pilot Program At A Private Midwestern University, Robyne Elder

Dissertations

In order to evaluate the teacher education program for the state of Missouri, the researcher investigated the piloted MoPTA at a private Midwestern university. Through evaluating the piloted MoPTA program, this study aimed to address possible changes needed within the teacher education program itself to better prepare future educators not only for the assessment, but more importantly, the classroom. In order to evaluate the program, the researcher observed scoring sessions for Tasks 1-4 and analyzed feedback from the evaluators of the tasks (university supervisors and faculty) in the fall of 2014 and the spring of 2015. Furthermore, this study examined …

The Impact Of Trio Student Support Services At A Midwestern Institution, Tajuan Rakeem Wilson

Dissertations

First-generation, low-income, and disabled college students are an increasing population (Tinto, 2012). TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is an academic support program funded by the U.S. Department of Education that seeks to support this demographic to overcome challenges and thrive while in college (Coffman, 2011). Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the goal of this study was to examine the student success outcomes of retention and grade point average of TRIO SSS students compared to students who are similarly qualified but not being served by TRIO SSS at a Midwestern, large, public, four-year institution. In addition, TRIO SSS seniors were interviewed …

Factors Influencing The Integration Of High Fidelity Simulation In Associate Degree Rn And Lpn Nursing Programs, Sheila A. Kaylor

Dissertations

High fidelity human simulation (HFHS) has become a common feature in nursing education in recent years. This case study explored the practices and perceptions of nursing directors, faculty, and students regarding the integration of HFHS in associate degree RN and LPN programs. The course of study in these particular programs is two years or less in length, presenting added challenges for faculty to introduce new pedagogies into an abundantly full curriculum. Multiple data sources were used and included 41 participants through interviews with nursing directors and instructors, observation of instructors and students during HFHS scenarios and debriefing sessions, and student …

Perceptions Of Non-Traditional Programs Within Missouri School Districts, Cherie L. Norman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze perceptions of Missouri public school administrators regarding twenty-first century learning skills in choice and innovative schools, and to report the research-based best practices those schools are using with students. For this study, qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire and then coded for analysis (Fraenkel et. al, 2014). The questionnaire, used to elicit information from 10 administrators of Missouri public schools housing a choice or innovation program, was the anchor of the research design. The results of this study indicated choice and innovative schools are incorporating a combination of current research-based practices …

Principal Leadership: Communication, Support, Management, And Evaluation In Literacy Education In Michigan Elementary Reward Schools Beating The Odds, Jason Michael Surian

Dissertations

This instrumental case study investigated the instructional leadership role that elementary school principals play in shaping literacy instruction in schools designated as “Reward Schools” through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) accountability system, explicitly those schools noted as, Beating the Odds; i.e. outperforming predicted student achievement based on school and student demographic variables. The study looks specifically at the principal’s knowledge and application of literacy instruction, his/her mental model for the school’s literacy program, and his or her leadership of the school’s literacy program. The study examined these characteristics of principal leadership in literacy instruction through staff communications, literacy …

“Meeting Proficiency – Can Elementary Schools, With Subgroup Of Students With Disabilities, Exit Program Improvement After 2014?” “A Study To Determine If Instructional Strategies And/Or Inclusionary Practices, And Principal Support Of These Practices, Contributed To Schools Reaching Safe Harbor, Meeting Ayp Benchmarks Or Exiting Program Improvement In The 2012-2013 School Year.", Carolyn Lindstrom

Dissertations

In 2002, President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act, which required all students to be proficient in English and Math by 2014. (Congress, 2002), including all subgroups. Students with disabilities were expected to meet the proficiency criteria along with all other subgroups. NCLB also required schools to report assessment scores to reflect the achievement of students as well as demonstrate all students were meeting, or at least making gains to achieve, proficiency. If students did not reach the expected benchmark the school was identified as failing and placed in Program Improvement. (CDE, 2011) Each school year, …

An American Public High School Ethnographic Study: Effectively Preparing African American Male Students For Academic Success, Demarius J. Howard

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to engage in ethnographic research involving Jack E. Singley High School (JESA), which was part of the Irving Independent School District in Irving, Texas and recognized throughout the state as one of its most successful high schools. Singley High School had a population of 1600, with 88% minority students, who continued to exhibit academic achievement. The researcher evidenced specific interest in the performance of African-American male students at Singley, since this academic performance consistently received national recognition. This sub-population had been described as experiencing an ‘achievement gap’. However at Singley, African- American males were …

Case Study On The Efficacy Of An Elementary Steam Laboratory School, Mary Paula Armknecht

Dissertations

A case study was conducted of an elementary STEAM laboratory program in a Midwest Missouri school district, which was unique to the area, and involved risk-taking by the school officials. The delivery model for instruction in the program was inquiry-based learning with a STEAM focus. The planning of the program involved the community, as well as district personnel. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the program at the end of the first year to determine if the goals of the planning committee had been met and if the perceptions of the stakeholders were in favor …

Measuring A Cognitive Apprenticeship Model Of Instruction In Statistics Education, Amanda Dawn Leimer

Dissertations

Research has continued to support the need for investigating the role of pedagogical models in relation to students’ statistical anxiety, statistical self-efficacy, and academic performance within statistics education. Although models in the literature such as the Cognitive Apprenticeships Model of Instruction (CA-MOI) have emerged and have shown positive educational outcomes for teaching disciplines that involve the use of complex tasks (Kuo, Hwang, Chen, & Chen, 2012; Poitras & Poitras, 2011; Wegner, 2011), only one study has actually measured the degree to which this model was implemented, using the Maastrict Clinical Teaching Questionnaire (MCTQ) (Stalmeijer et al., 2008). Consequently the problem …

Using Dynamic Lndicators Of Basic Early Literacy Skills (Dibels) Oral Reading Fluency Data To Predict Michigan Educational Assessment Program Outcomes, Lisa Lockman

Dissertations

Schools are under legislative pressure to ensure students make adequate progress each year, and therefore, must identify students in need of intervention at early grade levels. Educators use diagnostic tools to measure student progress, attempting to determine which children may be most at risk for future reading failure. The Dynamic Indicators of Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is widely used for early identification of students who have risk factors. This study incorporated a quantitative, correlational, ex post facto design to examine the relationship between students’ third grade scores on the spring DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessment and their fifth grade …

A Qualitative Case Study On Parental Involvement In A Midwestern Urban Charter School District: Perspectives Of Parents, Teachers, And Administrators, Amanda N. Aldridge

Dissertations

Research has shown that there can be a positive impact on the child’s academic achievement when parents are closely involved with the child’s schooling. When parents are involved in the school, they understand what is being taught in the classroom and are usually encouraged to extend the learning at home. When parents value education, students succeed. When parents are invested and show an interest in their child’s school, they develop a sense of pride for the school and tend to support the school and teachers in their decisions. This cooperative attitude allows for better, open communication and a team attitude …

Integration Of Technology Into The Classroom Environment: A Study Of Student Perceptions As Related To Skill Attainment, Richard M. Sullivan

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to contribute to available literature by ascertaining student perceptions of benefits of student access to technology as correlated to students’ standardized test scores. Students and teachers were surveyed for perceptions of technology benefits. Survey results were analyzed and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated comparing student perceptions to standardized Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) grade-level assessment results. As described in specific detail in this paper, it was found student standardized MAP testing data were positively correlated to the introduction of technology-integrated instruction in the classroom setting. Student perceptions indicated a more positive linear association to …

Retaining Rural Educators: Characteristics Of Teacher Retention Practices Of Rural School Districts, Joshua C. Phillips

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons high-quality rural veteran educators choose to remain in small, rural district settings and to identify common factors among small rural school districts that have high numbers of highly qualified veteran teachers. The study is relevant to school leaders and school boards within small rural communities seeking to develop policies and encourage strategies to keep high-quality educators from leaving districts. The motivation-hygiene theory of job satisfaction developed by Herzberg, Mausner, and Snyderman (1993), coupled with Rosenholtz’s (1989) 10 essential components for working together were utilized throughout the study to evaluate the …

An Examination Of The Correlation Between Teacher-Assigned Standards-Based Grades And Teacher-Assigned Traditional Grades And Student Achievement, Ashley L. Tyree-Hamby

Dissertations

The relationship between teacher-assigned standards-based grades and teacher-assigned traditional grades and student achievement on the Missouri Assessment Program was examined for all students of the sample. The 120 participants for this study were third graders during the 2012-2013 school year transitioned to fourth grade during the 2013- 2014 school year. The students were enrolled in Elementary School A in rural Missouri. One hundred twenty students’ permanent traditional and standards-based grade cards and Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores provided the data to determine the relationship between teacher assigned standards-based grade cards or teacher-assigned traditional grade cards and student achievement. The findings …

Race For Completion: Success Courses Components Fostering Successful Community College Completion, Brenda Roland

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the components of first-year first semester college success courses specifically designed to foster student success in single campus Illinois community colleges. The study provides a historical background of community colleges as it develops a context for the need for college success courses. A qualitative case study approach was used. The research conceptual framework encompassed Alexander Astin’s Theory of Student Involvement (IEO), Stufflebeam’s Theory of Course and Program Evaluation (CIPP), and The Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) seven key principles for student success to analyze the findings.

To generate qualitative data …

Achievement Gap In Reading: A Study Of School Practices And Effectual Results, Christina S. Brown

Dissertations

While it is important to recognize the economic background of students and home factors contributing to their achievement, the purpose of this study was to discover what best practices schools were implementing with low socioeconomic students to narrow the achievement gap in communication arts (Darling-Hammond & Richardson, 2009; Gorski, 2013; Snell, 2003). The research design incorporated mixed-methods by employing data collected from surveys, interviews, and secondary data sources. A triangulation of data was used to increase the credibility and validity of the study (Fraenkel et al., 2012; Mills, 2014). For this study, the quantitative data were collected using a survey …

Addressing The Achievement Gap In Pinellas County Schools: School Improvement Plan Compliance Of Listing And Implementing Interventions, Melissa Porter

Dissertations

The focus of this research revolved around the achievement gap which exists among Blacks and non-Blacks in Pinellas County Schools. The problem that I addressed was whether or not the strategies listed in the School Improvement Plan were actually being implemented within the classrooms and whether or not those strategies were academically effective to assist Black students. The method I used to determine implementation and effectiveness was through the use of surveys distributed to parents, students, teachers, and administrators. The results of the surveys revealed which strategies were being used and were the most effective within the classrooms. In conclusion, …

Singapore Math: A Longitudinal Study Of Singapore Math In One School District From 2007 To 2012, Justin Michael Reynolds

Dissertations

For the last several years, Americans have fallen behind in the area of mathematics when compared to their peers in industrialized countries around the world. Singapore, on the other hand, was at the top of the world rankings in mathematics in the last four Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) assessments taken by fourth and eighth graders every four years. This project focused on the impact of the Singapore Math program on two cohorts of students by utilizing their Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores from the mathematics subtest. The first cohort, A, was comprised of students who were …

Student And Teacher Perceptions Of Standards-Based Grading And Student Performance, Terry W. Winton

Dissertations

Assessing student learning has been part of education since the beginning of formalized schooling. Developments at the national, state, and local level have led to grading reforms over the past quarter century. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ and teachers’ perceptions of standards-based grading to determine if there was a significant difference on standardized tests scores between students graded using standards-based grading and students graded using traditional grading. Teachers and students from one Missouri high school were interviewed to determine their perceptions about standards-based grading. A stratified sample was utilized to select interviewees. Artifacts from the district …

Missouri Public School Teachers’ Perception Of Tenure, Roberta Savone Roache

Dissertations

In the state of Missouri, 550 public school superintendents were selected to have their district teachers participate in a study to provide information regarding the perception of teacher tenure. Approximately 64,000 PreK-12 public school teachers in Missouri were sent an 18 question online survey designed by the researcher to assess Missouri public school teachers’ perception of teacher tenure. A sample of 497 Missouri teachers participated in this study. Sub-questions of the purpose of the research study were adapted from Kersten (2006): (1) When teachers achieve tenure, are they more effective and highly qualified? (2) If teacher tenure was eliminated, would …

An Investigation Of Teacher Understanding And Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of The Use Of Learning Targets In The Classroom, Melissa L. Wyers

Dissertations

Conflicting opinions and stances concerning standardization of curriculum in the United States education system are evidenced throughout the nation in the format of debates about the purpose of education and the curriculum. In 1892, nationally recognized American educators met as a Committee of Ten (National Education Association [NEA], 1893) to determine what subject matter should be contained in a formalized system of education, thus establishing the roots of the modern American school system. The results from the meeting were not accepted by all educational entities within the United States and curriculum content continued to be a matter of social and …

Factors That Contribute To High School Drop-Outs Earning Their High School Diploma, Anne M. Gottlieb

Dissertations

What happens to young people that leave or are put out of their high school before they earn their diploma? Some of them attempt to re-enter school and earn their diploma. This study identifies factors that help students re-engage in their educational journeys. Two research questions guide this work:

• What factors prohibit high school drop outs from earning their diploma and working towards a post-high school goal?
• What can schools do to promote the factors that help students graduate and work towards a post-high school goal?

Relevant literature offers information about the dropout epidemic in the United States, what other …

Military Millennials As Next Generation Leaders: Do Leadership Traits Matter?, Phillip Michael Green

Dissertations

Employers are constantly evaluating individuals to fill leadership roles within their organizations to extract the highest return from their resources and investments. Millennials, born between 1982 and 2000 (Howe and Strauss, 2000), represent the youngest and newest generation entering the workforce. A sub-population of this generation consists of military veterans returning to the United States after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This quantitative study examines the leadership traits of the military Millennials that have transitioned to civilian life and compares this population segment with Millennials without a military background. To compare the two groups of the generational cohort, a …

Examining The Relationship Between Student Engagement And Stem Persistence At An Hbcu, Saundra Yates Evans

Dissertations

A growing imbalance in the demand for a science and technology workforce and the declining availability of a science and technology talent pool is challenging America’s world dominance in research and innovation, economic performance, and quality of life. Contributing to this imbalance is flatness in the trend of students selecting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors coupled with decreasing rates of retention in STEM disciplines. Many research studies and reports emphasize that incorporating the untapped talents of Americans who are underrepresented in STEM disciplines--African-Americans, Hispanics, and women--is necessary to increase the pipeline of STEM graduates. A synthesis of college …