Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Illinois Teacher Evaluation Student Growth Component: A Predecision-Making Policy Analysis, Joshua Robert Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

ILLINOIS TEACHER EVALUATION STUDENT GROWTH COMPONENT:

A PREDECISION-MAKING POLICY ANALYSIS

Joshua R. Olsen

122 Pages May 2015

Public school districts in Illinois are going to face massive changes to their evaluation systems in the coming years. Thanks to the adoption of the Performance Evaluation Reform Act of 2010 and Senate Bill 7 of 2011, teacher evaluation must contain student growth as a significant factor, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year. Not only must student performance on tests become part of the evaluation of teachers, but, moreover, teacher evaluation will play a greater role in the hiring, retention, and release of …

Using Social Writing Instruction As A Means Of Building Community Among Diverse Gifted Students In A Transient, Pull-Out Program, Kimberly S. Lester

Theses and Dissertations

In this era of high-stakes testing and teacher accountability, teachers complain of a lack of time for authentic writing experiences that lead to deeper community development. Yet numerous researchers, including Vygotsky, argue the value of community development as a means of creating safe places where students feel valued, allowing them to make more relevant connections for life-long learning.

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how writing builds community among diverse students in a short term, transient gifted program. The study incorporated ethnographic research techniques combined with basic descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The study focused on three …

Exploring Stakeholders' Perceptions Of The Evaluation Of Early Fieldwork Experience In An Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program, Amber R. Peacock

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a qualitative meta-evaluation of the early field experience (EFE) program at a small, private, undergraduate teacher preparation program in Virginia focusing on the perceptions of preservice teachers, cooperating teachers and course instructors about the EFE evaluation objectives, evaluation experience, and resulting data usage. The EFE evaluation protocol at the study site is explored using a participatory-oriented evaluation model that solicited the perceptions of stakeholders. Analysis of EFE evaluation documents and semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders were conducted to explore the extent to which (1) official EFE objectives are congruent with the EFE evaluation, (2) the intended evaluation …

Diffusion Of Innovations Of Videoconference Technology: An Instrumental Case Study Concerning Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Nontraditional Learners, Bruce G. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation is an instrumental case study based on diffusion of innovations theory designed to gather student opinions regarding videoconference (VC) technology use in facilitating courses to undergraduate degree-seeking nursing students. The author of diffusion of innovations theory, Rogers (2003), recommended that more qualitative studies be conducted in education. Rogers and Jain (1968) recommended these studies should be conducted from the aspect of “receivers of innovation diffusion” (p.1) to provide feedback instrumental to implementation of technological innovations in academe. Further, Rogers stated that multiple data points should be used during the process of trialing an innovation. Therefore, a current …

A Desk Study Of The Education Policy Implications Of Using Data From Multiple Sources: Example Of Primary School Teacher Supply And Demand In Malawi, Moses Khombe

Theses and Dissertations

Malawi, as a country with very limited resources, needs to have educational policies in place to maximize effectiveness of the public education system. Policymakers depend on accurate data, but variations in data between sources leaves policymakers uncertain as they attempt to craft policies to address the growing educational crisis in Malawi. A desk study was performed to evaluate the policy implications of employing data from multiple sources using primary school teacher supply and demand in Malawi as an illustration. This study examined one national organization, Malawi's Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST); three international aid and assistance organizations (IAAOs), …

Essentially Point-Less: The Influence Of Alternative, Non Points-Based Grading On Teachers' Instructional Practices, Jay C. Percell

Theses and Dissertations

Grading is often a time-consuming, laborious task for teachers continuously required to document student performance. Simultaneously, among students there is intense competition for grades, which determine class ranks, college entrances, scholarship opportunities, as well as satisfy parental and societal expectations (Campbell, 2012; Wood, 1994). Due to the importance of grades, some educators have sought to determine whether or not traditional grading systems are truly indicative of students' abilities (Brookhart, 1991, 1993; Guskey, Swan & Jung, 2011).

This study investigated alternative grading systems, especially those that were non points-based, and the influence alternative grading had upon teachers' instructional practices. This study …

Food Landscapes: A Case Study Of A Cooking And Art- Focused Program For Teens Living In A Food Desert, Jessica R. Norris

Theses and Dissertations

This study constructs themes and propositions about the experiences of youth participants in the fall 2013 Food Landscapes program at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Richmond, Virginia. During the program, youth participated in cooking-based volunteerism with adults with disabilities and created short videos about their experiences. In this study, I analyzed pre- and post-program participant interviews, twice-weekly program observations, and facilitator reflections to understand how Food Landscapes affected youths’ conception of community engagement and communication strategies. This case study offers insight into how youth experience after-school programming of this design. Based on my findings, youth develop and rely upon a …

Disparity Of Principal Accountability, Mary Kathryn Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

This study begins with a review of court cases that have helped shape public education in America. Following the review is an analysis of federal reform in education from 1965 to the present, paired with educational leadership literature to highlight a disparity in what federal mandates and state policies have in place for accountability measures. The study ends with a state analysis of Illinois and Iowa to find the strengths and weaknesses of state policy in the area of principal accountability.

As policymakers have worked to increase accountability in K-12 education, efforts have focused on a variety of measures to …

Teacher Perceptions Of Middle School Discipline Practices And Their Impact On Teacher Efficacy Of Classroom Management, John Christopher Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between teacher perception of principal leadership, teacher perception of discipline policy, teacher perception of input to discipline policy, teacher perception of administrator support with student discipline, and teacher efficacy of classroom management. This study analyzed data from three middle schools in a central West Georgia school district. The overall model was not significant at predicting teacher efficacy of classroom management. The data did show that teacher perception of student discipline policy was significantly related to teacher efficacy of classroom management across the school district as a whole and for …

The Development And Validation Of A Spanish Elicited Imitation Test Of Oral Language Proficiency For The Missionary Training Center, Carrie A. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The Missionary Training Center (MTC), affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, needs a reliable and cost effective way to measure the oral language proficiency of missionaries learning Spanish. The MTC needed to measure incoming missionaries' Spanish language proficiency for training and classroom assignment as well as to provide exit measures of institutional progress. Oral proficiency interviews and semi-direct assessments require highly trained raters, which is costly and time-consuming. The Elicited Imitation (EI) test is a computerized, automated test that measures oral language proficiency by having the participant hear and repeat utterances of varying syllable length in …

A Model Of Digital Textbook Quality From The Perspective Of College Students, Tj Bliss

Theses and Dissertations

The cost of textbooks is a financial burden on many college students. Fortunately the advent of open educational resources (OER) has allowed for the development of textbooks and other materials at significantly reduced costs to students. Many faculty are using OER to develop customized textbooks for their students, usually published digitally online. These faculty desire high fidelity feedback from their students to help them improve their texts. However, there is no general model of what digital textbook quality means to college students. Such a model would allow for the development of a measure of digital textbook quality that could provide …

Process Evaluation Of The Basic Training Program At A State Corrections Academy In The Southeast, Wendy Dawn Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide law enforcement and corrections administrators with current information about the components of basic training that can affect the retention of newly employed trainees during basic training. Attracting qualified applicants for law-enforcement jobs is a challenging task, and the preemployment screening and hiring processes are very expensive for agencies already plagued with reduced budgets. By the time a trainee actually makes it to basic training, a great deal of time and money has already been invested by the agency, and the trainee becomes an investment. When more than 20% of trainees exit a basic …

Communication Patterns Among Members Of Engineering Global Virtual Teams, Holt Zaugg

Theses and Dissertations

Global virtual (GV) teams provide an opportunity for engineering students to participate in meaningful, cross-cultural learning projects without additional costs of time and money associated with study abroad programs. However, students must learn how to communicate effectively with international team members. Instruction to help students learn which virtual communication technologies to use and how to use them is needed. Training must include cross-cultural training that facilitates team communications and interactions with people from different cultural backgrounds. This study focused on how 10 specialized lessons, Principles of Global Virtual Teams (PGVT), facilitated the communications and interactions of students participating on GV …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Benefits Of Teacher Collaboration And An Analysis Of Indicators Of Potential Teacher Attrition, Thomas Owen Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher collaboration is being implemented in many schools for a number of reasons with various claimed benefits. Collaboration is being heralded by many as a fix for many of the problems affecting teachers. This study shows that teachers believe that collaboration improves their ability to teach subject content, improves teaching methods, improves teacher's ability to manage students, and provides benefits to teachers in general. The majority of participants in this survey, whether currently participating in collaboration or not, indicated that they agree that collaboration provides these benefits. This study also examines four potential indicators of teacher attrition: administrative support, teacher …

An Investigation Of Middle School Student Interest, Perception, And Attitude Toward Technology And Engineering, Kari Marie Cook

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate middle school student perception and attitude toward technology and engineering and to better understand how the gender of the teacher, gender of the student, and information provided in technology classes affected their perception and attitude. To accomplish this, the Technology Attitude Scale, and the Pupil's Attitudes Toward Technology—United States assessment instruments were used to form the basis of a new survey instrument focused on technology and engineering perception, use, and interest. The new survey instrument is called the Technology and Engineering Attitude Scale (TEAS) survey. Multiple 7th grade technology engineering classes from …

A Correlational Study Of Standardized Test For The Assessment Of Reading (Star) With The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (Tcap) On Third Grade Reading/Language Arts, Terri Kay Pike

Theses and Dissertations

Two school districts in rural Tennessee utilizing the Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading (STAR Reading) assessment were studied to determine the correlation of STAR with Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) with 469 third grade students. The STAR Reading Assessment is marketed by Renaissance Learning as a formative assessment measure. A total of 26 teachers were surveyed in order to determine the adjustment of classroom instruction based on the district-mandated curriculum. Results indicated a high level of correlation between STAR Reading and TCAP; however of the 17 teachers who returned the teacher survey, teachers indicated infrequent administration of the …

Correlating Factors Between Student Participation And Student Learning Via A Service Learning Project In Secondary Education: A Case Study, Shawn V. Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

In this study a service-learning project was conducted with secondary students in a construction technology based course. Three research questions were considered; (1) does service learning projects help to engage student participation, (2) can students learn the course curriculum while participating in a service learning project, and (3) is there a correlation between student participation and student learning as it pertains to service learning projects? The data was collected through surveys, observations, interviews, and evaluations. The researcher concluded the following from the study; 92% of the students were actively participating in the two week service project, 76% of the students …

Relationships Between The Degree Of Restructuring In Western Washington Elementary Schools And The Results On Criterion Referenced 4th Grade Assessments For Reading, Mathematics, Writing, And Listening, Gary C. Newbill

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore relationships between the degree of school restructuring in Western Washington elementary schools and results on criterion referenced tests for reading, writing, mathematics, and listening, administered to 4th grade students in 1997. The sample of convenience included 47 elementary schools from 4 Puget Sound counties.

The current study extended a larger project on educational reform conducted by 7 researchers under the direction of Professor J. T. Fouts. This research explored relationships between the degree of school restructuring, a construct developed through factor analysis of classroom teacher responses on the School Practices and …

The Construct Validity Of The Principles Of Edification As Measures Of Edifying Teaching In The Lds Church Educational System, Robert F. Elzey

Theses and Dissertations

The degree of validity of various teacher evaluation systems in the Church Educational System (CES) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been questioned. Despite several administrative and scholarly attempts, there has been an absence of an accepted set of dimensions for such measurement. In an effort to specify the desirable attributes and practices of religious educators, CES administrators have defined six CES values and seven principles of edification. One of these values is identified as Edifying Teaching. By CES definition, edification occurs when a student is built up spiritually. The seven principles of edification are …

A Follow-On Study Of University Efforts To Provide Students With The Ability To Comprehend And Apply Total-Quality Principles In Their Fields Of Study, Joseph J. Koizen, Michael D. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This follow-on research investigated the educational processes employed by universities to enable their students to comprehend and apply Total Quality principles. The results of this research are intended to be used by Department of Defense institutions of higher education as a current guide to help them adopt practices which will enable their students to comprehend and apply Total Quality in their future assignments. Using a source list of schools from Quality Progress (Sept. 1995), contact individuals were interviewed at several civilian and military universities across the United States. Investigative questions were developed and asked concerning the specific educational processes of …

A Study Of The Educational, Experience, And Managerial Performance Requirements For Preparing Logistics Commanders, Thomas C. O'Malley

Theses and Dissertations

For some time, senior logistics leaders have been concerned that logisticians with experience in only one logistics function are unable to create and maintain an integrated, seamless logistics system. The Air Force has recently decided to consolidate logistics career fields at the Field Grade level to ensure future Logistics Group Commanders and other senior logisticians have the broad-base of skills, experience, and knowledge that is needed to effectively manage logistics activities. One important outcome of this consolidation is the adoption of a career progression model in which logistics officers will have experience in at least two logistics functions. Preparing officers …

The Development Of Appropriate And Helpful Teaching Methods As Applied To Distance Learning, John M. Watford

Theses and Dissertations

Advanced technology has provided numerous opportunities for broadening education and it's purposes. One type of technology particularly influential involves communications equipment whereby students at different physical locations may be brought together interactively, by both audio and video, to achieve the learning process. This type of technology has come to be known as distance learning. Although many uses of the term, "distance learning", refer to class room delivery that is not interactive, the purpose here is to discuss an environment where teacher and students at remote locations can truly collaborate as if the physical separation does not exist. Other terms, such …

The Certification Program, Training, And Competencies--An Examination Of The Air Force Contracting Work Force's Response To The Sufficiency Of Professional Training, Patty L. Jones, Suzanne Staugler

Theses and Dissertations

This study determined to what extent AF contracting personnel training needs are sufficiently being satisfied by the current DoD training as outlined in DoD 5000,52M. A convenience sample was employed. 499 surveys were administered to Professional Continuing Education students for various level I through III courses. 320 surveys were used for the data base, achieving a 64.1 response rate. The results of this study show that the training requirements were viewed as sufficiently ensuring that the AF has a mission ready professional work force by slightly more than half of the respondents. However, the training component was ranked as the …

An Evaluation Of The Educational Effectiveness Of A Relational Course Compared To Single Topic Courses Offered By The Management Department Of The United States Air Force, Kevin M. Kosefeski

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the educational effectiveness of two different methods of teaching three senior-level management courses at the United States Air Force Academy. The first method, known as relational instruction, combined Management Information Systems MIS, Marketing, and Strategic Management into one three hour course worth nine credits. The team of instructors used a variety of delivery methods to present material. The second method of instruction employed single topic courses covering the same three topics as the relational course, taught by single instructors in one hour blocks using mostly lecture to deliver material. The literature review covered Blooms taxonomy of educational …

An Assessment Of The Appropriateness To The Royal Australian Air Force Of A Masters Level Professional Program In Information Systems, Ralph G. L. Kettle, Joseph R. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed the appropriateness, to the Royal Australian Air Force RAAF, of a graduate professional program in Information Systems (IS) based on the Association for Computing Machinery’s ACM curriculum model. The ACM curriculum model is an archetype of graduate education in IS. Programs based on this model produce graduates with knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are required by IS practitioners. The usefulness of twenty KSAs that underlie the ACM curriculum model were evaluated by 33 incumbents of RAAF information Systems Agencies and Directorate of Communications and Information Systems - Air Force. Although uncertain about the educational background suited …

Family Life Education In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In The 20th Century: A Historical Review, Ray W. Stringham

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reviewed selected educational literature in almost 350 texts published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) from General Authorities and manuals which included content curriculum in adult family life education; for the adult women's organization (Relief Society); for the men's Melchizedek Priesthood; and for parents instructing their children at home (Family Home Evening).

Topics were ranked by century, according to frequencies of occurrence (FO) in the five major publications. Topics were also summarized by each decade. Tables were provided which summarized the top 40 of 78 topics identified. Recurring Themes suggest family is the basis …

A Delphi Forecast Of 1996 Roles: Air Force Institute Of Technology Information Resource Management Graduates Assigned To Base Level, David O. Block

Theses and Dissertations

Graduates of the Air Force Institute of Technology's Information Resource Management master's degree program who are subsequently assigned to base-level positions believe their IRM expertise is wasted in base administration roles that preclude the use of their up-to-date technical educations in managing automated information resources. This research forecasts the role AFIT IRM graduates assigned to base-level positions will need to fill by the year 1996. The research further determined what changes are necessary to resolve the perceived differences between current and forecast roles for these graduates. The Delphi survey method of forecasting was selected as an effective method of discovering …

Attitudes Of Secondary Special Education Teachers Toward Using The Computer As An Instructional Aid, Mary Nell Nail

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study was conducted to determine the attitudes of special education teachers toward using the computer as an instructional aid. The subjects were 78 secondary special education teachers from a southern metropolitan school district of approxіmately 30,000 students. The data-gathering instrument used for the study was a 20-item questionnaire devised by the researcher which employed the Likert scale to register the extent of agreement or disagreement with particular opinion statements.

The results, subdivided according to secondary school areas in which the teachers worked, years of teaching experience, areas of exceptionality, and subject matter areas, indicated that teachers in all …