Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Impact Of Recent Research Trends On The Teaching Of Writing In The Middle Grades, Marilu D. Goolsby

Theses and Dissertations

This was a descriptive study which measured the attitudes and practices of teachers in the middle grades concerning the teaching of writing. Subjects were 42 teachers of writing in grades five through eight in four small rural school systems. The data gathering instrument was a questionnaire devised by the researcher which employed a Likert scale format. One open-ended item was included as well as several background questions. Results indicated that the majority of these teachers do not teach writing as a process with extensive editing and revising with the teacher participating in the process. Rather, the teaching of grammar and …

Dífference In Spatial Visualization Skills Between Male And Female Seventh-And-Eighth Grade Students, Jean Mckay Teaster

Theses and Dissertations

One hundred-twenty seventh- and eighth-grade students in a selected county in Georgia served as subjects for the testing of visual memory skills. There were fifty-one males and sixty-nine females involved in the study. Ten pictures from the Rosner Spatial Visualization Test (RSYT) were shown, one at a time, on an overhead projector. The students were to study the pictures for fifteen seconds and then were given an additional fifteen seconds to reproduce each picture on dot paper. After the students finished each drawing, they were asked to tell whether or not they felt that their reproduction was correct by writing …

Structural And Syntactical Differences Between Revised Writing And Impromptu Writing Of Award-Winning Eighth-Grade Students, Susan J. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to discover 1f there were any structural or syntactical differences between a revised, process writing composition and an impromptu composition from the same good writer. Eleven eighth grade students from schools across Georgia submitted both types of writing in the Promising Young Writers Program of 1988. For this study, the compositions were analyzed by computer over a list of criteria including readability level, number of words, sentences, and paragraphs, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, sentence length and variety, and verb choice. Although data revealed significant differences between the two sets of writings (primarily counts of length), the two …

The Relationship Between Home Environment And Ninth-Grade Students' Mathematics Achievement, Brenda B. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

One hundred thirty-five ninth-grade students served as subjects for this study on the relationship between home environment and mathematics achievement. Each student was given a score on a home-environment questionnaire which was recorded with the student's score on the mathematics section of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. To determine the relationship between home environment and mathematics achievement the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient were computed, There was a positive correlation between home environment and mathematics achievement, significant at the ,01 level for all students, for male students, for female students, and for black students. The correlation coefficient was significant …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Achievement In Third And Fifth Grade Students, Elaine Sheats

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between internal locus of control and academic achievement in third and fifth grade students. The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale was used to determine a locus of control score for each subject. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Form 8 was used to obtain an achievement score for each subject. The study implemented a correlational research design. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the test scores. Results indicated a significant relationship between the internal dimension of locus of control and academic achievement.

Differences In The. Reading And Mathematics Achievement Between Asian American And Non Asian American Children, Linda B. Price

Theses and Dissertations

Explanations for the achievement or overachievement of Asian Americans are often conflicting and subject to debate among researchers. Four major theories for this achievement are explored in the review of literature. One of these theories concerns the idea that Asian American's beliefs are the result of Confucianism and its influence on the lives of Asian Americans. Another theory examines the parent's positive attitude toward education and its influence on achievement. A third theory suggests that Asian American babies are more alert and sensitive at birth. The final theory examined proposes that the Asian American immigration to the United States is …

Differences Between The High School Grade Point Average And The Sat Mathematics Score In Predicting Success In The Three-Quarter Mathematics Sequence At A Post-Secondary Vocational Education Institution, Steve A. Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

Thirty-seven current and former Engineering Technology students at a postsecondary vocational education institution were used as subjects for a comparison of the high school grade point average and the SAT mathematics score as predictors of success in the three-quarter mathematics sequence during the first year of the two-year program: The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to compute two correlation coefficients; one between the high school GPA and the mathematics sequence average, and the other between the SAT mathematics score and the mathematics sequence average. These correlation coefficients were then compared, using a z calculation, to determine that the difference between …

Thinking Skills In Young Adult Literature: An Annotated Bibliography Of Thirty Novels, Janis H. Eberhardt

Theses and Dissertations

This project provides teachers a method of teaching thinking skills to students through the use of specific adolescent novels. Thirty novels were selected with an attempt at an even distribution between male and female protagonists, first and third person point of view. A large number of novels were examined to determine the presence or absence of protagonists whose thinking abilities determined their actions .

Thirty novels were found to have protagonists who demonstrated good thinking abilities in several of the ways targeted by the NCTE publication "Essentials in English." Characters' demonstration of specific thinking skills was noted on an identification …

Survey Of Georgia's Public School Systems With Self-Contained Language Classrooms, Brenda J. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-two teachers of self-contained language programs throughout the State of Georgia served as respondents for a survey of the operations of their programs in terms of students, teacher training, referral process, assessment process, entrance criteria, curriculum, and exit criteria. Results indicated that although the self-contained language programs are operating without standardized regulations, there is a great deal of similarity in their procedures, particularly in the areas of students, teacher training, referral process, entrance criteria, and exit criteria. The results of this study may be of benefit to state department personnel in developing regulations/procedures for self-contained language programs within the state.

An Analysis Of Adolescent Literature In Terms Of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's Stages Of Dealing With Death, Margaret Ann Cole

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an analysis of twenty young adult novels which contain the theme of death. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent the characters experienced the five stages of the grieving process. Twenty novels were selected because they contained death as a central theme. The characters in these books were rated according to the extent to which each experienced through feelings or behavioral responses the stages in the process of dealing with death as outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her book On Death and Dying. It was determined whether the characters did experience each stage …

Severity Of Articulation Disorders, Bobbie Greyer Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

Records, of thirty male and thirty female students, were surveyed to compare duration of time enrolled in articulatory therapy to the severity of the problem. The records were checked for severity rating, sex, race, age, and duration of time in program. Only students between the ages of five and seven years of age were included in this study. Students had to be enrolled for articulation only, no other exceptionality or abnormality, and on grade level equivalent to age. The Frisbie Educational Statistics Computer Program was used to compute means, standard deviations, and t test in computing the results, nonе of …

Dissent From Bourbon On-Party Rule: The 1878 Georgia Fourth District Congressional Election, Ellen H. Reames

Theses and Dissertations

The 1878 Georgia Fourth District Congressional Election demonstrated the persistence of the Bourbon Democrat movement. The campaign and election exemplified the techniques used by Bourbons to gain and maintain their influence. In this paper, three methods were focal points: the one-party system, the Democratic Party nominating conventions and the influence of an active press. Significant local issues included in this election were the importance of the rural voters, and the influence of the Democratic Party on Fourth District matters.

Important characters included the incumbent, Henry Harris, and the challenger, Henry Persons. Two leading Columbusites, William H. Young and John King, …

The Difference Between The Writing Achievement Of Below-Average Ninth-Grade Students And Above-Average Ninth-Grade Students As Revealed On Literature Tests Stressing Analysis Of Character, Alton Pitts

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to discover if there was any difference between the writing achievement of below-average ninth-grade students and above-average ninth-grade students as revealed on literature tests stressing analysis of character. Fifty individuals were randomly selected from a population of over three hundred students. Using the Analyzing Characters in Literature (ACL) exam, differences were drawn between the groups in the following areas: substantiation, form, content, and subjective reasoning. The independent samples were evaluated descriptively to determine whether a difference existed between ability groups. While the majority of the Individuals In both high and low ability groups were able to properly …

The Relationship Between The Initial Screening Instrument And The California Achievement Test In Kindergarten, Alana F. Losonsky

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between the scores of kindergarten children on the Initial Screening Instrument (ISI) and the California Achievement Test (CAT). The subjects were 100 students who did not receive a passing score of seven on the ISI and 100 students who did receive seven or above in an urban public school system. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to compute the correlation coefficients. A significant relationship was found in Sound Recognition, Mathematical Concepts and the Composite Score. Sex and racial differences were also significant for children receiving scores …

Sex Differences In Reading Achievement In Elementary School Students, Dianne Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in reading achievement in male and female students in the elementary school. The subjects were 600 selected students from elementary schools operating in a public schoo1 system in the Southeast. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) scores For 1987 were collected for 600 third, fourth, and fifth grade students. This test was administered to all A elementary school students in the spring of the year by the regular classroom teacher. The children participated in the regular classroom curriculum and no treatment was administered to the subjects …

A Comparison Of Holistic And Analytic Scoring Scales For Evaluating Essays, Barbara B. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of the study was to see if there was a significant difference among the final scores of essays written by eleventh and twelfth grade students as scored by teacher raters. In addition, the study addressed whether or not raters scored expressive essays higher than expository essays.

In order to demonstrate the efficacy of existing scoring scales, some 175 expressive essays and 158 expository essays were obtained from two area high schools located in the southeastern United States. From these essays, fifteen expressive and fifteen expository essays were randomly selected and scored using a Diederich holistic scoring scale, a …

Case Study.Relating Self-Concept And Learning Disabilities To Athletic Success And Academic Achievement, J. Michael Stephens

Theses and Dissertations

Brad Dodson, a 21 year old male, served as the subject of this case study. The purpose of the study was to determine if self-concept in the learning disabled student can be improved after athletic success is realized and if an improved self-concept realized through athletic success can transfer to an improvement In academics.

Much of the data used in the study was collected through interviews with the subject. Additional data was collected through Interviews with family members, former teachers and acquaintances of the subject. The researcher's personal contact with the subject in a teacher-coach/student relationship was also utilized.

In …

Wait Time: A Contributing Factor In Sex-Related Differences In Mathematics Instruction, Gwendolyn Sharpe

Theses and Dissertations

Four intact first year algebra classes and two teachers in a rural county of Georgia served as subjects for this study on wait time. The students were identified as high, medium, and low academic achievers on the basis of their performance on the math portion of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Wait time was measured from the video camera-recorded teaching sessions. Based upon the results of t-tests, no significant difference was found between the mean wait times given to boys and girls. An analysis of variance indicated significant differences among achievement levels. Low and high achievers were given more …

Columbus' Combative Editor: Julian Larose Harris Versus The Klan In Georgia, 1921-1929, Michael L. Regnier

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the apparent ease and gaiety of life in America in the 1920's. there were seamier sides to society. One aspect of the seamy side was race relations. However, Columbus, Georgia, can lay claim to a bright spot in the darkness, the presence of Julian LaRose Harris as owner/editor of The Columbus Enquirer-Sun. Harris became the first, and for a while the only, newspaper man to openly criticize the Ku Klux Klan for Its program of terror and secrecy. Not only did other Georgia dallies follow his lead, but the local chapter of the Klan disbanded for a time in …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Family Characteristics And Standardized Test Scores In Reading Comprehension And Mathematics Concepts, Carolyn H. Hemmings

Theses and Dissertations

Standardized testing ln the public school has become a crucial issue during this decade as more testing ls effected ln all grade levels, even to the extent that promotion to first grade may depend on a child/s standardized performance. Previous research has shown parent involvement ,, to be a factor which contributes to grade point averages; therefore, this study was developed to address the possibility of a correlation between parent involvement and successful standardized test scores.

Eighty-four parents of fifth-grade students in a selected county in Georgia were surveyed to determine their involvement in their child's public school education. Total …

The Use Of Algebra Iii As An Effectlve Means Of Improving Mathematical Competencies For Marginally Successful Mathematics Students, Delores Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of marginally successful math students taking a third year of algebra their senior year in high school. A questionnaire was administered to high school graduates who had taken Algebra III in their senior year and to graduates who had taken two years of algebra and a year of geometry but had not taken a math course their senior year. The study compared the grades made by each group in the first course in college algebra. Graduates from three high schools in a large school district In Georgia completed the questionnaire. …

The Relationship Between The Strategies Of Adolescents On Microcomputers In Problem-Solving Sessions And Problem-Solving Times, Linda Meeks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strategies used by students in problem solving and the amount of time necessary for the problem solution.

A portion of the curriculum for 7th grade Life Science, teaching problem solving, was converted into three computer problem-solving tasks to be done by 76 seventh graders who worked in pairs to solve the problems. Each pair of students timed themselves as they worked toward a solution while the computer recorded the number of clues used in order to reach a solution. The Pearson product-moment correlation was used to obtain a coefficient …

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation: Influence On The Creativity Of Children's Poetry Writing, Violet Rich Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested the hypothesis that creativity in children's writing will be significantly higher (p< .05) when, prior to writing a poem, children are presented a socially-induced intrinsic motivational orientation than when presented an extrinsic motivational orientation. Eighty sixth grade students were assigned to either a control group, intrinsic motivation group, or extrinsic motivation group. After writing the initial poem, students in the intrinsic orientation condition rank-ordered a 7-item intrinsic reasons for writing questionnaire before writing a second poem. The students in the extrinsic orientation rank-ordered extrinsic reasons for writing. A questionnaire was not given to those in the control condition. There were no significant differences in the creativity of the second poems after the experimental manipulations. The level of significance for individual paired-comparisons and also between group paired-comparisons of the pre- and posttest poems was p>.05. The implications of intrinsic and extrinsic orientations upon children's creativity are discussed.

The Relationship Between Teacher Attitudes Toward Standardized Testing And Student Test Scores, Laura J. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Standardized testing in the public schools has an increasing impact on students, teachers, and administrators, yielding evaluative data which promise to become even more crucial to decision-making processes for all concerned. Also increasing are the negative attitudes of educators toward the testing program, in contrast to the growing emphasis placed on its importance by the public. Previous research indicates that teacher attitudes affect student outcomes; therefore, this study was developed to address the possibility of a correlation between teacher attitudes toward standardized testing and student test scores.

Ninety first-grade teachers in a selected county in Georgia served as subjects for …

Stress In Education: Comparing Stress Levels In Professional Educators, Angela P. Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

The stress teachers endure in teaching is becoming a topic of wide interest and concern among educators. This study attempted to compare stress felt by special educators and regular educators as measured by the Wilson Stress Profile for Teachers. It further compared the stress reported by high school, junior high school, and elementary school teachers as measured by the Wilson Stress Profile for Teachers.

Stress level scores were compared to determine if a significant difference existed in the following categories: Student Behavior; Employee/Administrator Relations; Parent/Teacher Relations; Time Management; and the compiled Overal1 Stress Score of all nine categories addressed on …

Prevalence Of Articulation Errors In Stuttering School Age Children, Laura M. Sartin

Theses and Dissertations

Sixty speech-1anguage pathologists throughout the State of Georgia' served as respondents for a survey of school age stutterers exhibiting articulation errors. The questionnaire requested that children between the ages of five and 18 be reported, that dialectal and developmental errors should not be reported, and that stutterers should have been enrolled in a speech therapy program for a minimum of six months. Of those stutterers reported, the following variables were requested: race, age in months, severity of dysfluency, severity of articulation disorder, and length of time in treatment.

Results indicated that of 151 stutterers reported, 45 exhibited articulation errors. Twenty-seven …

First Grade Achievement Predicted By The Metropolitan Readiness Tests And The California Achievement Tests, Frances Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Metropolitan Readiness Tests (MRT) is a better predictor of first grade achievement than is the California Achievement Tests (CAT). The subjects were 400 representatively selected students from 10 of 38 elementary schools operating in a public school system in the Southeast. MRT scores for 1985 were collected for 200 kindergarten students, and CAT scores for 1986 were collected for 200 kindergarten students. These tests were administered to small groups of kindergarteners in the spring of each year by the regular classroom teachers. The children participated in the regular classroom curriculum …

Seventh-Grade Student Achievement In Length, Perimeter, Area And Volume, Cathy Pierce

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to measure seventh-grade achievement in finding length, perimeter, area and volume when four different presentations of the problem were given: standard textbook problems, word problems, students measuring, and problems labeled differently than the standard textbook problems. Each of the 235 subjects took one of four different measurement skills testes developed by the researcher. Results indicate student achievement decreases as the complexity of the attribute increases. Overall, students found standard textbook problems the easiest to solve, followed by word problems, and students measuring, respectively. Problems labeled differently than the standard textbook problem were the most difficult for …

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 …

Assertiveness As A Characteristic Of Females In Male-Female Relationships In Selected Adolescent Novels From 1967-1976 And 1977-1986, Wanda Hagler

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study dealt with the subject of female assertiveness in male-female relationships as portrayed in adolescent novels. The hypotheses were that a more contemporary attitude toward women would be reflected in the past decade's literature for adolescents by featuring women who act more assertively in dating relationships, and that there would be a difference in the behavior of females in the novels published between 1967 - 1976 and those published between 1977 and 1986 with females of the former period assuming a more passive role in male-female relationships. Fifteen representative novels of each period were analyzed, and data were …