Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

University Of Kentucky Early Alert System Outcomes Fall 2007, Randolph Hollingsworth

Undergraduate Education White Papers

Assessment of the first semester's results from the University of Kentucky's Early Alert System implemented as part of Provost Subbaswamy's War on Attrition 2007.

An Interview With Lawrence Picus, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

Lawrence O. Picus is a professor at the USC Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on adequacy and equity in school finance. He has published numerous books and articles, including School Finance: A Policy Perspective (with Allen R. Odden), and Where Does the Money Go?: Resource Allocation in Elementary and Secondary Schools (with James L. Wattenbarger). His consulting firm, Picus and Associates has worked closely with the Arkansas General Assembly over the past few years, making several key recommendations that many state legislators believe have been critical in helping the state achieve educational …

Assessment Matters #3, Feb 2008, Assessment In Action Committee

Assessment Matters @ WMU

No abstract provided.

Motivating Students: Identifying And Motivating Reluctant Learners To Reach Their Academic Potential, Kim Yeager

All Graduate Projects

Motivation plays an important role in determining how well a child will perform in school (Philips & Lindsay, 2006). Regardless of how intelligent or capable a student may be if the student is not motivated to do well then their academic performance will be less than it could have been with some motivation. Teachers need to understand why some students are motivated to try hard in school and why some students are not. This understanding will lead teachers to understand why their students are not reaching their academic potential. The purpose of this project was to design a guide that …

Inside Unlv, Cate Weeks, Grace Russell, David Ashley, Shane Bevell, Angela Sablan

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Staff Perceptions Of Structure, Process, And School Readiness Outcomes In Private South Florida Child Care Centers, Deborah Mazzeo

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The quality of child care centers and school readiness outcomes continue to be important topics in the State of Florida since policymakers, school districts, and child care centers, in August 2005, began to implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program. The problem area of child care is whether various characteristics of child care center programs result in different outcomes for children's development.

Qualities of child care centers can be attributed to structure and process variables. A theoretical framework that is grounded in Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory is discussed. The structure-process-outcome model of quality and Spady's outcome-based education model were combined to explain the …

The Performance Of Students In The Australian Capital Territory On Pisa: Report To The Act Department Of Education And Training, Sue Thomson, Lisa De Bortoli

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

The purpose of this report is to examine the performance of ACT students in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) over the three cycles: Reading literacy in 2000, Mathematical literacy in 2003 and Scientific literacy in 2006. The report provides an opportunity to examine achievement within the territory, in comparison to the rest of the country and internationally.

A Study Into The Assessment And Reporting Of Employability Skills Of Senior Secondary Students, Gabrielle Matters, David D. Curtis

Assessment and Reporting

In order to investigate the most effective ways of assessing and reporting on the employability skills of senior secondary students, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) commissioned this report. The main activity was to evaluate options for assessing and reporting on eight employability skills against five criteria—validity, reliability, objectivity, feasibility, and usability—and to recommend a preferred approach. This work was undertaken by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in the period July 2007 to January 2008, during which time the (new) Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) became responsible for the initiative. The starting …

Panels On Assessment, Training, Help And Support: "Beyond Accountability: Using Assessment To Promote Student Learning", Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Western Guide To Graduate Supervision, Elizabeth Skarakis-Doyle, Gayle L. Mcintyre

Purple Guides

Based on the experiences of Western's graduate supervisors, this 30 page guide addresses the supervision of graduate students and focuses on best practices in mentoring, promoting student progress, and clarifying expectations in the supervisor-student relationship.

Eap Teacher Expectations Vs. Efl Student Interpretation Of Written Teacher Feedback: Authority And Attitude Issues, Heba Saber El-Sayed

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

National Board Certification: A Scholarly Endeavor, Kathryn Loveless

All Graduate Projects

If today's students are going to succeed they need quality teachers. To atiract and retain those teachers, we need to have a system to recognize and reward those teachers. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) was created to fill that need. This study presents the historical development of the Natio1ial Board Teacher Certification program, research on its effects on student learning, and the personal certification experience of a teacher practitioner. The high standards set by the NBPTS are commendable and worthy of being replicated in teacher training programs. These standards set the ground work for what teachers should …

Introducing A New Technology To Enhance Community Sustainability: An Investigation Of The Possibilities Of Sun Spots, S Tantisureeporn, L J. Armstrong

EDU-COM International Conference

The introduction of the Sun SPOT, Small Programmable Object Technology, developed by Sun Microsystems has been depicted as providing a revolutionary change in cyber physical interaction. Based on Sun Java Micro Edition (ME), this sensor technology has the potential to be used across a number of discipline areas to interface with systems, the environment and biological domains. This paper will outline the potential of Sun SPOTs to enhance community sustainability. An action based research project was carried out to investigate the potential uses of these technologies and develop a prototype system as a proof of concept. The research will compare …

Item Banking With Rasch Measurement: An Example For Primary Mathematics In Thailand, Chaowprapha Chuesathuchon, Russell F. Waugh

EDU-COM International Conference

This study was conducted in Thailand to create a Mathematics item bank and a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) for the students to ‗interrogate‘ the bank. First, 290 multiple-choice test items on mathematical equations were created for an item bank. They consisted of nine aspects: (1) identifying an equation; (2) identifying the true equation; (3) identifying equations with an unknown; (4) finding the value of an unknown that satisfies the equation; (5) identifying a method to solve an equation; (6) finding the solutions to equations; (7) finding a solution to an equation related to a given condition; (8) selecting an equation …

A Strategic Planning Of Thailand Vocational Education Management, Malai Gerawatanakaset

EDU-COM International Conference

Purpose – To identify the relevant factors that have significant influences on the vocational education system of Thailand and to propose an approach for future development and/or improvement of the system‘s strategic plan. Design/methodology/approach – To identify and study the major factors that have significant influences on the development of strategic plan, three rounds of surveys using Delphi Technique on 17 individuals comprising students, teachers, administrators, and professionals and 9 well-known experts in the field of vocational education of Thailand were conducted. The approach for strategic plan development was obtained by conducting a group discussion for the 9 experts using …

Untying The Accountancy Knot, Tony Kiely, Alice Luby, Frances Boylan

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Untying The Accountancy Knot Ii, Tony Kiely, Frances Boylan, Pauline Rooney, Jennifer Mcconnell, Alice Luby, Rebecca Maughan, Dan Shanahan, Daniel King

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Investigating West Virginia Students' Perceptions Of The Factors Affecting Their Educational Aspirations, Kimberly S. Cowley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of West Virginia students about factors affecting their educational aspirations and to determine whether these factors differed significantly over time, by gender, or by parents‟ college history. Research questions included: (1) To what extent will constructs emerging from West Virginia student data parallel the eight constructs identified as supporting student aspirations by the University of Maine‟s National Center for Student Aspirations? (2) To what extent do students‟ perceptions of these factors differ over time, from seventh to ninth grade? (3) To what extent do students‟ perceptions of these factors differ …

Mugc Summer Enrichment Program And Reading Achievement: Program Evaluation, Melissa A. Varian

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This purpose of this study is to determine if participation in the Marshall University Summer Enrichment Program enhances children’s reading skills and to determine if a gender difference was evident in reading achievement scores. DIBELS was used to determine reading achievement scores at the beginning, middle, and end of program. The data obtained were compared using a General Linear Model-Within Subjects Factors through ANOVA to determine the mean of benchmark 1 and 3 as well as the significance level of the reading scores. The findings of this study indicated no differences in Oral Reading Fluency in total scores or in …

Results Of The Accreditation Process To Guide Postsecondary Certificate-Granting Institution Improvement, Sherri E. Nash

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Research gaps exist in knowledge about postsecondary certificate-granting institutions, as well as results of accreditation processes. This qualitative study focuses on national accreditation results that can: 1) define strengths and improvement areas in these institutions; 2) determine why action is taken or not taken on accreditation recommendations; and 3) identify results, strengths, and challenges of accreditation. This research base can guide improvements in these institutions and the North Central Association – Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) process. The population was 125 accredited schools in ten states, representing 96% of all NCA CASI accredited public, postsecondary institutions. Methods …

The Impact Of Millennials On Community College Instruction, Sandra C. Coyner, Nasser Razek

Counselor Education and Human Services Faculty Publications

As a leader in serving diverse postsecondary student populations, the community college is renowned as a bastion for effective teaching and learning. Absorbing a growing number of traditional age college students, community colleges have witnessed a change in student characteristics. Such change is mainly characterized by the recent appearance of Millennial students. The Millennials’ increasing presence poses some instructional questions for college administrators and instructors. Should instructional techniques be altered to better meet the expectations of this new generation of postsecondary students? If so, what impact might those changes have on the nontraditional students? To answer these questions, perhaps the …

A Tight Balancing Act : Leadership Challenges For University Heads, Michelle Anderson, Geoff Scott, Hamish Coates

Higher education research

This paper draws on the responses of 134 Heads of School and Heads of Department who were part of a larger study of 513 Australian higher education leaders. Heads of School / Department are at the centre of complex relational interfaces comprising faculty, students, central administration, and external entities and support agencies. While such experiences are not necessarily unique to Heads, the analysis suggests that they do perhaps experience these challenges in more intense and explicit ways than many other managers, as they have to ‘manage’ both up and down. Many of the Heads perceived taking on this position was …

Research Digest Edition 2008/1 : Managing Student Behaviour In The Classroom, Jenny Wilkinson, Marion Meiers, Pat Knight

Research Digest

This edition of the Research Digest summarises some key research studies that suggest answers to questions such as: How important is behaviour management in effective teaching and learning? Does good behaviour management lead to improved learning outcomes for students? Throughout the digest there are descriptions of approaches that have practical application in classroom practice. This research digest is based on searches of a number of databases and bibliographic resources, including the Australian Education Index, ERIC, Education Research Complete, British Education Index and Scopus. The first section presents some insights from research about the importance of behaviour management in effective teaching …

The Digest Edition 2008/2 : Using Data To Improve Student Learning, Marion Meiers

Research Digest

This Digest is focused on studies that have investigated how data can be used in schools to examine teaching practices in order to improve student learning. A selection of relevant websites is listed, and a full reference list is provided. Links to those references for which full-text online access is freely available are also included. School systems, principals and teachers have access to an extensive range of data that can be used for a variety of purposes. Accountability processes and data have come to play a significant place in policy development and reform efforts. There is a large body of …

Australasian Survey Of Student Engagement : 2007 Institution Report, Hamish Coates, Kylie Hillman

Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE)

The Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE) involves administration of the Student Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ) to a representative sample of first-year and later-year students at each institution. The AUSSE provides data on satisfaction with the quality of teaching and the learning environment. In total, 25 higher education institutions participated in the 2007 AUSSE – more than half of the universities in Australia and New Zealand. This document contains reports which summarise different aspects of students’ perceptions of their engagement with university education. The reports cover respondent characteristics, frequency distributions, item statistics, scale statistics, and subgroup statistics. This selection of reports …

Teaching Talent : The Best Teachers For Australia's Classrooms, Stephen Dinham, Lawrence C. Ingvarson, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Business Council Of Australia

Teaching standards and teacher evaluation

Australian business leaders want to see reforms to school education that improve learning outcomes and opportunities for all students. If we are to continue to compete effectively in the global market, the quality of our education system needs be among the best in the world. Research has shown that improving the quality of teaching is the most effective way to achieve better educational outcomes for individual students. Excellent teaching is the key to increased student engagement and higher levels of achievement, regardless of student background.

Indigenous Education, Imagining The Future - The Role Of Educators, Wayne Muir

2008 – Touching the Future: Building Skills for Life and Work

Indigenous education has long been a focal point for educators. From the reviews of the mid-1980s, policy development in the late 1980s and since, Indigenous education has long challenged educators. The continued relevancy of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy, developed in 1989, demonstrates that improved outcomes in Indigenous education continues to be a goal beyond the reach of communities, education systems and governments. This paper discusses the policies underpinning Indigenous education and the challenges that continue to face educators. The new Council of Australian Government commitments provide educators with a renewed challenge. This paper also identifies …

Beyond ‘The Future Of’ Responding To The Civilisational Challenge, Richard Slaughter

2008 – Touching the Future: Building Skills for Life and Work

Among an array of desirable ‘skills for life and work’ are those that relate to understanding the global context, the challenges visible there and the specific ways young people can be prepared for actively responding. Educators at every level need to move beyond tokenistic treatments of ‘the future’ (singular) to understand the ‘civilisational challenge’ facing us. In so doing, futures concepts, tools and other resources will be invaluable. This paper draws on some aspects of recent scientific research and sources within the broad futures literature to highlight aspects of the near-future environment. It then suggests a number of tasks for …

Pathways To Social And Emotional Wellbeing: Lessons From A 24-Year Longitudinal Study, Diana Smart

2008 – Touching the Future: Building Skills for Life and Work

Commencing in 1983, the longitudinal Australian Temperament Project (ATP) provides a valuable lens through which to view the pathways taken by Australian children from infancy to adulthood, and the factors associated with positive or problematic development. The study is now in its 25th year and has completed 14 data collection waves. This paper provides an overview of ATP findings on young people’s wellbeing at 23–24 years of age, their engagement in risk-taking behaviours such as alcohol use and risky driving, and the nature of parent–child relationships over adolescence and early adulthood.

Young People And Social Inclusion: Challenges For Teaching, Terri Seddon

2008 – Touching the Future: Building Skills for Life and Work

The Crounulla riots were a wake-up call for Australia. With a booming economy and an assertive government, the violence at Crounulla was a stark reminder that nations have to be made and remade culturally, as well as economically. An identity as citizen is as important as an identity as worker in forming sustainable imagined communities that can transcend and ameliorate socio-cultural divisions and conflicts. Yet being a citizen means more than simply belonging to a community. It means using power responsibly to further community (collective) action in pursuit of preferred goals. This paper examines the changing context of skill-building for …