Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Impact Of Study Skills Courses On Academic Self-Efficacy In College Students, Brenna M. Wernersbach

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Colleges across the nation are increasingly interested in improving retention of students. Many universities have begun offering workshops and courses targeted at improving study skills in academically underprepared students with the goal of helping students succeed in higher education and continue enrollment. The impact of such courses on study skills themselves has been supported, but prior research has not examined the courses impact on students' beliefs about their ability to succeed in college–that is, their levels of academic self-efficacy. This study examined pre- and post-test levels of academic self-efficacy in college students enrolled in a study skills course in comparison …

Using Mixed-Reality Technology To Teach Techniques For Administering Local Anesthesia, Kami M. Hanson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The ability to perform local anesthesia on dental patients is an important clinical skill for a dental hygienist. When learning this procedure in an academic situation, students often practice on their peers to build their skills. There are multiple reasons why the peer practice is not ideal; consequently, educators have sought the means to simulate the practice of local anesthetic procedures without endangering others. Mixed-reality technologies offer a potential solution to the simulated procedure problem. The purpose of this research was to determine if students could learn the techniques for providing local anesthesia using a mixed-reality system that allows them …

Cyberbullying In Schools: A Research Study On School Policies And Procedures, Brian Wiseman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A mixed-methods research design first using quantitative then qualitative data was used in order to explore what cyberbullying policies are being employed by principals in the state of Nevada. Electronic surveys were given to all 118 middle school principals in Nevada. Middle school was chosen because it is the age where cyberbullying behaviors are most prevalent. Out of the 118 surveys that were deployed, 66 principals responded. A series of independent t-tests and a chi-squared analysis was conducted using the survey data. The survey concluded by asking principals if they were willing to participate in a one-on-one interview regarding the …

Learning Middle School Mathematics Through Student Designed And Constructed Video Games, Camille M. Mccue

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Mathematics achievement is an area in which American precollege students are faltering. Emerging research suggests that making mathematics instruction relevant and applicable in the lives of youth may impact math achievement, especially when it capitalizes on high-interest technologies such as video games.

Employing a quasi-experimental and descriptive approach, this study examined the mathematics (i.e., numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and probability) that middle school students employed during their design and construction of video games. First, it examined the mathematics content learned by 19 sixth and seventh graders during their analysis, synthesis, and programming of three video game projects over …

Environmental Engagement Demand Differences Within And Among Holland Academic Environments, Derek K. Lester

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

College and university administrators have increased the use of measurements of student engagement to gauge the levels on their campuses. However, little research measures student engagement levels among different academic environments or different academic majors. Some research has been done that used Holland's theory of person/environment fit, and accompanying Hexagonal model, as a means to compare differences among academic environments. However, the validity of the assumptions that the model is based on has not been examined, nor the validity of the grouping of academic majors into environments.

The data set used for this study is the 2005 National Survey of …

Analyzing The Relative Efficiency Of Nevada Secondary Schools, Jesse Welsh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A definitive answer to how to allocate school-level expenditures to yield the greatest "bang for the buck" has continually eluded education finance researchers. With increased regulation, oversight, and sanctions resulting from the No Child Left Behind Act, paired with financial strains on states' education budgets, measuring schools' production and efficiency has become urgent.

The methodology for this study was comprised of two phases. Phase I analyzed the per-pupil expenditures of middle and high schools over a three-year period and developed descriptive statistics that revealed the expenditure patterns by category. Phase II used a micro-level economic approach, data envelopment analysis, to …

The Road Traveled To Becoming A Safe High School, Monica J. Pufky Cortez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Many urban school districts share a common profile of high dropout rates, low graduation rates, high discipline statistics and acts of school violence, and low student achievement on assessments. Researchers have argued high schools are teaching students in ways that are not only ineffective but also fail to provide the requisite tools for students to achieve success in the 21st century (Gates Foundation, 2010). Additional voices claim urban high schools are not adequately preparing students to become successful citizens for a knowledge-based society (Cuban, 2007).

Using qualitative methodology, this naturalistic study revealed five factors that contribute to creating a safe …

It's A Matter Of Principal: Examining Relationships Between Leaders' Change Facilitator Style And Students' Academic Progress, Diane Lewis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

At no other time in the history of American education have school principals been faced with as many challenges as today. The era of accountability has increased the daily pressures of leading a school, while responsibility for student achievement is at an all time high.

Some studies have examined a leaders’ impact on teacher behaviors. Fewer studies have examined the possible impacts that principals have on student learning. In this study, leadership research was reviewed; not only in education, but in business, sports, and other fields. The traits and styles of leaders were explored in an attempt to define the …

Tennessee Practitioner Perceptions Of The Construct, Content, And Utility Of Exemplary Practices In Alternative Education: Indicators Of Quality Programming For Use As An Evaluation Instrument, James Vince Witty

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explored Tennessee practitioner perceptions of the construct, content and utility of Exemplary Practices in Alternative Education: Indicators of Quality Programming (Exemplary Practices) for use as an evaluation instrument (National Alternative Education Association, 2009). The general purposes of this study were to (1) examine the legitimacy of the ten constructs (i.e., standards) and corresponding content (i.e., indicators of success) of best practice as presented in the Exemplary Practices and (2) investigate the utility of the Exemplary Practices when transformed into an evaluation instrument for alternative schools and programs. The study entailed a two-phased sequential, mixed-model research design (Cameron, 2009). …

Understanding Inter-And Intra-Generational Communication Methods Utilizing A Framework Of Message Sensitivity, Thomas Edwin Craft Jr.

Dissertations

This study was designed to determine if differences existed between generations surrounding their preferred communication methods. In examining the social identity perspective of groups, scholars have found that many groups are categorized based on the social structure in which they exist. Generational groups have created their own social structure and set of cultural norms that define each generation. In a recent report released by the Pew Research Center (2010), when the younger generation was asked an open-ended question, "What makes your generation unique?", 24% of those asked responded "Technology Use." One of the unique differences among these generations is the …

The Diffusion Of Environmental Literacy In An American Urban Community Through Children, Kelley Phillips

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Environmental literacy is a contentious issue in the United States of America because citizens feel it is forced upon them and interferes with our materialistic culture. Also, many Americans have limited access to green space and little time to devote to increasing their environmental mindset. This project documents a technique to introduce environmental literacy to American citizens by working with single communities in a common subset of American culture. Based on a model used by anthropologists in third world countries, the goal was to diffuse environmental literacy into a community by only instructing the children of that community in environmental …

Does A Co-Learner Delivery Model In A Mathematics Methods Course Affect Pre-Service Teacher Candidates’ Self-Efficacy In Teaching Mathematics?,, John J. Ribeiro, Denise Demagistris

Teacher Education

This study is related to a previous study (Ribeiro, 2009) that examined teachers’ perceptions of teaching self-efficacy. In the first study the sample consisted of two groups of teachers that took the same professional development course in mathematics. The comparison group took the course in their school district with other teachers and the experimental group took the course with pre-service teachers in a university classroom. After completing the course, both groups were measured in three dimensions of teaching self-efficacy: student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom climate. Findings indicated that although both groups had significant gains in self-efficacy toward teaching mathematics …

How Much Do U.S. University Students Know, And Want To Know, About Sustainability And Green Building? The Findings Of A Survey, And Possible Implications For General Elective Curriculum., Jeremy R. Farner

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

Using the survey approach, this investigation examined the attitudes and interest of college students at two universities in different geographic locations within the United States.  Approximately 24,000 students from all disciplines and majors at Weber State University (WSU) in Utah, and 4,000 at Purdue University in Indiana, were invited to participate in a study to determine current knowledge, familiarity, and interest in topics within the sustainability and Green Building educational arena. The goal of this study was to determine what students already know, would like to know, and how much interest there would be in developing …

Teacher Leaders+ Reflective Teaching = A Collaborative Leadership Approach To Establishing Public School And University Partnerships, Madeline M. Landes

Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology

No abstract provided.

Hlc Accreditation Letter 2011, Sylvia Manning

Accreditation

A letter from Sylvia Manning of the Higher Learning Commission confirming the continued accreditation of UNO through the AQIP program.

An Investigation Of The Potential Use Of Advanced Placement Examination Scores In The College Admission Of Transfer Students, Andrew Callahan Dwyer

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Faced with making college admission decisions on an increasingly large number of applicants, many higher education institutions have begun to consider using additional information to assist with those decisions. Unlike college admissions practices for the population of first-time freshmen, however, admission practices for the population of transfer students have been largely ignored in the literature. There is evidence that the transfer student population is growing and will likely continue to grow for the foreseeable future, which emphasizes the need for colleges and universities to find additional suitable information to use in transfer student admission. Using data from the University of …

Brief Report: 30th Anniversary Survey Results, Paige Asawa

Journal of Clinical Art Therapy

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Elementary Education Teacher Candidates' Authentic Assessments And Performance On The Professional Education Subtests On The Florida Teacher Certification Exam (Ftce), Thomas Raymond Lang Ii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

According to Wilkerson and Lang (2003, p.1) with approximately "90% of schools, colleges, and departments of education using portfolios of one form or another as decision-making tools for standards-based decisions regarding certification or licensure (as well as NCATE accreditation), it is appropriate to explore the legal and psychometric aspects of this assessment device."

This study was conducted to examine how well the authentic assessments created in the Chalk and Wire ePortfolio initiative, which was created to provide authentic assessments of the Accomplished Practices, relate to the measures in the Professional Knowledge subtests on Florida Teacher Certification Examination.

The sample …

Walking Box Ranch Planning And Design Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending April 10, 2011, Margaret N. Rees

Walking Box Ranch

• UNLV participated in the two-day 65% Design Development project meeting and assisted in planning and design of the future WBR museum and field/research station.
• UNLV held several internal meetings to advance planning for IT and security at the ranch.
• UNLV (Cline) and BLM (McAboy) have begun a series of meetings regarding updating the current Task Order, requesting a two-year no-cost extension for the two Assistance Agreements, and to develop a concept plan for the future WBR operating agreement between BLM and UNLV.
• Weather station progress included adding a Pyrheliometer that measures solar radiation received to the station. Progress was made …

The Effects Of Physical Education Credit Producing Activities On High School Students, Jonathan Denton

Undergraduate Research Conference

The original intent for this project was to see what summative information could be drawn using the FITNESSGRAM. Researchers wanted to relate the FITNESSGRAM to variables like academic performance, amount of physical education, and the student’s general idea of physical education. Over the past few years, researchers have found that students with a higher score on the FITNESSGRAM have a higher academic score on the T.A.K.S., better attendance, and less behavioral problems. Also, researchers were interested in determining if a participant’s satisfaction level of the physical education experience had any impact on the FITNESSGRAM variables. This descriptive research was designed …

2010 Report Card On Arkansas Public Schools, Gary Ritter

Education Report Card

Continuing our efforts to watch and report on the state of education in Arkansas, the OEP is glad to bring you its 2010 Report Card for Arkansas’ public schools. We hope this report is accessible and informative for educators and policymakers in the state. The charts and figures here are both a reflection of their hard work up until now, as well as a spur to improvement and reform for the future of Arkansas’ students.

Priorities For Civic And Citizenship Education In Europe, David Kerr, Linda Sturman, Tim Friedman

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) focused on the ways in which young people are prepared to undertake their roles as citizens. Preparing students for citizenship involves developing relevant knowledge and understanding as well as encouraging the formation of positive attitudes toward being a citizen. The conceptual background for, and the design of ICCS were described in the assessment framework (Schulz, Fraillon, Ainley, Losito, & Kerr, 2008) and the international results were reported in its international reports (Schulz, Ainley, Fraillon, Kerr & Losito, 2010a & 2010b). This paper provides an overview of the results from the regional assessment …

Dispelling Myths: Indigenous Students’ Engagement With University, Christine Asmar, Susan Page, Ali Radloff

Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE)

It has been known for years now that students who engage more frequently in educationally effective practices get better grades, are more satisfied, and are more likely to persist with their studies. It is also known that while engagement is positively linked to desired outcomes for all types of students, historically underserved students tend to benefit more than majority students. In the case of Indigenous Australians, positive responses in relation to engagement and satisfaction are not necessarily accompanied by the overall levels of persistence and completion one would expect. Moreover, New Zealand Maori students surveyed in the AUSSE reveal similar …

Monitoring Risk And Return: Critical Insights Into Graduate Coursework Engagement And Outcomes, Daniel Edwards

Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE)

Coursework graduate courses have been a significant growth area over the last few decades and are of immense importance to Australian higher education. The knowledge and skills achieved through postgraduate study make a significant contribution to individuals and society. Nearly one quarter of all higher education students in Australia are enrolled in a coursework postgraduate degree. These students generate substantial income for institutions through the fees they pay. Nearly one third of all international students in Australian higher education are enrolled in postgraduate coursework degrees. Overall, international students make up around 50 per cent of all coursework masters enrolments, a …

Design And Implementation Of The Iea Civic And Citizenship Education Study, Tim Friedman, Julian Fraillon, Barbara Malak

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

This paper provides an overview of the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) and summarizes different aspects of the study implementation. It outlines: the structure of the assessment framework; the design, development and implementation of instruments; the sampling design and outcomes; and quality control measures for the study.

Final Report : The Deadly Awards Nomination And Voting System Review And Research Project, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer), Michele Lonsdale

Indigenous Education Research

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was commissioned in late 2010 by Vibe Australia to investigate the current nomination and voting system for the Deadly Awards and identify ways in which the current system could be strengthened. The Deadlys are in their 17th year. Beginning as a music award, the categories have expanded over the years to include sport, the arts, community awards and nominations for the Hall of Fame. Given their longevity and the debate that ensued after last year’s awards, it is timely to review the current nomination and voting system. The Deadly Awards are intended to …

Latin American Perspectives On Civic And Citizenship Education, Wolfram Schulz, Eugenio Gonzalez

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) focused on the ways in which young people are prepared to undertake their roles as citizens. Preparing students for citizenship involves developing relevant knowledge and understanding as well as encouraging the formation of positive attitudes toward being a citizen. The conceptual background for, and the design of ICCS were described in the assessment framework (Schulz, Fraillon, Ainley, Losito, & Kerr, 2008) and the international results were reported in its international reports (Schulz, Ainley, Fraillon, Kerr & Losito, 2010a & 2010b). This paper gives an overview of the results from the regional assessment …

Multi-Level Analysis Of Factors Explaining Differences In Civic Knowledge, Wolfram Schulz, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Eva Van De Gaer

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study studied the ways in which young people in lower secondary schools are prepared to undertake their roles as citizens in a wide range of countries including Europe, Latin America, and the Asian-Pacific region. ICCS was the third IEA study designed to measure contexts and outcomes of civic and citizenship education and was linked to the 1999 IEA Civic Education Study (CIVED) (Amadeo, Torney-Purta, Lehmann, Husfeldt & Nikolova, 2002; Schulz & Sibberns, 2004; Torney-Purta, Lehmann, Oswald & Schulz, 2001). A central aspect of the study was the assessment of student knowledge about a …

The Roles Of Schools And Communities In Civic And Citizenships Education, Elisa Caponera, Bruno Losito

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The first part of the present paper is an overview of school and community roles in students’ civic and citizenship education across ICCS countries. Data from school and teacher questionnaires were used to describe how schools and communities contribute to the development of students’ civic knowledge. The second part investigates, through multi-level analysis, the relationship between a selection of variables at student and school levels and a selection of student attitudes. More specifically, the attitudes taken into account are: attitudes toward equal gender rights, toward equal rights for immigrants, and toward equal rights for ethnic/racial groups.

Expected Participation In Protest Activities Among Lower Secondary Students In 38 Countries, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) investigated the ways in which young people in lower secondary schools (specifically in their eighth year of school) are being prepared to undertake their roles as citizens in a wide range of countries in Europe, Latin America, and the Asian-Pacific region. ICCS is the third IEA1 study designed to study outcomes of civic and citizenship education (CCE) and is linked to the 1999 IEA Civic Education Study (CIVED) (Amadeo, Torney-Purta, Lehmann, Husfeldt & Nikolova, 2002; Schulz & Sibberns, 2004; Torney-Purta, Lehmann, Oswald & Schulz, 2001). Results from this study have been …