Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

A Mixed Methods Case Study: Understanding The Experience Of Nebraska 4-H Participants Relative To Their Transition And Adaptation To College, Jill Walahoski

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This mixed methods case study was designed to assess the preparedness of former Nebraska 4-H participants to successfully transition and adjust to college. The study also sought to understand the way that students’ experiences in Nebraska 4-H may have influenced their readiness to transition to college. The initial quantitative stage of this case study administered the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire to former 4-H participants who were recent high school graduates. Latter qualitative stages included interviews with staff regarding the practices and strategies they employed related to preparing young people for college and interviews with former 4-H participants selected from …

Culturally Proficient Teachers, Lori R. Piowlski

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Action needs to be taken by teacher preparation programs to prepare culturally proficient educators who are able to deliver equitable instruction and inspire all students to strive for greatness if the achievement gap is to be closed. Existing literature mainly describes the importance and urgency to prepare future teachers for the changing demographics with classrooms across the United States. There is not significant literature on how it is being done. Therefore the purpose of this qualitative study was to discover how university teacher education programs are preparing teachers to be culturally proficient. A cross-reference of data collected from Adequate Yearly …

Development And Validation Of The Biophilic Attitudes Inventory (Bai), Lawrence Letourneau

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigated the viability of an instrument called the Biophilic Attitudes Inventory (BAI), a pen-and-paper instrument intended to measure attitudes toward nature that, according to naturalist Edward O. Wilson, are rooted in an innate predisposition that humans possess to connect with other forms of life. Utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), two models were tested (n=334)--a seven-factor model that reflected Stephen Kellert's biophilia typology and a more parsimonious two-factor model. However, neither model proved viable in terms of construct validity. As a result, a new model with four factors was developed via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A subsequent CFA revealed …

Certified Public Accountant Education And Ethical Decision-Making Preparedness: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Connection, Vicki Bealman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was not to evaluate efficacy of ethical training for current accounting programs, but to understand the perceptions of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) for the influence of accounting ethical education requirements on their ethical decision-making preparedness. The study used pre-interview surveys, face-to-face interviews, and timeline drawings to acquire data in four principle areas: CPA ethical decision-making preparedness, accounting program ethics educational requirements, accounting program ethics learning activities, and CPA perceptions of necessary changes to accounting program ethics requirements. Results from Virginia CPA perceptions indicate the definition of ethical decision-making as doing the right thing at …

Survey Of College Entrance Exam Preparation Methods, Robin Donaldson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study surveyed college freshman to determine which types of preparation if any they had before taking either the SAT and/or ACT to decide if a certain type of preparation increased their scores. Students indicated whether they used online resources, self-help resources, school workshops and/or private tutoring before taking either test. The ACT scores were converted to SAT scores so that the data would be uniform. The mean SAT score was computed for those who used preparation and those who did not and comparisons were made. Each individual type of preparation was compared to no preparation. Finally, a correlation was …

Secrets Of Their Success: A Multiple Case Study Of Mathematically Proficient Homeschool Graduates, Betty Cardinale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explain how mathematically proficient homeschool graduates acquired their proficiency. Bronfenbrenner's (1979, 1999) ecological and Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) models were used as theoretical frameworks to analyze the development of the graduates in the homeschool environment. The National Research Council's (NRC) Five Strands of Mathematical Proficiency (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001) was used as a conceptual framework. I collected four types of data: (a) surveys; (b) National Assessment of Educational Progress; (c) Mathematical Self-Efficacy Scale scores; and (d) interviews. These data items were analyzed with explanation building, a special case of pattern-matching logic. Many …

A Phenomenology Of Teacher And Parent Perceptions Of The Characteristics Of Effective Schools: Working Toward A Shared Vision, William Sroufe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research conducted at schools that have outperformed their counterparts points to specific characteristics that make them successful. These characteristics brought about the development of the effective schools correlates by Ronald Edmonds (1979). Various people from across the United States and in various occupations perceive these correlates differently (Sorenson, Goldsmith, Mendez, & Maxwell, 2011). Effective school research focuses school improvement on the variables that are within the control of educators and have the greatest potential to impact student achievement (Vaughn, Gill, & Sherman, 2009). Research surrounding effective schools concentrates on the seven effective school correlates: (a) clear school mission, (b) high …

Perceptions Of Tennessee School Principals About The Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (Team), Carmen Belcher Bryant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to analyze the perceptions of Tennessee principals about the implementation of the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) and the impact of TEAM on teachers’ instructional practice and professional growth. Participants in this study were PK-12 public school principals from 12 districts in the First Region of Tennessee who were implementing TEAM in the 2011-2012 school year. Specifically this research was guided by 8 research questions on principal’s perceptions about TEAM providing appropriate and effective professional growth for teachers and the principal’s perception about their ability to adequately perform the requirements of TEAM. The …

Academic Performance Of First-Year Students At A College Of Pharmacy In East Tennessee: Models For Prediction, Cheri W. Clavier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the increase of students applying to pharmacy programs, it is imperative that admissions committees choose appropriate measures to analyze student readiness. The purpose of this research was to identify significant factors that predict the academic performance, defined as grade point average (GPA) at the end of the first professional year, of pharmacy students. The population consisted of 466 students enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy Program in northeast Tennessee over a 5-year period. Statistical procedures included bivariate correlations, t-tests for independent samples, and multiple regression. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the students in the population …

Language Arts Achievement Of Fourth Grade Students With Regard To Gender, Ethnicity, And Socioeconomic Status, Paula C. Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to see if a difference exists in the language arts proficiency levels of 2,080 fourth grade students with regard to gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status from 2010 through 2012 on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program. Specifically, this study considered the possibility that a difference existed in language arts proficiency levels between males and females.

A quantitative study was used to find differences in the language arts proficiency levels from 2010 through 2012 for males and females in the fourth grade in an upper East Tennessee urban school system. A quasi-experimental design was selected because preexisting data …

Understanding Ells At Different English Proficiency Levels In Dual Language Programs, Kathryn Lindholm-Leary

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research is to examine the language proficiency and reading achievement of a diverse group of 1045 grade 4-8 ELL students enrolled in a dual language program. These students differed in background factors (parent education, SES), dual language program model (90:10, 50:50), and English language proficiency level (Begin/Early Intermediate, Intermediate, Advanced, reclassified Fluent English Proficient). Results show that there are significant effects due to language proficiency group, parent education, SES, and program model on student outcomes - English language proficiency, Spanish reading, and English reading achievement at program entry, grade 3 and current grade. Results are discussed …

Addendum To Systems Portfolio 2013, Neal Topp

Accreditation

This document is the response from the University of Nebraska at Omaha to the March 15, 2013, AQIP Systems Appraisal Feedback Report. The format of this response follows the order of stated deficiencies that begin on page 38 of the Systems Appraisal Feedback Report.

Validating The Internal Structure Of The Performance Assessment Of California Teachers (Pact): A Multi-Dimensional Item Response Model Study, Brent Duckor, Katherine Castellano, Kip Tellez, Mark Wilson

Faculty Publications

Examining a large sample of teacher candidate responses (n=1711), we found a sufficient degree of internal structure validity evidence to support the intended, continued use of the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (2008) instrument to measure teacher candidates’ skills and proficiencies with professional standards in teaching (CCTC, 2012). Our examination of the Elementary Literacy Teaching Event found that the unidimensional IRT model fits the data very well and results in high reliability (.914), which is reassuring given the dependence on raters, the varied nature of the portfolio submissions and types of tasks, and the differences in California teacher preparation programs …

A Response To Intervention Model For Secondary Schools, Robbie L. Fletcher

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the College of Education at Morehead State University by Robbie L. Fletcher on April 23, 2013.

One Schools Turnaround Journey: Facing Reality, Determining The Big Rocks, And Keeping The Eye On The Prize, Kelly A. Foster

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the College of Education at Morehead State University by Kelly A. Foster on April 19, 2013.

Teaching Qsen Competencies To Entry Level Nursing Students, Brianna Clouet, Melissa Glasper, Cheryl Perna

Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship Day

The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public state university with a fully accredited School of Nursing (SON), which typically admits 48 students every trimester into their accelerated pre-licensure BSN program. UNLV is:

• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

• Fully Approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN),

• Continuously working to meet and uphold external standards and to remain current and competitive.

A team consisting of two Level 4 BSN students and the BSN Coordinator identified the need to better integrate the QSEN competencies into current nursing curriculum. Although the competencies are embedded into …

The Impact Of Interdisciplinary Code Simulation On Perceptions Of Collaboration And Team Performance Among Internal Medicine Residents And Nursing Students, Cynthia Herrick, Michael Michael Nasiak, Aditi Singh, Sandhya Wahi-Gururaj, C. Sue Witt, Jessica Doolen, Kevin Gulliver

Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship Day

• Allows for inter-disciplinary training
• Provides safe environment to practice patient care with immediate feedback-quality improvement
• Results in better adherence to protocols
• Well received by learners
• In one study, almost half of IM residents surveyed felt ill- equipped to lead code teams even after ACLS training

Crisis Resource Management (CRM)

• Communication and cooperation
• Leadership and management
• Situational awareness
• Decision-making

Preliminary Results Of Using A Student Success Facilitator In An Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing Program, Jennifer Bellsey, Cheryl Perna, Tish Smyer, Carolyn B. Yucha, Antonio Gutierrez,

Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship Day

Competing demands of work, family, friends, and the academic rigor while in an accelerated baccalaureate nursing program often lead to high levels of anxiety and may contribute to unsuccessful student progression. This phenomena is not unique to the UNLV School of Nursing but is an issue that nursing programs grapple with nationwide. While there is nursing research literature related to student success programs there are limited studies that describe the use of a Student Success Facilitator (SSF) coupled with a Student to Student Mentoring Program (SSMP). IRB Exempt #1205-4167

A Data-Based Evaluation Process For Superintendents, Matthew Shane Baker

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the College of Education at Morehead State University by Matthew Shane Balker on April 16, 2013.

Veteran Teachers And Novice Coaches: A Case Study Of Content Focused Coaching In Three Persistently Failing Midwestern Middle Schools, Brian E. Gamm

Dissertations

This research is a qualitative case study analysis of the experiences of six, veteran, English Language Arts teachers, and three, first-year, English Language Arts instructional coaches all of whom are implementing a district-mandated reform strategy called Content-Focused Coaching. The settings for this research study were three Persistently Lowest Achieving middle schools. The researcher began the data collection process with the organization of Professional Learning Community agendas and minutes. Following the organization of PLC meeting agendas and minutes, four categories were identified that were used as criteria for classroom observations as well as in assisting in organizing responses collected during the …

The Effectiveness Of Guided Reading On Reading Achievement, Cinnamon Mckey

Undergraduate Research Conference

This study investigated the impact of guided reading for 30 minutes three days a week for eight weeks on the reading achievement of three second grade students in a rural school district in East Texas during fall 2012. Within the investigation, the students were scored using three reading assessments. These assessments were used to inform the teacher candidate of the students' potential reading levels. The goal was to show an increase in the students' reading level with the assistance of guided reading instruction.

The Impact Of Small Group Instruction On The Reading Ability Of Three First Grade Students, Jillian Wilson

Undergraduate Research Conference

This literacy project investigated the impact of small group reading instruction on the reading ability of first graders. During fall 2012, the teacher candidate conducted research in a first grade classroom in a rural East Texas elementary school three days a week for an eight-week period. One purpose of this literacy project was to enable teacher candidates to gain experience conducting reading assessments, planning age appropriate reading lessons, and implementing those lessons in a small group instructional setting. Another purpose was to administer pre and post assessments to monitor the reading development of a group of students.

Categorical Funding In Arkansas, Reed Greenwood, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

As a result of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Lake View v. Huckabee Decision, the Public School Funding Act of 2003 established Arkansas’ current funding system. A part of the current system allocates additional funding for districts based on need (categorical funding). In doing so, the state recognizes that it is necessary to distribute additional funding based on educational need to meet adequacy and equity standards. The system allocates funding for groups of students who face particular challenges: Alternative Learning Environment students (ALE), English-language Learners (ELL), and students in poverty (National School Lunch Act). In the current legislative session, lawmakers are …

An Econometric Analysis Of Anti-Bullying Program Factors On Bullying In Public American Middle Schools And High Schools, Austin B. Beck

Undergraduate Economic Review

This paper seeks to answer the question: “Do typical factors of anti-bullying programs reduce the amount of bullying that takes place in American public middle schools and high schools?” An overview of the literature on bullying and anti-bullying programs is provided. Data from the School Survey on Crime and Safety is analyzed using a probit model. The model is tested for accuracy and the results are analyzed. Parental involvement and out-of-school suspension are found to be significant anti-bullying program factors. Other explanatory variables are also discussed and recommendations for further research are provided.

Information Literacy Assessment: Keep It Simple, Keep It Going, Larry Sheret, John A. Steele

Librarian Research

Is it possible to administer an information literacy assessment in only a few classes that would provide essential, adequate, data from semester to semester? In a college with a student body of about 2,000, would it be possible to obtain actionable assessment results if only 150 to 200 students were assessed each semester?

This article is the result of the creation and implementation of the information literacy assessment that was launched in the fall of 2009 by Savage Library at Western State College of Colorado (WSC). WSC changed its name to Western State Colorado University on August 1, 2012. The …

Female Superintendents By Locale, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

The most recent AASA decennial study of the superintendency reveals the growing presence of female superintendents (24.1 percent nationwide) has not been affected by either district enrollment or the level of a school district's racial or ethnic diversity. Across four district enrollment categories, the range of female representation was 20.4 percent (in the largest districts) to 29.8 percent (in the smallest districts). By comparison, females accounted for 17.7 percent of very small-district superintendents and just 5.4 percent of the largest-district superintendents a decade earlier. Across five district diversity categories, the range of representation was 21.4 percent (in low-diversity districts) to …

Avoiding Ignorance And Mindlessness In Educational Research: Moving From “Good Enough” Studies To More Mindful Approaches, Hersh C. Waxman

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

No abstract provided.

Using Data To Enhance 21st Century Skill Development In Vet Discussion Paper For The Summit On Data For Quality Improvement In Vet, Acer

Vocational, adult and professional education research

In response to the increasing demands of modern workforce and general life participation and perceptions of poor or declining educational standards, governments around the world are emphasising the important role of education systems in developing in learners a broader set of skills that will meet the challenges and demands of work, study and life in the 21st century. In many cases this has led education systems to focus increasingly on learning outcomes as a measure of system quality in addition to more traditional measures of inputs and outputs. In refocusing the notion of ‘quality’ around this proximate purpose of …

Create Cornerstone: Introduction To Scientific Thinking, A New Course For Stem-Interested Freshmen, Demystifies Scientific Thinking Through Analysis Of Scientific Literature, Alan J. Gottesman, Sally G. Hoskins

Publications and Research

The Consider, Read, Elucidate hypotheses, Analyze and interpret data, Think of the next Experiment (CREATE) strategy for teaching and learning uses intensive analysis of primary literature to improve students’ critical-thinking and content integration abilities, as well as their self-rated science attitudes, understanding, and confidence. CREATE also supports maturation of undergraduates’ epistemological beliefs about science. This approach, originally tested with upper-level students, has been adapted in Introduction to Scientific Thinking, a new course for freshmen. Results fromthis course’s initial semesters indicate that freshmen in a one-semester introductory course that uses a narrowly focused set of readings to promote development of analytical …

In Their Own Words: Using Students’ Writing To Develop A Digital Manual For New College Students, Kristen Di Gennaro, Agie Markiewicz

Cornerstone 1 Reports : Expansion and Enhancements of the Thinkfinity Platform

No abstract provided.