Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Addressing Student Precarities In Higher Education: Our Responsibility As Teachers And Scholars, Sara Labelle

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

"[T]his essay will focus on how we, as scholars of communication and instruction, can address, mitigate, and even illuminate these issues of precarity in our pedagogy, our scholarship, and our professional lives. This argument is centered on three key premises: (1) it is the responsibility of instructors to care about student precarities, (2) as instructional scholars and experts in communication, we are well prepared to mitigate these precarities in our course structure and pedagogy, as well as (3) in the scholarship we produce and prioritize on teaching and learning."

Read, Write, Rhyme: Increasing Reading Performance With Hip-Hop Texts, Crystal Monique Lavoulle

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This presentation describes the Harlem Renaissance to Hip Hop Movement, a literacy program that uses best practices in literacy instruction to improve reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing. Moving beyond educational hip-hop songs and videos, this presentation offers insight into effective ways to increase Georgia Milestone Assessment scores in both English language arts and social studies using a variety of hip-hop texts.

Bully, Bullies And Bullying: Pejorative Terminology, Alternative Descriptors, And Ethics-Based Interventions, Tom Clees, Todd J. Stephens

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This presentation will present historical perspectives on the use of person-first terminology as related to the impact of contemporary pejorative terminology, including the terms associated with "bullying." Functional alternatives in assessing problematic behaviors will follow. Finally, ethics-based (least intrusive) social skills and behavioral interventions will be exemplified.

Building An Ecosystem Of Support: An Evaluation Of North Dakota’S Community School Programs, Mckenzie Haines, Shelby Hubach, Jeanette Joyce, Betty Li Simpson, Lucy K. Fredericks, Lyndsi Engstrom, Nathan C. Anderson

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Community school programs respond to students’ nonacademic needs so that they can focus on their learning. This session highlights a collaboration of organizations across North Dakota as they implement two community school programs. A shared evaluation plan supports the implementation of the two programs and will provide data to improve services provided to students.

Leading For Excellence: Leadership Behaviors That Support A High-Achieving School Environment, Amy Parangan

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine the degree of importance for the 12-step principles proposed by Harvey, Drolet, and DeVore (2014) to create a K-12 school environment that fosters high student achievement as perceived by public school elementary principals in Northern California. A secondary purpose was to explore and describe the leadership strategies for implementing the 12-step principles proposed by Harvey et al. (2014) to create a K-12 school environment that fosters high student achievement as perceived by public school elementary principals in Northern California.

Methodology: The researcher used sequential explanatory mixed methods for this …

High-Ability Middle School Girls In Independent Schools, Maria Arellano

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research shows that middle school is a critical time for gifted girls. There is much research as to why and the ways in which girls’ intellectual ambitions significantly wane during the middle school years, but not much on how to combat the issue. Whatever studies have been conducted in the area of gifted and talented female learners has been largely done in the public sector. Given the unique culture and practice of independent schools existing research on this topic in public schools does not provide a clear view of how independent schools are catering to their most highly able female …

Rockets: Reaching Our Community Through Kindness, Education, Togetherness And Stem – A Sustainable Communities Project In Sumter County, Georgia, Crystal Perry

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This poster session highlights the ROCKETS program implemented in Sumter County Schools through UGA Extension. Through the ROCKETS Project in-school sessions, youth with disabilities are provided additional opportunities to belong to a larger group of youth through the Georgia 4-H Program. The ROCKETS Project focuses on Agricultural literacy and STEM education as content areas to cultivate, recruit and graduate the next generation of a highly-skilled diverse workforce.

We Pledge Our Hands To Larger Service: Adopting A Service-Learning Pedagogy, Brandy Murray Calvert

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 Brandy Murray Calvert on March 9, 2020.

Leadership Training In Burkina, Corinne Brion

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

I have been blessed to work in Burkina Faso for the past five years. Our task there has been to build the capacity of school leaders. School leaders in Low-Fee Private Schools (LFPSs) do not have any formal training and in most instances are not educators. Because a training is as good as its material and trainers, we developed contextualized research-based educational leadership materials in which adult learning theories are embedded. We train local school leaders, train local trainers through a Train the Trainers model (TOT), and conduct research.

Infographic: Sleep And Schoolwork, Jo Earp

Teacher infographics

A new Health Behaviour in School Aged Children study offers insights into the lives of 11- to 15-year-olds in England. Our latest infographic looks at the proportions of young people who reported not having enough sleep to be able to concentrate on their schoolwork, and how the figures have changed since 2014.

Groundings In Nature Mysticism And Adult Learning, Lee W. Nabb, Keith B. Armstrong

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

Historically, American education has functioned as the benefactor and disseminator of nature education, although that role has diminished in direct proportion to the diminutive presence of American natural landscapes. This withdrawal has led many to adulthoods typically devoid of a sense of place on the planet, as well as potentially limiting the ability to experience the sublime or mystical insights of life. This discussion investigates an experiential, interdisciplinary-action approach, used at Yellowstone National Park and a Canadian wilderness project, that supports and informs the reintegration of nature for the sublime or mystical development of adult students in higher education.

Improving Assessments And Evaluations Of Pilots In Collegiate Aviation Programs, Peter Matthew Dittmer Ed.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

The purpose of the proposed study is to improve assessments and evaluation techniques of student pilots in collegiate aviation programs. Proper evaluation and assessment of student pilot performance in collegiate aviation programs is important to the success and credibility of the training program. Students in pilot training programs are scrutinized unlike other students in other academic programs. There exists well-defined program evaluation cycles, specific skills and knowledge to be tested, objective criteria on which to judge performance, tight restrictions on evaluator qualifications, and a well-defined curriculum for creating an evaluation context.

This researcher would look at three reasons student pilots …

Examining Uas Employment Expectations And Requirements, Brent A. Terwilliger Ph.D., Ryan J. Wallace Ed.D., Matthew P. Earnhardt Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology is radically changing how organizations, such as government agencies, non-profit corporations, and companies, apply aviation resources. Unmanned aviation is supporting improved efficiency, expanded capability, and heightened reliability through an increasing number of uses relating to: a) research and development and training-education, b) event filming, c) industrial, utility, and environmental projects, d) real estate, e) construction activities, f) agricultural, g) press and media, and h) state/local emergency services. The increasing application, and subsequent operational growth, is occurring in response to maturing technology, refined operational management and permissibility, innovative concept development, demonstrated capability, enhanced supportability, and the …

Improving Academic Learning And Success Through Transparency: A Student’S Perspective, Christina Ouellette, Joanna Boeing Bratton, Ruth C. Slotnick

Core Assessment Project Reports and Publications

No abstract provided.

Systematic Review Of The Literature On Professional Education Accreditation, Neville Chiavaroli, Kate Reid, Pru Mitchell, Jenny Trevitt

Higher education research

This report is critical and systematic review of the literature on professional education accreditation models, associated methods, and the effectiveness and impact of each model. The review was conducted to inform a review and update of the Royal College of Vetinerary Surgeons (RCVS) standards of accreditation for veterinary degrees. The purpose of the study was to rapidly appraise the evidence for the effectiveness, impact, and feasibility of different accreditation approaches, in order to inform best practices for the accreditation of professional education programs. The study focused on accreditation for programs which produce practice-ready graduates, including for veterinary programs. The authors …

Analysis Of 21st Century Skills Integration As Applied In The Philippines K To 12 Program. Final Report, Claire Scoular

Curriculum development and review

An analysis of 21st Century Skills integration in the Philippines was designed to support the Philippines identify a strategy for assessment, teaching, and learning of 21st century skills (21CS). This project identified and built on a number of recent studies and country initiatives that have highlighted the need for different approaches to the integration of 21CS. This project had three overarching aims: 1. To identify best practices on the use of classroom-level teaching strategies of 21CS to support learning 2. To build in-country capacity to understand, identify, and observe the skills at classroom level 3. To develop a Strategic Road …

When Your Plate Is Already Full: Efficient And Meaningful Outcomes Assessment For Busy Law Schools, Melissa N. Henke

Law Faculty Scholarly Articles

The American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation standards involving outcome-based assessment are a game changer for legal education. The standards reaffirm the importance of providing students with formative feedback throughout their course of study to assess and improve student learning. The standards also require law schools to evaluate their effectiveness, and to do so from the perspective of student performance within the institution’s program of study. The relevant question is no longer what are law schools teaching their students, but instead, what are students learning from law schools in terms of the knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for those …

Social Justice Leadership: A Case Study Of Engagement Practices With Multilingual Families, Vera J. Lee, Kristine Lewis Grant, Barbara Hoekje

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Traditionally established best practices for parent engagement cannot be assumed to be effective when serving culturally and linguistically diverse families. Such practices do not account for cultural variation and linguistic differences in family involvement with school-based activities. School leaders with a social justice orientation are key to challenging established practices and creating school cultures where multilingual families are welcomed and engaged. The authors present a qualitative case study of an administrator and the lead ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher of a large urban charter school in the northeast region of the United States, and their efforts to serve …

Moving Beyond Tradition: Designing An Online Course For School Leaders, Larry J. Walker, Michelle Sullivan

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Increasingly post-secondary institutions are dedicating resources to develop online courses. This includes hybrid (classroom and online instruction) and fully online classes. The growth of online options coincides with the creation of various platforms that make communication between graduate students and faculty members seamless. However, there is a gap in the research which examines the development of online courses for current and aspiring school leaders (e.g., teachers, principals, district staff). For this reason, this article utilizes extant literature and autoethnographic vignettes to 1) investigate the steps universities and school districts should take to make online classes more accessible for school leaders; …

School Districts And A University Principal Preparation Program Partnership: A Cohort Model, Alejandro Garcia, Velma Manchaca, Frederico Guerra

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover the perceived benefits and challenges of preparing principal candidates for school district/university partnerships. Data analysis from focus group interviews revealed both benefits and challenges. Themes that were perceived as benefits were: 1) increased opportunities for graduate students in educational leadership preparation programs, 2) integration of field-based experiences, 3) a supportive learning environment, and 4) networking opportunities. Conversely, challenging themes were: 1) need for school district liaison, 2) better collaboration between school district/university partnerships, 3) employment consideration for graduates of educational leadership preparation programs, and 4) better school facilities and equipment. The …

Relationship Between Internal School Crises And Effectiveness Of University Education In Nigeria, Abdulganiyu Adebayo Tijani, Stephen Olufemi Afolabi

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The study was a correlation research design that investigated relationship between internal school crisis and university effectiveness in Nigeria. The target population was academic staff of three universities in a Nigerian State from which a sample of 611 academic staff was chosen using a stratified sampling technique. The instrument tagged “Internal School Crisis and University Effectiveness Questionnaire (ISCUEQ)” was adopted to collect data. Test-retest method reliability test was carried out to obtain reliability coefficient of 0.72. Mean, standard deviation, and Pearson product moment statistics were used to analyze data at 0.05 significant level. The finding revealed, among others, a significant …

Making Change Stick: A Case Study Of One High School’S Journey Towards Standards-Based Grading, Matt Townsley, Megan Knight

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The purpose of this study was to explain the experiences of high school teachers and administrators in the midst of transitioning to standards-based grading practices. The researchers used a single case study methodology to investigate how teachers and administrators described their school’s implementation successes and challenges. Data triangulation occurred through analyzing semi-structured interviews, meeting agendas, handbooks, and relevant documents provided by study participants. Using Kotter’s eight steps for leading organizational change as a framework, we recommend school leaders blow off the cobwebs and get started, understand staff needs and provide teacher support, and be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

The Influence Of Principal Leadership On Literate Practices And Instruction In A Middle School, Travis W. Duncan

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This case study uses Nicholls’s (1987) meta, macro, and micro levels of leadership merged with Dowell, Bickmore, and Hoewing (2012) and other literacy leadership research (Conley, 1989; Hall, Burns, & Edwards, 2011; Irvin, Meltzer, & Duke, 2007; Marks & Printy, 2003) to analyze the influence of a principal’s leadership on literacy instruction. The findings are similar to the integrated leadership approach emphasized in Marks and Printy (2003) but add additional evidence of cultural and human resource leadership. Strategies and structures that built culture around literate practices were evident. Teacher empowerment and building trust in school culture were important components.

A Mixed Methods Study Of Educators’ Perceptions And Comfort Levels Of Professional Learning In A Blended Model, Gina Hartman

Dissertations

As technology evolves in our society and schools, the professional learning designed and facilitated for educators must also evolve. The purpose of this mixed methods, multi-state study was to examine the impact and effectiveness of a blended professional development model. The researcher investigated educators’ skills, comfort levels, and attitudes when participating in a sustained blended professional development model by using pre- and post-surveys and questionnaires, in addition to interviews at the conclusion of the ninemonth study. Furthermore, the researcher sought to identify characteristics of a blended professional development model that educators deemed most important to changing their practice. Participants in …

Perspectives Of Professional Development On Supervision Skills, Roger "Mitch" Nasser

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Supervision skills are essential at all levels of administration in higher education. However, it is unclear where many professionals attain these skills. New professionals, who often supervise student workers, receive training during their graduate program experiences. Senior level professionals, those who run Student Affairs divisions or segments of those divisions, are often not questioned in their practices. Senior administrators are valued for decision making and strategic planning. Unfortunately, the final population, middle managers, do not receive training and may be expected to have skills upon arriving in a position. The following study examined perceptions of middle and senior administrators in …

A Visual Typology Of Abandonment In Rural America: From End-Of-Life To Treading Water, Recycling, Renaissance, And Revival, Jason P. Holcomb

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

The contemporary American rural landscape reflects a mix of ongoing economic changes in agricultural land use, population change, and built environments. The mix depends on past and recent change which represent landscapes of memory and silence to those experiencing economic and demographic renaissance. We develop a typology of five stages that reflect the contemporary rural scene and conduct field transects in Northwest Iowa and Central Maine. Features of the dynamics in rural America are evident in photographs of residences, land use changes, and commercial structure. The study calls for additional studies on rural settlement populations, economies, and society in different …

Introducing The Game Design Matrix: A Step-By-Step Process For Creating Serious Games, Aaron J. Pendleton

Theses and Dissertations

The Game Design Matrix makes effective game design accessible to novice game designers. Serious Games are a powerful tool for educators seeking to boost the level of student engagement and application in academic environments, but the can be difficult to incorporate into existing courses due to availability and the cost of quality game design. The Game Design Matrix was used by two educators, novice game designers, to create a serious game. The games were assessed in an academic setting and observed to be effective in engagement, interaction, and achieving higher levels of learning.

A Study Of The Impact Of Site-Based Mathematics Professional Development On Student Mathematics Achievement, Christine Attenhofer

Dissertations

Student achievement at one suburban elementary school under study dropped notably in mathematics in one school year, as measured by the state standards assessment. The purpose of this inquiry was to determine what impact ongoing, on-demand, job-embedded, site-based professional development opportunities provided by a full-time, site-base math content area specialist had on teachers' instructional practices and students' mathematics achievement. I implemented a mixed methods approach to this inquiry. I analyzed the end of the year state mathematics standards assessments for second through fifth grade students following the implementation of full-time, site-based professional development provided by a math content area specialist …

Promoting A Successful Transition To A Professional Career For Vocal Studies Graduates, David C. Strobbe

All Theses And Dissertations

A successful opera singer must complement their artistic talent with entrepreneurial and business skills (Daniel & Daniel, 2015; Storen, 2014). Therefore, educational institutions must teach their graduate vocal studies students to expand their talent and learn how to market themselves as a product. Little research has been conducted from the perspective of opera singers’ academic experiences in higher educational institutions and how well their institutions prepared them for the transition to the professional world. The purpose of the study was to determine if current core curricula are sufficient or should curriculum development focus on the entrepreneurial and business aspects in …

A Brain-Based Approach To Educational Pedagogy, Troy M. Kennett

All Theses And Dissertations

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are underperforming their peers on state assessments. The purpose of this practical action research study is to explore how professional development, focused on brain-based research, informs educators’ pedagogical design for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By combining brain-based teaching components, background in the neurology of the brain, and various learning theories, educators were provided filters for making educational decisions. Research was conducted at a rural elementary school in New Hampshire that serves 258 students in grades 3–5, with 51 students served through special education services. The researcher provided teachers and paraprofessionals with preintervention …