Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Health Sciences And Technology Academy: Re-Imagining Programmatic Delivery During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sherron Mckendall, Alan Mckendall, Summer Kuhn, Catherine Morton, Mary Mcmillion, Sean Freeland

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Out-of-school time academic/STEM programs provide educational enrichment to a myriad of student populations with some designed to assist those underrepresented and at-risk who desire to purse post-secondary studies. One such program in West Virginia (WV) is the Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA), which provides hands-on, in person and engaging educational enrichment with the intent to increase the college going rates of Appalachia’s most vulnerable youth. In March 2020, HSTA key personnel encountered the task of redesigning program delivery due to the immediate shutdown of all in person operations resulting from the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This paper discusses …

Impacts Of Model Misspecification On Individual-Level Differential Item Functioning Detection In Multilevel Data Using Hierarchical Generalized Linear Model, Yue Yin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM) has become more and more popular in detecting differential item functioning (DIF) items in multilevel contexts due to its flexibility and efficiency. This dissertation aims to investigate and compare four different HGLM DIF detection models under various DIF conditions with multilevel data. Three studies were conducted in this dissertation. The first two studies were simulation studies and the third one was an empirical study. Simulation Study One compared the performance of two-level HGLM and three-level HGLM with the individual-level covariate (HGLM-IL) on detecting individual-level DIF items with two-level and three-level data structures. Simulation Study Two …

Western Michigan University Assessment Handbook: "Celebrating Student Learning", Office Of Institutional Effectiveness

Assessment Publications & Presentations

Western Michigan University (WMU) is committed to the success of our students. That success is predicated on the idea that students graduate from the university having added to the knowledge they had entering WMU. Assessing student learning is crucial to ensuring and documenting that students get the added value they should expect from the institution.

This Assessment Handbook is designed to help units carry out their assessment activities. It contains information, (from both internal and external sources), on how to write good assessment outcomes, answers to frequently asked assessment questions, resources available on campus, and some sample assessment tools, among …

Transforming Technology & Engineering Educator Inputs Into Desired Student Outputs Through Mechanism Analysis And Synthesis, Andrew J. Hughes, Chris Merrill

Educational Leadership & Technology Faculty Publications

The intention of this article is to provide middle and high school Technology and Engineering Educators (T&EEs) with a more thorough understanding of an engineering approach to the teaching and learning of mechanics. During the teaching and learning of engineering content, in this case mechanics, the educator should attempt to align pedagogical content knowledge with engineering content knowledge and practices. T&EEs will also need to focus on terminology, structure, and applying theory to practical hands-on learning activities inside and outside of the classroom. T&EEs have the potential to foster middle and high school students’ mechanical knowledge and the ability to …

Distinguishing Autism Spectrum Disorder From Other Developmental Delays At 24 Months, Searcy Kaylee

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children has been increasing over the past several years. Receiving individualized interventions at an early age (before age 3) drastically shifting the developmental trajectory of a child with ASD in a more positive direction, as well as improving the child’s level of functioning, showing the importance of early intervention for a child with ASD. To receive early interventions, a child must first be diagnosed with ASD. Some research suggests that characteristics of ASD can be seen in children by the time they are 24 months. However, research also shows that most …

Applying Derailment Advice: How Educational Leaders Can Use Job Loss Lessons To Navigate The Covid-19 Crisis, Jeff Strietzel, Ryan W. Erck

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life and work for people around the globe. This upheaval has created new challenges for those serving in or studying at higher education. College administrators have been forced to adapt, and many have used wisdom gained from past crises as proxies for the current crisis. After many months in a pandemic, however, many leaders are still searching for effective frameworks and mental models to guide their efforts. In this article, we offer the concept of derailment as a proxy for leaders in challenging times. We examined interview data from a recent in-depth study of 25 …

The College Student Study Playlist: A Comparison Of Genres, John C. Pokhan

Selected Honors Theses

Music has played a significant role in the lives of students. Various genres of music have been studied to determine their specific effects on human behavior. Christian Praise and Worship music is a normal piece of service, whether it is in the chapel and or the church. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a renowned classical music composer whose music has been shown to have positive effects in improving concentration. A student’s emotions are critical when it comes to studying. When a student is studying, they need to concentrate and work on their assignment with confidence, inspiration, and excitement while managing their …

Factors Associated With The Underrepresentation Of Female Head Coaches In Intercollegiate Athletics, Steve Chen, Lauren Smith, Chloe Whitlock

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived barriers, stereotypes, and workplace challenges that contributed to the underrepresentation of female head coaches in intercollegiate athletics. One-hundred-twenty-four current collegiate coaches affiliated with three NCAA conferences completed their responses through an online survey. A 26-item self-created survey was implemented to identify perceived attributes and barriers which impact the females’ involvement in the coaching profession. The results yielded four constructs of attributes and three types of barriers that affected female coaches’ success for job obtainment and career advancement. Unlike the older experienced coaches, young and less experienced coaches tended to value …

The Need For More Educational Leadership Pedagogical Knowledge In Early Elementary, Megan Hallissey

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This exploratory, qualitative multiple-site case study examined how principals’ knowledge of early childhood learning, pedagogy, and practices (or lack of) influences their leadership decisions and assessment of teachers. Data collection included four different elementary school configurations and consisted of multiple data sources including the use of a video simulation. The twelve guidelines of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) and the Professional Standards of Educational Leaders (PSEL) provided a framework for thematic analysis. The results of this study show principals have a limited understanding of early childhood pedagogy which influences their hiring decisions when filling teacher vacancies. Additionally, results indicate principals’ assessments …

The Role Of The School District In High-Performance Title One Schools In South Texas, George Padilla, Roberto Zamora, Federico Guerra Jr.

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

A mixed research study was designed and conducted to identify effective characteristics of high-performing, high-poverty schools. Four South Texas Title 1 schools identified as High Performing Schools by the Texas Education Agency in 2016 were selected for the study. To be selected, these schools were also required to meet or exceed a set of criteria applied by the researchers. An effective school model, comprised of eleven characteristics and school processes, was developed based on a synthesis of effective school research and served as the theoretical framework for the study. The characteristics include Culture, Leadership, Instruction, Improvement, Home and Community Relations, …

The Rising Tide Of Child Poverty, Jane Beese, Melissa Mlakar

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Poverty is not a new struggle for families and students. Urban school districts have been plagued with high poverty rates for years, but now poverty is growing at substantial rates in suburban schools. Chronic absenteeism is one recurring problem that high poverty schools, of every typology, face on a regular basis. The case study presented here highlights the work of one urban principal in combating chronic absenteeism in her school. The purpose of this paper is to explore attendance problems in a high-poverty school. While this case study depicts a principal in a high-poverty school in an urban area, the …

Leadership Performance Of Dale Carnegie, Nelson Mandela And Lee Kwan Yew: Applications For Educators, Jean-Pierre Bongila

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

A biographical comparison or prosopography of three leaders Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) (Bacila, 2013), Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) (Kendall, 2014), and Lee Kwan Yew (1923-2015) (Kwang et al., 2015) might seem postmodern because of the divergence of times and cultures where they lived and the social statuses from which they performed their leadership. While Dale Carnegie was born to a poor farming family in Maryville, Missouri at the end of the 19th century America, Nelson Mandela’s family had aristocratic origins since his great-grand father was a tribal chief in South Africa (Lodge, 2006), and Lee Kwan Yew was a well to do …

James Doti And The 25 Year Transformation Of A West Coast University: A Case Study, Adejoke Kassim, Jim Zabloski

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Research was conducted at Chapman University, Orange County, California, to explore the transformational leadership practices of Dr. James Doti, professor of Economics and president emeritus of Chapman University from 1991-2016, who led its transformation from a sleepy liberal arts college in Southern California to a midsized university of national stature. The theoretical framework for the study was the transformational leadership theory by Burns (1978) and Bass (1985). This study investigated the president’s demonstration of the four components of transformational leadership as identified by Bass: Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individual Consideration. Data collection was via interviews, document analysis, …

Next-Level Leadership: Preparing Assistant Principals For Campus Leadership, Jerry R. Burkett

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The workload of campus leaders continues to increase with new expectations for evaluation and supervision, changing legislative mandates, and mounting pressures for improved school accountability. Educational Leadership preparation programs are built on national and state standards related to principal leadership and competency. However, while principal preparation programs have focused intently on instructional leadership development for future principals, most educational leadership candidates do not immediately enter the principalship but rather start their administrative careers as assistant principals. School districts can implement a comprehensive training protocol for their emerging principals using research-based practices to ensure assistant principals have the training, coaching, and …

E-Cigarette And Vape Prevention In Rural Southeast Utah: Outcomes Of Teacher Education, Christina Pay, Jenna Hawks, Jordyn Oman, Cris Meier, Ashley Yaugher

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

“Be Epic” is a multi-component health and wellness program on vape prevention in rural Southeast Utah that targets youth grades 5–12, teachers, and parents. The teacher component included a one-time education session that taught teachers the basics of the “CATCH my Breath” curriculum. Results of a short-term outcome evaluation showed an increase in teachers’ knowledge and confidence related to e-cigarette education.

Understanding First-Generation Hispanic Student Experiences With Community College Campus Resources, Monica Medina

All Theses And Dissertations

Community colleges serve as an essential gateway to higher education for Hispanics. Although first-generation Hispanic (FGHC) students continue to enroll in community colleges, there is limited research to explain their experiences using campus resources. This study’s purpose was to contribute to the existing literature on FGHC students and determine if their use of campus resources helped them succeed. This study used the conceptual framework of academic engagement (Tinto, 1996). Nora’s (2003) and Nora et al’s (2006) student engagement theory as lenses to explain how FGHC students can have pre-college characteristics that can affect their social, academic, and overall goals for …

2021 Fall Nutshell, Morehead State University. Institutional Research & Analysis.

Office of Institutional Research & Analysis Publication Archive

Fall 2021 issue of the Nutshell.

A Profile Of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2021, Portland State University. University Studies Program, Rowanna L. Carpenter

University Studies Assessment Research

In order to better understand the students who enroll in Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) courses and identify areas where they may need support, University Studies (UNST) began collecting and compiling data on these students. This report presents a profile of FRINQ students from Fall 2021. It presents an overview of all students enrolled in FRINQ during Fall 2021 and then summarizes information from the Prior Learning Survey. It is organized around three areas that contribute to student success: academic preparation and concern; financial and physical wellbeing; and connectedness to campus.

Addressing The Poor Reading Performance Of Filipino Learners: Beyond Curricular And Instructional Interventions, Rochelle Irene Lucas, Macario O. Cordell Ii, Jude Michael Teves, Sashimir A. Yap, Unisse Chua Ms., Allan B.I. Bernardo

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

In the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), 15-year old Filipino students ranked last in reading proficiency among all countries/territories, with only 19% meeting the minimum (Level 2) standard. It is important to understand the different factors that contribute to the low reading performance and proficiency of these students, specifically the interventions that may help address this learning problem. Based on the result of a study using machine learning approaches, specifically binary classification methods, to identify the variables that best predict low (Level 1b and lower) vs. higher (Level 1a or better) reading proficiency using the Philippine PISA data, …

An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of data notebooks after implementation in an elementary school in Northeast Florida. This quantitative study was founded on the goal-setting theory, which focuses on setting attainable goals for motivation. The research participants were 45 teachers from a K-5 school. The participants varied in grade level and experience. Data were collected via a survey after teachers had fully implemented data notebooks in the classroom. Understanding teachers' perceptions of data notebooks will encourage school leaders to implement data notebooks to strengthen student accountability, student motivation, and the instructional process in the classroom.

Teachers Report Card 2021: Teachers’ Perceptions Of Education And Their Profession, Australian College Of Educators

Australian College of Educators - National

Teachers play a central role in the development of Australia’s young people. It is essential that their voices are heard by those who make and decide policy, and by others who influence their learning and development. The NEiTA-ACE Teachers Report Card 2021is based on a survey of amplifying the voices of teachers on the state of education and on their profession.

The Centrality Of Social-Emotional Learning For Educators During Crisis: The Role Of The Principal, Corinne Brion, Alison Bachowski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial to human development because SEL helps us maintain supportive relationships and make responsible and caring decisions. This qualitative

study aimed at understanding how, if at all, public school educators looked after their social- emotional health in times of crisis, during COVID-19. The sample consisted of 24 educators in

three school districts in a Midwestern state of the United States. Findings indicated that participants used several strategies to take care of their emotional health. These strategies included making time for non-school related activities, connecting with colleagues, engaging in small acts of kindness, and providing professional development …

A Phenomenological Study To Understand The Transformation Of The Education System In A Rural Missouri High School In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amanda R. Burdick

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the transformation of the education system in a rural-distant Missouri high school in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven content-area educators participated in the study. Data was collected through interviews and archival documents. The data analysis revealed three themes: transition to virtual learning, the new classroom experience, and emotional impact. Within those themes, participants described specific institutional and curricular changes that were made, and the emotional impact that the COVID-19 teaching experience had on them. Results of the study indicated that teachers felt very alone navigating through all of the …

The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to examine to what degree 12 self-reported leadership behaviors were associated with and predictive of school grades in the state of Florida. The study participant sample was exclusively comprised of educational leaders from elementary schools located in Florida. In this descriptive study, elementary principals were surveyed to determine the frequency of leadership behaviors (independent variable) and school grades (dependent variable). Two research questions and hypotheses were posed to address the study’s research problem. Research question one utilized a simple linear regression to assess the predictive variable of the overall leadership practices for …

Fall 2021 Census Campus Enrollment Indicators, Office Of Institutional Effectiveness

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

Fall 2021 Campus Enrollment Indicators Report Census Extract Tables 1-3, Office Of Institutional Effectiveness

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

Fall 2021 Campus Enrollment Indicators Report Dw Summary Table, Office Of Institutional Effectiveness

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

Supporting The Economic Well-Being Of Utahns: Impact Of The Empowering Financial Wellness Program, Amanda Christensen, Melanie Jewkes, Andrea Schmutz, Lendel Narine

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Exacerbated by unpredictable global events, research shows rising consumer debt and generally low levels of financial literacy among adults. In response, USU Extension implemented the Empowering Financial Wellness (EFW) program to provide finance education to residents. EFW seeks to empower individuals and families to achieve economic stability.

4-H Portfolios: A Practical Model For Assessing Youth Impact In Utah Communities, Kelsey W. Romney

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

A statewide youth needs assessment ranked writing cover letters and résumés as top life skills needed by Utah’s youth. The Utah 4-H Portfolio program has taught over 1,600 youth in grades 3 to 12 to write cover letters and résumés since 2019. Working with adult leaders in their communities, youth are using 4-H Portfolios to solidify a clear pathway from their 4-H experience to a successful career.

Who We Are: Focus On… Student Identity, Yarina Aguilar Becerra, Cecilia Diojuan, Jasmine Walker, Neera Malhotra, David Peterson Del Mar, Vicki Reitenauer

University Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

In short

• Increasingly, professionals in higher education are acknowledging the short- and long-term impacts on individuals and communities of institutional failures to create welcoming, inclusive, and caring environments for traditionally underrepresented students.
• Student voices, reflecting on their lived and felt experiences in college, have been less frequently present in the discussions about inclusion in higher education.
• Listening to students from underrepresented groups has the potential to redefine and renew how we understand education and ourselves, offering a template and a foundation for the dense network of relationships that a student-focused institution of higher education ought to aspire to and build …