Educational Leadership Commons^™

Salting The Oats - Preparing Adjunct Faculty To Be Effective Teachers: A Professional Development Intervention At A Community College, Carol Christine Salmon

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study used a mixed method research design to examine the effects of a targeted professional development program, Project A.P.T. (Academy for Part-time Teachers), on effectiveness of four adjunct faculty as instructors. Project A.P.T. was developed to help acclimate new pm1-tirne faculty to community college teaching. Though faculty may repo11 that they implement whal they have learned, rarely do colleges evaluate the impact of faculty development on student learning. Given the needs of community college students, many of whom enter under-prepared, it is imperative that the largest majority of the faculty, adjuncts, come to the classroom as highly trained and …

The Effects Of Professional Development To Create Standards-Based Curriculum On Student Achievement In Fourth And Fifth Grade Mathematics Classrooms, Amy E. Mcbride Martin

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics determined there were several concepts or "standards" needed for quality teaching of math. While few dispute their importance, little support and resources are provided to help teachers understand and meet these standards. Long term professional development which focuses on how to teach with these standards could play a crucial role in improving the academic achievement of students. In this study, professional development opportunities were provided for teachers to explore the various elements of mathematics and develop a better understanding of how to teach them. The main purpose of the research was to study …

Undergraduate Catalog, 2006-2007, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2006-2007 undergraduate academic catalog and introduction to the university.

2006 Nova Southeastern University Convocation Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Convocation Programs

No abstract provided.

The Challenges International Students Face In Adjusting To Their New Status As Graduate Students: An Exploratory Case Study, Vincent Womujuni

Dissertations and Theses

Over the last several years, the number of international students attending colleges and universities in the United States has increased substantially. While considerable time, effort, and university resources are often devoted to the recruitment of international students, it is unclear how well institutions are meeting the needs of these students. This growing number of international students requires foreign exchange professionals and university administrators to better understand the reasons why international students pursue higher education in the United States and the challenges they face.

This exploratory case study is to examine the challenges international graduate students encounter in adjusting to their …

A Qualitative Study Of Stakeholders' Beliefs About The Use Of A Standards-Based Academic Reporting System, Gina Gail Berridge

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As school districts across our nation are making changes in curriculum and instruction to comply with the mandates of No Child Left Behind (No Child Left Behind, 2002), new reports to parents about student achievement are emerging. These reports are standards-based and clearly communicate to stakeholders what the student knows and is able to do based on the state standards. This qualitative case study, analyzing data collected in the 2005-2006 school year, describes principals', teachers', and parents' beliefs about the use of a standards-based report card. Through the use of individual interviews, insight was gained about the views and opinions …

A Curriculum Unit For 8th Grade Students Of Spanish: ¿CóMo Eras Tú De NiñO? (What Were You Like As A Child?), Cheyenne A. Jones

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The following Independent Study, written in partial fulfillment for a Master of Science degree in Middle-Level Education from Bank Street College, is a nine-lesson curriculum unit on the study of imperfect tense verbs in Spanish. The unit, titled ¿Cómo eras tú de niño? (What Were You Like As a Child?) was designed for 8th grade English-speaking students of Spanish.

Moving A Middle School Toward Inclusion: The Principal's Role In Leading The Change Process To Ensure Program Success, Sherri L. Mitchell

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A school's transition to include more special education students in regular classrooms is a fundamental change that impacts all faculty, staff, and students. The purpose of this study was to consider inclusion of middle school special education students in regular classrooms from the perspective of principals, special education teachers and regular education teachers. From these three perspectives, best practices for inclusion, barriers and supports to inclusion, and the principal's role as change agent when moving a middle school towards inclusion were investigated. One-hundred Indiana middle schools were randomly selected. Surveys were sent to the principal, one special education and one …

Supporting Alternate Routes To Teacher Certification: Principals' Perceptions, Joy L. Russell

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine principals' perceptions regarding the importance of six dimensions of support for Traditional and Alternative Route to Teacher Certification (AR TC) graduates. Additionally, this study compares principals' perceived importance of these support dimensions for ARTC graduates to the perceived importance of these support dimensions for Traditionally Certified graduates. Information was also collected regarding the relationship between the support dimensions for AR TC graduates and building grade levels and areas of teaching specialization. A sample population of principals employing one or more graduates from two Eastern Illinois University ARTC programs was used for …

The Effect Of Middle Level Grade Configurations On Eighth Grade Academic Achievement In Indiana, Bruce A. Hibbard

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of middle level grade configurations on eighth grade academic achievement as determined by the results reported on the ISTEP+ (Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus). Furthermore, the study analyzed the effects of grade configuration, school locale, and transition type on eighth grade academic achievement. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design was employed to collect and analyze the data for this study. One hundred eighty middle schools (grades 6-8), 4 7 junior high schools (grades 7/8), and 66 junior/senior high schools (grades 7-12) were examined using eighth grade …

Principals' Use Of Student Achievement Data To Improve Schools And Influence Change, Tracy Lorey

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to 1) determine how principals use student achievement data to initiate school improvement, and 2) examine the relationship between test scores and how change is influenced in schools. The study surveyed 262 principals of Title I elementary schools with a kindergarten through fifth grade configuration regarding data usage and their perception of change. 2004-2005 IS TEP+ percent mastery scores were utilized to determine the top and bottom performing schools for the data usage portion of the study. Percent mastery scores on the 2004-2005 ISTEP+ were also used to determine a relationship between perceived influences …

Catalog, 2005-2006, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2005-2006 academic catalog and introduction to the college.

Why Are School Districts Abandoning The Core-Plus Mathematics Curriculum, Amber Rae Richgels

Mathematics Graduate Theses

In this paper, the author establishes that high schools are abandoning the Core-Plus Mathematics curriculum and determines the need for curricular reform and the motivation to develop such standards-based programs. She discovers that although Core- Plus is a nationally recognized, exemplary mathematics curriculum, school districts are deciding to discontinue the curricular option of Core-Plus. The author reviewed literature and interviewed teachers from schools that have recently decided to abandon Core-Plus in attempt to determine factors leading to these decisions. This paper discusses those interviews, provides suggestions for the future adoption of Core-Plus, and concludes with recommendations that further study be …

"Varying Realities Of The Human Experience": University Studies Program At Portland State University, Charles Ryan Brown, Grace L. Dillon, Celine Fitzmaurice, Greg Jacob, Yves P. Labissiere, Antonia Levi, Cherry Muhanji, Candyce Reynolds, Jack C. Straton

University Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Like many institutions of higher education, Portland State University (PSU) has engaged in initiatives to promote a more equitable and democratic society, from curricular changes to institutional policy implementation. In the late 1980s, PSU required students to complete a certain number of “diversity” credits as part of its general education requirements. During the 1990s, PSU radically revised its approach to general education, creating the University Studies Program that places diversity awareness among its core goals. Most recently, current President Daniel O. Bernstine has instituted a comprehensive “Diversity Initiative” as part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the quality …

Explaining Variation In State Implementation Of No Child Left Behind, Julie Gronquist

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

A Qualitative Study Of Instructional Teams In An Elementary School, Rebecca Courtney Lane

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Working in teams is common throughout all areas of American society and research by Senge, Kleiner, Roberts, Ross, and Smith (1994), Bensimon and Neumann (1993), Buckley (2000), DiPardo (1999), Erb (1997), and others have described its use in business and secondary schools. Since the implementation of Public Law 221 in Indiana, general education teachers and special education teachers have been working together to better instruct students with Individual Education Plans (Gable & Manning, 1999; Gately & Gately, 2001). However, very little has been written on the elementary instructional team and the interaction of its teammates. Analyzing data collected during the …

Qualitative Analysis Of Aaup Principles And Ihep Benchmarks And The Policies Of The Six U.S. Regional Accrediting Bodies On Distance Education, Julia Ann Hypes

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study strives to identify the differences and similarities among the accrediting policies on distance education of the six regional accrediting agencies for two-year and four-year institutions. Levels of incorporation of the American Association of University Professor (AAUP) principles and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) benchmarks regarding distance education are identified and listed as either detailed, partial, or none. The growth of distance education programs in higher education must have direction and focus and the distance education policies of the accrediting agencies provide that guidance. The method employed in the gathering of data was a qualitative document analysis. …

Catalog, 2004-2005, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2004-2005 academic catalog and introduction to the college.

Teaching Our Teachers: Practical Suggestions To Improve The Quality Of Learning In Bemidji State University's Department Of Professional Education, Ann M. Gassert Carstens

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

The Effects Of The Use Of Dynamic Geometry Software On Student Achievement And Interest, Heidi B. Hansen

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examines the current research that exists on the effects that the use of dynamic geometry software has on student achievement and interest level in mathematics. Additional questions examined are whether using dynamic geometry software has a greater impact on high or low achievers, and what current methods of implementation are suggested by the research. A review of the relevant literature indicates that the use of dynamic geometry software does have a positive effect on student achievement, particularly achievement in areas of high-level thinking. Insufficient research has been done on the effect that the use of dynamic geometry software …

Nurturing The Development Of Teacher Change Agents Within A Teacher Education Program, Barbara Ruben

Dissertations and Theses

The American education system has two daunting challenges. First, citizens need to be able to function in an interdependent world. Second, public schools' demographics have changed dramatically. Schools are failing to reach many students, particularly children of color and poverty. Schools must change to meet the needs of 21^st century students. Without teachers' openness to change, effective educational reform win fail. Schools of education must prepare the next generation of teachers to be change agents who will implement school reform to meet the significantly different requirements of 21^st century students.

This study examined how one graduate teacher education …

Using Electronic Portfolios As A Pedagogical Practice To Enhance Student Learning, Yves P. Labissiere, Candyce Reynolds

University Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Real learning transcends barriers of time and place. It can also provide a bag of tools one can take on the journey through life. Some students, unfortunately, leave college with empty toolkits, or ones they do not know how to open. Engaging students in the process of salient, transformative learning is a challenge, but one worth taking. Tagg (2004) speaks eloquently in a recent About Campus article about the need for faculty to use practices in the classroom that improve the quality of learning, and calls for faculty to help students claim their learning and engage in what Kegan (1995) …

Catalog, 2003-2004, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2003-2004 academic catalog and introduction to the college.

Implementation Of An Assessment Center At A Post-Secondary Two-Year College: Faculty Stages Of Concern, Deanna L. King

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was twofold. First, the study attempted to predict how post-secondary two-year college faculty embraced change as measured by the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ). Second, the study assessed whether formal training in the use of assessment centers would affect the concerns, attitudes and perceptions of college faculty at a post-secondary two-year institution about the implementation ofthe assessment center innovation in their institutions. This study used existing data collected by Ivy Tech State College- Wabash Valley Region. The population consisted of 44 faculty members from Ivy Tech State College- Wabash Valley Region who completed the SoCQ …

Service Learning: Information, Examples, And Advantages, Nicholas P. Varien

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Catalog, 2002-2003, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2002-2003 academic catalog and introduction to the college.

Indiana Public School Superintendents' Perceptions Of Literature Based Reasons For Implementing Full Day Kindergarten, Scott Daniel Hanback

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to compare superintendents' perceptions of their reasons for implementing full day kindergarten in their schools based on twenty-seven literature based elements relative to corporation location, size, and socio-economic status. These twenty-seven elements of full day kindergarten were clustered into three independent categories: student learner benefit, social adjustment benefit, and school corporation community benefit. The population for this study was the 115 Indiana Public School Superintendents that implement full day kindergarten in their schools. The superintendents were surveyed to glean their perception as to how important the twenty-seven literature based elements were in their decision …

What Effective Middle School Principals Do To Impact School Climate, Tammy Dee Roeschlein

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose of the Study. The Lwo purposes of this mixed-methodology sludy were to: (1) examine or quantitatively analyze the relationship between leacher perception of principal effectiveness and principal perception of principal effectiveness, and (2) qualitatively investigate the differences between what more effective principals and less effective principals do to impact school climate. iii Procedures. The first phase of the study was quantitative; 254 public middle schools with a grade configuration of six through eight were included in the original sample. Principal effectiveness data was collecled in each of the identified middle schools using the Principal Leadership Inventory developed by Barbara …

Nsu Doctor In Education In Organizational Leadership August 2002, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Means And Ends Of The Andrews University Leadership Program: A Study Of Its Critical Components And Outcomes As They Relate To The Mission Statement, José A. Alaby

Dissertations

Problem. The history of education shows tensions between its means and ends. Tensions became more apparent in contemporary Christian educational institutions. The Leadership Program (LP) of Andrews University was developed as an alternative and innovative means of delivering graduate education with a defined mission. It is job-embedded-theory and practice are united in the participants' workplaces, where they show their competency in 20 areas. It stresses the importance of the individuality of the participant in the development of a teaching/learning community. Yet, the dialectical relationship of the LP's ends and means has not been systematically studied in light of its …