Educational Psychology Commons^™

A Comparison Of Two Pre-Referral Intervention Committees, Tammy L. Kouser

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to descriptively analyze two pre-referral intervention committees in a New Jersey suburban school district. The committee is also labeled Pupil Assistance Committee (PAC).

The sample was the two committees observed by the researcher. Questionnaires were also filled out by referral teachers to suggest effectiveness of the committees. The referral teachers vary in age and sex.

This study yielded the following findings: the make up of the committees were very similar, the format of the two committees greatly differed, the number of interventions and time spent on students varied between schools, the effectiveness suggested by …

The Effects Of A Cross-Age Peer Tutoring Read Aloud Program On Learning Disabled Resource Room Students, Jeffery G. Wellington

Theses and Dissertations

Preventing school failure of special education students is an issue of immense proportion. Apart from academic needs, many special education students have needs in other areas such as improved self esteem, social skills and behavior that far outweigh the needs of regular education students. This study was designed to investigate the effects of a cross-age peer tutoring read aloud program on sixteen fifth and sixth grade learning resource room students. The subjects' self concept, behavior, discipline referral rate and absenteeism rate were examined in a pre/post intervention design. The subjects were required to tutor by reading aloud to third grade …

The Impact Of Interscholastic Activity Program Participation On Self-Concept, Melanie L. Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

Self-concept is one of the most important constructs in an individual's life. It is the backbone of personal development. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether adolescent students participating in an interscholastic athletic program (basketball) accomplish more substantial gains in self-concept than their non-participant peers. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS:2) was used to assess the baseline data of 40 high school students. Twenty of the students composed the non-active control group, while 20 students composed the experimental, active group. After a ten-week interval, post-test data was gathered. Although results differed based on individual scores, on the average, …

Measuring Computer Usage By Air Force Contracting Personnel As It Relates To Computer Training, John H. Van Hufel

Theses and Dissertations

We know little about how Air Force personnel use the computer resources with which they have been provided, though current plans call for spending over $75M on computer resources throughout the Air Force in FY 97. Research suggests that computer use relates to computer training, computer anxiety, and computer self-efficacy. Managers can take action to ensure that computers are better utilized with knowledge of how computer resources are being used, and an understanding of the effect that training, computer anxiety, and computer self-efficacy have on that usage. This study examines the use of computers by contracting personnel in the Air …

A Study Of Students' Attitude Toward School Climate As Compared Within A Conflict Resolution Group And A Traditional Group, Dawn D. Kelly-Pearson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate students' attitudes toward school climate. One group received Conflict Resolution training and the other group received no training. The program, SCRC, Students Creative Response to Conflict was designed to empower students by giving them the tools to confront and resolve problems that develop on a daily basis. The program focuses on five major areas: affirmation, communication, conflict resolution, cooperation, and bias awareness/appreciation of differences.

The sample group was drawn from four fourth grade classrooms. Each group consisted of thirty-six subjects. There were 61% males and 39% females. Further, 64.6% were Caucasian, 31.7% …

Study Of The Effects Of Inclusion On The Academic Progress Of Regular Education Students, Tracy Alcoy-Clouser

Theses and Dissertations

It was the goal of this study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Team Approach to Mastery (TAM) program on the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT) scores of regular education students in the TAM classroom. The hypothesis suggested that the TAM students would do as well as or better than the students in the non-TAM classroom.

This study observed the progress of twenty-nine fourth grade students that live in a rural area with an urban school population. A pretest posttest design was used. The dependent variable was the MAT, and the TAM program was the independent variable.

An analysis of the …

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Romanticism Among Parenting And Nonparenting Adolescents, Francine D. Ramsey

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to assess the difference between romanticism and self-esteem among parenting (n=13) and nonparenting adolescents (n=18). One subject did not specify status. Parenting adolescents where those who were or had been pregnant. Nonparenting adolescents were those who had never been pregnant. Of the thirty-two subjects, 29 were African American and three were Hispanic. All were a part of a social support group. The subjects ranged in age between 13 and 19. The Dean Romanticism Survey and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory combined were administered. An independent t-test was performed on the variables. The results indicated that parenting adolescents did …

Measures Of Psychological Androgyny In Female Paramedics, Lynn M. Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether female paramedics were found to be more psychologically androgynous than female non-paramedics. The study group consisted of forty-two female paramedics. The control group consisted of forty-two females from occupations typically considered to be "feminine" professions. All subjects were administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory and asked to rate themselves on the sixty (60) personality characteristics contained within the instrument. Independent samples t-tests were performed on the androgyny scores and the masculine and feminine scores for the questionnaire. The results were contrary to prediction and found that the control group was …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Students Referred To A Pre-Referral Intervention Committee, Kelly A. Cruice

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to descriptively analyze the students referred to the pre-referral process in one New Jersey suburban school. The pre-referral process used in this school is a pre-referral intervention committee.

The sample size consists of twenty-one students from elementary school grades kindergarten through grade six. The descriptive data was obtained by developing a coding instrument and coding data from student files. The major method of data analysis used is percentages.

This study yielded the following findings: a majority of the students referred were boys, the total sample scored below average on all areas of standardized tests, …

The Effects Of Single Parenthood On Juvenile Delinquency, Lisa A. Barbetti

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the effects of parental separation and divorce on the occurrence rate of delinquent acts committed by male youths. The age of the child at the time of parental breakup, parental education, and parental employment were also measured for effects on delinquent behavior. The sample consisted of sixty male youths between the ages of twelve and fourteen. The students were sampled while in homeroom at several Vineland, New Jersey public schools. The data analyzed in this study was obtained through administration of a twelve question self report in which the students circled …

The Effects Of Premenstrual Syndrome On Women With Mental Disabilities, Richard H. Doughty Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that P.M.S. has a negative effect for women on many aspects of life. P.M.S. seems to affect social situations, family life, stress, mood, substance abuse, and crime. The purpose of this one way analysis study is to evaluate the effects of P.M.S. on women with mental disabilities with non-compliant behaviors. Fifty women, whose intelligence quotient levels range between severe and profound, who reside in an institution for individuals with mental disabilities were selected for this study. Each woman has some type of non-compliant behavior. Each female has been placed on a behavior modification program plan to reduce …

Family Preservation Services: Aftercare Services That Help Families Maintain Success, Mary S. Perez

Theses and Dissertations

This research reports placement outcomes at 6 months post intervention for a sample of sixty families enrolled in a family preservation program. Families with at least one child who is "at imminent risk" of being placed in the community participated in the family preservation program. During the intervention, families were introduced to several skills(communication and discipline skills) that would enable them to diffuse any crises that may arise due to parent/child conflict. After the families successfully completed the intervention, forty were referred to either another in-home based counseling program or outpatient therapy. Twenty families received no aftercare services. Follow-ups were …

The Adaptive Behavior Scale: A Correlation Study At A Residential Treatment Facility, Simone Bey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine correlation of scores on the American Association on Mental Retardation Adaptive Behavior Scale-School Second Edition (ABS-SE:2) across two settings. The sample consisted of thirteen males and seventeen females who participate in a Behavior Disorders program. It was hypothesized that scores would be significant at the .05 level (p<.05). Previous research on adaptive behavior scales has resulted in mixed findings. Partially this is due to problems and differences in methodology. First, there are four versions and editions of the AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scales that have been utilized in research within the last twenty years. Second, differences in sample variations affected these results. For example, subjects were included with a range of intellectual functioning (severe to normal) and classification (e.g., conduct disorder). Further, correlation between settings (school and home) in previous research had ranged from low to high. About half of the studies reviewed indicated significant correlation between parent and teacher scores. The other half indicated an insignificant relationship between these scores. Score correlations were computed with the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient(r). The results indicate significant correlations on seven Domains. Also, residential counselors rated subjects higher on six Part Two Domains.

The Head Start Program And Subsequent Reading And Math Achievement Of First Graders, Marisa B. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of the Head Start Preschool Program on fist graders' academic achievement in math and reading. A literature review reported the results of other studies and the effect of early educational experiences on at-risk students' elementary school achievement. In general, these studies found that early educational intervention increased cognitive gains in the primary grades, but these gains were not sustained in the upper grades. Also, students from low socio-economic areas demonstrated greater gains than middle class children, In the present study, the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills was administered to first grade students of low socio-economic …

A Comparative Study Of Social Competence And Antisocial Behavior Between Regular Education And Learning Disabled Children, Kathleen A. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested the hypothesis that learning disabled children, when compared to regular education children at an equivalent age level, would score significantly lower on a test of social competence and significantly higher on a test of antisocial behavior according to a teacher rated behavior Scale. Sixty 5th and 6th grade students, 34 males and 26 females, were assigned to one of three conditions according to their educational classification: regular education (N=26), learning disabled resource (N=16), or learning disabled self-contained (N=18).

Four teachers served as judges and rated a selected number of subjects on the constructs social competence and antisocial …

A Study Examining Social Skills Ratings In A Special Education Classroom, George J. Rafferty

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of relationship between students' self-ratings scores and their teacher's and teacher assistant's scores. Ten students classified ED were chosen, along with a social comparison group of ten regular education students. A correlational matrix was computed to measure the degree of association between students' self-ratings and their teachers' ratings of them. The same was done for the regular education sample. Two t-tests for independent samples were used to (1) measure any differences between the ratings of the special education teacher and the regular education teacher, and (2) measure any differences between …

Classroom Management Skills And Teacher Locus Of Control, Sandy Sheard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of a relationship between locus of control of early childhood teachers and their behavior management skills. Subjects in the study were 55 group teachers in child care centers serving children ages 3 to 5 in low, middle and high socioeconomic communities in Camden County, New Jersey. The teachers were rated by their supervisors on the Classroom Management Rating Scale (CMRS), a 13 item Likert like scale developed for this study. Teachers completed a self rating on the CMRS and Rotter's I-E Locus of Control Scale. The Rotter I-E scores and …

The Validity Of The Beck Depression Inventory-7 In The Crisis Center Setting, Ross Feld

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness and validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-7, a seven question multiple choice self report questionnaire that measures the severity of depression in a crisis center setting, in order to lend support to whether or not a patient's self report of symptoms matches a clinical evaluation of their chief complaint, done with the Prime MD Mood Module. The sample consisted of fifty subjects, 23 females and 27 males. All subjects presented to the emergency room an initial chief complaint of depression, suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. Upon arrival in the …

Children's Perceptions Of Autonomy And Success At School, Margaret Laney Leigh

Theses and Dissertations

Perceptions and experiences relevant to autonomy were explored in interviews with thirty elementary students in first, third and fifth grades. Ten questions probed attitudes toward autonomy versus control in school, home and play; and opportunities for autonomy in the same three settings. Observations and school records provided additional evidence. Qualitative and quantitative methods were combined to discover themes in student perceptions and to correlate those themes with student characteristics. The great majority of the students were motivated to learn and wanted to cooperate with teachers and other adults. However they viewed learning as a passive experience where autonomy was neither …

Effect Of Parenting Style And Supervision On Adolescent Risky Behavior And Academic Achievement, David L. Mccullough

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether correlations existed between parenting style, degree of supervision, risky behavior (substance use) and academic achievement. Subjects' responses were also summarized to develop a profile of the population's behaviors and attitudes.

The study was based on 57 high school seniors' responses to a 95-item questionnaire which they voluntarily completed during their home economics class at Woodstown High School in southern New Jersey.

Relationships were analyzed by applying the chi square test for independence using the critical value of alpha at .05. The results of this analysis indicated that the hypothesized relationships approached …

The Effect Of A Drug Use Prevention Curriculum On A Measure Of Self-Esteem, Irven E. Simpkins Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Longitudinal studies have indicated that drug use prevention curricula are effective in increasing students' knowledge of the harmful effects of drugs, improving their social skills, and developing healthier interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effect of a drug use prevention curriculum on students' self-esteem over a short time span. Sixty-seven students were pretested with a measure of self-esteem after being divided into a target and a control group. Five lessons were taught to the target group over a period of five weeks. All students were then posttested and the results were analyzed using a …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Teacher Stress And Pupil Control Ideology, Genevieve Nichole Pacitti

Theses and Dissertations

Education is a priority in our society. Teacher stress has been identified as a disruptive factor toward productiveness within the classroom. Pupil control ideology has been seen in educational literature as a teacher characteristic affecting individual stress levels of teachers. The purpose of this study was to investigate: the relationship between teachers' pupil control orientation and five factors of teacher stress; the relationship between years of teaching experience and perceived job-induced stress; and the relationship between gender and pupil-control orientation. Data was collected through two questionnaire surveys and an information sheet. Subjects were 72 full-time secondary Catholic school teachers. Analyses …

Correlational Study On Reading Readiness And Reading Achievement Test Scores, Josephine A. Morales

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between Reading Readiness and Reading Achievement Test scores. Reading Readiness was associated with higher Reading Achievement.

Three schools in a low socio-economic section of an inner city school district provided the sample used in this study. The sample consisted of thirty-five Limited English Proficient Students (17 boys and 18 girls). All children were of Hispanic heritage.

The Reading Readiness and Reading Achievement Test scores were compared and analyzed. A Spearman's rho correlational coefficient was used to measure and describe the relationship between both reading test scores.

The analysis …

Comparison Of Two Approaches In Teaching Reading To Limited English Proficient Students And Their Academic Achievement, Gloria Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine which of two instructional approaches. Whole-Language or Distar (Direct Instruction), was more effective in producing higher levels of academic achievement in bilingual first grade students. It was predicted that the bilingual students receiving instruction through the Whole-Language approach would demonstrate higher academic achievement than those receiving instruction through the Distar approach.

A Pre and Post District Skills Inventory Test for reading (Communication Arts) was administered to the students in each instructional approach group. There were nine students in each group. The resulting scores were analyzed statistically using a t test design for …

Factors Relating To Successful Placement In A Minimal Supervision Program For Mentally Retarded Adults, Scott Rahl

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine what characteristics are significant in determining successful adjustment to residence in a minimal supervision apartment program for mentally challenged adults. The subjects consisted of nine women and four men, all of whom are mentally deficient to varying degrees, and four of whom suffer from mental illness as well. The subjects range in age from 22 to 76 with a mean age of 43. The subjects intellectual functioning levels, as determined by their psychological evaluations, were examined along with the rate at which they completed daily living tasks as detailed by their Individual …

Sensory Stimulation During The Prewriting Stages Of Creative Writing, Randy G. Yarwasky

Theses and Dissertations

Written expression is becoming more and more important in the language arts classrooms of America. Research has shown that sensory stimulation can help students access previously encoded experiences. These encoded representations are viable material to be used in the creative writing process. Fifth grade level 11 readers from Lower Township Elementary School District were employed in this study to determine the role of sensory experience in the language classroom. Students were read a selection and then received either visual stimulation, audio stimulation, audiovisual stimulation, or a control treatment. Hypotheses were that students who received stimulation would preform significantly better on …

Profile Of Adolescent Depression, Mary E. Delcorio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine specific factors related to adolescents diagnosed with major depression, admitted to an inpatient adolescent mental health unit. The specific factors are birth order, family stability, history of drug and/or alcohol abuse and gender. There were 31 subjects in this study, ages 11 to 17 years. Of these subjects, 18 were female and 13 were male. The data collected was ex post facto. From the subjects' charts, gender, age, birth order, family stability and history of drug and/or alcohol abuse were obtained. This data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, mostly percentages. The results …

A Study Of The Effects Of A Social Problem Solving Intervention With Emotionally Disturbed Youth At A Special Services School, Wendy E. Sack

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this pretest-posttest descriptive study was to examine the efficacy of a SPS training intervention for emotionally disturbed children in the special education system, with respect to social skills acquisition, family environment, reduction in non-compliant behaviors and sociometric status. Participants included eighteen students in four self-contained classrooms of a Special Services Regional Day School. The sample included one white female, eleven white males, three black and three Hispanic males with a mean age of eleven years and ten months.

All classes were exposed to a six month program with lessons from the Readiness Phase of Elias and Clabby's …

Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Youth At Risk For Low Self-Esteem And Depression, Lynne M. Rossi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine if gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are at a higher risk for low self-esteem and depression than straight male and female youth. This study further investigated whether gay and bisexual male youth are at a higher risk for low self-esteem and depression than lesbian and bisexual female youth.

The 59 participants, ages 15 to 21, were obtained through a general undergraduate college sample and a selected sample of subjects involved in gay/lesbian community youth groups and college organizations. Of the 59 subjects, 29 were straight males and females and 30 were gay, …

Review Of A Partial Care Program For Severely Emotionally Disturbed Youth, Christina Schoener

Theses and Dissertations

The need for research on programs for Emotionally Disturbed (ED) children and adolescents is great. The present study examined a partial care program for ED youth in New Jersey. There were 120 subjects in this study. Several characteristics of these subjects were examined – gender, race, age, diagnosis, and family status. The study also examined the subjects' average length of stay in the program.and reasons for being discharged. In addition, the ratio of clients to staff was studied. The data was collected by examining the files of past and present clients to gather the necessary information. Descriptive statistics were used …