Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

A Field Experience: Teacher Orientation, Rena J. Talbert

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was three fold: 1) to determine the existence of formal teacher orientation programs, 2) the contents of the programs, and 3) the level of satisfaction by the principal(s) regarding the formal teacher orientation programs for newly employed teachers. A survey of the high schools in Educational Service Centers 15, 16, 17, and 18 was conducted.

In addition, a thorough review of literature and research associated with the need and benefits from a teacher orientation program was presented. Included in the review was the components of a mentor program.

An analysis of the survey results …

Desired And Achieved Elements In The Science Curriculum, Marilyn L. Hawk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: Purpose 1 was to determine to what degree the desirable characteristics of a quality science program based upon the national standards as developed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) were actually being achieved as perceived by the public school secondary science teachers and supervisory personnel in Tennessee. Purpose 2 was to determine to what degree the quality components of a good science curriculum based upon the national standards as developed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) were considered to be desirable components of a quality secondary science program by the public …

Reviews: Professional Materials, Kathryn Kinnucan-Welsch, Sherry R. Myers, Paul Bright, Jeanne M. Jacobson

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Reviews of the following:

• Basic Reading Inventory (Jerry L. Johns)
• Merry Christmas, Amanda and April (Bonnie Pryor)
• Chicken Man (Michelle Edwards)
• All the Lights in the Night (Arthur A. Levine)
• Jack and the Beanstalk (Steven Kellogg)
• The Swineherd (Hans Christian Andersen)
• The Worst Person’s Christmas (James Stevenson)
• That’s Exactly the Way it Wasn’t (James Stevenson)
• An Auto Mechanic; A Carpenter; A Potter (Douglas Florian)
• Meredith’s Mother Takes the Train (Deborah Lee Rose)

Merging Instruction In Thinking And Writing, Victoria L. Morse

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

Two largely independent bodies of literature exist on both teaching to promote students' critical and creative thinking abilities and teaching to promote the shift between novice and more expert writing. The author looks closely at both bodies of literature and merges common principles to create an extended curriculum unit designed to teach simultaneously toward expert thinking and expert writing. The unit contains such diverse activities as: 1) an acrostic puzzle; 2) reading articles on themes related to Hamlet; 3) the use of dialectical notebooks; 3) an explicit investigation into the nature of problem solving; 4) using emphatic role-playing to bring …

Knowledge Of And Response To Copyright Law, School Copyright Policy, And Copyright-Related Issues: Survey Of Secondary School Principals And Librarians, Koleta B. Tilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was that, with the impact of new media and delivery systems, principals and librarians must respond to copyright issues in order to remain informed about the copyright law and the legal use of media. The purpose of this study was to gather and evaluate educator response to issues related to copyright. The study was conducted with a sample of regionally accredited secondary schools in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. A total of 1008 questionnaires were mailed to the principal and the librarian of …

Non-Sexist Language Curriculum Guidebook, Maureen Parrella Steiner

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Included is a skills development curriculum unit for secondary English students which encourages the use of non-sexist language with creativity within the content area. The study contains lists of objectives, writing, reading and group activities, an attitude survey for students and an evaluation checklist for teachers. Classroom discussions, films, fairy tales and skills development exercises are used to help students recognize and find alternatives to sexist language. The rationale for the teaching of non-sexist language is based on the theory that how we speak stems from how we think, and visa-versa. If sexism in reading and writing is identified and …

An Analysis Of The Form And Content Of History Curriculum For Secondary Schools In The English-Speaking Caribbean, Ruby Nerissa Hutchinson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to assess the form and content of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) history curriculum to see to what extent it represents the stance of self-determination. This is reflected in the movement away from the effects of colonization in the Englishspeaking Caribbean countries towards greater political and institutional independence. One history curriculum is examined because of the need for detailed examination of content of the document and because that history curriculum best represents the trend of curriculum development in the region. Curriculum displays the substantial impact educational development is having in the region. The study …

An Analysis Of The Impacts Of The Illinois Board Of Higher Education' S Admission Requirements On Selected High Schools In East Central Illinois, Stephen C. Selle

Masters Theses

The Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1985 instituted mandatory subject admission requirements for all state universities beginning in the year 1990. Subsequent legislative action by the Illinois General Assembly has moved these requirements back to 1993. This field experience investigated the possible impacts of these requirements on rural schools of under 500 students in east central Illinois. A cover letter explaining the purpose of the study and a two page questionnaire were mailed to twenty- one schools. Sixteen schools in the counties of Vermillion, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, and Will responded and were the focus of the study. Enrollment patterns …

A Demographic Evaluation Of The Certification Qualifications Of Secondary Science Teachers With Implications For School Administrators, Joan S. Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This population study of the certification qualifications of the secondary science teachers of the Upper East Tennessee region in 1984-85 was conducted to determine if there was a qualification shortage in any science-teaching area at the beginning of the Comprehensive Education Reform Act (CERA). Data were obtained from the Tennessee State Department of Education Preliminary Report Forms for Staff. Subject certification data and 1984-85 teaching assignment were analyzed to find percentages of infield, out-of-field teaching and the size of the internal pool of active certificated science teachers who were not teaching. Results of these analyses were presented for each system …

A Survey Of Factors Affecting Enrollment In Mathematics Teacher Education Programs, Rebecca Miller

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Concern for an adequate supply of competent mathematics teachers prompted this research. The study was implemented to identify the factors believed to be of importance in a student's decision concerning whether or not to become a public school teacher.

A comparison was made between two groups of mathematics students at Western Kentucky University. Mathematics students were separated according to whether or not they were pursuing teacher certification.

A two-part questionnaire was administered. The first part asked students to rate the importance of 10 selected career factors in their career decision. The second part asked students to rate these same 10 …

Dorchester: The Community Teaches, A Resource Book Of Information And Activities, Institute For Learning & Teaching, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Institute for Learning and Teaching Publications

We have prepared this manual of resources and activities so that Dorchester teachers and children can explore their community. We have done so in the belief that community studies can be a valuable addition to the curriculum. They involve children in thinking about and taking part in the affairs of their community. Through community studies, children in the process of becoming citizens can learn how to participate in and have an impact on their community. In this time of widespread apathy, despair, and resignation about community problems, education for citizenship is a top priority.

When children are learning about their …

A Study Of Group Attitudes Toward The Professional Status Of Teachers In Selected Adventist Elementary And Secondary Schools, Edward Joseph Kunitz

Dissertations

Problem. It was not known to what extent groups associated with Adventist education supported the professional role orientation of teaching which in turn affected the work behavior and morale of teachers.

Method. A Professional Role Orientation Scale (PROS) was responded to by 701 randomly selected subjects. The scale contained four criteria identifying professional aspects of teaching as a profession. Responses to the instrument were item weight analyzed and judged for point multiserial reliability before insertion into a BMDP statistical program. Four null hypotheses were tested using two-way ANOVA with the Scheffe test for multiple mean comparisons. Stepwise multiple regressions were …

Comparative Instructor Attitudes Toward College Level English And Mathematics Experiences For Gifted High School Students, Bruce Vickers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Samples derived from a mailed questionnaire were compared. The sample represented high school, community college and university instructors of mathematics and English. The Kentucky public schools sampled were equally represented among high school, community colleges and universities. The research indicated that of those instructors sampled a very high percentage (97.7%) feel that those high school students shown to be academically gifted would benefit from a college experience before high school graduation. The attitudes of those instructors sampled indicated that multiple criteria – grades, recommendations, standardized test scores and personal interview – were considered the preferred method of selection (82.5%). The …

The Effects Of Computer Assisted Instruction In Basic Skills Courses On High-Risk Ninth Grade Students, Thomas E. Dellario

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in basic skills English and mathematics courses on high-risk ninth grade students. Utilizing an ex post facto design, the study was undertaken to determine if CAI courses make any measurable difference in students' academic achievement. The study also examines three nonacademic concerns relating to the school-imposed, high-risk, label carried by these students: attendance, student behavior, and dropouts.

Data were collected from school personnel offices on 384 ninth grade students enrolled in four high schools of two urban school districts. Because of student drops from school, …

Activities In World History For Artistically Talented Students, Brenda Peck Oliver

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The unique characteristics and needs of artistically talented students were explored. World history students at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts were used as a test group for the utilization of a variety of art forms in teaching world history. Lesson plans using art media for each unit of study in world history were constructed. Students responded to each lesson by completing an attitude survey. The conclusion was that the use of a variety of art in world history increased student interest and motivation. The increased student motivation resulted in a failure rate of approximately 5%, significantly lower than …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Oral Communication Apprehension And Cognitive Restructuring In High School Speech Class, Lolita Fox Balch

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a cognitive restructuring unit in the reduction of oral communication apprehension (CA) and the enhancement of semester grades in high school speech class. The unit was designed to raise self-acceptance, and thereby, self-confidence, especially in oral communication.

The experimental treatment method, cognitive restructuring (plus skills training), was compared with the skills training only traditional speech class method. Both treatment methods were reviewed, as well as inappropriate treatment methods for classroom and clinic.

Subjects registered in four different speech courses were randomly assigned by computer to classes which were then …

Motivation Of Secondary-School Teachers In The Lake Union Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists Based On Herzberg's Dual-Factor Theory Of Job Satisfaction And Motivation, Khillah Latif Khillah

Dissertations

Several studies in industry and public education have defined areas of job satisfactionand dissatisfaction. It appears that the Seventh-day Adventist secondary-school teachers are confronted with most of the same motivating factors as their counterparts in public schools. Job dissatisfaction can result in teacher mobility which may disrupt the operation of any school system.

The study population included all the secondary-school teachers for 1984-85 in ten Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists senior academies. Herzberg'sinstrument to measure workers' motivation was modified and used for the collection of data; Chi-square and Spearman r tests provided tests of significance as well as rank …

A Study Of The Relationship Between High School Graduation Requirements And Student A.C.T. Assessment Scores In Public High Schools In The State Of Michigan, William M. Pritchard

Dissertations

The literature has pointed toward changes in high school curriculum as a contributor to the decline of standardized test scores during the 1960's and 1970's. During the past few years, many schools have increased graduation requirements in various subject areas in an effort to increase learning on the part of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the number of years of required study in various subject areas on student achievement.

The population that was studied included all public high schools in the State of Michigan. Two hundred thirty-eight schools were sampled from the population, …

The Realities Of Being A Part-Time Esl Teacher, Rebecca Jean Banken

MA TESOL Collection

In an attempt to describe the position of a part-time ESL teacher in a secondary school, this paper explores what is involved. The components of teaching as well as the components of learning are discussed. The paper also addresses issues faced by part-time ESL teachers and administrators and presents suggestions on how to cope with these issues.

Ua37/30/2 Wku Research Notecards - H Topics, Lowell Harrison

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Notecards created by Lowell Harrison while researching his book Western Kentucky University. The cards transcribed are for 108 topics beginning with H ranging from Hail Storm to Hundred Club.

Importance, Training, And Ability In Selected Classroom Management Skills As Perceived By Beginning Secondary Teachers In Indiana, Mark Ellett Pitts

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of beginning teachers in Indiana secondary schools concerning twenty selected classroom management skills. The study sought information about the perceived importance of, and level of training and ability in, each skill. It investigated the relationship among the importance of, and training and ability in,classroom management in general; it also investigated the relationship among the importance of, and training and ability in, individual classroom management skills. Method. Survey instruments were mailed to the 672 Indiana teachers in their second year of teaching. The 220 responses were tabulated, and rank order …

Alternative Concepts Of Geology And Time In Secondary Science Education, Ralph K. Calitri

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This study examines students’ concepts of time and geologic processes and probes for alternative conceptions in these areas which would be of relevance for science education.

Water Crisis--An Approach For Teachers Of Grades 7-12, George L. Harp

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Nuclear Armament/Disarmament As A Topic In Decision-Making Models In Secondary Social Studies Classrooms, Karen Holman Reeves

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to determine the current status of the nuclear armament/disarmament issue as a topic for the moral decision-making model in secondary social studies curriculums and to establish guidelines for its inclusion in future lessons. A review of the relevant literature provided the basis for a questionnaire mailed to four hundred, randomly selected social studies department chairpersons. Their attitudes regarding the legitimacy of the topic and methods employed in instructional lessons were addressed. Survey results were categorized according to respondents' incorporation of the topic into their curriculum and whether they taught in public or private institutions. A majority of …

High School Faculty Institute For Chemistry Teachers, Babu George

Chemistry & Physics Faculty Publications

The High School Faculty Institute for Chemistry Teachers was established at Sacred Heart University in April 1980 with the long term goal to assist teachers in inspiring students to take up chemistry as a career or to continue studies in chemistry.

A Comparative Study Of Teacher Burnout In Regular And Special Elementary And Secondary Teachers, Carolyn Yvonne Wells Simmons

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent, if any, does stress resulting in burnout differ among regular and special educators. Three hundred regular and special education teachers in the public school systems of Chesapeake and Portsmouth, Virginia participated in the study, The regular teachers represented a range of educational levels from kindergarten to twelfth grade, The special education teachers represented a range of educational levels from pre-school to the senior high level and from self-contained classes to resource rooms. A 2x2 analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Rank ordering of the mean scores …

The Cloze Procedure: A Measure Of Reading Comprehension Ability, Theresa Lorene Donaldson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present study was conducted in order to determine if a relationship exists between those comprehension processes measured by the Paragraph Comprehension subtest of the McGraw-Hill Basic Skills System Reading Test and the cloze test developed for this project. Two classes of undergraduate education majors enrolled in “Foundations of Performance-Based Education” were administered both the cloze test and the multiple choice comprehension test.

A correlation coefficient was computed between the summary scores on the McGraw-Hill and the summary scores on the cloze test. The results yielded a correlation of .021. These results did not support the research hypothesis.

An Ethnographic Approach To The Initial Professional Education Of Teachers, K. J. Stevens

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Educational ethnography has become part of the research tradition of both sociology and anthropology, that is, "research on and in educational institutions based on participant observation and/or permanent recordings of everyday life in naturally-occurring settings" (Delamont & Atkinson, 1980). While most graduate students of education will today be familiar with ethnographic research, this paper outlines a way in which first year students can also make creative use of some aspects of this approach.

During their professional education, pre-service teachers are expected to make the transition from the status of student to that of teacher. For some this is an abrupt …

An Analysis Of Secondary School Alternative Programs In Relationship To The Needs Of Tumwater High School, Kathy Fryar-Odegaard

All Graduate Projects

This project report presents the development of an alternative education program for Tumwater School District, Tumwater, Washington. The program was examined in four parts: the existent conditions as the program began, the initial organization of the program, development and implementation, and the reorganization and closure of the program. The recommendations included additional research on the effect of alternative education program's on student achievement.

New Wine, New Bottles : Some Recent Developments In History Teaching And Assessment In Victoria And England, David Stockley

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This article examines recent developments in the structure and assessment of Year 12 Australian History in Victoria and discusses the assumptions underlying those developments. Comparisons are drawn with the Schools Council "History 13-16" Project in England. A number of implications stemming from these changes are then discussed in the context of teacher education. We shall see that a new wine of history content and method is now being put in a new bottle of assessment forms.