Elementary Education and Teaching Commons^™

The Role Of Transformational Leadership In The Collaborative Development Of A Full Inclusion Program: An Action Research Study, Paul R. Hain

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This dissertation is a critical action research study on full inclusion for students with learning disabilities. The study describes how full inclusion for 16 students with learning disabilities in three regular classes was implemented in an Illinois elementary school over a one year period. The purpose of this study is to describe how transformational leadership, collaborative decision-making and action research helped in the development of full inclusion.

Action research was the method used to 1) observe and collect data about the project, 2) to analyze what was happening, and 3) help guide the inclusion teaching team in taking actions …

A Study Of The Effect Of Developmental Kindergarten Placement On Student Achievement: Issues And Other Alternatives For The "Unready" Child, Sandra F. Earley

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of developmental kindergarten placement beyond third grade and whether differences exist in levels of academic achievement between students who participated in developmental kindergarten and those who were recommended to attend but did not.

The target population of this study spanned 3 years and included 203 kindergarten eligible students in a suburban school district in mid- Michigan who were recommended to attend developmental kindergarten. The accessible population was 105 of the original 203 students.

The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) reading and mathematics test mean scores were analyzed for both groups …

Vision And The Ideal Teacher: Implications For Educational Practice, Rosalind Victoria Aaron

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to describe how and why teachers with a vision of an ideal teacher have chosen teaching as their profession and to articulate how that vision has influenced their educational practice.

Procedure. This study was conducted in the classroom setting using qualitative methods. The qualitative techniques were informal and formal interviews, non-participant observations, and personal journal entries.

Conclusions. The findings of the study revealed that the three teachers do have visions, which they clearly articulated. Their visions resulted from their interaction with others, but specifically with some of their former teachers. As new ideas, …

Preservice Elementary Education Students’ Beliefs Regarding The Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics, Elsa L. Geskus

Dissertations

This dissertation analyzes the entering and exiting beliefs of preservice elementary education students in three domains. The domains are: (1) the nature of teaching mathematics, (2) the nature of learning mathematics, and (3) the nature of the underlying source of their success or failure in mathematics. The data collection for this study was comprised of two questionnaires. The first questionnaire with 72 items used a five point Iikert scale. The second questionnaire took 10 of the Iikert items and formatted them as an open-ended response questionnaire. Students were to respond favorably or negatively to the statements and provide support for …

Principal And Teacher Perceptions Of School Climate Related To Value-Added Assessment And Selected School Contextual Effects In The First Tennessee District, Diann B. Casteel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem related to this study was to develop a clearer understanding of organizational climates in K-8 schools in Tennessee and the relationship that climate has to school performance, as measured through value-added assessment. The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between dimensions of school climate and student achievement as measured by mandated value-added assessment at the third grade level in Tennessee. The study attempted to determine if there was a significant difference between principal and teacher perceptions of school climate and if a relationship existed between the school climate and value-added assessment. The study also endeavored to …

The Effects Of Two Motivational Factors On Accuracy And Persistence For Second Graders, Jesse D. Baker

Dissertations

Promoting and maintaining motivation in elementary students is an ongoing problem. This study hypothesized that (a) feedback has a greater motivational effect on persistence and on accuracy for second graders than does no feedback, and (b) knowledge of results feedback has a greater motivational effect than does pleasant feeling tone feedback. Evidence from the study showed mixed support for the hypotheses.

The study compared two forms of feedback and the absence of feedback. One group received praise in the form of general, positive statements—classified as feeling tone—about their work while completing mathematics computational portions of the second grade 1989 Stanford …

Learning With Personal Computers: Issues, Observations And Perspectives, Helga A.H. Rowe, Irene Brown, Isabel Lesman

Digital learning research

The empirical study discussed in this book was conducted in the Sunrise classrooms at Coombabah State School, Queensland in 1991-92, in which each student had their own laptop computer. Part I provides a theoretical framework for learning and teaching with computers. Part II deals with issues relating to the acquisition of computer literacy. Part III describes the empirical study conducted with 115 Year 6 and Year 7 students, and Part IV deals with issues relating to the professional development of teachers who teach students with computers and with the evaluation of computer software by teachers.

Job Sharing Among Elementary School Teachers, Denise Ione Walsh

All Graduate Projects

The practice of job sharing, in which two teachers share the responsibilities of one teacher, is described. A comprehensive review of related literature is presented. Perceptions of those directly affected by the practice in one school district were gathered through 70 structured interviews with elementary principals, job sharing teachers, full-time teacher colleagues, students in job sharing classrooms, and parents. The study reveals predominantly positive reactions to the practice, and supports continuation of job sharing as an employment option for teachers.

An Investigation Of Elementary Teachers' Self-Perception Of Burnout While Participating In A Professional Development Change Process, Lana L. Callihan

Dissertations

Teachers are experiencing pressures from the demands of educational change required in their profession. The quality of education is reflected by the competency of the teacher. The research suggests that efforts should be directed toward identifying a process for change that will reduce the feelings of burnout which block the energy and enthusiasm needed for change.

This study investigated the question, "Does involvement in a professional development process modify a teacher's perceived feelings of burnout?" The professional development models studied were the Collaborative Curriculum and Professional Development Process (CCPDP), Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP), and the Michigan School Improvement Process …

A Staff Development Program For Paraprofessionals, Marjorie Brickley

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A description of the process of designing a staff development program for paraprofessionals working with children birth - 3 years of age. The thesis highlights special issues that infant/toddler programs face. The staff development process includes an assessment of the caregiver's skills, setting goals for the improvement of the program, a description of the 2 day training that was held, and an evaluation of the changes that resulted from the staff development experience.

A Survey Of Oral Communication Instructional Practices In The Elementary Public Schools Of Michigan, James N. Walker

Dissertations

Instruction in oral communication is critical to education. Oral communication skills are needed in the development of skills in written language, math, problem solving, and reading. Oral communication skills are important in achieving academic, vocational, and personal success. On November 1, 1978, speech education was recognized as a basic skill by United States law.

The purpose of this study was to determine the oral communication instructional practices in Michigan public elementary schools grades K-5. Eight research questions were identified:

(1) Is instruction provided? (2) What is the "basis" for instruction? (3) What materials are used? (4) What is the method …

A Curriculum Design Using Mnemonic-Type Techniques To Aid Recall In Low/Average Achievers In The Fifth Grade, Blanche Floannell Fuqua Mcmath

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children in the Duval County School System in Jacksonville, Florida, who are low/average achievers have to compete in a multi-graded classroom atmosphere. These students are passed along supported by low minimum-based competency test scores. The purpose of this project was to show teachers how they can present mnemonic procedures to these students in an effort to help these students raise test scores, boost self-esteem, and provide a self-help study device that can aid their progress in subsequent grades, aid morale, and thus avoid potential drop-outs in the system. This curriculum design is offered in the subjects of health and science. …

The Effect Of Studying Higher-Level Thinking Skills On Fifth Grade Students With High Language Ability, Gary Lee Cottrell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this project was to investigate the effect of studying higher-level thinking skills on fifth grade students with high language ability. The researcher compared the test scores of students in an elementary enrichment program with test scores of students enrolled in the same program the following year to which materials emphasizing higher-level thinking skills were added. The researcher also included analysis of student performance on the Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Processes and its component parts of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation as well as each of the eight subtests.

It was determined that analysis of Ross Test raw …

Mobility As An Element Of Learning Styles: The Effect Its Inclusion Or Exculsion Has On Student Performance In The Standardized Testing Environment, Linda Miller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mobility and the standardized testing environment. The project focused on nine students who had a pronounced need for movement while learning and/or being tested. The study was conducted to determine whether the achievement scores of these nine students would be influenced by the denial or availability of movement while they were administered a standardized reading test. Twenty-one second grade students were the subjects. Two forms of Level B of the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test were used. All subjects were tested in a traditional environment with no movement allowed. The same …

A Comparison Of Practices In Grading Reading Performance And Their Underlying Philosophies And Policies For Children Reading Below Grade Level In Selected Florida School Systems, Linda Powell Ginn

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project was to survey selected school systems in the State of Florida and to determine their philosophies, policies: and techniques for grading reading. The area of special concern was children reading below assigned grade level but up to potential. The focus of this paper was to identify reports to parents that dealt in a positive way with below grade level readers and allowed for effective as well as cognitive development. Positive aspects of current reports were pointed out and suggestions for improvement to better serve needs of children reading below grade level were made. Since most …

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.

The Effect Of Graphic And Phonemic Similarity On Syntactic Acceptability, Barbara D. Barket

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of graphic and phonemic similarity on syntactic acceptability. Ten third graders were audio-taped reading material new to them at the end of the 1982-1983 school year. The children were given no assistance. Substitution miscues were recorded and analyzed according to The Goodman Taxonomy of Reading Miscues. Statistical analyses were carried out using the chi-square procedure and contingency coefficients were computed. The results indicate that graphic and phonemic similarity are somewhat related to syntactic acceptability but the relationship is very slight. Graphic similarity appears to be more independent of syntactic …

The Development Of Interpersonal Cognitive Problem-Solving Skills Of Eight To Fourteen Year-Old Educable Mentally Retarded Children In A Rural Educational Setting, Jeff Carroll

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Spivack and Shure’s (1974) Interpersonal Cognitive Problem-Solving (ICPS) model was evaluated on Educable Mentally Retarded (EMR) children. The major question was whether the implementation of Shure and Spivack’s (1978) Kindergarten Interpersonal Problem-Solving Program (KIPS) would enhance the ICPS skills and behavioral adjustment of EMR children up to the level needed for successful integration into the regular classroom. The study included 40 EMR children from ages eight to fourteen. The subjects were divided equally into two groups, one receiving Shure and Spivack’s (1978) KIPS program and one receiving informal social skills training. These groups were divided further into a younger group, …

The Observation And Evaluation Of Elementary Teachers In Illinois, Paul C. Burton

Masters Theses

Basic research into the observation and evaluation of elementary teachers in Illinois was conducted during the 1976-77 school year. The research was divided into two major sections. Section I consisted of the development and administration of a 42-question survey instrument designed to probe observations, evaluations, and elementary teachers' opinions concerning such. The sample universe was restricted to full-time elementary classroom teachers taking graduate courses. Section II consisted of obtaining and analyzing evaluation instruments from various size and type school districts in Illinois. Significant findings of the research include:

1. The majority of elementary principals are male, have in-classroom elementary teaching …

Reprographic Media Education, Ross H. Regan

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative investigation of five basic processes in the duplicating field that are readily available to teachers in British Columbia. Forty teachers from fourteen schools, kindergarten through grade twelve, were surveyed to determine present practices and needs for this method of communication. Cost, efficiency, and quality comparison are included.

Recommendations include the need for teacher in-service, guidelines for determining the most suitable means of reproducing learning materials on paper, and suggestions for additional research.

The Effect Of Circuit Training On The Physical Fitness Of Fourth Grade Boys And Girls Compared To Traditionally Accepted Calisthenics, Larry J. Mataya

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study: (1) To compare the regular physical education program of the fourth grade with an experimental physical education program of the fourth grade; and (2) to compare physical fitness of boys and girls of the two groups before and after the study.

Reading Interests In Relation To Vocational, Extracurricular, And Academic Interests Of Boys In Grades Two Through Six, Diane C. Mccarty

All Master's Theses

Educators are continually seeking ways of aiding children in preparation for their adult lives. There has been much research involving the interest and aspirations of the secondary and college student, often leaving the elementary child behind. The writer felt the need to explore the possibilities of a positive relationship between reading, vocational, academic, and extracurricular interests within the elementary grades. If a correlation could be established, this would aid the teacher in developing the necessary skills in a strong foundation for future use by the student. The three-part research hypothesis would determine (1) if a significant relationship exists between the …

A Comparative Investigation Of The Affects Of Parental Cooperation And No Known Parental Cooperation In Children’S Reading Skills, Suzanne Dorothea Lorain

All Master's Theses

Due to the low economic area from which the subjects for this experiment were chosen, many were lacking in environmental experiences which contributed to their growth in reading skills and interests in the primary grades. This experiment was devised as a means to study reading difficulties in children from a low socioeconomic area, while, at the same time, parents were used to help overcome those problems. The main purpose of this study was to compare and contrast improvement in reading interest and reading skills in matched groups of subjects of an experimental and a control group.

A Comparative Study Of The Open Court And Basal Reading Programs, Janice Kathryn Smith

All Master's Theses

The purpose was to compare the Open Court first grade reading program with a traditional Basal Method being taught at Lakeview Elementary School in the Lake Washington School District.

An Experimental Investigation Of The Effect On Interest Of Reading Children’S Literature To Sixth Grade Students In Aberdeen, Washington, Donald R. Grieb

All Master's Theses

To determine the effect of a teacher's reading literature upon the interest in reading books among sixth grade students, one group (experimental) participated in a twenty-eight week program of scheduled daily time during which they listened to literature read by their teacher. A second group (control) were not exposed to literature in this manner but otherwise participated in a similar school program.

A Study Of The Effect The Value-Clarification Process Had On Fifth Grade Students In Auburn, Washington, Kathleen Agnes Hagen

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there was any significant difference in the behavior ratings of the two groups of fifth graders between those students who received the "value-clarification" process and those students who did not. The clarification process is an approach to clarifying the values of students. The teacher asks questions, during group or private individual sessions, of the students.

A Comparison Of The Scott-Foresman Measured Reading Achievement Of The Three High And Low Socioeconomic Elementary Schools In Vancouver, Washington, Leann G. Nolan

All Master's Theses

The problem in this investigation was to determine the influences of the high and low socioeconomic backgrounds upon reading achievement in the Vancouver (Washington) Public Elementary Schools. The investigator wanted to determine if the generally accepted premise that the higher socioeconomic level student's reading achievement is greater than that of the lower socioeconomic student would be substantiated in the specific area of Vancouver, Washington.

A Survey Of The Opinions Of Parents And Teachers Regarding The Reporting System Used In The Vale Elementary School In Cashmere, Washington, David Leroy Lentz

All Master's Theses

[T]he purpose of this study was to elicit the opinions of the Cashmere parents and teachers towards the present reporting system and reporting in general and to ascertain whether the present reporting system used in the Vale Elementary School was meeting the needs of the community and school.

A Survey Of The Provisions For Critical Reading Skills In Basal Readers, Louis Alan Dillard

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of critical reading skills included in six basal reading series and how many of these skills each series contained. It was also the purpose of this study to determine the grade level at which each specific skill was introduced and further how many of these skills were introduced at the grade one level.

A Survey Of Washington State’S Elementary Schools On The Utilization Of Full-Time Teacher Aides, Frederick William Hasse

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to determine how elementary schools utilize their teacher aides; to see if such schools are following any specific or agreed upon plan for training and using aides; and to attempt to determine if size of enrollment has any bearing on the types of assignments assigned to aides.