Elementary Education and Teaching Commons^™

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Standardized Tests On Curricular And Instructional Practices, Jennifer Joy Davis Fox

Masters Theses

Does a student's performance on a standardized test measure the quality of education he/she is receiving? Many students today are being bombarded with standardized assessments mandated by state and district policies. The pressure to perform well on these assessments causes teachers to focus their classroom instructional time on test preparation even at the expense of the non-tested topics and curricular areas. A written survey was designed to determine teachers' perceptions of the influence of standardized tests on curricular and instructional practices. Participating in this study were third and fourth grade teachers (n=67) who administer the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). …

The Effect Of Cross-Age Tutoring On Reading Attitude, Joshua John Quick

Masters Theses

One of the greatest challenges facing teachers of reading today is the negative attitude of students toward reading. One suggested means of positively influencing the reading attitude of students is cross-age tutoring. However, a study is needed to establish whether a clear link exists between cross-age tutoring and positive changes in reading attitude. Experimental research was conducted during the course of an academic quarter (nine weeks) to determine whether cross-age tutoring has a positive impact on reading attitude. The subjects of the study were first grade students (n=12). The first graders were identified for the study based on low scores …

Factors Associated With The Utilization Of Mathematics Manipulatives In Grades Kindergarten Through Four, Debra J. Bandy

Masters Theses

Since the publication of "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1989, mathematics pedagogy has shifted from the standard memorization of facts and processes to concept development and application. Teachers have been encouraged to utilize manipulatives to help students bridge the gap between concrete and abstract mathematical concepts. This study was conducted to determine if grade level impacted the frequency with which manipulatives were used, to examine teacher perceptions of eleven factors associated with the frequency of utilization of math manipulatives, and to assess the perceived effect of teaching with manipulatives …

Referral Biases In The Schools, Camela P. Hayes

Masters Theses

Biases influencing teachers' referral decisions for special education services were examined. Specific biases identified and addressed pertained to students' type of problem behavior, gender and socio-economic status (SES). Subjects included 120 regular elementary school teachers from the western Chicagoland area. A total of 8 vignettes describing a child with varying behavior difficulties, gender and SES, along with 2 questionnaires were utilized. An Analysis of Variance revealed that teachers are less tolerant of students who are disruptive and are more apt to refer them than students with emotional difficulties less overt in their manifestation. The effects of SES on referral decisions …

An Evaluation Of The Reading Recovery Program At Main Street School In Shelbyville, Illinois, Leslie L. Hohenstein

Masters Theses

Traditional solutions to reading problems have not adequately addressed reading difficulties. Many students in the lower 20% of the reading level of their class have far reaching academic and social problems that lead to dropping out of school, entering special education classes, becoming frustrated, and possibly becoming discipline problems. This study examined the Reading Recovery Program at Main Street School in Shelbyville, Illinois. Specific study objectives were measurements of student test data and progress for the 1992-1993 school year. Measurements were performed using a pre- and post-testing method. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data from Reading Recovery teachers. …

Educational Service Center #17'S Fy92 Scientific Literacy Program, Marilyn Holt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Illinois Educational Service Center #17's Scientific Literacy Program for FY92. Objectives utilized to address this problem were:

1. To determine the effectiveness of the staff development delivered in FY92 which emphasized hands-on approaches to teaching physics concepts to students in grades K-8.

2. To determine the effectiveness of the staff development delivered in FY92 which emphasized hands-on approaches to teaching mathematic concepts to students in grades K-6.

3. To determine the effectiveness of the staff development delivered in FY92 which emphasized hands-on approaches to teaching science process concepts to students in grades …

Children Learning To Write: A Progression Through Predictable Stages, Shirley D. Vestal

Masters Theses

A first-grade teacher documents her students' progression through predictable stages as they learn to write: distinct units of scribbling and/or ground line and profile in drawing, letters, words, sentences, story structure (character, setting, problem, solving the problem, and ending the story/telling how the characters felt), and conventions (capital letters, punctuation, and conventional spelling).

Criteria based on readability at each stage by a knowledgeable and sensitive reader are an important aspect of this study.

The class writes every day using a five-day story format:

Day One: Character Pink paper

Day Two: Setting Blue paper

Day Three: Problem Yellow paper

Day Four: …

The Effect Of Extrinsic Rewards On Intrinsic Motivation In Preschool Children, Rebecca L. Di Santo

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Attitudes Of Preservice Elementary Teachers Toward Science And The Teaching Of Science, Gregory C. Schaeffer

Masters Theses

The importance of attitude toward the teaching and understanding of science has long been a concern of researchers. Its importance in the schools, as a means to influence academic achievement, continues to be felt. Teachers, often without trying, pass on to their students attitudes about science that are unproductive. It is, therefore, important for teachers to possess attitudes supporting the subjects that they teach. The problem then is determining what factors contribute to these teacher attitudes and how are they passed on to students.

Past research has failed to show conclusively what actually contributes to the creation of positive and …

An Analysis Of The Administrative Operation Of Project Abe (Arts In Basic Education) In Community Unit District #1, Charleston, Illinois, Suellyn Garner

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was to analyze the administrative operation of a project called Arts in Basic Education (hereafter referred to as Project ABE), of which the author was director. The project was developed through ESEA Title IV-c grants in the six elementary schools of Community Unit District Number One in Charleston, Illinois, from 1978-1982. In 1983, through a contract from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (Chapter II), Project ABE began a dissemination program which allowed 60 other schools in Illinois to adopt it. This paper is a result of …

School Effectiveness Model For Washington Elementary School, Clara Coleman Rouse

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to develop a school effectiveness model which may be implemented at Washington Elementary School in Centralia, Illinois. In 1980 this researcher was named principal at Washington Elementary School. At the same time Centralia City Schools were entering a desegregation program which included bussing. For the first time there were more than three minority students at Washington Elementary School. More than half the students at the school are from economically disadvantaged families and achievement had been low for many years. Thus, this study was deemed timely and relevant.

Procedure

Although this …

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 …

A Proposed School Budget And Faculty Handbook For Salem Elementary Schools, District # 111, Galen Brant

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Uniformity Of Manuscript Handwriting Of The First And Second Grade Teachers Of Collinsville Unit # 10, Wilda L. Shepherd

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Guidance Activities For The Elementary Teacher, Sherry Blew

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Performance Of Boys And Girls, Grade One Through Three, Taught By The Classroom Teacher And By The Physical Education Specialist, Donna Kauder

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Teacher Preferences For Teaching Four Subjects In Grades Three-Six And Their Relationship To Pupil Achievement, Virginia Rouse

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Preparation Of Student Teachers For The Use Of The Instructional Materials Center In The Buzzard Laboratory School, Virginia Hagebush

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

Intermediate Geography Curriculum Of Selected Schools: A Comparative Study, Dale D. Workman

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Elementary Teacher Enriches A Science Program, Ruth I. Good

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Reporting To Parents, Pauline A. Pachciarz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Development Of Basic Word Lists And Their Use In Teaching Spelling, Nelle Gullett

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.