Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Autherine Lucy & The University Of Alabama Integration At U Of A 1952-1956, Tamera Lott

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the University of Alabama was chartered in 1820 and is Alabama’s oldest public university. Prior to 1956, the University was segregated; admission was limited to white men and women. On February 3, 1965, Miss Autherine Lucy stepped foot on campus for the first time to attend classes at the University; history was made as she was the first African American present. Lucy’s attendance stirred conflict throughout campus and the state of Alabama. Unbeknownst to many, Lucy’s attendance garnered both national and international attention. The central argument here is that Lucy’s experiences at the University of Alabama …

Using An Inclusive Restricted Interest Group To Improve Social Skill Accuracy In Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hillary Y. Jenkins

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

There are a number of evidenced-based practices which aim to improve the social skills of children with high functioning autism (HFA). An emerging field of study is to develop social skills interventions that incorporate restricted and repetitive interests to increase social skills. Their results are promising and suggest improved social skills in students with HFA. The current study has aimed to incorporate a common interest among elementary age children with HFA in social skill instruction within a structured setting. A multiple baseline across behaviors single subject design was used to collect data on the accuracy with which two young males …

Overcoming Barriers To Teaching Action-Based Environmental Education: A Multiple Case Study Of Teachers In The Public School Classroom, Terry Rachael Adams

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As the human population increases, it becomes increasingly more important for society to understand the impact of humans on the environment. Preserving fixed resources by engaging in sustainable practices is necessary to ensure those resources are available for future generations. Since the early 1960s, policy makers and educators alike have sought to ensure that students graduate environmentally literate. Previous research has identified a multitude of barriers that limit classroom teacher’s ability to integrate environmental education into their curriculum. The purpose of this study was to investigate how teachers overcome those barriers that restrict the integration of action based environmental education …

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation: Abraham Lincoln As An Adult Learner, Warren Greer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Over the last two decades, research has identified factors that foster versus undermine human motivation and well being with important implications for learning and performance. Much of the research is concerned with intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation and autonomous versus non-autonomous learning environments. The data suggests that learning and performance are often significantly enhanced in autonomy-supportive environments that foster intrinsic motivational perspectives. This study examines the lived experience of Abraham Lincoln in the context of his adult learning motivation, forming a qualitative narrative around his adult educational experiences. It was hypothesized that Abraham Lincoln benefited from learning experiences with high levels …

Does Sex Discrimination Exist In Faculty Salaries At Western Kentucky University? An Empirical Examination Of The Wage Gap, Reed Vesey

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis examines wage differentials between male and female faculty salaries at Western Kentucky University. A human capital model of salary determination is examined by using regression analysis on relevant personal and job characteristics of faculty members. A large portion of the wage gap between men and women is explained through differences in the personal and job characteristics. A portion of the wage gap remains unexplained, however, the probability of discrimination playing a substantial role in salary is very small.

Public Relations: Its Importance In The Public School System, Lawrence Crittenden Hunter

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Literature was reviewed to determine the importance of a public relations program in the public school system. Information was retrieved from various published sources, including materials from the National School Public Relations Association, professional journals, books relating to public relations and a variety of other educational reports.

An analysis of the literature reveals the following components of a successful public relations program:

1. A plan of action benefits the public relations program.
2. Staff participants benefit the public relations program.
3. Parent involvement is an important aspect of the public relations program.
4. Community involvement is essential to a successful public relations program

Stress Indicators Of Kentucky Elementary Principals, Helen Kirby

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Stress has become a problem to which people of all walks of life may relate, affecting the actions of the individual on both professional and personal levels. In the field of education, administrators often report a high level of stress, sometimes referred to as burnout. Much has been written about teacher stress, but very little research has been done on stress encountered by elementary principals. Research was conducted on stress as perceived by elementary principals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for this study.

The questionnaire used was compiled by the researcher using Koff, Laffey, Olson and Cichon’s table of Stress …

Management Guide For Early Childhood Programs, Cathy S. Jording

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Relying upon many years of experience as an early childhood educator and consultant, and utilizing examples of programs and forms during the past thirteen years while serving as the Director of Peace Lutheran Preschool/Kindergarten in Owensboro, Kentucky, and as a regional/national early childhood consultant. The author has proposed a manuscript whose purpose is to assist early childhood professionals in the development and implementation of quality, needs-appropriate preschool programs.

The eleven chapters are divided into seven areas of concern: program survey, development, purpose, regulation requirements, administration, financing, enrollment, curriculum and day-care. (Within each area are varied appropriate methods of implementation relating …

Assessing Critical Thinking Processes In The Gifted: Predicting Gre Analytical Performance From Watson-Glaser Results, Susie Garrott

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the constructs measured by the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal and the Graduate Record Examination Analytical Scale in "gifted" adolescents 15 to 17 years of age. There were three hypotheses addressed in this study: 1) "gifted" adolescents would be able to think critically as measured by college level norms when measured by the Watson-Glaser and the GRE-Analytical; 2) significant differences would exist between different levels of gifted populations; and 3) a factor or group of factors of the Watson-Glaser subscales would significantly predict performance on the GRE-Analytical Scale.

The Watson-Glaser …

The Use Of Feuerstein’S Instrumental Enrichment With Underprepared College Students: A Pilot Study, Michael Kieta

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This pilot study investigated the usage of Feuerstein’s (1980) Instrumental Enrichment with underprepared college students. Open admissions policies in colleges and universities have resulted in the enrollment of many students who are underprepared to meet the academic task demands. Courses have been developed by the colleges and universities to remediate the academic deficits of underprepared students. Remedial courses using traditional educational methods have been largely ineffective. Cognitive process instruction (CPI) is an area of educational research that recently began to receive increased attention in the field of remedial education. The goal of CPI has been to develop the cognitive/thought processes …

The Brigance K&1 Screen And Corresponding Teacher Ratings Of Students, Shanna Waddington

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The relationship between teacher ratings of kindergarten students and scores on the Brigance K&1 Screen was examined in order to obtain a measure of construct validity for the Brigance. A Kentucky sample and California sample were included in the study. Data was analyzed separately for each sample for purposes of regional comparison. Teacher’s ratings of students’ overall ability and ability across five skill dimensions (expressive language, receptive language, personal information, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills) were compared via a linear regression analysis. The results indicated that overall ratings of students by teachers are significant and reliable combinations of …

Effect Of Educational Budget Cuts On Student Programming In Universities/Colleges Located In The Great Lakes Region Of The National Entertainment & Campus Activities Association, Leslie Freels

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of educational budget cuts on student programming in universities and colleges. It was stated that the universities monies allocated specifically for student programming had decreased, the number of full-time university employees had decreased, the number of national performers brought to campus had decreased, and student participation had decreased A questionnaire was designed to send to those institutions that were NECAA, Great Lakes Region, members. A 62 percent return was received, the questionnaires were tabulated and data accumulated. The data indicated that most universities had received sufficient funds for student programming …

A Survey Of Administrative Trends In Sport Club Programs Of Selected Colleges & Universities In The United States, David Dean

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify organizational and administrative trends in university club sports. The general research design was the survey via a questionnaire distributed through the mail. The sample was limited to the 102 colleges and universities with student populations between 10,000 and 17,000 as listed with the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Directory. The questions were developed under the general topic area headings: Departmental Supervision, Sponsored Clubs, Memberships, Departmental Financing, Budget, Budget Expenditures, Contest Arrangements, Class Excuses, Academic Standards, Locker Space, Office Space, Varsity Status, Legal Liability and Facilities.

A total of eighty (78.4%) institutions …

A Study Of The Validity Of Undergraduate Grade Point Average And Graduate Record Examination Scores As Predictors Of Success In The Selection Of Masters Level Graduate Students In Psychology, Margaret Tandy O'Connor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the undergraduate grade point average (UGPA), the grade point average during the last two years of undergraduate work (LTYR), the Graduate Record Examination Verbal plus Graduate Record Examination Quantitative scores (GREM), the Graduate Record Examination Analytical Test score (GREAN) and the Graduate Record Examination Advanced Psychology Test score (GREAD) as predictors of graduate grade point averages (GGPA) in the Master of Arts degree program in Psychology at Western Kentucky University. The validity of the Graduate Record Examination Quantitative score (GREQ) as a predictor of grades received in the two …

The Economic Impact Of Western Kentucky University On The Bowling Green – Warren County Economy, Stephen Cooper

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The costs incurred by the community resulting from Western Kentucky University’s location – cost of educating children of university related personnel, cost of services provided by the local governments to the university community, and the lost property tax revenue resulting from the tax exemption of university property – were estimated as were the benefits enjoyed by the community as a result of the University’s location – local expenditures, local employment generated by the university’s presence, the university community’s impact on the local banking system’s credit base, and the occupational license tax receipts levied by the city on the university payroll. …

The Perceived Role Of The University Residence Hall Director, Jan Akers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study was concerned with locating areas of differences in residents' perceptions of the role of the director --either a young professional or a "dorm mother" type--in their own residence halls on the 'estern Kentucky University campus. The perceptions were obtained through the use of a twenty-one item instrument (developed by the researcher) to which 1,111 students responded. The data were tabulated by sex, by residence nails, by halls with young professional directors, by halls with older "dorm mother" directors, and by a total overall. Slight differences were found between male and female students and between the various groups. However, …

A Psychometric Comparison Between Inhouse Versus Externally Developed Retranslation Scales, David Peak

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Using a Behavioral Expectation Scale (BES) format borrowed from the psychology department at the University of California – Berkeley and a BES form developed in and for a Southeastern university psychology department, students’ evaluations of their professors’ teaching performance were examined for interrater reliability, leniency error, variability and discriminability. Results indicate that neither form was psychometrically sound at the Southeastern university. Problems in obtaining sound ratings for the BES form were discussed.

An Approach To Meeting The Educational Needs Of A Select Group Of Migrant Children, Ruth G. Cornelius

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Children in grades one through six who were identified as children from migrant agricultural families in a specific country in South Central Kentucky were compared to non-migrant children in the same specific county. A determination of the educational needs of these migrant children was made by a comparison of their standardized test scores to similar test scores of children from non-migrant families in the areas of Reading, Math, AND Total Battery scores. Resultant data from the test scores indicated that migrant children generally do not have achieve as high academically in the areas tested as do children from non-migrant families. …

A Study Of Elementary Guidance Programs In University Laboratory Schools In The United States, Joann Walker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This project is a study of the role and functions of the elementary school guidance counselor in the laboratory schools of universities in the United States. It was intended to gain data on the status of the role at the present, functions performed by the counselors in these schools, and information which could be used as a basis for projection of the future role of the elementary school counselor. The laboratory schools were surveyed, the data compiled and an analysis was made. The results were not as future oriented as was expected from the population studied. Techniques and functions were …

A Position Paper Of Environmental Education For Nelson County, Geneva B. Hunt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The results of a survey, concerning environmental education taken of the educators of the Nelson County School System, indicated a need for environmental education workshops and classes.

The status of environmental education in the nation and in Kentucky were studied and compared. A research was done of the status of environmental education in Nelson County, and implications were drawn for implementing environmental education in the Nelson County School System.

A tentative program for implementing environmental education in the Nelson Country schools was given, and a bibliography of resources and materials to be used in said program was included.

A Status Study Of The Counseling Services Programs In The University Of Kentucky Community College System, Jan L. Ireland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The study involved analyzing the counseling services programs in the University of Kentucky Community College System. In addition to this, the study analyzed the academic and professional background of the counselors, determined the present duties and responsibilities of the counselors, and determined the counselors’ perceived ideal duties and responsibilities. The reason for the study was to provide information which can be helpful to different groups concerned with community colleges. Some of the information may be useful to graduate programs concerned with the preparation of counselors who intend to work in community college counseling as a profession, may find that some …

Study Of Attitudes Of College Students Toward Physical Education At Western Kentucky University, Amelia Zafra

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study was undertaken to determine the attitude of the college students toward required physical education program at Western Kentucky University. More specifically, the study was conducted:

1. to find the total students' attitudes toward required physical education,
2. to find if the attitudes of the out-of-state students are different from the in-state students,
3. to find if there is a significant difference between the attitudes of men and women,
4. to compare the attitudes of students with a good physical education background with those students of a poor physical education background,
5. to find if the attitudes of freshman students is different from the …

The Relationship Of Educational, Economic & Social Characteristics Of The Degree Of Desegregation In The Public Schools Of Kentucky, J. Frank Yeager

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The problem in this study was to examine the relationship of social-climate to the degree of desegregation in the public schools of Kentucky. This study attempted to determine the relationship of educational, economic and social characteristics of those school districts with bi-racial student bodies operating in Kentucky and the degree of desegregation experienced voluntarily by those districts during the period from 1955-56 school year through the 1963-64 school year.

The Utilization Of College News: A Study Of Newspaper Usage Of Press Releases & Their Role In Public Relations, Robert Adams

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is three-fold, and it is predicated on these assumptions. First, on the basis of the information obtained, the methods of disseminating news of student accomplishments on campus can be improved. Secondly, by knowing the form and content desired by the various papers, a college can provide more of the type of news which will be printed, therefore bringing recognition to deserving students in all areas of campus endeavor. Thirdly, by recognizing achievements of individual students, the College, indirectly, will benefit from the publicity.

It is within the framework of these formal purposes that this project …

A Proposed Guidance Program For Drakesboro Consolidated School, Ovid Arnold

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to show the need for and determine a basis for a guidance program. "Guidance is a means of helping individuals to understand and use wisely the educational, vocational, and personal potentialities and opportunities which they have or can develop."¹

Why do we need a guidance program? Who can be benefited by it? First, our teachers need the services of a guidance program in order that they may know more about their pupils, -- their abilities and interests as well as their weaknesses. Information about the pupil's background, the different schools he has attended, …

The Court Of Appeals And Education In Kentucky, Wilbur Wade

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this investigation was to make a study of education in Kentucky, as interpreted by decisions handed down by the Court of Appeals, and to show how these decisions have helped to form our educational policies, and to trace these trends from the first decision of our wise old men to the present. The decisions of the Court of Appeals have helped legislators to formulate the school laws that have been passed and that will be passed in the future. There are too many decisions on education to be discussed at length. Therefore this investigation deals only with …

A Program Of Improvement For Union County Kentucky Schools, Thomas Fortenbery

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The problem presented in a Program of Improvement for Union County Schools deals primarily with future school buildings. The problem is threefold:

1. The location of future school buildings must be determined in the light of population trends and economic developments.
2. The size of the buildings must be determined.
3. A plan to finance the program must be developed.

The Student Worker On The Campuses Of The State Colleges & Universities In The South, Dorothy Ellis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The problem arising from the study of the student worker may be considered under the following divisions:

1. To recognize the attempts that have been made to provide an educational program agreeable to both church and college.

2. To make a study of the student worker, considering his qualifications, his duties, his age, and his salary; to discover the number of student workers placed on Southern state college campuses by the Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations; and to list as accurately as possible these student workers, indicating whether they are full-time or part-time workers, stating the college or university …

Psychological Tests And College Success, George Helm

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine the predictive value of the psychological examination when applied to college grades, with the motive of establishing standards by which students may be guided in their selection of college work.

The Efficiency Of Laboratory Work In Geography, Fred Edwards

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Great sums of money are expended annually for the upkeep and equipment of laboratories that are used only for teaching, and yet there is little in the way of experimental data to indicate whether the expenditure of time or money is justified.