Educational Sociology Commons^™

Inquire Within: The Connection Between Teacher Training In Inquiry Learning Methodology And Classroom Practice., Ariel Sky Ashe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study describes the effects of an 11 week training for 2 preschool teachers focusing on systematizing an inquiry learning approach inspired by the literature on Reggio Emilia inspired practices. This study uses a qualitative, multi-methodology approach including interviews, examination of classroom documentation, and examination of the Broderick and Hong Cycle of Inquiry (© revised 2007) planning forms. Qualitative coding and narratives describe each teacher's data taken at 3 intervals in the study and describe changes, challenges, and successes in teacher practices. Results indicate that these teachers learned successful inquiry learning strategies and grew in both their understanding of the …

Teacher Beliefs And The Instructional Practices Of National Board Certified High School English Teachers., Rebecca Lee Drinnon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explored the instructional methods that accomplished high school English teachers use in their classrooms to improve understanding of how those methods are influenced by the teachers' beliefs. A survey regarding classroom practices and beliefs was sent to 313 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in English Language Arts--Adolescence and Young Adulthood across the United States with a response rate of 50.8%. From these data, I analyzed the variety and frequency of practices experienced teachers use and the beliefs that influence teachers' instructional decisions. I then conducted follow-up interviews and classroom observations with selected survey participants from North Carolina, …

An Examination Of Volunteerism: Teacher Expectations And Parent Involvement., Kenneth Carleton Lyon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this qualitative research was to learn from teachers and parents: to hear from teachers what they truly needed in the school with regard to parent involvement and to hear from parents the ways in which schools could extend a more effective welcome and the types of activities in which they were most willing to participate.

This qualitative study was conducted using interviews of parents and teachers from Title I elementary schools. The parents were interviewed to gain their perceptions of parent involvement and how effectively the school communicates parent involvement needs. Teachers were interviewed to determine their …

The Characteristics Of School Culture That Influence College-Going Rate For High School Graduates In Northeast Tennessee., Annie Mbaire Kariuki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of school culture that influenced college-going rates for high school graduates in northeast Tennessee. The study involved one-toone interviews with selected high school teachers and principals. Six high schools in northeast Tennessee were used in the study.

The significance of this study was to generate a grounded theory that could be used to explain the characteristics of school cultures that were effective in supporting students' college-going rates. This knowledge could be used to inform high school principals, school boards, state legislatures and other government bodies, and colleges and universities.

Findings …

Relationship Between Nurse Educators' Cultural Competence And Ethnic Minority Nursing Students' Recruitment And Graduation., Pearl Ngozika Ume-Nwagbo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to measure the cultural competence of nurse educators in accredited baccalaureate (BSN) nursing programs in Tennessee (TN) and investigate the relationship, if any, between nurse educators' cultural competence and the percentage of minority nursing students recruited into and graduated from these schools in the previous 5 years.

With the rapid rise of the minority population in the United States, more minority healthcare providers, including nurses, are needed to provide culturally congruent care in underserved communities. Literature has implied that nurse educators' lack of cultural competence and sensitivity regarding minority nursing students' educational needs …

The Relationship Between The Freshman Academy And Student Academic Success At Morristown-Hamblen High School East., Patricia Ann Sigler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a significant relationship exists between the implementation of the Morristown-Hamblen High School East (MHHSE) Freshman Academy, student academic achievement, and the high school graduation rate at MHHSE.

The testing variables included GPA, attendance, number of core course failures, number of discipline referrals, English I End-of-Course test scores, and graduation rate. Grouping variables included 8^th grade (pretreatment) and 9^th grade (posttreatment) groups, preacademy and postacademy groups, socioeconomic status, and gender. Ten faculty members of the MHHSE Freshman Academy were interviewed to ascertain their perceptions about the smaller learning …

Faculty Perceptions About Instructional Technology In Eight Community Colleges In The Tennessee Board Of Regents Higher Education System., Nicole Cardwell-Hampton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty members' perception of the status of technology support and services, their attitudes towards the incorporation of technology in general and with specific applications, and the barriers they perceive to technology use. Additionally, the study focused on the association among the predictor variables of faculty members' gender, age, professional status, years of higher education teaching experience, and tenure versus nontenure status with their degree of technology use.

An online survey was designed to collect data to address the research questions in the study. The survey consisted of 44 questions, including areas for …

A Study Of Nontraditional Undergraduate Students At The University Of Memphis., Linda G. Wood-Wyatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined nontraditional student engagement into the collegiate environment on the University of Memphis (U of M) campus, specifically services and programs in the University College. The sample surveyed included 4 nontraditional undergraduate students, 1 from each grade level, aged 25 years or older. The 4 nontraditional undergraduate study participants were admitted and enrolled at the U of M. Additionally, there was 1 alumnae member included in the study.

The study employed the use of multiple forms of data collection including interviews, personal and focus group, journaling, life stories, and an online campus climate survey. In order to analyze …

A Study Of Community College Students Who Participated In A Dual-Enrollment Program Prior To High School Graduation., April Boling Sell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dual-enrollment participation on students' postsecondary achievement as measured by various factors. The researcher explored an approach to learning that allows students to navigate the invisible barriers between high school and college. The population consisted of 901 students in a community college in northeast Tennessee during the fall of 2007 following high school graduation the previous academic year. Data gathered from dual-enrollment participants were compared to data of peers of comparable ability level who chose not to participate in the program.

The major findings of the study included the following: …

Post-Disaster Effects Of Hurricane Katrina On Significantly Affected College Students Compared To Moderately Affected College Students, Charles Thomas Coleman

Dissertations

This quantitative study used independent t tests to explore the level of significance with four dependent variables of educational effects (grades), financial impact (monetary hardship), physiological effects (aches, pains, or injury), and psychological effects (mental stability or illness) related to significantly affected students and moderately affected students of post- Hurricane Katrina. To determine if there was a significant difference between moderately affected students compared to significantly affected students, a questionnaire specific to the dependent variables was administered to The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) students.

Data gathered in this study suggested the greatest significant difference among significantly affected students and …

Los Académicos Mexicanos A Principios Del Siglo Xxi: Una Primera Exploración Sobre Quiénes Son Y Cómo Perciben Su Trabajo, Sus Instituciones Y Algunas Políticas Públicas, Jesús F. Galaz-Fontes

Jesús Francisco Galaz Fontes

Con base a una encuesta nacional de 1973 académicos en su gran mayoría de tiempo completo, se proporciona información sobre su perfil demográfico y la manera en que perciben sus condiciones de trabajo, las actividades que realizan, el ambiente organizacional y sus opiniones respecto a políticas públicas como el Sistema Nacional de Investigadores y el Programa para el Mejoramiento del Profesorado. Los resultados encontrados se discuten a la luz de los procesos de cambio que se han venido dando en la educación superior mexicana durante las últimas tres décadas, y se reflexionan sobre algunas de las implicaciones de dichos resultados.

School Desegregation In Norfolk, Virginia, Karen S. Vaughan

Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

Powerpoint slideshow (with audio) to accompany 2008 exhibit in the Old Dominion University Perry Library about School Desegregation in Norfolk, Virginia.

See also:

• digital collection at: no longer available
• online exhibition at: http://exhibits.lib.odu.edu/exhibits/show/sdinv

Mexican Academics At The Turn Of The Twenty-First Century: Who Are They And How Do They Perceive Their Work, Institutions And Public Policies (A Preliminary Analysis), Jesús F. Galaz-Fontes, Laura E. Padilla-González, Manuel Gil-Antón, Juan J. Sevilla-García, José L. Arcos-Vega, Jorge G. Martínez-Stack, Sergio Martínez-Romo, Gabriel A. Sánchez-De-Aparicio-Y-Benítez, Leonardo Jiménez-Loza, María E. Barrera-Bustillos

Jesús Francisco Galaz Fontes

Based on a first cut of nearly 826 Mexican full-time faculty, data is presented in relation to their socio-demographic profile, working conditions, and opinions regarding their institution. Results, although preliminary, are discussed in the context of the changes Mexican higher education has gone through the last four decades.

Unforeseen Consequences Of Mothers’ Return To School On Children’S Education Aspirations And Outcomes, J. Jill Suitor, Mari Plikuhn, Megan Gilligan, Rebecca S. Powers

Megan Gilligan

Parents' educational attainment is generally completed before offspring are born. Thus, there is little opportunity to study the ways in which children's observation of their parents' pursuit of education may augment the effects of structural factors on intergenerational transmission processes. In this article, the authors use qualitative and quantitative data collected from thirty-five women across a decade following their return to school to examine the effects of children's observations of their mothers' educational achievements on the children's educational aspirations and achievements in adulthood. The return to school was consequential only when mothers completed their degrees; when they did not, their …

College Males: Keeping Them Engaged On Your Campus, Jason A. Laker

Faculty Publications

There has been much discussion in the popular media over the last few years to the effect that there is a “crisis” with regard to men in higher education. There have been several angles in these reports, including arguments suggesting that men are declining in student ranks, or that women are outpacing their male counterparts. In any case, these reports have asked questions about where the men are if not in college; and what will be the consequences of this problem in terms of the workforce, families, or the potential nature and future of higher education. One could easily be …

The Professional Identity Of Counseling Students In Master's Level Cacrep Accredited Programs, Bianca Puglia

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the professional identity of master's level students enrolled in a CACREP accredited training program. Professional identity was assessed through two instruments: the Beliefs about Counseling Scale and the Professional Identity and Engagement Scale which was developed for this study. The constructs of professional identity represented in the scales included belief in the acquisition of licensure and credentialing, the distinctiveness of professional counseling among other mental health professionals, pride in the counseling profession, agreement with the counseling philosophy, and behaviors exhibiting professional engagement.

Participants were 1,011 students enrolled in 79 CACREP accredited master's level training programs. The student …

Beliefs About Alcohol And The College Experience, Locus Of Self, And College Undergraduates’ Drinking Patterns, Katherine Novak

Katherine B. Novak

Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Boston, MA, July 31-August 2, 2008.

Los Dilemas Del Profesorado En La Educación Superior Mexicana, Jesús F. Galaz-Fontes, Laura E. Padilla-González, Manuel Gil-Antón, Juan J. Sevilla-García

Jesús Francisco Galaz Fontes

El presente artículo se refiere a las tensiones que experimentan los académicos mexicanos como consecuencia de los desafíos que enfrenta la educación superior en México: aumentar la cobertura, lograr la pertinencia económica de los programas educativos, fortalecer las funciones de investigación y hacer más eficiente y transparente la gestión en las instituciones. Lo anterior ha derivado en expectativas de que realicen, de manera “equilibrada”, funciones de docencia, investigación, inculación y gestión, ejerciendo una presión desmedida sobre ellos y propiciando el rendimiento mínimo requerido en cada uno de los ámbitos, a fin de cumplir con los requisitos que diversos programas demandan …

Investigation Of The Association Between Attendance In Preschool Programs And Achievement Of Elementary School Students In Greeneville, Tennessee., Anita Marie Conner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a difference in achievement test scores exists between students who attended preschool and those who did not as measured by standardized achievement test scores of students in the 3rd and 4th grades. The variables of grade level and gender were also considered. The population consisted of students who attended 4th and 5th grades during the 2007-2008 school year in the Greeneville City Schools. Data gathered were from Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program achievement test scores obtained from the 2006-2007 school year. Analysis of variance was used to identify any relationship between variables. …

A Comparison Of The Impact Of A Freshman Experience Program Provided For College-Bound High School Students Versus A Freshman Experience Program Completed As College Freshmen., Amanda H. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With over two thirds of high school graduates going on to pursue postsecondary options after high school and over one fourth at 4-year institutions and nearly half at 2-year schools never reaching their sophomore year, it is evident that the transition from high school to college is a broken one for many students. There has been a nationwide call to redefine the senior year of high school and rethink the transition from secondary to postsecondary education. Aligned with this plea, Walters State Community College began an initiative, the Freshman Experience program, to ease some of the strains associated with the …

The Relationship Of School Size And Socioeconomic Status To Middle Grades Growth Status On End Of Grade Tests In North Carolina., Andrew Peoples

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare student achievement, as assessed by the ABC (Accountability, Basics, Local Control) end of grade tests, of students in different sized schools and of different socioeconomic backgrounds. The population consisted of 379 middle schools in North Carolina. Data were gathered from the 2006-2007 school year. Several t-tests for independent samples, analyses of variance, and chi square analyses were used to identify relationships between variables. The measures of growth used were the change ratio, which is used to determine high growth status and mean growth, which is used to determine expected growth or …

Relationships Between Primary Teacher Beliefs And Practice In The Primary Classrooms Of A Small Urban School In East Tennessee., Lindsay Collins Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between primary teacher beliefs, traditional or developmentally appropriate; and primary teacher practice, traditional or constructivist. A multi-case study design was employed for this qualitative research study. Eight teachers completed the Primary Teacher Questionnaire (PTQ) to determine the study group. Based on their responses to the teacher beliefs questionnaire, 3 teachers were chosen to further participate in the study. Three main research questions were analyzed with individual and cross-case analysis. Triangulation of data included observations, Assessment of Practices in Early Elementary Classrooms (APEEC) scores determined from observation data, and …

A Correlation Of Technology Implementation And Middle School Academic Achievement In Tennessee's Middle Schools., Howard Thomas Sisco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship that exists between the reported implementation and integration of computer based technology into the middle schools of Tennessee and the achievement test scores of the middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

In January of 2004, 2005, and 2006 the Tennessee Department of Education implemented the EdTech Tennessee Online Technology Evaluation System (E-TOTE) Survey of technology implementation and integration to gather data from public schools. This survey was intended as a means of providing a measure of the status of technology to the federal government required under the …

Perceptions Of Adult High School Dropouts Concerning Participation In Ged Preparation Programs., Elizabeth Owens Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study was conducted to attain and analyze the perceptions of adult high school dropouts living in the Southwest Virginia region concerning participation in General Educational Development (GED) preparation programs. Mounting evidence underscores the facts that the high school dropout rate remains high across the nation and that many eligible people are not participating in adult GED preparation programs. The people residing in Southwest Virginia are no exception. Nearly 35% of the region's population does not possess a high school diploma and the adult education providers struggle with low participation rates.

In order to better understand the reasons for …

A Legacy Of Lifelong Learning: Leadership, Lessons, Love, And Laughter In The Life Of Elizabeth Gammon Pendleton., Louise Ratcliffe Bailey Dickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the postmodern Information Age (digital and wireless) with the expanded globalization of economies worldwide, there has been a vast transformation of workplace and educational systems. Thus, new meanings for educational practices and learning are evolving. Medical and social literature has suggested that learning throughout the lifetime is the key to successful living. The literature proposed that all types of education (formal, informal, and nonformal) may be a factor in the total well-being of the increasingly older adult population. Consequently, there is an increased need to understand the characteristics, traits, beliefs, and attitudes that generate the incentive for individuals to …

Leadership In The Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria: A Study Of The Perceptions Of Its Impact On The Acquired Leadership Skills Of Expatriate Nigerian Postgraduates., Gerald Anietie Ignatius Akata

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary trouble befalling Nigeria and its Niger Delta has been described as a failure of leadership. At various periods during the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries, Nigeria endured a bloody civil war and years of repressive military rule. Violence in the Niger Delta region, widespread brain drain, and frequent strikes that disrupted academic calendars at universities had serious ramifications for the region's educational system.

This study explores former students' perceptions of perceived leadership qualities seen in educational leaders at universities in the Niger Delta and how those qualities impact the acquired leadership skills of expatriate Nigerian …

Motivations For Lifelong Learning In The Life Of Mrs. Hendrika Schuster., Rebecca Lee Austin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As we enter the 21^st century our population of elderly citizens is growing at a rate never seen before in our history. With the baby boomers retiring, society is realizing the vast potential of untapped resources. These individuals are also seeking opportunities to remain as active and engaged members of their communities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the motivations for lifelong learning in the life of Hendrika "Henny" Schuster, an 81-year-old resident of Abingdon, Virginia. Her life story is presented in a narrative form and in a thematically organized chronological format. Interviews were conducted and recorded. …

Examining Truancy Board Effectiveness In Countering Student Absenteeism In Grades K-5 In Three Title I Schools In Northeast Tennessee., Jennifer Grace Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the use of a truancy board and the number of student absences in K - 5 students in 3 Title I schools in northeast Tennessee. Absences were compiled on students who attended the same elementary school over the 4 years of the study, 2003-2004 through 2006-2007. Two years of absences were combined for the 2 years prior to the implementation of the truancy board, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. The data were then compared to the combined number of days for the 2 years following implementation, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. A paired …

The Association Between Socioeconomic Status And High School Mathematics Scores And Enrollment Rates In Virginia Public Schools., Kathy A. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if socioeconomic status for the ethnic groups of white, black, Hispanic, and Asian is a significant indicator of mathematical performance and student participation in higher level courses. The SOL test scores of all high school mathematics students in Virginia for the 2005-2006 school year, their ethnic group membership, and their economically disadvantaged classification were as used to determine if such an association exists. Data provided by the Virginia Department of Education consisted of 113,786 Algebra I scores, 95,898 Geometry scores, and 68,944 Algebra II scores. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a Two-way …

Factors Predicting Academic Success For Impoverished Urban High School Freshmen., Jonathan W. Rysewyk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to identify which factors are most closely related to academic success during the freshman year for low socioeconomic students in one urban high school. This was an ex post facto study conducted in one urban high school in East Tennessee. The subjects were students enrolled in the 9^th grade during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 academic school years. Low socioeconomic students were divided into 2 groups based on academic performance during their freshman year of high school. Students with GPAs of 2.5 or higher were classified as higher performing, low socioeconomic status (HLSES). Students …