View All Items

Title: The elementary principal's role in promoting reading improvement.
Creator: Hillard, Lurana Case., Florida Atlantic University, Guglielmino, Lucy M.
Abstract/Description: The primary purpose of this study was to determine if there were commonalities in the approaches of ten elementary school principals in the state of Florida identified as "success stories" in leading reading improvement in their schools in 2002 shortly after enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act at the national level and the Just Read, Florida! initiative at the state level. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the elementary school...
Show moreThe primary purpose of this study was to determine if there were commonalities in the approaches of ten elementary school principals in the state of Florida identified as "success stories" in leading reading improvement in their schools in 2002 shortly after enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act at the national level and the Just Read, Florida! initiative at the state level. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the elementary school principals' reported success in leading reading improvement at their schools and reported level of agreement with the Survey Form for Elementary Principals , (Hillard, 2005), the Instructional Leadership Behavior Checklist (McEwen, 1997), and the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (Guglielmino, 1977/78). In a qualitative analysis of selected interview questions, five major themes emerged: Philosophical Framework, Human Resources, Programs/Strategies, Use of Data, and Use of Federal and State Initiatives and Information. The principals had initiated reading improvement before the Just Read, Florida! initiative had begun. When analyzing the Survey Form for Elementary Principals and the Instructional Leadership Behavior Checklist (McEwen, 1997), a pattern of high agreement emerged with a majority of the statements that earned average scores in the range of 4.0 to 5.0. On the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (Guglielmino, 1977/78), the principals' scores were exceptionally high, comparable with those of the top entrepreneurs in the United States. The overarching conclusion of the study centers on the identification of these exemplar principals as "educational entrepreneurs" who employ innovation, teacher empowerment, shared leadership, and reliance upon data to lead reading improvement in their schools.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12156
Subject Headings: Reading (Elementary), Reading (Elementary)--Florida, Educational innovations--Florida, School improvement programs--Florida, School principals--Florida, Elementary school administration--Florida--Evaluation
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Florida's definition and subsequent calculatons of a public high school graduate: a critical race theory analysis.
Creator: Watson, Terri N., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: On March 18, 2008, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida filed a class action lawsuit against The Palm Beach County School Board and its district superintendent on behalf of approximately 176,000 students under their jurisdiction (Schroeder v. The Palm Beach County School Board, 2008). The plaintiffs cited the defendants for their failure "to provide a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality education" (p. 7) as required by the Florida Constitution, Article IX, ß 1....
Show moreOn March 18, 2008, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida filed a class action lawsuit against The Palm Beach County School Board and its district superintendent on behalf of approximately 176,000 students under their jurisdiction (Schroeder v. The Palm Beach County School Board, 2008). The plaintiffs cited the defendants for their failure "to provide a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality education" (p. 7) as required by the Florida Constitution, Article IX, ß 1. They contended that their claim was substantiated by The School District of Palm Beach County's (SDPBC) dismal high school graduation rates. Spurred by the lawsuit, I wanted to understand the controversy surrounding high school graduation rates, in spite of decades of school reform measures, and why different calculation methods are utilized in the state of Florida. In respect to the latter point, I was curious to learn about the differences among graduation rate calculation methods and what impact, if any, these differences had on the reporting of high school graduation rates, particularly those for students of color. Black America's past and present reality in public education has illustrated the need for new paradigms to address the achievement gap promulgated by contextual factors that serve to impede the academic achievement of all students. The statistical analyses and Critical Race Realist perspective, which has evolved from Critical Race Theory when applied to policy research, offered in this study found Florida's definition and subsequent calculations of a public high school graduate to result in significant and consistent differences among graduation rates relative to student race and graduation rate calculation method.
Show less
Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1930490
Subject Headings: Discrimination in education, Educational equalization, School improvement programs, High school graduates
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Impact of Ready to Learn, A School Counselor-Led Intervention on Pro-Social Skills and Reading Skills of First Grade Students.
Creator: Cohen, Laura J, Brigman, Greg, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in pro-social behaviors and reading skills between a treatment group of first grade students who received the Ready to Learn (Brigman, Lane, & Lane, 2008) intervention, delivered by a certified professional school counselor, and a comparison group of first grade students who did not receive this intervention. Counselors in the treatment group were trained in the proper implementation of the manualized Ready to Learn program during a...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine differences in pro-social behaviors and reading skills between a treatment group of first grade students who received the Ready to Learn (Brigman, Lane, & Lane, 2008) intervention, delivered by a certified professional school counselor, and a comparison group of first grade students who did not receive this intervention. Counselors in the treatment group were trained in the proper implementation of the manualized Ready to Learn program during a professional development session. They were also trained in other study-related procedures, such as the online check-in tool and the regular site visits by the researcher. The study followed a quasi-experimental design. The Child Behavior Scale (CBS; Ladd, Herald-Brown & Andrews, 2009) was used to measure pro-social behaviors, and Rigby Running Records (Rigby, 2010) was used to assess reading skills. A series of analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were performed to deter mine whether or not there were statistically significant differences between the treatment and comparison group. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using a pretest score as the covariate was performed to test significance in the difference of reading scores. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in pro-social with peers behaviors, as well as statistically significant decreases in hyperactive and distractible behaviors as well as excluded by peers indicators for the treatment group.
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004579, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004579
Subject Headings: United States.--No Child Left Behind Act of 2001., Personality assessment of children., Readiness for school., Educational counseling., Achievement in education., Education, Primary., School improvement programs.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Instructional leadership: Principals making a difference with high-poverty and minority populations to improve instruction and increase student achievement.
Creator: Hopkins, Julie., Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia
Abstract/Description: The purpose of the study was to examine instructional leadership through an in-depth multi-case study of three high poverty and high minority elementary school sites where the principals had been identified as instructional leaders. The study identified how schools with unique populations practiced instructional leadership and compared the methods used to the six standards described by the NAESP. In addition, the research identified actions of instructional leaders used to enhance school...
Show moreThe purpose of the study was to examine instructional leadership through an in-depth multi-case study of three high poverty and high minority elementary school sites where the principals had been identified as instructional leaders. The study identified how schools with unique populations practiced instructional leadership and compared the methods used to the six standards described by the NAESP. In addition, the research identified actions of instructional leaders used to enhance school improvement efforts in schools serving high poverty and high minority populations while contributing to the understanding of the principal's role as an instructional leader. The three findings were: that the elementary school principals leading high minority and high poverty schools each incorporated the six standards set by the NAESP to improve instruction and student achievement; each of the principals implemented the NAESP standards based on the specific needs of their schools by using a reframing process to assess the context and identify which standards to focus on; and principals were reflective and responded to the needs of the environment by shifting leadership roles. The findings in this study were based on interviews of teachers and principals, observations of both formal and informal meetings, and review of school documents. Based upon the three findings, the following three conclusions resulted from the study. First, the six NAESP Standards provide a foundation of practice for what principals need to know and be able to implement in order to become effective instructional leaders. Second, instructional leadership is a flexible, not a stagnant model. Third, the use of reflective practice is essential for providing the flexibility in the thinking that is needed to reframe the six NAESP Standards to fit the unique context and lead a school toward continued improvement. Building an effective foundation using the six NAESP Standards is contingent upon the principal applying a focus on the standards that will contribute the most to student achievement and being able to be a reflective practitioner demonstrating flexibility in both thinking and leadership roles.
Show less
Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12190
Subject Headings: Educational leadership--United States, School improvement programs--United States, Elementary school principals--United States, Poor children--Education--United States
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of an interactive computer-based reading strategy on student comprehension.
Creator: Worrell, Jamie L., College of Education, Department of Exceptional Student Education
Abstract/Description: The computer-based testing mode has received limited research as a task condition for elementary students as it relates to comprehension for both narrative and expository text. The majority of schools now use computer-based testing to measure students' progress for end of the year exams. Additionally, schools are also delivering state-wide assessments like the Florida Comprehension Assessment Test through computer-based testing instead of paper-pencil testing. There is little research to...
Show moreThe computer-based testing mode has received limited research as a task condition for elementary students as it relates to comprehension for both narrative and expository text. The majority of schools now use computer-based testing to measure students' progress for end of the year exams. Additionally, schools are also delivering state-wide assessments like the Florida Comprehension Assessment Test through computer-based testing instead of paper-pencil testing. There is little research to indicate whether computer-based assessments are an effective way to measure student progress. This study investigated the effects of an interactive computer-based reading strategy on student comprehension for both expository and narrative passages. The intervention evaluated students' percentage of learned strategy use and comprehension accuracy for expository computer-based passages. Additionally, the intervention measured whether students generalized the learned strategy when given a paper-pencil narrative passage and whether generalization of strategy use improved comprehension vi accuracy. This study used an A-B-A-B design across participants, with a follow-up phase. The results from the data showed that all students made significant increases in strategy use from baseline to follow-up. Additionally, all the students had an increase in comprehension accuracy from baseline to follow-up for both computer and paper-based passages. All students were able to generalize successfully the strategy use to narrative passages, and improved their comprehension accuracy of narrative passages. The effects of the study suggest the value of teaching students the interactive computer-based reading strategy for students who struggle with passage comprehension.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3322518
Subject Headings: Reading comprehension, Computer-assisted instruction, Educational tests and meausrements, School improvement programs, Academic achievment, Reading, Ability testing, Computer-assisted instruction
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Factors that relate to the persistence of first-generation undergraduate students in a public university.
Creator: Thachil, Shoba Anne, Zainuddin, Hanizah, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: This study examined factors that relate to the persistence of first-generation undergraduate students in a 4-year public university in the Southeastern United States. Results were analyzed from a 2011 two-part survey: CARES-I (College Assessment of Readiness for Entering Students-Intent) and CARES-A (College Assessment of Readiness for Entering Students-Actual/Achieved. Semistructured interviews were conducted with first-generation undergraduate persisters, administrators, and professors....
Show moreThis study examined factors that relate to the persistence of first-generation undergraduate students in a 4-year public university in the Southeastern United States. Results were analyzed from a 2011 two-part survey: CARES-I (College Assessment of Readiness for Entering Students-Intent) and CARES-A (College Assessment of Readiness for Entering Students-Actual/Achieved. Semistructured interviews were conducted with first-generation undergraduate persisters, administrators, and professors. There was no statistically significant difference in persistence between continuing-generation and first-generation students. None of the factors, with the exception of performance goals on CARES A, were found to relate to persistence. Significant positive correlations were found between persistence and residential status, a learning strategies course, gender, high school GPA, and first semester in college GPA. The learning communities program was not found to significantly relate to persistence. The CARES surveys were found to be weak for predicting persistence. There was no significant interaction between any of the factors, persistence, and first-generation and continuing-generation, except for performance goals on CARES I and self-efficacy on CARES A. Findings from the interviews indicated that self-efficacy was highly important to graduation. The students had clear academic and professional, learning, monetary, and social outcome expectations. Student performance goals varied in amount of time, use of learning strategies, and organizational tools. Of the organizational variables, academic and social integration positively impacted persistence. However, the participants wished to have had higher grades as freshmen, found the STEM courses tough, had no informal interaction with administrators or professors, and did not use office hours enough. Students spoke positively of institutional programs, clubs, services, and organizations such as Supplemental Instruction (SI), the Math Lab, and Writing Center. Administrators and professors expressed a need for more information and responsiveness to persistence factors. Persistence was not impeded by family, friends, or work, whereas financial issues were prevalent. Although demographic variables did not negatively impact persistence, exo and macrosystem factors beyond the doors of the university emerged. Recommendations and options are provided for further research and for the university to improve persistence.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004065
Subject Headings: Achievement in education, Children of immigrants -- Education -- United States, First generation college students -- United States, Motivation in education, School improvement programs
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Influence of a professional development module focused on the research-based evidence of the culture and gender bias found in Disney animated fairy tales on preprimary early childhood teachers.
Creator: Doran, Ruth A., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Disney commands a strong market presence worldwide in print and multimedia products used for early childhood entertainment. Yet, the gender and cultural bias found in Disney animated fairy tale media has been well documented. Although preprimary early childhood teachers are urged to maintain a multicultural environment that is free of bias and stereotypes, very little training or support is presented to guide preprimary early childhood teachers in the selection of materials for use in their...
Show moreDisney commands a strong market presence worldwide in print and multimedia products used for early childhood entertainment. Yet, the gender and cultural bias found in Disney animated fairy tale media has been well documented. Although preprimary early childhood teachers are urged to maintain a multicultural environment that is free of bias and stereotypes, very little training or support is presented to guide preprimary early childhood teachers in the selection of materials for use in their preprimary early childhood classrooms. The study sought to investigate the influence of a professional development module focused on the gender and cultural bias found in Disney animated fairy tale media on preprimary early childhood teachers. How would they respond to this professional development module? Would it change their intentions to use Disney animated fairy tale media with preprimary early childhood children? Would the participation in this preprimary early childhood professional development module actually change their practice? Using both quantitative and qualitative inquiries, participating preprimary early education teachers reported mixed findings. While some preprimary early childhood teachers were clearly influenced by their discovery of the existence of bias in this media, others revealed a cognitive dissonance from a strong personal and emotional attachment to Disney animated fairy tale media products juxtaposed against the evidence of cultural and gender bias found in the media. Implications and suggestions for future research included the expansion of professional development modules and higher education/teacher education to include the study and consideration of the content of children's media., Policymakers and advocates need to address concerns of bias found in children's media with respect to gender and cultural bias development during the preoperative developmental stage of preprimary children. Further, interdisciplinary discussion needs to the concern of the influence of media on the holistic development of young children.
Show less
Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186328
Subject Headings: Teachers, In-service training, Social aspects, Education, Preschool, School improvement programs, Curriculum planning, Multicultural education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A multi-site case study of a professional learning community model: the impact of learning team meetings on teacher practice and student achievement from the perspective of teachers and instructional leaders.
Creator: Meles, Ora., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the implementation of a structured professional learning community model referred to as Learning Team Meetings (LTMs) on teacher practice and student achievement from the perspective of teachers and instructional leaders at high-need schools. To accomplish this purpose, a multi-site case study was conducted at three school sites (an elementary, middle, and high school) all within the same region of one of the largest urban school...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the implementation of a structured professional learning community model referred to as Learning Team Meetings (LTMs) on teacher practice and student achievement from the perspective of teachers and instructional leaders at high-need schools. To accomplish this purpose, a multi-site case study was conducted at three school sites (an elementary, middle, and high school) all within the same region of one of the largest urban school districts in South Florida. Qualitative research methods, including one-on-one observations, interviews, focus groups, and review of documents were utilized to analyze, contrast, and compare perceptions,beliefs, and assumptions of the participants in the study. The participants included teachers, principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, and Learning Team Facilitators (LTFs). A total of 20 participants were involved in the study. The conceptual framework for this study is rooted in the guiding principles of organizational learning and effective professional development practices. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) offer formal structures to provide teachers with learning enriched, ongoing, job-embedded staff development (Hord & Sommers, 2008). This study focused on one trajectory or type of PLC, and sought to better understand the implementation of an organizational systemic knowledge transfer structure and the impact on teacher practice from the participants' perception. The research design profided thick, rich data, which offered in-depth understandings of the participants' perception, beliefs, and assumption about the LTMs' impact on teacher practice and student achievement. Through the research it was determined that participants among all three of the schools sites believed that LTMs were changing teacher practice., Further, the participants at each of the school sites recognized the significance of the LTF and that he or she plays an essential role in the LTMs. The significance of the study,implications of these findings, and recommendations for further research are also presented.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3333059
Subject Headings: Professional learning communities, Teachers, In-service training, School improvement programs, Teaching teams, Reflective teaching, Group work in education, Educational leadership
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Effects of the Student Success Skills Classroom Program on Self-Regulation, School Attendance, and Test Anxiety on Hispanic Fifth-Grade Students.
Creator: Bottini, Cheryl L., Brigman, Greg, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a school counselor led classroom intervention, Student Success Skills (SSS) program (Brigman & Webb, 2010), on Grade 5 Hispanic student’s self-regulation, school attendance, and test anxiety. The study used non identifying archival data from a random controlled trial (RCT) collected at 30 elementary schools in one school district during the school year 2012-2013. Attendance was collected at the end of the school year when students...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a school counselor led classroom intervention, Student Success Skills (SSS) program (Brigman & Webb, 2010), on Grade 5 Hispanic student’s self-regulation, school attendance, and test anxiety. The study used non identifying archival data from a random controlled trial (RCT) collected at 30 elementary schools in one school district during the school year 2012-2013. Attendance was collected at the end of the school year when students completed Grades 4, 5, and 6. Data were collected at three points: pretest, posttest1, and posttest 2. A series of multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) tests and univariate analyses were conducted to determine statistical significance between the treatment group and comparison group in self- regulation, school attendance, and test anxiety. Effect sizes using a partial eta square were calculated for each dependent variable. The results support the Student Success Skills (SSS) classroom program (Brigman & Webb, 2010) implemented by certified school counselors was documented.
Show less
Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004897, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004897
Subject Headings: Motivation in education., Hispanic Americans--Education., Minority students--Social conditions., Minorities--Education--United States., Educational counseling., Academic achievement., Educational equalization., School improvement programs.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effects of student participation in the cultural Spanish translation of the Student Success Skills program on high school student achievement.
Creator: Urbina, Ivett., College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish cultural translation of the Student Success Skills (SCT-SSS) classroom program as a school counselor intervention for increasing Hispanic student academic achievement scores as measured by standardized mathematics and reading tests. The research question evaluated in this study was: "What is the effect of student participation in the SCT-SSS on student achievement of high school Hispanic students in...
Show moreThe purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish cultural translation of the Student Success Skills (SCT-SSS) classroom program as a school counselor intervention for increasing Hispanic student academic achievement scores as measured by standardized mathematics and reading tests. The research question evaluated in this study was: "What is the effect of student participation in the SCT-SSS on student achievement of high school Hispanic students in reading and mathematics as measured by Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)"? The sample for this study included 352 Hispanic students in Grades 9 and 10 from two public high schools in south Florida. The treatment group included 166 students and the comparison group included 186 students. In order to be eligible for participation in this study, students had to meet three different criteria: (a) they identified themselves as Hispanic on their school registration form; (b) they were enrolled in a Spanish for Native Speakers foreign language elective course: and (c) they had Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) pretest scores on the reading and math tests. A series of preliminary univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to determine if differences existed between participants on the FCAT reading and mathematics pretests Developmental Scale Scores (DSS). To control for grade level and English language learner (ELL) differences between study participants on pretest reading scores, a univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted using the FCAT reading pretest DSS as the covariate. An overall effect size of the current study was +0.50 with a variance of 0.0060 (95% CI [0.35, 0.65])., The results for the overall math effect size was +0.32 with a variance of 0.0115 (95% CI [0.10, .53]), and the results for the overall reading effect sizewas +0.70 with a variance of 0.0127 (95% CI [.48, .93]). These effect sizes were statistically significificant at the.05 level. The results from this study demonstrated that the SCT-SSS classroom program is an effective intervention for increasing student achievement for high school Hispanic students. Students who received the SCT-SSS classroom program achieved greater gains when compared to students who did not receive the intervention.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3334099
Subject Headings: Achievement in education, School improvement programs, Children of immigrants, Education, Hispanic American children, Education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The development of global-mindedness: school leadership perspectives.
Creator: Hersey, Maria., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the development of global-mindedness (GM) in the leadership of primary schools offering international educational programs around the world with an emphasis on the need for school leaders that understand and support the development of a critical, global perspective of education. Reported findings identified the presence of the five dimensions of global-mindedness as well as the relationships between demographic variables such as travel...
Show moreThe purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the development of global-mindedness (GM) in the leadership of primary schools offering international educational programs around the world with an emphasis on the need for school leaders that understand and support the development of a critical, global perspective of education. Reported findings identified the presence of the five dimensions of global-mindedness as well as the relationships between demographic variables such as travel experience, second language ability, and years of teaching experience. The findings also reported positive relationships between the subscales of Hett's (1993) Global-Mindedness Scale and the attributes of international-mindedness as defined by the International Baccalaureate's learner profile. The results of this study are intended to advance knowledge of the development of global-mindedness for school leaders around the world.
Show less
Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3342108
Subject Headings: Education and globalization, Educational leadership, Critical pedagogy, School improvement programs, Education, Primary, Aims and objectives
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Investigation of the value of teacher leadership capacity-building: Implementation of an intervention framework to raise student achievement.
Creator: Nowocien, Darlene J., Florida Atlantic University, Guglielmino, Lucy M., Acker-Hocevar, Michele A.
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to determine if changes could be detected in teachers' approaches to their professional practice and in the achievement of their students following the implementation of a teacher leadership capacity-building intervention framework. Specific aspects examined were (a) teachers' perceptions of changes in their classroom environments, instructional practices, planning, assessment, and confidence in instructing diverse learners; (b) observer ratings of teachers'...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine if changes could be detected in teachers' approaches to their professional practice and in the achievement of their students following the implementation of a teacher leadership capacity-building intervention framework. Specific aspects examined were (a) teachers' perceptions of changes in their classroom environments, instructional practices, planning, assessment, and confidence in instructing diverse learners; (b) observer ratings of teachers' classroom practices; (c) teachers' readiness for self-directed learning; and (d) student achievement. The study addressed four research questions and three hypotheses. Following the professional development intervention, teachers' perceived changes in their professional practices were documented on a self-report survey, with the greatest positive change reported in types and variety of instructional practices. Significant gains were found in teachers' observed effective behaviors (Florida Performance Measurement System scores), teachers' Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale scores and student achievement in reading. The outcomes, while they cannot, of course, be solely attributed to the intervention, support the concept that teacher leadership capacity is built from within when teachers are encouraged to take a greater responsibility for the design and implementation of their professional development and to share their strengths with their colleagues in a true learning community. The intervention was implemented in an at-risk school, but it provides a framework that can be replicated elsewhere. This project required a commitment of resources for observations, peer coaching, modeling instructional strategies, team meetings, reflective team planning, team data analysis, and a variety of professional development sessions chosen and designed by staff that took place both within and outside of the regularly scheduled workday. The school district, an outside private foundation, and additional grants provided funding for most expenses, including an on-site professional development facilitator. Further follow-up research is warranted given the brevity of this study and the time needed for systemic change.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12163
Subject Headings: Academic achievement--Measurement, Educational leadership--United States, Teacher participation in administration--United States, School improvement programs--United States, Educational change--United States
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Socio-Cultural Leadership: An Innovative Model For School Leadership.
Creator: Blackburn, Desmond K., Bogotch, Ira, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The conceptual framework of this study suggested that Socio-Cultural Leadership was composed of the following four factors: Instructional Domain, Emotional Domain, Community Domain, and Cultural Domain. Furthermore, it was posed that these factors, collectively and independently, directly impacted student achievement in schools ofhigh poverty. From this framework, the Socio-Cultural Leadership Questionnaire was developed (SCLQ). The research questions that guided this study were: 1. Do the...
Show moreThe conceptual framework of this study suggested that Socio-Cultural Leadership was composed of the following four factors: Instructional Domain, Emotional Domain, Community Domain, and Cultural Domain. Furthermore, it was posed that these factors, collectively and independently, directly impacted student achievement in schools ofhigh poverty. From this framework, the Socio-Cultural Leadership Questionnaire was developed (SCLQ). The research questions that guided this study were: 1. Do the items of the survey instrument divide into the four domains as described? 2. What is the relationship, collectively and independently, between SocioCultural Leadership and student achievement in high-poverty schools? 3. Is the frequency in observed principal behaviors different between lowperforming and high-performing schools? Therefore, the purpose of this study was to, via exploratory factor analysis; verify that these four factors existed as described and to, via regression analysis, find the direct relationship between the resulting factors and student achievement in high poverty schools. High poverty schools were defined as schools where 50 percent ( 40 percent for high schools) or more of the student population participated the federally funded Free and/or Reduced Price Lunch Program. This study also sought to differentiate these findings according to the performance levels of the schools sampled. The pilot study, the descriptive statistics, the principal components analysis, and the measures of internal consistency, all provided the researcher with empirical evidence to establish the reliability and validity of specific SCLQ items along with the significance of the resulting factors. Two of the five SCLQ subscales that resulted from the factor analysis, OP (outreach to parents) and MIPD (management of instructional process detractors), positively correlated with student achievement in the total sample (n = 903). There is a less than 5 percent chance that these findings were due to a Type I sampling error. Finally, principals in high-performing schools exhibited behaviors indicated by subscales OP (outreach to parents) and MIPD (management of instructional process detractors) significantly more than principals in low-performing schools.
Show less
Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000650
Subject Headings: Academic achievement--Cross-cultural studies, Minority students--Social conditions, Motivation in education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Model for Improving Teacher Engagement Through Administrative Support.
Creator: Campbell, James C., Bogotch, Ira, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: School leaders in the elementary and secondary levels are continually in search of ways to raise student achievement. It is acknowledged that a quality teacher is the most effective means to ensure student success. However, school leaders cannot stop at hiring quality teachers. They must take steps to provide support for those teachers so they will remain engaged in their jobs. This research study sought to examine how various supportive actions by school principals can affect teacher...
Show moreSchool leaders in the elementary and secondary levels are continually in search of ways to raise student achievement. It is acknowledged that a quality teacher is the most effective means to ensure student success. However, school leaders cannot stop at hiring quality teachers. They must take steps to provide support for those teachers so they will remain engaged in their jobs. This research study sought to examine how various supportive actions by school principals can affect teacher engagement. It addressed the research questions of “Can administrative support factors predict teacher engagement?” and “Can teacher engagement predict student achievement?” This was accomplished through a literature review of the topics associated with teacher engagement as well as a quantitative analysis of responses solicited from high school teachers in a large urban school district in the Southeastern United States. The results indicate that administrative support factors can predict teacher engagement as the model predicted that a significant amount (54%) of the variance in teacher engagement was due to the predictor variables. It was found that the social events factor significantly predicted teacher engagement (b=.419) with the next highest weight being the assessment factor (b=.246). However, the study did not show a predictive relationship between teacher engagement and student achievement.
Show less
Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004887, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004887
Subject Headings: Teachers--In-service training., Teachers--Quality of., School improvement programs., Educational leadership., Teacher-principal relationships., School management and organization., School principals--Professional ethics., Mentoring in education.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Study of School Improvement Plans, School DecisionMaking and Advocacy, and Their Correlation to Student Academic Achievement.
Creator: Curry, Maribel Marcos, Decker, Larry E., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Parent involvement literature reveals that parents play an important role in student academic achievement. The School Advisory Councils are the major outlet for parents to engage in decision-making and advocacy skills in Broward County. The School Improvement Plans are the major output of the School Advisory Councils and this document contains many strategies that schools should follow in order to increase achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if School Improvement Plans and...
Show moreParent involvement literature reveals that parents play an important role in student academic achievement. The School Advisory Councils are the major outlet for parents to engage in decision-making and advocacy skills in Broward County. The School Improvement Plans are the major output of the School Advisory Councils and this document contains many strategies that schools should follow in order to increase achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if School Improvement Plans and school decision-making and advocacy had any correlation to academic achievement. The researcher investigated this utilizing two research methods: a survey to investigate if school decision-making and advocacy were correlated to student academic achievement; and content analysis to investigate if School Improvement Plans were correlated to student academic achievement. The study gathered data from 38 middle schools and 29 high schools in Broward County, Florida, during the academic year of 2004-2005. The researcher used standard five of the National PTA Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs to design the Decision-Making and Advocacy Survey to determine the perceptions of decisionmaking and advocacy. The researcher surveyed two of the key players with leadership roles of the School Advisory Council: the principal and the SAC chairperson. The survey was pilot tested for its reliability. The researcher also used the School Improvement Plan from each middle school and high school in Broward County in order to conduct the content analysis. The survey and content analysis data were analyzed using linear correlation, multiple correlation, and multiple regression. A major finding of this research was the significant correlation between the Math strategies found in the School Improvement Plans and the Math achievement scores, as well as the correlation between the Writing strategies found in the School Improvement Plans and school grades. In general, it can be concluded that the strategies found in the School Improvement Plans may increase student achievement, particularly in Math and Writing.
Show less
Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000660
Subject Headings: Broward County School District (Fla )--Planning, School improvement programs--Florida--Broward County, School management and organization--Decision making, Educational planning--Florida--Broward County, Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Relationship of Transformational Leadership and Reading Achievement in Broward County, Florida Charter Schools.
Creator: Freeland, Jennifer, Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
Abstract/Description: Charter schools have dramatically increased in number in Florida and throughout the country. In Florida, charter schools must meet the achievement standards developed through the A Plus Plan. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of transformational leadership and reading achievement in Broward County, Florida charter schools. Transformational leadership was defined using the model developed by Kenneth Leithwood (Leithwood, Jantzi, & Steinbach, 1999). Transformational...
Show moreCharter schools have dramatically increased in number in Florida and throughout the country. In Florida, charter schools must meet the achievement standards developed through the A Plus Plan. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of transformational leadership and reading achievement in Broward County, Florida charter schools. Transformational leadership was defined using the model developed by Kenneth Leithwood (Leithwood, Jantzi, & Steinbach, 1999). Transformational leaders are those that demonstrate, charisma/inspiration/vision, intellectual stimulation, individual consideration, contingent reward, high performance expectations, goal consensus, modeling, culture building, and structuring. Charter schools in Broward County, Florida were surveyed using the "Nature of School Leadership Survey" (Leithwood & Jantzi, 1995). The results of the survey in each transformational leadership dimension were correlated with reading achievement measured in learning gains. No significant relationships were found. Further, the relationships were analyzed to determine if contextual variables SES, size and configuration moderated the relationship. None of the contextual variables moderated the relationships. Finally, the population of charter schools was divided into thirds based on level of reading achievement gains to determine if the top and bottom third of schools used transformational leadership differently. No significant difference was found.
Show less
Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000665
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of the four pillars on statewide high school graduation rates.
Creator: Daniel, Harry M., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: This study investigated the relationship of statewide high school graduation rates of student ethnic groups from 2002 to 2006 to the four policy pillars of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001: Accountability for Results; Expanded Flexibility and Local Control; Expanded Options for Parents, Strengthening Teacher Quality. The quantitative, non-experimental, multivariate, correlational design addressed four research questions and six hypotheses. The research population was composed of...
Show moreThis study investigated the relationship of statewide high school graduation rates of student ethnic groups from 2002 to 2006 to the four policy pillars of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001: Accountability for Results; Expanded Flexibility and Local Control; Expanded Options for Parents, Strengthening Teacher Quality. The quantitative, non-experimental, multivariate, correlational design addressed four research questions and six hypotheses. The research population was composed of high school students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The predictor variables were the four policy pillars themselves. Data were collected through archival reports from the Education Commission of the States (ECS) and State Accountability Report Workbooks provided by state departments of education to create an index of implementation to determine the extent to which the four policy pillars were implemented. The criterion variable was high school graduation rate split across student ethnic groups. Graduation rates of subgroup student populations were collected from the Average Freshman Graduation Rates archives for the ninth grade cohort entering in 2001 and exiting in 2006. Data were analyzed both by a one-factor correlational analysis of covariance with one covariate to determine the impact of each NCLB policy pillar, and by a four-factor analysis of covariance with one covariate to determine the impact of all NCLB policy pillars together. The study found that no significant relationships existed between any of the four NCLB policy pillars, singularly or between all four of the policy pillars together, and statewide high school graduation rates among any student racial or ethnic subgroups for the academic years covered in the study. Reasons for the lack of significant relationships are a source for further study. It is recommended that such studies examine the effect of policy implementation that currently allows: (a) each state to set its own test and measurement standards or its own criteria for teacher certification; (b) parents to keep their children in failing schools even if those children are also failing; and (c) each state to underfund mandates.
Show less
Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004099, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004099
Subject Headings: Academic achievement -- United States, Education and state -- United States, Educational accountability -- United States, Educational equalization -- United States, School improvement programs -- United States, United States -- No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An examination of the implementation of the Intel Essentials project-based learning model on middle and secondary reading and language arts FCAT student achievement and engagement.
Creator: Wright, Jeremy R., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to identify (1) the effectiveness of the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning based on student Florida Comprehensive Assessment test (FCAT) reading scores; (2) the differences in student engagement between students in classes with teachers trained in the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning and teachers not trained in the model as measured by the Beliefs about Classroom Structures Survey; (3) the level of implementation (high, average, or...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify (1) the effectiveness of the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning based on student Florida Comprehensive Assessment test (FCAT) reading scores; (2) the differences in student engagement between students in classes with teachers trained in the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning and teachers not trained in the model as measured by the Beliefs about Classroom Structures Survey; (3) the level of implementation (high, average, or low) of teachers trained in the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning; and (4) any correlation between the level of implementation and the level of student engagement. A total of 32 teachers participated in the study. The teachers were split into 2 groups: the experimental group (N = 16) that participated in the Intel Essentials Training, and the control group (N = 16) that did not participate in the training. The results for this study were mixed. The students of the experimental group teachers (N = 780) had significantly higher (p < .05) FCAT scores than that of the control group students (N = 643). The control group with the exception of Motivating Tasks subscale had significantly higher levels of engagement. The correlation between level of implementation and student engagement produced a moderate negative correlation, meaning that the Intel trained teachers with the highest levels of implementation had the lowest levels of engagement.
Show less
Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/369395
Subject Headings: School improvement programs, Project method in teaching, Mobile communication systems in education, Academic achievement, Methodology, Education, Secondary, Computer-assisted instruction, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Education, Effect of technological innovations on
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effects of a culturally translated school counselor-led intervention on the academic achievement of fourth and fifth grade Haitian students.
Creator: Jean-Jacques, Velouse Jean-Pierre., College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Haitian Hybrid Student Success Skills (HHSSS) program on the academic achievement of 4th and 5th grade Haitian students. This intervention included both the Student Success Skills (SSS) classroom program in English (Brigman & Webb, 2004), followed by the Haitian SSS small group translation Teknik Pou Ede Eláev Reyisi (Brigman, Campbell, & Webb 2004, 2009). School counselors in the treatment schools implemented the HHSSS program in...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Haitian Hybrid Student Success Skills (HHSSS) program on the academic achievement of 4th and 5th grade Haitian students. This intervention included both the Student Success Skills (SSS) classroom program in English (Brigman & Webb, 2004), followed by the Haitian SSS small group translation Teknik Pou Ede Eláev Reyisi (Brigman, Campbell, & Webb 2004, 2009). School counselors in the treatment schools implemented the HHSSS program in grades 4 and 5 after receiving training from the study researcher. A series of ANOVA and ANCOVA analyses then were conducted to determine whether there were significant differences between the treatment group, the comparison group 1, and the comparison group 2 in reading and math using the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) as a benchmark. Statistically significant differences were found between: (a) the treatment group and comparison group 1 in reading, (b) the treatment group and vii comparison group 2 in reading, and (c) between both comparison group 1 and comparison group 2 in reading. This study provides empirical support showing that students who are taught key cognitive and self management skills in their native language can begin to close the academic gap regardless of their language background. Furthermore, it supports the positive impact school counselors can have on student success by implementing an evidence-based program.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3332255
Subject Headings: Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Achievement in education, Motivation in education, Children of immigrants, Education, School improvement programs, Educational counseling
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Is there a relationship between academic achievement and school climate at the elementary, middle, or high school grade level?.
Creator: Doyal, Thomas Stacy., College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
Abstract/Description: Researchers have determined that many factors, including school climate, may be contributing to the lack of academic achievement of many of our students. In an effort to better understand this issue, this study tested for possible relationships between the school climate of multiple schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, and their students' academic achievement. Separate analyses were done at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the purpose of this study, academic achievement ...
Show moreResearchers have determined that many factors, including school climate, may be contributing to the lack of academic achievement of many of our students. In an effort to better understand this issue, this study tested for possible relationships between the school climate of multiple schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, and their students' academic achievement. Separate analyses were done at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the purpose of this study, academic achievement (criterion variable) was measure by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Math and Reading sections. School climate (predictor variable) was measured by the school district's yearly climate survey. In order to test the study's hypotheses, a linear multiple regression model using SPSS software was run to measure for any relationship between the criterion and predictor variables at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The relationships of individual predictors with the criterion were tested with correlations and the model including all seven predictors was tested with multiple regressions.
Show less
Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/221943
Subject Headings: School improvement programs, Academic achievement, Educational equalization, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Educational tests and measurements
Format: Document (PDF)

School improvement programs (24)	+ -
School improvement programs. (7)	+ -
Academic achievement (6)	+ -
Motivation in education (6)	+ -
Education (5)	+ -

Educational leadership (5)	+ -
Achievement in education (4)	+ -
Educational leadership. (4)	+ -
Educational tests and measurements (4)	+ -
Computer-assisted instruction (3)	+ -
Educational equalization (3)	+ -
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (3)	+ -
In-service training (3)	+ -
School improvement programs--United States (3)	+ -
School management and organization (3)	+ -
School management and organization. (3)	+ -
Academic achievement. (2)	+ -
Children of immigrants (2)	+ -
Critical pedagogy (2)	+ -
Educational counseling (2)	+ -
Educational counseling. (2)	+ -
Educational innovations. (2)	+ -
Educational leadership--United States (2)	+ -
Evaluation (2)	+ -
Group work in education (2)	+ -
Learning, Psychology of (2)	+ -
Professional learning communities (2)	+ -
Reading (Elementary) (2)	+ -
School principals (2)	+ -
Teachers (2)	+ -

United States (8)	+ -
Florida (6)	+ -
Palm Beach County (2)	+ -
Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Charter schools--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -

Educational leadership--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Educational leadership--United States (1)	+ -
School improvement programs--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
School improvement programs--United States (1)	+ -
School management and organization--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
States (1)	+ -

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004. (1)	+ -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. (1)	+ -

Search In

Pages

Pages

Sort Results By:

Narrow results by:

Collection

Topical Subject

Geographic Subject

Genre Subject

Title as Subject

Genre

Type of Resource

Language

Creator

Format

Owner