Current Search: Academic achievement -- United States (x)
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- Title
- Predicting success in four different programs at a technical university.
- Creator
- Devi, Nirmal., Florida Atlantic University, Weppner, Daniel B.
- Abstract/Description
-
The primary purpose of this research study was to predict student success in four programs at a technical university. The predictors of success: Scholastic Aptitude Test Verbal (SATV) and mathematics (SATM) scores, high school rank (HR), number of mathematics courses taken in high school (NMC), mathematics grade point average (MGPA), and age were examined to find the relationship with grade point average at the time of graduation (GPA) for each of four degree programs. Data was comprised of...
Show moreThe primary purpose of this research study was to predict student success in four programs at a technical university. The predictors of success: Scholastic Aptitude Test Verbal (SATV) and mathematics (SATM) scores, high school rank (HR), number of mathematics courses taken in high school (NMC), mathematics grade point average (MGPA), and age were examined to find the relationship with grade point average at the time of graduation (GPA) for each of four degree programs. Data was comprised of 254 freshman of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach in the fall 1982. Of these 254 freshmen, 51 were from the Aeronautical Engineering program, 163 were from the Aeronautical Science program, 25 were from the Computer Science program, and 15 were from the Aviation Management program. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients between GPA and each of the six predictors were computed. For the entire sample, SATM (r =.47, p <.001), MGPA (r =.45, p <.001), HR (r =.46, p <.001), and SATV (r =.26, p <.001) were significant predictors of GPA. HR (r = 0.55, p <.001) SATM (r =.48, p <.001), and MGPA (r =.43, p <.01) were found to be significant predictors of GPA for the Aeronautical Engineering program. MGPA (r =.53, p <.001) was the best predictor of GPA for the Aeronautical Science program. SATM (r =.51, p <.001), HR (r =.47, p <.001), and SATV (r =.34, p <.001) were significant predictors of GPA for the Aeronautical Science program. Age and NMC were not significant predictors of GPA in any program. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the correlation coefficient was significant for the entire sample (F(6,178) = 14.14, p <.01), the Aeronautical Engineering program (F(6,33) = 4.24, p <$.01), and the Aeronautical Science program (F(6,109) = 14.34, p <.01). A student's GPA at the 95% level of confidence could be estimated within one letter grade for the Aeronautical Engineering and Aeronautical Science programs. It was recommended that the high school rank be included as an admission criterion in addition to SAT scores. This study could be extended to compare the success rates of students in different programs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1988
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11925
- Subject Headings
- College students--United States, Academic achievement
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A status study of nonpublic high schools' voluntary compliance with Florida RAISE requirements and other selected quality variables.
- Creator
- Mims, Nancy Griffin., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of voluntary compliance with Florida's Raise Achievement in Secondary Education (RAISE) requirements and other quality variables by nonpublic high schools in five geographical regions. A population of 137 nonpublic schools with 40 or more students were divided into three school categories: Catholic, religious affiliated (non-Catholic), and non-religious. The data were organized into 24 selected items taken from a questionnaire to determine...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the levels of voluntary compliance with Florida's Raise Achievement in Secondary Education (RAISE) requirements and other quality variables by nonpublic high schools in five geographical regions. A population of 137 nonpublic schools with 40 or more students were divided into three school categories: Catholic, religious affiliated (non-Catholic), and non-religious. The data were organized into 24 selected items taken from a questionnaire to determine the status of teacher certification, school accreditation, courses and credits required for graduation, length of class periods, enrollment, and availability of science laboratories. The data obtained determined the level of voluntary compliance with Florida's RAISE requirements and other quality variables, the eligibility of nonpublic schools graduating seniors seeking admission to Florida public universities and the Florida Academic Scholar Program. Items of concern were cross tabulated for frequencies and percentages in the three school categories and within each of the five geographical regions. It was concluded that there was a 76.5% compliance with RAISE requirements by nonpublic high schools. Eighty-eight percent of the Catholic schools, 71% of the religious affiliated schools, and 75% of nonreligious schools complied with RAISE requirements. Therefore, graduating seniors would have the courses in the curriculum required for entrance to Florida public universities. The nonpublic high schools (75.3%), however, fell short of meeting the requirements for the Florida Academic Scholar Program. This deficiency was due to a lack of advanced courses or not enough extra credits offered to students. The data also showed that 53% of the nonpublic school teachers hold Florida professional certificates and that schools accredited by major accrediting agencies were more often in full compliance with RAISE requirements. A lack of response by nonreligious schools indicated that they had no interest in the study or were not willing to share information and, therefore, the findings were not conclusive. The study did, however, indicate that the RAISE requirements have had an impact on nonpublic high schools who have begun to implement more fine arts and life skills into their curriculum and add additional class periods.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1988
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11927
- Subject Headings
- Raise Achievement in Secondary Education--Florida, Academic achievement--United States, Education, Secondary--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- African American and Hispanic male perceptions of effective and ineffective retention strategies, and the implications for undergraduate persistence in a for-profit commuter university.
- Creator
- Comarcho, Carole., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to examine the expectations of African American and Hispanic males in a for-profit university (TTU). This study specifically explored student perception of the retention efforts of faculty, staff, policies, procedures and services within the institutional environment. It further examined how these experiences promoted or impeded the African American or Hispanic male's persistence to graduation. The higher education institution is identified as TTU throughout this...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the expectations of African American and Hispanic males in a for-profit university (TTU). This study specifically explored student perception of the retention efforts of faculty, staff, policies, procedures and services within the institutional environment. It further examined how these experiences promoted or impeded the African American or Hispanic male's persistence to graduation. The higher education institution is identified as TTU throughout this study. It is a commuter university established in the early 1900s. A qualitative case study approach was used and two campus sites were selected. Data collection included interviews of 19 students, along with 2 faculty (identified by students), as well as document analysis, and various on site observations at each campus. The data were then transcribed, coded, and analyzed to ascertain the overall views and perceptions of the participants.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/329844
- Subject Headings
- African Americans, Education (Higher), Hispanic Americans, Education (Higher), Academic achievement, College attendance
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effects of a culturally translated school counselor-led intervention on Hispanic students' academic achievement.
- Creator
- Leon, Ana Maria., College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a school counselor-led intervention, a culturally translated version of the Student Success Skills (SSS) program, on student academic achievement in Hispanic students. The research question investigated in this study was: Does Hispanic student participation in the culturally translated Student Success Skills classroom guidance program increase academic achievement as measured by state mandated standardized reading and math...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a school counselor-led intervention, a culturally translated version of the Student Success Skills (SSS) program, on student academic achievement in Hispanic students. The research question investigated in this study was: Does Hispanic student participation in the culturally translated Student Success Skills classroom guidance program increase academic achievement as measured by state mandated standardized reading and math tests? Based on the fact that Hispanic students are at a very high risk of academic failure, there is an urgent need to address the lack of academic success. The cultural translation of the Student Success Skills (SSS) program focuses on student outcomes and helps to provide a link between school counselors and improved outcomes for Hispanic students.The sample for this study included 103 treatment and 98 comparison fourth and fifth grade students from three schools in South Florida. Participating students were selected from all Hispanic students at four schools in South Florida, by selecting the students who spoke mainly Spanish at home and came from Hispanic backgrounds. Academic achievement was measured using a standardized, objective, state-wide assessment instrument, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The procedure used to analyze the results for this study was a Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The statistical analysis showed that the treatment group scored significantly higher than the comparison group in reading. There was not a significant difference in math for the treatment group. When fidelity of treatment was investigated a post hoc analysis found that groups with full implementation of the program scored significantly higher in math and in reading than the comparison group., The results of this study show that a cultural translation of the Student Success Skills program is helpful for the fourth and fifth grade Hispanic students improving achievement in reading.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/187214
- Subject Headings
- Educational leadership, Acculturation, Minorities, Education (Elementary), Hispanic American children, Education, Academic achievement, Educational equalization
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of seventh grade hands on science field trip performed at Gumbo Llimbo compared to same lesson in classroom setting on student performance.
- Creator
- Gomez, Jose, Meltzer, Carol, Graduate College
- Date Issued
- 2011-04-08
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3164533
- Subject Headings
- School field trips --United States, Academic achievement, Educational tests and measurements
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effect of audiocassette presentation on the performance of students with and without learning disabilities on a group standardized math test.
- Creator
- Schnirman, Rebecca K., Florida Atlantic University, Taylor, Ronald L.
- Abstract/Description
-
Many students with specific learning disabilities (LD) exhibit reading difficulties that interfere with their performance on "high-stakes" standardized tests with math word problems. Therefore, it is important to identify accommodations that will lead to valid test scores. Audio presentation for math word problems is intended to remove the effects of a disability in reading. One purpose of the study was to conduct an empirical investigation of the effects of audiocassette presentation by...
Show moreMany students with specific learning disabilities (LD) exhibit reading difficulties that interfere with their performance on "high-stakes" standardized tests with math word problems. Therefore, it is important to identify accommodations that will lead to valid test scores. Audio presentation for math word problems is intended to remove the effects of a disability in reading. One purpose of the study was to conduct an empirical investigation of the effects of audiocassette presentation by comparing the performance of students with LD and students from general education (GE). Another was to investigate the relationship, if any, between the level of knowledge of mathematics vocabulary and the benefit of audiocassette presentation for the students with LD. Finally, the study sought to extend the current research base to students in middle school. Twenty-four students with LD and 24 from GE were tested with parallel forms of the Math section of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Half of each group tested with form K under standard administration and received audiocassette presentation for form L. The other half of each group was tested with form L under standard administration and audiocassette presentation for form K. Finally, the Vocabulary subtest from the Test of Mathematical Abilities, 2nd edition (TOMA-2) was administered. Separate paired t tests were performed for the GE group and for the group with LD. The performance of the two groups was then compared with repeated measures analyses. No statistically significant differences were found, which was attributed, in part, to small sample size. Minimal change in the mean performance of either group occurred after audiocassette presentation for Math Concepts. The group mean for LD on Problem Solving improved slightly with the accommodation. Repeated measures analyses showed no significant difference in performance between students with "high" vs. "low" levels of math vocabulary. A floor effect, along with the students' level of academic language proficiency, may have affected the results. Some students improved their scores with audio presentation, but others scored lower. This reinforces the need to base the use of any test accommodation on individual need, not disability label or other factors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12166
- Subject Headings
- Educational tests and measurements, Learning disabled children--Ability testing, Academic achievement--Testing--Validity--United States, Children with disabilities--Education--Ability testing, Academic achievement
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Factors affecting retention in a community college's welfare-to-work programs: a heuristic study of participants' perceptions.
- Creator
- Pino, Veronica Woodward., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
This study examined the perceptions held by former and current welfare-to-work participants of factors that contributed to the retention, persistence, attrition and/or completion of welfare-to-work training programs at a community college. Using the lived experiences and voices of former or current welfare-to-work participants and a qualitative research design, the researcher examined the following research questions: (a) What factors during the training impacted the movement of participants...
Show moreThis study examined the perceptions held by former and current welfare-to-work participants of factors that contributed to the retention, persistence, attrition and/or completion of welfare-to-work training programs at a community college. Using the lived experiences and voices of former or current welfare-to-work participants and a qualitative research design, the researcher examined the following research questions: (a) What factors during the training impacted the movement of participants from welfare-to-work? (b) How did these factors enhance or serve as barriers to the movement of participants from welfare-to-work? This study was presented as a heuristic study of 12 former welfare participants who have transitioned or are currently transitioning from welfare to work. Using purposeful sampling, the researcher selected the participants for this study through self-identification or through nomination by program leaders and other program participants. Each of the 12 former welfare participants was interviewed about the situational, institutional, and dispositional aspects of their training. Demographic data were collected on each of the 12 participants for the purpose of a comparative analysis. Interviews of family members or friends of each of the participants validated the stories provided by the participant. Interviews with two administrators with direct responsibilities for some of the training programs for participants transitioning from welfare-to-work were also done to substantiate the stories of the participants. The findings of this study indicated three conclusions about the participants' perceptions of factors affecting their retention in welfare-to-work programs in a community college., First, the participants' desires to break the cycles of generational welfare were evident in every aspect of the training from having a better life for their children to dealing with the embarrassment of receiving government assistance.Second, welfare-to-work training experiences were influenced by institutional factors such as instructional and institutional support or lack of support for education and career development, including mentoring. Third, personal factors such as family motivation and role models, religion, drive and determination, and the desire to make a difference shaped the participants' career training experiences and contributed to persistence and completion.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186300
- Subject Headings
- College dropouts, Prevention, Academic achievement, Welfare recipients, Education, Community colleges, Attitude (Psychology), Motivation in education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Relationship of Parent Involvement on Student Achievement.
- Creator
- Jerome, Bonnie Peyton, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This study investigated the relationship of the use of parent involvement strategies and school performance and how contextual factors affected this relationship. The study employed a non-experimental quantitative design with the school as the unit to frame its data collection and analysis. The Parent Involvement Inventory ( PII) was field-tested with the Broward County Schools to check reliability and validity. Results revealed a .72 Cronbach alpha score for the instrument. The variables...
Show moreThis study investigated the relationship of the use of parent involvement strategies and school performance and how contextual factors affected this relationship. The study employed a non-experimental quantitative design with the school as the unit to frame its data collection and analysis. The Parent Involvement Inventory ( PII) was field-tested with the Broward County Schools to check reliability and validity. Results revealed a .72 Cronbach alpha score for the instrument. The variables studied were (a) parental involvement strategies, (b) school performance, and (c) contextual factors. Six parent involvement categories were investigated and divided into sub-categories to answer the research questions. Seventy-eight K-12 schools in Palm Beach County, Florida formed the sample for the study with a response rate of 71 percent. Data were first collected on the parental involvement strategies used by the schools then related to school performance. The major data collection instrument- Parent Involve Inventory (Pll) was designed to correspond with the following purposes of the study: (a) To determine the difference in type and frequency of parent involvement strategies and (b) to develop a model based on these actions that can be used by principals to increase their school's parent involvement. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.0 through descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and correlations to determine if significant relationships existed. The analyses identified the parent involvement strategies that improve student achievement: (a) Communicating, (b) learning at home, (c) regular homework, (d) participation in PTA, and (e) information about community arts and school performance. In addition, the analyses identified contextual factors that increased the relationship of parent involvement and school performance, such as (a) students with disabilities; (b) multiple parent involvement staff moderated learning at home strategies; and (c) school level moderated parenting and decision making strategies. Conclusions, implications for practice, and future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000671
- Subject Headings
- Parent and child--Education--United States, Parental influences--United States, Academic achievement, Education--Parent participation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of the Relationship Between Acculturation and Fifth Grade Hispanic Student Reading Achievement.
- Creator
- Pressman, Diane S., Rhone, Angela, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
In the United States there is an increasing population ofHispanic people. With this increase comes an increase of Hispanic students in the schools. In 2004, 39.8% of all dropouts in the United States were Hispanic students. Increasing population and a high dropout rate could be problematic for Hispanic people, American schools, and ultimately society. The first part of the research examined relationships between acculturation and Hispanic student reading achievement. A Spearman's Rho...
Show moreIn the United States there is an increasing population ofHispanic people. With this increase comes an increase of Hispanic students in the schools. In 2004, 39.8% of all dropouts in the United States were Hispanic students. Increasing population and a high dropout rate could be problematic for Hispanic people, American schools, and ultimately society. The first part of the research examined relationships between acculturation and Hispanic student reading achievement. A Spearman's Rho correlation was performed using the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanic Youth scores and Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test reading scores. In the second part, the research used a multiple regression model to predict acculturation and reading success in fifth grade Hispanic students. The dependent variable was the acculturation score obtained through the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanic Youth. The independent variables used for this were gender, age, free and reduced lunch status, country of origin, ESOL classification level, and previous retentions. Results from the study revealed that there is a significant correlation between acculturation and Hispanic student reading achievement in the fifth grade. The multiple regression model using the above independent variables identified three significant variables, ESOL classification, lunch status, and gender, to predict acculturation greater than chance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000688
- Subject Headings
- Children of immigrants--Education--United States, Acculturation--United States, Hispanic American children--Education--United States, Academic achievement--United States
- 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
- The impact of teacher retention on student achievement in high school mathematics.
- Creator
- Rodriguez, Francisco J., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher retention and student achievement as measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) Math Developmental Scale Scores (DSS). This study examined the impact of teacher transience on high school student math scores over a three-year period and considered the effect of teacher years of experience in relation to transience and achievement. For the purposes of this study teachers were identified into the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher retention and student achievement as measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) Math Developmental Scale Scores (DSS). This study examined the impact of teacher transience on high school student math scores over a three-year period and considered the effect of teacher years of experience in relation to transience and achievement. For the purposes of this study teachers were identified into the following four classifications: Stayers, Within District Movers, Cross District Movers, or Beginning teachers. The findings indicated that students of beginning teachers scored significantly lower on the ninth grade math test than students of teachers in the other three classifications. At the 10th grade level there was no significant difference among the teacher transience groups. Based upon the findings, the following conclusion resulted from the study. Since an analysis of the data indicated that teacher retention is likely to improve ninth grade student score gains on the FCAT Math assessment, it is recommended that High School administrators carefully review the teaching assignments of ninth grade math teachers, especially in this era of high stakes testing and accountability.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/369393
- Subject Headings
- Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Academic achievement, Teacher turnover, Teacher effectiveness, Mathematics, Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Impact of Voluntary Remediation on Gateway Course Success and Minority and Low-Income Students in Florida Colleges.
- Creator
- Pain, Karen D., Floyd, Deborah L., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The primary purpose of the study was to explore the potential impact of voluntary remediation on success in ENC1101 and MAT1033 (gateway courses) and on minority or low-income students in Florida. The study was prompted in 2013 when the Florida Senate exempted most students entering the Florida College System from placement testing or developmental education regardless of their skill level. A quantitative design compared the gateway course success of 10,703 exempt students in 2014 and 2015 to...
Show moreThe primary purpose of the study was to explore the potential impact of voluntary remediation on success in ENC1101 and MAT1033 (gateway courses) and on minority or low-income students in Florida. The study was prompted in 2013 when the Florida Senate exempted most students entering the Florida College System from placement testing or developmental education regardless of their skill level. A quantitative design compared the gateway course success of 10,703 exempt students in 2014 and 2015 to the success of 8,644 students who would have been exempt had the law been in effect when they completed their gateway courses in 2012 and 2013. Data were collected from three FCS institutions. Using Astin and Astin's 1992 Input-Environment-Outcome model (Astin & Astin, 1992), independent variables included demographics, such as race and Pell grant eligibility, and prior academic performance, as well as enrollment status and remedial course decisions and perf ormance. The study found the policy to have a statistically significant (α = .05) negative effect on student success in the gateway courses. The voluntary remediation policy that was in part enacted to improve college completion rates threatens to have the opposite effect. The results show that fewer proportions of students were successful (grade of C or higher) in both courses once remediation became voluntary (12.8% decrease for English; 19.3% decrease in math). The study revealed a need for further research to investigate the degree of this impact on minority and low-income students. The results also suggested a need for more research to learn which students are likely to benefit, or not, by taking a remedial course. Of the students in the study who voluntarily took a placement test and scored below credit level, 11.3% chose remediation before taking ENC1101 and 24.5% chose remediation before taking MAT1033. Of those students, most who earned an A or B in the remedial course were successful in the credit courses; most who did not earn at least a B in the remedial course were unsuccessful at the credit level. Results were significant (α = .05), and effect sizes were moderate (.344 for English; .430 for math).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004531, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004531
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement -- United States -- Florida, Developmental studies programs -- United States -- Florida, Educational attainment -- United States -- Florida, Remedial teaching, School failure -- Prevention, Universities and colleges -- Florida -- Administration
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Why College Undergraduates Intend to Pursue the Information Technology Major: A Multi-theoretical Perspective.
- Creator
- Heinze, Nathan D., Hu, Qing, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study is to explore environmental and personal factors that may influence college undergraduates' decisions to pursue a major in information technology. These factors include self-efficacy, outcome expectations, personality traits, interest in computers, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and perceived IT job availability. The paper develops and tests a theoretical model based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior, and also...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to explore environmental and personal factors that may influence college undergraduates' decisions to pursue a major in information technology. These factors include self-efficacy, outcome expectations, personality traits, interest in computers, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and perceived IT job availability. The paper develops and tests a theoretical model based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior, and also incorporates the five factor model of personality. The intent of this study is to extend the social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior literatures by expanding their application to IT career choice issues and by including personality traits as additional factors. The latter addition also indicates a unique application of the five factor personality model, as it is rarely used in concert with self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and broad environmental factors such as job market demands. A multi-section survey was administered to college undergraduates at four large universities in the southeastern United States. Analysis of the data results showed that college undergraduates with positive attitudes towards the IT major and high perceived behavioral control regarding the IT major had a greater intention of pursuing IT. The study also found positive links between 1) computer self-efficacy and self-evaluating outcome expectations regarding an IT career, 2) computer self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control, and 3) self-evaluating outcome expectations and attitudes towards the IT major. In addition, personality traits moderated a number of model relationships. Finally, it was found that males were significantly more likely to choose IT than females and scored higher on computer self-efficacy, self-evaluating outcome expectations, attitudes towards the IT major, interest in computers, and perceived behavioral control. The results and contributions of the study are discussed and recommendations are made for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000304
- Subject Headings
- Education, Higher--United States, Information technology--Study and teaching--United States, Educational psychology--United States, Academic achievement--Psychological aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Assessment success today or learning success tomorrow? How a longitudinal perspective can help standards-based accountability systems eliminate the persistent gap between nominal and actual achievement for high school graduates.
- Creator
- Dolan, Megan F., Florida Atlantic University, Ashworth, Sara
- Abstract/Description
-
Current standards-based accountability systems, exemplified by No Child Left Behind (NCLB), generally rely on successive year comparisons to gauge educational progress and place special emphasis on achievement in elementary school, but include no mechanisms to monitor the degree to which early improvements noted by increases in these successive year comparisons demonstrate genuine improvements in curricular and instructional practice that lead to higher levels of achievement in later grades....
Show moreCurrent standards-based accountability systems, exemplified by No Child Left Behind (NCLB), generally rely on successive year comparisons to gauge educational progress and place special emphasis on achievement in elementary school, but include no mechanisms to monitor the degree to which early improvements noted by increases in these successive year comparisons demonstrate genuine improvements in curricular and instructional practice that lead to higher levels of achievement in later grades. The absence of a longitudinal perspective within these standards-based accountability systems means that critical educational decisions such as the continuation or abandonment of practices or programs may be based on incomplete depictions of student achievement. The present study was designed to test and present an alternate method of data analysis that can be used to complement (not replace) the analysis that is typical of current accountability systems, without any additional testing or resources. The study utilized extant student achievement data for reading and math for more than 9,000 students from a large ethnically and economically diverse school district, and compared the results of data analyses typical of current standards-based accountability systems with those using the proposed longitudinal analyses. While the depictions of student achievement presented by the different methods were rather similar for math, they were vastly different for reading, which suggests that the addition of the proposed longitudinal analysis has the potential to enhance current systems such that they provide more complete depictions of student achievement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12134
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement--Measurement, Educational productivity--Measurement, Academic achievement--Longitudinal studies, Education, Higher--United States--Longitudinal studies, Educational equalization--United States--Longitudinal studies
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- "Con respeto": Factors related to the academic performance of Mexican-American fourth graders in selected Florida elementary schools.
- Creator
- Mosley, Mary Lindquist., Florida Atlantic University, Gray, Mary B., Morris, John D.
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was to identify how various student, school, and staff predictors related to the academic performance of Mexican American fourth graders in selected schools as evidenced by their scores on the Florida Writes Assessment as well as on norm referenced achievement tests in reading comprehension and math applications. Three null hypotheses were tested to show if there was a correlation between predictors and these criterion variables: writing skills, reading comprehension...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify how various student, school, and staff predictors related to the academic performance of Mexican American fourth graders in selected schools as evidenced by their scores on the Florida Writes Assessment as well as on norm referenced achievement tests in reading comprehension and math applications. Three null hypotheses were tested to show if there was a correlation between predictors and these criterion variables: writing skills, reading comprehension, and math applications. A sample of 64 students from two Florida districts and twelve elementary schools was obtained. Data were collected from archival sources within each school district as well as from surveys distributed to English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers. These were then analyzed to determine correlations with Florida Writes and with Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) as well as California Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) subtests in reading comprehension and math applications. The researcher was most interested in determining the relationship between a language arts pull-out program and achievement of ESOL students at a focal school which was in danger of being identified by the Florida Department of Education as "critically low" in academic performance because of low test scores. Correlations of predictor variables including the pull-out program were analyzed to determine statistical significance. Only the third hypothesis--that relating to math applications--was rejected at a probability level of.05. In this case, three predictors were considered significant: number of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students, number of Mexican American students, and the pull-out program. Because of small sample size and limited applications, no far reaching conclusions were drawn although further study was suggested because the Mexican American population in Florida is growing, and these students have historically not performed well in school. It was also recommended that the Florida Department of Education reconsider the timeline for ESOL student participation in norm referenced testing in writing and reading because most research shows that it takes at least five to seven years for most students to acquire comprehensible second language skills.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12557
- Subject Headings
- Mexican American students--Florida, Academic achievement, Educational tests and measurements--United States, Education, Elementary--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Selected Student Characteristics and Science Achievement in a Mid-Sized Secondary School.
- Creator
- McDonald, Jack, Morris, John D., Weppner, Daniel B., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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For 306 twelfth grade students, secondary science achievement by sex, race, and socioeconomic status (SES) was compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the relationship of a set of 22 predictor variables to science achievement was investigated using multiple linear regression. That the reduced regression model with its primarily cognitive characteristics exhibited the highest significant correlation coefficients in predicting science achievement for low SES, black students is a...
Show moreFor 306 twelfth grade students, secondary science achievement by sex, race, and socioeconomic status (SES) was compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the relationship of a set of 22 predictor variables to science achievement was investigated using multiple linear regression. That the reduced regression model with its primarily cognitive characteristics exhibited the highest significant correlation coefficients in predicting science achievement for low SES, black students is a finding that is at odds with much of the current literature, as is also the finding that females outperform males in science achievement. These anomalies, along with the implications of differences in science achievement based on sex and race, are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1991
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000677
- Subject Headings
- Science--Study and teaching (Secondary), Academic achievement--Evaluation, High school students--United States, Motivation in education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relationship of grade-level, socioeconomic status and gender to selected student variables.
- Creator
- Miller, Judith Christy., Florida Atlantic University, Weppner, Daniel B.
- Abstract/Description
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Students from Indian River Academy and Palm Vista Christian Schools were compared to determine what relationships and interactions existed among attitudes, values, personality traits, critical thinking skills, interests, and demographic characteristics such as grade level, socioeconomic status, and gender. Results of Study of Values, Junior/Senior High School Personality Questionnaire, Kuder General Interest Survey-E, Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes, and the Critical Thinking Appraisal...
Show moreStudents from Indian River Academy and Palm Vista Christian Schools were compared to determine what relationships and interactions existed among attitudes, values, personality traits, critical thinking skills, interests, and demographic characteristics such as grade level, socioeconomic status, and gender. Results of Study of Values, Junior/Senior High School Personality Questionnaire, Kuder General Interest Survey-E, Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes, and the Critical Thinking Appraisal were utilized to assess a sample of two hundred fourteen (214) pupils attending seventh through twelfth grades at Indian River Academy along with a sample of the one hundred twenty-five (125) students enrolled in seventh through twelfth grades at Palm Vista Christian School. A 2 x 2 x 2 ANOVA was employed to examine the differences between groups by age, socioeconomic status, and gender on attitudes, values, personality traits, interests, and critical thinking skills. No significant interaction occurred among socioeconomic status, grade level, and gender in values, attitudes, personality traits, interests, or critical thinking skills. None of the dependent variables proved to be significant when socioeconomic status was considered to be the main effect. Only the Critical Thinking Appraisal and selected subtests from the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes revealed scores that were significantly different based upon grade level. Differences in study skills and attitudes were clearly evident between middle school and senior high school students with female middle school students dramatically outscoring the male middle school students and middle school students, in general scoring significantly higher than senior high students. Differences in critical thinking skills were also evident between middle school and senior high school students with senior high males and females outscoring those students in middle school classes. Univariate F tests indicated a highly significant difference exists between male and female responses with respect to affective characteristics. Further research should be performed to assess behavioral character and other affective characteristics to identify instructional implications of learner differences.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1990
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12265
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement, Prediction of scholastic success, Students--Rating of, Youth--United States--Social conditions
- 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
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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
- 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
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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
- Socio-Cultural Leadership: An Innovative Model For School Leadership.
- Creator
- Blackburn, Desmond K., Bogotch, Ira, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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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)
