Current Search: Academic achievement--Florida (x)
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(1 - 15 of 15)
- Title
- Examining the Effectiveness of Turnaround Models in Florida Public Schools.
- Creator
- Fulton, Angela R., Shockley, Robert, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
Improving student performance in America’s chronically underperforming schools has been a challenge for many decades. Despite various school reforms, little to no progress has been shown. Schools have continued to fail, and achievement gaps have widened. The current state of schools has called for a drastic intervention. School turnaround has emerged as the country’s response to improving persistently-low performing schools. This study was designed to determine if the turnaround models...
Show moreImproving student performance in America’s chronically underperforming schools has been a challenge for many decades. Despite various school reforms, little to no progress has been shown. Schools have continued to fail, and achievement gaps have widened. The current state of schools has called for a drastic intervention. School turnaround has emerged as the country’s response to improving persistently-low performing schools. This study was designed to determine if the turnaround models outlined in the federal school improvement grant (SIG) were effective in improving student performance in low-performing schools in Florida. Specifically, this study investigated the impact of the transformation and turnaround intervention models on student achievement. This study also sought to determine if size (school enrollment), socioeconomic status (FRL), minority enrollment rates (Black and Hispanic), as well as principal gender, race, and years of experience moderate the relationship between the intervention model used and student achievement. The ultimate objective was to determine if turnaround intervention models improved student performance in low-performing schools in Florida. A quantitative method, including three statistical analyses, was employed to respond to three research questions and test nine corresponding null hypotheses. Florida’s 69 SIG Cohort I schools were identified for data collection and analysis. A t test analysis revealed there was not a significant difference in the performance of the transformation and turnaround model schools as measured by percent of points earned towards school grade. Further, chi square analysis revealed there was not a relationship between the model (transformation or turnaround) and school grade. Additionally, multiple regression analysis revealed none of the moderator variables were statistically significant. A discussion of the findings, implications for policy and practice, and recommendations for turnaround are explained in detailed, followed by suggestions for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013131
- Subject Headings
- Public schools--Florida, School improvement programs--Florida--Evaluation, Student achievement, Academic achievement--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The impact of homelessness on the academic achievement of children.
- Creator
- Neill, Phyllis Pacifico., Florida Atlantic University, MacKenzie, Donald G.
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this research was to consider the possible relationships between the academic achievement of homeless children and their attitudes towards school, their parents' attitudes toward school, their relationships with their peers, their relationships with their parents and their self-esteem. The "subjects" were 42 families living in seven shelters in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Sixty-nine children and their parents were interviewed. Three questionnaires were used to obtain...
Show moreThe purpose of this research was to consider the possible relationships between the academic achievement of homeless children and their attitudes towards school, their parents' attitudes toward school, their relationships with their peers, their relationships with their parents and their self-esteem. The "subjects" were 42 families living in seven shelters in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Sixty-nine children and their parents were interviewed. Three questionnaires were used to obtain demographic information and to define the predictor variables. The perceptions of homeless children and their parents, how these perceptions relate to each other and the relationships of these perceptions to school success add to the theoretical knowledge of the academic achievement of homeless children.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1990
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12253
- Subject Headings
- Homeless children--Education--Florida, Academic achievement--Florida, Homeless students--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Beliefs of Advanced Placement Teachers Regarding Equity and Access to Advanced Placement Courses: A Mixed-Methods Study.
- Creator
- Igualada, Mirynne, Schoorman, Dilys, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
This mixed methods study of teachers' beliefs about Advanced Placement (AP) equity and access policies occurred in Sunshine County School District, a large south Florida school district that had received accolades for leading the nation in access and equity in AP. Drawing on social reconstructionism, this study framed AP as an acceleration mechanism with the potential to increase students' prospects for social advancement. These policies have resulted in a more diverse classroom experience...
Show moreThis mixed methods study of teachers' beliefs about Advanced Placement (AP) equity and access policies occurred in Sunshine County School District, a large south Florida school district that had received accolades for leading the nation in access and equity in AP. Drawing on social reconstructionism, this study framed AP as an acceleration mechanism with the potential to increase students' prospects for social advancement. These policies have resulted in a more diverse classroom experience through nontraditional student participation in AP courses. The purpose of this embedded case study was to examine the relationship between beliefs held by AP teachers in regard to the implementation of equity and access policies, as well as to what extent these beliefs may support or hinder the execution of such policies and procedures. The study occurred in three phases and consisted of document analysis, a survey and interviews. Surveys collected from 176 AP teachers in the district yielded quantitative data on AP teachers' beliefs regarding equity and access and the subsequent implementation of equity and access policies. Qualitative data regarding beliefs surrounding equity and access policies and the potential challenges these policies may pose were collected through open-ended survey questions, document analysis, and interviews with eight teachers at two selected high schools representing the highest and the lowest access rates to AP in the district. The findings indicated that AP teachers support equity and access policies in AP. Despite these beliefs, there is evidence that such policies are not consistently implemented across schools and particularly in STEM-related content areas. The analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data led to the conclusion that the historic tension between elitism and equity that surrounds the AP program currently is fueled primarily through state accountability measures. Implications and suggestions for future research are related to policy changes regarding the revision of the state of Florida grading system and district-level procedural changes in relation to the design of school-based professional development and development of clear AP pathways that support access among underrepresented students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004506, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004506
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement -- Florida, Advanced placement programs (Education), Critical pedagogy, Discrimination in education, Expectation (Psychology), High schools -- Curricula, Prediction of scholastic success
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Florida Student Progression Policies and Their Effect on Student Achievement.
- Creator
- Wright, Marielena P., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This study investigated the varied district student progression policies from 9th to lOth grade and their effect on the district-level achievement of the high schools as measured by six categories of FCA T achievement consistent with those that comprise district grades during the 2005-2006 academic year. In Florida, the state assessment policy and the resulting rewards and sanctions policy, known as the Florida A+ Plan, are uniformly defined across districts while the state student...
Show moreThis study investigated the varied district student progression policies from 9th to lOth grade and their effect on the district-level achievement of the high schools as measured by six categories of FCA T achievement consistent with those that comprise district grades during the 2005-2006 academic year. In Florida, the state assessment policy and the resulting rewards and sanctions policy, known as the Florida A+ Plan, are uniformly defined across districts while the state student progression policy simply provides guidelines for districts to follow. This results in varied student progression policies in the 67 school districts within the state. A quantitative study of the district student progression policies for promotion from 9th to lOth grade and student achievement, as measured by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCA T), was conducted to determine the effect of varied student progression policies on district FCA T achievement. Five predictor variables, based upon promotion requirements from the 9th to 1Oth grade, - number of credits, the type of credits, the availability of midyear promotion, additional requirements to be met for midyear promotion, and minimum grade point average - the six FCA T based criterion variables; and, two contextual variables - district socioeconomic status (SES) and district size were used in the study. Linear regression analysis was used to find that the inclusion of a minimum grade point average had a significant inverse relationship with FCA T Reading Learning Gains. Additionally, theSES of the district was found to significantly affect the relationship between the midyear promotion of students and FCAT Reading proficiency; the type of credits required for promotion and FCA T Math proficiency; and the minimum number of credits required for promotion and both FCA T Math learning gains and FCA T Reading learning gains of the lowest quartile of students. The second order interaction of district size on the effect of SES on the relationship between the predictor and criterion variables yielded significant moderating effects of district size on the moderating effect of SES for the relationships between the minimum number of credits required for promotion and both FCA T Math proficiency and FCA T Math learning gains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000716
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement--Florida--Evaluation, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test--Evaluation, Educational tests and measurements--Florida--Evaluation, Grading and marking (Students), Educational sociology--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- How Do Children's Attitudes Toward Reading Relate To Reading Practice And Reading Achievement?.
- Creator
- Galipault, Lorraine D., Towell, Janet, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether children's attitudes toward reading and their perceptions of themselves as readers impacted their academic achievement. Additionally, the study investigated the effect oftime spent reading and reading practice on student achievement. Finally, the research examined whether reading attitudes and reading practice were moderated by gender or ethnicity. Participants included 63 third-grade students in a Title I Elementary School. Students were...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether children's attitudes toward reading and their perceptions of themselves as readers impacted their academic achievement. Additionally, the study investigated the effect oftime spent reading and reading practice on student achievement. Finally, the research examined whether reading attitudes and reading practice were moderated by gender or ethnicity. Participants included 63 third-grade students in a Title I Elementary School. Students were administered a questionnaire to collect evidence of their reading preferences and their reading practices. In addition, students kept reading logs as a measure of what they read and how often they read. The data collected were correlated to students' reading achievement scale scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The study concluded that in the overall study sample, there was a negative correlation for the reading practice item, talking about reading, and FCA T Scale Scores and a positive correlation between the reading attitude item, how well do you think you read, and FCA T Scale Scores. In the examination of the moderation effect for gender, there was a positive correlation for the reading attitude item reading is important and FCA T Scale Scores for males. The examination of the moderation effect for ethnicity indicated a negative correlation between talking about reading and FCAT Scale Scores for White students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000666
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparison of academic success variables of black male high school graduates with other racial and gender populations in the Broward County School District, Florida.
- Creator
- Gillespie, Melvin D., Florida Atlantic University, Kerensky, Vasil M.
- Abstract/Description
-
Black males in the United States and Florida are falling behind other groups in almost every measurement of academic success. Inadequate preparation in high school often discourages them from seeking postsecondary education, and reduces their chances of obtaining gainful employment. This study compared the variables which can predict academic success (number of college preparation courses, high school GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores) of black males with that of other racial...
Show moreBlack males in the United States and Florida are falling behind other groups in almost every measurement of academic success. Inadequate preparation in high school often discourages them from seeking postsecondary education, and reduces their chances of obtaining gainful employment. This study compared the variables which can predict academic success (number of college preparation courses, high school GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores) of black males with that of other racial populations and gender. The sample was limited to seniors who graduated in 1994 from the Broward County public schools and attempted the Florida college entry-level placement test. The study used a causal comparative research design. The null hypothesis was tested using a MANOVA to simultaneously study the multiple dependent variables (factors used to predict college success) by race and gender. If there were differences, an ANOVA was used to test for statistical difference in each dependent variable individually. Results indicate that there are significant differences in the potential for success when race and gender were considered. The Wilks's Lambda for gender had a value of.85 (p <.001), and a value of.82 (p <.001) for race. Verbal and math mean scores on the SAT revealed that black female students earned the lowest scores, followed by black male students. The findings further showed that black males had the lowest grade point average and attempted fewer college preparatory courses when compared to other racial groups and gender. Black males had the second lowest class rank at the time of graduation (Hispanic males had the lowest class rank).
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12553
- Subject Headings
- African American high school students--Florida--Broward County--Case studies, Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County--Case studies
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A study of transformational leadership and student achievement in inner-city elementary schools.
- Creator
- Bonaros, Demetrios James, Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to establish an empirical link between transformational leadership and student achievement measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. In addition, the relationship between transformational leadership and increased levels of teacher satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, perceptions of principal effectiveness were examined. This study took place in 21 elementary inner-city schools of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Two hundred...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to establish an empirical link between transformational leadership and student achievement measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. In addition, the relationship between transformational leadership and increased levels of teacher satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, perceptions of principal effectiveness were examined. This study took place in 21 elementary inner-city schools of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Two hundred ten personalized packets were delivered to the teachers of the selected schools. Two hundred and three answer sheets were returned to the researcher for a return rate of 97 percent. Data were collected from randomly selected teachers by voluntary completion of Bass and Avolio's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form-5X (Short Form). The data were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Transformational leadership was found to be linked to increased learning. In addition, transformational leadership was also related to increased teacher satisfaction, greater perception of principal effectiveness, and increased teacher willingness to give extra effort. Moreover, two ancillary questions were explored. These questions related to gender, and school size. The question on gender could not be analyzed in light of the overwhelming majority of female principals and lack of reliability of gender. School size was not related to transformational leadership. Based on the above findings, the following conclusions can be made with regard to transformational leadership and its impact on elementary education. First, transformational leadership does improve student achievement in inner-city elementary schools. Second, inner-city elementary teachers consider transformational principals superior to non-transformational principals. Third, elementary inner-city teachers demonstrate increased levels of satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, and a high perception of principal effectiveness for transformational principals. The practical applications of the findings of this study and the implications drawn for further theoretical consideration and research are significant for future school improvement. This study adds to an important line of research. The information available today about transformational leadership and its impact on student achievement may help schools improve the lives of their students and the social and political future of our World.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12196
- Subject Headings
- School management and organization--Decision making
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relationship between native language and performance on the General Education Development Test among first-time test takers in Dade County.
- Creator
- Walker, Lesonie May, Florida Atlantic University, MacKenzie, Donald G.
- Abstract/Description
-
This study was conducted among 406 first-time test takers who took the English version of the General Education Development (GED) Test in Dade County, Florida between June and December, 1993. Multiple regression and chi square analyses were used to determine the relationship between native language and performance on the General Education Development (GED) Test and the relationship between certain demographic characteristics and success in passing the GED. The findings of the study indicated,...
Show moreThis study was conducted among 406 first-time test takers who took the English version of the General Education Development (GED) Test in Dade County, Florida between June and December, 1993. Multiple regression and chi square analyses were used to determine the relationship between native language and performance on the General Education Development (GED) Test and the relationship between certain demographic characteristics and success in passing the GED. The findings of the study indicated, among other things, that (a) a higher percentage of native English speakers than non-native English speakers passed the GED Test, (b) non-native English speakers were outperformed by native English speakers on all the GED subtests except Mathematics, (c) native French speakers (mainly Haitians) were outperformed by the other non-native English speakers on all the subtests, (d) the mean scores of native French speakers were well below the mean scores required to pass the test, and (e) participants who took the GED preparation course were outperformed by those who did not take the GED preparation course. Native language was determined to be significantly related (p <.05) to performance on the GED. The model most helpful in predicting success on the GED comprised native language, number of years participants had learned to read, write, and speak English and had studied in an English speaking country. None of the individual variables showed a high correlation with performance on the GED Test, suggesting that other factors, not included in the data set, might have also contributed to performance on the test. The recommendations include: (a) pretesting examinees to determine their level of literacy in their native language as well as in English to establish the level of instruction necessary, (b) recruiting and training language minority teachers who are more familiar with the culture and educational systems of the countries in which Dade's rapidly increasing adult non-native English speaking groups were born, (c) strengthening the GED classes so that they can adequately remediate non-native English speakers who are in need of basic skills, and (d) conducting research to determine if certain items on the GED Test are biased against non-native English speakers. The findings in this study add to the growing body of research studies indicating that minorities, including linguistic minorities, do not perform well on standardized tests.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1995
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12403
- Subject Headings
- Minorities--Education--United States, Multicultural education--Florida--Miami-Dade County, GED tests, Academic achievement--Florida--Miami-Dade County
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and the Predictive Utility of the PSAT for FCAT Preparedness.
- Creator
- Beard, Bernadine E. Dorantes, Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
In the years since the establishment of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment test (FCAT) in 1998, the Florida public school districts have had little standardized, diagnostic data to assist in preparation for the FCA T. The FCAT serves as a high-stakes assessment for students as a graduation requirement, and it serves as a high-stakes assessment for school and district accountability for the Florida A++ Plan, and for national accountability within No Child Left Behind Act, 2001. A...
Show moreIn the years since the establishment of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment test (FCAT) in 1998, the Florida public school districts have had little standardized, diagnostic data to assist in preparation for the FCA T. The FCAT serves as a high-stakes assessment for students as a graduation requirement, and it serves as a high-stakes assessment for school and district accountability for the Florida A++ Plan, and for national accountability within No Child Left Behind Act, 2001. A quantitative study was conducted to determine if the College Board's Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test, PSAT/NMSQT®, could be used to predict scores on the FCAT. More than 11 ,000 student test records ofBroward County public school lOth graders were used for this study. Predictive discriminant analyses were conducted using the October 2003 PSAT/NMSQT® and the March 2004 FCAT scores. Three contextual variables: gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomics were used to determine if the variables moderate the ability of the PSAT in classifying the students as passing the FCAT. The study found the percent of the groups correctly classified for predicting FCAT Reading from the PSAT Verbal scores for all subjects and each contextual variable ranged from 75 percent to 78.70 percent. The accuracy for the PSAT Verbal predicting failing the FCAT Reading for all of the subjects was at 84.50 percent, and the accuracy for PSAT Verbal predicting passing the FCAT Reading was at 71.40 percent. The study also found the percent of the groups correctly classified for predicting FCAT Math from PSAT Math scores for all subjects and each contextual variable ranged from 72.40 % to 76.00 percent. The accuracy for the PSAT Math predicting failing the FCAT Math for all subjects was at 89.70 percent and the accuracy for PSAT Math predicting passing the FCAT Math for all subjects was at 70.90 percent. The model in this study has proven to be successful in predicting FCAT success through the use of the PSAT scores. Recommendations for educators, both district and school staff, include exploring optimum utilization of available data through the PSAT, and optimum utilization of the PSAT score reports for direct intervention with students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000649
- Subject Headings
- Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Educational tests and measurements--Florida--Evaluation, PSAT (Educational test)--Evaluation, Examinations--Scoring--Statistics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Teacher perspectives on the effect of the Florida Public Accountability System on the middle school classroom.
- Creator
- Roberts, Helen, Florida Atlantic University, Jurenas, Albert C.
- Abstract/Description
-
The Florida Public Accountability System and the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, FCAT, have been in use since 1996. Since that time, schools have received grades, rewards and sanctions for performance, promotion requirements have changed, and the results of the FCAT are published annually for public scrutiny. With testing required in grades 3 through 11, middle schools (grades 6--8) must test all the students in their schools. A literature review revealed that, although achievement...
Show moreThe Florida Public Accountability System and the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, FCAT, have been in use since 1996. Since that time, schools have received grades, rewards and sanctions for performance, promotion requirements have changed, and the results of the FCAT are published annually for public scrutiny. With testing required in grades 3 through 11, middle schools (grades 6--8) must test all the students in their schools. A literature review revealed that, although achievement studies, drop out studies, and other data had been analyzed, little research focused on the impact of the FCAT from the perspective of the classroom teacher. This study examines the impact of the Florida Public Accountability System and the FCAT on the middle school classroom from the teacher's perspective. A survey of 130 middle school teachers was conducted in the spring of 2004. The study included closed-ended questions and space for additional comments. The impact was measured based on three variables, the impact on instructional methodologies, the impact on the quality of education and the impact on job satisfaction. Each of these variables was further analyzed to see if the grade of the school in which the teacher works has an effect on their responses to the survey. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted to determine if the subject area which the teacher teaches affected responses to the survey. Results indicate that responses are split on the majority of questions relating to the impact of the FCAT and the Florida Public Accountability System on both the instructional methodologies in classrooms and on the quality of education. These results showing both positive and negative responses between individual teachers indicate a lack of agreement within the teaching profession and create an interesting dynamic for school leaders. The results indicate less disagreement on the effects on job satisfaction with teachers reporting little impact on their own personal job satisfaction however, more impact on staff morale. A school's grade did not appear to influence differences in responses. However, the subject areas that a teacher reported teaching did seem to influence teacher responses. With increasing emphasis on accountability in mind, including Federal No Child Left Behind requirements, further research in this area is recommended.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12160
- Subject Headings
- Educational accountability--Florida, Educational tests and measurements--Florida, Academic achievement--Florida, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Middle school education, Middle school teachers--Florida--Attitudes
- 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
- Academic performance and demographic variables in predicting success in college algebra and graduation rates in an urban multi-campus community college.
- Creator
- Pedersen, Ginger Lee., Florida Atlantic University, Decker, Larry E.
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to develop a model to predict success in college algebra and in Associate in Arts graduation, and to examine the relationship between placing in one or more developmental education courses and Associate in Arts graduation. The study was conducted at a large urban community college in Palm Beach County, Florida with 1,142 first-time-in-college students who took the College Placement Test (CPT) as their entrance examination. The study was designed to determine...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to develop a model to predict success in college algebra and in Associate in Arts graduation, and to examine the relationship between placing in one or more developmental education courses and Associate in Arts graduation. The study was conducted at a large urban community college in Palm Beach County, Florida with 1,142 first-time-in-college students who took the College Placement Test (CPT) as their entrance examination. The study was designed to determine whether students' gender, age, ethnicity, grade point average (GPA), English language proficiency, nontraditional status, placement scores and number of developmental courses could predict a students' success in college algebra and graduating with the Associate in Arts degree, and how placing in one or more developmental course was correlated with graduating with the Associate in Arts degree. Three research hypotheses were developed to determine any significant predictive ability among the variables studied. Hypotheses 1 and 2 used discriminant analysis to determine the predicative ability of identified variables and hypothesis 3 used a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient to assess the relationship of placing into one or more developmental courses on graduating with the Associate in Arts degree. All hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance. The results of the study indicated that for hypothesis 1 the variables of GPA, number of developmental courses, level of mathematics courses and mathematics placement score were all significant predictors. For hypothesis 2, the variables of GPA, placement scores in reading and writing, and the number of developmental courses were all significant predictors. For hypothesis 3, the number of developmental courses that a student tested into did have a significant relationship with the student's receiving an Associate in Arts degree. The results are discussed in relation to ensuring that students are better prepared for college-level work by a series of recommendations relating to collaborative efforts between community colleges and local high school districts. In addition, recommendations are made to re-align the developmental mathematics curriculum to effectively prepare students for subsequent college-level mathematics courses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12083
- Subject Headings
- Community colleges--Florida--Palm Beach County--Sociological aspects, Community college students--Florida--Palm Beach County--Statistics, Academic achievement--Florida--Palm Beach County, Postsecondary education--Research--Florida--Palm Beach County, Algebra
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relationship between mobility and academic performance among African-American fifth graders attending urban schools.
- Creator
- Mabin, Wesley Merle, Jr., Florida Atlantic University, Kerensky, Vasil M.
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mobility and academic performance among African-American fifth grade urban public school students. Blacks in South Florida are a diverse group. As of 1990 the U.S. Census Bureau identified 12 different ethnic groups that comprise the Black ethnic category in Broward County, Florida. The term African-American and the data used in this study reflect the ethnic diversity. This study examined Stanford Achievement Test scores in...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mobility and academic performance among African-American fifth grade urban public school students. Blacks in South Florida are a diverse group. As of 1990 the U.S. Census Bureau identified 12 different ethnic groups that comprise the Black ethnic category in Broward County, Florida. The term African-American and the data used in this study reflect the ethnic diversity. This study examined Stanford Achievement Test scores in mathematics (SATM) and reading (SATR) over the years 1992, 1993 and 1994. The SATM (N = 2208) and SATR (N = 2178) scores over the three year period were the dependent variables in the study. Gender and mobility were the independent variables of the study. Mobility was divided into three categories of non-mobile, mobile and very mobile. Descriptive statistical procedures were applied to the data. The mean and standard deviations were established for the dependent variables for each year of the study. Analysis of variance was applied to the dependent and independent variables of the study over the three year period of 1992, 1993 and 1994. There were no statistically significant main effects or interactions (p >.05 for all effects). Consequently none of the null hypotheses were rejected. This study supports the conclusion that gender and mobility had no relationship with academic performance in urban African-American fifth grade public school students. Suggestions for further research include: (a) exploration of the linkage of gender and mobility with the variables of socioeconomic status, (b) family structure and character qualities in relationship to academic achievement in urban African-Americans, and (c) the replication of this study in a rural setting with students of a different race.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1997
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12504
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement--Florida--Fort Lauderdale--Case studies, Student mobility--Florida--Fort Lauderdale--Case studies, Urban schools--Florida--Fort Lauderdale--Case studies, African American students--Florida--Fort Lauderdale--Case studies
- 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
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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 teaching mathematics to learning style perceptual preference on academic achievement of seventh-grade middle school students.
- Creator
- Colarulli, Rosemary, Florida Atlantic University, Kerensky, Vasil M.
- Abstract/Description
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Teaching methods that are effective with some students, fail with other students, because students perceive and process information differently. The personal preference by which one perceives and processes new material is called one's learning style. Using the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory assessment instrument, the learning style perceptual preference of 262 seventh grade students from a large, urban, middle school in southeast Florida were identified. This research investigated the...
Show moreTeaching methods that are effective with some students, fail with other students, because students perceive and process information differently. The personal preference by which one perceives and processes new material is called one's learning style. Using the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory assessment instrument, the learning style perceptual preference of 262 seventh grade students from a large, urban, middle school in southeast Florida were identified. This research investigated the effects of teaching mathematics to the preferred perceptual preference of these students in terms of academic achievement. Four teachers were trained in the Dunn and Dunn learning style teaching model to acquaint them with the experimental treatment used in this study. A pretest-posttest design was used to observe the mean gain in achievement scores on a 25-element assessment between students taught using a traditional teaching format and those taught in the learning style treatment approach. All students in the experimental group were first introduced to new mathematics material with a global story and taught in their primary learning style perceptual preference: (a) auditory, (b) tactile, (c) kinesthetic, or (d) visual. The material was reinforced through their secondary preference and a creative, student-constructed project was shared with the classmates. Several two-way factorial analyses of variance were used to study the treatment effect on the dependent variable. Neither the main effect for treatment nor the interactions between treatment and demographic variables (race, gender, learning styles) were significant at the.05 level. Within the context of this study, teaching through a student's perceptual learning style preference does not appear to be significantly more effective than teaching in a traditional manner.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12552
- Subject Headings
- Learning, Psychology of
- Format
- Document (PDF)
