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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.
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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: Multiple Measures as a Placement Instrument in Mathematics at Florida State Colleges.
Creator: Montañez Martínez, III, Miguel A., Floyd, Deborah L., Morris, John D., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Every year, thousands of Florida public high school graduates seek to enter Florida state colleges based on a single standardized placement test. This quantitative study sought to identify an actuarial model, based on multiple measures, as an alternative to standardized placement tests. The study, grounded on degree completion theories, examined high school students from the Miami-Dade metropolitan area and their performance in one first-year mathematics course in Miami Dade College during...
Show moreEvery year, thousands of Florida public high school graduates seek to enter Florida state colleges based on a single standardized placement test. This quantitative study sought to identify an actuarial model, based on multiple measures, as an alternative to standardized placement tests. The study, grounded on degree completion theories, examined high school students from the Miami-Dade metropolitan area and their performance in one first-year mathematics course in Miami Dade College during the Fall 2014 academic term. The study, using a sample size of 10,186 subjects, examined multiple predictor variables and one outcome variable to measure predictability of success in Intermediate Algebra. The study used descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression to develop a multiple measure actuarial model. A quantitative analysis of archived student records was used in this study. The analysis revealed that the actuarial model, using gender, ethnicity, age, academic objective, academic load, high school GPA, high school mathematics gap, and high school mathematics curriculum composite score as predictor variables, was significant in predicting success in Intermediate Algebra. The actuarial model correctly classified 1,688 subjects who would fail Intermediate Algebra, achieving a hit rate of 75% in predicting failure in Intermediate Algebra. Similarly, the model achieved a hit rate of 54% when classifying subjects who would pass Intermediate Algebra. The improvement-over-chance index, I, was 44.8%, representing a 45% reduction in error when classifying subjects who would fail Intermediate Algebra. Thus, the actuarial model, with all its predictor variables, provides helpful guidance when advising incoming first-time-in-college (FTIC) students.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004614, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004614
Subject Headings: Achievement in education--Measurement., Educational tests and measurements--Florida., Mathematics--Examinations, questions, etc., Advanced placement programs (Education)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Florida middle grades pupil progression policies: their effects on middle school student achievement and retention rates.
Creator: Murray, Mary A., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Florida H.B. 7087 (2006a), otherwise known as A++legislation, was created and adopted as a means to increase the rigor and relevance of a public school education, specifically at the middle school and high school levels. The anticipated result of the implementation of this bill was to better prepare middle school students for high school and thereby increase high school student performance and decrease the dropout rate. However, in increasing the promotion standards for middle grade students,...
Show moreFlorida H.B. 7087 (2006a), otherwise known as A++legislation, was created and adopted as a means to increase the rigor and relevance of a public school education, specifically at the middle school and high school levels. The anticipated result of the implementation of this bill was to better prepare middle school students for high school and thereby increase high school student performance and decrease the dropout rate. However, in increasing the promotion standards for middle grade students, interpretation and implementation have created additional barriers to grade level advancement. As a result, the possibility now exists for more students and especially those already at-risk of failure will be subject to higher retention rates. This may place them further at-risk of poor academic performance and of potentially dropping out of school, an opposite effect of the intent of the bill. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of the revised policies on middle school students.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2683536
Subject Headings: Education and state, Educational tests and measurements, Educational accountability, Achievement in education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Study of the Relationships Among Leadership, Culture, and Student Achievement in Catholic Schools.
Creator: Rodriguez, Sonia, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: This study explores the relationship among leadership style, school work culture, and student achievement in Catholic elementary schools. The relationships (a) between the leader style and student achievement, (b) between the school's work culture and student achievement, and (c) among leaders' styles, school work culture, student achievement and contextual factors were explored. A descriptive design, primarily quantitative and correlational in nature, was employed. It was concluded that...
Show moreThis study explores the relationship among leadership style, school work culture, and student achievement in Catholic elementary schools. The relationships (a) between the leader style and student achievement, (b) between the school's work culture and student achievement, and (c) among leaders' styles, school work culture, student achievement and contextual factors were explored. A descriptive design, primarily quantitative and correlational in nature, was employed. It was concluded that school leadership had an indirect effect on student achievement in parochial schools in Florida. Furthermore, school work culture (school planning, program development, staff development, and assessment) directly impacted student achievement. The contextual variables of socioeconomic status and school size combined did not moderate the relationship among leadership style, school work culture and fourth-grade students' reading achievement scores.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000691
Subject Headings: Achievement in education--Florida, Educational leadership--Florida, Catholic Church--Education--Florida, School management and organization--Florida--Decision making
Format: Document (PDF)

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

Title: The Effects of Interactive Read-Alouds on the Reading Achievement of Middle Grade Reading Students in a Core Remedial Program.
Creator: Bishop Temple, Catherine, Crawley, Sharon J., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to examine an effect of read-alouds on the reading achievement of middle grade students in a core intensive reading program in the School District of Palm Beach County, the fourth largest school district in Florida. This was accomplished conducting literature studies through read-alouds and sustained silent reading with sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade intensive reading students as a supplement to the READ XL® remedial program. Specifically, this study...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine an effect of read-alouds on the reading achievement of middle grade students in a core intensive reading program in the School District of Palm Beach County, the fourth largest school district in Florida. This was accomplished conducting literature studies through read-alouds and sustained silent reading with sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade intensive reading students as a supplement to the READ XL® remedial program. Specifically, this study investigated the difference on the achievement scores on the Florida State Fluency Probes (FORF), the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test in Reading (FCAT), the Florida Comprehensive Norm Reference Test Scale Scores (FCAT/NRT), the Scholastic Reading Inventory Lexile Levels (SRI), and the teacher created tests on the literature during the period 2006-2007. The study further examined the interaction of both grade level and gender with the readaloud strategy and sustained silent reading. A Factorial ANOV A (analysis of variance) was used to test the effect of each of the treatments, read-alouds and sustained silent reading, on the dependent variables, FORF, the FCAT, the FCAT/NRT, the Scholastic Reading Inventory Lexile Levels, and the teacher created tests and the interactions with grade level and gender. Results indicated a greater increase in fluency, as measured by the Florida State Fluency Probes, from 2006 to 2007, for students in the read-aloud group (test) as compared with students in the sustained silent reading group (control group), and for students in grades 6 and 7 as compared with students in grade 8. Overall there was no difference in fluency as moderated by gender. The results of this study also found that read-alouds promoted increased performance of female students on the teacher-created tests. This suggests that readalouds may play a role in increasing the performance of middle school at-risk female readers on similar instruments.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000657
Subject Headings: Oral reading, Activity programs in education, Academic achievement--Social aspects, Reading--Remedial teaching--Social aspects
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.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000666
Format: Document (PDF)

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

Title: The effect of skill-focused minilessons on students' independent use of reading skills during literature circles.
Creator: Kennedy, Gail., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Increased accountability in contemporary public elementary schools requires that teachers provide evidence they are using research-based strategies that reinforce skills assessed on standardized tests. There is a need to provide empirical evidence that literature circles can reinforce skills assessed on these tests. A literature circle is a research-based strategy that is common in language arts classrooms. This study investigates the connection between these skills and student discussion...
Show moreIncreased accountability in contemporary public elementary schools requires that teachers provide evidence they are using research-based strategies that reinforce skills assessed on standardized tests. There is a need to provide empirical evidence that literature circles can reinforce skills assessed on these tests. A literature circle is a research-based strategy that is common in language arts classrooms. This study investigates the connection between these skills and student discussion that takes place during literature circles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of skill-focused minilessons on students' independent use of reading skills. The study investigated whether application of skill-focused minilessons prior to literature circles would have an effect on students' independent use of reading skills within student discussions during literature circles. Sixteen students participated in the study. The study also investigated the impact that minilessons prior to literature circles had on students' scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in reading. Students were randomly assigned to the researcher's fifth grade class in the 2008/2009 school year. All students read the same material and received the same treatment. During the course of the study, students first took the FCAT diagnostic in reading and then engaged in five literature circle meetings, each preceded by a minilesson. Students then engaged in five literature circles with a different book and without skill-focused minilessons, followed by the administration of the reading FCAT. The data, which included content analyses of transcriptions of students' discussion and the collection of FCAT scores, yielded several findings., The two skills most commonly used by students in independent literature circles were analyzing character and discussing plot. The two least commonly used skills were describing conflict and using context clues. Each skill within student discussion.The way in which students transferred the use of these skills to literature circles not preceded by skill focused minilessons varied. Multiple modes of transfer were identified for each skill. A dependent t-test for the FCAT scores did not indicate a statistically significant increase in the use of the five skills identified for this study when minilessons preceded literature circles.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2705076
Subject Headings: Group reading, Book clubs (Discussion groups), Reading (Primary), Guided reading, Educational tests and measurements, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests, Achievement in education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Retention in Florida community colleges: a study of the 2005-2008 academic years.
Creator: DeLuz, Ancil., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: This study examined the relationship between selected student and institutional characteristics and the retention rates of first-time, degree seeking, full-time and parttime, freshman student cohorts in public community colleges in Florida. Based on data obtained from the Integrated Post-Secondary Data System on selected student and institutional variables for three years beginning fall 2005, 2006 and 2007, retention rates were analyzed for the years beginning fall 2006, 2007 and 2008...
Show moreThis study examined the relationship between selected student and institutional characteristics and the retention rates of first-time, degree seeking, full-time and parttime, freshman student cohorts in public community colleges in Florida. Based on data obtained from the Integrated Post-Secondary Data System on selected student and institutional variables for three years beginning fall 2005, 2006 and 2007, retention rates were analyzed for the years beginning fall 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. This quantitative non-experimental descriptive study relied on multiple regression to analyze aggregated data on eight predictor variables to determine their impact student retention rates. A moderating variable (institutional size) was used to determine its influence on the relationship between the predictor variables and the criterion variable. The results suggest that gender and age were positively related to student retention rate at the parttime level, academic support expenses were negatively related to student retention rates at the part-time and full-time levels, and institutional size moderated the relationship between certain predictor variables and retention rates at small institutions.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3332179
Subject Headings: Commuity college students, Achievement in education, College dropouts, Prevention, College attendance, Universities and colleges, Administration
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.
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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: Integration of geospatial technologies into K-12 curriculum: an investigation of teacher and student perceptions and student academic achievement.
Creator: Goldstein, Donna L., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to explore outcomes of a GIS/GPS integration process: to (a) examine student responses to GIS and GPS inclusion in their curriculum, (b) determine whether a relationship exists between inclusion of GIS into existing K-12 curriculum and student achievement, (c) examine the effectiveness of GIS professional development for teachers, and (d) evaluate teacher perceptions of the value of integrating GIS into their existing curricula. This study was quantitative and...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore outcomes of a GIS/GPS integration process: to (a) examine student responses to GIS and GPS inclusion in their curriculum, (b) determine whether a relationship exists between inclusion of GIS into existing K-12 curriculum and student achievement, (c) examine the effectiveness of GIS professional development for teachers, and (d) evaluate teacher perceptions of the value of integrating GIS into their existing curricula. This study was quantitative and quasi-experimental in design. The samples consisted of 1,425 students from one middle school and 62 teachers from Palm Beach County School District. Two instruments were used in this study: student surveys and teacher feedback forms. Data from the student surveys indicated that students perceive their learning is enhanced by inclusion of GIS and GPS. Data from the teacher feedback forms revealed positive perceptions of the GIS/GPS program as an integrative tool for their existing curricula and a positive assessment of the GIS professional development training. The relationship between GIS instruction and student academic achievement was evaluated, measured by FCAT reading scores and final grades in science and social studies. The findings support the constructivist theory that students learn best when actively engaged in the process. In this study standardized FCAT reading test results and science and social studies grades corroborate the students' perceptions that GIS and GPS integration enhances their learning. Study results show FCAT reading scores were higher for GIS students than for non-GIS students. The research further indicated a significant increase in FCAT reading scores for non-native English speaking GIS students and a significantly higher average science grade for non-White GIS students., The findings also show that students who had a greater frequency of GIS instruction had higher averages in science and social studies grades. Education reform requires bold initiatives and an organizational culture supportive of innovative ideas. The structured model for development and implementation of GIS in the K-12 public school system presented at the end of this study includes collaboration between district leadership, administrators and teachers, and a comprehensive approach to professional development.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1927302
Subject Headings: Geographic information systems, Global Positioning System, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Curriculum planning, Achievement in education
Format: Document (PDF)

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

Title: The facts behind the FCAT.
Creator: Gamsey, Erin., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 makes schools accountable for the performance of their students, and measures that goal through standardized testing. Florida's standardized test is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This paper investigates how the incentive structure of the FCAT accountability system has resulted in costly unintended consequences, such as the disruption of local home prices, teaching towards the test, manipulation of the test pools, and an increase in the...
Show moreThe No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 makes schools accountable for the performance of their students, and measures that goal through standardized testing. Florida's standardized test is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This paper investigates how the incentive structure of the FCAT accountability system has resulted in costly unintended consequences, such as the disruption of local home prices, teaching towards the test, manipulation of the test pools, and an increase in the number of school dropouts. The State of Florida officially estimates that the cost to administer the FCAT is $19.44 per student. My claim is that the Florida Department of Education's estimate is profoundly understated because it does not take into account an array of internal and external costs associated with the test. By including these costs of the FCAT, I show that the FCAT does indeed cost more than $19.44 per student.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3335019
Subject Headings: Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Achievement in education, Educational tests and measurements
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Effectiveness Of The National Board Certification As It Relates To The Advanced Placement Calculus AB Exam.
Creator: Antunez, Fernando Oscar, Furner, Joseph M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: This study compared data related to National Board Certification (NBC) of mathematics teachers in a South Florida school district. Data included 1,162 student scores on the 2014 AP Calculus AB exam, student gender, student grade level, and eligibility for free or reduced price lunch (FRL) status. Teachers completed the Standards' Beliefs Instrument (SBI) (Zollman & Mason, 1992) to determine alignment of their beliefs with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards....
Show moreThis study compared data related to National Board Certification (NBC) of mathematics teachers in a South Florida school district. Data included 1,162 student scores on the 2014 AP Calculus AB exam, student gender, student grade level, and eligibility for free or reduced price lunch (FRL) status. Teachers completed the Standards' Beliefs Instrument (SBI) (Zollman & Mason, 1992) to determine alignment of their beliefs with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards. Interviews were conducted with five NBC mathematics teachers to understand how they incorporate best mathematics teaching practices in their daily instruction. A t-test analysis revealed that students taught by NBC teachers scored significantly higher (M = 3.70) on the AP Calculus AB Exam than those taught by non-NBCTs (M = 2.74); Cohen's d (.6429) indicated a moderately large effect size. No causation is to be implied; various confounding factors may also contribute to the variance in student scores. Three factorial ANOVA tests were performed to test interaction effects. Two significant interaction effects were detected: (1) NBCT status and student grade level; and (2) NBCT status and student FRL (free and reduced price lunch) status. No significant interaction was found between NBCT status and student gender. With a reliability estimate using Cronbach's alpha, a second t-test was conducted. A statistically significant difference was found regarding the mean scores of NBCTs and non-NBCTs regarding their beliefs according to the vision of the NCTM. NBCTs generally have practices that align more with the NCTM mathematics teaching standards. Interviews with five NBC teachers of AP Calculus provided rich qualitative descriptions of their teaching philosophies, approaches, and best practices contributing to student success. The results of this study reinforce evidence from previous research that the process of obtaining the NBC contributes to a teacher's professional expertise and is related to student success; however, since there may be other confounding factors related to teachers, students, and their schools, the NBC cannot be considered the sole factor contributing to student success in AP coursework and exams.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004477, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004477
Subject Headings: Achievement in education -- Florida, Advanced placement programs (Education), Calculus -- Examinations, questions, etc, Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary), National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (U.S.), Teacher effectiveness -- Florida, Teachers -- Certification -- Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (14)	+ -
Honors Student Theses (1)	+ -

Achievement in education (7)	+ -
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (4)	+ -
Education (3)	+ -
Educational tests and measurements (3)	+ -
School improvement programs (3)	+ -

Advanced placement programs (Education) (2)	+ -
Children of immigrants (2)	+ -
Academic achievement (1)	+ -
Academic achievement -- Florida (1)	+ -
Academic achievement--Social aspects (1)	+ -
Academic achievement--United States (1)	+ -
Achievement in education -- Florida (1)	+ -
Achievement in education--Florida (1)	+ -
Achievement in education--Measurement. (1)	+ -
Activity programs in education (1)	+ -
Administration (1)	+ -
Advanced placement programs (Education) (1)	+ -
Book clubs (Discussion groups) (1)	+ -
Calculus -- Examinations, questions, etc (1)	+ -
Catholic Church--Education--Florida (1)	+ -
College attendance (1)	+ -
College dropouts (1)	+ -
Commuity college students (1)	+ -
Computer-assisted instruction (1)	+ -
Critical pedagogy (1)	+ -
Curriculum planning (1)	+ -
Discrimination in education (1)	+ -
Education and state (1)	+ -
Education, Secondary (1)	+ -
Education, Secondary--Florida (1)	+ -

Florida (7)	+ -
United States (4)	+ -
Academic achievement--Florida--Evaluation (1)	+ -
Educational tests and measurements--Florida (1)	+ -
Motivation in education--Florida (1)	+ -

Motivation in education--Florida--Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
Reading (Elementary)--Ability testing--Florida (1)	+ -
States (1)	+ -

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