Current Search: cultural diversity (x)
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- Title
- PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: TEACHERS' AND PARENTS' VOICES.
- Creator
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Shearer, Karen, Brown, Susan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Parents have been involved in the education of their children since the early days of our nation. Their roles have evolved from teaching the basics of reading writing and arithmetic in Colonial times to overseeing the selection of teachers and designing the curriculum during the early 1800s to providing academic support in the home up through the present time. Although educators are generally viewed as professionals and in charge of their students' education, the importance of parental...
Show moreParents have been involved in the education of their children since the early days of our nation. Their roles have evolved from teaching the basics of reading writing and arithmetic in Colonial times to overseeing the selection of teachers and designing the curriculum during the early 1800s to providing academic support in the home up through the present time. Although educators are generally viewed as professionals and in charge of their students' education, the importance of parental involvement is readily acknowledged. Confusing to both parents and educators is what constitutes parental involvement. The research revealed numerous definitions for the term, but none that were universally agreed upon. This lack of a clear delineation of roles has both parties struggling to make sense of their separate and joint responsibilities. Add to this confusion the complex issues surrounding linguistic and cultural diversity and both sides become mired in their differences rather than building upon their commonalities. Barriers to parental involvement can come from the family as well as the school. The purpose of this study was to examine those barriers from the perspective of educators as well as parents. A convenience sample was taken from the population of elementary schools in a Central Florida county. Parents of students from ethnic minorities were asked to complete a survey questionnaire regarding their experiences with the classroom teacher as well as involvement in their child's education. Elementary school teachers from the same county were given the opportunity to respond to an online survey questionnaire regarding their attitudes about cultural and language diversity and parental engagement at school and with learning. Five hundred and fifty parent surveys and one hundred sixty-six teacher surveys were completed. The data analysis will show which factors influence parent involvement and how similarly parents and teachers feel about parent involvement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001506, ucf:47127
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001506
- Title
- IMPROVING PARENT INVOLVEMENT FOR CULTURALLY AND LINGUSTICALLY DIVERSE PARENTS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FROM URBAN SETTINGS IN SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
- Creator
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Urquhart, Michelle, Dieker, Lisa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study was designed to address the need for improved collaborative experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) parents of students with disabilities. Historically, these individuals have had limited interactions with special education services and professionals, particularly at the middle school level. To improve the collaborative relationship between CLD families and schools, the study offered collaborative training sessions designed to provide opportunities for parents...
Show moreThis study was designed to address the need for improved collaborative experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) parents of students with disabilities. Historically, these individuals have had limited interactions with special education services and professionals, particularly at the middle school level. To improve the collaborative relationship between CLD families and schools, the study offered collaborative training sessions designed to provide opportunities for parents to build on their current knowledge base and skills for effective partnerships with school personnel. The goal of the training was to increase the types and frequency of school involvement by CLD parents. The participants for this study consisted of teachers and parents of culturally diverse groups of middle grade students in special education transitioning from an urban elementary school into a suburban middle school. Hence, the researcher evaluated parent perceptions of the collaborative experience to determine the effects it had on future efforts to collaborate. Student perceptions of both the collaborative process and the teacher's ability to provide services that embrace cultural differences and reflect high expectations were also assessed. Overall evaluation of Parent Collaborative Training (PCT) demonstrated a direct influence on the behaviors of parents as well as students and teachers, who were indirectly affected by the parenting behaviors. The training influenced parents' knowledge and skills, opinions of students regarding their parents and teachers, and showed higher ratings for students across three domains: student behaviors, student capabilities, and teacher expectations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001310, ucf:47016
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001310
- Title
- ATTITUDES TOWARD DIVERSITY AND LIFE IN THE U.S. HELD BY CHILDREN OF HISPANIC IMMIGRANTS: DO THEIR PARENTS PLAY A ROLE?.
- Creator
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Ruiz, Vanessa, Negy, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The present study explores how children of Hispanic immigrants (CHIs) perceive life in the U.S., and how they view cultural diversity. Questionnaires were given to 92 non-U.S. born CHIs and one of their non-U.S. born Hispanic immigrant parents (HIPs) who have lived in the U.S. between 1 and 17 years (M yrs = 8.43); their views of the U.S. were assessed along with their acceptance of diversity, acculturative stress, and levels of acculturation. In this study, I found that CHIs generally hold...
Show moreThe present study explores how children of Hispanic immigrants (CHIs) perceive life in the U.S., and how they view cultural diversity. Questionnaires were given to 92 non-U.S. born CHIs and one of their non-U.S. born Hispanic immigrant parents (HIPs) who have lived in the U.S. between 1 and 17 years (M yrs = 8.43); their views of the U.S. were assessed along with their acceptance of diversity, acculturative stress, and levels of acculturation. In this study, I found that CHIs generally hold positive views of the lives in the U.S. and also hold favorable views toward cultural diversity. Furthermore, this study hypothesized that HIPs significantly influence their CHIs attitudes toward both the U.S. and toward cultural diversity. Overall, my findings validated the theoretically based expectation that demonstrates the power of parental attitudes on their children's attitudes. A significant correlation was found between HIPs' attitudes toward the U.S. and their children's attitudes, as well as, CHIs' attitudes toward the U.S. correlating significantly with their perceptions of their parents' attitudes toward the U.S. Multiple and stepwise regressions further confirmed the importance of parental attitudes toward their children's attitudes toward the U.S. and their openness to cultural diversity. Findings from this study provide implications for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004875, ucf:45413
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004875
- Title
- Afro-Caribbean Parental Influence: Family Chronicles of the Educational Journey From Child to Medical Student.
- Creator
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Grant, Carlene, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, J. Thomas, Munyon, Matthew, Meehan, Kevin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Many ethnic groups in the United States have struggled for the opportunity to be identified as an individual group. In academia, these students are often aggregated into a larger category, with little acknowledgment for the difference in their cultural heritage. Along with these cultural differences, Afro-Caribbean parents and their children are met with other challenges in the pursuit of lifelong goals (Sowell, 1978). The decision to become a medical doctor is one that can often not be made...
Show moreMany ethnic groups in the United States have struggled for the opportunity to be identified as an individual group. In academia, these students are often aggregated into a larger category, with little acknowledgment for the difference in their cultural heritage. Along with these cultural differences, Afro-Caribbean parents and their children are met with other challenges in the pursuit of lifelong goals (Sowell, 1978). The decision to become a medical doctor is one that can often not be made alone. Using the framework of Cultural Ecological Theory and Social Construction (Ogbu 1990, 1992; Berger (&) Luckman, 1991) this study was conducted to determine whether Afro-Caribbean parents influence their children to become medical doctors. The research results in this qualitative study identified major themes, among others, to include: (1) collaborative efforts in pursuit of dreams and goals, (2) surpassing parental achievements and (3) the ability to cope with negative experiences. Afro-Caribbean parents, students, faculty and administrators in higher education can gain from the findings of this study, an awareness of the importance of trusted relationships and early exposure to health careers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006110, ucf:51198
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006110
- Title
- MIXED SIGNALS AT THE INTERSECTION: THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMPOSITION ON RATINGS OF BLACK WOMEN'S MANAGEMENT SUITABILITY.
- Creator
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Bowens, Laticia, Fritzsche, Ph.D., Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Historically, Black women's workplace experiences have been understudied, partially due to an implicit assumption that their experiences are subsumed by research on Black men and/or White women. This oversight is even more evident in the field of management. However, considerable attention has been given to the debate about whether Black women are at a double advantage (i.e., as supposed affirmative action "two-for-one bargains") or at a double disadvantage due to their double marginalizing...
Show moreHistorically, Black women's workplace experiences have been understudied, partially due to an implicit assumption that their experiences are subsumed by research on Black men and/or White women. This oversight is even more evident in the field of management. However, considerable attention has been given to the debate about whether Black women are at a double advantage (i.e., as supposed affirmative action "two-for-one bargains") or at a double disadvantage due to their double marginalizing characteristics. Empirical research in the area has found support for each side, furthering the debate, but also advancing an overly simplistic explanation for a set of experiences that is certainly much more complicated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the conditions under which Black women, when seeking managerial employment, are at a double advantage or disadvantage, using Critical Race Feminism, Cox's Interactional Model of Cultural Diversity (IMCD; 1994), and theories of social categorization as the theoretical foundation. A 2 (sex) x 2 (race) x 2 (demographic composition of the workplace) between-subjects design was used to test the hypotheses that the Black female applicant would have a double disadvantage in a more demographically balanced organization and double advantage in an organization that is more White and male. Participants (N = 361) reviewed information about an organization (where demographic composition was manipulated) and three available management positions. They also reviewed a fictional professional networking profile of a job applicant where race and sex were manipulated through photos, and job qualifications and experience were held constant. Based on all of the information, they rated the applicant on his/her suitability for the jobs. Results of planned contrasts and ANOVAs showed partial support for the hypotheses. In the balanced organization, the Black female applicant was rated lower in suitability for entry-level management than the Black male and White female applicants. Likewise, she was rated higher than the Black male and White female applicants in the less diverse organization, when evaluated for upper-level management. Thus, the study clarifies the theories of double advantage and double disadvantage by identifying organizational composition as a moderator of the relationship between applicant race/sex and employment outcomes (i.e., management suitability ratings). The implications of these findings are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003761, ucf:48761
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003761
- Title
- ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND DISPROPORTIONALITY THROUGH THE USE OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING PRACTICES.
- Creator
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Griner, Angela, Lue Stewart, Martha, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Culturally responsive teaching practices in schools and classrooms have been shown to be an effective means of addressing the achievement gap, as well as the disproportionate representation of racially, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students in programs serving students with special needs. While there has been a recent influx in research discussing these issues, teachers and school staff lack clear examples and tools for best practices that will aid them in addressing the...
Show moreCulturally responsive teaching practices in schools and classrooms have been shown to be an effective means of addressing the achievement gap, as well as the disproportionate representation of racially, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students in programs serving students with special needs. While there has been a recent influx in research discussing these issues, teachers and school staff lack clear examples and tools for best practices that will aid them in addressing the achievement gap and disproportionality effectively within their schools. Conducted in three phases, this research provides a framework for developing, implementing, and evaluating a culturally responsive tool for schools and school staff in order to impact beliefs and practices related to culturally responsive teaching, leading to the enhanced learning outcomes of all students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003880, ucf:48759
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003880
- Title
- SUPPORTING HISPANIC MOTHERS WITH PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SPEECH AND/ OR LANGUAGE DELAYS VIA DIALOGIC READING AND COACHING WITHIN THE HOME.
- Creator
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Dopson, Natalie, Cross, Lee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Young children who are Hispanic, from low-income homes and have developmental delays are at a disadvantage for not having the basic early literacy foundation to become successful readers later in school (Ballantyne, Sanderman, D'Emilio, & McLaughlin, 2008; Hammer, Farkas, & Maczuga, 2010; Ezell & Justice 2005; McCardle, Scarborough, & Catts, 2001). These challenges can be addressed in several ways. Early intervention including parent education and collaboration along with shared book reading...
Show moreYoung children who are Hispanic, from low-income homes and have developmental delays are at a disadvantage for not having the basic early literacy foundation to become successful readers later in school (Ballantyne, Sanderman, D'Emilio, & McLaughlin, 2008; Hammer, Farkas, & Maczuga, 2010; Ezell & Justice 2005; McCardle, Scarborough, & Catts, 2001). These challenges can be addressed in several ways. Early intervention including parent education and collaboration along with shared book reading are considered best practices and critical to improving child outcomes (NELP, 2008). In addition, children who have a solid foundation in early literacy skills including vocabulary development in their native language will later transfer to the development of vocabulary in English (Ballantyne et al., 2008). Yet, research on shared book reading practices within the home of Hispanics is minimal (Hammer and Miccio, 2006). It is necessary to expand the literature on how to adapt best practices to meet the needs of Hispanic families who are economically disadvantaged. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of parent training and coaching of dialogic reading strategies in Spanish on mothers' implementation of the strategies and total vocabulary expressed by the child during shared book reading within the home environment. In addition, the researcher explored parent receptiveness towards shared book reading strategies. The research design for the study was a single-subject multiple baseline across three mother-child dyad participants. The independent variable was the intervention which consisted of parent training video on dialogic reading, parent handouts, and researcher coaching. The dependent variables were the mother's implementation of dialogic reading strategies and the children's total expressed words during shared book reading. The mother-child dyads, originally from Mexico, lived in settled migrant community in central Florida. The three children regularly attended a local federally funded preschool and received services for speech and/or language. The results indicated that the mothers' implementation of dialogic reading increased after training and coaching and the children's expressed total vocabulary words also increased. Dyad's interests in the selected books, mother responsiveness during shared book reading, and duration of shared book reading may have impacted some of the variability in the results. Furthermore, mothers were unaware of the dialogic reading strategies prior to the intervention and reported positive feedback and a desire to learn more ways to help their children at home. Implications for research and practice include the need for parent education to support caretakers of young children with speech and/or language delays, involvement of parents in the intervention planning process including coaching options, adaptation of intervention to expand upon parent's funds of knowledge, complexity of code-switching and language differences, and greater collaboration between school and home.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003961, ucf:48713
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003961
- Title
- The Role of Virtual Avatars in Supporting Middle School Students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds on Science in After School Programs.
- Creator
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Gallegos, Benjamin, Dieker, Lisa, Vasquez, Eleazar, Marino, Matthew, Hughes, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Students who receive additional educational supports in afterschool programs were the focus of the investigation. This study was conducted to measure what effects a TeachLivE avatar, a mixed-reality virtual environment, used in combination with a video game, had on the activation of prior knowledge in science for students in rural middle school. The delivery of the biology science lessons on cell structures and processes were delivered using the video game, Cell Command. The TeachLivE adult...
Show moreStudents who receive additional educational supports in afterschool programs were the focus of the investigation. This study was conducted to measure what effects a TeachLivE avatar, a mixed-reality virtual environment, used in combination with a video game, had on the activation of prior knowledge in science for students in rural middle school. The delivery of the biology science lessons on cell structures and processes were delivered using the video game, Cell Command. The TeachLivE adult avatar was customized as a biologist who spoke to students in the treatment group about science concepts prior to playing the science video game. Unexpected attrition rates and low numbers of participants in the targeted area of research providing consent affected the original research design to conduct the research study. Therefore, a pivot was made from the original research design. The initial target population was students with a learning disability who were culturally and linguistically diverse from low socioeconomic backgrounds in rural communities. By the end of the study, only one student with a learning disability consented and completed the study, with attrition rates in the original school approaching 90% due to various factors, which are discussed. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the effects between students in the control group who only played the Cell Command video game, compared to students in the treatment condition who played the Cell Command science video game, and had four, five minute conversations with a TeachLivE avatar. The analysis indicated varied differences between the treatment and control conditions. The analysis of a STEM-CIS survey, that measures career interests, sum means were included in the descriptive analysis along with the unique challenges presented in conducting research in a rural Title I school.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006304, ucf:51606
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006304
- Title
- A Case Study Exploring the Relationship between Culturally Responsive Teaching and a Mathematical Practice of the Common Core State Standards.
- Creator
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Howse, Tashana, Dixon, Juli, Haciomeroglu, Erhan, Andreasen, Janet, Adams, Thomasenia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This collective case study explores the nature of the relationship between teachers' use of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices and students' engagement in constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others (SMP3). This study was informed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative related to developing mathematically proficient students through the use of student engagement practices consistent with the standards for mathematical practice. As a means to support...
Show moreThis collective case study explores the nature of the relationship between teachers' use of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices and students' engagement in constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others (SMP3). This study was informed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative related to developing mathematically proficient students through the use of student engagement practices consistent with the standards for mathematical practice. As a means to support teachers' facilitating specific student engagement practices, professional development was provided. This study is situated in the growing body of research associated with student engagement and cultural identity. The case of two teachers was defined from interviews, classroom observations, journal prompts, and student artifacts. Data was collected before, during, and after professional development following a cross-case analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) shift in teacher practice; (b) depth and breadth of the knowledge of culturally responsive teaching and standard for mathematical practice three; (c) teacher reflection and reception; and (d) classroom management. The findings suggest that the shift in teacher practice can be supported by professional development focused on reflective practice. This shift is impacted by classroom management and teachers' depth and breadth of their knowledge of CRT and SMP3.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005005, ucf:50009
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005005
- Title
- A Grounded Theory Survey Study of Teachers Perception Perpetuating the Deficit Narrative About Marginalized Students of Color.
- Creator
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Austin, Cavel, Olan, Elsie, Hewitt, Randall, Jeanpierre, Bobby, Puig, Enrique, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The deficit narrative about marginalized students of color attributes their failure in school to some nature of innate cognitive deficiency, cultural, social, and familial dysfunctions among other schools of thoughts. The purpose of this grounded theory study is to provide a rich description about this phenomenon and to propose theoretical pedagogical adjustments in the classroom as it relates to educating students of color. The study applies Charmaz (2014) Constructivist approach to grounded...
Show moreThe deficit narrative about marginalized students of color attributes their failure in school to some nature of innate cognitive deficiency, cultural, social, and familial dysfunctions among other schools of thoughts. The purpose of this grounded theory study is to provide a rich description about this phenomenon and to propose theoretical pedagogical adjustments in the classroom as it relates to educating students of color. The study applies Charmaz (2014) Constructivist approach to grounded theory methods to examine the following research questions: (RQ1) How do teachers' narratives about students of color depict their teaching experiences and (RQ2) How do teachers' narratives about students of color inform students learning? Two overarching themes emerged in this study: practicing color blindness impacts cultural responsiveness while perpetuate deficit thinking, and understanding cultural background stimulates sensitivity when designing curriculum for students of color. The findings of this research demonstrate teachers' deficit thinking depicts their pedagogical practices and informs students learning. The research has both practical and theoretical implications for dispelling the deficit thinking regarding students of color.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007779, ucf:52339
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007779
- Title
- Hmong Americans in Higher Education: Exploring their Sense of Belongingness and the Concept of the American Dream.
- Creator
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Daugherty, Janet, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, J. Thomas, Cox, Thomas, Molina, Olga, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
I conducted this study to examine Hmong American college students' perspectives on sense of belongingness and their idea on the American Dream. The college experience can serve as a precursor to improving the social and economic situation of the Hmong students when aligned with the personal desire to gain upward mobility and motivation to circumvent social and academic inconsistencies.The methodology of the study was designed for one-on-one phenomenological informal interviews with Hmong...
Show moreI conducted this study to examine Hmong American college students' perspectives on sense of belongingness and their idea on the American Dream. The college experience can serve as a precursor to improving the social and economic situation of the Hmong students when aligned with the personal desire to gain upward mobility and motivation to circumvent social and academic inconsistencies.The methodology of the study was designed for one-on-one phenomenological informal interviews with Hmong American college upper-classmen using a two-part interview protocol to elicit demographic and experiential information. Moustakas' approach to the analysis of data provided guidelines to review individual transcripts and to group, remove, cluster, and thematize lived experiences.The findings of this study indicated that Hmong college students: (a) enrolled out of obedience to the parents, especially their fathers, regardless of the educational level of the parents and (b) thrived when authority figures on campus reached out to help their humble situation. . . it not only made them belong to the campus family but it strengthened their self-esteem.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005596, ucf:50250
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005596
- Title
- EFFECTIVE SCHOOL CHARACTERISTICS AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT CORRELATES AS PERCEIVED BY TEACHERS IN AMERICAN STYLE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS.
- Creator
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Doran, James, Allen, Kay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between effective school characteristics and norm referenced standardized test scores in American-style international schools. In contrast to schools in traditional effective schools research, international schools typically have middle to high SES families, and display average to above average achievement. Eleven effective school characteristics were identified and correlated with standardized test scores for grades 4, 6, and 8...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between effective school characteristics and norm referenced standardized test scores in American-style international schools. In contrast to schools in traditional effective schools research, international schools typically have middle to high SES families, and display average to above average achievement. Eleven effective school characteristics were identified and correlated with standardized test scores for grades 4, 6, and 8 and high school SAT scores. Data was gathered from an online teacher questionnaire designed for this study. All eleven characteristics were present in high performing international schools while frequent analysis of student progress, high academic expectations and positive school environment were more prominent. Positive school environment, high academic expectations, strong instructional leadership and cultural diversity were chosen as important characteristics of an effective international school. Learning time is maximized was the only characteristic that was significantly correlated with achievement and only in grades 4, 6 and 8. There was no statistically significant relationship found between norm referenced test scores and the aggregate effective school characteristics score.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000245, ucf:46244
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000245