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- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF RETENTION AS AN INTERVENTION STRATEGY FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS AS MEASURED BY STUDENT SUCCESS ON FCAT IN SEMINOLE COUNTY.
- Creator
-
Katz, Maria, Murray, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Retention of students having academic difficulties continues to be a very popular intervention, even though many studies suggest that retention of students does not improve their academic success or their social and emotional attitude towards school. This study was based on an analysis of 10,875 Seminole County students that had been retained at least one time in their educational career. The study used 2006-2007 FCAT Reading and Math scores to determine the success of their retentions....
Show moreRetention of students having academic difficulties continues to be a very popular intervention, even though many studies suggest that retention of students does not improve their academic success or their social and emotional attitude towards school. This study was based on an analysis of 10,875 Seminole County students that had been retained at least one time in their educational career. The study used 2006-2007 FCAT Reading and Math scores to determine the success of their retentions. Students were grouped by the categories of gender, age, race, grade retained, ESE status, ELL status and SES and their success evaluated. The study supports the conclusions of the critics of retention and, based on trends found in the data, makes some recommendations that may improve the retention process. Specifically, the study recommends (a) for students in the high risk categories alternative interventions instead of or in addition to the retention whenever possible; (b) retention in the first grade rather than in kindergarten; (c) earlier ESE screening of students at risk for retention; (d)continued progress monitoring and intervention after the retention year; (e) continued on-level math instruction for students retained for poor reading achievement; and finally, (f) getting the parents of the retained students more involved in the process.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002199, ucf:52861
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002199
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION INTO UNITARY STATUS AND THE OVERREPRESENTATION OF BLACK STUDENTS IN SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS MEASURED BY OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE 67 FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
- Creator
-
Dehlinger, Robin, Murray, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
While many school districts in the state of Florida have achieved unitary status and are no longer under court jurisdiction, evidence that school districts continue to practice discipline policies that result in the disproportionate suspension of Black students can be found. Despite decades of desegregation, Black students continue to experience the devastating consequences of suspension and expulsion from school. The overrepresentation of Black students in the administration of school...
Show moreWhile many school districts in the state of Florida have achieved unitary status and are no longer under court jurisdiction, evidence that school districts continue to practice discipline policies that result in the disproportionate suspension of Black students can be found. Despite decades of desegregation, Black students continue to experience the devastating consequences of suspension and expulsion from school. The overrepresentation of Black students in the administration of school discipline is a serious concern for school districts. This study investigated if the attainment of unitary status resulted in equity in school discipline for Black students. Additionally, the study investigated the overrepresentation of Black students in the administration of school discipline as measured by out-of-school suspensions in the secondary schools of the 67 Florida public school districts in 2005-2006. The study compared the representation of Hispanic and Multiracial students to Black students in the administration of school discipline. The study also examined the effects of grade level (6, 7, 8, and 9) on Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial students in the administration of school discipline. Analysis of the data derived from the Florida Department of Education database for school year 2005-2006 led to the following findings: (1) there was overrepresentation of Black students in secondary schools in the state of Florida and that 42 school districts were not in compliance with unitary status guidelines; (2) Black students were overrepresented in school discipline when compared to Hispanic and Multiracial students; (3) the effect of grade (6, 7, 8, and 9) was not significant in the representation of Black students in school discipline; (4) 18 Florida public school districts have attained unitary status, 16 public school districts remained under court jurisdiction, and 33 public school districts were never subject to desegregation litigation; and, (5) Black students were overrepresented in the administration of school discipline in school districts that have attained unitary status.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002042, ucf:47578
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002042
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF ALTRUISM AND PERSONALITY VARIABLES AMONGBEGINNING COUNSELING STUDENTS.
- Creator
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Schmuldt, Laura, Robinson, E.H., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Altruism is loosely defined as a desire to help others as well as acts and behaviors towards that end, particularly when no expectation of personal gain or reward exists (Batson, Fultz, Schoenrade & Paduano, 1987). It seems likely that individuals who choose to pursue acareer in counseling might be doing so out of some altruistic interest; in other words a desire to come to the aid of others in distress. It has been noted as well that some individuals may enter the counseling profession based...
Show moreAltruism is loosely defined as a desire to help others as well as acts and behaviors towards that end, particularly when no expectation of personal gain or reward exists (Batson, Fultz, Schoenrade & Paduano, 1987). It seems likely that individuals who choose to pursue acareer in counseling might be doing so out of some altruistic interest; in other words a desire to come to the aid of others in distress. It has been noted as well that some individuals may enter the counseling profession based more on self-interest; for example, as "wounded healers" hoping to work on personal issues (Wheeler, 2002). Some researchers (Shapiro &Gabbard, 1996) hypothesize that overstated altruism may lead to burn-out and fatigue among some counselors whereas those who have limited altruism may have difficulties empathizing with clients. Despite the apparent relevance of altruism to counseling as a profession, very few studies have investigated the level of altruism among those in the field. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between altruism and personality variables in beginning counseling students. It is currently unclear to what extent altruism is a state (situational) vs. a trait (inherent). Grasping a greater sense of what constitutes altruistic behavior among beginning counseling students may benefit researchers in understanding the potential difficulties Shapiro & Gabbard (1996) suggest; i.e., burn-out, limited empathy or even self-gratification. The population in this study was 87 students entering a Master's degree in Counselor Education at a large, public institution in the Southeastern Unites States. The subjects completed the following assessments at orientation to their program: The Robinson-Heintzelman Inventory (an instrument designed to study altruism vs. self-interest in counselor education students), the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B). It was hypothesized that higher scores on altruism would correlate with the intuitive and feeling dimensions of the MBTI and low scores on wanted inclusion, wanted affection and expressed control on the FIRO-B. The hypotheses were not supported in this study; the only finding of statistical significance was the correlation between the thinking dimension of the MBTI and the total score on the RHI. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001327, ucf:53145
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001327
- Title
- An Investigation of Boaters' Attitudes toward and Usage of Targeted Mobile Apps.
- Creator
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Bowerman, Kamra, Delorme, Denise, Brown, Timothy, Neuberger, Lindsay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to understand boaters' adoption and usage of smartphones and mobile apps as well as to obtain their opinion on potential features of a targeted mobile app being developed as part of a broader interdisciplinary Florida Sea Grant outreach project. Data were gathered from an online survey of a sample of 164 boaters from the surrounding Central Florida area. In contrast with previous empirical mobile app studies, many respondents reported using mobile apps for...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to understand boaters' adoption and usage of smartphones and mobile apps as well as to obtain their opinion on potential features of a targeted mobile app being developed as part of a broader interdisciplinary Florida Sea Grant outreach project. Data were gathered from an online survey of a sample of 164 boaters from the surrounding Central Florida area. In contrast with previous empirical mobile app studies, many respondents reported using mobile apps for information-seeking versus escape gratifications. Further more than half of the respondents' age sixty-five and over indicated using smartphones and mobile apps. These findings reflected recent national trend data showing shifting gratifications and an increase in technology use among older American adults. In regards to the planned mobile app, the study's respondents had favorable reactions to its potential features and indicated an above average intent toward downloading the app.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004655, ucf:49902
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004655
- Title
- An Investigation of College Student-Athletes' Mental Health Stigma, Help-Seeking Attitudes, Depression, Anxiety, and Life Stress Scores Using Structural Equation Modeling.
- Creator
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Tabet, Saundra, Lambie, Glenn, Barden, Sejal, Taylor, Dalena, Wood, Eric, Jahani, Shiva, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to investigate the directional relationship between student-athletes' degree of mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, depression, anxiety, and life stress scores. This investigation tested the theoretical model that student-athletes' (N = 621) degree of mental health stigma (as measured by the Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale (-) Adapted [PDD-A; Eisenberg et al., 2009]) contributed to their attitudes towards help-seeking (as measured by the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the directional relationship between student-athletes' degree of mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, depression, anxiety, and life stress scores. This investigation tested the theoretical model that student-athletes' (N = 621) degree of mental health stigma (as measured by the Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale (-) Adapted [PDD-A; Eisenberg et al., 2009]) contributed to their attitudes towards help-seeking (as measured by the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help (-) Short Form [ATSPPH-SF; Fisher (&) Farina, 1995]) and levels of depression (as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (-) 9 [PHQ-9; Kroenke et al., 2001]), anxiety (as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 [GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006]), and life stress (as measured by the College Student-Athlete Life Stress Scale [CSALSS; Lu et al., 2012]). Specifically, the researcher tested the hypothesized directional relationship that student-athletes with a greater amount of mental health stigma would have (a) decreased positive help-seeking attitudes and (b) increased levels of depression, anxiety, and life stress. The results of the structural equation model (SEM) analyses identified that student-athletes' amount of mental health stigma contributed to help-seeking attitudes (25.6% of the variance), but not levels of depression (.16% of the variance), anxiety (.09% of the variance), or life stress (.81% of the variance). Specifically, student-athletes' degree of mental health stigma shared a strong negative relationship (-.506) with attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Further, the results identified that personal stigma mediates the relationship between public stigma and help-seeking attitudes. Implications of the findings include (a) greater knowledge of the importance student-athletes' mental health stigma and attitudes toward receiving help; (b) increased understanding for counselors of student-athletes mental health needs; and (c) insight into practices for institutions of higher education as they implement mental health initiatives within intercollegiate athletics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007538, ucf:52597
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007538
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF COUNSELOR EDUCATORS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO THE INCORPORATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION CURRICULA.
- Creator
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Patel, Samir, Hagedorn, Bryce, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The overall purpose of this study was to investigate counselor educatorsÃÂ' attitudes towards evidence-based practices (EBPs) and perceived barriers to the inclusion of EBPs in counselor education curricula. Additionally, this study aimed to assess whether counselor educatorsÃÂ' level of agreement towards the presence of motivational interviewing (MI) principles in the counseling relationship impacted attitudes towards EBPs. As such, this...
Show moreThe overall purpose of this study was to investigate counselor educatorsÃÂ' attitudes towards evidence-based practices (EBPs) and perceived barriers to the inclusion of EBPs in counselor education curricula. Additionally, this study aimed to assess whether counselor educatorsÃÂ' level of agreement towards the presence of motivational interviewing (MI) principles in the counseling relationship impacted attitudes towards EBPs. As such, this researcher analyzed four research questions using two instruments and a demographic questionnaire. Two hundred sixty nine counselor educators (39.8% response rate) from the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision responded to an electronic survey, which consisted of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS; Aarons, 2004), the BARRIERS Scale (Funk, Champagne, Wiese, & Tornquist, 1991), and a demographic questionnaire. Specifically, this study investigated four research questions to determine: (a) the difference in attitude towards adopting EBPs among counselor educators with respect to specific individual factors (i.e. specialized training in evidence-based practices, years of professoriate experience, and primary counselor education focus); (b) the difference in perceived barriers towards adopting EBPs into counselor education curricula among counselor educators with respect to organizational factors (i.e. type of program, status of CACREP accreditation, and faculty position); (c) the influence of EBP attitude on perceived barriers to the inclusion of EBPs in counselor education curricula; and (d) the correlation between counselor educators reported level of agreement towards MI principlesÃÂ' presence in the counseling relationship and their attitude towards EBPs. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were computed to analyze the data for the first two research questions, while linear regressions were utilized to compute the data for the last two research questions. In terms of individual factors, study results indicated that neither specialized training in EBPs nor years of professoriate experience resulted in significant differences with regards to attitudes towards EBPs. However, data analysis did reveal a significant difference between counselor educators with a clinical focus and counselor educators with a vocational focus. With regards to organizational factors influence on perceived barriers to the inclusion of EBPs in counselor education curricula, analyses revealed that neither CACREP accreditation nor faculty position resulted in any significant differences. Although, analysis did reveal that counselor educators in masters only programs perceived significantly less barriers to the inclusion of EBPs than did counselor educators in doctorate granting programs. Furthermore, results suggested a negative correlation between attitude towards EBPs and barriers towards the inclusion of EBPs in counselor education curricula, and a positive correlation between counselor educatorsÃÂ' agreement towards the inclusion of MI principles in the counseling relationship and their attitudes towards EBPs. Limitations of the study, implications for this study, and recommendations for future research as it relates to EBPs in counselor education and the counseling profession are addressed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003063, ucf:48293
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003063
- Title
- An Investigation of Gender, Prior Access to Athletics, and Interest Levels in Intercollegiate Sports of First-Time-in-College Freshmen.
- Creator
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White, Michelle, Taylor, Rosemarye, Pawlas, George, Doherty, Walter, Kaplan, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The focus of this research was to investigate the effects of gender and level of prior access to athletic programs sponsored by school, community, church, student or civic groups, and informal programs on level of first-time-in-college (FTIC) freshmen's interest in participating in intercollegiate athletics. To this end, 1,196 respondents (682 females and 514 males) who were admitted to the University of Central Florida and attended freshman orientation sessions in May and June of 2007 at the...
Show moreThe focus of this research was to investigate the effects of gender and level of prior access to athletic programs sponsored by school, community, church, student or civic groups, and informal programs on level of first-time-in-college (FTIC) freshmen's interest in participating in intercollegiate athletics. To this end, 1,196 respondents (682 females and 514 males) who were admitted to the University of Central Florida and attended freshman orientation sessions in May and June of 2007 at the UCF-Orlando campus completed the face-to-face survey. Participants ranged in age from 18 years of age to 25 years of age, representing varied racial/ethnic backgrounds, with a majority being registered as full-time students at time of the survey. The FTIC freshmen anonymously and voluntarily completed a modified version of The Student Interests in Athletics, Sports, and Fitness Survey (National Collegiate Athletic Association, 1995). Quantitative data gathered through analysis of closed-response questions provided information on their demographics, general interest in athletics, prior access to school and non-school sponsored sports, and interest in participating in college athletics. Survey responses suggested that a gender difference exists in FTIC freshmen when taking into account prior access to school and non-school sponsored athletics in predicting level of interest in participating in intercollegiate sports. FTIC freshmen males reported having more access to athletics than did FTIC freshmen females prior to attending freshmen orientation sessions in May and June of 2007. In addition, more FTIC freshmen males than females reported being interested in participating in intercollegiate athletics. Lower interest and participation rates by females in intercollegiate sports may, therefore, be an artifact of less access to opportunities to participate in sports during high school.Although almost four decades have passed with the expectation of gender equity within school settings in effect, most educational institutions are not in compliance with Title IX legislation. Females have not been afforded the same opportunities to participate in sports as males, and this appears to have influenced their interest in participating in sports. The findings of this study demonstrate the need for increased enforcement of Title IX legislation at all levels of education for true gender equity and athletic interest to be realized.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004458, ucf:49351
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004458
- Title
- An Investigation of High Anxiety Verbal Behavior.
- Creator
-
Wright, John W., Taylor, Phillip, Social Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Social Sciences Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1973
- Identifier
- CFR0012240, ucf:53132
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0012240
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF HIGH SCHOOL GEOMETRY STUDENTS' PROVING AND LOGICAL THINKING ABILITIES AND THE IMPACT OF DYNAMIC GEOMETRY SOFTWARE ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
- Creator
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Subramanian, Lalitha, Hynes, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) the role of a yearlong geometry course on high school geometry students' logical thinking and proof construction abilities, (b) the linkage between students' logical thinking and proof construction abilities, and (c) the impact of dynamic geometry software on students' performance. In addition, this study also ventured to determine if the type of geometry course had any impact on students' logical thinking and proof construction achievement....
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate (a) the role of a yearlong geometry course on high school geometry students' logical thinking and proof construction abilities, (b) the linkage between students' logical thinking and proof construction abilities, and (c) the impact of dynamic geometry software on students' performance. In addition, this study also ventured to determine if the type of geometry course had any impact on students' logical thinking and proof construction achievement. The sample for the study consisted of 1,325 high school geometry students enrolled in regular, honors, and mastery courses in four high schools from the school district affiliated with the Local Education Agency (LEA) during the academic year 2004-2005. Geometer's Sketchpadä (GSP) was assumed to represent the dynamic geometry software. Responses of students on two pre-tests and two post-tests, each with one on logical thinking and one on proof, were analyzed to address the research questions. Results of the analyses indicated no significant effect of the yearlong geometry course on the performance of students on proof tests but a fairly significant effect on the tests of logical thinking. Use of GSP was found to have some impact on honors and mastery students' performance on proof post-tests. Honors students showed a higher logical thinking level than their regular and mastery counterparts in both GSP and non-GSP groups. There was a significant positive correlation between students' performance on the tests of logical thinking and proof.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000616, ucf:46546
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000616
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF IMPLEMENTATIONS OF SMALLER LEARNING COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOLS.
- Creator
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Sparger , Todd, Bozeman, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The issue of high school reform has received national attention during the first part of the 21st century. One idea brought forth in this restructuring effort has been the desire to create high schools with smaller student populations. However, in an era of tight budgets, where resources are not always available to build more schools, educators have explored the possibility of dividing existing large high schools into smaller units. This restructuring approach has many titles, but is...
Show moreThe issue of high school reform has received national attention during the first part of the 21st century. One idea brought forth in this restructuring effort has been the desire to create high schools with smaller student populations. However, in an era of tight budgets, where resources are not always available to build more schools, educators have explored the possibility of dividing existing large high schools into smaller units. This restructuring approach has many titles, but is frequently referred to as a Smaller Learning Community (SLC). Since 2000, the federal government has pledged $245 million to schools willing to create SLCs. This research has studied the schools in Florida that have received the federal implementation grant and have established SLCs. The 39 Florida high schools that were awarded the federal grant in 2000, 2001, and 2002 served as the population for this study. Twenty schools in the population completed a 45-item survey which measured implementation of five key SLC elements:(a) accountability, (b) autonomy, (c) identity, (d) instructional focus, and (e) personalization. Based on the survey results, an implementation score was determined for each participating school. Based on 5-point Likert scale (with a not applicable option) for the 35 questions that pertained to the five elements, a total score of 175 was the maximum amount possible. Individual responding school scores ranged from 104.7 - 157.1. The overall implementation score was also correlated with selected school indicators. Survey respondents also provided rationale for the implementation of SLCs and perceived benefits to students, teachers, and parents. In general, the survey respondents agreed that SLCs at their schools addressed the five key elements. The implementation scores and teacher comments, however, provided evidence that the levels of implementation of SLCs across the state varied in terms of the elements. Suggestions for future research and educational practices are provided
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000370, ucf:46342
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000370
- Title
- An Investigation of Information Literacy of International Graduate Students: Skills, Challenges, and Needs.
- Creator
-
Ayoub, Yousef, Cox, Dr. Thomas, Vitale, Thomas, Boote, David, Beile, Penny, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Information literacy at higher education institutions is an important issue at the local and national levels. In 2000, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) created a set of information literacy standards and asked academic institutions to incorporate them into their college curricula (ACRL, 2000). The ACRL states that, to be considered information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate, and use effectively...
Show moreInformation literacy at higher education institutions is an important issue at the local and national levels. In 2000, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) created a set of information literacy standards and asked academic institutions to incorporate them into their college curricula (ACRL, 2000). The ACRL states that, to be considered information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information (ACRL, 2000). Academic institutions follow these standards to teach their students information literacy skills and assist them to become lifelong learners. Library literature indicates that international students face some linguistic, cultural, and technological challenges in using the library and learning information literacy skills. The purpose of this study was to examine the information literacy of international graduate students. It assessed their current skills and investigated their challenges and needs. Understanding the challenges international students face and exploring the factors associated with these challenges can be helpful to understand the academic needs of this group of students. The study was conducted on international graduate students at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at University of Central Florida (UCF). The study used a mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey that was sent to all U.S. and international graduate students at CECS. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with a selected number of international graduate students at CECS. The findings of the study indicated clearly that international graduate students have a relatively low level of information literacy skills. The study also showed that U.S. graduate students have a better information literacy level than the information literacy level of international graduate students. The study presented some implications and provided recommendations for future planning and programming of outreach programs and library services for international students on campus.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006257, ucf:51039
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006257
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF LINGUISTIC, COGNITIVE, AND AFFECTIVE FACTORS THAT IMPACT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS' PERFORMANCE ON A STATE STANDARDIZED READING ACHIEVEMENT TEST.
- Creator
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Strebel Halpern, Carine, Nutta, Joyce, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The explicit teaching of reading comprehension strategies has been proposed as a means to better prepare secondary school-aged students for today's information-dense, fast-paced, fast-changing global society, and to improve the academic performance of struggling adolescent readers. This proposition of a direct and positive impact of reading comprehension strategies on reading achievement for all students has not been investigated with English language learners (ELLs) who, by definition,...
Show moreThe explicit teaching of reading comprehension strategies has been proposed as a means to better prepare secondary school-aged students for today's information-dense, fast-paced, fast-changing global society, and to improve the academic performance of struggling adolescent readers. This proposition of a direct and positive impact of reading comprehension strategies on reading achievement for all students has not been investigated with English language learners (ELLs) who, by definition, do not possess the same level of English language skills as their native-English speaking peers. This mixed-method study investigated linguistic, cognitive, as well as affective factors that impact adolescent ELLs' performance on a standardized state reading achievement test. The quantitative portion examined the relative contributions of second language proficiency and reading comprehension strategies to a prediction model of reading achievement in 110 ninth and tenth grade ELLs. The qualitative portion of the study involved individual interviews and was aimed at deepening the understanding of ELLs' use of strategies during the standardized reading test, while also investigating affective factors that may impact their performance on this measure of academic achievement. Quantitative findings include two statistically significant prediction models of reading achievement with reading comprehension strategies and English language proficiency as predictor variables. However, only language proficiency made a significant unique contribution to the prediction variable. Qualitative findings suggest that the participants had relatively little metacognitive awareness of their comprehension during the standardized test, had overestimated their use of reading strategies as reported on a 30-item strategy survey instrument, had concentrated on sentence-level comprehension due to unknown vocabulary, and may have been hindered by testing anxiety in being able to wholly concentrate on the task. Recommendations made for the instruction of comprehension strategies consist of the raising of metacognitive awareness through the explicit modeling of the thought processes involved in reading comprehension, including determining the meaning of unknown words.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002931, ucf:47989
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002931
- Title
- An Investigation of Low Performing Central Florida Teacher Evaluation Feedback and Improvement Plans as Related to Value-Added Model Scores and Instructional Practice Scores.
- Creator
-
Butler, Tara, Murray, Barbara, Doherty, Walter, Murray, Kenneth, Baldwin, Lee, Hutchinson, Cynthia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine if low performing Central Florida teachers, according to Florida VAM scores, had related instructional practice evaluations that were being used to determine placement on improvement plans in the 2013-14 school year. Additionally, the feedback held within the instructional practice evaluations was analyzed to discover the levels of feedback most frequently rendered by administrative evaluators to the lowest performing teachers. Deidentified data from...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine if low performing Central Florida teachers, according to Florida VAM scores, had related instructional practice evaluations that were being used to determine placement on improvement plans in the 2013-14 school year. Additionally, the feedback held within the instructional practice evaluations was analyzed to discover the levels of feedback most frequently rendered by administrative evaluators to the lowest performing teachers. Deidentified data from a population of 528 Central Florida teacher evaluations and improvement plans within the lowest 10% of VAM scores for the 2013-14 school year were gathered from a Florida Department of Education database and public record requests. Data were analyzed to determine if any significant relationship existed between VAM scores and instructional practice scores. A very weak relationship existed between these two variables. Tenured teachers were rated significantly more favorably on summative instructional practice evaluations than nontenured teachers. Within the population, fewer than 1% of low-performing teachers (two total) were prescribed an improvement plan, regardless of tenure or nontenure status. Finally, evaluation feedback was largely low-level without reference to student growth or achievement. Evidence of administrative barriers within the three dimensions of individual conflict avoidance, bureaucratic procedural interferences, and administrative procedural faults were inferred from the literature and subsequent findings. To improve upon the current evaluation system, administrators must be aware of, and well-prepared for the demands of evaluating, remediating, and providing feedback to teaching professionals relative to student achievement and growth in a manner that is simultaneously respectful, candid, fair, timely, and actionable.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006937, ucf:51677
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006937
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF MASTER'S LEVEL COUNSELING STUDENTS' CLINICAL EFFICACY: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION SCORES AND DEMONSTRATION OF CLINICAL SKILLS IN PRACTICUM.
- Creator
-
Ray, Shannon Lounge, , E. H., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The admission of students into Counselor Education programs aims to select those applicants with the best potential to successfully complete the graduate program as well as acquire effective clinical skills. The primary method of measuring achievement potential for graduate students in Counselor Education programs represents Graduate Record Examination Scores (GRE); minimal scores on the examination are required for program admission. This study examined the relationship between student...
Show moreThe admission of students into Counselor Education programs aims to select those applicants with the best potential to successfully complete the graduate program as well as acquire effective clinical skills. The primary method of measuring achievement potential for graduate students in Counselor Education programs represents Graduate Record Examination Scores (GRE); minimal scores on the examination are required for program admission. This study examined the relationship between student achievement of clinical skills and incoming GRE scores.The study participants were 47 master's level Counselor Education students who were enrolled in Practicum in Counselor Education (MHS 6800) in the spring, summer, and fall semesters of 2002 as well as the spring, summer, and fall semesters of 2003.All students were required to submit videotapes of live counseling sessions conducted in the Community Counseling Clinic at the University of Central Florida. The videotapes were rated using the Global Scale for Rating Helper Responses, developed by George Gazda. An independent samples t-test was utilized to assess between group differences for the sample participants. The study results showed no significant differences between the demonstration of clinical skills in Counselor Education students with a GRE score over 1000 and those students with a GRE score below 1000. The study results suggested that other factors outside of those skills measured by the GRE might attribute to successful acquirement and demonstration of clinical counseling skills.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000023, ucf:52839
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000023
- Title
- An investigation of master's level counselor education admissions criteria: The predictive validity of undergraduate achievement and aptitude on the attainment of counseling competence.
- Creator
-
Kendrick, Emma, Hagedorn, William, Hundley, Gulnora, Lambie, Glenn, Robinson, Edward, Ieva, Kara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The goal of this research was to examine the relationship between the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) admissions criteria and the prediction of future counseling competencies in four domain areas; knowledge, counseling skills, professional dispositions, and professional behaviors. The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) provided the measure for knowledge, paired with the Counseling Competencies Scale (CCS), measuring counseling...
Show moreThe goal of this research was to examine the relationship between the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) admissions criteria and the prediction of future counseling competencies in four domain areas; knowledge, counseling skills, professional dispositions, and professional behaviors. The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) provided the measure for knowledge, paired with the Counseling Competencies Scale (CCS), measuring counseling skills, professional dispositions, and professional behaviors. Three types of correlational analyses (Multiple-linear Regression, Pearson Product Moment, and Canonical) were used to test the relationships between the variables and subscales. Overall, significant models were produced in areas consistent with past research: GRE and UGPA scores show a relationship to CPCE scores but not the CCS skills assessment. The author concluded that counselor educators should review their admissions criteria and ensure that the value that they place on the GRE and UGPA criteria is backed by research. Recommendations for future research should focus on the use of alternate admissions criteria which assess applicants for personal characteristics and other qualities considered necessary for a counselor to be successful.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004395, ucf:49364
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004395
- Title
- An Investigation of Media Coverage of a Local Crisis: The Courts, the Orange County School Board and the Community.
- Creator
-
Rupp, Evelyn S., Fedler, Fred, Social Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Social Sciences Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1974
- Identifier
- CFR0011949, ucf:53101
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011949
- Title
- An Investigation of Methods for Reuse of Rubber Tires.
- Creator
-
Armbruster, Charles E., Block, David T., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; Methods of reusing/recycling the more than 250 million automobile and truck tires whicha re wron out each year were investigated. The existing methods of reusing tires account for about 30 percent of the volume of scrap tires gnerated each year. These methods are, Retreading, Reclaiming (by reducing to ground up rubber and fiber), and Tire Splitting (stamp items out of sidewall and tread areas). Several possibilities for reusing...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; Methods of reusing/recycling the more than 250 million automobile and truck tires whicha re wron out each year were investigated. The existing methods of reusing tires account for about 30 percent of the volume of scrap tires gnerated each year. These methods are, Retreading, Reclaiming (by reducing to ground up rubber and fiber), and Tire Splitting (stamp items out of sidewall and tread areas). Several possibilities for reusing/recycling the unused 70 percent were discovered. These methods are as follows: Destructive Distillation -- a method of recovering chemicals from tires by pyrolitic action. It is anticipated that eventually as much as 60 percent of all scrap tires may be reused by this method. Explanded Reclaimer Usage -- The use of crumb rubber as an asphalt additive will improve life and durability of highway paving as much as 300 percent. Artificial Reefs -- The tires are compressed and banded then dumped in the ocean to expand old or create new reefs. Carbon Black -- A method whereby the tire is carburized and the resulting carbon black used in new tire formulation. An investigation of the possibility of using one or more of the above methods for the East Central Florida area indicates that artificial reefs should provide the most useful, least cost method for disposal of scrap tires.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1972
- Identifier
- CFR0012932, ucf:53129
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0012932
- Title
- An Investigation of Online Tools and Teaching, Social, and Cognitive Presence in a Large Hybrid Online Class.
- Creator
-
Rath, Victoria, Gunter, Glenda, Boote, David, Holt, Larry, Hornik, Steven, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of specific Web 2.0 tools on students' experience of teaching, social, and cognitive presence and motivation when enrolled in a very large hybrid course. With online course enrollments continuing to grow at a higher rate than traditional enrollments in higher education (Allen (&) Seaman, 2011) and universities increasing class sizes as a way to meet this demand with fewer fiscal resources, it is imperative to find ways to keep...
Show moreThe purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of specific Web 2.0 tools on students' experience of teaching, social, and cognitive presence and motivation when enrolled in a very large hybrid course. With online course enrollments continuing to grow at a higher rate than traditional enrollments in higher education (Allen (&) Seaman, 2011) and universities increasing class sizes as a way to meet this demand with fewer fiscal resources, it is imperative to find ways to keep students engaged and motivated when enrolled in very large classes. This study used the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, Anderson (&) Archer, 2000) to examine the effect of specific Web 2.0 tools (asynchronous discussion, streaming lectures, multimedia lecture demonstrations, Twitter, and the Second Life virtual world) on teaching, social, and cognitive presence and motivation. The sample population for this study (n = 567) consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in a very large hybrid accounting course in the fall of 2010 at the University of Central Florida. The total enrollment for the course was 943 students. Students could attend face-to-face (f2f) class sessions in a large lecture room that seated 285 students or they could view a streaming video capture of the lectures online. Students were not required to attend the f2f class sessions and could complete the course entirely online.Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variances (ANOVA), and results of the statistical analyses indicated that students who frequently used the Web 2.0 tools had statistically significant higher mean motivation scores than students who did not use the tools as frequently. Additionally, students who frequently attended the f2f sessions had statistically significant higher mean social presence scores compared to students who attended sometimes or not at all. Attending the f2f sessions, however, did not result in higher mean scores of teaching or cognitive presence.When examined for the impact of the specific Web 2.0 tools, analysis of the ANOVA results indicated that students who used the discussion, streaming lectures, multimedia lecture demonstrations, and Twitter all of the time had significantly higher mean scores of teaching, social, and cognitive presence compared to those students who used the tools less frequently. Further research should be conducted on large hybrid and online courses in different content areas and on those that use different types of learning approaches.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004638, ucf:49890
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004638
- Title
- An investigation of physiological measures in a marketing decision task.
- Creator
-
Lerma, Nelson, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Reinerman, Lauren, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The objective of the present study was to understand the use of physiological measures as an alternative to traditional market research tools, such as self-reporting measures and focus groups. For centuries, corporations and researchers have relied almost exclusively on traditional measures to gain insights into consumer behavior. Oftentimes, traditional methods have failed to accurately predict consumer demand, and this has prompted corporations to explore alternative methods that will...
Show moreThe objective of the present study was to understand the use of physiological measures as an alternative to traditional market research tools, such as self-reporting measures and focus groups. For centuries, corporations and researchers have relied almost exclusively on traditional measures to gain insights into consumer behavior. Oftentimes, traditional methods have failed to accurately predict consumer demand, and this has prompted corporations to explore alternative methods that will accurately forecast future sales. One the most promising alternative methods currently being investigated is the use of physiological measures as an indication of consumer preference. This field, also referred to as neuromarketing, has blended the principles of psychology, neuroscience, and market research to explore consumer behavior from a physiological perspective. The goal of neuromarketing is to capture consumer behavior through the use of physiological sensors. This study investigated the extent to which physiological measures where correlated to consumer preferences by utilizing five physiological sensors which included two neurological sensors (EEG and ECG) two hemodynamic sensors (TCD and fNIR) and one optic sensor (eye-tracking). All five physiological sensors were used simultaneously to capture and record physiological changes during four distinct marketing tasks. The results showed that only one physiological sensor, EEG, was indicative of concept type and intent to purchase. The remaining four physiological sensors did not show any significant differences for concept type or intent to purchase.Furthermore, Machine Learning Algorithms (MLAs) were used to determine the extent to which MLAs (Na(&)#239;ve Bayes, Multilayer Perceptron, K-Nearest Neighbor, and Logistic Regression) could classify physiological responses to self-reporting measures obtained during a marketing task. The results demonstrated that Multilayer Perceptron, on average, performed better than the other MLAs for intent to purchase and concept type. It was also evident that the models faired best with the most popular concept when categorizing the data based on intent to purchase or final selection. Overall, the four models performed well at categorizing the most popular concept and gave some indication to the extent to which physiological measures are capable of capturing intent to purchase. The research study was intended to help better understand the possibilities and limitations of physiological measures in the field of market research. Based on the results obtained, this study demonstrated that certain physiological sensors are capable of capturing emotional changes, but only when the emotional response between two concepts is significantly different. Overall, physiological measures hold great promise in the study of consumer behavior, providing great insight on the relationship between emotions and intentions in market research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0006345, ucf:51563
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006345
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF PRINCIPALS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF LEARNING STYLES IN THERAPEUTIC SETTINGS.
- Creator
-
Pancoast, Renee, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In March, 2006 the Principal's Attitudes Toward the Knowledge, Value, and Application of Learning Styles with Students in Therapeutic Settings survey developed by the author was distributed to 120 principals belonging to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Two mailings yielded a return of 68 (56.6%) usable survey instruments from which principals' self-reporting on knowledge, value and application of learning styles was examined. Focus for this study was...
Show moreIn March, 2006 the Principal's Attitudes Toward the Knowledge, Value, and Application of Learning Styles with Students in Therapeutic Settings survey developed by the author was distributed to 120 principals belonging to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Two mailings yielded a return of 68 (56.6%) usable survey instruments from which principals' self-reporting on knowledge, value and application of learning styles was examined. Focus for this study was provided through three research questions: (a) to determine to what extent principals in therapeutic settings self-reported general knowledge of learning style applications, (b) to determine to what extent principals exhibit positive attitudes toward the use of learning style theory- supported instructional methods and materials, and (c) to determine to what extent principals in therapeutic settings support the application of learning style theory. All administrators reported general knowledge of learning style theories, three basic learning styles, and matching teaching strategies with learning styles. All administrators believed that students do exhibit different learning styles, learning styles have a place in education, and teachers should receive learning style training. They also expressed the belief that learning styles impact student learning, matching teaching strategies to learning styles was important for academic success, a learning style inventory was necessary, and matching mental health disorders to learning styles was important for academic achievement. The most documented change due to learning style-based instruction was evidenced by test scores and earned grades. All administrators wanted to learn more about learning styles. Almost 90% of administrators indicated that they were providing learning style training. Almost 100% (95.6%) reported they observed improvement on academic achievement due to learning style-based instruction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001249, ucf:46890
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001249