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- Title
- Supervising Principals' Perceptions of Preparing New Principal Program Completers: Meeting the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards.
- Creator
-
Trimble, Wesley, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Kennedy, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study sought to determine to what extend completers of School District A's Preparing New Principals Program (PNPP) are prepared to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards (FPLS). Major questions addressed (a) the perception of principals regarding how well prepared completers of School District A's principal preparation program were to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards, (b) if the perceived importance of the 2011 Florida Leadership Standards varied by...
Show moreThis study sought to determine to what extend completers of School District A's Preparing New Principals Program (PNPP) are prepared to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards (FPLS). Major questions addressed (a) the perception of principals regarding how well prepared completers of School District A's principal preparation program were to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards, (b) if the perceived importance of the 2011 Florida Leadership Standards varied by leadership level, (c) if the perceived importance of the 2011 Florida Leadership Standards varied by a school's free/reduced lunch percentage, and (d) the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards perceived as the most beneficial to increasing student achievement. This mixed method study employed an online survey. The participants in this study included 46 supervising principals of Preparing New Principals Program completers from an urban school district in central Florida. Findings indicated that principals believed that Preparing New Principals Program completers were prepared to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards. Principals also believed that the following experiences would enhance the program: (a) more meaningful experiences that require participants to solve identified deficiencies, (b) an 18 to 24 month principal internship as opposed to the current eight-week principal internship, and (c) differentiating principal preparation based on participants' experiences and school district needs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004949, ucf:49590
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004949
- Title
- The Relationship Among African American Students' SAT Reasoning Test Scores and Participation in Advanced Placement Courses in One Large Urban School District in A Southern State in 2010-2011.
- Creator
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Fennoy, Donald, Taylor, Rosemarye, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the relationship of Advanced Placement (AP) participation on closing the achievement gap between African American students and other ethnic/racial groups (White, Hispanic, and Asian) in a large urban school district in a southern state. Two major issues were considered: (a) the impact of high school student Advanced Placement participation on SAT Reasoning Test scores and (b) the correlation between increased high school student Advanced...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to provide insight into the relationship of Advanced Placement (AP) participation on closing the achievement gap between African American students and other ethnic/racial groups (White, Hispanic, and Asian) in a large urban school district in a southern state. Two major issues were considered: (a) the impact of high school student Advanced Placement participation on SAT Reasoning Test scores and (b) the correlation between increased high school student Advanced Placement participation and closing the academic achievement gap between African American and other ethnic/racial groups. A significant difference was found to exist in the mean SAT Reasoning Test scores among different ethnic/racial groups during the 2010-2011 school year. African American student mean scores were significantly lower on the SAT Reasoning Test when compared to all ethnic/racial groups identified in this study, regardless of the independent variable (no AP participation, one AP course, two or more AP courses). However, the results did indicate that African American participation in AP courses was significantly lower than all other ethnic/racial groups in this school district. Additionally, information was provided for school leaders regarding the development of a systematic approach to creating equity and access for African American students to fully engage in a college going culture through participation in Advanced Placement courses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004375, ucf:49445
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004375
- Title
- A Study of the Implementation of the Executive Ed. D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida 2010-2013: A Professional Practice Doctorate.
- Creator
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Marsh, Nicole, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Murray, Kenneth, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study conducted at the University of Central Florida was of two-fold importance. First, information gathered via this study has served to continually improve the rigor and relevancy of the curriculum and program requirements to issues in education. Second, the research findings from this study served to move forward the national and increasingly international efforts to improve the Ed. D. and other professional practice doctorate programs.The review of literature was organized to present...
Show moreThis study conducted at the University of Central Florida was of two-fold importance. First, information gathered via this study has served to continually improve the rigor and relevancy of the curriculum and program requirements to issues in education. Second, the research findings from this study served to move forward the national and increasingly international efforts to improve the Ed. D. and other professional practice doctorate programs.The review of literature was organized to present an introduction for the conceptual framework of the efforts to distinguish between the Ph. D. and Ed. D. and strengthen the education doctorate overall. The review presented discussions on the history of the doctorate, history and reform models for the professional doctorate, history of the education doctorate, the Ed. D. versus the Ph. D., differentiation of the education doctorates, and the future of the education doctorate. This study was conducted in the University of Central Florida's Executive Ed. D. in Educational Leadership program, and employed a mixed methods approach. A series of four surveys were developed to gather both quantitative perception rating responses on a Likert scale of either one to four or one to five, as well as qualitative or open responses to enhance context. Means and standard deviations were analyzed to determine perception ratings, and one-way analyses of variance were conducted to determine differences in perceptions between cohorts and over time.This research illustrated that the perceptions of students in the Executive Ed. D. in Educational Leadership program were positive. Student respondents indicated that their reasons for applying to the program are reflected in the program design, the program is aligned well with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate's (CPED) Working Principles, and the program was meeting their needs at defined points in the program of study. Implications for practice include using admission and demographic information to inform instructional and advising processes, continuing to gather student perception ratings and open responses to keep the Executive Ed. D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida aligned with the CPED Working Principles and all programs with the students' needs, and following up with graduates to gather perceptions on the perceived impact of their study.Recommendations for further research include continuing this study in a longitudinal format to gather perceptions and conduct tests for changes in perceptions over time prior to entering the program, at different points throughout the program, and after completing the program. Also, continuing to gather data on the variable of persistence, to determine relationships between whether or not a student remains enrolled in the program and predictor variables including GRE score, undergraduate GPA, and professional position. Similarly, gathering measurements of program viability including graduation rates and time to degree completion to compare with those measurements on program prior to being redesigned as well as evaluating relationships between admission requirements and time to degree completion and graduation rates.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004885, ucf:49669
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004885
- Title
- Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Third Grade Summer Reading Camp Intervention Program in a Larger Urban School District.
- Creator
-
Alchin, Danielle, Murray, Barbara, Taylor, Rosemarye, Murray, Kenneth, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the third grade Summer Reading Camp (SRC) in a large urban school district. The SRC curriculum was assessed to determine if it aligned with effective remediation and filled the third grade students' knowledge voids in reading. The study further analyzed how the school district officials selected the curriculum content utilized in the SRC. This study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected through...
Show moreThis study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the third grade Summer Reading Camp (SRC) in a large urban school district. The SRC curriculum was assessed to determine if it aligned with effective remediation and filled the third grade students' knowledge voids in reading. The study further analyzed how the school district officials selected the curriculum content utilized in the SRC. This study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews of school district personnel on the SRC committee regarding the implementation of the 2012 lesson plan, and from students' Winter Benchmark Assessment scores. The school district implemented the SRC to fulfill a state requirement that all students who received a Level 1 on the reading Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Reading must receive remediation. The SRC committee designed the curriculum using the state reading benchmarks and decided the activities required during SRC would be whole group, small group, writing, and independent reading. The program was to be evaluated each year using teacher and administrator survey data and the analysis of test scores to determine changes to be implemented. Of the 10 benchmarks assessed on the school district reading benchmark test, only three were aligned with the students' knowledge voids. There were a total of eight FCAT tested reading benchmarks that were not taught during SRC. The researcher suggests the school district re-align the curriculum with the needs of the students as identified by the Winter Reading Benchmark. It is further recommended that each student's specific remediation needs be evaluated to ensure the curriculum is meeting the needs of all the students in attendance at SCR.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004803, ucf:49750
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004803
- Title
- The Impact of Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten on the Academic Achievement (&) Kindergarten Readiness of Students in a Large Suburban School District.
- Creator
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Rodriguez, Jordan, Murray, Kenneth, Murray, Barbara, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Throughout the United States, state governments are allocating millions of dollars to support Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs. Recent research has indicated that students who participate in VPK demonstrate higher academic achievement scores across a number of subject areas. Moreover, VPK participants are more likely to enter primary school on grade level, which in turn leads to a reduction in grade retention. Studies have indicated that although all students who participate in VPK...
Show moreThroughout the United States, state governments are allocating millions of dollars to support Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs. Recent research has indicated that students who participate in VPK demonstrate higher academic achievement scores across a number of subject areas. Moreover, VPK participants are more likely to enter primary school on grade level, which in turn leads to a reduction in grade retention. Studies have indicated that although all students who participate in VPK programs benefit from such programs, minority students and students who come from low-socioeconomic backgrounds benefit at an even higher level. The intent of this study was to determine to what extent, if any, a VPK program within a large, suburban school district impacted the academic achievement and kindergarten preparedness of participants in comparison to students who did not participate in the VPK program offered by the district. To measure the impact, student scores on the 2006-2007 Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) were compared through the use of an independent samples t-test. The same students had their 3rd grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Reading and Mathematics scored compared as well. Two groups were compared against one another. The control group was a group of students who did not participate in the VPK offered by the school district. The treatment group was the group of students that participated in the district offered VPK. The results of each of the independent sample t-tests conducted determined that there was not a statistically significant different in either student preparedness or student academic achievement between the VPK participant group and the non-participant group.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004924, ucf:49610
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004924
- Title
- Senior-Level School District Administrators' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of a Florida Preparing New Principals Program.
- Creator
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Ruiz, Eddie, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Kennedy, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to examine and measure Preparing New Principals Program completers and their readiness to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards. This study was also conducted to identify the Florida Principal Leadership Standards that senior-level school district administrators identified as the most beneficial to future principals in improving student achievement despite increased accountability within the state. A group of 40 senior-level school district...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine and measure Preparing New Principals Program completers and their readiness to meet the 2011 Florida Principal Leadership Standards. This study was also conducted to identify the Florida Principal Leadership Standards that senior-level school district administrators identified as the most beneficial to future principals in improving student achievement despite increased accountability within the state. A group of 40 senior-level school district administrators who served on the superintendent's cabinet between 2008 and 2011 were sent a perceptual survey regarding the Preparing New Principals Program and the Florida Principal Leadership Standards. Survey participants had the opportunity to voluntarily participate in a structured interview to obtain further information regarding the survey. All data from the surveys and interviews were studied and disseminated to the district for redesigning the school district's principal preparation program.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004926, ucf:49611
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004926
- Title
- An Urban School District's Preparing New Principals Program: Completers' Perceptions of Program Effectiveness Related to Florida Principal Leadership Standards Adopted in 2011.
- Creator
-
Pelletier, Kelly, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Kennedy, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to measure the extent to which school leaders who completed the preparing new principals program in a large urban school district perceived the program's effectiveness in preparing them to demonstrate Florida's principal leadership standards as adopted in November 2011. This study also identified the components of the preparing new principals program that influenced the professional practice of the program completers in their current leadership roles. The...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to measure the extent to which school leaders who completed the preparing new principals program in a large urban school district perceived the program's effectiveness in preparing them to demonstrate Florida's principal leadership standards as adopted in November 2011. This study also identified the components of the preparing new principals program that influenced the professional practice of the program completers in their current leadership roles. The Preparing New Principals Program Completer Survey was sent to 90 administrators in School District A who completed the preparing new principals program between 2008 and 2011. Follow-up interviews were conducted with six volunteers in order to further clarify responses to the survey and gather additional input from program completers. Survey results as well as interview data were analyzed in order to give information for designing a new principal preparation program for School District A.The literature review and the results of this study supported the premise that preparing principals for school leadership in 2013 involves more than developing management skills and knowledge of the functions of a school. Principals must be instructional leaders with an unwavering focus on student achievement. Overall, results of the study found the PNPP in the urban school district supported the participant's awareness of the FPLS and also showed they perceived they were prepared to demonstrate the majority of the standards. However, the individual requirements and experiences of the PNPP had varying levels of perceived value to the professional practice of the participants. Results of the study recommended the PNPP experiences perceived to be invaluable or not practical should be evaluated for applicability, revised accordingly or possibly eliminated to improve the effectiveness of the PNPP.Although the structure of principal preparation programs in the state of Florida are unique due to laws that created a two leveled principal certification process, the findings and conclusions of this research study could be useful to any school district working to develop future principals. Suggested improvements to the PNPP included a longer principal internship, a strengthened mentor relationship, an application process for initial program entry, differentiated experiences, and an emphasis on increasing teacher effectiveness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004909, ucf:49619
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004909
- Title
- A Study of a Third Grade Summer Reading Camp: Its Promotion of Student Achievement and Its Cost Effectiveness.
- Creator
-
Bixler, Krista, Murray, Barbara, Murray, Kenneth, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate and long term impact of participation in the 2009 Third Grade Summer Reading Camp, as well as determine the cost-effectiveness of providing this program in comparison to the cost-effectiveness of other reading interventions as identified by Yeh (2010). All students in this study scored an achievement level one on the 2009 FCAT Reading assessment and either attended the summer reading camp or received a good cause exemption for promotion...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the immediate and long term impact of participation in the 2009 Third Grade Summer Reading Camp, as well as determine the cost-effectiveness of providing this program in comparison to the cost-effectiveness of other reading interventions as identified by Yeh (2010). All students in this study scored an achievement level one on the 2009 FCAT Reading assessment and either attended the summer reading camp or received a good cause exemption for promotion to the next grade level. Data was not available to determine immediate impact of summer school. To determine long term impact of summer school participation, 130 students who attended the program and passed were compared to a random sample of 130 students who received another good cause exemption. Results of an independent t-test indicated students who passed summer school by performing at or above the 50th percentile on the alternative assessment outperformed students who received another good cause exemption on the 2010 FCAT Reading assessment, t(258) = -9.50, p = .000, effect size r = 0.51,and 2011 FCAT Reading assessment, t(258) = -7.43, p = .000, effect size r = 0.42. Ninety percent of students who attended summer school and passed the alternative assessment for promotion made learning gains on the following year's FCAT Reading assessment; however, the majority of students performed below grade level on the 2010 and 2011 FCAT Reading assessment. Based on school district records for the cost of salaries, benefits, transportation, materials, and supplies, the total cost of summer school was calculated and adjusted for inflation to 2006 dollars so a comparison could be made to Yeh's (2010) cost-effectiveness analysis of summer school and other reading interventions that annualized the cost to 2006 dollars. The adjusted cost for the 2009 summer reading program was calculated at $872,681.23. Using this number and dividing by the total number of summer school student, which were 3,012 students, the cost per student annualized to 2006 was $289.74. Data to determine the immediate impact of summer school were not available, therefore, student performance on the 2009 FCAT Reading assessment was compared to their performance on the 2010 FCAT Reading assessment by calculating a paired samples t-test, t(1225) = 40.82, p = .000, d = 1.23, effect size r = 0.52. The effect size d was divided by the cost per student which calculated an effectiveness-cost ratio of 0.004245 compared to that derived by Yeh (2010) of 0.000125. Caution should be taken when interpreting these results as methodology was not in alignment to Yeh (2010) due to the lack of an immediate post-test measure after participation in summer school and an additional year of interventions and education is reflected in the test scores. The cost per student was calculated to be $1,225.26 less than the amount of money reported in Yeh's (2010) calculations. Based on this information, the diminishing effect of the summer school program on student reading performance in subsequent years, and the majority of students performing below grade level one and two years after summer school participation, it cannot be determined that this program is cost-effective in raising student reading achievement.It is recommended that this study be replicated with adjustments made to address the limitations identified. Further investigation should be made at the state level to determine if the current practice of good cause exemptions and summer school offerings perpetuates the achievement gap in reading.?
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004818, ucf:49753
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004818
- Title
- A Study of The Marzano Teacher Evaluation Model and Student Achievement at 24 Elementary Schools In A Large Suburban School District In Central Florida.
- Creator
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Flowers, Amy, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Murray, Barbara, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The focus of this research was to examine the initial year of implementation of the Marzano Teacher Evaluation Model and iObservation(&)#174; tool (Learning Sciences International, 2012) as it related to student achievement in the School District of Osceola County, Florida and to determine if the Marzano model improved the ability to determine teacher effectiveness with more accuracy than previous models of teacher evaluation used in the school district. Twelve research questions guided this...
Show moreThe focus of this research was to examine the initial year of implementation of the Marzano Teacher Evaluation Model and iObservation(&)#174; tool (Learning Sciences International, 2012) as it related to student achievement in the School District of Osceola County, Florida and to determine if the Marzano model improved the ability to determine teacher effectiveness with more accuracy than previous models of teacher evaluation used in the school district. Twelve research questions guided this study concerning the relationship and predictability between the variables of teacher instructional practice scores, number of observations reported in the iObservation(&)#174; tool, and student achievement in Grades 3-5 using reading and mathematics FCAT 2.0 DSS scores.Linear Regression analysis suggested that for Grade 3 reading and mathematics the instructional practice mean had statistical significance in predicting performance and was a strong predictor of Grade 3 FCAT reading and mathematics performance. Linear Regression analysis suggested that for Grade 3 reading and mathematics the instructional practice mean had statistical significance in predicting performance and was a strong predictor of Grade 3 FCAT reading and mathematics performance. Linear Regression analysis further suggested no statistical significance or predictability for Grades 4, 5 for instructional practice mean and Grades 3,4,5 for observation mean related to FCAT reading and mathematics performance. Caution should be used when attempting to interpret these findings, as this study was based solely on initial year implementation data. Implications for practice are also discussed in this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004841, ucf:49711
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004841
- Title
- Evaluating Faculty and Staff Customer Satisfaction of a Technology Support Office in a Large University in Florida.
- Creator
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Jaffe, Laurence, Murray, Kenneth, Murray, Barbara, Baldwin, Gordon, Hutchinson, Cynthia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study sought to determine customer satisfaction levels of faculty and staff with their technology support office in a large university in Florida. The focus of research was to determine if there were any differences in customer satisfaction based on four demographics: gender, faculty versus staff, educational level and age. An anonymous customer satisfaction survey included 26 Likert-type scale questions measuring 16 service quality dimensions was administered to the population. The 16...
Show moreThis study sought to determine customer satisfaction levels of faculty and staff with their technology support office in a large university in Florida. The focus of research was to determine if there were any differences in customer satisfaction based on four demographics: gender, faculty versus staff, educational level and age. An anonymous customer satisfaction survey included 26 Likert-type scale questions measuring 16 service quality dimensions was administered to the population. The 16 service quality dimensions included 10 dimensions from Zeithaml et al. (1990), five dimensions from Besterfield et al. (1995, 2003), and one dimension, overall satisfaction.Findings showed there was a statistically significant difference in two demographics, gender and faculty versus staff. Regarding gender, there were no differences in 14 of 16 dimensions examined. The two dimensions with differences were tangibles and understanding the customer, with males having lower customer satisfaction than females. Regarding faculty versus staff differences, there were no differences in all the dimensions other than the courtesy dimension for which faculty had a lower level of customer satisfaction level than staff. Regarding educational level and age, there were no differences in any of the 16 dimensions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005186, ucf:50615
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005186
- Title
- An Analysis of a Large Urban School District's Eighth-Grade Summer Reading Camp Curriculum and Student Performance Knowledge Voids.
- Creator
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Sochocki, Eric, Murray, Barbara, Murray, Kenneth, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Gordon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study sought to determine if the 2012 Eighth Grade Summer Reading Campcurriculum was aligned with the students' needs. To determine if curriculum alignmentexisted, the researcher completed a qualitative and quantitative study. The qualitativestudy consisted of interviewing the school district program development team to ascertainhow the curriculum was designed. The quantitative segment involved runningdescriptive statistics for student performance on the Pre-program BenchmarkExamination....
Show moreThis study sought to determine if the 2012 Eighth Grade Summer Reading Campcurriculum was aligned with the students' needs. To determine if curriculum alignmentexisted, the researcher completed a qualitative and quantitative study. The qualitativestudy consisted of interviewing the school district program development team to ascertainhow the curriculum was designed. The quantitative segment involved runningdescriptive statistics for student performance on the Pre-program BenchmarkExamination. The determined student knowledge voids were compared to the amount ofinstructional time spent taught teaching those individual benchmarks to ascertain if thecurriculum was aligned with student need. The curriculum was determined to not bealigned with the performance deficiencies of the students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005264, ucf:50595
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005264
- Title
- An Exploratory Study of the Strengths of Islamic School Principals in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
- Creator
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Qadri, Kamran, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Gordon, Mitchell, Paul, Eriksson, Gillian, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As the focal point of the school, the principal's leadership is integral to its effective functioning. This study used a self-assessment to analyze the self-identified strengths of principals in Islamic schools within the five most populated states in the United States (which also have the largest number of mosques) and the commonalities in those strengths based on (a) the enrollment of the school; (b) year school was established; (c) the gender of the principal; (d) the principal's...
Show moreAs the focal point of the school, the principal's leadership is integral to its effective functioning. This study used a self-assessment to analyze the self-identified strengths of principals in Islamic schools within the five most populated states in the United States (which also have the largest number of mosques) and the commonalities in those strengths based on (a) the enrollment of the school; (b) year school was established; (c) the gender of the principal; (d) the principal's professional preparation, e.g., degree in education vs. other fields and years of experience; and (e) geographic location. While only a small amount of statistical significance was evident (p (<) .05) in exploring the differences between groups, several conclusions were made. In analyzing the strengths of the principals, the least selected strength was Significance and the most was Analytical, which had the highest proportion of affirmatively responding principals as compared to any of the other strengths. Additionally, the relationship between principal strength and school enrollment resulted in for the strengths of Command and Developer at a significance level that was less stringent than the p = .002 dictated by the study; principals at schools that have a student enrollment of 151-200 ranked Command higher as compared to principals in schools of other sizes, whereas those with an enrollment of 150 or fewer students ranked Developer as a more preferred strength. In addressing principal strengths and gender, the results showcased males ranking Self-assuredness as their preferred trait more frequently than their female counterparts, who preferred Futuristic. Furthermore, the relationship of principal strengths and area of education resulted in the strengths of Activator, Maximizer, and Positivity as being ranked higher for principals who had a degree in education at the p = .05 level. The strengths of Empathy, Harmony, and Responsibility (p (<) .05) and Deliberative (p (<) .01) were ranked higher by principals who did not have a degree in education. Also, based on the average rankings of principal strengths, Achiever indicated the strongest association for principals with a degree in education and Deliberative for principals who did not. The results of the mean ranking of the strengths among principals of differing years of experience resulted in the ranking of Focus and Includer at higher levels for principals with 3-6 years of experience (p (<) .01). Furthermore, the average rankings showcased the strength of Achiever as the most strongly rated for principals with less than 3 years of experience, Focus for principals with 3-6 years of experience, and Analytical for principals with more than 6 years. Examination of principal strengths based on geographic location was conducted descriptively due to small group sizes. Among the five states of focus, average rankings of strengths indicated that Deliberative was the most preferred among California principals, Includer among Florida principals, Activator among Illinois respondents, Command among New York principals, and Analytical in Texas.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005235, ucf:50601
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005235
- Title
- Deconstructing Differences in Effectiveness of Reading Teachers of Ninth Grade Non-Proficient Readers in One Florida School District.
- Creator
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Wysong, Jason, Taylor, Rosemarye, Murray, Barbara, Baldwin, Gordon, Doherty, Walter, Zugelder, Bryan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to identify specific instructional and professional differences between the most effective and least effective teachers of ninth grade students enrolled in intensive reading courses in one Florida school district. Teachers from eleven schools were invited to complete a survey that included categorical, Likert, and open-ended response items. Principals and assistant principals at these schools were also invited to complete a similar survey. Teacher...
Show moreABSTRACT This study was undertaken to identify specific instructional and professional differences between the most effective and least effective teachers of ninth grade students enrolled in intensive reading courses in one Florida school district. Teachers from eleven schools were invited to complete a survey that included categorical, Likert, and open-ended response items. Principals and assistant principals at these schools were also invited to complete a similar survey. Teacher respondents were then divided into three effectiveness groups based on the percentage of their students who met 2011-2012 FCAT performance targets established by Florida's value-added learning growth model. Inferential statistics were used to identify specific attributes that differed among the most and least effective teachers. These attributes included years of classroom teaching experience, status of Florida Reading Endorsement, belief in collaboration with others as a source of effectiveness, valuation of classroom strategies including teaching students to self-monitor their progress and cooperative learning activities, and frequency of use of reading strategies including sustained silent reading and paired/partner student readings. School administrators and the most effective classroom teachers reported similar beliefs about valuation and frequency of use of the four aforementioned classroom strategies. Analysis of responses to open-ended response items resulted in the identification of three instructional themes(-)importance of building positive relationships with students, student practice, and student self-reflection(-)and three resource needs(-)increased access to technology, print resources, and professional learning.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004963, ucf:49571
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004963
- Title
- Deconstructing Differences in Effectiveness of Teachers of Tenth Grade Non-Proficient Readers in One Florida School District.
- Creator
-
Williams, Mary, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Murray, Barbara, Baldwin, Gordon, Zugelder, Bryan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Despite an intense focus and considerable financial commitment to remediate non-proficient readers in high school, the large suburban school district that was the target of this study had been unable to consistently improve student achievement in the lowest 25% of students as measured by outcomes on the FCAT Reading. Scholarly literature on high school reading had focused mostly on evaluation of curriculum rather than on teacher practices. A clear understanding of these differences in...
Show moreDespite an intense focus and considerable financial commitment to remediate non-proficient readers in high school, the large suburban school district that was the target of this study had been unable to consistently improve student achievement in the lowest 25% of students as measured by outcomes on the FCAT Reading. Scholarly literature on high school reading had focused mostly on evaluation of curriculum rather than on teacher practices. A clear understanding of these differences in practice will inform future decisions related to staffing, scheduling, and professional learning. This study sought to identify the underlying professional and instructional differences between the most effective and least effective teachers of tenth grade intensive reading courses through teacher and principal/assistant principal surveys along with teacher evaluation data. This study revealed with regards to a teacher's preparation to teach reading (research question one), that years of experience in the classroom and years of experience as a high school reading teacher were the only significant factors that influenced a teacher's effectiveness. For research questions two and three; which had to do with the beliefs and professional practices of the teacher, the educationally relevant belief that the more effective teachers were more confident about their abilities than their less effective peers was noted. Research question four provided the data with regards to the general classroom teaching strategies and the adolescent reading strategies the effective teachers employed. This data revealed that the more effective teachers implemented posting and communicating daily and long term learning goals more frequently than their less effective peers. In addition, the general classroom teaching practices of efficient use of learning time, establishing and maintaining classroom routines, and checking for understanding proved to be educationally relevant. Additionally, the adolescent reading strategies of sustained silent reading, paired/partner readings, and students reading one-on-one with teacher, were educationally relevant as well. Finally, in regards to research question five, it was of statistical significance that administrators valued the use of the general classroom teaching strategy of posting and communicating daily and long term learning goals and were able to recognize the use of this strategy when observing and evaluating the teachers.?
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004960, ucf:49573
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004960
- Title
- The Relationship Of Participation In A Summer Transition Program For At-Risk Ninth Grade Students And Their Progress Towards On-Time Graduation.
- Creator
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Harper, Joseph, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The primary purpose of the study was to identify whether or not relationships exist between at-risk students in the transition program of a local Central Florida public school district and their on-track graduation progress during high school. Data were also used to describe student demographics of at-risk students and compare those demographics to the school demographic profile. On-track status is a major metric since students have not formally completed the program nor have they graduated....
Show moreThe primary purpose of the study was to identify whether or not relationships exist between at-risk students in the transition program of a local Central Florida public school district and their on-track graduation progress during high school. Data were also used to describe student demographics of at-risk students and compare those demographics to the school demographic profile. On-track status is a major metric since students have not formally completed the program nor have they graduated. This study adds to the district's understanding of the effectiveness of its transition program. The study's findings will inform the district in its efforts to accurately define its return-on-investment in the transition program.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004859, ucf:49708
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004859
- Title
- Improving on-time graduation for at-risk students: Perceptions of interventions to improve on-time graduation in one Florida school district.
- Creator
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Griffin, Walter, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Students dropping out of high school has resulted in a national, state and local crisis. With the national graduation rate at 77%, there are thousands of students leaving school each year without the skills necessary for post-secondary career or college readiness (Scheel et al., 2009). This study provided fundamental insight into the factors that students perceive as important in keeping them on a positive trajectory towards graduation. The study added value to the knowledge regarding...
Show moreStudents dropping out of high school has resulted in a national, state and local crisis. With the national graduation rate at 77%, there are thousands of students leaving school each year without the skills necessary for post-secondary career or college readiness (Scheel et al., 2009). This study provided fundamental insight into the factors that students perceive as important in keeping them on a positive trajectory towards graduation. The study added value to the knowledge regarding students' perceptions of major mitigating factors in high school as compared to middle school that engaged them in school. The interventions that appear to have importance in assisting promise students in getting on track towards high school graduation were identified for replication in other programs throughout the target district.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004854, ucf:49704
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004854
- Title
- The Relationship of Participation in a Summer Transition Program for At-risk Ninth Grade Students and their Performance in Algebra I.
- Creator
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Sanchez, Jose, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study examined the Summer Transition Program in a large suburban school district.(&)nbsp; One of the common concerns of education leaders is the number of students who choose to dropout of high school.(&)nbsp; The eighth to ninth grade Summer Transition Program has been implemented to address the high school dropout issue and was the focus of this study.(&)nbsp; The researcher examined if participation in the Summer Transition Program could be predicted by student subgroup, to what...
Show moreThis study examined the Summer Transition Program in a large suburban school district.(&)nbsp; One of the common concerns of education leaders is the number of students who choose to dropout of high school.(&)nbsp; The eighth to ninth grade Summer Transition Program has been implemented to address the high school dropout issue and was the focus of this study.(&)nbsp; The researcher examined if participation in the Summer Transition Program could be predicted by student subgroup, to what extent, if any, participation in the Summer Transition Program had on the academic success in Algebra I, and if there is a relationship with academic success in Algebra I and at-risk factors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004928, ucf:49635
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004928
- Title
- A study of student achievement and educational intervention strategies in traditional and virtual format Algebra 1 courses within Volusia County School District.
- Creator
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Nehrig, Paul, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Taylor, Rosemarye, Kennedy, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to compare achievement results of students enrolled in traditional and virtual Algebra 1 courses in the School District of Volusia County, Florida and to identify which educational interventions are utilized by traditional and online teachers to promote student success, especially for at-risk populations. Two research questions guided this study. This study is significant, as school districts expand virtual options for K-12 students to meet legislative mandates...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to compare achievement results of students enrolled in traditional and virtual Algebra 1 courses in the School District of Volusia County, Florida and to identify which educational interventions are utilized by traditional and online teachers to promote student success, especially for at-risk populations. Two research questions guided this study. This study is significant, as school districts expand virtual options for K-12 students to meet legislative mandates and student demand, while also exploring and developing methods to ensure student success. Student scores on the Florida Algebra 1 End of Course Exam (EOC) were compared to determine what difference, if any, existed in the performance of students in traditional face-to-face classrooms and virtual settings. Surveys were also distributed to traditional brick-and-mortar and virtual teachers to identify which educational interventions were provided to at-risk students and to measure teacher perception of the relative effectiveness of those interventions in each setting.One-sample t-test results indicated a statistically significant difference in the mean scale scores of traditional and virtual students on the Florida Algebra 1 EOC. Survey responses indicated little variation in the interventions provided by teachers to at-risk students in each setting. Low effectiveness ratings for interventions in the Resources category, such as Mentors from the Community, warrant further investigation, as these responses run counter to previous research. Due to this study's small sample and wide disparity between the number of traditional and virtual students, caution is advised in the interpretation of results.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005037, ucf:49987
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005037
- Title
- A Study of Elementary Student Course Completion and Achievement in Virtual and Traditional Format Courses within the Volusia County School District.
- Creator
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Garzia, Janet, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Murray, Barbara, Kennedy, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The focus of this research study was to determine how elementary students enrolled in virtual education classes performed on state assessments and final report card grades in Reading and Mathematics as compared with students enrolled in traditional classes, and to examine whether there was a difference in the successful course completion rates between the two groups. Five research questions guided this study concerning the relationship of successful course completion, final grades, and FCAT 2...
Show moreThe focus of this research study was to determine how elementary students enrolled in virtual education classes performed on state assessments and final report card grades in Reading and Mathematics as compared with students enrolled in traditional classes, and to examine whether there was a difference in the successful course completion rates between the two groups. Five research questions guided this study concerning the relationship of successful course completion, final grades, and FCAT 2.0 achievement level scores and the variables of virtual and traditional education in the School District of Volusia County. This study is significant, as the movement of virtual learning is driven by economic factors and learning outcomes need to be considered in making instructional delivery decisions.Chi-square analysis suggested no statistical significant difference existed in either Reading or Mathematics successful course completion of students in virtual and traditional settings. Chi-square analyses and a one-sample t-test suggested there was no statistical significant difference in performance of virtual and traditional students on FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics achievement levels. Although the Chi-square analyses showed no statistical significance in performance of virtual and traditional students on final report card grades in Reading and Mathematics, the one-sample t-tests suggested there was a statistically significant difference. When interpreting these results, caution should be taken as the virtual student population was extremely disproportionate to the traditional student population. Implications for practice and recommendations for future study are suggested in this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004848, ucf:49713
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004848