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Impact of the Education Level of Voluntary Prekindergarten Teachers upon Kindergarten Student Readiness Rates
Title
Impact of the Education Level of Voluntary Prekindergarten Teachers upon Kindergarten Student Readiness Rates.
Creator
Wright, Teresa, Murray, Barbara, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Williams-Fjeldhe, Karri, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study addressed the problem of insufficient information concerning the impact of variability in requirements and credentials for Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) teachers statewide on VPK program quality. This study examined the variance in the professional credentials of VPK lead instructors in Florida school districts and whether or not this variability makes a significant difference in program quality as measured by VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates.Analysis of variance...
Show moreThis study addressed the problem of insufficient information concerning the impact of variability in requirements and credentials for Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) teachers statewide on VPK program quality. This study examined the variance in the professional credentials of VPK lead instructors in Florida school districts and whether or not this variability makes a significant difference in program quality as measured by VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates.Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistical tests were conducted, as appropriate, for each of four research questions. Research findings indicated there was no statistically significant difference in the mean VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates based on the professional credentials for VPK lead instructors when controlling for the socio-economic status of the children enrolled at each site.Recommendations were made for future research to replicate the study using a different indicator of program quality, perhaps a measure of student progress throughout the school year. Also, the first groups of students to participate in Florida's voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) program are now enrolled in upper elementary grades making a longitudinal study both feasible and worthwhile in evaluating the effectiveness of a large-scale preschool program. The researcher further recommended that the idea of improving the qualifications of the prekindergarten workforce must persist, supported by continued research and adequate funding.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004619, ucf:49928
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004619
The Impact of Voluntary Prekindergarten on Kindergarten Reading Readiness in a Large Suburban School District in 2012-2014
Title
The Impact of Voluntary Prekindergarten on Kindergarten Reading Readiness in a Large Suburban School District in 2012-2014.
Creator
Hanshaw, Brandon, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Lee, Griffin, Walter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the effects of participation in the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Program are sustained in kindergarten reading readiness for those who participated in the research school district VPK, those who participated in another provider VPK, and compared to those who did not participate in VPK. Select stakeholder perceptions were also gathered and analyzed, to include research school district parents of VPK participants, research school district...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the effects of participation in the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Program are sustained in kindergarten reading readiness for those who participated in the research school district VPK, those who participated in another provider VPK, and compared to those who did not participate in VPK. Select stakeholder perceptions were also gathered and analyzed, to include research school district parents of VPK participants, research school district VPK instructors, and research school district administrators. Academic effects were analyzed for VPK participants and non-VPK participants in 2012-2013 within their kindergarten 2013-2014 school year using the FAIR-K portion of the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener as well as the Discovery Education Early Skills Assessment for Kindergarten English/Language Arts Performance Measurement Assessment 1. Using a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) it was determined that participation in VPK produces greater reading readiness in kindergarten. Statistically significant differences were found among the means of research school district VPK participants, another provider VPK participants, and non-VPK participants. On average, VPK participants, regardless of provider, exhibited significantly enhanced reading readiness skills than their non-VPK participant peers within both measurements. Stakeholder perceptions included the successful and challenging elements of leading and teaching VPK within the research school district as well as how parents come to the decision of selecting the research school district as their VPK provider of choice over other available providers.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFE0006316, ucf:51567
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006316
The Impact of Various Characteristics of Prekindergarten Services for Students with Disabilities on Later School Performance
Title
The Impact of Various Characteristics of Prekindergarten Services for Students with Disabilities on Later School Performance.
Creator
Shores, Tanya, Murray, Barbara, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Lee, Wright, Teresa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study addressed the problem of limited data for determining the effectiveness of prekindergarten programs for students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in ESE services during prekindergarten and long term outcomes for students who received these services. Outcome measures included third grade academic performance and needs for exceptional student education (ESE) services.Regression analysis and correlational analysis were...
Show moreThis study addressed the problem of limited data for determining the effectiveness of prekindergarten programs for students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in ESE services during prekindergarten and long term outcomes for students who received these services. Outcome measures included third grade academic performance and needs for exceptional student education (ESE) services.Regression analysis and correlational analysis were conducted for each of two research questions as appropriate. The findings of this research indicated inconsistent statistically significant relationships between the characteristics of ESE services students with disabilities received during prekindergarten and the academic outcomes of these students during third grade. Academic outcome data was collected using state-mandated standardized testing instruments for reading and math including the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0 and the Florida Alternate Assessment. Students who received ESE services during prekindergarten consistently displayed statistically significant increased performance on FCAT 2.0 Reading. There was a statistically significant relationship between the prekindergarten ESE services provided to students and the third grade intensity of ESE services required to provide students with a free and appropriate public education; students who received ESE services during kindergarten required less intensive ESE services during third grade.Recommendations for future research resulting from this study include replicating this study with multiple measures of academic performance and other areas of functioning important to school success, completion of longitudinal data collection for students who receive ESE prekindergarten services in conjunction with exposure to typical peers, as well as measurement of outcomes based on specific and personal characteristics of teachers who provide prekindergarten ESE services.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFE0006394, ucf:51493
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006394
The Impact of Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten on the Academic Achievement (&) Kindergarten Readiness of Students in a Large Suburban School District
Title
The Impact of Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten on the Academic Achievement (&) Kindergarten Readiness of Students in a Large Suburban School District.
Creator
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.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004924, ucf:49610
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004924
EDUCATION POLICY IN FLORIDA: EXPLAINING COUNTY-LEVEL APPROVAL OF THE 2002 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Title
EDUCATION POLICY IN FLORIDA: EXPLAINING COUNTY-LEVEL APPROVAL OF THE 2002 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Creator
Friant, Rachel M., Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This research analyzes county-level support for the 2002 Constitutional Amendments for Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten Education (VPK) and Florida's Amendment to Reduce Class Size (CSA). Three regression models are constructed for each dependent variable (support for VPK and support for CSA): a bivariate model with political party, a full model with all theoretically identified variables, and a best model with just the independent variables that have the most explanatory power. A variety...
Show moreThis research analyzes county-level support for the 2002 Constitutional Amendments for Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten Education (VPK) and Florida's Amendment to Reduce Class Size (CSA). Three regression models are constructed for each dependent variable (support for VPK and support for CSA): a bivariate model with political party, a full model with all theoretically identified variables, and a best model with just the independent variables that have the most explanatory power. A variety of socioeconomic, demographic and political independent variables are tested. Four independent variables had a statistically significant positive relationship with support for both VPK and CSA: Democratic registration, Hispanic population, higher education, and population density.
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Date Issued
2017
Identifier
CFH2000217, ucf:46060
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000217
The Sustained Impact of Prekindergarten Participation on Third Grade Academic Performance
Title
The Sustained Impact of Prekindergarten Participation on Third Grade Academic Performance.
Creator
Melin, Marissa, Johnson, Jerry, Clark, M. H., Levin, Judith, Rodriguez, Jordan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
In this study, the researcher investigated whether the impact of participating in a prekindergarten program on academic achievement persists through third grade. The study compared three groups of students: students who participated in voluntary prekindergarten, private prekindergarten, and students who did not participate in any prekindergarten program. Using a series of two-factor multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs), this investigation found no interaction effects among...
Show moreIn this study, the researcher investigated whether the impact of participating in a prekindergarten program on academic achievement persists through third grade. The study compared three groups of students: students who participated in voluntary prekindergarten, private prekindergarten, and students who did not participate in any prekindergarten program. Using a series of two-factor multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs), this investigation found no interaction effects among prekindergarten participation and race, gender, socioeconomic status, presence of a discipline referral, or chronic absenteeism on academic achievement in the third grade. However, there was a main effect for the type of prekindergarten program on academic achievement. Both participants of voluntary prekindergarten and private prekindergarten programs outperformed their peers on both third grade mathematics and third grade reading assessments. Thereby, indicating that prekindergarten participation had sustained effects on academic achievement through third grade regardless of student characteristics. Recommendations for future research include evaluating data collection practices, replicating the study annually to continue to evaluate the prekindergarten programs, and following the same cohort to determine the continued impact prekindergarten participation has on students.
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Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFE0007686, ucf:52489
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007686
Supporting Prekindergarten Teachers Through Appropriate Professional Development Practices
Title
Supporting Prekindergarten Teachers Through Appropriate Professional Development Practices.
Creator
Twyman, Catherine, Hopp, Carolyn, Vitale, Thomas, Boote, David, Culp, Anne, Englehart, Deirdre, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The problem of practice that this dissertation in practice addresses is the creation of a professional development model designed to assist voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) teachers and directors with the implementation of the 2011 Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds; specifically the mathematical thinking benchmark. Because the standards serve as a planning guide to assist teachers and directors of VPK children in the attainment of skills required by the end of their...
Show moreThe problem of practice that this dissertation in practice addresses is the creation of a professional development model designed to assist voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) teachers and directors with the implementation of the 2011 Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds; specifically the mathematical thinking benchmark. Because the standards serve as a planning guide to assist teachers and directors of VPK children in the attainment of skills required by the end of their prekindergarten school year, it is important that those utilizing the Standards have a concrete understanding of their components and how to use them as the foundation for all lesson planning. The pilot study included informal interviews with both VPK teachers and directors concerning their understanding of the 2011 Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds and the assistance they received with the implementation of the standards into their daily lesson plans. An additional survey was administered electronically to a target group of VPK teachers and directors concerning their personal beliefs about preschoolers and mathematics, their confidence in helping preschoolers learn mathematical concepts, and their confidence in their personal mathematics abilities.This dissertation in practice provides a professional development framework, that demonstrates how to facilitate a comprehensive professional development program that addresses all of the essential components including pre-assessment, the use of appropriate practices when working with adult learners, providing coaching and technical assistance to the practitioners, and using communities of practice (CoP) to provide ongoing support for teachers and directors of VPK children. Utilizing a combination of these strategies can help to ensure that those working with this targeted group have an inclusive understanding of the standards as well as a support system to effectively provide VPK students with a developmentally appropriate education.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFE0006407, ucf:51463
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006407
A Study of the Effects of Voluntary Prekindergarten Providers on Kindergarten Readiness
Title
A Study of the Effects of Voluntary Prekindergarten Providers on Kindergarten Readiness.
Creator
Drummond, Toni, Murray, Kenneth, Murray, Barbara, Doherty, Walter, Bai, Haiyan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
American parents have a myriad of choices when it comes to educating their children, and these choices begin in the very beginning stages of children's educational journey. Where parents decide to have their child spend their early formative years can have far-reaching implications for that child's future. The focus of this research was to examine if a difference exists in kindergarten readiness preparation offered by Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) providers in the state of Florida. The VPK...
Show moreAmerican parents have a myriad of choices when it comes to educating their children, and these choices begin in the very beginning stages of children's educational journey. Where parents decide to have their child spend their early formative years can have far-reaching implications for that child's future. The focus of this research was to examine if a difference exists in kindergarten readiness preparation offered by Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) providers in the state of Florida. The VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates of public schools were compared to the VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates of private learning centers and, more specifically, of Seventh-day Adventist private learning centers. Furthermore, this study was conducted to examine whether a difference exists in the kindergarten readiness between VPK providers in urban and rural counties. This quantitative, non-experimental, causal comparative study explored the Kindergarten Readiness Rates of each of the 5,636 public and private VPK providers in the state of Florida. The Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener was used to assess the kindergarten readiness level of each student. Individual student scores were tracked to the VPK provider that the students attended in order to assign a Readiness Rate for each provider. This screener consisted of the Early Childhood Observation SystemTM (ECHOSTM) and the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading (FAIR).A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to examine significant differences between public school, private, and Seventh-day Adventist providers. The ANOVA was followed by a Scheffe post-hoc test to determine where differences occurred. The findings revealed that there existed a statistically significant difference in the means of public school and private VPK providers. Public school providers were found to have achieved higher Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates than private providers. It was also found that though Seventh-day Adventist providers had a slightly lower average Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate than public school providers and a slightly higher average than other private providers, this difference was not statistically significant. A two-way factorial ANOVA was performed to examine if significant differences existed in the average Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate when considering both the type of community (urban or rural) where the provider was located and the type of provider (public or private). The findings indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in Provider Readiness Rate when examining the interaction between the provider type and community type.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004833, ucf:49694
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004833
THE EFFECTS OF THE ATTAINMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT SKILLS BY PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR ASSISTANTS ON STUDENTS' CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Title
THE EFFECTS OF THE ATTAINMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT SKILLS BY PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR ASSISTANTS ON STUDENTS' CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR.
Creator
Wagner, Karen, Cross, Lee, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of teaching functional assessment skills to three Prekindergarten teachers and their teaching assistants. The effects were measured by examining the behavior of the teachers and assistants, as well as the behaviors of the students; before, during and after the delivery of three, two-hour functional assessment classes. The teaching staff videotaped themselves and their students during a regular class time, predetermined by the researcher and...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of teaching functional assessment skills to three Prekindergarten teachers and their teaching assistants. The effects were measured by examining the behavior of the teachers and assistants, as well as the behaviors of the students; before, during and after the delivery of three, two-hour functional assessment classes. The teaching staff videotaped themselves and their students during a regular class time, predetermined by the researcher and each teacher prior to the onset of baseline data collection, over an approximate nine-week period. The video was taken in twelve-minute segments every day. Later, the video was coded for specific behaviors. Although there were gains in appropriate intervention strategies from teachers and assistants during the intervention phase, the interventions generally peaked a week or two after the classes ended and gradually declined. Teacher skills were retained however, as most ratios of appropriate interventions maintained at higher rates than baseline. Relationships between student behavior and correct teacher interventions were established and maintained. The intervention resulted in changes in staff behavior, but results did not sustain at high levels over time. The realization that escape maintained some student behavior, and teaching skills to "test" for function, were likely the most important concepts for many of the participants. Further research should include adding a behavior coach to assist in shaping the teaching staffs' emerging skills and to provide a sounding board when developing specific student interventions.
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Date Issued
2008
Identifier
CFE0002088, ucf:47575
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002088