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 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 iii inflation to 2006 dollars so a comparison could be made to Yeh’s (2010) costeffectiveness 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 iv determine if the current practice of good cause exemptions and summer school offerings perpetuates the achievement gap in reading

This study aimed to determine the relationship between school culture and student achievement. Elementary school teachers (N=574) from 27 schools in suburban Seminole County, Florida completed the School Culture Triage Survey to generate a school culture score. The participating schools were ranked and placed in categories representing the top 33% (N=9), middle 33% (N=9), and bottom 33% (N=9) of the population based on their culture score. School culture data were analyzed and correlated with third grade student achievement data, as measured by the 2007 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Reading to determine if there were any relationships between (a) school culture and student achievement; (b) the three key components of school culture (collaboration, collegiality, and self-determination/efficacy) and student achievement; and (c) principal tenure and school culture. Additional data analysis served to determine if there were any experiential or demographic differences among the teachers from the schools falling in the top, middle, and bottom 33% on the School Culture Triage Survey. To learn more about principal beliefs with regard to school culture and student achievement, principal interviews were conducted with some principals (N=8) from the participating schools. Through a review of the research results and related literature, the researcher concluded that a relationship between the overall school culture and student achievement did not exist. Further analysis revealed that there were no relationships between student achievement and collaboration, collegiality, and self-determination/efficacy, or between school culture and principal tenure for the schools participating in this study.

The focus of this study was to examine the relationship of student participation in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program and student academic performance. More specifically, this study was conducted to determine if there was a mean difference in student performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in mathematics, reading, and writing between students who participated in the AVID program during their first two years of high school and students who had similar demographics (e.g., ethnicity, gender, and economic status) but did not participate in the AVID program for 2007-2009. The population for this study consisted of students from six high schools with certified AVID programs during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years in two central Florida school districts. Students participating in the AVID program were matched with non-AVID participants for each school site by ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and tenth grade mathematics or English course. The results of this study did not indicate statistically significant differences in the FCAT mathematics and reading developmental scale score gains between the AVID and non-AVID students. However, the non-AVID students performed significantly higher on the tenth grade writing component of the FCAT. Participation in the AVID program produced no statistically significant findings for the factors of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status for FCAT mathematics, reading, or writing. The findings indicated that AVID and non-AVID students could not be differentiated by FCAT performance measures in the mathematics and reading domains.

No description available.

Increased accountability in contemporary public elementary schools requires that teachers provide evidence they are using research-based strategies that reinforce skills assessed on standardized tests. There is a need to provide empirical evidence that literature circles can reinforce skills assessed on these tests. A literature circle is a research-based strategy that is common in language arts classrooms. This study investigates the connection between these skills and student discussion that takes place during literature circles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of skill-focused minilessons on students' independent use of reading skills. The study investigated whether application of skill-focused minilessons prior to literature circles would have an effect on students' independent use of reading skills within student discussions during literature circles. Sixteen students participated in the study. The study also investigated the impact that minilessons prior to literature circles had on students' scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in reading. Students were randomly assigned to the researcher's fifth grade class in the 2008/2009 school year. All students read the same material and received the same treatment. During the course of the study, students first took the FCAT diagnostic in reading and then engaged in five literature circle meetings, each preceded by a minilesson. Students then engaged in five literature circles with a different book and without skill-focused minilessons, followed by the administration of the reading FCAT. The data, which included content analyses of transcriptions of students' discussion and the collection of FCAT scores, yielded several findings. / The two skills most commonly used by students in independent literature circles were analyzing character and discussing plot. The two least commonly used skills were describing conflict and using context clues. Each skill within student discussion.The way in which students transferred the use of these skills to literature circles not preceded by skill focused minilessons varied. Multiple modes of transfer were identified for each skill. A dependent t-test for the FCAT scores did not indicate a statistically significant increase in the use of the five skills identified for this study when minilessons preceded literature circles. / by Gail Kennedy. / Abstract page (p. v) has author's name as Gail Sigelakis. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this study was to identify (1) the effectiveness of the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning based on student Florida Comprehensive Assessment test (FCAT) reading scores; (2) the differences in student engagement between students in classes with teachers trained in the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning and teachers not trained in the model as measured by the Beliefs about Classroom Structures Survey; (3) the level of implementation (high, average, or low) of teachers trained in the Intel Essentials model of project-based learning; and (4) any correlation between the level of implementation and the level of student engagement. A total of 32 teachers participated in the study. The teachers were split into 2 groups: the experimental group (N = 16) that participated in the Intel Essentials Training, and the control group (N = 16) that did not participate in the training. The results for this study were mixed. The students of the experimental group teachers (N = 780) had significantly higher (p < .05) FCAT scores than that of the control group students (N = 643). The control group with the exception of Motivating Tasks subscale had significantly higher levels of engagement. The correlation between level of implementation and student engagement produced a moderate negative correlation, meaning that the Intel trained teachers with the highest levels of implementation had the lowest levels of engagement. / by Jeremy R. Wright. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this study was to explore outcomes of a GIS/GPS integration process: to (a) examine student responses to GIS and GPS inclusion in their curriculum, (b) determine whether a relationship exists between inclusion of GIS into existing K-12 curriculum and student achievement, (c) examine the effectiveness of GIS professional development for teachers, and (d) evaluate teacher perceptions of the value of integrating GIS into their existing curricula. This study was quantitative and quasi-experimental in design. The samples consisted of 1,425 students from one middle school and 62 teachers from Palm Beach County School District. Two instruments were used in this study: student surveys and teacher feedback forms. Data from the student surveys indicated that students perceive their learning is enhanced by inclusion of GIS and GPS. Data from the teacher feedback forms revealed positive perceptions of the GIS/GPS program as an integrative tool for their existing curricula and a positive assessment of the GIS professional development training. The relationship between GIS instruction and student academic achievement was evaluated, measured by FCAT reading scores and final grades in science and social studies. The findings support the constructivist theory that students learn best when actively engaged in the process. In this study standardized FCAT reading test results and science and social studies grades corroborate the students' perceptions that GIS and GPS integration enhances their learning. Study results show FCAT reading scores were higher for GIS students than for non-GIS students. The research further indicated a significant increase in FCAT reading scores for non-native English speaking GIS students and a significantly higher average science grade for non-White GIS students. / The findings also show that students who had a greater frequency of GIS instruction had higher averages in science and social studies grades. Education reform requires bold initiatives and an organizational culture supportive of innovative ideas. The structured model for development and implementation of GIS in the K-12 public school system presented at the end of this study includes collaboration between district leadership, administrators and teachers, and a comprehensive approach to professional development. / by Donna L. Goldstein. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Despite flexibility waivers granted to states by the United States Department of Education from some provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, our nation’s public schools continue to struggle to improve reading proficiency as measured by high stakes assessments. To reach state targets for reading proficiency schools must use data at the earliest point possible to inform instructional strategies and identify students at risk of failure. The response to intervention model holds promise for improving reading outcomes particularly for early elementary students. The effective use of reading curriculum based measures (R-CBM) to determine if instruction is adequate to produce students who score proficient or advanced on state mandated reading assessments is critical to achieving the goals for student learning. The population selected for this study included all third grade students from an East Tennessee school district. The third graders attended 13 schools and included 911 third grade students of which 770 students participated in the study. This included 372 male and 398 female students. Approximately 47% of the students were economically disadvantaged as determined by qualifying for free and reduced priced meals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 4 predictor variables (fall R-CBM, winter R-CBM, spring R-CBM, and median R-CBM) and the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) third grade reading and language arts assessment. Each data set included 4 R-CBM scores expressed in words read correctly and TCAP reading language arts scale scores. Gender and free and reduced price meals eligibility information for all third graders from the 2010-2011 school year were also collected. Results reflected a strong predictive relationship between the AIMSweb R-CBM and TCAP reading and language arts measure for third grade students. Zero order correlations in the multiple regression analysis ranged from .70 to .74 for the 4 predictor variables. A linear equation was developed to predict TCAP scores from a single R-CBM score (fall, winter, spring, and median). Based on this study practitioners may be able to establish goals for student reading that are strongly correlated with achieving proficiency on the TCAP reading and language arts assessment.

Syftet var att granska sjuksköterskans dokumentation avseende intagningsorsak, andra identifierade problem/behov utefter CGA och vilka åtgärder det ledde till samt beskriva sjuksköterskans erfarenheter av att använda instrumentet CGA. Metod: Studien har en beskrivande design med kvantitativ och kvalitativ ansats. Totalt granskades 50 bedömningsinstrument och datajournaler. Frågeformulär utformades och 13 sjuksköterskor valde att delta. Journalgranskningarna utfördes med kvantitativ retrospektiv analys och frågeformulären analyserades enligt kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys. Resultat: Under journalgranskningen framkom 11 olika intagningsorsaker där försämrat allmäntillstånd var den största gruppen. Totalt identifierades 205 problem/behov och 186 initierade åtgärder varav 7 åtgärder/person var högsta antal. Flest initierade åtgärder fanns inom nutrition, social bakgrund och fallrisk. Sjuksköterskornas erfarenheter av att använda CGA var att det fanns behov av tydliga arbetsrutiner gällande CGA, att CGA fungerade bra som checklista men var tidskrävande. De upplevde att CGA gav dubbelarbete men viljan fanns att använda CGA men däremot svårt att få det att fungera i arbetet samt att sjuksköterskorna identifierade problem/behov utan att använda CGA. Sjuksköterskorna upplevde inte att omhändertagandet förändrades men däremot fick teamet helhetsperspektiv på patientens livssituation. Samverkan med anhöriga och kommunen var viktigt. Slutsats: Studiens resultat visade att förutom inskrivningsorsak fanns även andra identifierade problem/behov utefter CGA som hade stor betydelse för att den äldre skulle uppleva hälsa. Sjuksköterskorna upplevde brister inom rutinen runt CGA samt erfor att sjuksköterskornas omhändertagande av den geriatriska patienten inte förändrades efter implementeringen av CGA. / Aim was to examine nurses documentation regarding admission cause, other identified problems/needs by the CGA and the actions that led to and describe nurses experiences of using the instrument CGA. Method: The study has a descriptive design with quantitative and qualitative approach. Total audited 50 assessment instruments and data records. Questionnaires were designed and 13 nurses chose to participate. Journal audits performed by quantitative retrospective analysis and the questionnaires were analyzed by the inspiration of qualitative manifest content analysis. Results: In the journal audit identified 11 different admission causes which reduced general condition was the largest group. Total identified 205 problems/needs and 186 initiated measures which 7 action/person was the highest number. Most measures were initiated in nutrition, social background and risk of falling. Nurses experiences of using the CGA was that there was a need for clear work procedures regarding the CGA, the CGA worked well as a checklist but was time consuming. They felt that the CGA gave duplication but the desire was to use the CGA but hard to make it work at work and the nurses identified problems / needs without using the CGA. The nurses did not feel that the care was changed but got the team holistic view of the patients life situation. Collaboration with families and the municipality was important. Conclusion: The study results showed that in addition the cause enrollment were other identified problems/needs along the CGA that had great importance for the elderly would experience health. The nurses experienced deficiencies in routine around the CGA and required that the nurses taking care of the geriatric patient did not change after the implementation of CGA.

No description available.