Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-209). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-209). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tennessee Technological University, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Feb. 24, 2010). Bibliography: leaves 54-59.

Not available / text

This qualitative study focused on which features of a linked courses model learning community may foster student persistence throughout a semester long course at a two-year institution. The mainstream course, comprised of 17 mainstream and eight non-mainstream students, provided for a natural experimental setting. Strong features of learning communities were explored through various indicators (i.e., student-faculty and peer interactions, shared inquiry and collaborative learning, satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the classroom environments, and how features of this particular linked courses model were reflected in the learning community model adopted by the institution). End-of- year marks plus persistence into fall were compared. Findings failed to support any direct links to persistence. Results indicated, however, both mainstream and non-mainstream students who passed with a "C" or higher possessed what the researcher identified as an "economy of ambition," characterized by an ability to merge personal and academic lives and schedules successfully. Positive student traits included being goal-oriented, self-motivated, flexible and adaptive to their academic and campus environment. Social integration and inclusion (e.g., social events or participation in campus-wide groups) were not priorities for both groups. Non-mainstream students expressed more positive perceptions toward social acceptance in the non-mainstream classroom due to its smaller size. Thus, heightened peer interaction, a main feature of learning communities, influenced positively students' socialization experience that led to study partnerships, which may have fostered student persistence. Non-mainstream students were motivated, in large part, because of their shared academic goals, and these partnerships would not have developed or been possible in the larger mainstream environment. Both mainstream and non-mainstream students represented a wide range of ages and ethnic backgrounds. The majority felt reluctant to speak up as participants in the mainstream classroom of 25 peers. Academic involvement (i.e., clear expectations from the teachers, detailed syllabus, handouts, and in-class exercises) was a priority for both groups. Overall, both groups appreciated contact with their instructors and expressed a strong commitment to second semester persistence. In addition to analysis of the interview data and strong participant observation throughout the semester, institutional data were analyzed. Findings failed to support any institutional outcomesbased measures dealing with behavioral outcomes except for support for pursuit and attainment of a degree, in particular for part- and full-time developmental (remedial) and first-time-in-college students (FTIC).

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No description available.

Studien syftar till att beskriva och analysera anledningar till studieavbrott från gymnasieskolan samt hur studie- och yrkesvägledningen är organiserad respektive kan utvecklas för att förebygga studieavbrott. Studien bygger på kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer med rektorer och studie- och yrkesvägledare, verksamma vid sju olika kommuner i norra Sverige. Studien visar att ohälsa och felval är de främsta anledningarna till studieavbrott och att anledningarna anses ligga på individnivå. Det förebyggande arbetet på skolorna sker främst reaktivt, alltså när det finns en elev som är på väg att avbryta sina studier. Det finns generellt sett varken en plan, utvärdering eller uppföljning av arbetet. Resultatet visar att alla de förbättringsförslag som förs fram återfinns på verksamhetsnivå. Informanterna önskar tydliga dokumenterade arbetssätt, ökat samarbete genom att integrera vägledning i hela skolan samt mer tid för studie- och yrkesvägledning för att utveckla det förebyggande arbetet. Slutsatserna är att om gymnasieskolan ska kunna minska studieavbrotten så behöver de arbeta mer proaktivt än reaktivt. För att undvika det reaktiva arbetet behöver skolorna kartlägga anledningar för att kunna utarbeta en plan för arbetet, utvärdera och revidera planen kontinuerligt. Dessutom behöver skolorna utveckla samarbetet med grundskolan och det omgivande samhället. Med andra ord bygga upp en fungerande verksamhet där skolan främst fokuserar på vad de kan göra för individen och inte hur individen bör anpassa sig till skolan.

The purpose of this study was to examine the graduation rates of secondary schools in Indiana in 1989-90 and to compare those graduation rates to those of 199798, to see if those schools that adopted block scheduling had experienced a difference in graduation rates either positively or negatively. A comparison was also made of graduation rates between schools adopting block scheduling for at least three years and traditional schools during this same time period. Further examination was made to determine if any specific type of block schedule had improved graduation rates. The size school was also a consideration as to the affect of block scheduling on graduation rates. The study also sought to determine if block scheduling had an impact on attendance rates, discipline incidents, pupil teacher ratio, or full time teacher equivalency, all factors aligned to reasons why students drop out of school.The population for this study consisted of 251 Indiana public secondary schools, 203 schools which maintained a traditional schedule and 48 schools identified by the Indiana Department of Education to have adopted block scheduling prior to or including 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98. Nine research questions accompanied by Null Hypotheses for each were determined and tested. All data collection were from the Indiana Department of Education through reports compiled and generated from information submitted annually by all public schools in Indiana. / Department of Educational Leadership

This thesis explored the differences between 1981 Ball State University undeclared and declared major matriculates freshmen on selected variables related to persistence. This study did not attempt to make forecasts regarding persistence by the study participants, but rather to serve as a base population from which longitudinal studies examining the relationship between declaration of a major and persistence could be based.Responses to a 60-item questionnaire were tabulated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A cross tabulation program was used in generating frequency and percentage data. In addition, chi square and T-test programs were used in reviewing the statistical significance of the differences.The undeclared and declared students were found to differ significantly in thier responses to the following variables: 1) college attendance by others; 2) influence to attend college; 3) Ball State University attendance; 4) major/occupation selection priority; and 5) vocational and academic expectations and experiences.