Art educators have expressed the need for art teachers with more qualifications and for more evidence of creativity and successful art experience. The purpose of this project is to illustrate the importance of the interrelationship between the action-oriented sensory capacities of the artist and the verbal-analytical capacities of the teacher, and in so doing to develop a vehicle through which an art teacher might demonstrate the necessary proficiency in at least one medium within the fine arts. More specifically, the objective of the project is the development of an art exhibit to validate the competency of the artist-teacher in the medium of oil painting. The philosophy of every art teacher should be based on art as experience, since valid creative work evolves from sensitive experience. An art teacher must be able to communicate with a student verbally; worlds are one relationship to the creative experience, the art forms another. Much precise thought can go on in words, but ultimately it can only be meaningful for the teacher and student, in turn, if both have experienced art. The teacher should be a creative artist in his own right. He should know from “doing” the experience he is to teach. For the purpose of the study, the literature was divided into five categories: 1) philosophical and psychological, 2) definitive information, 3) historical, 4) present attitudes, and 5) implications for the future. The evidence in the literature indicated that art educators strongly favor the idea that the teacher should be a creative artist in his own right, that he should be skilled in at least one major productive area of art. The vehicle developed in this project was an art exhibit containing fifteen oil paintings. The University of North Florida Library Exhibit Area was chosen as the site of the display which was scheduled from July 18-29, 1977. The show was accompanied by a reception; a printed brochure and invitation described the project, the background of the artist, and contained a list of the paintings. The project contains a complete photographic record of all works in the exhibit. An evaluation of the work was undertaken by a group of five qualified judges in the field of fine arts and art education. At the close of the exhibit the responses to the evaluation were tabulated and a correlation was made on the ratings of five paintings chosen at random from the show.

The purpose of this project was to develop an open education kindergarten curriculum guide utilizing learning centers. This curriculum guide consists of a discussion of specific aspects of implementation of learning centers and a detailed analysis of twelve learning centers. Whether learning centers are implemented gradually, moderately, or totally, the following factors are essential to consider prior to implementation: physical environment, materials, classroom management, evaluation and record keeping, and parental involvement. The following learning centers are discussed in-depth with respect to goals, objectives, enabling activities, and materials and supplies: math, science, language arts, social studies, art, music, block building, dramatic play, sand and water, woodworking, cooking and sewing, and movement. Successful implementation of learning centers in kindergarten appears to be a result of the implementing teacher's attitude toward open education. The attitude of openness is vital in order to successfully develop and implement learning centers.

A study was conducted to determine the effects on the knowledge and comprehension level learning as shown by the post-test scores of thirty-one fifth grade students in one health unit after the utilization of the classroom management program “DUNCE” had been implemented for eight weeks in contrast to their knowledge and comprehension level learning in a prior health unit as show by the post-test scores before the management program was utilized. Health was identified as the subject area for study because each unit in this content area can be taught independently and is assumed to be equivalent in difficulty. Both Deductive and Taba teaching strategies were involved throughout. Through the use of a Taba retrieval chart, the students were able to summarize the information about the health units and form generalizations and inferences about it. Since Taba is considered to be an inductive strategy, the two methods are considered to complement each other.

Is there a difference between how a group of second grade students who have experienced periodic, planned role playing/ discussion activities and a comparable group of second grade students who have not experienced periodic, planned role playing/ discussion activities will display anger when presented with problem situations?

This study addresses areas in cerebral dominance theory which elementary classroom teachers should be aware of when developing instructional strategies to enhance the learning experiences of children. Presented are past and present findings on cerebral dominance theory, giving the reader some understanding of what has been found about the manner in which children process information. The characteristics and processes of the two halves of the cerebrum have been discussed and possible applications and misapplications of this information have been given. It is concluded that students process information in different ways and that the data can be useful when examining teaching techniques and learning styles. Some specific recommendations have been given to help teachers provide activities and instruction to develop both sides of the brain.

Questions explored in this study were: (a) Is learner centeredness related to teacher role stress and/or career commitment; (b) If so, can learner centeredness explain variance in teachers' role stress and/or career commitment; (c) Is the discrepancy between teacher and student perceptions of teacher practices related to teacher role stress and/or career commitment; and (d) if so, can this discrepancy explain variance in teachers' role stress and/or career commitment? The current need to provide every child with qualified and committed teachers in the face of a growing, national teacher shortage supported the significance of the research. The study was based on open systems theory (Thompson, 1996). An open system consists of inputs, process, and outputs, as well as feedback loops connecting these three components. All systems adjust to changes in their search for equilibrium (Katz & Kahn, 1966; Thompson, 1996). The xiii changes inherent in the shift toward learner centeredness can be expected to disrupt role expectations and lead to role stress for teachers (Connor, 1992; Fullan, 1991). A related construct, career commitment, is critical to sustaining teachers through the stresses of change (Firestone & Pennell, 1993). Middle school teachers (N = 318) in three northeast Florida counties completed four surveys that measured their learner centeredness, role stress, career commitment, and demographic background. In addition, 60% of the sample (N = 192) had one class complete a survey about teacher practices. A total of 4,539 students completed this survey. Findings from Pearson product-moment correlations suggested that teachers who were more learner centered in their beliefs and practices experienced less role stress (role insufficiency, role ambiguity, and role boundary) and higher levels of career commitment (career identity, career resilience, and career planning) than teachers who were less learner centered. With strength~ of relationships ranging from low to moderate, it appears that learner centeredness offers measurable benefits to teachers. In addition, findings from stepwise multiple regression suggested that learner-centeredness was a predictor of role stress and career commitment in teachers. The variance that was explained by learner-centered beliefs and practices ranged from 19% to 25% for role stress (role insufficiency, role ambiguity, and role boundary) and career commitment (career identity, career resilience, and career planning). Thus, teachers may be able to influence some of their own role stress and commitment to the profession through their beliefs and practices. Using Pearson product-moment correlations, a low relationship was found between the discrepancy between teacher and student perceptions of xiv teacher practices and two dimensions of role stress, role ambiguity and role boundary. In addition, discrepancy was related to career commitment: The relationship to career identity was negative but low, while the relationship to career planning was negative but moderate. Finally, results of multiple regression indicated slight predictive value of discrepancy for role stress and career commitment. The variance that was explained by discrepancy ranged from 3% to 11% for role stress (role boundary and role ambiguity) and career commitment (career identity and career planning). An open systems model was developed to show the influence of learner-centered beliefs, practices, and discrepancy on teachers' role stress and career commitment. Tentative suggestions for practice, as well as recommendations for further study, concluded the dissertation. Focus was placed on the need for continued research of the complex issues that impact teachers' resilience.

This qualitative study was conducted to elucidate the current understandings about what is known about the African American pathway from seemingly oppressive beginnings to educational leadership positions. It was an investigation of five African American male leaders from Jacksonville, Florida, and their individual and collective perceptions on what enabled them to educationally succeed despite their humble beginnings. The study explored the similarities, differences, and historical experiences of all five of the African American male leaders purposefully chosen for this research. Two categories or types of themes were identified in this study, common background themes and common outcome themes. Six themes were common background themes and functioned as major influencers and motivators which are discussed at length in the findings. They included: family, neighborhoods, public school, spirituality, racial experiences, and heroes and mentors. The two common outcome themes, career and leadership,resulted from the influences of the other six common background themes. Three patterns emerged: discipline, work ethic, and ethic of caring, and could be seen in all eight of the themes in this study. All the themes and the patterns combined joined to develop the two major constructs identified in the study - racial identity and resistance. Conclusions were drawn from the research findings to identify factors that contributed to the racial identities of these once segregated African Americans, and what enabled and motivated them to achieve academic success. These conclusions focused on the family, neighbors, and schooling experiences of five African American male leaders and highlighted the importance of (a) role models, (b) being goal setters, (c) having high expectations, (d) believing in the importance of education, (e) possessing positive attitudes and high self-esteems, (f) being resistant, (g) being disciplined, (h) having a strong work ethic, and (i) living with a spiritual awareness. All the above attributes and influences were seen in this paper as resistance builders and the very foundation for the African American identities that emerged and became educational leaders in the Duval County school system. PALMM.

The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of first-generation college students of color in a predominantly White institution (PWI) who successfully completed the first two years of college. This qualitative research utilized semi-structured interviews to understand the perceptions of first-generation college students of color and how they viewed their secondary and post-secondary experiences. The conceptual framework was supported through the literature by analyzing the intersectionality of historical factors, socioeconomic status, critical race theory, and educational programs. Although these students of color faced the anxieties, confusion, and difficulties that all college students encounter when they transition to college, their challenges are heightened when coupled with other factors such as lower levels of college readiness, living in high crime communities, a lack of financial resources, a lack of family support, and limited knowledge pertaining to postsecondary education (Brown, 2008; Pascarella, et al. 2003; Strayhorn, 2006). Such factors create unique challenges for first-generation students of color, resulting in disparate academic achievement (Strayhorn). Participants in this study were selected using a criterion-based selection process. This study aimed to give voice to 12 students who self-identified as first-generation students of color, were classified as juniors attending the University of North Florida, and who were a part of the Jacksonville Commitment program. The Jacksonville Commitment program was selected for further study because the program provided students with wrap-around services that supported first-generation students’ persistence and social and academic development. Eisner’s (1998) educational criticism was the primary data analysis approach used in this study, supported by Hatch’s (2002) typological and interpretive analysis. Typological analysis divided the overall data set into categories or typologies. The four typologies identified in this study were: family relationships, socioeconomic status, resilience, and college retention and persistence. Interpretive analysis was used to extrapolate meaning and attach significance to the data. Thematics was used it identify recurring messages within the data (Eisner, 1998; Patton, 2002). Data analysis of the present study led to the development of three themes: (a) Students perceived that they persisted in college as a result of being exposed to a rigorous K-12 curriculum; (b) Students perceived that they persisted in college due to their support network; (c) Previous academic experiences contributed to the development of student self-efficacy. Students in this study challenged the deficit model which suggests that students without resources will not achieve. Instead, they were more aligned with the asset model that connects student success with the positive attributes that they possessed. The major implication from this study is that first-generation students of color have a greater chance of academic success if provided focused supports and academic preparation in primary and secondary schools to prepare them for the collegiate culture.

Students taking courses in developmental mathematics do so in one of three modalities - some take the classes face-to-face in a classroom with a professor who is physically present, others take the classes in what is known as a blended or hybrid mode in which the professor uses a combination of classroom and online time to teach the course, and another group takes the classes completely online. Increasingly, a growing number of students are taking these courses in a hybrid mode or completely online, and this phenomenon is causing educators to redesign their programs, offering more courses in these two modalities. However, some program leaders do so without any data about the achievement and course completion rates of students in the different modalities. This research 1) investigated the achievement rates of students taking an eight week developmental mathematics course, taught in three different modalities and 2) investigated the course completion rates of students taking an eight week developmental mathematics course, taught in three different modalities. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the achievement and course completion rates of students enrolled in an eight week developmental mathematics course, Elementary Algebra, based on the delivery modality. The study was conducted at a large multi-campus institution located in the southeast United States as the research site. The theories used to frame the research were the Information Processing Theory and Cognitive Load Theory.

This Q research designed study sought the answer to the research question, “What are the range of collectively help perceptions of leaders in the Christian and Missionary Alliance toward the impact that emotional woundedness has had on their leadership?” In doing so a conceptual framework was constructed from three psychological theories. These theories were Need Reduction Theory (Hull, 1973), Goal Theory (Adler, 1927) and finally a Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger, 1957). The 39 participants of this study were clergy leaders of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The participants perspectives were compared and grouped, and three factors were revealed, along with one bi-polar factor. These factors were described as The Community Leader, The Alienated Leader, The Empathic Leader, And the Redemptive Leader. These factors were discussed and finally study implications and limitations, and recommendations for further research, were suggested.