<p> Dual credit courses are college-level courses offered to high school students which are accepted for both high school and college credit (Hughes, 2016). Dual credit positively impacts students by reducing the time to complete a degree, enhancing the high school curriculum, increasing college accessibility, and lessening educational financial burdens (Hughes, 2016). The intention of this study was to survey adjunct instructors who have taught in both high school and college environments to determine their opinions of differences that exist between secondary and postsecondary dual credit experiences. College administrators were also interviewed to obtain insight into any variability of dual credit courses between offerings at high school and college locations. This study was intended to close gaps in the research regarding differences in resources, instruction, and environments between dual credit experiences on high school or college campuses, according to instructors and administrators. Data were gathered from instructors and administrators employed by a Midwestern community college to examine variations of components related to dual credit. Teachers noted differences in social environments, laboratories or lab-based classrooms, financial support, and student services. Administrators focused on accessibility and the need for growth regarding professional development. Study results can be used to further develop dual credit programs and increase quality for students who enroll.</p><p>

<p> College of Education faculty members at the University of Central Missouri found that public school teachers and administrators from surrounding schools were reluctant to hand over classrooms of students to novice teachers for student teaching. With high stakes accountability for test scores, teachers voiced their need to be present in the classroom, particularly during spring semester of statewide testing (Diana, 2014). The university adopted a co-teaching model of student teaching to prepare its teaching candidates for the first year of teaching while allowing the cooperating teacher to stay in the classroom throughout the student teaching term. The problem-of-practice addressed in this study focuses on the need to determine if a co-teaching student teacher model provides university students an adequate amount of clinical experience and preparation to support a successful first year of teaching.</p><p> The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) analyze the perceptions of former and current student teachers, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors on the coteaching model of student teaching and (2) assess the model&rsquo;s effectiveness in preparing student teachers for their first year of teaching. To this end, the research questions are as follows:</p><p> Research Question 1. What are the perceptions of University of Central Missouri current and former student teachers on the co-teaching student-teaching model&rsquo;s ability to prepare student teachers for their first year of teaching?</p><p> Research Question 2. What are the perceptions of University of Central Missouri university supervisors on the co-teaching student-teaching model&rsquo;s ability to prepare student teachers for their first year of teaching?</p><p> Research Question 3. What are the perceptions of cooperating teachers on the co-teaching student- teaching model&rsquo;s ability to prepare student teachers for their first year of teaching?</p><p> The research questions were answered through an analysis of the data collected via a quantitative survey followed by a qualitative interview. The quantitative survey asked respondents to rate items on a Likert-type scale (Fink, 2013) as to how well they perceived the co-teaching model of student teaching prepares student teachers to meet Missouri Teaching Standards. The qualitative survey asked respondents to discuss their perceptions of how well the co-teaching model of student teaching prepares student teachers for their first year of teaching based on their personal experience.</p><p> The responses indicated that the co-teaching model scored higher in first year teacher preparation by elementary teachers and elementary supervisors than by secondary teachers and supervisors. Responses also indicated that student teachers and cooperating teachers perceived the co-teaching model as more positively preparing student teachers for their first year of teaching than do university supervisors. Additionally, responses indicated that the co-teaching model of student teaching closely aligns to the Gradual Release of Responsibility theory of learning (Pearson &amp; Gallagher, 1983) with the co-teaching model of student teaching strengths as follows: extensive modeling by a More Knowledgeable Other (Vygotsky, 1978), extensive professional reflection and immediate feedback, a narrowing of focus, professional collaboration, and building of confidence in the student teacher. Due to the student teacher never solely taking over the classroom responsibilities in a co-teaching model of student teaching, the model&rsquo;s barrier for preparing student teachers for their first year of teaching centers on the student teacher not receiving a fully realistic teaching experience in a classroom without a co-teacher.</p><p> On this basis, it is recommended that universities and school districts adopt the co-teaching model of student teaching to provide a strong base of teaching background for the student teacher through the Gradual Release of Responsibility. The student teacher should also receive two to three weeks of sole classroom responsibility and all the duties in that role as to provide a realistic experience of teaching without a co-teacher present. Further research could synthesize the perceptions of the same group of participants in this study regarding a model similar to the one recommended.</p><p>

Thesis (D.Min.)--Liberty Theological Seminary and Graduate School, 2002.

<p> The demand for individuals holding a college degree is expected to increase by 16% by the year 2018 with approximately 66% of all jobs requiring some form of post-high school training (Kelly &amp; Strawn, 2011). Also increasing in numbers is the number of nontraditional college students seeking a degree. Nontraditional students returning to school often have outside barriers that can challenge degree attainment, placing them at risk for dropping out. Using Schlossberg&rsquo;s (1989) theories of mattering and marginality as a guide and through a qualitative approach to research, data were collected from a private, Midwestern, single-purpose college to explore what nontraditional students perceived as either mattering or marginal during their educational experience. During the open-ended interview format, nontraditional students and faculty were asked questions focusing on their perception of the educational experience inclusive of what they felt contributed or did not contribute to their experience. A total of 12 nontraditional students and three faculty members within a cohort program participated with three themes rising from the data: connectivity, tenacity, and sacrifice. The findings were consistent and validated Schlossberg&rsquo;s (1989) theories of mattering and marginality with students and faculty expressing an insightful and very distinct connection with each other during the program resulting in increased motivation and fortitude to stay the course.</p>

<p> Teacher attrition is a growing problem within the education system in the United States. A study that tracked the experiences of graduates of a particular program was designed to gauge the program&rsquo;s success. There were three research questions. The first asked, What are the first year teaching experiences of Midwestern University educator preparation program graduates? The second question was in two parts and asked, What do graduates of Midwestern University educator preparation program perceive as the strengths and weaknesses of their ability to carry out their duties as a first-year teacher? How does this change from August to May? The third question asked, How do the responses of graduates to the first two questions vary by type of school where they are employed, level and area of certification, and MAT or BA? To answer these questions, six graduates of Midwestern University&rsquo;s Educator Preparation Program were followed during their first year of teaching. </p><p> The participants were interviewed throughout their first year of teaching. The data was presented in case studies. These participants taught in urban, suburban, and rural schools that were either public or private. Some of the participants had earned a BA degree, some a MAT degree, and some were still completing their MAT degree. Three of the teachers were at the secondary level and two were at the elementary level. The data from these interviews helped clarify emerging themes from their experiences. </p><p> This study showed the relevance of student teaching assignments. The graduates whose student teaching assignments had more varied ability levels and grade levels had an easier time transitioning into a first year teacher. Other experiences demonstrated how a cooperating teacher affected the success of the student teacher and the ability to transition into a full time teacher. Many of the participants developed their own style of classroom management as they progressed through their first year of teaching. Some participants struggled with IEPs and had to learn from their co-workers the correct way to implement them. Overall though, substitute teaching experience was found to be the most beneficial tool in preparing university students to become classroom teachers.</p>

<p> While there was an abundant amount of research supporting the need for and benefits of a workplace health program (WHP), little empirical research existed regarding WHPs in a university setting (Watts, 1992). Compared to other WHP settings, the university setting is unique in that the employee population consists of both faculty and staff, with various work schedules, job responsibilities, and demographics. Universities also provide a unique setting for WHPs due to their access to various internal resources, such as employees with expert knowledge, campus food services, on-site facilities, and students studying health and wellness disciplines (RAND Corporation, 2013). As reported by the National Institute of Health Care Management (NIHCM, 2011), there was a need for more research to build a stronger evidence base for establishment of WHPs, and to identify program components that work best in different types of workplace environments, such as the university setting. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of a Liberal Arts University WHP, to assess employees&rsquo; feedback regarding their program participation, or lack thereof, and whether a difference existed between full-time faculty and full-time staff attitudes, awareness, and satisfaction with the WHP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012b; Hanks et al., 2013). The primary investigator (PI) collected both quantitative and qualitative data through the utilization of an anonymous web-based survey and four focus groups. </p><p> Quantitative data analysis revealed, that differences did exist, some of which were statistically significant, between the university&rsquo;s full-time faculty and staff attitudes and awareness. Furthermore, the quantitative data revealed minimal differences in regards to faculty and staff satisfaction with the WHP. Qualitative data presented three emerging themes: administration/supervisor support, defining the purpose of the WHP, and effective communication and marketing. Differences in faculty and staff attitudes towards and awareness of the WHP indicated a need for more effective communication and increased leadership support of the WHP. WHP practitioners may benefit from future research that scientifically investigates how to create or increase WHP participation and engagement. Such assessments are vital to the ongoing evaluation of WHPs, and are a crucial component to chronic disease management efforts in the U.S. (Sorensen &amp; Barbeau, 2004).</p>

<p> This study uses a mixed methods research design to explore the relationship between institutional financial aid practice and graduation rates at a subset of private, non-profit four-year colleges and universities and explores how institutions prioritize allocations to financial aid within the framework of institutional mission, culture, and leadership. The quantitative part of the study explored the relationship between the percentage of need met and graduation rates: overall, African American, and Latino and the percentage of institutional aid allocated to needy students and graduation rates of the same student populations. Four qualitative case studies explored how institutional leaders interpreted mission and made decisions with regard to enrollment and financial aid policy especially as it relates to underrepresented minority students. </p><p> The quantitative path analyses showed no relationship between financial aid (percentage of need met and the percentage of institutional aid allocated to students with need) and graduation rates overall and of African American and Latino students at the institutions in the population examined. The qualitative case studies found that institutions, consistent with their espoused missions, sought to support&mdash;financially and programmatically&mdash;underrepresented minority students but face economic, demographic, and political trends that are making it increasingly difficult to align mission with financial aid practice. There were distinct differences among the institutions in the case studies in terms of tactics they adopted to respond to these economic, demographic, and political trends.</p>

<p> First-year programs (FYPs) for college students offer extended orientation to campus resources and provide first-time freshmen with essential skills for academic success, and many believe that the effectiveness of FYPs increases with the presence of peer mentors. The present study measured the added effectiveness of peer mentoring in FYP classrooms with knowledge of campus resources as a dependent measure. Ninety one first-year students in nine sections of FYP classes participated in this quasi-experimental study. Seven of the classes had peer mentors (<i>n</i> = 70), and the two control classes (<i>n</i> = 21) did not have peer mentors in the classroom. A 30-item questionnaire regarding the use and location of several campus resources was administered in the first two weeks of the Fall 2009 semester and again in the last two weeks of the semester. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a main effect of time (change between Testing Time 1 and Testing Time 2) and an interaction effect of time and group (students with peer mentors, controls without peer mentors), on knowledge of campus resources. Students with a peer mentor started out with less knowledge of campus resources, and finished the semester with a similar level of knowledge, when compared to controls. The results only partially supported the research hypothesis that students with peer mentors in their FYP classes learned more about campus resources when compared to students without peer mentors. GPA scores for the first semester at the university did not differ between groups.</p>

<p> Senior managers in public research universities monitor and anticipate the evolution of enrollment as part of a planning process that is linked to budget and staffing matters. While the tracking and planning of enrollment figures is important for all types of institutions, the position of public research universities and the non-resident students they serve warrants closer attention. </p><p> This study's main focus was to generate estimates of the effects of institutional attributes and conditions in sending regions on first-time full-time, domestic non-resident undergraduate enrollment in public research universities. However, a larger purpose was to lay the groundwork, if appropriate and based on the results of the study, for the future development of more refined models to forecast non-resident enrollment for this group of institutions. </p><p> In taking the perspective of the individual university, the study's methodology drew from the existing literature concerned with enrollment management and student choice to identify institutional attributes and circumstances in the prospective migrating students' home state that seemed to be associated with the choice of an institution. </p><p> Several key findings emerge from the study. First, the analyses did find evidence to support that whether taken individually, in groups, or as a collective total, the examined measures of institutional attributes and sending region conditions did help in explaining variation in levels of non-resident enrollments among the public research universities of the study. </p><p> Second, a sub-set of the measures when taken together formed a best model which was found to account for the largest amount of variance in non-resident enrollment flows. The model included a scale variable of the ratio of non-resident enrollment to overall undergraduate enrollment, that when considered on its own, explained approximately 40% of the variation. Further, with the addition of the other institutional attributes and sending region conditions, the amount of variance explained increased significantly.</p>

<p> Kazakhstan's higher education system is based on the Soviet governance structure, limited academic freedom and no autonomy from the state. In such a system faculties are contract employees delivering predesigned courses with no incentive to bring new ideas and methods. But employers and the general public are concerned with the mismatch between market demand and curricula of universities. Qualitative research based on two case studies collected evidence on the opportunities for faculty to influence academic affairs of the two most prominent research universities in Kazakhstan. The study gave a detailed picture of state controls, hierarchical structures and limited role of faculty at the higher education institutions under investigation. The national universities of Kazakhstan were also compared with the University of West Florida, a public research university of similar size which is based on academic freedom, shared governance and faculty authority over academic matters. Conceptual framework for the analysis is based on the theory that university governance differs from other organizations in its involvement of faculty in decision making on academic affairs. The power is shared with faculty because of their recognized knowledge and authority in teaching and research in their particular professional fields. </p><p> The study identified that the national universities in Kazakhstan are established regulated and run like government organizations with a hierarchical structure. The existing centralized and stricter controlled environment results in frustrated and demotivated faculty who are not able to produce good quality teaching and research. Universities are required to produce similar academic programs and courses and offer a limited number of majors approved by the inter-ministerial committee. Structures of degree programs are set according to State Standards and contain certain share of mandatory courses which are provided by the Ministry. The universities are managed by the rectors who have wide powers especially in hiring and promotion of faculty as well as on other academic matters. </p><p> The research identified a number of shortcomings and mismatches with international theory and international best practice. If national universities are to develop they have to be allowed to compete and have freedom to innovate. The national universities need the governing boards to be introduced. Increasing faculty participation will be central to promoting key values of higher education such as academic freedom, autonomy and transparency. Empowering faculty will contribute to their greater responsibility and engagement in developing higher education institutions and their core functions of teaching, research and community service.</p>