Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 312-325). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 467-473).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 198-207).

Thesis (M.S. in Education)--Shenandoah University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1980.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iii, 60 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-36).

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).

The study was designed to compare instruction related leader behaviors of elementary principals with unit leaders as perceived by teachers in selected Individually Guided Education/Multiunit schools. The study population included 57 teachers from six IGE/MUS-E member schools of the Area Movement for Educationally New Dimension (AMEND) Network Project, School of Education, University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse.Data for the study were secured by means of two questionnaires, adapted from the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire-Real Form. Participant responses provided teacher perceptions relative to two leader behaviors of Consideration and Initiating Structure of elementary principals and of unit leaders.Data were analyzed statistically. The hypotheses were tested using a 2 x 6 Univariate, two-way Analysis of Variance, fixed-effects procedure. Post-hoc multiple comparisons were made when suggested at the .05 level of statistical significance by the analysis. The Newman-Keuls procedure and t tests were used in making post-hoc comparisons. Analyses of effects were made when significant interaction effects were present.A summary of findings was organized relative each of the four hypotheses.Hypothesis IThere will be no difference between teacher perceptions of the instruction related leader behavior of Consideration of elementary principals from unit leaders.Teachers perceived the instruction related leader behavior of elementary principals and unit leaders as significantly different regarding the leader behavior of Consideration.Hypothesis IIThere will be no difference between teacher perception of the instruction related leader behavior of Initiating Structure of elementary principals from unit leaders.Teachers perceived the instruction related leader behavior of elementary principals and unit leaders as significantly different regarding the leader behavior of Initiating Structure.Hypothesis IIIThere will be no difference between perceptions of teachers from each particular Individually Guided Education school relative to the instruction related leader behavior of Consideration of elementary principals from unit leaders.Teachers from particular schools perceived the instruction related leader behavior of elementary principals and unit leaders as being different regarding the leader behavior of Consideration.development programs, both pre-service and in-service, have not adequately emphasized the need of building personal leader behavior patterns which reflect commitment to, and belief in, the component aspects of Consideration. Professional staff development programs, both pre-service and in-service have not adequately emphasized the need for building personal leader behavior patterns which reflect commitment to, and belief in, component aspects of Initiating Structure. School officials, responsible for the selection of elementary principals and/or unit leaders to serve in Individually Guided Education schools, should be particularly careful to select individuals with demonstrated effective leader behavior relative to Consideration and Initiating Structure factors.