Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2006. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 150-166. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-175).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on October 9, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Ed.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-117). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2006. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 150-166. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-175).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

<p> In contrast the plethora of between-race studies in the extant literature that focus on well-known and documented disparities between White and African American students, this study was conducted to gain direct insight from resilient, African American boys who beat the odds and achieved academically despite being at significant risk for failure due to extended exposure to compounded social and educational disadvantages. The primary foci of this investigation were to broaden understanding of the gender-specific challenges to academic achievement that African American boys encounter in school, understand how they overcome those challenges to succeed academically, and identify school-level enabling characteristics that contribute to their success &ndash; each from their perspective. Using semi-structured interviews with eight African American middle school boys, the findings of this study illustrate how these students accomplished proficient on state assessments in reading and mathematics &ndash; a feat that 85% of their peers did not accomplish nationwide.</p>

abstract: ABSTRACT For more than thirty years the gender gap in science and related careers has been a key concern of researchers, teachers, professional organizations, and policy makers. Despite indicators of progress for women and girls on some measures of achievement, course enrollment patterns, and employment, fewer women than men pursue college degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. According to the results of national assessments, the gender gap in science achievement begins to be evident in the middle school years. Gender and school science achievement involve a complex set of factors associated with schools and child/family systems that may include school leadership, institutional practices, curriculum content, teacher training programs, teacher expectations, student interests, parental involvement, and cultural values. This ethnographic case study was designed to explore the context for science education reform and the participation of middle school girls. The study analyzed and compared teaching strategies and female student engagement in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science classrooms. The setting was a middle school situated in a district that was well-known for its achievement in reading, math, and technology. Findings from the study indicated that while classroom instruction was predominantly organized around traditional school science, the girls were more disciplined and outperformed the boys. The size of the classrooms, time to prepare for hands-on activities, and obtaining resources were identified as barriers to teaching science in ways that aligned with recent national science reform initiatives. Parents who participated in the study were very supportive of their daughters' academic progress and career goals. A few of the parents suggested that the school's science program include more hands-on activities; instruction designed for the advanced learner; and information related to future careers. Overall the teachers and students perceived their science program to be gender fair. Eighth grade participants who had career goals related to science and engineering, indicated that their science instruction did not provide the rigor they needed to improve their critical skills for advanced placement in high school. Recommendations include the need for professional development on inquiry-based science, equitable student achievement, and diverse perspectives in science education. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2011

The current study examined the relation between symptoms of PTSD and depression with bullying victimization. Bullying victimization is a highly prevalent phenomenon that nearly half of all students experience (Gan, Zhong, Das, Gan, Willis, & Tully, 2014). Rates of bullying follow a linear trend through elementary grades, and plateau or peak in middle school (Atria, Strohmeier, & Spiel, 2007; Hoover, Oliver, Hazler, 1992; Nansel et al., 2001). Bullying increases a student’s likelihood to experience a range of emotional and behavioral disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), suggesting that bullying is a distressing life event for children. Yet only a small number of studies have provided evidence for the relation between bullying and symptoms of PTSD. This study sought to add support to a growing body of literature evaluating associations between these two variables, while also exploring possible moderators. Results suggested a significant relations among symptoms of PTSD, depression, andbullying victimization. This study identified several other significantly related variables, such as social support and gender, but failed to identify significant moderating variables between symptoms of PTSD and bullying victimization. This study also provided evidence for the relation between witnessing bullying and negative emotional reactions. The results, clinical implications, and limitations of this study are discussed.

Master of Music / Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance / Julie Yu Oppenheim / Students in a combined choir of 7th and 8th graders learned the basics of woodshedding, which is a technique that barbershop choirs use to add harmony to a melody without the use of written music. Building off of previous skills, particularly ear training through use of solfege and Curwen hand signs, students learned how to create their own vocal harmony with any given chord progression. Students demonstrated these skills by singing along with the melody, “You Are My Sunshine.” Through my courses at Kansas State University, two main areas of development have been, 1) continued growth in teaching beginners using Gordon’s Music Learning Theory (Gordon, 2012) and Curwen handsigns for ear training, 2) developing a culture of excellence that expands to all vocal students, teaching them strong character, work ethic, and musicianship for a lifetime of making music.

<p> While research studies have revealed an association between students&rsquo; attitudes toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics, divergent results shift the research focus to the construct of attitudes and from a normative approach to a qualitative approach. This mixed-methods multiple-case phenomenological study captured the real-time classroom origins of eight attitude profiles through the use of the experiencing sampling method (ESM). A total of 75 students, representing one low-, one middle-, and one high-performing middle school in New Hampshire, participated in the ESM study and 11 students were interviewed. A total of 477 random classroom moments were captured and 3988 students&rsquo; statements were coded. Quantitative results revealed differences in the distributions of attitude profiles across performance levels and the proportion of students within certain attitude profiles. Results suggest that students&rsquo; attitudes change over time, and the distribution of the number of attitude changes does not differ across performance levels. Eight themes emerged from a holistic coding process, and a systematic coding process resulted in detailed descriptions of the eight attitude profiles. Students tended to exhibit positive self-perceptions as learners toward mathematics and their perceived competence was linked to the success they experienced. Test and quizzes dominated classroom activities among all four attitude profiles with a negative emotional dimension. The analysis revealed differences in classroom activities and their impacts on the various profiles, including the use of technology, real-world connections, quizzes and tests, homework, working problems, and students&rsquo; perceptions of their teachers, the enjoyment of mathematics, and the difficulty of the material.</p><p>