Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis, PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertations (Ed. D.)--Rowan University, 2009. / Typescript. "UMI Number: 3359922 "--T.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references.

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

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

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University

<p> The purpose of this study was to compare the traditional grading and feedback systems used in most classrooms to a competency-based grading and feedback system. The traditional system used the familiar grading system of A, B, C, D and F applied to assignments. The competency model was based on providing students formative and summative feedback regarding their achievement toward proficiency of specific skills and concepts. </p><p> This quasi-experimental action research study had a control group and an intervention group comprised of general education and special education sixth grade students in language arts classes. Quantitative data in the form of student achievement scores and student survey responses was analyzed. Qualitative data in the form of teacher interview responses was analyzed. </p><p> Overall there was no statistically significant change in the MAP reading scores between the control and intervention group. However, when the variables of time, group and gender from an ANOVA were analyzed, the males in the intervention group showed a statically significant increase in achievement. This achievement was regardless if the male was an IEP or non-IEP student. Overall, the results do not show that either the control or intervention group sees the feedback as effective. However, the results of the girls&rsquo; responses in the control group were statistically significant. The girls in the control group did see the provided feedback as effective. The teachers&rsquo; interview responses provided three main themes, which included students applied feedback more in the competency-based classroom than in the traditional classroom. Both teachers used the feedback to adjust curriculum and instruction. Additionally, the intervention teacher pointed out that more time is needed to help students apply the competency-based system. </p><p> Based on this study, the first recommendation is to implement competency-based grading and feedback processes. The second recommendation is that formative and summative feedback processes based on proficiencies be implemented to assists students in identifying their understanding of and performance on skills and concepts. Recommendations for future studies include having a larger sample size and continuing the study for a longer period of time.</p><p>

<p> Military students are a population of learners who must move several times during their service member parent's careers. Adolescents may be more affected by these frequent moves, as the moves occur during a crucial time of physical and emotional development. Social capital theory best underpins this research study, as adolescents begin to value the social capital established among peers and then become affected by the breaks in social capital as they are forced to move. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the degree of the relationship, if any, of military middle school students' standardized test scores and grade level turnover to determine if grade level turnover had an impact on the outcome of the students' annual standardized test scores. Enrollment and archived tests data were collected from 18 DoDEA schools that serve grades six through eight. The independent variable was military middle school classroom turnover, and the dependent variables were the students&rsquo; test scores on the TerraNova3. Nine bivariate correlations were conducted for each school year and by grade level to analyze the data. Five subject areas were tested per test, and the results of these 45 analyses indicate 5 weak correlations. Post-hoc Bonferroni and a familywise error correction were conducted to correct the insufficient power and inflated alpha values. The results of this research can be valuable to educators who are unfamiliar with a transient population of learners, more specifically the adolescent military student population and how it could be correlated with academic success. </p><p>

<p> The Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support, or PBIS, represented the new trend in dealing with problem behavior in educational settings. The concepts of Gender and Age intertwined with many social, ethnic, and cultural attributes, which affected students&rsquo; behaviors in group settings such as school. The resolve of this study resided in the investigation of the effects of gender and age (grade level) on the effectiveness of a PBIS program. In addition, the study reviewed the relative quality of validity among the components used in the PBIS program. The data used in this study originated from a PBIS program implemented at a Suburban Middle School located in the Midwest of the United States. The components of the PBIS program implemented included Safety, Openness to Diversity, Academic Achievement, and Respect (to Self and to Others). The study examined each component based on its activities. Each component involved specific activities, which promoted, encouraged, and sustained the success of its related component. The findings of the study included three categories. Among these categories gender effect on the components, age effect on the components, and differences in quality of validity among the components represented the targets of the investigation. </p><p> The findings of this study revealed no gender effect on Safety, openness to diversity, and respect (to self and to others). However, the study showed a gender effect on academic achievement for the seventh graders while revealing no gender effect academically for sixth and eighth graders. In addition, the study demonstrated no age effect on safety and respect (to self and to others). While the study revealed no age effect on openness to diversity among seventh and eighth graders, it showed an age effect on openness to diversity for the sixth graders. Furthermore, the study findings suggested an age effect on academic achievement among all grade levels. The investigation revealed that the safety and respect (to self and to others) represented poorly designed, developed, and implemented components of PBIS. In addition, it demonstrated that openness to diversity required community involvement and monitoring. Furthermore, the study suggested that administrators and teaching staff modeled and applied the principles and concept of Positive Behavior Support, in order to increase student academic achievement.</p><p>