The problem of this study was to measure the effectiveness of a public school Montessori program. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare student academic achievement and self-concept, attendance and promotion rates, and level of parental involvement in the schools of students enrolled in public school Montessori and traditional programs. The 95 subjects in this study were third-grade subjects selected from the student populations in Montessori and traditional school sites. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) was used as the pre-test scores, and the Norm-referenced Assessment Program for Texas (NAPT) was used as the post-test scores to compare academic achievement in reading and mathematics. Multiple regression was used to compare the levels of academic achievement and self-concept. Multiple regression was also used to test for possible relationship between the Montessori and traditional programs and gender and ethnicity.

This study was designed to determine whether or not auditory discrimination could be improved in a group of third-grade students by the use of a tape-recorded program of auditory exercises. Of additional interest was the effect that the program of auditory exercises would have upon the work recognition skills and the spelling skills of the third-grade students involved.

The purpose of the current outcome study was to determine the effects of the Ready for Success (RFS) classroom guidance program (Brigman & Webb, 2012) on the social-emotional skills and competence, reading proficiency, and promotion between third-grade students who received the RFS intervention (treatment group; n = 104), and third-grade students who did not receive the intervention (comparison group; n=91). Following training in the manualized RFS curriculum, certified school counselors in the treatment group implemented five, weekly, 30-minute lessons followed by three monthly booster lessons. This study followed a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent group design. The study employed a teacher report measure of social-emotional skills and competence (i.e., Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) and a standardized formative assessment of reading proficiency (i.e., Reading Running Record). Furthermore, retention data was provided by the participating school district’s data source. Statistical significance between the groups was measured by a series of MANCOVA analyses and a Pearson’s chi-square analysis. A partial eta-squared ηp2 effect size was reported for each dependent variable. The data supported the RFS classroom guidance program as an effective Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) intervention for promoting student social-emotional skill development (i.e. selfawareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making) and overall social-emotional competence (SEC). This study provided support for the use of school counselor-led SEL classroom programs to promote the social-emotional development of students in the school setting. Furthermore, the study further supports the value of school counseling interventions for students in the domain of social-emotional development. Finally, the findings of this study provided empirical support for the RFS classroom guidance program as an effective SEL intervention. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study utilized an action research design with qualitative methods to explore the transformative potential of a multicultural literature curriculum within a general education setting. Providing young students with opportunities to develop perspective taking and empathetic responses to others who are different, offers the critical potential for reducing prejudice. Based on Allport’s (1979) contact theory, originally written in 1954, multicultural literature served as indirect contact, providing access to characters who were different from the students. The design included the researcher’s classroom and a teacher cohort of five third grade teachers interacting with a total of 103 students in a public charter elementary school in South Florida. The selection of third graders was purposeful by the developmental window of social perspective taking identified by Selman (1980). Each teacher utilized the multicultural book set to conduct interactive read-alouds along with critical questions to support the students in understanding the settings and problems and therefore the perspective of the diverse characters. We gathered data from student work samples, audio tapes, cohort meetings, teacher journals, researcher journals, and critical friend meetings. Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis aided in the organization and handling of the quantity of data as Glasser’s (2008) constant comparative method was applied to coding through the action research recursive cycles. Emergent themes and patterns from the data demonstrated positive development in the depth of discussion through improved emotional vocabulary and new understanding of mixed emotions. The variety of storylines offered new knowledge of social justice issues such as immigration, refugees, religious tolerance, slavery, and poverty while developing vocabulary to engage in reading and discussion. The indirect contact experiences with diverse characters and the lessons provided practice in perspective taking and emotional empathy skills. This study contributes to the body of literature using multicultural literature for empathy and perspective taking development and adds to indirect contact studies for prejudice reduction by focusing on younger students and being conducted within an authentic school context. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

State legislators in the Midwestern United States implemented a Third Grade Reading Guarantee law to prevent the promotion of Grade 3 students with poor reading skills to Grade 4. As a result, schools implemented innovative reading interventions, thereby driving a need to determine teachers' concerns and levels of use (LoU) of these innovative interventions. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand Grade 3 reading teachers' stages of concerns (SoC) and LoU in implementing reading interventions, and teachers' comprehension of the innovation configurations, in view of the new Third Grade Reading Guarantee law. The conceptual framework used to undergird this study was the concerns-based adoption model. The SoC described 7 categories of possible concerns for an innovation, and the LoU described 8 behavioral profiles that educators used in practice. Data collection occurred through in-depth interview sessions using a purposeful sample of 10 Ohio Grade 3 reading teachers. Emergent themes were identified through a coding and thematic data-analysis process. Findings revealed that Ohio Grade 3 teachers' dominant SoC was a need for collaboration with other teachers. The second dominant SoC was a need to refocus on how the reading interventions would be used for the following school year. Findings showed that teachers' level of usage in Year 1 were at the mechanical level, focusing on the daily usage of the manual. In Year 2, teachers refined their practice and were better able to vary implementation format. Teachers' use of innovations improve at-risk students' reading skills, making them better scholars, who are then able to compete on many levels, and as future adults they will be able to make a positive social change by giving back to their communities.

Literature indicates that in past years a controversy has arisen as to the proper time and methods to begin the instruction of reading to young children. Most recent research indicates that authorities do not advocate formalized instruction by which whole classes or groups of children participate in a given program. however, recent literature also indicates a trend toward structured and formalized reading by public school teaching staff. While there is a great deal of research in the area of early reading, the research is not definitive. Consequently, a need remains for definitive research that can help in answering questions about when and how to instruct children in reading. This study was conducted with 185 kindergarten children. Eighty-nine of the selected children participated in Sullivan's Programmed Reading, Series E, in their kindergarten year. The remaining ninety-six children did not participate in Sullivan's Programmed Reading, Series E, in their kindergarten year. Rather they participated in a more traditional kindergarten atmosphere. Non-participating kindergarten children did begin instruction in formalized reading in their first grade year. The purpose of the study was to determine if children who participated in Sullivan's Programmed Reading, Series E, in kindergarten would indicate more growth than non-Participating children by the time both groups entered third grade. The study was designed to test three hypotheses stated in the null form. The first hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in reading ability between children who participated in Sullivan's Programmed Reading, Series E, and those who did not by the time both groups of children entered third grade. This hypothesis was confirmed. The second hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in reading ability of participating and non-participating children based on the the mother's highest educational level. This hypothesis was confirmed. The third hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in reading ability of participating and no-participating children based upon the sex of those children selected. This hypothesis was not confirmed. The instrument used was the SRA (Science Research Associates) Achievement Series. Children were tested at the beginning of their second and third grade years. The difference between their second grade score and their third grade score was determined to detect if kindergarten participants in formalized reading would reflect more growth than non-participating children. The chi square method for analyzing data was employed to determine if differences in test performance between the groups of children were statistically reliable. The level of significance of testing differences was at the .05 level.

This study discusses third grade elementary school children¡¦s growth in mathematics ability through a mathematics curriculum integrated with problem posing. By applying action research method, this study tries to find out the participating teacher¡¦s progress in her teaching method. In particular, also to find out the problems that may arise from carrying out problem- posing instruction, the possible solutions to these problems, and the problem-posing activities that can be readily applied in classroom setting. The time this study takes, from identifying the problem to the point of retreating from the research setting, is about one year. During this year, the investigator used various methods to collect data: interviews, video recordings of class teaching, teachers¡¦ notes and recordings, and children mathematics diaries. He included research-related surveys and triangulation for data analysis. It is found that, the teacher has to do more than having a firm grasp of the teaching materials, but also to attend to the teaching processes, the timing of introducing the critical questions related to the main points, and the ability to conduct a discussion atmosphere that is conducive for the students¡¦ growth. Most important of all, the mindset has to be changed from a teacher-oriented one to a more student-oriented set. Compared to the original teaching without problem posing, it is found that students became more active in class discussions, and showed more logic in their solutions. They debated about mathematics problems instead of aimless quarreling. Moreover, the content of the problem-posing products become more creative and no longer mechanical. In addition, students¡¦ solution processes were no longer by imitation, but instead, showing expressions of elaborated thoughts. All these show that the integration of problem-posing instruction has increased students¡¦ interests and motivation in studying mathematics.

There is no abstract available for this dissertation. / Department of Educational Leadership

The purpose of this study was to determine if distinct subgroups of high achieving children could be identified using a recently redeveloped intelligence measure—The Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability, 3rd edition (WJ-III). Students were referred for further testing based on their scores on the Indiana State Test of Educational Progress (the ISTEP+). Students were included in the study if they scored at or above the 90th percentile on the ISTEP+ Cognitive Skills Index, or the reading and/or math portions. Using these criteria, 202 students were referred for further testing. These students were clustered with Ward's method of cluster analysis using their scores on the seven CHC factors of the WJ-III. Their individual scores on two other intelligence measures (the Stanford-Binet IV and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test), as well as other scores from the WJ-III were used to further describe the clusters that emerged. The following three subgroups were identified: (a) decidedly gifted, (b) problem solvers, and (c) slow-paced achievers. Not all subgroups obtained the gifted score ranges expected on the three measures employed. The clusters were better described as displaying a slight levels effect, in that the groups were most different from one another in terms of the overall intelligence quotient and mean CHC factor scores, with one group scoring in the superior to high average ranges, one in the high average to average ranges, and one in the average range overall. This study provided evidence for the use of intelligence measures in describing gifted individuals' specific strengths and weaknesses. It also has significant implications for the use of intelligence measures in assessing giftedness within an applied setting. This study is useful as a validation study for the three intelligence measures employed. / Department of Educational Psychology

Research paper (M.A.) -- Cardinal Stritch College -- Milwaukee, 1971. / A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education (Reading Specialist). Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-42).