Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 97-108).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 21, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 314-334).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-108). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-143). Also available in print.

This thesis is an interdisciplinary project based on motivation research in educational games and research on psychological achievement goals. The purpose was to present a model for a gaming achievement system that adapts to suit the player. The player profile is constructed using an achievement goal questionnaire based on educational achievement goals from previous research. To test the model appropriately, a game prototype was developed. The results derived from the thesis project and the included study is based mainly on qualitative data from game sessions as well as questionnaires. The results indicates that the model works as intended, but that individual choice of gaming achievements can be more useful for some people. The results also show that the model is a viable for implementation in future projects and a suitable alternative for low-budget educational games. The model still needs further evaluation to ensure its efficacy, but shows great promise.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is the identification of selected factors that are closely associated with academic performance. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of academic performance to age, gender, reading score, credit hours attempted, and self-assessed personal life skills (self-esteem, growth motivation, change orientation, interpersonal assertation, interpersonal aggression, interpersonal deference, interpersonal awareness, empathy, drive strength, decision making, time management, sales orientation, commitment ethic and stress management).

This investigation explored relationships between four determinants of first-semester undergraduate academic achievement derived from Holland's (1973) theory of vocational development. Groups of 438 male and 468 female students completed the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory and were categorized in terms of congruency, consistency, differentiation, and modal personality type. Undergraduates with congruent college-major choices enjoyed greater academic success than students with incongruent choices. Students with high- and low-consistency personal orientation codes outperformed students with moderately consistent codes. Freshman with clearly differentiated personality profiles outperformed students with nondifferentiated profiles. The order of mean gradepoint averages for the modal personality types was not significantly correlated with Holland's predicted ordering.

In 2015, Congress reauthorized the latest version of the Elementary Secondary Education Act through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). In addition to the requirements for all students, this document includes provisions for English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant students. ESSA (2015) not only required annual assessments to ensure high level learning but also requires annual assessments for assessing ELL language acquisition. School divisions are required to monitor and report on how many ELLs made language acquisition growth and how many successfully met English language proficiency. The benefit of both ESSA (2015) and the resulting state policies is to ensure ELLs are afforded the appropriate supports to learn and achieve at the same high levels as their native English speaking peers. The purpose of this study was to identify a possible relationship between elementary school enrollment size and the academic success for ELLs in high ELL and low ELL population schools. This quantitative study examined existing data from a large suburban school district on Standards of Learning assessment achievement for ELLs over three academic years (2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019). Findings suggest total enrollment size and ELL population size impact academic achievement for ELLs. The researcher used two way ANOVA to determine if a difference exists in academic success for ELLs based on elementary school enrollment size and ELL population size. This study adds to research on conditions for high achievement for all students. / Doctor of Education / In 2015, Congress reauthorized the latest version of the Elementary Secondary Education Act through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). In addition to the requirements for all students, this document includes provisions for English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant students. ESSA (2015) not only required annual assessments to ensure high level learning but also requires annual assessments for assessing ELL language acquisition. The benefit of both ESSA (2015) and the resulting state policies is to ensure ELLs are afforded the appropriate supports to learn and achieve at the same high levels as their native English speaking peers. The purpose of this study is to identify a possible relationship between elementary school enrollment size and the academic success for ELLs in high ELL and low ELL population schools. This study examined existing data from a large suburban school district on Standards of Learning assessment achievement for ELLs over three academic years (2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019). These data showed academic achievement for different enrollment sizes and for different ELL population sizes. This study adds to research on conditions for high achievement for all students.

Educators have a responsibility to foster a positive school climate while also ensuring that all students meet established educational benchmarks and make adequate growth. The relationship between school climate and student achievement is well-documented, but there is a gap in the literature examining the relationships among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate relationships among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement at the elementary school level in Virginia. A nonexperimental, correlational design was used to address this research question: What are the relationships, if any, among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement among fourth grade students in three school divisions in Virginia for the 2022-2023 school year? Existing data sets from 73 schools within 3 school divisions in Virginia were used: (a) the 2023 Virginia Survey of School Climate and Working Conditions, (b) fourth graders' Fall 2022 to Spring 2023 growth in reading and mathematics on the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress assessment, and (c) fourth graders' mean performance on the 2023 Virginia Standards of Learning assessments in reading and mathematics. A correlational analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among these variables. Results were analyzed, and there were 12 findings. The most significant finding was a stronger positive relationship between school climate and benchmark achievement in reading and mathematics than between school climate and academic growth in either subject. This study contributes to the body of research on school climate and benchmark achievement by addressing relationships among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement. / Doctor of Education / Educators have a responsibility to foster a positive school climate while also ensuring that all students meet established educational benchmarks and make adequate growth. The relationship between school climate and student achievement is well-documented, but there is a gap in the literature examining the relationships among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate relationships among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement at the elementary school level in Virginia. A nonexperimental, correlational design was used to address this research question: What are the relationships, if any, among school climate, academic growth, and benchmark achievement among fourth grade students in three school divisions in Virginia for the 2022-2023 school year? Existing data sets from 73 schools within 3 school divisions in Virginia were used: (a) the 2023 Virginia Survey of School Climate and Working Conditions, (b) fourth graders' Fall 2022 to Spring 2023 growth in reading and mathematics on the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress assessment, and (c) fourth graders' mean performance on the 2023 Virginia Standards of Learning assessments in reading and mathematics. A correlational analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among these variables. Results were analyzed, and there were 12 findings. The most significant finding was a stronger positive relationship between school climate and benchmark achievement in reading and mathematics than between school climate and academic growth in either subject.