The purpose of the study was to determine whether a significant difference existed in the academic achievement of students as a function of attending half-day or full-day kindergartens. The hypothesis was students in full-day kindergartens will demonstrate more growth in academic achievement than students in half-day kindergartens as measured by the Head Start Measurements Battery (HSMB) in seven areas: language, math, nature/science, perception, reading, social development, and overall score. One hundred subjects were randomly selected from 158 qualified subjects that attended four Chapter 1 schools in a public school district in Southern Arizona. Four half-day and five full-day kindergartens participated. Five classes implemented a bilingual curriculum, one a Spanish curriculum, and three an English curriculum. Eventually, 74 subjects were pretested in November 1984 and posttested in May 1985. The majority of the subjects were Hispanics. Based on the literature review, the need to assess children in English/Spanish/bilingually, the need for an individually administered test of a manipulative nature, and the need for a psychometrically sound instrument, the Fall 1984 version of the Head Start Measures Battery was selected. It assesses the three-to-six-year-old child's cognitive development. The research design used was a quasi-experimental approach: the non-equivalent control group design. The independent variables were the schedules and the dependent variables were the seven areas measured by the HSMB. Mean gain scores were calculated in each of the seven areas. A t-test was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (p<.05) between the mean gain scores of the half-day and full-day kindergartens (in favor of the full-day kindergartens) in language, math, and reading. The evidence failed to indicate a statistically significant difference in nature/science, perception, social development, and overall scores. In conclusion, the findings suggested that there was greater academic achievement in languages, math, and reading for full-day than for half-day kindergarten students. The findings failed to provide evidence of a difference in the academic achievement of half-day and full-day kindergarten students in nature/science, perception, social development, and overall scores.

Researchers have suggested that knowledge of how to take a test decreases the validity of achievement test scores as measures of content knowledge. Further, teaching students test taking skills generally improves student achievement test scores. However, little research exists regarding the efficacy of commercially prepared materials for formal test-wiseness instruction. Fourth and fifth grade students in 15 elementary schools participated in this study. Students in the Volunteer Selected group received instruction in test taking skills using the Riverside Improving Test Taking Skills materials. Students in the Volunteer Not-Selected group received whatever test taking skill instruction their teachers provided as a result of wanting, but not being selected, to participate in the study. Students in the Control group received what was considered "normal" instruction in test taking skills. A gain score ANOVA of NCE scores from standardized testing was used to determine statistical significance on the Composite Battery and the Reading and Mathematics subtests. When reliable differences were indicated effect sizes were calculated. Formal instruction in test taking skills resulted in significant effects for fourth grade students on the Composite battery and the Mathematics subtest. However, average gains for students in the Volunteer Not-Selected group were as great as for students who received instruction using the Riverside materials. Significant effects for the Reading subtest were indicated only for achievement level. Positive effects were indicated for fifth grade students in the Volunteer Not-Selected group on the Composite and Mathematics subtest. At the fourth grade differential effects were indicated for achievement level, sex, and SES, but not for ethnicity. At the fifth grade achievement level, sex, SES, and ethnicity resulted in differential effects for students in all three groups. In summary, test taking skill instruction appeared beneficial to fourth grade students regardless of whether the instruction was delivered using the Riverside materials or using teacher made or teacher collected materials. At the fifth grade data the results were less clear cut. Further research must be conducted before policies can be established and educators can use with confidence, or not use at all, commercially prepared test taking skill instructional materials.

Both causal attributions and self-efficacy have been theorized as mediating performance on achievement tasks. However, few studies have explored the relationship between these constructs or in what way they may be affected by peer modeling. The purpose of this study was to explore developmental differences between two grade levels in the effect of modeling on persistence, self-efficacy judgments, and choice of attributions for predicted and actual outcomes on a figure-matching puzzle, and the relationship between self-efficacy and causal attributions. Seventy-three eighth graders and 73 third graders were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions or to a control condition. Four videotapes for each grade level, showing a male peer modeling either high or low persistence and success or failure on a figure-matching puzzle, constituted the experimental conditions. Subjects' attributions for various outcomes in achievement settings were recorded one week prior to the experimental session and at its conclusion, on the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility scale. Attributions for predicted and actual outcomes on a figure-matching puzzle were also recorded. Students' persistence on the nearly-impossible puzzle was measured by time in seconds, while an efficacy scale assessed their belief regarding their ability to solve the puzzle at three times during the experimental session. Significant differences were found between the grade levels for self-efficacy ratings, with third graders reporting greater efficacy beliefs than eighth graders. A significant change in self-efficacy ratings was also found, but it was not possible to determine which aspect of the experimental session was responsible for the change. Distribution of the attributions was severely skewed on both sets of attribution measures, in favor of an internal stable cause (effort), precluding meaningful analyses of the relationship between self-efficacy and attributions. It was also found that attributions changed significantly over time and the experimental experience as measured by the questionnaires. No significant effect of modeling on persistence time was found. The research findings were discussed in terms of the research methodology used, the psychometric properties of the instruments, and implications for the theoretical models.

No description available.

No description available.

In the present study, the researcher examined the motivational variables of students within the Ontario Secondary School system, where groups based on course stream, LD status, gender, and achievement level were compared. This research was partially exploratory, where the researcher aimed to validate existing research on gender, LD status, and achievement, as well as to examine how motivational variables relate to course stream. Past research has shown that endorsing an entity theory of intelligence, having a preference for performance goals, attributing success to ability rather than effort, and having low confidence in one’s ability to self-regulate are all associated with lower achievement, and with the presence of a learning disability (e.g., Baird, Scott, Dearing & Hamill, 2009). A total of 243 secondary school students (127 male, 116 female) from one rural school in Ontario participated in this study. The participants completed a 28-item questionnaire made up of several subscales, including the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale (Dweck, 1999), the Learning vs. Performance Goal Preference Scale (Dweck, 1999), the Effort Attribution Scale (Dweck & Leggett, 1988), and the Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning Scale (Zimmerman et al., 1992). Regarding stream, an independent t-test revealed that students in the university English course had significantly more confidence in their ability to self-regulate than their peers in the college English course. A MANOVA revealed that individuals who had received a mid-term English grade of A (80-100%), regardless of stream, had significantly more confidence their ability to self-regulate than students who received lower grades. Finally, an independent t-test revealed that participants with a learning disability were more concerned with their personal growth than their performance when compared to participants without a learning disability. No differences in motivational variables were found between males and females. These findings suggest that educators and parents should place more emphasis on helping students to develop confidence in their self-regulatory abilities, as this appears to be an important variable in students’ achievement, as well as related to the academic stream in which they are enrolled. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-12 09:01:56.34

Chapter 1. 1. Introduction - The rapid growth and development in industrial and technological areas has created a growing need for trained manpower. Increasingly it is expected of the universities to supply the community in these needs. For this reason the position of university dropouts must be regarded in a serious light - the necessary potential is not being utilized and furthermore the dropout rate is a burden for both the country and the community. 2. Objectives - The researcher has set the following overall objectives: To determine: a) Whether there are any significant differences between the dropout and the successful student as regard, aptitude, interest and personality. b) Whether the dropout in the year course differs from the dropout in the semester course. c) What factors - as described in literature on this subject - play an important part in the cessation of studies. d) The causes of such study cessation at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. 3. Hypotheses - a) There are no significant differences between the successful student and the dropout as regards aptitude, personality and interest. b) There are no meaningful psychological differences between the dropout in the semester course and the dropout in the year course. Chapter 2: Survey of literature. The phenomenon - as described in literature on this subject - is reviewed in this chapter. In the definitions that have been stated definite differences have been drawn between the successful student, the unsuccessful student and the dropout. Furthermore the extent of the dropouts in certain overseas countries and the Republic of South Africa has been reviewed but specifically also as relating to the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. Attention has also been given to the relationship between '. sexes, faculty, residence and study cessation. The pattern during the year of such cessation as well as its reasons are also discussed. The following factors which may be relevant to such cessation of studies have been identified: a) Psychological factors such as social withdrawal, stress, lack of self-confidence, identity-crises and problems on an interpersonal level. b) Family background. c) Socio-economical factors. d) Social pressures. e) Aptitude. f) Interest. g) Motivation'. h) Academic accomplishments. i) Religion. Chapter 3: Method of investigation. At the inception of their studies first-year students undergo psychometric testing. The results of the psychometric testing of 1980, 1981 and 1982 have been used in this investigation. Certain criteria for success have been set and the successful students identified accordingly. Of this group a random sample has been drawn. The dropouts were seen as a universal group. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the successful students have then been compared with those of the dropouts using certain statistical methods. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the dropout in the semester course have been compared with those of the dropouts in the year course, but only by comparing their average scores. One standard deviation is regarded as a significant psychological difference. No further statistical methods were used in this part of the research. Chapter 4: Discussion of results. 1. Certain tendencies relevant to the dropout's aptitude, interest and personality have been identified. The various faculties however, indicate differing tendencies. 2. It would appear as if there is no material difference between the dropout in the year course and those in the semester course. Chapter 5: Conclusion. From the investigation indications are that although in the different faculties certain tendencies are found relevant to cessation of studies, individual differences cannot be disregarded. To attempt to identify dropouts purely on ground of psychological tests without considering predisposing factors would be Unrealistic. Cessation of studies as a psychological problem can be reduced but never entirely eliminated. / Skripsie (MA)-- PU vir CHO, 1984

Entrepreneurship has been referred to as an economical model for many years; however, the study of entrepreneurship from a psychological perspective is fairly young. Recent literature has focused largely on analyzing the personality characteristics of entrepreneurs and comparing them to wage or salary employed workers. Understanding the personality characteristics of entrepreneurs is vitally important in understanding entrepreneurship, and therefore, the economy as a whole. This study utilizes concepts from past literature and findings from empirical studies in order to assess the personality characteristics associated with successful entrepreneurship. Ultimately, the characteristics; achievement motivation, locus of control, innovation, risk tendencies, and tenacity are analyzed and depicted as the five most important personality characteristics for successful entrepreneurs.

Denna studies syfte var att erhålla en bättre förståelse om träning av dynamiskt mindset hoselever på gymnasiet ledde till bättre problemlösningsförmåga i matematik och om elevernaanvände sig av lärandemål i större utsträckning. Följande forskningsfrågor har undersöktsempiriskt: I vilken grad förstärks elevernas dynamiska mindset genom ett fåtal aktioner i litengrupp? Hur starkt är sambandet mellan dynamiskt mindset och matematisk problemlösningsförmåga?I vilken grad förändras elevernas lärandemål av träning av dynamiskt mindset? Studienbyggde på en kvantitativ interventionsmetod med en kontroll- respektive interventionsgrupp,med test av dynamiskt mindset, achievement goals och problemlösningsförmåga innan och efterintervention med gymnasieelever i en klass på ett teoretiskt program. Praktiskt genomfördes dettamed undervisning om dynamiskt mindset och genom praktiska moment där eleven fick erfara attdenne kunde förändra sin förmåga. Studiens resultat visade på att vissa aspekter av dynamisktmindset kunde förstärkas med små medel under kort tid med en liten grupp elever, men attkorrelationer kopplade till dynamiskt mindset, lärandemål och matematisk problemlösningsförmågaverkade svaga. För att mer ingående förstå konsekvenserna av dynamiskt mindsetspåverkan på lärandemål och matematisk problemlösningsförmåga krävs ytterligare studier.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrelationship among student academic achievement, principals' leadership style, parental involvement, school culture, student attendance, and teacher instructional practice of disadvantaged students in diverse elementary schools. This study examined principals' leadership style, parental involvement, school culture, student attendance, and teacher instructional practice and how they affect student academic achievement. Overall, the study provided possible solutions to principals on ways to improve student academic achievement of disadvantaged students in diverse elementary schools. To make this study possible, the researcher developed and field-tested a questionnaire for administrators, teachers, and parents in order to measure the relationship among principals' leadership style, parental involvement, school culture, attendance, and teacher instructional practice of disadvantaged students in six diverse elementary schools. Four statistical tests were performed and analyzed: A Pearson Correlation, t-test, factor analysis, and regression analysis. The findings of the study with respect to the Pearson Correlation Coefficient showed a significant relationship at the .05 level with respect to the independent variables: principals' leadership style, parental involvement, school culture, student attendance, teacher instructional practice, and the dependent variable, student academic achievement. The findings of the t-test showed a significant difference between school staff (administrators and teachers) and parents as it relates to school climate (principals' leadership style, parental involvement, school culture, student attendance, teacher instructional practice). The data further showed that school staff (administrators and teachers) did not perceive parental involvement differently. The findings of the factor analysis showed the following variables were placed in the same factor as student academic achievement: school ranking, SES, and race. The following variables were placed together in Factor II: principals' leadership style, parental involvement, school culture, student attendance, and teacher instructional practice. The following variables were placed together in Factor III: gender and survey classification (administrator, teacher, and parent):The results of the regression analysis showed that SES and school culture will contribute to the outcome (prediction) of student academic achievement, and student academic achievement and school culture will contribute to the outcome (prediction) of school ranking.