Theses (Ed. D.)--Marshall University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains viii, 149 pages. Includes vitae. Bibliography: p. 124-132.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 179-186).

Thesis (PH.D.) -- Syracuse University, 2006 / "Publication number AAT 3241853."

<p> The purpose of this study was to analyze perceptions of Missouri public school administrators regarding twenty-first century learning skills in choice and innovative schools, and to report the research-based best practices those schools are using with students. For this study, qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire and then coded for analysis (Fraenkel et. al, 2014). The questionnaire, used to elicit information from 10 administrators of Missouri public schools housing a choice or innovation program, was the anchor of the research design. The results of this study indicated choice and innovative schools are incorporating a combination of current research-based practices in programming. The significance of this research is the reference, made available to educators, of current research-based practices being used to accommodate the changing needs of students in classrooms across the United States (Livingston, 2013).</p>

No description available.

<p> This study consisted of a mixed-methods comparative analysis of the implementation of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in public school districts in the state of Missouri. The researcher surveyed nine public school districts similar in demographics of socio-economic representation, free and reduced lunch percentage, and average daily fund expended to educate students. One district administrator responsible for the implementation of MTSS represented each school district. In the qualitative component of the study, the researcher utilized an original electronic survey to gather insights into the unique implementation path each district employed. Coding and analysis resulted in identification of themes, similarities, and differences. The researcher interviewed 2 state-level leaders integral in the design and implementation recommendations from a state-level perspective. Coding and analysis of interview responses resulted in identification of similarities and differences in state and district-level implementation of MTSS. The quantitative component of study included collection and analysis of secondary data obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education via the Missouri Comprehensive Data System. The researcher obtained and analyzed elementary achievement and student attendance data to determine a difference within districts with full and partial implementation of MTSS. Through analysis of the qualitative surveys and interviews, the researcher found unique implementation paths among the study districts. All nine study districts implemented differently and none utilized a recommended path or blueprint. District implementations varied from perceptions held among the state-level leaders interviewed. Through analysis of the quantitative component of the study, the researcher identified no difference in achievement and student attendance in districts deemed full implementation in comparison to partial implementation. The researcher recommended continued attention to successful implementation of MTSS at state and district levels. Future attention with focus on increased technical support and funding at the state level held the promise of prompt, appropriate supports to students who struggle in the academic, behavioral, and social skill areas.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to complete a mixed-methods comparative analysis of first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest to determine potential differences between students&rsquo; college satisfaction, retention factors, college selection, college experience, and deciding factors on attending college at private, public, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Primary Researcher believed that a students&rsquo; classifications (first-generation or non-first-generation) and the type of university that they chose to attend would yield different results in their overall college experiences. The Researcher conducted the study in different settings and did not compare by the type of university or the type of students who attended the universities. The previous research was conducted in different regions. The Primary Researcher was not able to find extensive then-current research on first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest. The results found did not show that being a first-generation or a non-first-generation student at a Historically Black College and University, public, or private university made a difference. The Primary Researcher found that overall, first-generation students had a more positive perception of their college experience than their non-first-generation peers.</p><p>

<p> This mixed-method research study examined the perceptions of kindergarten through third-grade teachers regarding the use of homework in their classrooms. Electronic surveys were sent to 190 kindergarten through third-grade teachers in seven school districts from five counties in Central Missouri. A total of 47 educators chose to respond to the open- and closed-ended questions. The results of this study showed most of the respondents believed in the benefits of homework for academic achievement. The quality and quantity of assigned homework were important characteristics for educators from both large and small school districts. The lack of parental support was considered one of the top three main barriers teachers expressed they faced when assigning homework tasks. Finally, the actual definition of homework was often confused among the educator respondents, which indicated further research defining homework and teacher expectations would be valuable to administrators, teachers, parents, and students.</p><p>

<p> Student retention in higher education is currently one area most colleges are looking to improve and build upon (Baer &amp; Norris, 2016). Higher education institutions in the United States have been under increased scrutiny from lawmakers and accrediting agencies to provide an affordable education for a diverse population for jobs in a highly technical economy (Boateng, Plopper, &amp; Keith, 2015; Slanger, Berg, Fisk, &amp; Hanson, 2015). Some colleges and universities are exploring programs to engage the modern student through the creation of learning communities, first-year programming, and interventions to bridge the gap of those students who are highly unlikely to persist to graduation (Alarcon &amp; Edwards, 2012; Selingo, 2015). This study focused on an all-male retention program in one private liberal arts college over an eight-year period where invasive interventions were introduced in year five in an effort to enhance the overall program. This quantitative study was designed to determine if there was (1) a difference in the grade point average between male, first-time freshmen who did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received specific invasive interventions; (2) a difference in the number of male, first-time freshmen who were removed from academic probation and did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received specific invasive interventions; and (3) a difference in retention rates of male, first-time freshmen who did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received interventions. Data obtained from the analyses were determined not statistically significant. Future studies should be designed to obtain additional information on what aids students retention, potentially using a mixed method approach. </p><p>

<p> Research has shown that both educators and prospective employers agreed that students needed more than just &lsquo;hard skills.&rsquo; Instead of focusing only on students meeting the academic requirements needed to graduate with a diploma, students also needed to work toward mastering social and emotional skills such as &lsquo;soft skills.&rsquo; This study consists of five parts; (i) seeking information from employers associated with the target school; (ii) seeking information from parents of students in the target school; (iii) the researcher crafted intervention for students based on the literature on soft skills, (iv) the researcher completed intervention in two area churches, and (v) assessment of the outcome of the intervention in terms of greater student awareness of the importance of soft-skills and ability with soft-skills in their interactions. </p><p> This qualitative study inquired: (1) What soft skills are sought by the employers associated with the target school in their new hires? (2) What soft skills are being consciously supported in the home of the students? (3) What evidence is there that the intervention devised was successful at developing useful soft skills in the student engaged in the intervention? </p><p>