The purpose of this study was to assess job satisfaction of middle school principals in Virginia as measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). The primary question addressed by the study was: What is the general satisfaction level of middle school principals in Virginia as measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire? In addition to the primary question, three sub-questions were addressed by the study. They were: a) What is the general satisfaction level according to the demographic variables gender, age, degree, experience, school location, and school size? b) what is the satisfaction level for each of the 20 dimensions of the job measured by the MSQ? and c) what is the satisfaction level for the 20 dimensions of the job according to the demographic variables gender, age, degree, experience, school location, and school size? One hundred eighty-eight middle school principals in Virginia selected from the 1997-98 Virginia Educational Directory were surveyed with the Individual Data Sheet and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Demographic data pertaining to gender, age, experience, degree, school location, and school size were collected through use of the Individual Data Sheet. The 1967 Long-Form Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to measure job satisfaction. This instrument utilized a 20-dimension Likert-type scale with five response alternatives ranging from "Not Satisfied" (weighted 1) to "Extremely Satisfied" (weighted 5). On this scale, the general satisfaction score for the respondents resulted in a mean of 3.65 (SD= .57) indicating that these principals are "Satisfied" (3.00-3.99) with their jobs. According to the demographic variables, all general satisfaction scores were within the "Satisfied" range. The mean scores for the 20 dimensions ranged from "Slightly Satisfied" (2.00-2.99) to "Very Satisfied" (4.00-4.99). Compensation ranked the lowest in the hierarchy ( M=2.83, SD=.94), and Social Service ranked the highest ( M=4.19, SD= .73). Demographically, females were significantly more satisfied with Activity and Variety than males; younger and older principals were significantly more satisfied with Activity than middle aged principals; principals with educational specialist degrees were significantly more satisfied with Achievement than doctorate and masters principals; principals from suburban schools were significantly more satisfied with Compensation, Supervision, and Working Conditions than urban and rural principals, and principals at large schools were significantly more satisfied with General Satisfaction, Advancement, and Security than principals from small schools. Recommendations for further research included conducting a study of principal satisfaction and student performance; conduct a comparative investigation of elementary, middle and secondary principal satisfaction; investigate principal satisfaction and school size, and study job satisfaction of principals using the interview technique or an open-ended survey instrument. / Ed. D.

This report describes the plans for, implementation of, and results of a reading club program conducted at a middle school. This program was a modification of an unsuccessful one that was criticized by the staff and students for lack of structure and meaning. The literature supported the need for students taking time out of the school day for pleasure reading. Krashen (1993), Atwell (1998), and Irvin (1998) all have recommended that students should be permitted to read appropriate reading materials of their choice and that they should be provided with a wide range of materials from which to choose. Therefore, a revised club program, the Take Time To Read Club, designed to offer an alternative to pullout clubs, was agreed upon by a club revision committee. Three objectives were established. The 1st objective was to increase the amount of time students spent reading for pleasure. The 2nd objective was to improve the perception of the reading club program as measured by an 80% positive response rate to a faculty survey. The 3rd objective was to increase reading achievement levels by at least 5% as measured by Metropolitan Achievement Test and Grade 8 Early Warning Test (New Jersey State Department of Education, 1997) scores. None of the 3 objectives was completely realized as the result of this practicum. However, increases did occur in pleasure-reading times in instances when motivational factors were present. Also, teachers' positive perceptions did increase by 22% to 57%. There were slight increases in test scores in the 6th and 7th grades.

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Secondary choral directors often demonstrate a wide variety of organizational, instructional, and musical skills to promote and nurture thriving programs. Among the many tasks executed, choosing repertoire might be viewed as one of the most important duties performed. Material chosen for study is often the vehicle through which curricular concepts are taught. Multiple factors might influence middle school choral directors’ beliefs about repertoire choices. Ironically, repertoire choices might or might not reflect educators’ actual teaching philosophies; nevertheless, these decisions could influence student learning. This study surveyed a stratified random sampling of Texas middle school choral directors who participated in the 2010 University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-reading competition (n = 209). Seventy middle school choral directors participated in the study. Each director took an online survey and indicated the degree to which they agreed or disagreed with 14 statements concerning repertoire choice. Many of the belief statements showed teachers were overwhelmingly in concordance with their beliefs (92.9%). Results indicated that beliefs were similar, regardless of who chose the curriculum or the amount of discussion perceived in undergraduate training. The only belief statement that continually showed differences between teachers concerned students’ ability to vote on repertoire.

Physical inactivity is linked with several chronic disease. This study has a twofold purpose: first, to examine the effect bouncing feet on a band have on middle school student’s physical activity level. Secondly, to examine the relationship between fidget behavior and academic engagement. Sixth grade English classrooms (2) from a local middle school participated in the study. All students were issued a physical activity monitor to be worn on their, and during the intervention, an under-the-desk apparatus was provided to students to freely fidget. Total sedentary time increased during intervention. Use of under-the-desk band did not positively or negatively impact academic engagement. Final analysis included 19 participants. Significant increase in sedentary time and percentage of class spent in sedentary were found. As well as significant decrease in light time, percentage of light, percentage of moderate, percentage of vigorous. The use of an under-the-desk band does not negatively impact academic engagement.

Approximately one-third of all high school students in the United States fail to graduate. To address the problem of decreasing the dropout rate and subsequently increasing the graduation rate, the researcher looked at factors prior to high school that played a role in a student’s decision to drop out prior to completion. The purposes of this were to (1) investigate the published “best practices” literature pertaining to reducing student dropouts and (2) develop a model strategic plan for middle schools that would lead to improving graduation rates at the high school level. This project focuses on creating a model strategic plan for middle schools to help decrease the number of students dropping out of school prior to graduation. There are two research questions that guide the project. Key components of the model strategic plan are based upon best practices literature. These components include: student engagement, parental involvement, instructional strategies, teacher and student interaction, instructional strategies, interventions, gradual disengagement, special education, and response to intervention. This research project will help middle schools develop a specific plan that targets at-risk students and focuses on specific factors that cause a student to drop out of school. If used accurately, the plan will help high schools track at-risk students, which in the long run may increase graduation rates.

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The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences, educational and job related, that middle school assistant principals have received to prepare, and to become principals. In order to explore and describe those experiences provided by the middle school principals a phenomenological research design was used for this study. Those participants who were interviewed work in middle schools within Region V of the Virginia School University Partnership. This research project included two steps in data collection. The first step required the assistant principals to examine the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards (ISLLC), and indicate whether they had experienced those functions under each standard in one or more of three areas: principal preparation, job responsibility, and district professional development. The second parts of the study involved follow up interview questions for each in the participants. The findings of the study discuss that the standards are addressed and also how the assistant principals feel about their preparation and school district professional development. / Ed. D.