Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-130).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-130). Also available on the Internet.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The Edmonton Arts and Youth Feasibility Study was conducted as a result of the question being asked "Can a structured art program be run with youth in conflict with the law?" It was a three month, arts-based, targeted prevention program run in an already existing drop-in centre for delinquent youth. This article reports on the qualitative findings of in-depth interviews conducted with the key stakeholders: participating adolescents (aged 14-19 years), lead artists, research assistants, and site directors. Findings suggest that the art curriculum, the strong relationships built, and the gains made were all strengths of the program. These gains include the acquisition of art skills, social skills and an improved ability to problem solve. Findings from this study also suggest the need for future research, including outcome studies and a program evaluation.

Beck's cognitive diathesis-stress theory has generated much research into the etiology of depression. Central to the theory are depressogenic schemata that interact with stressors, resulting in increases in depressive symptomatology. These schemata are commonly assessed using the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). Importantly, the DAS was not designed for use in children---it has been validated with adults and contains advanced language. Thus, the Child and Adolescent Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (CADAS) was developed. / Study 1 sought to psychometrically validate the CADAS. 453 children completed the CADAS item pool and measures assessing divergent validity. The CADAS was readministered 3 weeks later. Items were retained based on item-total correlations, internal consistency, and factor analyses. The finalized CADAS is a 22-item self-report measure with a unidimensional factor structure and sound psychometric properties. / Study 2 tested Beck's theory using the CADAS to assess depressogenic schemata as a vulnerability factor for depression. An independent sample of 241 children completed the CADAS and a measure of depression one week before receiving school report cards (Time 1). The morning after receiving reports (Time 2), stress was assessed by obtaining parents' reactions to reports, and with an index of children's subjective acceptable grades compared to actual grades. Five days later (Time 3), depression was reassessed. / As hypothesized, regression analyses collapsing across age revealed that Time 1 CADAS interacted with Time 2 parental stress to predict changes in depression from Times 1 to 3. High-CADAS children showed greater increases in depression relative to low-CADAS children when facing the stress of parental anger and disappointment regarding their grades. Consistent with cognitive-developmental theory, planned supplemental analyses indicated that the CADAS x stress interaction predicted depressive changes only in older, formal-operational children. The relationship between the CADAS x stress interaction and depressive changes was mediated by negative views of the self, but not by views of the world or of the future. / This work yields a measure of depressogenic schemata in school-aged children that further contributes to understanding their etiology of depression. These schemata, together with negative views of oneself, may be important targets for modification in the cognitive therapy of childhood depression.

The success of small schools in maintaining higher graduation rates has been well documented (Schneider, 2002; Cotton, 1996; Raywid, 1996). This researcher investigated the effectiveness of a small school strategy implemented in a large school setting through the school-within-a school model for reducing the dropout rate, specifically as investigated through an Indiana high school's freshman academy for at-risk students, as an effective intervention for reducing the dropout rate. Data from Goshen High Schools' graduation rates of selected cohorts from the classes 2006 and 2007 were obtained for evaluating the school-within-a-school model as an effective intervention for reducing the dropout rate.Quasi-experimental research was completed with a comparison group of at-risk students and an intervention group of at-risk students who had the advantage of the freshman academy intervention. Five hypotheses were proposed. T-tests were completed on the at-risk indicators of student attendance, credits earned in ninth grade, and disciplinary referrals. Chi-square tests were conducted comparing cohort data on the graduation rate and the pass rate for the Graduation Qualifying Exam. Findings from a t-test indicated the school-within-school model of freshman academy was statistically significant in increased credits earned.The literature review compiled research on the high school dropout problem, problems in gathering accurate data figures on dropouts or graduation rate, the role of NoChild Left Behind (NCLB) on graduation rate accountability, factors identifying students at-risk for dropout intervention (attendance, disciplinary referrals, and grade retention), and research on the school-within-school structural reform.The sample for this study was selected from two cohorts of students based on eighth grade failure on the Indiana Standards Test of Educational Progress. Seventy-five students from the future classes of 2006 and 2007 were identified as students at-risk of academic failure.Student data collected from these cohorts indicated positive trends on absence, disciplinary referrals, and graduation rate. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of credits earned. Recommendations for continuing the school-within school intervention with a distinct identity were discussed. A call for future research on the school-within-school model included ideas for qualitative study, research on a larger scale or over several years of graduating cohorts. / Department of Educational Leadership

We know that education can be an arduous process. Countries use different approaches based on societal acceptances, but effective education always requires enormous efforts. Whether success is achieved, depends on the development of a rigorous and progressive curriculum, while at the same time providing all students the opportunity to learn” (Ravitch, 2010, p. 225). The purpose of this study was to analyze the success at which web-based curriculum is being utilized to meet the needs of at-risk students by providing them with the opportunity to recover lost credit as a means to keep them on the path to high school graduation. The institutions studied were select institutions that are identified by the Indiana Department of Education as recognized alternative education providers as well as select known public school corporations, in East Central Indiana, who are using web-based curriculum credit recovery programs. This researcher investigated the effectiveness of this credit recovery strategy as a tool to improve academic achievement and ultimately high school graduation. Additional information was sought on the challenges experienced in terms of support from the key stakeholders in breaking way from a traditional school setting when addressing the needs of students who are in jeopardy of failing to graduate. Data was obtained from the Indiana Department of Education and looked at graduation rates, dropout rates, as well as End of Course Assessment results. A survey was distributed to the survey population in an effort to gather a deeper understanding of the successes and failures schools were experiencing in an effort to break away from the status quo, leverage the advances of modern technology in an effort to provide students with multiple opportunities to realize academic success. The literature review compiled research on the current opinions for the utilization of web-based curriculum programs, the national attention being directed at public education as a key element in the economic slump of the American economy, and the economic impact on local and national economies for students who do not complete high school. Student achievement data collected from the survey population revealed positive trends on graduation rates, dropout rates, and performance on the Algebra I and English 10 End of Course Assessment. Recommendations for positive implementation of web-based credit recovery programming were discussed. Future research on this subject was recommended and ideas included a possible longitudinal study on a select group of at-risk students to identify strengths and weaknesses of this type of program. / Department of Educational Leadership

The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether sports in which boys participated spontaneously (i.e., not organized as a treatment) could be associated with the retrenchment of later adolescent delinquent behaviours. The objectives of this particular investigation were to: (i) observe how this participation might alter a negative behavioural developmental trajectory; and (ii) study the possible effects of transition in sports activity (i.e., increases or decreases in participation in sports from year to year) on current and later risk for delinquency. / This investigation utilized data obtained from the Montreal Longitudinal-Experimental Study of Boys which started in 1984 when the boys were six years old. Seven-hundred-eleven of the subjects met the inclusion criteria necessary to participate in the present study. Each year, from 1989 (age 11) to 1995 (age 17) the subjects were asked to complete the Self-Report-Delinquency questionnaire, a 27-item scale detailing their involvement in antisocial behaviour over the previous 12-month period. The scores of four of these years were retained for study; namely, those for 1989 (age 11), 1991 (age 13), 1993 (age 15), 1995 (age 17). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xiii, 222 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm. +

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 224-255). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xi, 255 leaves, bound 29 cm