A comparative study of elementary character education programs and their levels of alignment to Florida state statute

Daniels, Margaret Cullen Florida Atlantic University 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

Since the shots rang out in Columbine, the call for the return of character education in our schools has been heard all across the United States. After the September 11th travesty, the call became a cry! Nearly every state across the nation is listening. In 2002 Florida legislators strengthened the 1999 character education legislation by mandating instruction of nine core ethical values: citizenship, cooperation, honesty, kindness, patriotism, respect, responsibility, self-control and tolerance. In 2005, the Florida Department of Education released a technical assistance paper to help Florida school districts assess their compliance to four requirements: correlation to sunshine state standards and benchmarks, inclusion of kindergarten through twelfth grade, correlation to all reading initiatives, and promotion of Florida's nine core ethical values. The purpose of this study was to determine: (a) the extent to which character education programs are in use by Florida school districts, (b) the extent to which the content of character education programs align with the content of popular character education programs used throughout the state of Florida, (c) the relationship between the cost and content of character education programs and (d) the extent to which Florida core ethical core values align with the core ethical values legislated across the country. Descriptive analysis showed that 40 states, including Florida, encourage character education instruction in legislation. In 19 of these states, current legislation mandates the instruction of specific core ethical values. Clearly, the state legislators who have mandated specific character education values within their character education legislation have put a sudden end, at least in their home states, to the debate over whose and what values should be embraced. Survey results showed that nearly all of the Florida school districts have begun the important work of character education in their schools. Results also identified the most popular-publisher produced character education programs used across the state. Using Florida's nine core values as the desired content for character education programs, the tables of content were assessed to determine program content. Content analysis showed that none of the programs identified in the 2002 statute align completely with the Florida character education legislation. Implementation cost of the most popular publisher produced character education programs varied between $450 and $5000 for every 500 elementary students. No significant correlation was discovered between cost and content of character education programs. Finally, to address cost factor and alignment requirement to preferred Florida traits, this study recommends that school districts develop an inexpensive homegrown character program similar to the one in Palm Beach County. The study also recommends that content analysis of character education legislation can be used to set the standard for character education instruction in any state across the country. With the standard in place, comparison of state legislation with popular character education programs can be determined. Moreover, this study informs educators everywhere of their right and responsibility to teach ethical values. Educators need not fear character education. In fact, they should be fearful if they do not begin the important work of educating for character.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of two community college baccalaureate programs in Florida: An exploratory study

Bemmel, Edwin P Florida Atlantic University 2008 해외공개박사

The purpose of this case study was to determine which, if any, alternative in delivering baccalaureate programs in the state of Florida was the most cost-effective one. This exploratory study focused on gaining an understanding of the cost effectiveness of two baccalaureate programs offered at a Florida community college to two like programs at a Florida university using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The researcher interviewed five community college and three State Department of Education administrators during the Fall of 2007 and analyzed expenditure and effectiveness data from 2003-04 through 2006-07 to determine the cost effectiveness for the programs at each institution. The study revealed that the university and community college programs were equally effective as measured by student graduation and test scores. The community college baccalaureate programs were more cost effective, however, using a formula of per-student state funding combined with student cost. The lower per-student funding and student tuition charged resulted in the community college baccalaureate being a less expensive alternative of offering baccalaureate degrees to the state and the students. Using Henry Levin's ingredients model of measuring cost effectiveness, the quantitative analysis of the study revealed that the university programs were more cost effective in the early years, but the differences diminished over time. Using Levin's model for comparison, the researcher concluded that increased growth in the enrollment of the programs combined with the implementation of effectiveness measures comparable to those of the university would render baccalaureate programs at the community colleges more cost effective. Conclusions based on the formula of state and student cost were based on factual data, while conclusions based on Levin's ingredients model were based on assumptions and estimates using a weighting factor along with an indirect cost rate for Proxim University. The study identified factors other than the cost effectiveness that could make the community college baccalaureate a more attractive alternative and concluded with recommendations for practice, policy, and future research. Differences in state and local laws, or economic, geographical, and environmental differences combined with the nature of this exploratory case study limit the generalizability of the results of this study.

Curricular integration in higher education: The development and implementation of an elementary education/English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) endorsement degree program at Florida Atlantic University

Pelaez, Gloria Maria Florida Atlantic University 2002 해외박사(DDOD)

The purpose of this paper is to share the design, development, and implementation of an Elementary Education/ESOL Endorsement integrated program which targets undergraduate students working towards a bachelor's degree and state certification in the State of Florida. This paper attempts to answer the following three research questions: (1) What is the need for an elementary education with built-in ESOL endorsement program in southeast Florida? (2) What theoretical framework was used to develop the program? and, (3) What are the design features of an elementary education plus ESOL integrated program? The findings show that there is a great need for an Elementary Education/ESOL endorsement program in southeast Florida.

Examining the governance and administration of public higher education in Florida: An exploratory study of organizational elite theory

O'Flannery, Jennifer Lunardini Florida Atlantic University 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

Who has power and control over education, one of the most treasured and significant values of American society? This study examines the presence of the elite power structure in higher education and how organizations are used as instruments of institutional power. The research questions consider the manner in which elites are involved in the policy process and governance, the reasons why elites are so involved in Florida's public higher education, and how elites convey and implement their priorities and values. An exploratory research approach examines the presence of Farazmand's (1994, 1999) concept of organizational elites by combining qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The findings support the research propositions. The reason for governance change builds on three factors throughout which power and control persist, a change in membership of the State Cabinet, the Governor's desire to be accountable for education policy, and a lack of confidence in the existing governance system. Trustees advocate for their university and education in general through alumni programs, fundraising, political affiliations, business and research partnerships, and other university and community college boards. Trustees are successful businesspeople, savvy politicians, and well connected to state political leaders. They recognize their collective assets as influence with the Florida legislature, bringing financial order and accountability, and increasing funding and resources. The existence of organizational elites and their effect are seen in several areas: lack of knowledge of trustee meetings and decisions; limited communications, a perceived disconnect between faculty and trustees, a budget process perceived as not being transparent, and a level of decision making at which most staff members are not participants. This study suggests boards work to enhance and improve their communication, outreach, professionalism, and faculty relations. Trustees, elected officials and state leaders must work to resolve the power and organization of the Board of Governors.

Changes in high school curricular offerings before and after the implementation of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)

Eyerman, Gina Chesser Florida Atlantic University 2002 해외박사(DDOD)

Changing the educational paradigm has been the focus of state legislatures in many states including Florida. Florida implemented a new version of a state-mandated test, which is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in 1998. A quantitative five-year study of secondary school curricular arrays was conducted to determine course scheduling trends before and after the implementation of the FCAT. Student enrollment was counted in specified courses for 23 comprehensive high schools in Broward County, Florida for two years before and three years after the implementation of the FCAT. Six contextual variables—dropout rate, ethnic makeup, scheduling platform, school grade, socioeconomic status, and stability rate—were used to determine their impact on the changes that occurred. The study found that student enrollment increased in English and math courses and decreased in remedial and vocational courses since the implementation of the FCAT. This research also found a significant inverse correlation between a stability factor and student enrollment in math courses. The stability factor is the percentage of students enrolled in the same school in October and February of a given school year. A linear regression of the contextual variables and the subject areas being studied found three significant relationships that could be used to predict course enrollment for the following year. The research found that math, social studies, and exceptional student education (ESE) English had a significant relationship with the contextual variables.

Soil of misfortune: Education, poverty, and race in a rural south Florida community

Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Florida Atlantic University 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

This dissertation addresses the structural components of education in the United States and how they have hindered the ability of a community's black and brown children to obtain the knowledge and resources needed to succeed and adapt to the changing circumstances of their region and beyond. It will do so through a case study of a small community in the American South, where the failure of education to provide access to the American dream has been clearly demonstrated in persistent poverty and lack of opportunity available to its residents. Belle Glade, Florida is a rural community centrally located within the Everglades Agricultural Area. Fifty years after the historic 1954 Brown vs. Board decision, which outlawed school segregation and the separate but equal claims of Plessy vs. Ferguson, little has changed in this poor rural community. This study shows that this community, rather than representing an isolated case, is reflective of many small non-metro communities of the American South. Though integration initially intended to balance the great disparity that existed between the schools for black children and schools for white children in regards to facilities, materials, and curriculum, in Belle Glade and throughout the South those same disparities still exist today. This study argues that current state education policies, modeled after the federal government's "No Child Left Behind Plan," are a veneer for a separate and unequal educational policy and practice in the state of Florida. It seeks to explore and document why this has occurred, and place this case study within the larger context of structural inequalities on the local, national and global levels. How is it that the "freest nation in the world" with the largest gross national product has yet to fulfill its most fundamental promise to this community---equal opportunity and access to quality education? Thus, this dissertation asks why regardless of the policies, plans, curricula and tests the district and state adopt, at times with the best of intentions, nothing seems to improve the conditions of these black citizens? More importantly, when these issues are addressed, who speaks, under what conditions and for whom?.

Literacy instruction, personnel, and governance in state-designated highest and lowest performing schools

Earley, Deborah L Florida Atlantic University 2002 해외박사(DDOD)

The A+ Plan for Education (A+ Plan), the basis of Florida's school accountability system, was instituted in 1999. Public schools are graded from highest (A) to lowest (F) based on student performance on the statewide assessment, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This study investigated the impact of the school grading policy of the A+ Plan on literacy instructional practices, personnel, and governance procedures between Florida public schools graded A and F. Twenty-six randomly selected schools from 15 school districts agreed to participate. Three groups of participants (N = 136) were associated with the participating schools: (1) Grades 3–10 classroom teachers who taught reading, writing, and/or language arts during the 2001–02 school year; (2) the principal for each school; and (3) the District Director of Curriculum or equivalent position. Teacher participants (<italic>n</italic> = 107) responded to the Literacy Instructional Practices Survey. This survey collected data concerning the frequency of use of instructional practices related to literacy in six composites: Instructional Groupings, Materials, Decoding Teaching Practices, Comprehension Teaching Practices, Writing Teaching Practices, and Classroom Activities. T-tests were employed to compare the Composite mean scores for the A and F school teacher participants (<italic>a</italic> = .05). Results revealed no significant differences in the types and frequency of literacy instructional practices between A and F schools. Responses to open-ended questions reported narrowing of curriculum to skills tested by the FCAT and principal expectations to teach to the test. Principal participants (<italic>n</italic> = 17) and district-level participants (<italic>n</italic> = 12) completed surveys concerning personnel and school governance practices. Descriptive analyses revealed that 50% of F schools employed Title I literacy teachers compared to 8% of A schools. All principals used informal classroom observation and student achievement on FCAT to evaluate literacy personnel performance. Collaboration among district staff, principals, and teachers concerning school governance decisions was reported. Findings of this study imply that factors other than the types and frequency of literacy instructional practices are affecting a school's grade. Also, high-stakes assessment is impacting curriculum and instruction at A and F schools. Recommendations are made for future research.

Perceptions of virtual learning teams at the university level

Oliver, Abigail Jean Florida Atlantic University 2002 해외박사(DDOD)

The purpose of this research study was to measure perceptions of the teaming process in distance learning courses. A survey instrument was adapted and developed based on the benchmarks found in a research study by the Institute of Higher Education Policy. Data was gathered from 100 students enrolled in an Internet-based (web-assisted, web-enhanced, or online) course in the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University. Results showed that the majority of respondents (n = 75 or 75%) were female, in the age range of 18–30 (n = 48 or 48%), were Caucasian American (n = 74 or 74%), were graduate students (n = 68 or 68%), had been using computers for 5+ years (n = 84 or 84%), had taken 1–2 Internet-based courses (n = 38 or 38%), and were taking the current course as an elective, as a requirement, and/or because it was convenient (n = 49 or 49%). A thematic analysis yielded three subscales, collaborative process, instructional design, and learning team process, for data analysis. The results of the study indicated that there are significant relationships between and among the subscales. Highly correlated variables in each of the subscales included the perception that communication with the professor should be facilitated through a variety of ways (M = 5.02), the perception that course materials should promote collaboration among class members (M = 4.56), and the perception that group work should include problem-solving activities to facilitate topic understanding (M = 4.66). Results from the survey questionnaire indicated that communication is crucial between professors and students. Course materials should be structured to promote collaboration among class participants, which in turn indicates how critical good instructional design is in the delivery of distance education courses. Activities that promote collaboration among students, such as problem-solving activities, should be considered in the course design and delivery so that teaming and collaboration occur. Research, interviews, and data analysis of the pilot study (field test) and final research study provided information for the development of the <italic> Virtual Learning Team Survey</italic>. This survey is designed to help develop effective and efficient distance education courses.

The effect of professional development experiences on National Board for Professional Teaching Standards candidates' scores in Florida

Warner, Kristen Lynne Florida Atlantic University 2002 해외박사(DDOD)

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification is one way in which teachers can demonstrate excellence in teaching. This study was conducted in order to examine the effect of the professional development experiences on overall scores on the assessment of candidates for National Board Certification<super> ®</super> in Florida. The study was conducted using the entire population of candidates in Florida (1,787) during the 2000–2001 assessment cycle. A survey was used to collect data from the candidates. Of the surveys sent, 62% were returned and used in the study. The survey included questions regarding the educational background, demographics, and professional development experiences of the teachers. To examine the effect of professional development experiences on the overall National Board Certification assessment scores, a multiple regression analysis was used. A predictive discriminant analysis was used to predict passing or non-passing group membership. The criterion variable used was the score on the National Board Certification assessment. Results indicated that professional development experiences coupled with background and demographics contributed significantly to a candidate's overall score. In the full model, controlling for all of the other variables in the model, holding an advanced degree in the field was found to contribute to the predictive accuracy of the model. Also, the number of hours preparing the portfolio and preparing for the assessment center also contributed to the predictive accuracy of the model. Bivariate correlations indicated that there was a positive correlation between candidates' overall scores and the number of hours of professional development. There was a positive correlation between the overall score and the amount of time preparing the portfolio entries and for the assessment center. The predictive accuracy of the full model for predicting passing and non-passing group membership was 58.7%. Tests of significance for the unique contribution of each subset of variables to the cross-validated classification accuracy of the full model were insignificant. Recommendations for further study include investigating professional development experiences by certification subject area, analyzing models of peer coaching and professional development and using a cognitive measure of ability as a predictor variable.

The effect of computer-assisted instruction on the reading skills of emergent readers

Barnett, Louise B Florida Atlantic University 2006 해외박사(DDOD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the reading skills of emergent readers in kindergarten classes at select Reading First schools in the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida. The reading software analyzed was Destination Reading (Riverdeep, 2001), used during the 2004-2005 school year. Comparisons were made between users of the program and nonusers. Comparisons were also made between English language learners who used or did not use the program, as well as Exceptional Education students who used or did not use it. Another factor analyzed was how teacher attitude toward the computer affected student reading achievement. This was established by survey responses. The measures used to compare treatment and non-treatment schools were the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), which tested letter naming ability, initial sound identification, phoneme segmentation ability, and nonsense word decoding. The Word Recognition and Reading Running Record assessments from the School District of Palm Beach County Reading and Writing Assessment System Grades K-1 protocol booklet tested identification of 25 sight words and ability to read continuous text. Students using Destination Reading (Riverdeep, 2001) did not benefit significantly from use of the program compared to nonusers. Only on the letter-naming measure was there a significant advantage for all students in the sample and the English language learner group. The CAI group scored significantly lower on the initial sound fluency measure. Word Recognition and Reading Running Record assessments showed no significant results. ESE students showed no significant advantage in having had supplemental computer-assisted instruction on any measures. Factorial ANOVAs were used to compare DIBELS scores for effectiveness of the treatment, pre- and posttest comparisons, and interaction of treatment with test scores for the CAI compared with the nonuser group. T distributions were used to analyze data from the Reading Running Record and Word Recognition assessments. There were no significant differences between the CAI and comparison schools on these two measures. Teacher attitude toward computers did not affect students' acquisition of reading skills, as survey responses were in the positive range for all participants.