Authoritarianism and Selected Trait Patterns of School Administrators: Seventeen Case Studies (open access)

Authoritarianism and Selected Trait Patterns of School Administrators: Seventeen Case Studies

This study was concerned with analyzing selected Texas school administrators in an attempt to locate intrapersonal patterns of (1) values, (2) leadership traits, (3) personality traits, (4) critical thinking ability, (5) perception, and authoritarianism. A second aspect was correlating these profiles with each other. The study had a threefold purpose. The first was to perform a detailed analysis of school administrators to determine selected intrapersonal patterns. The second was to determine possible relationships between these selected profiles. The third was to generate plausible hypotheses for testing the intrapersonal patterns found and for determining the magnitude of any existing relationships. The case studies revealed the uniqueness of each participant in this study. With the possible exception of one individual, certain weaknesses were evident in each of the participants. Canonical correlation and the Pearson correlation of D matrices determined that a relationship existed between many of the profiles. Eight hypotheses were presented at the close of the study as guides for additional research. The results of this study indicated that further research was justified in these particular areas. The results of this study indicated that intrapersonal patterns existed within school administrators and that these patterns or profiles are related. However, the determination …
Date: May 1971
Creator: Davis, Walter Newton
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of Two Extrinsic Incentives on the Classroom Success of Disadvantaged Middle-School Students (open access)

The Effects of Two Extrinsic Incentives on the Classroom Success of Disadvantaged Middle-School Students

This study tests the effectiveness of a program designed to use extrinsic incentives in improving the motivation of disadvantaged students to achieve academic success. This study seeks to determine whether the specific extrinsic rewards provided in the program actually improve the success of students on classroom tests. A secondary purpose of the study is to assess the extent to which that success, if achieved, becomes itself a reinforcement sufficient to maintain continued success in the classroom. Ignoring age and grade, students from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades were grouped by their skill level in mathematics and assigned to an individual teacher. The study was conducted during four consecutive two-week periods. Base-line data were obtained during the first two-week period of both experimental and control students under regular classroom conditions. Extrinsic incentives were applied to the experimental group during each of the following two-week periods and identical measures were taken during the same period of both the experimental and control groups. The analysis-of-covariance statistical treatment was used to compare changes on test success. The .05 level of confidence was held as the standard for statistical significance. Two extrinsic incentives, a free movie and a monetary reward, were employed to bring …
Date: August 1973
Creator: Ward, Gerald Wilson
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Two Models for Training Personnel for Teaching the Moderately and Severely Retarded (open access)

A Comparison of Two Models for Training Personnel for Teaching the Moderately and Severely Retarded

The problem of this study is the effect of two training models on personnel who teach moderately and severely retarded children. The subjects of this study were sixty-two staff members who work with the moderately and severely retarded pupils in two large metropolitan school systems. Eighteen teachers, eighteen aides, and twenty-six volunteers participated in the study. Two observation instruments administered by trained observers were used as pre- and post-tests to measure the trainees' competencies in applying operant conditioning techniques in both group and one-to-one instructional situations. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare the effectiveness of an experiential model and a didactic model in preparing personnel to deliver cues and reinforcers when working with moderately and severely retarded children; (2) to compare the costs of equipment and supervisory personnel; and (3) to examine the relationship between the trainees' effectiveness of delivering cues and reinforcers to a group of moderately and severely retarded youngsters and the on-task behavior of those students. This report concludes that the trainees' self-evaluation of the training models indicated that they prefer simulated techniques and feedback, which denotes that the Experiential Model may foster certain kinds of incidental learning such as physical mannerisms and visual …
Date: May 1978
Creator: Bower, Nancy Jo
System: The UNT Digital Library
Principal's Role Behavior and Administrative Performance as Perceived by Selected Teachers (open access)

Principal's Role Behavior and Administrative Performance as Perceived by Selected Teachers

This study was based on the assumption that classroom teachers were in an advantageous position to judge their principal's role behavior and their principal's administrative performance. The problem of this study was to determine whether or not significant differences existed between teachers' perceptions of their principal's role behavior; whether or not significant differences existed between teachers' perceptions of their principal's administrative performance; and whether or not there was any relationship between teachers' perceptions of their principal's role behavior and his administrative performance. The findings in this study led to the following conclusions: Factors such as sex, education level, teaching experience, school level, school size, and school district do not effect principal’s behavior or administrative performance. However, differences were found in teacher perceptions for teachers with 5 years or less of teaching experience, rural/urban school setting, principal’s sex don’t differ in their role behavior; differing instead in educational leadership ability. It is concluded that principals are least effective in the area of educational leadership when comparing the four areas of administrative decision-making, communications, general administrative behavior, and educational leadership. They are most effective in general administrative behavior. Principals, in general, tend to exhibit transactional behavior. The majority of teachers do not …
Date: December 1977
Creator: Nakornsri, Tinnakorn
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Due Process Appeal Cases Involving Professional Personnel Coming Before the State Commissioner of Education for the Period of Time 1970-1975 and the Impact of These Cases upon School District Operations in Texas (open access)

A Study of Due Process Appeal Cases Involving Professional Personnel Coming Before the State Commissioner of Education for the Period of Time 1970-1975 and the Impact of These Cases upon School District Operations in Texas

This study sought to review the due process appeal cases that came before the Texas State Commissioner of Education from 1970 to 1975 in order to determine the impact of the decision upon school districts' management and operation. Five purposes directed this study and are as follows: (a) to review the cases appealed to the State Commissioner from 1970 to 1975, (b) to develop a cross reference for cataloging these decisions, (c) to develop a handbook on reference materials for local administrative use, (d) to outline a special procedure for orderly due process, and (e) to determine the impact of these decisions rendered to concerning local school district policy. These five purposes were attained through a research design combining historical research methodology with survey research methodology. In conclusion, negligible impact was observed on school districts as a result of due process appeal cases. No school board changed policy as a result of the commissioner's decision. In summary, the five purposes were met. Attaining these five purposes produced the following, which are contained in the report: (a) a Cross-reference Matrix for cataloging decisions, (b) an Administrative Due Process Handbook containing case briefs, (c) a procedure for orderly due process, and (d) …
Date: May 1978
Creator: Koonce, Charles Michael
System: The UNT Digital Library
Crime Prevention and Drug Education: The Legislative Mandate and its Implementation by the Texas Education Agency and Nineteen Texas School Districts (open access)

Crime Prevention and Drug Education: The Legislative Mandate and its Implementation by the Texas Education Agency and Nineteen Texas School Districts

The problem of this study is to determine the extent to which the Texas Education Agency and selected school districts have implemented the legislative provisions of House Bill 467, enacted by the Sixty-First Texas Legislature. No hypothesis is advanced. The purpose of the study is twofold: first, it describes the sequential development of the crime prevention and drug education program by the Texas Education Agency as mandated through House Bill 467; and second, it determines the current status of the crime prevention and drug education program in selected school districts through the use of a semi-structured personal interview with the individual assigned primary responsibility for coordination of the program in each of the nineteen school districts included in the study. It is the further purpose of this study to determine principal and teacher perceptions toward twenty-two factors related to drug abuse among students. This was accomplished through the use of a perception survey mailed to a random sample of 1,184 teachers and all 149 principals within the nineteen school districts participating in the study. This procedure resulted in the return of usable surveys by 804 teachers and 119 principals.
Date: May 1974
Creator: Roberts, Ernest Larkin
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of the School Organizational Climate and the Principal's Leadership Behavior as Perceived by Secondary School Teachers in Bangkok, Thailand (open access)

A Study of the School Organizational Climate and the Principal's Leadership Behavior as Perceived by Secondary School Teachers in Bangkok, Thailand

The problem of this study was to determine teachers' perceptions of their school organizational climate, to determine teachers' perceptions of their principal's leadership behavior, and to ascertain the relationships between teachers' perceptions of school organizational climate and principal's leadership behavior. The study had three major purposes. The first was to determine teachers' perceptions of their school organizational climate as measured by the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire (OCDQ) across selected variables. The second was to determine teachers' perceptions of their principal's leadership behavior as measured by the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ) across selected variables. The third was to ascertain whether significant relationships existed between teachers' perceptions of school organizational climate and their principal's leadership behavior. Based on the analyses of data, the conclusions could be drawn that: 1. The school organizational climates as perceived by secondary school teachers tended to fall into the closed end of the open-closed climate continuum. It is interesting to note that teachers with more years of teaching experience perceived their school organizational climates as being open. 2. All of the teachers in this study perceived their principal as an effective leader. 3. There was a significant relationship between organizational climate and principal's leadership behavior; however, …
Date: May 1979
Creator: Deoisres, Sumeth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Superintendents' Perceptions Regarding a Minimum Competency Testing Framework in Texas (open access)

Superintendents' Perceptions Regarding a Minimum Competency Testing Framework in Texas

The problem of this study was to identify a minimum competency-testing framework for the state of Texas, based upon perceptions of superintendents of schools. Additionally, this study attempted to determine whether relationships existed between school district characteristics and the superintendents' perceptions of minimum competency testing. In summary, eight conclusions were reached with regard to minimum competency testing. Two implications have been presented which would direct the application of a minimum competency framework within the state of Texas. Finally, six recommendations have been made. Five recommendations dealt with additional studies, while one recommendation dealt with the Texas Education Agency's use of results from the five recommended studies.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Carnes, William F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of an Achievement Motivation Program on the Self-Concepts of Selected Ninth-Grade Students Representing Three Ethnic Groups (open access)

The Effects of an Achievement Motivation Program on the Self-Concepts of Selected Ninth-Grade Students Representing Three Ethnic Groups

The problem with which this investigation was concerned was that of determining the effects that an achievement motivation program had on changing the self-concepts and academic achievement among ninth-grade students in a triethnically mixed junior high school. The subjects for this study were ninth-grade students from a large southwestern city. The experimental program was conducted in a junior high school composed of Anglo, Mexican-American, and Negro students of approximately 30 per cent, 40 per cent, and 30 per cent ratios, respectively. The comparison school was an adjoining area with approximately the same ethnic mixture. In measuring changes in self-concept, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was used. Teacher-assigned grades converted to numerical equivalents were used in measuring changes in academic achievement. All hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of confidence by using two by three analysis of covariance. All data were entered on computer cards, using computer services of North Texas State University.
Date: December 1972
Creator: Allen, John G., 1925-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of Time-Lapse Scheduling on Mathematics Achievement (open access)

Effect of Time-Lapse Scheduling on Mathematics Achievement

The purposes of the study were to (a) determine whether there was a significant difference in the mathematics achievement of students which may be attributed to any of the nine variations in trimester scheduling during the two-year period, and (b) to analyze the implications of trimester scheduling as they apply to teachers, counselors, and administrators in the middle school program. On the basis of careful treatment and analysis of data collected to ascertain the effect of time-lapse scheduling on mathematics achievement in arithmetic computation, arithmetic concepts, and arithmetic applications, the following conclusions, limited to the population studied, were drawn: 1. None of the nine time-lapse schedules had a significant differential effect on mathematics achievement. 2. The results of this study may be generalized to include the high, middle, and low achievement segments of the target population of students in all middle schools in the school district of this study. 3. Middle school administrators and counselors may schedule students into any convenient sequence of courses without fear of relative detrimental consequences to mathematics achievement. 4. Teachers need not be concerned that "learning loss" in mathematics due to different time-lapse schedules of the students will require different amounts of review prior to …
Date: May 1977
Creator: Ross, John E., 1926-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Relationship of Self-Concept of Teachers in Selected Academic Areas to Their Students' Achievement (open access)

The Relationship of Self-Concept of Teachers in Selected Academic Areas to Their Students' Achievement

This study considered the problem of the relationship between the self-concept of selected teachers and the achievement of the pupils taught by these teachers. This study sought to determine if pupils of teachers with high selfconcept showed statistically significant higher achievement than pupils of teachers with low self-concept. A secondary purpose was to determine if there were any significant differences in self-concept between teachers from the various subject areas selected for this study. Ignoring age, I.Q., and level of achievement, pupils were assigned to their classes. Only pupils in the sixth and eighth grades were used in the study. They became a part of a research group by being in the Monday, first period class of one of the selected teachers. The study was conducted during a twenty-six week interval spanning part of the fall, all of the winter, and part of the spring quarters. The Tennessee Self Concept Scale was administered to the selected group of teachers in October to establish a measure of the teachers' self-concept. Data generated by this test were treated by simple analysis of variance. The Iowa Test of 3. In mathematics, the indication of this study was that pupils of teachers with low self-concept …
Date: May 1975
Creator: Boardman, Billie Bob
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Two Approaches Designed to Improve the Computational Skills of Pupils in Grades Five and Seven (open access)

A Comparison of Two Approaches Designed to Improve the Computational Skills of Pupils in Grades Five and Seven

The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the effect upon the arithmetic computation, concepts, and application skills of pupils when the regular instructional program in arithmetic at the fifth- and seventh-grade levels was supplemented with the Cyclo-Teacher (2) programmed materials; 2) to determine the effect upon the arithmetic computation, concepts, and application skills of pupils when the regular instructional program in arithmetic at the fifth- and seventh-grade levels was supplemented with the Mental Computation (6) materials.
Date: May 1973
Creator: Bailey, James Melton
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of House Bill 235 and Its Impact upon the Role of the High School Principal in Texas as Perceived by Selected Groups of Educators (open access)

A Study of House Bill 235 and Its Impact upon the Role of the High School Principal in Texas as Perceived by Selected Groups of Educators

The problem of this study was the investigation of the development of H.B. 235 and its impact upon the role of the high school principal in Texas, as perceived by high school principals, superintendents, and selected professors of educational administration. The purpose of the study was twofold. First, it analyzed the development and provisions of H.B. 235, and second, it tried to determine the impact of its implementation upon the role of the high school principal in Texas.
Date: May 1973
Creator: Chance, Scott Gene
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of the Per-Pupil Cost of a Nine-Month School Program vs. the 45-15 Continuous School Year Plan (open access)

An Analysis of the Per-Pupil Cost of a Nine-Month School Program vs. the 45-15 Continuous School Year Plan

The purposes of this investigation were (1) to examine the nine-month program and calculate a per-pupil cost, and (2) to evaluate a continuous-school-year program and calculate its per-pupil cost.
Date: May 1973
Creator: Slater, Clarence Gerald
System: The UNT Digital Library
A History of Public Education in the Town of Islip, New York (open access)

A History of Public Education in the Town of Islip, New York

The purposes of this study were, 1. To develop a documented history of the founding of the town of Islip. 2. To trace the development of public education within the town and to parallel this development with state-wide developments in the field.
Date: December 1971
Creator: Curran, Patrick J. T., 1931-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of the Texas Cooperative Student Teaching Program, 1970-72 (open access)

The Impact of the Texas Cooperative Student Teaching Program, 1970-72

The problem of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the cooperative agreement section of Senate Bill 8 and its impact on the student teaching program in Texas. The purposes of the study are (1) to analyze the data available from the Texas Education Agency concerning the cooperatively developed in-service improvement program for supervising teachers, (2) to survey the public school personnel charged with the responsibility of developing and implementing section three of Senate Bill 8 in order to determine the effectiveness of this bill, and (3) to interview college personnel who are involved in developing and implementing section three of Senate Bill 8.
Date: August 1972
Creator: Greer, Charles David
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of the Impact of Senate Bill 408 on a Selected Group of Texas Schools (open access)

A Survey of the Impact of Senate Bill 408 on a Selected Group of Texas Schools

The purposes of this study were (1) to review the development of SB 408, and (2) to analyze the impact of this action upon a selected group of public schools. The study involved a survey of the influence that provisions of SB 408 have had on the school program in terms of the following: (a) policy, (b) economy, (c) instructional program, and (d) management.
Date: August 1972
Creator: Kirkman, Marvin William
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of a System for Reporting Disciplinary Problems by Utilizing Data Processing (open access)

Development of a System for Reporting Disciplinary Problems by Utilizing Data Processing

The problem of this study was to develop and prepare a data processing system that would report, catalog, and file information pertaining to discipline of students referred to the principal. The purposes of the study were to develop a systematic approach to the reporting of disciplinary incidents, to develop a system of reports that could show what actions were being taken in specified areas and that could provide a cross reference of this information with other data, and to provide a system whereby information concerning disciplinary problems and actions taken could be compiled for a future longitudinal study.
Date: August 1973
Creator: Cowand, Keith Parker
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of Current Teacher Orientation Programs and Practices in Selected Texas Secondary Schools with Implications for Program Planning and Assessment (open access)

An Analysis of Current Teacher Orientation Programs and Practices in Selected Texas Secondary Schools with Implications for Program Planning and Assessment

The problem with which this study deals is that of describing and analyzing current new teacher orientation programs and practices in selected Texas secondary schools.
Date: August 1972
Creator: Sigler, Emory Alvin
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of the Effects of Attending a Human Relations Workshop on Teacher Anxiety Scores (open access)

A Study of the Effects of Attending a Human Relations Workshop on Teacher Anxiety Scores

The purposes of the study were: (1) to determine whether the experience of attending a human relations workshop produces a change in anxiety levels as measured by two instruments, the Janet Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Anxiety Scale (Omnibus Personality Inventory); (2) to compare the mean anxiety scores of the experimental treatment group and the control group using the variables of sex, teaching level, and years of experience in public school teaching; and (3) to determine the retention effect on anxiety over an intervening time span of four months for the experimental treatment group. The following are conclusions derived from this study: 1. Whatever effect the experience of attending a human relations workshop had, it cannot be measured by the Anxiety Scale (OPI) or the TMAS. 2. No segment of a school population will experience increased anxiety as a result of attending a Thiokol human relations workshop (1). 3. No significant changes in levels of teacher anxiety can be expected from attending a one-week human relations workshop with the possible exception of individuals with six or more years’ experience who did report lowered anxiety. 4. There is no longitudinal effect on levels of anxiety for teachers as a result …
Date: August 1975
Creator: Milling, Margaret E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Academic Performance and Selected School-Related Attitudes of Bused and Non-Bused White Students in Urban Elementary Schools (open access)

A Comparison of Academic Performance and Selected School-Related Attitudes of Bused and Non-Bused White Students in Urban Elementary Schools

This study reports on an investigation of the effects of busing on the academic performance and selected school-related attitudes of white fourth- and fifth-grade students in urban elementary schools. The 900 subjects of this study included 169 fourth-grade bused white students, 298 fourth-grade non-bused white students, 189 fifth-grade bused white students, and 264 fifth-grade non-bused white students, all assigned to desegregated schools. Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions were drawn. 1) When middle-class, white fourth-grade students are bused to desegregated schools similar to their neighborhood schools, they can be expected to sustain positive attitudes about school and self. 2) The achievement made by fourth-grade bused white students in desegregated schools can be anticipated to be equivalent to the achievement of non-bused white students in desegregated neighborhood schools. 3) When middle-class, white fifth-grade students are bused to desegregated schools similar to their neighborhood schools, they can be expected to sustain positive attitudes about school and self. 4) The achievement made by fifth-grade bused white students in desegregated schools can be anticipated to be equivalent to the achievement of non-bused white students in desegregated neighborhood schools. 5) The effects of busing on middle-class, white fourth- and fifth-grade students …
Date: May 1978
Creator: Ploeger, Ouida
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Responsibilities and Practices of Public Schools in Texas in Dealing with Religion (open access)

The Responsibilities and Practices of Public Schools in Texas in Dealing with Religion

The problem of this study was to determine legal, moral, and social responsibilities and practices of the Texas public school system in dealing with religion. The purposes of the study were (1) to determine the impact of state and federal judicial decisions on religious practices in schools, (2) to review the historical background for trends of religious practices in the public schools of Texas, (3) to determine the social and professional influence on religious practices in public schools, and (4) to survey current religious practices from a select sample of public schools in Texas to determine if schools were basically sectarian. The following conclusions are inferred: I. It is not the intention of the Supreme Court of the United States to deny the existence of a Supreme Being, but rather its intention is to assure each individual freedom from any form of an established religion. 2. School policies do not delineate the role of religion in public school, 3. Through careful planning, progress could be made in developing policies for a study of religion which will complement, not supplement, the religious teachings of the home and of the church. 4. There are many opportunities for public schools to provide religious …
Date: August 1975
Creator: Andrews, Charles J. (Charles Jebez)
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Assessment of Attitudes, Self-Concept, and Mathematical Achievement Resulting from the Use of Minicalculators (open access)

An Assessment of Attitudes, Self-Concept, and Mathematical Achievement Resulting from the Use of Minicalculators

The findings of this investigation support the following conclusions. 1. The review of published research reports yielded conflicting conclusions as to the value of using minicalculators in teaching mathematics to students. 2. The use of minicalculators does not improve a student's mathematical achievement as measured by the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills. 3. The use of minicalculators does not improve a student's attitude as measured by the Likert-Tye Attitude Scale. 4. The use of minicalculators does not improve a student's self-esteem as measured by the Self-Esteem Inventory. 5. There is no significant difference in attitude, selfesteem or mathematical achievement between boys and girls in the area of mathematics.
Date: December 1978
Creator: Fugate, Barbara Riley
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of Chisanbop on the Mathematics Achievement of Selected Elementary School Students (open access)

The Effects of Chisanbop on the Mathematics Achievement of Selected Elementary School Students

The problem of this study was to determine if the mathematics achievement of selected second and third grade students is significantly improved by having had instruction in the Chisanbop technique. The purposes of this study were as follows: 1. To determine if the Chisanbop technique, when used in conjunction with a regular program of instruction, can significantly improve the mathematics performance of selected second and third grade students. 2. To determine if instruction by the Chisanbop technique is more effective with above average academic, average academic, or below average academic second and third grade students in improving mathematics performance. 3. To extend the body of knowledge with regard to the teaching of mathematics at the elementary school level.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Horany, Ernest Edward
System: The UNT Digital Library