This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of the Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success (CHAMPS)/Life Skills program at the University of North Texas, as perceived by the student athletes who participate or participated in this program. The study attempts to measure the extent to which the student athletes feel that the program had value; if they received helpful information to support them through their college career to career transition; if the student athletes felt that the program provided them with skills to encourage better self-esteem; and if they believed that the CHAMPS/Life Skills program provided them with leadership and character education. The study, conducted in the Fall of 2003, had 163 respondents. An instrument was developed to determine student athletes' perceptions of the effectiveness of the CHAMPS/Life Skills program at UNT. The instrument consisted of 30 questions using a Likert-type scale. A Mann-Whitney U, a non-parametric t-Test, was utilized to analyze the data. This type of t-Test was used because it is specifically designed to compare the means of the same variable with two different groups and account for non-homogeneous groups. The lack of homogeneity was very likely influenced by the unequal group sizes. Generally, all aspects of the …

This research was encouraged by the tremendous demand for teachers. Two million new teachers will be needed in the United States over the next decade. The teacher shortage has school administration, school boards, education agencies, and institutions of higher education investigating how to train and retain more teachers. Alternative certification programs have been developed to address the teacher shortage. This study examined the effectiveness of traditionally and alternatively certified teachers in two separate programs with regard to their self-efficacy, perception of their training, and their ExCET scores. Traditional candidates (10) and alternative candidates (74) were examined using survey research. According to this data on self-efficacy, perception of training, and ExCET passing rates, there is no significant difference between those teachers who receive traditional training and those who are trained in alternative certification programs.

The purpose of this study was to (1) gather information regarding knowledge of TAAS and perceptions (attitudes) about TAAS (excluding the current battery of End of Course Tests) from teachers and administrators; (2) relate teacher and administrator knowledge and perceptions of the test to student test performance as reported in the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Reports. Answers to the following questions were sought: 1. To what extent do teachers and administrators possess different levels of knowledge regarding TAAS, and different attitudes toward TAAS about its purpose and usefulness? 2. Are differences in teacher and administrator knowledge of TAAS related to student performance? 3. Are differences in teacher and administrator attitude toward TAAS related to student performance? Information was collected, by means of a twenty-six-item survey measuring teacher and administrator knowledge and attitude toward TAAS. The selected schools were chosen from schools rated as either exemplary or low performing by the state accountability system. The data were examined using Descriptive Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). ANOVA was performed to determine if a significant variance existed between the responses of teachers and administrators and also between exemplary and lowperforming schools. Exemplary and low performing schools …

This study explores beliefs and practices about standards of quality in Texas public prekindergartens as viewed from various perspectives, including prekindergarten teachers, administrators of prekindergarten programs, and families of prekindergarten students. These beliefs and practices are compared with widely-accepted national standards of quality for preschool programs.

Research questions addressed whether (1) the instruction was effective, (2) performance on persuasive tasks differed by grade level following instruction, (3) performance on persuasive tasks differed by Piagetian developmental level following instruction, and (4) whether performance differed between monolingual and bilingual subjects. Students wrote four persuasive compositions for assessment, two before instruction was administered and two after instruction. Knudson's holistic scoring rubric was used to evaluate essays for overall quality. Other measures of writing were evaluated including the number of words students used in their writing, the number of reasons included in the essay, the number of reasons per hundred words, and whether the paper had a conclusion or not. Further, the number of elaborations used in the paper was determined, as well as the number of elaborations per hundred words, and the ratio of the number of words used in elaborations compared with the total number of words in the composition.

The purpose of this research was to identify the motives and use of language of William Sloane Coffin, Jr., president of SANE/FREEZE organization. The rhetorical elements of his peace speeches between the years 1978-1988 were analyzed using Kenneth Burke's dramatistic pentad as a method of analysis.

The problem of this study was to describe and compare the relationship of learning style and leadership style upon the selection of instructional strategies by nursing educators in associate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs. Data were collected using Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, Hersey and Blanchard's Leader Effectiveness and Adaptability Description, a researcher-developed Instructional Strategies Inventory, and the Personal Data Form. It was found that leadership style was highly correlated between the associate degree and baccalaureate degree faculty groups. More of the associate degree faculty members had basic leadership styles of Low Relationship/Low Task and High Task/Low Relationship. Most of the baccalaureate faculty members had Low Relationship/Low Task leadership styles. The following conclusions were developed: (a) Nursing faculty in associate and baccalaureate degree programs have similar learning and leadership styles; (b) nursing faculty tend to use the traditional instructional strategies such as lecture, discussion, and case studies at the same frequency of use? and (c) the selection of instructional strategies in nursing education may be affected by variables other than the instructor's learning and leadership styles. In view of the findings of this study, the following recommendations for further study appear to be warranted, (a) Further research should be conducted to …

When selecting a method for testing variance equality, a researcher should select a method which is robust to distribution non-normality and dissimilarity. The method should also possess sufficient power to ascertain departures from the equal variance hypothesis. This Monte Carlo study examined the robustness and power of five tests of variance equality under specific conditions. The tests examined included one procedure proposed by O'Brien (1978), two by O'Brien (1979), and two by Conover, Johnson, and Johnson (1981). Specific conditions included assorted combinations of the following factors: k=2 and k=3 groups, normal and non-normal distributional forms, similar and dissimilar distributional forms, and equal and unequal sample sizes. Under the k=2 group condition, a total of 180 combinations were examined. A total of 54 combinations were examined under the k=3 group condition. The Type I error rates and statistical power estimates were based upon 1000 replications in each combination examined. Results of this study suggest that when sample sizes are relatively large, all five procedures are robust to distribution non-normality and dissimilarity, as well as being sufficiently powerful.

This qualitative study was conducted in a large north Texas school district. The subjects were four elementary teachers who had previously attended a summer aerospace education workshop. The researcher observed in each classroom during science instruction and other areas where aerospace concepts might be taught to determine material usage, practices, and perceptions associated with teaching aerospace. The teachers' lesson planbooks, textbooks, and supplementary materials were also examined by the researcher. Interviews were conducted with each teacher's principal and the district science coordinator to determine their effects on the practices and perceptions of the subjects.

The problem of this study was to seek a goodness-of-fit index to compare covariance structure matrices based on the distribution of the mean of the logarithms of the eigenvalues.

The problem with which this study was concerned was that of measuring and examining the level of job satisfaction among Texas high school band directors. The specific methodology included a quantitative comparison through confirmatory factor analysis of the factor structures of the sample of 109 Texas high school band directors and the norming population of 1460 industrial workers. There were two purposes for conducting the study. First, the relationships between an assortment of demographic variables and measured job satisfaction were examined. The second purpose was to measure the degree of fit of the Frederick Herzberg Dual-Factor Theory to the factor structure of the sample. Correlation, t ratio, and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare the demographic variables with measured job satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis through LISREL was used to examine and compare factor structures. Job satisfaction was measured with the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire which was developed and tested through the Work Adjustment Project, Industrial Relations Center at the University of Minnesota. The twenty-item short-form retained the general reliability and validity measures of the 100-item long form. The Demographic Data Sheet is a researcher-constructed document used to gather data for use in classifying respondents by educational background, school classification, …

This study investigated the relation of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) for learning disabled (LD) children, the relation of K-ABC Achievement subtests with other achievement tests, and the relation of verbal and perceptual abilities assessment and the K-ABC. One hundred white, middle to above socioeconomic status (SES), LD students 6 to 12 1/2 years old were administered the K-ABC in addition to the test battery used to identify them. Findings indicated significant differences (2<-01) between WISC-R Full Scale scores and KABC MPC scores, with MPC scores being 3.33 points lower. Significant correlations (2<-01) were found between the following: (a) WISC-R Performance scores and K-ABC Simultaneous scores, (b) K-ABC Sequential and Simultaneous scores, (c) WISC-R Performance and K-ABC Sequential scores, (d) K-ABC Arithmetic and WRAT Arithmetic, and (e) K-ABC Reading Understanding and the following: Woodcock Word Identification, Woodcock Passage Comprehension, WRAT Reading, and Durrell Silent Reading. The study found the MPC correlates higher with tests of perceptual ability than with tests of verbal ability. Results indicate the following: (a) the WISC-R and K-ABC can substitute each other when measuring overall intelligence, (b) the WISC-R and K-ABC do not measure …

This study addresses these questions: (1) What is the relationship between secondary school principals' job satisfaction and their ages, educational level, salary, and years of experience on the job, size of school, and location of school? and (2) What is the relationship between two instruments that measure job satisfaction--The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and The Job in General (JIG).

This study was conducted to determine the administrative functions that community college academic administrators perform with microcomputers; to identify demographic characteristics that distinguish administrators who rate their overall use of the microcomputer higher than others; to ascertain whether the importance placed on (1) microcomputer uses, (2) computer training, and (3) non-training conditions affecting computer use differed from the perceived current uses, training, and adequacy of conditions. Data for this study were collected through a survey instrument that was devised and evaluated for use in the study. The survey instrument was delivered during the fall, 1984 semester to the forty—two division chairs serving at the seven colleges that comprise the Dallas County Community College District. Thirty five division chairs responded to the survey for an 83.33 per cent return rate, and thirty-four of the survey forms returned were useable for analysis.

The primary purpose of this study was the development of a model graduate program leading to a master's degree in physical education which could be used in Thailand and provide suitable guidelines for Thai colleges and universities interested in establishing such a program. A secondary purpose was to develop a systematic approach for student admission and a retention plan which would be compatible with the current trends and administration of higher education in Thailand. Following a review of the literature that included the history of general education, higher education, and physical education in Thailand as well as graduate study in physical education in the United States, a research instrument was devised to elicit responses from chairpersons of physical education departments in 156 U.S. institutions of higher learning and from a professional panel of five physical educators in Thailand concerning four aspects of master's degree programs in physical education: patterns and organization, curricular concepts, admission and retention requirements, and core course requirements. The return rate for the chairpersons surveyed in the United States was 85 per cent. The responses received from the U.S. and Thai professionals revealed a consensus between the two groups with regard to a number of the items …

The problem of incest is beginning to receive a recognition and research attention long overdue. Becoming more evident is the prevalence and far reaching effects of incest. Currently, little distinction is made between the treatment approach for males and females, yet research indicates differences between the two sexes. This study explores possible differences between male and female incest victims in (1) their moral ethic, (2) their self-definition, (3) the basis from which they felt compelled to comply with the incestuous abuse, (4) the reasons they believed the sexual abuse was right or wrong, (5) the reasons for telling someone or keeping the incest a secret, (6) how they decided whether or not they made the right choice, (7) the manner in which they have changed since the abuse began, (8) the content and degree of their own guilt and/or lowered esteem, and (9) the ideas they have of changes which could have prevented the abuse.

The problem with which this study is concerned is the inclusion of actual critical care experience in generic nursing curricula in the United States. A survey instrument was sent to faculty representatives selected by the dean of each of 312 generic baccalaureate nursing programs.

This study investigated the factors related to the delivery of health care services by school nurses. The purposes of the study were divided into three categories. The first was the nurses' identification of the handicapping conditions of children in their caseloads and their perceptions of the children's health problems. The second involved data about the nurses' educational background and preparation they felt as useful in their work with children with handicaps; data on barriers which limit or prevent nursing care of these children was also solicited. Third, information was sought about future plans of nurses for obtaining more education, barriers perceived which hindered their plans, and special considerations in program planning that would facilitate their educational goals. Institutional guidelines were written based on findings of the study and the review of literature.

The teacher of the emotionally disturbed student must provide an educational setting for pupils unable, or unwilling, to appropriately interact within the regular educational setting. The teacher, ultimately, decides classroom scheduling, academic experiences, social interactions and order of the room. In short, teaching style and the teaching personality shape the learning environment. Style of teaching is evidenced by the management techniques utilized within the classroom. The purpose of this study is to determine if differences exist in the classroom management techniques employed by educators of emotionally disturbed children and youth assigned to (a) resource rooms in the public school setting, (b) self-contained classrooms in the public school setting, and (c) residential treatment centers as determined by the Classroom Management Profile (Bullock & Zagar, 1980).

Ten experimental and 10 control subjects in elementary special education were exposed to a semester of contingency management procedures for up to 6 1/2 hours per day. The experimental group was taught by teachers who were exceptionally well trained and qualified behavior analysts, while the control group was instructed by teachers with varying degrees of expertise in behavioral techniques. Both groups were given the Bender Gestalt as a pretest and posttest to determine the effect of such treatment on the diagnostic indicators of "acting out" tendencies. Furthermore, the rate of actual "acting out" was measured for all subjects by counting the number of verbal corrections resulting in placement in time out and/ or warning of forthcoming time out during 20 class days of baseline and the last 20 days of treatment.

The problem of this study was to determine the extent to which instructors perceived visual media as being valuable in achieving their classroom objectives in predominantly black, state-supported colleges and universities in the State of Louisiana. Questionnaires were mailed to 165 college and university instructors in colleges of education in predominantly black state-supported universities in Louisiana. Of the 165 questionnaires mailed, 139 were returned. All participants used in the study were teaching at least one course in education during the time the questionnaire was administered. The study is descriptive. The data were collected by means of a questionnaire, and analyzed by percentages, means, and standard deviations. One-way analysis of variance was used to test the differences in attitudes among the faculty members in the study. The level of significance was set at .05.

The purpose of this study was to develop a standard instrument for determining the basic elements to be contained in a state of national long-range plan for higher education and to utilize that instrument in evaluating the current planning efforts in Nigeria. In order to fulfill the purpose of the study, answers were sought to seven research questions and procedures were worked out for ten experts in higher-education planning to validate criteria statements about the major elements of a model long-range plan for higher education in a political unit. The findings of this study appear to warrant the conclusions that (1) state or national plans for higher education contain similar major elements and have certain underlying assumptions, (2) long-range planning documents can be evaluated using established criteria, (3) Nigerian planning for higher education has been somewhat systematic but lacks thoroughness, and (4) Nigerian planning for higher education can be strengthened and improved if future planning activities more closely meet established criteria of the model used in this study. Recommendations are offered which could strengthen the existing plan and aid future planning exercises in Nigeria.

This investigation examines the differences in perception of the role of staff-development trainer in organizations, a role identified as an emerging occupation, held by three professional groups. The focus is on sources of stress and strain in the job performance of the trainer. Purposes of the study are (1) to collect data from three coworker groups, administrators, directors of nursing, and trainers relative to the role of the trainer, (2) to examine differences in perception between the groups, (3) to examine the differences as potential sources of stress when viewed from the perspective of role theory, and (4) to delineate the role. This study indicates that knowledge about behavioral sciences and skill at interpersonal communications are important areas in both background and in personal qualities needed. Nurses and trainers widely perceive a lack of commitment to training by administrators. This relates to sources of strain in the role of trainer. There is a generally held expectation in the field that the role will grow in importance and scope.

The problem of this study was to determine the perceived competencies needed by supervisors in order to supervise instruction conducted by part-time instructors in a junior/community college setting. The study was conducted in three phases. The purpose of phase one of the study was to determine the areas of responsibility and tasks which are appropriately delegated to the supervisors of part-time instructors. To accomplish this purpose, areas of responsibility and tasks were drawn from job descriptions for the position of supervisor of part-time instructors in the Dallas County Community College District. The areas of responsibility and tasks were reworded by the investigator to serve as items in a questionnaire to which participants in the First National Conference on Part-time Instructors in the Community College were asked to respond. Means and standard deviations were determined for each group in relation to each competency statement for both importance and adequacy. All 134 competency statements listed in the questionnaire were rated by all groups as important. All but four of the competencies were rated by all groups as adequately performed by present supervisors. A list of seven competencies which were deemed very important (mean score of 4.50 or more) was presented.