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Test-Retest Reliability and Internal Consistency of Childhood Measures of Psychological Development in Adolescents with Developmental Disorders
Get PDFIntroduction: Neurodevelopmental disabilities have been increasing over time, therefore there is an amplified need for psychometrically sound measures of psychosocial well-being to assist in proper diagnosis and treatment planning. This study aimed to evaluate the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of six measures of psychosocial well-being in a group of adolescents diagnosed with developmental disorders. Methods: Thirty-five adolescent students’ ages 14 to 22 with developmental disabilities, 35 parents, and 3 teachers anwered surveys measuring psychosocial well-being. Test-retest reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient, and internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s α. Results: The total scores of the Asher Loneliness Scale (ICC = .73, Cronbach’s α = .75), Fear Survey Scheduled for Children-Revised (ICC = .85, Cronbach’s α = .97), Multidimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale (ICC = .78, Cronbach’s α = .82), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, parent version (ICC = .88, Cronbach’s α = .78), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, teacher version (ICC = .70, Cronbach’s α = .86), and the Student Teacher relationship Scale (ICC = .88, Cronbach’s α = .86) produced adequate test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Results for the Academic Performance Scale were inconsistent (ICC = 1.00, Cronbach’s α = .58). Conclusion: The results of this study can guide clinicians in selecting reliable psychosocial measures for their clients diagnosed with developmental disabilities. However, caution must be taken when interpreting these results as the specific developmental disability was unknown. Although there are many commonalities, there are also many differences between each disorder that were not examined in this study
Enhancing Teacher Education and Community Learning Center Programs through Critical Participatory Action Research
Get PDFThis paper describes the impact of using Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR) to enhance a campus-community partnership. The key stakeholders, who are also the participants, share how learning from the reflective journals, collaborative sessions, and interview data analysis transformed their practice. The collaborative partnership was designed to allow prospective teachers from a School of Education at a U.S. liberal arts college the opportunity to teach Diverse language learners (DLLs) who were attending a summer program at a nearby community learning center. The teacher educators responsible for teaching the prospective teachers, the director of the community learning center, and a student researcher joined the project as collaborative participant researchers. Together they analyzed the data collected from various participating groups which included their own work and reflections, as well as those of the prospective teachers and prevention specialists who were employed by the community learning center. The findings from this study revealed that all participants benefited from the campus-community partnership because it was built on trust, mutual respect, reciprocity, and the use of shared language among key stakeholders. This CPAR project provides specific ideas and steps implemented to develop a well-functioning and reflective partnership between a community learning center and a local college. Examples of the specific praxis involved in such partnerships are often absent from the literature
An Evaluation Of A Stem Magnet Program That Utilizes Project-Based Learning To Improve Student Achievement
Get PDFThis evaluation of a secondary level STEM Magnet program that implements Project Based Learning (PBL) analyzes three areas of study, Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Game Design and the relationship to student achievement. The three areas of study provide the platform for a STEM-PBL learning methodology that is geared towards stimulating student academic interest through STEM activities intentionally developed and implemented in a cross-curricular framework that applies multiple content standards to solve real-world community issues. Students have the opportunity to develop the needed 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, critical-thinking and problem solving with the ultimate outcome of generating a viable product. The students within each of the three areas of study participate in specific organizations (CTSO’s) allowing them to apply their learned skills within a local, state, and national competitive arena. Overall, the process of STEM-PBL fosters innovation and allows access to a designed learning method that in turn prepares students with the skills necessary to meet the challenges as future leaders in the STEM industry
Characteristics of Collaboration in Professional Learning Communities: A Program Evaluation Informing Change Leadership and Policy Implications
Get PDFEducators must be provided with quality conditions for effective and meaningful collaboration. This, with teachers’ collective commitment to student learning, is necessary for all students to achieve high levels. The professional learning communities’ (PLCs\u27) framework is examined and researched around the characteristics of collaboration using three critical attributes; learning, collaboration, and results. PLCs require a change in both teachers’ belief systems and school leaders’ ability to design and deliver professional development that improves teaching and learning. Wagner et al.’s 4Cs model is used to examine current practices and develop a vision to improve collective inquiry through collaboration. After an in-depth analysis of qualitative data, strategies, and actions; a research-based model was developed, including implications for policy
Closing the Opportunity Gap for Low-Income Urban Minority Students in Turnaround Schools
Get PDFAs we prepare to address and stem many of the systemic racist policies that plague our low-income minority students, we have to remain diligent and innovative in our attempt to provide our low-income minority students, as early as pre-kindergarten, access to opportunities that will ultimately prepare them for post-secondary success. This study focuses on how accountability policies and expectations for turnaround schools have had a long-term impact on the type of opportunities students who attend these schools will ultimately have. This study also proposes two policies that work to not only increase opportunities for low-income urban minority students who attend these turnaround schools, but also work tirelessly and strategically to prepare students to take full advantage of these opportunities
Teachers’ Perceptions of Reading Wonders: Is It Really A Wonder? A Program Evaluation
Get PDFReading programs are essential tools for leaders to use while building literacy. The transfer from instructional delivery to student knowledge should be easily recognizable in the end-of-year assessment data. As the principal analyzing the end-of-year data, I discovered a problem when I struggled to see this transfer in my data. The purpose of this program evaluation was to determine whether teachers perceived Reading Wonders to be an effective reading program for the school district as well as whether the assessment data aligned with teachers’ perceptions. A survey was used to collect responses from the participants and an Excel spreadsheet was used to aggregate the responses. The qualitative data were coded all to reveal different perspectives, notions, and themes. An Excel spreadsheet was also used as tool to aggregate the end-of-year assessment data. The findings showed teachers believed Reading Wonders was not rigorous enough to add at least 1 year’s growth to students using the program. The end-of-year assessment data aligned with teachers’ perceptions. Reading programs are essential tools for building literacy and can help students make progress as they matriculate and depart each grade level through Grade 12. However, their effectiveness should be evaluated often to ensure students continue to grow
An Evaluation Of The In-School Suspension Program At One High School
Get PDFIn this program evaluation, I examined the effectiveness of in school suspension (ISS) program at one high school. The literature reviewed argues although ISS is a necessity in the current climate of education, ineffective ISS programs can interrupt academic progress. Often used in isolation and as a holding area for code of conduct violations, ISS can yield results such as increased recidivism, increased hostility and decreased academic progress. The methods used within this study included surveys and interviews from key stakeholders. The results revealed some things were working well, and some things were not. In conclusion, Eminence High should incorporate specific actions and strategies to ensure that ISS is effective for all participants
Advocating for the Adoption of a Comprehensive Work-Based Learning System
Get PDFWork-Based Learning (WBL) is an instructional strategy that has the potential to help students make powerful connections to the world of work leading to the development of viable post-secondary plans and successful careers. This study advocates for the implementation of a structured continuum of WBL experiences for all students at a large suburban high school. The benefits of WBL for students, the school, the community, and employers are examined. The impact of WBL is analyzed through the lenses of educational, economic, social, political, and ethical perspectives. The negative aspects of the prevailing culture of college for all is discussed. The importance of building and sustaining strong relationships between educators and the business community is highlighted, as well as the importance of addressing the effects of historic racism or bias in both education and employment. The author argues that with input from a range of stakeholders, high schools can develop, implement, and measure the success of comprehensive WBL systems leading to higher levels of post-secondary success for ALL graduates
Promotion and Retention of English Learners (ELLs) in an Large Urban School District: A Policy Advocacy Document
Get PDFThis policy advocacy document argues for a fair and equitable retention and promotion policy for English language learners (ELLs) in elementary grades of a large urban school district. Increasing access and instructional opportunities within bilingual/ESL services combined with more accurate measures of English proficiency would help mitigate random or unfair promotion and retention practices. A needs analysis was conducted on educational, economic, social, political, and moral-ethical dimensions and arguments made in support of the recommended policy (Browder, 1995). This policy solidifies district accountability for the education of all ELL students by mandating schools provide equal opportunity and access to high-quality instruction in the general curriculum either before, after, or during the school day, thus lowering or eliminating the need for ELL summer school and the number of retentions. A needs analysis was conducted based on Browder’s (1995) work. An implementation and assessment model combing aspects of Wagner et al.’s (2006) three phase and Kotter’s (2012) eight stage models for leading change is provided