Western Connecticut State University
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THE EFFECT OF SELF-REGULATION WRITING STRATEGIES AND GENDER ON WRITING SELF-EFFICACY AND PERSUASIVE WRITING ACHIEVEMENT FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
No full textThis study investigated the impact of a self-regulation writing intervention program on the writing self-efficacy and persuasive writing achievement of ninth and tenth grade students. In addition, this study explored whether gender differences in writing may be addressed by the type of writing program that is implemented. Limited empirical studies have examined the impact of gender and self-regulation on persuasive writing achievement with heterogeneously grouped secondary school students. Understanding the influence of self-regulation writing strategies on writing self-efficacy and persuasive writing achievement, particularly in the context of gender, may assist schools and teachers in better preparing for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium’s (SBAC) new generation of assessments.
This research took place in a small, suburban high school in the Northeast. The researcher utilized a sample of convenience of 400 students in the ninth and tenth grades. The study was quasi-experimental in nature, with a pretest-posttest comparison group design using intact classrooms of students. Classrooms of students were randomly assigned to a treatment condition which employed a writing curriculum that followed a modified process approach with embedded strategy instruction in writing and self-regulation or a comparison condition which employed a writing curriculum that followed a traditional process approach without embedded strategy instruction in writing and self-regulation.
Students’ posttest persuasive writing achievement scores were analyzed using a two-way analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) using pretest scores as a covariate. The analysis of these data resulted in no significant difference in posttest scores between the treatment and comparison groups. Female students scored significantly higher than male students, regardless of the type of writing program employed.
A series of three hierarchical multiple linear regressions were also conducted to determine whether the type of writing curriculum and gender could explain variation in the three components of writing self-efficacy, ideation, conventions, and self-regulation after accounting for variation in pretest self-efficacy scores. Follow-up analyses revealed that gender was a significant predictor of writing self-efficacy posttest scores in the domain of conventions; girls tended to have a higher belief in their own abilities in terms of writing conventions than boys. Implications for educators and researchers are discussed.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES ON THE EXPECTATIONS, ASPIRATIONS, AND DEFINITION OF SUCCESS OF HISPANIC IMMIGRANT PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
No full textThe Hispanic population has become the fastest growing minority population in the United States. Hispanics have the highest high school dropout rate of all demographic groups accounted for in the United States in the most recent census. Reflecting on the import of those two factors and the changing demographics of our school populations across the United States it is imperative to consider the expectations and aspirations held by Hispanic immigrant parents for their children.
This qualitative study explored through case studies the development of parent expectations and aspirations, and the influence of the parents’ own personal life experiences, particularly in their own education, on those expectations and aspirations. This study further explored the meaning of “success” through the lens of Hispanic immigrants and how that definition transferred to the children of the parents within this study. The purpose of this study was to give opportunity for the personal experiences of Hispanic immigrant parents to be heard as they shared their personal perspectives of the wishes and dreams that they hold for their US born or next generation children and the influence that their own personal experiences have had on their perspectives.
Data indicated that personal life experiences of participants had a significant effect on the way in which expectations and aspirations are developed and communicated to their children in schools in the United States as well as the ways in which success was identified. Cultural environment and conditions of chronic poverty played an important role in the development of participants’ identities. The development of personal identity and self-concept in turn influenced the ways in which participants identified expectations and aspirations for their children. Personal identity and self-concept additionally influenced the manner in which participants defined success.
The findings of this research show that participants identified academic attainment as an expectation and aspiration for their children. Participants viewed academic attainment as a path to a better quality of life but defined academic attainment in multiple ways such as, attend college, earn degrees, and have careers. In contrast, some participants described academic attainment as “study.” This may be explained by the significant differences in educational systems in Latin American and Caribbean countries and the United States. This may also be reflective of the conditions of chronic poverty participants reported living in.
Participants also expressed having limited opportunities in their countries of origin. Theories of identity discuss the importance of the availability of opportunities throughout the stage of adolescence and the ability to successfully negotiate crisis during this time as critical in the development of identity and ego development. Participants who have not had these experiences in their home countries may face challenges when supporting their children through exploration of opportunities particularly in adolescence. These challenges may be present because parents have not had the personal experience of navigating through adolescent exploration or because this may be in contrast to cultural beliefs.
This research indicates that it is imperative for community agencies, particularly schools, to understand the influence of personal life experiences of Hispanic immigrant parents. Environments of respect for and understanding of culture must be in place to encourage the involvement of Hispanic immigrant parents. Through this research it becomes evident that parents who have had lower levels of academic attainment and/or academic success and may or may not have successfully negotiated resolutions to crisis in developmental stages may need opportunities to gain success through school or community-based activities of their choosing. It is crucial that immigrant parents are given a voice in the type of opportunities offered to them to provide support in the highest degrees. Opportunities cannot be offered based on what the dominant culture or structures deem to be the need. Bringing immigrant adults together to learn, particularly skills related to the success of their children, supports the building of community, personal pride, and leadership, further fostering the development of self-esteem and self-efficacy.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
THE RELATIONSHIPS OF BODY WEIGHT CATEGORY ON SCHOOL-RELATED FACTORS
No full textThis study examined the relationships between Weight Category (healthy-weight and overweight/obese) of middle school students and school-related factors such as academic achievement, number of school absences, student engagement, student self-beliefs, and student interpersonal support. A sample of convenience of teachers (n = 20) and students (n = 227) was taken from a middle school in Connecticut. The teacher participants completed the RAPS-TM for each student in the study which measured teacher perception of student engagement in language arts and mathematics learning activities. The student participants completed the RAPS-SM which measured student perceptions of engagement, self-beliefs, and interpersonal support. In addition, the CMT Reading, CMT Writing, and CMT Mathematics scores and the number of school absences were recorded for each student participant.
These data were analyzed through causal comparative and correlational designs to determine if there were relationships between Weight Category and school-related factors. The results of the MANOVA indicated overweight/obese middle school students scored significantly lower on the CMT Reading test (F = 6.780, p = .010, partial eta squared = .031) and CMT Writing test (F = 4.262, p = .040, partial eta squared = .020) than healthy-weight middle school students. Overweight/obese students had significantly more absences (F = 11.085, p = .001, partial eta squared = .049) and were significantly less engaged in Mathematics learning activities (F = 8.362, p = .004, partial eta squared = .038) than their healthy-weight peers. The results of the multiple linear regression indicated that Language Arts Engagement, Domain Engagement, and Weight Category were significant predictors of CMT Reading scores (F(3,208) = 24.254, p F(2,209) = 32.343 and p F(2,208) = 35.029, p Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
Monster Al and Friends
No full textFor another story about Monster Al, or to see more knitted toys or my original knitting patterns visit my blog
http://stana-critters-etc.blogspot.com/
orMy Thesis writing project is a children's book with original photographs for ages 5 - 8.The story follows the main character, Monster Al, who is an extraterrestrial being from the planet Gliese 581g. Monster Al and his four friends travel through space, crash-land on Earth, are found, and taken to a facility where they are probed, questioned, and tested. Together they manage to escape, but during the escape they are separated. The book follows the journey of Monster Al on his escape where he meets a small boy named Alex who helps him. Together they travel to Europe, visit Santa, and Alex helps Monster Al on his search to find his missing friends.
At the end of the story are written instructions for my original knitting patterns to create Monster Al and his friends
A Departed Mind Devoid of Infatuation
No full textThis short story follows a stream-of-consciousness style through out all mindsets and impairments inflicted upon the protagonist. Bargaining features the main characters mind as it first encounters amphetamines, anger with amphetamines and cocaine, depression with amphetamine's depressive effects in collusion with mdma, and finally the aforementioned substance in combination with an LSD overdose in the final chapter.This is a short story about a young man's loss of his beloved girlfriend Kaitlin. Kaitlin acts as a stabilizer and female role model as well as a lover in this piece and after the loss the main character, Doug Fatima, descends in a myriad of various drug addictions and abuse incidents. These incidents will be mirrored by the five stages of grief which are, in order: Denial, Bargaining, Anger, Depression, and Acceptance. These five stages of grief will also function as the titles to my chapters. The main character shares a stream-of-consciousness view point throughout the story that takes the reader into the mind of a man on drugs, travelling down a path that leads to insanity
Logos
No full textIn my essays, I discuss a few companies and a sports team whose logos have evolved as they did by morphing with different owners and for different, new representations. I also discuss my own ability to create a logo for a company whose service could be considered controversial. Finally, I look at and discuss the history of symbols and logos themselves.This thesis is a collection of essays about various topics relating to logos: their history, evolution, implementation, psychology, and symbolism. Essays include such topics as what came before logos, two histories on the evolution of a logo in two particular companies, creating my own logo for a undesirable service, and an example of racism in logos today
The Progression of Innovation in the Event Marketing and Special Events Industry
No full textLauren Alexa Dominick is a marketing and public relations student at Western Connecticut State University. She plans on leading a career in event marketing and event design after graduation.This public relations thesis provides an analysis of the current special events and event marketing industry. There is a common theme in the analysis, and it focuses on brands creating a story to share with their target market. This thesis will focus on five different event agencies that have used this concept in their events. A business overview is provided for each of the companies, as well as an example of an innovative event each company has produced. My own proposal for an event is included in the thesis. The event I propose uses prior knowledge and new ideas which I would create for a Beats by Dre's new product introduction.
The following are the agencies that will be focused on:
Barkley Kalpak Agency
Jack Morton Worldwide
Inspira Marketing Group
Van Wyck
Agency A
THE EFFECTS OF USING A CRITICAL THINKING GRAPHIC ORGANIZER TO IMPROVE CONNECTICUT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE TEST INTERDISCIPLINARY WRITING ASSESSMENT SCORES
No full textEffective communication skills are a vital component of student academic achievement and success, yet students often struggle with them. This study utilized an organizational writing graphic organizer based on a critical thinking model to determine the impact of its use on the persuasive writing scores of 9th-grade students.
A sample of convenience, 119 ninth grade students across three academic levels (Academic, College Preparatory, and Honors) attending a suburban high school in the Northeast was utilized. Students in the treatment condition utilized a critical thinking graphic organizer to write persuasive essays over a 12-week period, and students in the comparison condition wrote persuasive essays during the same time period using a traditional graphic organizer, with less of a focus on critical thinking, provided by the state. A quasi-experimental pretest posttest design was utilized to analyze quantitative data collected through practice assessments. Focus groups were conducted using teachers and also students from the treatment group whose scores had improved.
Data were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney analysis to determine if there was a significant difference in the mean practice CAPT Writing Across the Disciplines persuasive essay scores between students who used the critical thinking graphic organizer (treatment group) and students who used the traditional state organizer (comparison group). Qualitative coding methods were used to analyze focus group responses for themes and patterns associated with student and teacher perceptions through their exposure and work with the critical thinking graphic organizer. The results revealed that there was no significant difference in persuasive writing scores between the treatment and comparison groups. However, a qualitative analysis of teacher and student perceptions revealed that participants were favorable towards the use of the critical thinking graphic organizer.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
Retrospect
No full textThis is a short story in the genre of creative non-fiction.Retrospect is a collection of three creative non-fiction stories. Together they create one cumulative piece ending with an epilogue on the stories as a whole. Each of the stories is named for a man they revolve around; however, the names are changed to protect their identities. The stories are factual and based on personal experiences. The men in these stories are some of the most influential people I've come into contact with, and the events that occur in this body of work are the most exciting and detrimental moments of my life. This collection is an excruciatingly honest dissection of my personal relationships with these men. In the end, the hardships served their purpose and the stories came together to give each other meaning
Fast Food and Today's Culture
No full textresearch paperThis is a Journalistic long-feature story about fast food and how it has evolved from the 1950s until today. The feature discusses the history of fast food, the theology behind the menus, the economic boom in the fast food industry, scandalous events in fast food, fast food today, and where fast food may possibly be going. These topics were so important for me to discuss because food is such an ideal part of our lives. It is so essential to understand such an important topic as fast food due to the fast that it has become part of our society in so many ways