Only 3% of alternatively certified teachers in Florida are retained after receiving certification. When teachers' self-efficacy improves, so does their motivation, mental health, job satisfaction, and student performance. Teacher self-efficacy is unstable and often influenced by situational conditions. A gap in the literature exists regarding how…

Online doctoral programming geared toward working professionals can provide unprecedented flexibility in terms of time and place that affords greater access to a broader student demographic. At the same time, online learning poses its own unique set of challenges and limitations for students with and without disabilities. Universal Design (UD) is…

This report describes the first year implementation of a new professional development program, Palm Beach County Afterschool Educator Certificate (PBC-AEC). Set within a larger systemic quality improvement effort in Palm Beach County, this training seeks to provide a concentrated course of learning, practice, and reflection. The training seeks to…

Effective professional development is accepted as necessary for the improvement of afterschool program quality, which is itself a cornerstone for improving youth outcomes. But professional development is most effective when both individual participants are engaged and building relevant knowledge and skills, and the organizations to which they…

This study attempted to identify the factors which have had significant influence on English teachers' attitudes and practices concerning the inclusion of career-education concepts, activities, and materials in high school English programs in Florida. Utilizing a stratified random sample, the study sampled 325 English teachers, at 45 of the 203…

The major purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics, problems, and recommendations for developing and improving open-entry/open-exit systems of individualized, competency-based vocational instruction for Florida high school students. A survey instrument was developed to collect relevant data. Those surveyed in the descriptive…

As computers become more prevalent in society, educators are obligated to plan and provide for classroom use of computer technology. This document describes an investigation into the readiness of elementary school teachers to integrate computer technology into their classrooms. A survey of sixth grade teachers at a target Florida school and three…

Phase 1 of the task force gathered information on the disruptions in student education that are caused by the schools. Phase 2 examined what can be done to keep students in school, particularly those students who do not fit the system. The present investigation describes the costs to the state and to the individual that derive from students…

This career education project achieved four goals; to (1) identify roles and functions for persons responsible for local school programs; (2) determine personnel performance competencies; (3) develop methods to bring personnel to operational confidence levels; and (4) establish a career education personnel training center. The center, which served…