This action research project implemented and evaluated a program to address the academic needs of all students in a heterogeneous classroom. The targeted population consisted of middle school students in a rural western Illinois community. Evidence of academic underachievement was documented by teacher observation, surveys, test scores, and…

This action research project sought to increase the use of appropriate social skills by middle school students through an increased instructional emphasis on social skills. The specific social skills addressed were listening, encouraging, self-control, appropriate manners, and accepting others' ideas. These skills were introduced using M-charts…

This action research project evaluated a program of activities to increase the engagement of high school students in their learning. The targeted population consisted of freshman, sophomore, and senior students in a middle class community in central Illinois. The lack of student engagement that posed a problem in academic progress was documented…

The report consists of three parts: "The Design of a Federal Employment Program to Counter Recession"; "The Design of a Federal Employment Program in a Strategy to Raise Low Earnings"; and "The Design of a Guaranteed Job Opportunity as a Part of Welfare Reform". In Part 1, an Anti-Recession Program (ARP) is proposed. ARP is an automatically…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a plan to deal with students who lack enthusiasm about school and have difficulty in following classroom rules, keeping on task, and using appropriate social skills. The targeted population consisted of high school students in five industrial technology classes in a rural western Illinois…

High school students' lack of personal responsibility and academic ownership, negative or indifferent attitude, and lack of initiative and general motivation are often of concern to teachers and parents. This action research project evaluated an intervention to increase high school students' motivation, responsibility, and initiative. Students…

A project was conducted to create a gender-equitable classroom that increased the engagement of all students in the industrial technology class. The targeted students were the eighth graders in a suburban middle school in a growing metropolitan area. The problem of female students' falling self-esteem, loss of confidence, rigid adherence to gender…

This action research project report documents the action research project that was conducted to improve reading comprehension with second grade and third grade students. The teacher researchers intended to improve reading comprehension by using higher-order thinking skills such as predicting, making connections, visualizing, inferring,…

Research has demonstrated that parent involvement has many beneficial effects for students. This action research project designed and implemented a program to raise the academic achievement of second-grade students by increasing parent involvement. The students attended two second-grade classrooms in a west-central Illinois school. The problem of…

A descriptive study was conducted of the career status of the graduates of the Adult and Community Education (ACE) program of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A questionnaire was developed and sent to 238 graduates and active students of the program, asking about the kinds of careers being pursued, the salaries being earned, and the perceived…

In an effort to bring entering allied health students to college-level reading ability, a Science Reading Program based on the theory that adult learners will be more motivated to improve reading skills if material is related to career preparation was designed, implemented, and evaluated. After pre-testing on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (Form…

This dissertation study attempted to identify factors related to the success of 27 resource teams charged with the implementation and diffusion of the USMES Program. Thirty-four factors, grouped into three clusters (demographic, Resource Team Workshop, and organizational), were selected for study. The data analysis indicates a number of variables…

The purpose of this study was to determine operational procedures for a mobile laboratory disseminating Business Education Data Dissemination System (BEDDS) materials and other instructional materials, and to make recommendations for improving its operation to better meet the needs of business educators in California secondary schools. Objectives…

This action research project examined the impact of using cooperative learning activities and multiple intelligences teaching techniques on the motivation of kindergartners and third graders at two elementary schools in a rural Illinois community. Over 50 percent of the school populations were low-income, and over 6 percent had limited English…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a program for increasing student motivation and interest in school to improve academic growth. The targeted population consisted of 37 high school students in a rural central Illinois community. Twenty-five students were in art classes and 12 were in child care classes. Anecdotal records,…