Benefits of parent education have been demonstrated for decades. However, there exists a lack of formative evaluation of parent education for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), limiting the interpretation of ongoing and future research. To understand the current status, key characteristics, and evaluation methods of parent…

Given that students with autism spend the majority of their days in school settings, largely supported by paraprofessionals, it is important that these paraprofessionals receive adequate training. The author investigated a training package consisting of modeling and video-based feedback as a means of enabling paraprofessionals to implement Pivotal…

This study compares the respective achievement of students in an integrated algebra course taught with two different types of handhelds over a period of one year. The experimental group was taught with TI-Nspire[TM] handhelds and was compared to the control group taught with TI-84 Plus graphing calculators. The teachers of each group received…

Excitement and controversy have surrounded the effectiveness of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of EIBI based on applied behavior analysis in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). There were 11 studies with 344…

This study reports on predictors of outcome in 332 children, aged 2-7 years, enrolled in the community-based Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) program in Ontario, Canada. Data documenting children's progress were reported in an earlier publication (Perry et al., 2008). The present paper explores the degree to which four predictors (measured…

The current test-driven accountability movement, codified in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 ([NCLB] 2002), was a misguided idea that will have the effect not of improving the education of children and youth, but of indicting the public school system of the United States. To improve education in the United States, politicians, policy makers,…

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of professional learning communities in three middle schools. This research examined the perceived impact of professional learning communities on teaching and on student learning. One question guided this research. "What are the teachers' perceptions of seventh grade learning…

Owing to the significant structural changes that have occurred in the global marketplace over the past 2 decades, a corresponding increase of public-private partnerships have been established among the business sector, local governments, and public community colleges. This qualitative project sought to identify and substantiate key elements that…

The dissertation aims to tackle one of the most pressing questions facing the merit pay system researchers and practitioners: Why do merit pay raises have such a small effect on employees' satisfaction, commitment and job performance? My approach to the study of this question is to develop explanatory frameworks from two perspectives: cognitive…

School districts are hiring literacy coaches to provide professional development and follow-up support for teachers as a means to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in reading. A paucity of research exists reflecting a clear analysis of the factors which can be used to determine the effectiveness of a coach. According to a…

The purpose of this research was to determine if the implementation of a county-wide math coordinator would have a significant impact on students' scale score on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, mathematics test, for the 2008-2009 cohort when compared to those students in the cohort of 2007-2008. The results of the study revealed…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth investigation of an executive team, to determine which internal and external factors impacted the team and to determine in what ways action research interventions improved the team's effectiveness. Methodology: The subjects in this study were seven members of a school district…

Creating a quality induction program can create positive changes in the school district. "Thoughtful preparation combined with dedicated and ongoing support can yield real improvements in the classroom" (K. Wiebke & J. Bardin, 2009, p. 37). Current research indicates that there is a need to support new teachers during the early…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Wisconsin Association of School Councils Leadership Camp (WASCLC) on the lives of its participants. The participants in this study were those that attended WASCLC in 1999, 2004, and 2009. The research model chosen was QUAN greater than qual. The quantitative research method was an…

The study focused on the problem of poor academic performance in elementary schools by examining the relationship between principals' leadership behaviors and student achievement outcomes and the extent to which these behaviors differ according to the poverty and performance characteristics of the school. A review of the effective schools…