Date of Award

Fall 11-2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Graham Weir

Second Advisor

Dr. John Long

Third Advisor

Dr. Sherrie Wisdom

Abstract

The United States’ Public Education system shared concerns regarding declining achievement results across the nation. Numerous research studies suggested significant correlations to various variables, such as, SES (Socio-Economic Status), LEP (Limited English Proficiency), IEP (Individualized Educational Programs), ethnicity, and student mobility. The literature suggested these areas of concern need continued research to address specific issues, such as, how to close the educational gaps between students in these categories and students without these characteristics. The Primary Investigator completed a case study to assist decision makers with transient students at a Midwest near-urban elementary school by specifically focusing on fifth grade students from the class of 2019. The methodology created by the Primary Investigator differentiated among Persistent, Transitional, and Transient mobility populations who entered a supplemental reading model program called, Blitz. The Primary Investigator divided mobility groups into specific categories to determine if needs were met for transient student populations, as compared to non-transient students. Few studies had addressed programs that specifically focused on methods of measurement tool that allowed for comparisons among mobile students in settings where non-mobile students reside. The Primary Investigator’s methods used in this case study allowed decision makers to continue to develop their program to fit the needs of all students at the case study school and to make decisions as to the effectiveness of their efforts to assist their Persistent, Transitional, and Transient students in their large near urban elementary school. xi Results indicated there were improvements in each mobility group that participated in the Blitz supplemental reading model. Students in the most transient group significantly increased achievement and decreased variance in scores when compared to the Persistent population. The Primary Investigator’s collected data suggested that students in the Persistent population averaged the highest achievement scores for all data sets. Achievement scores of students in the most Persistent populations who were of Caucasian and African American ethnicity and of low SES socio- economic status did not have negative impacts on scores. Overall, this case study supported a positive effect of additional reading assistance on a student’s independent reading ability and Communications Arts achievement in this large near-urban Midwest elementary school.

Rights

Copyright 2013

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