Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Roberta Silfen
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
after-school programs, attendance, career research, communication skills, computer skills, counseling, documentary video, eighth grade students, experienced teachers, grade retention, high school promotion, individualized attention, Language Arts, low-achieving students, mentor, middle school students, parent contact, photojournalist, reading, reading skills, report writing, retained students, school attitudes, support services, technology, technology integration, video production, writing, writing skills
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to assist eighth grade students who were retained in improving their Reading and Writing skills. These students failed school courses and did not meet the required standards for promotion to high school. The students were previously in large classes with other low-achieving students, were not given individualized attention, were not exposed to the use of technologies, were not given adequate support services, and were not taught by experienced teachers.
The writer designed an after-school program to assist the students with Reading and Writing skills. An experienced Language Arts teacher was asked to work with the students as they developed a career research project. A Technology teacher assisted the students with computer skills and arranged time for them in the computer lab. The writer engaged the services of a photojournalist as a mentor to the students. The photojournalist assisted the students in developing and producing a documentary video. The writer provided individual and group counseling sessions for the students and maintained contact with their parents.
An analysis of the data revealed that the students improved in Reading, Writing, and Communication Skills. Their use of the computer and video improved. The students’ attendance improved along with their general attitude towards schoolwork.