Date of Award
6-1-1989
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Education Specialist
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Dr. Joan Horn
Keywords
achievement, cognitive abilities test, content assessment, critical thinking, elementary education, elementary school students, intermediate grades, logical thinking, parent child relationship, parent education, parent participation, parent student relationship, parent training, performance evaluation, primary education, productive thinking, second grade students, strategy assessment, student achievement, teacher assessment chart, teacher observation, work habits
Abstract
This project attempted to show the increased achievement of second grade students whose parents learned and applied critical thinking techniques. The implementation component encompassed a ten week segment: five training sessions and five written newsletters for parents. Without any changes in educational programs, teaching techniques or new materials in the classroom, students increased in achievement as measured and evaluated in three areas. Area I, content, was measured by the Cognitive Abilities Test (Riverside Publications), a professionally prepared test designed to assess the development of cognitive abilities related to verbal, non-verbal and quantitative reasoning and problem solving. Area II, strategy, was measured through observation and evaluation by the classroom teacher using the Teacher Assessment Chart (Coronado Publications), a professionally prepared instrument designed to assess the students level of thinking. Area III, performance, was evaluated by parents’ feedback on a questionnaire which assessed students’ work habits and level of responsibility at home. It was concluded that parent participation in critical thinking can impact student achievement significantly. Appendices include a teacher survey, a sample parent training program agenda, initial parent questionnaire, sample parent training activity, sample newsletters, test results, a teacher assessment chart and a final questionnaire to parents.