Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

12-2013

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Virginia Foley

Committee Members

Catherine Glascock, William Flora, Cecil Blankenship

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the student achievement prior to and after the implementation of a freshman academy at one school in East Tennessee. The researcher used student data from the end of course exam scores for Algebra I and English I. The failure rate of freshman prior to and after the implementation of the Freshman Academy was examined. The data were analyzed using a chi square statistical analysis. A significant difference was observed in the end of course exam scores for Algebra I and English I after the implementation of the Freshman Academy. Qualitative data examined for this study were interviews with administrators and teachers discussing the implementation process of the Freshman Academy.

The quantitative findings revealed that students who attended the Freshman Academy had increased achievement on the end of course exam for Algebra I and English I. The failure rates for the freshman who attended the Freshman Academy revealed there was a decrease.

The qualitative findings revealed that the administrators and teachers were concerned with the isolation of the freshman at the academy. Isolating the freshman to allow for maturity and to allow for the fostering of the sense of community was essential, but this decreases the positive interaction with the upper classmen.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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