Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

5-2011

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Virginia P. Foley

Committee Members

Donald W. Good, Pamela H. Scott, Ryan Nivens

Abstract

The passage of No Child Left Behind has increased the level of accountability for all educators. There are many factors that affect student achievement. One factor that may be overlooked is the schedule configuration of schools. Addressing student needs through scheduling options may assist school systems and students in performing at the level they are being held accountable.

The population for this study was students from a rural East Tennessee middle school with a population of approximately 700 students. The low socioeconomic students represent 68% of the school total enrollment while 18% of the students have an individual education plan (IEP). The gender of the school is nearly 50% male and female.

Looking at 2 research questions, an independent t test was used to determine if there was a significant difference in reading-language arts and mathematics Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) scores after implementing a rotating schedule. Subgroups used in this study were: students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP), low socioeconomic students, male and female students.

Results of this study were mixed. Students with an IEP showed an increase in both reading-language arts and mathematics. For all subgroups in reading, there was an increase in achievement although the results showed that there was not a significant relationship between the rotating schedule and student achievement. The only group to show gains in mathematics after implementation of the rotating was those students with an IEP. Each of the 3 remaining subgroups actually showed a loss and there was a significant relationship between the rotating schedule and student achievement.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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