Education Masters Papers

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Success and Sustainability of the TriCollege University Consortium
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Allar, Candice
The purpose of this study was to document the history of the Tri-College University (TCU) consortium from 1969 to the present. The two research objectives are to: 1. Identify the factors which played an important role in the success and sustainability of the Tri-College University Consortium. 2. Conduct an evaluation of the needs, satisfaction, and concerns of current and past faculty and administration involved with the Tri-College University Consortium. Both research questions were addressed with the use of a structural equation model developed and tested by Schmidt (2000) to identify the conditions, common values, attitudes, themes, and patterns of behaviors that contribute to consortia or collaborative longevity. The findings of the study supported many of the principles associated with Schmidt's research. Those principles were documented in Schmidt's research in the form of constructs within a systems context. The two main systems included: organizational structures and the adaptive process. The following constructs associated with organizational structures, specifically with organizational support, (Executive Function: Commitment and Organizational Control Structure), along with the associated constructs for the adaptive process (Archival, Status Monitoring Function, and Action) were supported in Schmidt's data as significant indicators of consortium success and sustainability.
The Effects of 'Crucial Conversations' Training on Roommate Satisfaction and Roommate Friendship
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Kenfield, Mikal Christina
This study examined the impact of a communication skills workshop called 'Crucial Conversations' on the satisfaction and friendship levels of first-year roommate dyads. Roommate satisfaction and roommate friendship were measured for students who had attended the workshop with their roommates; for students who attended, but their roommate did not; for students who did not attend, but their roommate did; and for roommate pairs in which neither student attended. Overall, the students who attended this workshop with their roommates reported higher levels of roommate satisfaction and roommate friendship. Suggestions for further research were also offered.
Transfer Students and the Success of Registration on Degree Completion and Retention
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Soleim, Heather Marie
A transfer student has different needs than a first-year student. For this reason, many four-year institutions have developed orientation and registration programs for transfer students. The transfer orientation and registration programs differ from the traditional programs that a first-year student attends and are potentially designed to meet the wide scale needs of a diverse transfer student population. Have these programs had any effect on the academic success of transfer students? Research on the effectiveness of these programs 1s scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine if attending registration programs developed at North Dakota State University improved degree completion and retention rates for transfer students, how these numbers differ regarding different characteristics of these students, and if these students eventually completed a degree elsewhere if they did not complete at North Dakota State University. This paper explored the effectiveness of the types of registration programs a transfer student attends when transferring to North Dakota State University compared to the transfer student registering on his or her own. It compared the degree completion and retention rates of the transfer students in the study and looked for evidence that the programming offered transfer students to facilitate registration for their course work is beneficial to their academic success. This paper is an analysis of the data provided by North Dakota State University and the National Student Clearinghouse on a group of transfer students who matriculated from a transferring institution to North Dakota State University in the fall of 2006. These students transferred from two- and four-year institutions and their data was compared in a number of patterns to ascertain the effectiveness of registration programs offered at North Dakota State University. From the analysis of this data emerged recommendations as to how to improve transfer student programming to ensure transfer student success at North Dakota State University.
Relational Aggression: K-12 School Counselors' Perceived Preparedness, Attitudes, and Interventions
(North Dakota State University, 2009) Odden Heide, Chasity Lynn
The purpose of this concurrent mixed methods study was to explore school counselors' responses to relational aggression in schools. A convenience sample of K-12 school counselors (n = 370) who use the Internet was used. Participants were recruited by postings made to ASCA Scene and through advertisements by state counseling associations. Participants were screened to include school counselors who (1) had licensure/certification from the Department of Education as a school counselor, and (2) were currently employed as a licensed/credentialed school counselor as defined by the Department of Education. The School Counselors' Responses to Aggression in Schools survey instrument was designed for the present study to explore school counselors' perceived preparedness and attitudes towards, along with interventions for relational aggression in schools. Results indicated that when compared to overtly aggressive incidents, school counselors were less likely to define relationally aggressive incidents as aggression, rated relationally aggressive incidents as significantly less serious, and reported being significantly less likely to intervene in relationally aggressive incidents between students. Results indicated that gender was not a determinant in whether overt or participants defined relational aggression incidents as aggression. Most participants felt prepared to provide education about relational aggression to students, parents/guardians, and teachers/administrators. School counselors with prior education and/or training in both overt and relational aggression reported a significantly higher degree of perceived preparedness to provide education about relational aggression to the various parties. Further, participants with prior training in both overt and relational aggression reported a significantly higher degree of perceived preparedness to intervene in relationally aggressive incidents between students. Participants reported similar interventions for relational and overt aggression, however exceptions were noted. Limitations of this study, recommendations for future research, and implications for school counselors and counselor educators are discussed.
Minnesota Early Indicator and Response System Impact on Graduation Rates: An Analysis of an Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring Systems in an Alternative Learning Center
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Thiner, Andrea Jean
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Minnesota Early Indicator Response System (MEIRS) on graduation rates, student attendance, behavior, and academic production in an alternative setting. The quantitative data was gathered using historical school and district stored data. Descriptive statistics used included frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Inferential statistics included independent sample t-tests to analyze the relationships of the differences for graduation rates prior to and during the implementation of MEIRS. Independent sample t-tests were used to analyze the differences for student data prior to MEIRS implementation and during the MEIRS implementation. Results of the study indicated that MEIRS did positively graduation rates. MEIRS’s impact on-track indicators were mixed. Attendance was not significantly impacted; behaviors were impacted positively and credits earned were impacted negatively.
Personality Deterioration of Relapsed Alcoholics Employing the MMPI: An Exploratory Study
(North Dakota State University, 1978) Vantine, Denise
There are two schools of thought concerning alcoholism and recovery thereof. Pattison, Sobel & Sobel and others seemed to represent those who were not positive alcoholism was progressive; and consequently, they indicated social drinking might be resumed under certain circumstances by alcoholics. For the purposes of this study, hereafter, this school of thought was termed non-traditionalist. Others in the field, such as Milam, Fox, Mann, and Jellenik, stated alcoholism was progressive and accordingly abstinence was the only viable method for recovery. For the purposes of this study, hereafter, this school of thought was termed traditionalist. This research study was undertaken with the intent to verify progressive personality deterioration and therefore support the traditionalists or to refute them if personality deterioration was not identified.
Does Post-Secondary Coursework Predict Perceived Sales Success?
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Justin, Briana
A sales career is common for recent graduates of post-secondary institutions. Looking to see if post-secondary coursework completed predicts perceived sales success assists new and upcoming programs to determine the most beneficial ways to prepare students. This study asks sales representatives at a major U.S. based corporation to answer in what ways their different levels of post-secondary coursework assists in their sales careers.
To Tweet or Not To Tweet: An Analysis of the Effect of Twitter on Secondary Student Performance, Engagement, and Attitudes
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Slocomb, Matthew Charles
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that using Twitter as an educational tool had on an upper level high school Sociology course. The research compared 2014 courses which used an online discussion board to 2015 courses which used Twitter for discussion. No significant differences in mean student grades were found between the two groups, suggesting that Twitter is a viable alternative to online discussion boards for blended learning. The research also compared student engagement between the two groups, and found a probable increase in student engagement through Twitter. In addition to these comparisons, a pre and post survey was given to the 2015 student group. The surveys showed a positive shift in perception of Twitter as an educational tool from the start of the class to the end.
Using Transition Teams to Support Middle Level Learners
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Nelson, Aaron Dean
This study focuses on the learning characteristics of young adolescent children and their unique learning needs. The study evaluates the implementation of a transition team to develop interventions in reading and math to support students in transition from an elementary school setting to a junior high school setting. This analysis of the nature of the child in transition from elementary school to a middle level setting, will guide the re-design and improvements necessary to ensure every child is receiving a quality educational experience. The research found measurable improvements in student assessments, particularly math, when compared to previous classes as a result of intervention efforts in reading and math. Transition efforts implemented as a part of this study resulted in improved awareness for seventh grade students and a more positive experience based on survey results of both parents and students.
The Four-Day versus the Five-Day School Week: A Comparative Study of South Dakota Schools
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Hedtke, Joel Timothy
The purpose of this study was to determine what impact the four-day school week had on the Dakota STEP test by comparing four-day schools to themselves three years before their switch to their Dakota STEP test scores in 2009 – 2011. The four-day schools were then compared to similar five-day schools’ performance on the Dakota STEP test to determine if four-day schools were outperforming their five-day counterparts. In addition to these quantitative comparisons, a survey was sent to four-day school administrators to discover what perceptions principals had of the four-day school week, what perceptions superintendents had of the four-day school week, and how teachers utilize the non-contact day.
Professional Development Programs: Making the Case for Investing in Support-Staff at a Private, Undergraduate Institution
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Amundsen, Rebecca Lee
The purpose of this study was to determine whether support-staff at Concordia College feel valued by the institution and whether they perceive that workplace satisfaction will improve with the creation and implementation of a professional development program. A survey was conducted and responses were analyzed based on comparisons of the mean, frequency, and correlation, as well as an evaluation of written responses. There were no significant differences found between support-staff in academic departments and academic administrative offices in terms of level of satisfaction, feeling valued, or the perceived impact of a professional development program. Overall, support-staff perceived that a professional development program would improve their workplace satisfaction, ability to take on new responsibilities, and retention at the college.
A Case Study of North Dakota Interactive Video Network at North Dakota State University
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Cummings, Tamara Annette
North Dakota State University (NDSU) has delivered courses utilizing the North Dakota Interactive Video Network (IVN) since 1989. The technology used an Integrated Services Digital Network but switched to Internet Protocol in 2001, greatly expanding the locations served. NDSU student and institutional data was collected but never examined. The collected data examined for this study included course and credit numbers, undergraduate and graduate student enrollments, and IVN locations. An analysis of the data found that the student enrollments did not increase at the same rate as the IVN locations. There were differences in the findings of the undergraduate and graduate data in terms of courses offered, student enrollments and financial impact. The conclusion is the North Dakota Interactive Video Network had a positive influence on NDSU in both undergraduate and graduate areas but in different aspects. Some aspects are direct and measurable, while others are indirect and need more study.
Women in Transition: Implications for Career Counseling
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Weston, Amanda Jo
This thesis paper begins with an in-depth literature review that analyzes the career counseling process with two specific populations: women who are transitioning from welfare-reliance to self-sufficiency, and women who are transitioning out of relationships that are characterized by intimate partner violence (IPV). The analysis includes a historical look at theories that have influenced the creation of models and best practices used in the career counseling field today, and highlights popular and effective techniques that can be used in community-based and private practices. The paper highlights the importance that laws, legislations, children, resources and support systems have on a woman's ability to successfully transition out of a negative life scenario into a more positive one. The paper culminates with a resource guide designed to provide quick, concise, and applicable support to career counselors working with the two above-mentioned populations. This guide is presented in a user-friendly A thru Z format.
Money, Well-Being, and Implications for Mental Health
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Miklas, Natalie Ann
Literature has shown there is little or no correlation between money and increased well-being, that monetary pursuits and material possessions are extrinsic goals that can become detrimental to one’s psychological well-being, and materialism may actually lower a person’s well-being as these people have unrealistically high standards in comparison to others. Research has shown that the answer as to what increases one’s well-being lies largely in social relationships and religion. Because many people enter counseling to reduce their psychological distress, mental health practitioners can: (1) assist their clients in identifying when their monetary and/or material pursuits may have morphed into an obsessive behavioral pattern known as Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD), (2) help their clients examine the etiology behind their dysfunctional thoughts and unhealthy behaviors by utilizing family-of-origin work, (3) aid their clients in changing dysfunctional thoughts through cognitive restructuring, and (4) support their clients in finding meaning in life through spirituality.

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