This mixed-methods study was conducted to determine the math interventions and strategies that are showing a positive increase in student achievement and growth in grades three, four, and five across the Bellefonte Area School District. Effective math teachers were first identified by looking at multiple academic data sets and then questionnaire...
As our society moves toward enriching every individual, educators need to drive each student to excel in the college/career ready world. Schools are forced to mimic today's business model that strives to be the most efficient and effective as possible, while staying budget friendly. Schools have to comply with this model as prices are soaring fo...
This study examined the perceived effectiveness of iPad integration in the traditional classroom through a survey pertaining to satisfaction, value, and general effectiveness of utilizing the iPads. Research Advisor, Dr. Thomas West.
The onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic took the world by surprise in the spring of 2020. As the world rapidly changed and adapted to new health and safety measures, school districts were left to decide how they would pivot instructionally, but also plan for an uncertainty that the pandemic would bring from a financial standpoint. The potent...
School districts are always exploring different ways to develop programs and activities for students in an attempt to provide opportunities for academic growth and achievement. One area of particular focus has been programs offered during the summer months to try to minimize and/or eliminate the "summer slide" that some student experience with t...
This Capstone Project investigates the relationship between the use of Edmentum's Courseware Math Library software and students' math achievement in the middle school mathematics classrooms of a small school district in southwestern Pennsylvania during the 2019 -2020 school year. Grade level data was collected regarding the use of a supplemental...
The comorbidity of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and other mental disorders is common, with estimated 50-75% of patients entering SUD treatment presenting other psychiatric disorders as well (Bergman, Greene, Slaymaker, Hoeppner, & Kelly, 2014). These individuals typically require more extensive treatment, and have a poorer prognosis than indivi... Honors Thesis Advisor, Dr. Rueben Brock.
Using teacher evaluation score averages, Instructional Rounds data, and student assessment score averages from the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) assessment at two elementary school campuses in a large West Texas city, this research study investigated the affects that effective professional development ...
According to Robert Marzano, author of the archetypal work, "Classroom Instruction That Works", good instruction can take any student and make them better. The Peters Township School District's mission and vision statements align with Marzano's beliefs. However, the current system employed by the District by which students are placed into honors...
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cryotherapy on static and dynamic balance in a physically active population as measured by the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Research Advisor, Dr. Thomas F. West.
Foam rolling can acutely improve range of motion (ROM) and it’s possible that longer durations of foam rolling can provide more favorable results. The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of different durations and the application area of foam rolling on changes in hamstring flexibility, ease of movement, and muscle tightness in p... Research Advisor: Thomas F. West.
Ankle injuries are among the most common injury in athletics. It is a widely accepted practice in the athletic training profession to provide prophylactic ankle support to individuals. There is little to no information about the effects of external ankle supports on functional performance specific to soccer. Research Advisor, Dr. Edwin Zuchelkowski.
This study is designed to test the efficacy of fibular repositioning tape. The taping, similar to the McConnell taping for abnormal patellar tracking, attempts to correct a present fibular fault by providing a posterior force on the distal fibular head. Research Advisor, Dr. Robert Kane.
The purpose of this study was to determine if PNF stretching techniques had a significant effect on the agility test times of high school athletes. Research Advisor, Dr. Robert Kane.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prophylactic ankle taping, spatting, and taping and spatting on peak vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF) values during landing. Research Advisor, Dr. Shelly DiCesaro.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching routines on different balance measures during the performance of a golf swing, to provide golfers with a better guide to a proper warm-up. Research Advisor, Dr. Thomas F. West.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three different stretching protocols on the sprint performance of physically active individuals. These three stretching protocols include static stretching, dynamic stretching, and a combination of static and dynamic stretching. Research Advisor, Dr. Thomas F. West
For years, students with mental health diagnoses have encountered many barriers in their respective education programs. Teachers and other professionals have been unsure and unaware of many of the successful strategies to engage these students in learning and providing essential skills for success in life. All too often, medication has become th...
