This dissertation consists of two chapters on topics in economics of education. In the first chapter, I develop and estimate an equilibrium model of endogenous instruction and student effort in order to empirically investigate the relationship between instructional choices, classroom composition, and student achievement in elementary school. The…

The central purpose of this Dissertation in Practice was to understand factors that influence educators' empathy towards their elementary English Learner students in a small school district in South Texas. The study sought to understand practical implications for designing an intervention to support educators facing increasingly diverse students.…

In the technology-enhanced classroom, students' language acquisition is supported through opportunities for engagement, collaboration, concept development, and authentic work.

Sixth-grade band, orchestra, and choir directors face a complex challenge when starting their new ensembles in the fall. Sixth-grade students are diverse; some come from strong music programs with adequate resources and others from weaker music programs with fewer resources. In addition, student populations are often ethnically and…

Asynchronous online learning is well documented with adults, but fewer studies of effectiveness have emphasized elementary education learning environments. This study investigated student achievement on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test for fifth grade students who had participated in synchronous and asynchronous courses…

Places the 1992-1996 gain in mathematics scores from Texas on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from fourth to eighth grades, asserting that the so-called miracle in Texas looks much like the median elsewhere. Texas ranks 17th among the 35 states and 2 districts with NAEP scores for the period, but Texas is no worse than most…

A health screening program, piloted in 14 school districts in Texas from 1977 to 1979, was evaluated to determine the outcome of the screenings. Questions concerning the effectiveness of comprehensive health screening in the schools are raised. (Author/CJB)

This study was conducted to: (1) determine if the intercession calendar, an alternative calendar that reduces the total school year for students who do not need remediation, positively impacts overall student achievement; (2) to assess the explanatory ability of the intercession model in accounting for student academic achievement variability; and…

The cyclical nature of mathematics grades was studied for a cohort of elementary school students from a large metropolitan school district in Texas over six years (average cohort size of 8495). The study used an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Results indicate that grades do exhibit a significant cyclical pattern. (SLD)

The effects of ability grouping on the achievement and self-esteem of fourth-grade students were assessed through regression-discontinuity analysis. Standardized achievement test scores showed an increase in the high ability students after one year. No significant differences were assessed in self-esteem. (Author/DF)

Surveys of 663 students in grades 3-6 in 6 small rural Texas school districts found that student attitudes toward mathematics became more negative as they progressed through elementary school. Girls had more positive attitudes than boys, but gender differences decreased at higher grade levels. (SV)

Ideas and suggestions to help teachers provide creative and aesthetic experiences for elementary children are presented in this document. This guide is meant to be used for upgrading present programs as well as for providing new ones. The document outlines the goals and objectives of an art program at the elementary level; the role of…

Texas students have made extraordinarily large gains on statewide achievement tests, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS), gains so dramatic that they have been dubbed the "Texas miracle." There is general agreement that these gains are attributable to the high stakes accountability system in Texas, but there is some question…

Examines 178 gifted Texas children to determine differences in their health locus of control. Results provide evidence that gifted children, in general, may be less prone to adolescent health-risk behaviors than nongifted children. Findings suggest revision in both school health curricula and instructional practices for gifted children. (GLR)

Analysis of longitudinal data on approximately 11,000 limited-English-proficient elementary students in Texas found that course placement in English-as-a-second language (ESL) or bilingual education was uneven and resulted in language learning disruptions and possibly in lower achievement. However, the school data does not allow much useful…