The era of accountability and a rise in standardized testing during recent years have emerged from policy reform initiatives designed to increase student performance. While the goal was to increase learning standards, it has not yielded the dramatic improvements expected. This study explored if there was a statistically significant difference in…

Higher education administrators lack strong understanding about using course evaluation data to make judgments and decisions. Using archival student course evaluation data from a pharmacy school, we examined (a) course evaluation instrument reliability and validity; (b) bivariate relationships between eight course rating items and the overall…

Many graduate students have and are suffering from, a mindset that questions their abilities and belonging in graduate programs. Some researchers have argued that this mental state is hindering many students from persisting in graduate school and completing their degree programs (Clance and Imes, 1978). This questioning and self-doubt are called…

The purpose of the current study was to compare 5 years of educational outcome data for online and face-to-face MSSW students (N=883) who graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Social Work. Students' knowledge (comprehensive exam scores, grade point averages), skills (field evaluation scores), and perception of their graduate…

Academic mindset encompasses individuals' beliefs about the ways learning and intelligence work. These beliefs frame students' thinking, influence how they interpret events, and ultimately affect their success. This report provides results from the first large set of data on mindset in community colleges. These data suggest that understanding the…

This study compared the educational outcomes of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work's online and traditional MSW programs ("N" = 345). Knowledge, skill, and satisfaction outcomes were compared for online and traditional students in 3 tracks: full-time, part-time, and advanced standing (AS). There were no significant…

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a coach's leadership style and the academic achievement of the student athletes in Tennessee high schools. This dissertation examines the relationship between the leadership styles of high school coaches and how it affects the grade point average and ACT scores of student-athletes…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between character traits and academic performance, as measured by grade point average of AFJROTC cadets. The sample consisted of 20 randomly selected male cadets and 20 female cadets enrolled in AFJROTC classes at Sullivan South High School. Data were collected using a questionnaire…

This study of 528 Tennessee welfare recipients enrolled in regular community college vocational or technical programs examined academic background, personal characteristics, student attitudes, college experiences, and learning outcomes. These students were primarily single parents who received Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and…