The susceptibility of student evaluation of lecturers to situational variables

To investigate the effect of a number of situational factors on student evaluations of lecturers, a teacher rating form (TRF) was administered to 326 first-year students taking an Introduction to Economics course. A comparison was made of the responses of the following subgroups among the students: full-time versus part-time students; students asked to sign their responses versus those whose responses were left anonymous; students told that their responses were just for feedback to the lecturer versus those told that their responses would be used for promotion, tenure, and salary decisions about the lecturer; students told that the TRFs were sponsored by the student association versus those told that the TRFs were sponsored by the staff association. The factors of sponsor identity (staff or student association) and use of ratings (feedback or decisional) had significant effects on TRF scores; but the effects of the factors of anonymity and full- versus part-time were insignificant. These results are taken as suggestive evidence that conditions of administration can modify student responses to TRFs and that they should be as uniform as possible if TRFs are to be used to compare lecturers.     

Problematic students of NASP‐approved programs: An exploratory study of graduate student views

This study reports the findings of an electronic exploratory survey of National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Student Representatives. The purpose of the survey was to gather information about the perspective of graduate students concerning problematic peers and their experiences with them in school psychology training programs. Findings suggest that (a) students are unsure whether or not their training programs have an official procedure in place for dealing with problematic students; (b) the problems they observe most commonly involve poor interpersonal skills; (c) consistent with other mental health programs, school psychology graduate students most often talk with their peers or avoid contact with the problematic peer when they have concerns rather than go to faculty; (d) the majority (49.4%) of the respondents feel that faculty or training directors have the most responsibility for the identification of problematic peers but that students have an ethical duty to provide information to the teaching staff if they feel they have a reason to believe there is a problem of which the faculty is unaware. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Undergraduate science research: a comparison of influences and experiences between premed and non-premed students

Most students participating in science undergraduate research (UR) plan to attend either medical school or graduate school. This study examines possible differences between premed and non-premed students in their influences to do research and expectations of research. Questionnaire responses from 55 premed students and 80 non-premed students were analyzed. No differences existed in the expectations of research between the two groups, but attitudes toward science and intrinsic motivation to learn more about science were significantly higher for non-premed students. Follow-up interviews with 11 of the students, including a case study with one premed student, provided explanation for the observed differences. Premed students, while not motivated to learn more about science, were motivated to help people, which is why most of them are pursuing medicine. They viewed research as a way to help them become doctors and to rule out the possibility of research as a career. Non-premed students participated in research to learn more about a specific science topic and gain experience that may be helpful in graduate school research. The difference in the reasons students want to do UR may be used to tailor UR experiences for students planning to go to graduate school or medical school.     

Bystander Behaviours Among Israeli Children Witnessing Bullying Behaviour In School Settings

As part of an international study that examined students' bystander behaviour when witnessing bullying in the school environment, we asked 216 junior high and 190 elementary Israeli school students to respond to a questionnaire addressing various issues related to bystander behaviours, following viewing a video showing various bullying incidents. Results showed that more than half of the students observed verbal and physical bullying and more than third of the students observed sexual coercion type of bullying on a weekly basis. Overall, most of the students reported that they would not support the bully when witnessing bullying and would support the victims and/or call a teacher. In other words, verbally they possess the right attitude towards bullying. Further analysis of students' responses, based on their status in relation to bullying, that is, reported being a victim, bully, bully/victim or neither, revealed that victims tend to report calling teachers more than students who reported being bullies and also bully/victims. Notably, bullies as bystanders were more likely to support bullies and not to get a teacher. Implications of these results for teachers who attempt to combat bullying in their schools are discussed.     

Despite Our Best Intention: Students Relate How Social Promotion Hurt Them and What Changes They Believe will Help Them

The paper researches the practice of social promotion, where students who fail due to a lack of comprehension of grade level material are promoted along with their classmates who passed. Student and parent interviews, student surveys, and data from students’ graduation records are used to determine that social promotion does not improve the students’ education, instead students who are socially promoted are more likely to dropout of high school, less likely to graduate high school on time or at all, and the alternative practices are needed if students are to be successful and graduate high school.     

Learning the Unwritten Rules: Working Class Students in Graduate School

While researchers have begun to examine the experiences of working class students in undergraduate education more closely, we know less about the experiences of working class students in graduate school. Through a nationwide survey of graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Sociology, we examined the extent to which working class students face greater challenges or barriers in completing their degrees compared to their middle class peers. We found working class students to be comparatively disadvantaged in academic integration and financial support. We discuss the implications of these findings for improving the graduate school experiences of working class students.     

College Students’ Views of Work–Life Balance in STEM Research Careers: Addressing Negative Preconceptions

In career discussions, female undergraduates said that if they were to attend graduate school in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and were to follow a career based on their research training, they would have to give up having a family. A subsequent survey showed that many students, both men and women, thought work–life balance would be more difficult to achieve in a STEM research path than in other professions they were considering. Their views of STEM research being less family-friendly were more pronounced on issues of parental leaves and caring for children than finding a spouse/partner and landing two jobs in the same locality. To provide role models of work–life balance in STEM professions, we convened panels of dual-career couples who described how they worked together to raise their children while advancing their scientific careers. Our selection of panelists and topics of discussion were based on findings of social science research on work–life balance. On a survey with the same questions administered afterward, the changes in paired responses of male and female students with respect to all four issues showed a significant shift toward thinking that a research-based STEM career would be no more difficult than other careers they were considering.     

Student-designed curricula: The graduate and professional school reaction

Recent changes in undergraduate programs now enable students to design their own curricula. In the process, many students define their post-baccalaureate goals as graduate school or professional school work.This study investigated how a graduate department or professional school would react to an applicant with a self-designed program. Questionnaires were distributed to admissions directors of the 58 graduate departments and professional schools of the State University of New York at Buffalo, a major university center in the state.The results indicate that recognition of differences between student-designed programs and standard (university-designed) ones are only beginning. Thus, (1) special-degree students are initially not differentiated from other applicants, e.g., in the first sift; (2) criteria for effectively evaluating special-program applicants, as distinct from standard ones, are necessary.To date it is the applicant's responsibility to document and communicate his worth and that of his endeavor. Admissions personnel are eager for additional information.     

K-12 Students' Perceptions of Scientists: Finding a valid measurement and exploring whether exposure to scientists makes an impact

This study was launched from a National Science Foundation GK-12 grant in which graduate fellows in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are placed in classrooms to engage K-12 students in STEM activities. The investigation explored whether the STEM Fellows' presence impacted the K-12 students' stereotypical image of a scientist. Since finding a valid instrument is critical, the study involved (1) determining the validity of the commonly administered Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) against a newly designed six-question survey and (2) using a combination of both instruments to determine what stereotypes are currently held by children. A pretest–posttest design was used on 485 students, grades 3–11, attending 6 different schools in suburban and rural Maine communities. A significant but low positive correlation was found between the DAST and the survey; therefore, it is imperative that the DAST not be used alone, but corroboration with interviews or survey questions should occur. Pretest results revealed that the children held common stereotypes of scientists, but these stereotypes were neither as extensive nor did they increase with the grade level as past research has indicated, suggesting that a shift has occurred with children having a broader concept of who a scientist can be. Finally, the presence of an STEM Fellow corresponded with decreased stereotypes in middle school and high school, but no change in elementary age children. More research is needed to determine whether this reflects resiliency in elementary children's perceptions or limitations in either drawing or in writing out their responses.     

Reaching Graduate Students at Risk for Suicidal Behavior Through the Interactive Screening Program

Suicidal behavior is a significant concern among graduate students. Because many suicidal graduate students do not access mental health services, programs to connect them to resources are essential. This article describes the Interactive Screening Program (ISP), an anonymous, Web-based tool for screening and engaging at-risk graduate school students. We include qualitative responses from participating graduate students providing information on their symptoms or circumstances, desire for treatment, and gratitude for services. Concluding remarks highlight ISP's benefits for graduate students and ways to implement this protocol for other graduate student populations.     

National survey of school psychologists regarding use of dynamic assessment and other nontraditional assessment techniques

A national survey investigating the use of dynamic assessment and other nontraditional assessment techniques among school psychologists (N = 226) was conducted. Results of the survey indicated that 42% of respondents were at least “somewhat familiar” with dynamic assessment. However, of those familiar with dynamic assessment, only 39% reported using the techniques once a year or more. The most frequently endorsed reasons for not using dynamic assessment (if familiar with it) were lack of knowledge and time restraints. Learning disabled students were the population of students most often evaluated using dynamic assessment and the dynamic assessment was most often used to determine processing strengths and weaknesses. The majority of those familiar with dynamic assessment became so through independent reading. Only 10% reported learning about dynamic assessment through course work. In response to questions regarding assessment techniques most often used with minority students the majority of respondents reported using traditional assessment tools including the WISC‐III (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition), BINET IV (Stanford‐Binet Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition), or KABC (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children). Overall, the results of the survey suggest that although the population is becoming increasingly more diverse and changes in PL94‐142 (Public Law 94‐142) demand functional assessments, school psychologists continue to rely heavily upon traditional assessment techniques to address referral concerns of all students. This may in large part be due to weaknesses in graduate training programs. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterizing pivotal teaching moments in beginning mathematics teachers’ practice

Although skilled mathematics teachers and teacher educators often “know” when interruptions in the flow of a lesson provide an opportunity to modify instruction to improve students’ mathematical understanding, others, particularly novice teachers, often fail to recognize or act on such moments. These pivotal teaching moments (PTMs), however, are key to instruction that builds on student thinking about mathematics. Video of beginning secondary school mathematics teachers’ instruction was analyzed to identify and characterize PTMs in mathematics lessons and to examine the relationships among the PTMs, the teachers’ decisions in response to them, and the likely impacts on student learning. These data were used to develop a preliminary framework for helping teachers learn to identify and respond to PTMs that occur during their instruction. The results of this exploratory study highlight the importance of teacher education preparing teachers to (a) understand the mathematical terrain their students are traversing, (b) notice high-leverage student mathematical thinking, and (c) productively act on that thinking. This preparation would improve beginning teachers’ abilities to act in ways that would increase their students’ mathematical understanding.     

An Investigation of Student Response to a Potential Tuition Cap Increase at Casper College

Wyoming Community College Commission policy currently states any student enrolled for more than 12 credit hours will be charged tuition for only 12 credit hours. This policy is referred to as the tuition cap. In November 2010, the commission discussed increasing the tuition cap to 15 credits. An increase from 12 to 15 credits would have represented a 25% increase in tuition for students enrolled for 15 or more credits. Casper College president Dr. Walter Nolte commissioned a study to examine the impact such an increase would have on Casper College and its students. A survey instrument was designed to determine if students carrying more than 12 credit hours would reduce their enrollment credits and what sources of funding they would seek to defray the increased cost. Using a multistage sampling design, a sample of 67 Casper College course sections was selected to respond to the survey. The data were analyzed with logistic regression models, and the estimates were adjusted using sampling weights and a finite population correction. Analysis indicated that 42% of Casper College students would reduce their credit hours by an average of 3.3 credits. Approximately 58% of students would seek additional scholarships and 63% would seek increased work hours. The results of the study were presented to the Wyoming Community College Commission on October 28, 2011. In December 2011, the Commission announced a decision not to increase the tuition cap.     

Developing a learning progression for number sense based on the rule space model in China

The current study focuses on developing the learning progression of number sense for primary school students, and it applies a cognitive diagnostic model, the rule space model, to data analysis. The rule space model analysis firstly extracted nine cognitive attributes and their hierarchy model from the analysis of previous research and the mathematics textbook used in Beijing. A cognitive diagnostic test for number sense was then developed based upon the cognitive attributes. Finally, the model was used to analyse a sample of 1207 Chinese primary school students’ observed item responses to identify their knowledge states and to validate and modify the hypothesised learning progression. The results showed that the test was of good psychometric quality, and that the hypothesised learning progression was generally validated. By applying the rule space model, the hypothesised learning progression was modified at each level. The results also showed that students in grade 3, grade 4 and grade 5 were mainly classified into level 1 and level 2, level 2–level 4 and level 5 of the modified learning progression, respectively. These results suggest the feasibility and benefits of using cognitive diagnostic models to develop learning progressions.     

The School Counselor's Role in Special Education

The purpose of this study was (a) to survey school counselor preparation and perceived and projected role in serving special education students in the southwestern region of the United States; and (b) to determine the status of counselor education programs throughout the nation in preparing counselors to effectively serve exceptional students. The results indicated that 50 percent of the school counselor sample advocated additional involvement with exceptional students, 43 percent felt inadequately prepared to deal effectively with exceptional students, and 60 percent would be more willing to serve exceptional students if their training in special education had been more extensive.     

The Mathematical Behavior of Six Successful Mathematics Graduate Students: Influences Leading to Mathematical Success

This study investigated the mathematical behavior of graduate students and the experiences that contributed to their mathematical development and success. Their problem-solving behavior was observed while completing complex mathematical tasks, and their beliefs were assessed by administering a written survey. These graduate students report that a mentor, most frequently a high school teacher, facilitated the development of their problem solving abilities and continued mathematical study. The mentors were described as individuals who provided challenging problems, encouragement, and assistance in learning how to approach complex problems. When confronted with an unfamiliar task, these graduate students exhibited exceptional persistence and high confidence. Their initial problem solving attempts were frequently to classify the problem as one of a familiar type, and they were not always effective in accessing recently taught information or monitoring their solution attempts, but were careful to offer only solutions that had a logical foundation. These results provide numerous insights into the complexities of using and extending one's mathematical knowledge and suggest that non-cognitive factors play a prominent role in a student's mathematical success.This revised version was published online in September 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Method for Graduate Students to Provide Feedback to Their Major Professors

ABSTRACT: A graduate student survey was developed and administered annually for 3 y by a graduate student committee in the School of Fisheries, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, Wash., U.S.A. The main objective of the 5-point rating scale survey was to raise the consciousness level of faculty as to how they were being perceived as major professors by their students. Results indicate that the anonymous survey can be an effective assessment tool in the development of mentoring skills by a major professor, is a heuristic device, and should be continually improved based on results and feedback. It is also important that there be some way to help faculty with the process of improvement of mentoring skills if that is a desired outcome.     

The Current Status of Graduate Training in Suicide Risk Assessment

Directors and coordinators (n = 75) of graduate programs in school psychology approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) were surveyed regarding their training practices in suicide risk assessment. Respondents viewed the assessment of suicide risk as an important part of graduate instruction, and most believed that students completing training at their institutions would be adequately prepared to perform this task. Almost all directors indicated that a portion of class lectures was dedicated to addressing child/adolescent suicide risk assessment, and students were reportedly exposed to this topic in multiple courses, particularly those associated with practicum and internship. Students in doctoral and nondoctoral programs received comparable training and were judged to be equally prepared to perform suicide‐related professional activities in the schools. Gaps in training were revealed involving instruction in the use of quantitative measures of risk, large‐scale suicide prevention efforts, interventions with suicidal youth, and postvention activities.     

Credibility and Credulity: Monitoring Teachers for Trustworthiness

Despite reservations expressed in the literature, there is a strong case in the context of schooling for favouring the view that students should engage in an assessment of their teachers for intellectual trustworthiness if credulity on the part of students is to be avoided. J. S. Mill's suggestion that the judgment of open-minded individuals can be trusted is explored and defended; and it is further argued that students are in a position to determine whether or not their teachers are open-minded by asking certain questions about their approach and manner.     

Distress and Suicidality in Higher Education: Implications for Population-Oriented Prevention Paradigms

College students respond to stressful experiences along a continuum of distress and suicidality. This study investigated, from students’ perspectives, the contributors to stress, nature of stress, coping strategies used, and role of drugs and alcohol during stressful periods—all with particular relevance for suicidality. Undergraduate and graduate students were sampled on an online survey from 73 institutions, totaling 26,292 respondents. The pervasiveness of stressful experiences students endorse appears to be more than traditional clinical interventions can manage on their own. Recommendations are, therefore, made about how to utilize population-based prevention to reduce students’ distress and suicidality and improve their mental health.