Dissertation AnalysisBy: Karen R. Smith-Miller

Dissertation 1 Topic: A Culturally Based Fine Arts Study: Students in Diverse Classrooms Developing

Interpersonal Skills Reference: Richardson, A. S. (2008). A Culturally Based Fine Arts Study: Students in Diverse Classrooms Developing Interpersonal Skills (Doctoral dissertation). Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School of Education and Human Services, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Statement of the Problem - Students lack social interacting and communication skills needed to relate to other racial groups and as a necessary skill for success in the work place.

Research Problem – Further understanding is needed to discover if students will gain better relating skills when they are put in an arts class with other ethnic groups.

Purpose of the Study – It is for the participants to show progress in using social interaction skills and to relate amicably with their peers and teachers from various ethnic groupings.

Methodology Used - Qualitative Research (Ethnography)

Dissertation 1 Topic: A Culturally Based Fine Arts Study: Students in Diverse Classrooms

Developing Interpersonal Skills (continued) Key Findings - In some instances, the students enrolled in these art

courses were able to improve their social interaction with the ethnic group they learnt about.As some students increased their interact with and acquired knowledge of other ethnicities, so did their respect for them and appreciation for their culture.

Opportunity for further research – The study could be expanded to a larger population high school population for more conclusive evidence, investigating the content presented to enhance this social connection among students so that there is an intentional teaching of social cultural values, find out if social interaction reform experienced continued, especially in the work place.

Dissertation 2 Topic: The Impact of a Transition Program on Ninth-Grade Attendance and

Achievement Reference: Creasman, B. K. (2012). The Impact of a Transition Program on Ninth-

Grade Attendance and Achievement (Doctoral dissertation). Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School of Education and Human Services, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Statement of the Problem - Ninth graders attendance was at its lowest in the past five (5) years.

Research Problem: To understand how the Link Crew transitional, mentoring program could improve students’ attendance and grades when implemented at ninth grade.

Purpose of the Study - An assessment of the freshman transition program was employed to evaluate whether its method of implementation would improve attendance ratings for ninth graders.

Methodology Used - Mixed Methods

Dissertation 2 Topic: The Impact of a Transition Program on Ninth-Grade Attendance and

Achievement (continued)

Key Findings - After implementing the transitional ninth grade program, absences dropped slightly by one (1) day each week.

Opportunity for further research – More reporting and analysis of test scores over the course of the ninth grade year. Also, gender comparisons and qualitative research about students’ use of the Link Crew program’s content throughout their high school career, to assess if it may be valuable for other grade levels.

Dissertation 3 Topic: Evaluation of Interdisciplinary and Integrated Professional

Development for Arts Educators Reference: Milward, T. D. (2010). Evaluation of Interdisciplinary and Integrated

Professional Development for Arts Educators (Doctoral dissertation). Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School of Education and Human Services, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Statement of the Problem - Unless teachers area given the knowledge and training needed, Florida School Board Association's mandate to reform education by integrating the arts will never be a reality.

Research Problem – To understand how training arts teachers about the integration model can connect to more effectively integrating the arts.

Purpose of the Study - To observe how teachers’ professional development training enhanced their teaching of the arts as an integrated model. The research was conducted to measure how professional development training improves the teaching and learning experience in the arts

Methodology Used - Qualitative and Quantitative (Mixed Methods), Descriptive Research

Dissertation 3 Topic: Evaluation of

Interdisciplinary and Integrated Professional

Development for Arts Educators

(continued)

Key Findings - More training is needed to align the expectations for integration reform and arts educators’ teaching practices. Also, teachers are not familiar enough with what is expected or required to integrate arts into the curriculum.

Opportunity for further research – More investigation about training programs for integrating the arts with other subject area and how effect is merging of classes to use the arts to teach other subject areas.

Arts

Dissertation of Choice: Evaluation of Interdisciplinary and Integrated Professional Development for Arts Educators This dissertation was chosen to conduct further research on because

it aligns more closely to my dissertation topic on the arts: The impact of Dance and the performing arts on third graders achievement and attendance.

This study is relevant in my current setting because I am a mathematics elementary school teacher teaching dance as an extra curricular activity.

I want to learn more about the interdisciplinary mandates in Florida and the response of Arts Educators to this implementation.

The problem being addressed in this study is the training needs of teachers and the impact on student progress in the arts. It applies to my current setting because we have tried a model of the performing arts previously and failed, even though the students express a love for the arts.