Lee County Public Schools

2855 Colonial Blvd • Fort Myers, FL 33966
Phone: 239.334.1102 • TTD/TTY: 239.335.1512

Our Mission: To ensure that each student achieves his/her highest personal potential
Our Vision: To be a world-class school system

Accountability, Research and
Continuous Improvement Department

Dr. Richard Itzen, Director	239-335-1448
Mrs. Rita Effing, Coordinator - West Zone	239-337-8627
Robert Kuhn MS, Data Mgmt Specialist	239-337-8684
Ms. Jo Canterbury, Data Mgmt Specialist	239-335-1490
Mr. Brian Curls, Coordinator - East Zone	239-335-1495
Mrs. Susan Joiner, Coordinator - South Zone	239-337-8352
Ms. Mary Terrell, Director Secretary	239-337-8647
FAX Number	239-337-8664

Research Projects Approved by
the Research Request Committee*
12/15/2009

Researcher	Purpose / Affiliation	Title - Subject	Start Date	Status
Betsy Henry, Teacher Trafalgar Middle School	Dissertation, Univ. of Central Florida	"Effect of Teaching Strategies on Academic Performance and Behavior" A look at Constructivist versus Traditional teaching approaches and how they impact student achievement and behavior problems.	Fall 2002	Completed
Diane Schmidt Suncoast Area Center for Educational Enhancement at Florida Gulf Coast University	Follow Up Research to Dissertation	"Constructivist Practices in Mathematics Education: The Effect of Professional Development on Teachers' Practices and Student Achievement"	January-03	Completed
Barbara Calabro, Doctoral Student	Dissertation, Walden University	"What Factors Contribute to the Implementation of a Constructive Learning Community?"	Fall 2003	Pending
Greg Adkins, Director of Employee Relations	Dissertation, Univ. of Central Florida	"Teacher Performance Pay: A Study of the Perceptions of Certified School-Based Personnel"	Fall 2003	Completed
Jeanethe D. Thompson Doctoral Student	Dissertation, Florida Atlantic University	"The Relationship between the Threat of School Choice and Changes in School Organization"	Fall 2003	Pending
Carnegie Corporation, RMC Corporation	Follow up study on State Learn and Serve Grant projects	"Service-Learning and Civic Engagement"	Fall 2003	Pending
Ernesto Lasso de la Vega Doctoral Candidate	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Evaluation of Attitude, Knowledge, and Awareness in Environmental Education Instructors, Students, and Parents in Southwest Florida"	Spring 2004	Completed
Scott LeMaster, AP NFMAA	Doctoral Dissertation Nova South Eastern University	"An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Accomplished Professional Practices for the Lee Educational System"	Spring 2004	Pending
Derrick Donnell, Teacher North Ft. Myers HS	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Beginning Teachers' Satisfaction with Employment in SW Florida: Relationship to Attrition"	Spring 2004	Completed
Rebecca L. Poppe University of South Florida	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Reading Motivation in Upper Elementary Students: How Children Explain Reading for Pleasure"	Summer 2004	Completed
Brian Moore, Teacher Royal Palm Except. Center	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Perceptions of Teachers and Administrators of the Organizational Supports for Inclusion Programs and Their Attitudes Toward Inclusion in Southwest Florida Elementary Schools"	Winter 2005	Completed
Mercedes Prichard, Teacher Cypress Lake High School	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Adolescent Haitian Immigrants: Factors Affecting Their Perceptions of Academic Success"	Winter 2005	Completed
Mary Chang Doctoral Student	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Transparent Templates of Principals"	Spring 2005	Completed
Virginia Harper, Teacher Cape High School	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"A Study of Southwest Florida High School Reading Teachers: The Role and Implementation of Professional Development on Scientifically Based Researched Professional Development"	Spring 2005	Completed
David Koehler, Teacher Cape Charter School	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"The Reading Motivations that Affect the Reading Performances of Students in Southwest Florida"	Spring 2005	Abstract
Cheryl Young, Behavioral Spec. Gulf Middle School	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"From seclusion to inclusion. A comparative case study of students with emotional and behavioral disorders in middle schools"	Spring 2005	Completed
Cindy Sikkenga Information Systems	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	"Educational Vision in Florida School Districts: Vision Alignment and Leadership Style"	Spring 2005	Completed
Dr. Alysia Roehrig Professor	Florida State University	"Identifying the Conditions under which Large Scale Professional Development Polciy Initiatives are Related to Teacher Knowledge, Instructional Practices, and Student Reading Outcomes"	Fall 2005	Abstract
Dr. Patricia Wachholz Professor	Florida Gulf Coast University	"Real Writing in Florida's Schools"	Fall 2005	Abstract
Deidre Winder Doctoral Student	Portland State University	"Mother/Infant Interaction in the Context of Four Maternal Risk Factors"	Fall 2005	Abstract
Denise Baldwin (Garza) Michigan Elem. Teacher	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	"Increasing Student Achievement through the Sterling Quality Program"	Winter 2006	Completed
Vonnie Bryan Franklin Park Principal	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	"Evaluation of Brain-based Instructional Strategies for Grade Five Reading"	Winter 2006	Abstract
Donna Schroll North Ft Myers Acad. A/P	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	"Evaluation of Reading Comprehension Strategies Teacher Training: Part of an Intensive Reading Program"	Winter 2006	Abstract
Courtney Caldwell Zmach Doctoral Student	Doctoral Dissertation University of Florida	Navigating the Complexities of Legislation: How Elementary School Principals Interpret and Implement Florida's Third-Grade Retention Policy	May 2006	Completed
Linda Kay Parr Bayshore Elem. Teacher	Doctoral Dissertation Argosy University	"Comparing Student Reading Gains When Instructed Using Varying Methods of Carbo's Recorded Books"	June 2006	Abstract
Charles Luckey, Principal Harns Marsh Elementary	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	“Evaluation of an Elementary School Culture and its Effect on the Work Environment”	Winter 2006	Abstract
Nelson Torres Doctoral Student	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	Investigation to Determine the Effectiveness of Alternative Teacher Certification in the State of Florida According to Principals’ Perspective”	Fall 2006	Completed
Amy Lynn Trogan Doctoral Student	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	“Traditional and Alternative Certification Programs: Performance Measures and Success as a First-Year Teacher”	Fall 2006	Abstract
Brian Botts, Assistant Principal Lehigh Senior High School	Doctoral Dissertation Barry University	“Knowledge Worker Sharing: a 360 Degree Feedback Study”	Spring 2007	Abstract
Bethany Quisenberry, Teacher Harns Marsh Elementary	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	“An Evaluation Research Study of Grouping by Educational Need in Kindergarten Classrooms”	Spring 2007	Completed
Kenneth Best. Assistant Principal Skyline Elementary	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	“An Evaluation of Training Needs for New Assistant Principals”	Spring 2007	Completed
Shannon R. Gilbert Reading/ESOL Contact	Doctoral Dissertation Nova University	Evaluating the Sucess of the International Baccalaureate Program at a school district in the Southeastern United States	Summer 2007	Abstract
Sarah Davis Master Degree Candidate	Master Thesis Florida Gulf Coast University	“Assessing the benefits of Environmental Education and its impact on environmental literacy among exiting fifth graders across the economic spectrum of Lee County Public Schools”	Fall 2007	Completed
Carlos Negron, Teacher Orange River Elementary	Doctoral Dissertation Argosy University	“An Examination of an English for Speakers (ESOL) Self-Contained Newcomer Program for Spanish-speaking Elementary Students Who Have Limited Reading Skills in Both English and Spanish”	Fall 2007	Completed
Audrey Block Evaluation Director	RMC Research	“Healthy Schools Program”	Fall 2007	Abstract
Beverly Esposito VP Professional Development	The Children’s Forum	“Partners in Education and Research for Success (PERKS)”	Fall 2007	Abstract
Joseph Cofield, Teacher Bonita Springs Middle School	Doctoral Dissertation Nova Southeastern University	“Teacher Use of Technology in Increasing Student Achievement”	Fall 2008	Pending
Janice Edwards, Teacher Edgewood Academy	Doctoral Dissertation Walden University	“The Relationship Between Mentoring, Job Satisfaction, and Self Efficacy"	Fall 2008	Completed
Karen Serrell, Media Specialist Tropic Isles Elementary	Doctoral Dissertation University of Central Florida	“Using the F.I.N.D.S. Model to teach Information Literacy Skills using three different approaches”	Fall 2008	Abstract
Phyllis Verrone, Teacher Skyline Elementary	Doctoral Dissertation Argosy University	“Perceptions Regarding the Needs of Gifted Students”	Fall 2008	Completed
Joe Follman, Director	Florida Learn and Serve	“Assessment of Middle and High School Participants in K-12 Service-Learning Grant Programs”	Winter 2008	Abstract
Laura Lang, Professor	Florida State University	“Principal PROMISE Research Project”	Winter 2008	Abstract
Diane Schmidt, Professor	Florida Gulf Coast University	“Project LAUNCH Follow Up”	Winter 2008	Abstract
Dr. Jeanette Taylor, Psychology	Florida Sate University	“Study of Twins and Reading”	Winter 2008	Abstract
Sandra Agle, Lee County Schools	Nova Southeastern University	“Impact of "FINDS: A Research Process Model" on the Reading of Nonfiction Materials by Middle School Students”	Spring 2009	Abstract
Katherine Callard, Dissertation	Nova Southeastern University	“Using Reader's Theater to Increase Third Graders' Reading Fluency, Comprehension, and Motivation”	Winter 2010	Completed
Joseph L. Cofield, Dissertation	Nova Southeastern University	“Evaluation of an Urban Middle School Technology Training Program”	Winter 2008	Abstract
John F. "Jeff" McCullers, Grants Department	University of Central Florida	“Self-efficacy Beliefs of Florida School Principals”	Winter 2008	Completed
Daryl Greenfield PhD, Research	University of Miami	“Early Childhood Teachers' Attitudes Toward Science”	Winter 2008	Abstract
Carmen Jones, Study	University of North Florida	“Attitudes of K-12 School Administratirs toward Speech-Language Programs”	Winter 2008	Prospectus
Erika Morse, Masters Thesis	Florida State University	“PreKindergarten Teachers' Training on Children's Behavioral Problems in the Classroom”	Fall 2009	Completed
Carrie Testor Geiger, Dissertation	University of Florida	“Educational Leaders and Migrant Populations; policies and Issues in the State of Florida"	Fall 2009	Completed
Robert L. Butz, Dissertation	Walden University	"The Relationship Between Teacher Perceptions of Principal Leadership Style and Student Achievement During a Time of Leadership Change"	Winter 2010	Abstract
Michael C. Arnett, Dissertation	University of Central Florida	"Attendance Policies and Procedures and Their Influence on Secondary School Attendance Rates"	Winter 2010	Abstract
Thomas C Millins, Dunbar Middle AP	Nova Southeastern University	“EImplementation of a Reading Curriculum and its Effects on Student Achievement"	Winter 2010	Completed
Robert L. Butz, Mariner High Teacher	Walden University	“EThe Relationship Between Teacher Perceptions of Principal Leadership Style and Student Achievement During a Time of Leadership Change"	Winter 2010	Completed
Marsha Bur, Harns Marsh Elem. Principal	University of Central Florida	“The Relationship Between Principal Reported Instructional and Organizational Practices of Title I Elementary Schools ans Adequate Yearly Progress"	Spring 2011	Completed
Vicki Lotti Gohagen-Mosely, Dissertation	Nova Southeastern University	“TThe Effect of Reader's Theater on Intermediate Students' Fluency Rates"	Spring 2011	Completed
Rodney Lee Winkler, Dissertation	Liberty University	"Investigating the Impact of Interactive Whiteboard Professional Development on Lesson Planning and Student Math Achievement"	Spring 2011	Completed
J. Stephan Herndon, Dissertation	University of Central Florida	“The Effects of Delay of Gratification and Impulsivity on the Academic Acheivement, Substance Abuse, and Violent Behavior..”	Spring 2011	Completed
JasonW. Kurtz, Dissertation	Barry University	“The Predictive Value of the MAZE and Oral Reading Fluency Measures for Students with and withour EBD..”	Fall 2011	Completed
Evelyn Rivera M.Ed.	Curriculum and Staff Development Department of Lee County Schools	“Teacher's Dispositions and Beliefs About Cultural and Linguistic Diversity”	Winter 2011	Abstract
Dolores A. Holland, Dissertation	Nova Southeastern University	“The Impact of Block Scheduling on Student Achievement in High Stakes Testing”	Winter 2011	Abstract

* Director, Evaluation, Testing and Research
Chief Academic Officer or designee
Program Administrator, Grants and Special Programs
Administrators on Assignment

Disclaimer: The results and conclusions of these independent studies may not reflect the views and opinions of the Lee County School District (Including the Accountability, Research and Continuous Improvement Department).

Accountability, Research and Continuous Improvement
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