USING VOLUNTEER AIDES IN A K-5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to (1) ascertain the perceptions of teachers using volunteer aids and (2) to investigate the effect use of volunteer aids have on student achievement when comparing anticipated achievement with actual academic achievement. The population for this study included the teachers at Sahuarita Elementary School and students from both Sahuarita Elementary School and Sopori Elementary School in the Sahuarita Unified School District No. 30 system at Sahuarita, Arizona. From these groups, all teachers at Sahuarita Elementary School were used in the sample study and one class from each grade level, two to five, from each school was selected to be representative of the total grade level. Faculty members from Sahuarita Elementary School were given an opinion questionnaire constructed to indicate teacher effectiveness as a result of using volunteer aides. The teachers from Sopori elementary School were not given the opinion questionnaire because they did not utilize the services of volunteer aides. The Volunteer Aide Teacher Opinion Questionnaire was validated by using Aiken's Index of Content Validity and the information gathered on it was analyzed by a simple tally method. The mean scores of teacher responses were graphically illustrated on a profile chart. Classrooms of students were selected, one from each grade level, two to five, and were administered the Short Form Test of Academic Aptitude and the California Achievement Test at both Sahuarita Elementary School and at Sopori Elementary School. From the data collected, linear regressions utilizing residuals were graphically constructed for each class of students in the control and experimental groups. Significant levels of student achievement were noted based on analysis of variance of potential vs. performance. Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.), sex and ethnic background were investigated to determine cause and effect relationships and for future investigative research.