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Articles 31 - 60 of 240
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Culturally Responsive Education: Creating A Safe And Inclusive Environment For Lgbtq+ Students, Kassidi M. Adams
Culturally Responsive Education: Creating A Safe And Inclusive Environment For Lgbtq+ Students, Kassidi M. Adams
Culminating Experience Projects
This paper explores research that discusses the impact of a culturally responsive education and lack-of for LGBTQ+ students and recommends a solution to ensure all students are safe and represented in schools. The research cited varies in their definitions and uses of the term LGBTQ+. This paper will use the term LGBTQ+, an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more communities; however, the abbreviation used in the referenced research may be shortened to LG, LGB, LGBT, or LGBTQ to reflect only specific communities included in LGBTTTQQIAAP (VandenBos, 2015). This paper will also focus on inclusion, which refers to …
Social Emotional Learning Resources And Evaluations For Kindergarten Students, Jacquelyn Becker
Social Emotional Learning Resources And Evaluations For Kindergarten Students, Jacquelyn Becker
Culminating Experience Projects
Kindergarten is looking very different these years because of the increase in requirements and standards. The push is affecting teachers and students. Teachers are having to use scripted lessons and focus on test preparation instead of teaching based on the students developmental needs. Students are being pushed and given less time to play and explore while they are in school. The lack of free play and the push academically, students are starting to show negative behavior and acting out while they are in class. This project focuses on the benefits of play and teaching social emotional learning (SEL) skills for …
Empowering All Learners: The Role Of Cultural Responsiveness In Elementary Literacy Education, Meghan Claire Arbury
Empowering All Learners: The Role Of Cultural Responsiveness In Elementary Literacy Education, Meghan Claire Arbury
Culminating Experience Projects
Instructional strategies used by teachers impact student literacy performance. Students’ literacy skills can improve when teachers incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices that are also high-quality in nature. There is a particular need for these methods to be adopted in elementary classrooms in order to make learning accessible and equitable for diverse learners. Literacy skills are highly social and students’ backgrounds experiences are pivotal connections around which knowledge and understanding are constructed. In the Northwest Michigan region, as well as nationwide, performance disparities among cultural groups are reflected in literacy achievement data (“Grades 3-8,” n.d.), solidifying the need for change to …
Narrowing The Achievement Gap: Culturally Responsive Teaching For African American Students, Haylee Batzer
Narrowing The Achievement Gap: Culturally Responsive Teaching For African American Students, Haylee Batzer
Culminating Experience Projects
It is no surprise to educators that classrooms are filled with children of all different backgrounds. Most teacher preparation programs try their best to prepare educators to teach students of diversity and support inclusion in the classroom. However, educators are still finding themselves lacking the skills needed to incorporate culturally responsive teaching (CRT) into their classrooms. Students of all backgrounds need inclusive practices to be successful. It is important to all students that they feel supported and seen in the classroom, without these practices schools start to see a decline in graduation rates and an increase in dropout rates. Many …
The Power Or Words: Increasing Student Vocabulary Acquisition, Kelly M. Tiers
The Power Or Words: Increasing Student Vocabulary Acquisition, Kelly M. Tiers
Culminating Experience Projects
A lack of vocabulary knowledge may have an influence on student reading comprehension. Reading comprehension, a fundamental, skill, hinges on understanding unknown vocabulary. The research highlights the significant correlation between reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge, stressing its increasing importance as students encounter more complex text. This project explores the importance vocabulary plays in reading comprehension and its link to overall academic success. It further explores strategies to effectively increase student vocabulary and comprehension. The project is designed for elementary classrooms (K-6) to be integrated into existing lessons and routines. An in-service session, part of a district-wide professional development day, will …
Academic Outcomes Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Awareness And Action, Tanner B. Howe
Academic Outcomes Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Awareness And Action, Tanner B. Howe
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has shown that the online learning implemented during the COVID-19-related school closures had impacts on academic outcomes among secondary students. As schools operate in proximity to this event, it is crucial to investigate and understand those academic outcomes. Research suggests that mathematics and reading/language courses displayed negative academic outcomes for the period of online learning. Through this investigation, stress was observed to have played a major role during this period for secondary students and may have also contributed to the academic outcomes observed. This project seeks to raise awareness of possible student educational needs by shining light on the …
Problem Behavior In Early Childhood Special Education, Morgan N. Giola
Problem Behavior In Early Childhood Special Education, Morgan N. Giola
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has revealed an increasing number of instances of problem behavior exhibited by students with special needs in early childhood classrooms. This project explores the problem of increased problem behavior in early childhood special education (ECSE) classrooms and how to decrease the prevalence of this challenge. Through an extensive literature review, this project concludes that providing ECSE educators with professional development and resources on research-based approaches and strategies to addressing problem behavior is the key to tackling this problem. The professional development included in this project informs the importance of solving this problem, including short- and long-term implications of students …
Transforming Mathematics Education With Creativity, Natalie M. Zielinski
Transforming Mathematics Education With Creativity, Natalie M. Zielinski
Culminating Experience Projects
Mathematics achievement in elementary and middle school students has decreased across the United States since 2019. Research has shown that moving away from traditional lecture-style teaching and implementing creative and application based learning can result in higher academic achievement and engagement. By utilizing challenging curricular tasks, Project Based Learning, and arts integration, students can be presented with more authentic and engaging academic content to deepen mathematical understanding and success. This project explores the benefits and effects of integrating creative teaching strategies into the mathematics classroom as an equitable teaching approach. Through the use of non-scripted curricular tasks, Project Based Learning, …
Transitioning Into Kindergarten, Faith C. Dysard
Transitioning Into Kindergarten, Faith C. Dysard
Culminating Experience Projects
Historically, kindergarten is the place where many children receive their educational foundation. The current demand on children and educators has changed from play-based education to more of an academic focus, for which some children are not ready. At University Prep Art and Design Elementary School, incoming kindergartners are assessed when they are admitted and then invited to participate in a weeklong summer bridge program. This project will explain different factors that provide reasoning as to why children are not ready for kindergarten and give a layout of a transitional program that children, teachers, and families can participate in to better …
An Examination Of The Effects Of Testing On Student Learning In Elementary School, Dana Spielberger
An Examination Of The Effects Of Testing On Student Learning In Elementary School, Dana Spielberger
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has revealed important information about the effects of testing on student motivation, mental well-being, and academic performance. These effects are mostly negative, yet most schools throughout the country have not adopted alternative education models to reflect this information. This project explores the recent history of educational testing as holistic theories of education and associated alternative pedagogies that can be used to address the problems created by testing. An effective assessment model must be recurring and longitudinal in nature, collaborative between students, parents, teachers, and outside stakeholders, and be able to account for the differing needs, environments, backgrounds, and interests …
Building Stronger Student-Teacher Relationships With Students Of Color, Diana Berlanga
Building Stronger Student-Teacher Relationships With Students Of Color, Diana Berlanga
Culminating Experience Projects
This project examines the racial disparity that exists among students of color and positive teacher-student relationships. Research shows that teacher bias influences teachers' perception of students of color. Teacher social identities play a role in how teachers build student-teacher relationships, which affects some students of color experience in school. For instance, students of color are less likely to experience academic recommendations and more likely to receive harsh discipline. However, research shows that teachers can improve their teacher bias by self-discovering their teacher’s social identity in the classroom. In addition, teachers could improve their interactions with students of color by exploring …
An Examination Of Non-Core Teacher Training In Special Education, Courtney Farber
An Examination Of Non-Core Teacher Training In Special Education, Courtney Farber
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has shown that many non-core educators such as art, music, and physical education educators may lack the training needed to properly service students with special needs in their classrooms. The undergraduate programs researched were found to only require one course about special education. This lack of training leaves educators unprepared and always wondering how to best teach students with special needs in their classrooms. The lack of educator training also means that students with special needs are not able to participate to their full ability within these classes. This project looks at the training received by educators, the different …
Let Them Play! Integrating More Play Into Kindergarten Curriculum And Classrooms, Danielle N. Johnson
Let Them Play! Integrating More Play Into Kindergarten Curriculum And Classrooms, Danielle N. Johnson
Culminating Experience Projects
Research reinforces how play in the classroom can greatly benefit students in academic, social, emotional and behavioral ways. Today, students in kindergarten are being pressured to adhere to rigorous academic standards .While teachers are centering instruction around these standards, play is no longer seen as an essential piece of the classroom. The standards in kindergarten are becoming more intense and similar to higher grade levels. Developmentally, play can be a very advantageous way to help students grow in literacy and their learning. With scaffolding and modeling, teachers have the opportunity to teach through play and give students space to grow …
Fostering Reading For Enjoyment In Upper Elementary Students By Developing Connections To Reading And Increasing Self-Efficacy, Patrick Ritt
Fostering Reading For Enjoyment In Upper Elementary Students By Developing Connections To Reading And Increasing Self-Efficacy, Patrick Ritt
Culminating Experience Projects
Data shows that fewer students are choosing to read for pleasure. Fostering students’ intrinsic motivation to read and developing skills to personally connect with texts, along with authentic literacy instruction has shown to increase how often students choose to read and for how long they read. Upper elementary teachers should create inclusive libraries, help students connect with interesting texts, develop useful independent reading time, and implement authentic and cross-curricular learning activities as part of literacy instruction. This project will help teachers assess student motivation to read and match students with appropriate and interesting texts. This project also provides methods for …
Faculty And Student Perception Of Open Educational Resources In Higher Education, Bethany J. Welling
Faculty And Student Perception Of Open Educational Resources In Higher Education, Bethany J. Welling
Culminating Experience Projects
There is an ever-increasing rise in higher education, including the price of textbooks. Students are choosing to not purchase textbooks to save money. An alternative to this problem needs to occur. One solution is the use of Open Educational Resources (OER). OER improves the cost and quality of course materials for students and makes the materials accessible, thus promoting equity among all students. When all students have access to the materials on the first day, they become more engaged with the course. This paper describes the benefits of OER in higher education and the student and faculty perceptions. To make …
A Collection Of Middle Level Reading Interventions Categorized Based On Specific Criteria, Claire E. Alexander
A Collection Of Middle Level Reading Interventions Categorized Based On Specific Criteria, Claire E. Alexander
Culminating Experience Projects
Students lack literacy skills while entering the middle level grades, where reading is used as a tool for learning, rather than consistently taught through explicit instruction on the components of literacy. Reading interventions give students additional support and opportunities to improve their reading skills. This project argues for those intervention programs to be chosen based on specific qualities that are shown through research to make learning during interventions more impactful. The framework for this project works with the idea that learning is a social and cultural interaction, where collaboration, word play, student interests, and learning environment will allow students to …
Utilizing Cost-Effective Strategies To Combat The Achievement Gap In Low-Income Schools, Danielle L. Groendyk
Utilizing Cost-Effective Strategies To Combat The Achievement Gap In Low-Income Schools, Danielle L. Groendyk
Culminating Experience Projects
While the achievement gap that exists between students in schools of varying socioeconomic status is far from a new problem, its increasing presence emphasizes some of the most substantial inequalities in public education today. Though other achievement gaps such as those relating to ethnicity or gender have substantially narrowed in recent years, research shows that the socioeconomic-achievement gap continues to increase (Strand, 2014). Like other ethical dilemmas, acknowledging this problem challenges the notion that all students have access to a free public education because it recognizes that such access is severely unequal. Students who are raised in low-income communities are …
Early Education Mentor Match, Erik W. Taylor
Early Education Mentor Match, Erik W. Taylor
Culminating Experience Projects
Literature has revealed important information on how establishing mentoring can foster ongoing learning and effective teaching, yet few west Michigan early education environments incorporate any opportunities to encourage these essential relationships. This project explores the recent history of early education learning environments as well as contemporary challenges presented to these programs. Effective teacher supports and ongoing training must acknowledge the necessary out-of-classroom time needed for high-quality instruction and its influence on teacher wellbeing. Mentoring can offer teachers at various points in their careers with rich opportunities to coach and be coached as part of their existing professional development network. The …
Supporting Optimal Recess In Early Childhood Settings, Kristen Spoelman
Supporting Optimal Recess In Early Childhood Settings, Kristen Spoelman
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has revealed that US elementary school recess has declined significantly over the past 50 years, including Coopersville Area Public Schools. The major factors that have contributed to this decline include federal policies, adminstrative perspectives, lack of funding and trained staff, and growing concern over safety and behaviors, such as bullying. Scientific investigations have more recently been conducted in response to the recess cuts or eliminations, in order to provide data that demonstrates the crucial need to provide recess to children. These studies, along with growing social organization efforts, have identified that children experience whole child benefit from recess, which …
An Examination Of The First-Year Experience Of Conditionally Admitted Students, Alexis Gunn
An Examination Of The First-Year Experience Of Conditionally Admitted Students, Alexis Gunn
Culminating Experience Projects
This project investigates the first-year experience of conditionally admitted students in higher education institutions. The findings within the literature highlight the needs that conditionally admitted students require, which include but are not limited to: the need for greater academic support, mental health support, and understanding of the school-life balance. By understanding the first-year experiences of conditionally admitted students, the project was able to implement strategies to ensure a smoother transition. To do this, a design for first-year workshops designed specifically for conditionally admitted students was developed that addressed resources and support, emotional intelligence and self-care, and time management and organization.
Math Proficiency And The Achievement Gap, Jamila A. Peterson
Math Proficiency And The Achievement Gap, Jamila A. Peterson
Culminating Experience Projects
Mathematical proficiency and the achievement gap have been central topics in educational research for decades. Academic experts from all areas have sought resolutions, especially in Michigan, which ranks relatively low in mathematical achievement; however, the problem persists. This project will investigate the history of the achievement gap, specifically in mathematics proficiency, and explore contributing factors and potential research resolutions. Mathematical proficiency is crucial in closing the achievement gap, as it has been a proven indicator of upward mobility. Proficiency not only negatively impacts the non-proficient student, but it also projects the country's economic future.
Addressing The Lack Of Social-Emotional Skills In Early Childhood, Jeni Marie Visser
Addressing The Lack Of Social-Emotional Skills In Early Childhood, Jeni Marie Visser
Culminating Experience Projects
It has been referenced that behavior management is a top professional development need for early childhood teachers to address challenging behaviors in children (Brock & Beaman-Diglia, 2018). There are evidence-based practices that exist to address severe challenging behavior, but promoting implementation of evidence-based practices remains a challenge (Brock & Beaman-Diglia, 2018). Challenging behavior comes from children not having the social skills to engage in appropriate behaviors and not knowing how to communicate emotions in appropriate ways. Research connects early social-emotional development, especially emotional control, self-regulation, attention, and having appropriate social skills, to the development of higher-order cognitive functioning and to …
Evidence-Based Writing Pedagogy, Patrick Misner
Evidence-Based Writing Pedagogy, Patrick Misner
Culminating Experience Projects
Standardized tests continue to consistently show students performing below grade level on writing tasks. This project explores the history of the issue as well as research behind evidenced based writing pedagogy shown to improve students' writing abilities. It focuses on three key strategies: integrating reading and writing instruction, providing effective feedback, and using a process writing framework. The culminating project incorporates these three techniques in a writing unit, which can be used with high school English students. Also provided are pre- and post-assessments with grading rubrics taken from previous National Assessment of Educational Progress tests that teachers can use to …
The Language Of Racism And Education, Megan A. Visser
The Language Of Racism And Education, Megan A. Visser
Culminating Experience Projects
Language, and how we use it, affects all people around us, including the students in our schools. This project aims to educate others on the importance of language, show how language is often used to be covertly racist, and begin the process of setting educators on a new path towards language that is inclusive. The aspects of language that this project will break down are colorblind language, diversity language, and microaggressions. Once broken down we will address some ways to rebuild our language in a way that makes our students feel safe in our classrooms.
A Study Of Behavior Issues In The Early Childhood Classroom After The Pandemic, Mari Elena Sremba
A Study Of Behavior Issues In The Early Childhood Classroom After The Pandemic, Mari Elena Sremba
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has shown that children entering the classroom environment after the COVID-19 pandemic are struggling with behavioral issues. Due to a lack of social-emotional skills and heightened anxiety and depression, schools are seeing children act out more violently and emotionally than ever before. With a strict focus on the findings of the importance of school readiness and play-based learning skills, this project is aimed to minimize these outbursts of negative behavior by teaching parents on how to get involved in the home and teach these necessary skills for school success. Parental involvement has shown high correlations with success for children …
Summer Bridge Programs And The Impact On African American Students, Astin Martin
Summer Bridge Programs And The Impact On African American Students, Astin Martin
Culminating Experience Projects
Summer bridge programs have been an effective strategy for increasing African American students' success in higher education according to Detgen, Fernandez, McMahon, Johnson, and Dailey study (2021). This project explores summer bridge programs and highlights how these programs provide academic, social, and cultural support to help students overcome the challenges they may face during their transition to college (Ghazzawi, Pattison, Horn, Hardy & Brown, 2021). The success of summer bridge programs can be attributed to their ability to provide early academic preparation, build a sense of community, and increase the confidence and self-efficacy of disadvantaged students in Science, Technology, Engineering, …
Creating A Partnership Using The Home To School Connection To Implement Relevant Instruction In The Classroom And Supporting The School To Home Connection To Create A Tier Two Intervention Tailored To Students’ Early Literacy Needs, Sara L. Arthurs
Culminating Experience Projects
A child’s first place of learning is within the home environment. Research has proven the importance of family involvement in developing children’s early literacy skills. Children have academic success when family members are involved and supportive of development. Early elementary students are expected to enter formal schooling already holding knowledge of foundational literacy skills. The home environment offers children the opportunity to learn and support later literacy success. However, there has been a disconnect between how family and schools partner which has impacted how families engage in their child’s educational experience. Schools and teachers should continue to partner with families …
The Social-Psychological Development Of Dual-Enrollment Students, Paulie Robinson-Stevens
The Social-Psychological Development Of Dual-Enrollment Students, Paulie Robinson-Stevens
Culminating Experience Projects
Dual enrollment is a college acceleration program that allows high school students to take college classes while still in high school. This program as it exists today prepares students for the academic rigors of college, but it does not adequately develop the social or psychological skills they need to succeed in a college environment. Dual enrollment programs also do not include information about transfer credits, financial aid, or support services, all of which are necessary for students to transition from high school to a higher education institution. This project proposes a nine-week seminar to complement the academic preparation dual enrollment …
An Examination Of Early Childhood Scholars’ Social Emotional Competencies, Monica J. Graveling
An Examination Of Early Childhood Scholars’ Social Emotional Competencies, Monica J. Graveling
Culminating Experience Projects
Research has disclosed valuable evidence about early childhood social emotional learning. This project investigates the recent history of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in America and the impact it is having on young learners in order to improve instructional techniques and foster SEL growth within early childhood children. SEL capabilities influence the overall well-being of young scholars in the present and the future. There is an abundance of early childhood students who lack the SEL skills needed to succeed in education and society. Positive, classroom relationships are beneficial in developing social emotional abilities. Additionally, interactive read aloud experiences and discussions are …
Mental Health Education In Higher Education, Chelsea J. Farley
Mental Health Education In Higher Education, Chelsea J. Farley
Culminating Experience Projects
This project dives into the current mental health status of college students and what institutions are doing to address students steady and continuous decline of mental health. Mental Health 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Faculty incorporates suggestions from literature and theory to provide resources to faculty members when educating students. Mental Health 101 was created with the social-ecological model in mind (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) by connecting the individual student to their environment, or in this case, the college classroom. The guide consists of information about mental health such as risk factors and warning signs, coping strategies, activities, and assignments faculty members …