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Let Them Be Little: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Kindergarten Teachers During An Era Of Educational Reform, Rachel Denise Whites

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of kindergarten teachers who taught through an era of federally mandated, standards-based educational reforms. This study was guided by two theories as each contributes to an explanation as to how educational reform has strayed far from the central purpose for kindergartens. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development sought to explain how a child constructs a mental model of the world and postulated that there are four distinct stages of human development from birth to adulthood. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory stated that children learn through play and the …

A Framework For Addressing Foster Care Trauma In The Public Education System: Perceptions And Implications, Valerie A. Storey, Fletcher Roschanda

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that approximately 90% of children in foster care have experienced a traumatic event, with nearly half reporting exposure to 4 or more types of traumatic events. Educators must remain alert to indicators suggesting a history of trauma and understand the difficulties foster youth may face regulating their emotions and behavior while in school.

METHODS

A framework for foster youth trauma in the public education system identifies the interplay between macro-level forces, such as federal and state policy, and school and teacher micro-level forces.

RESULTS

The framework highlights the inadequacy of educators in identifying the manifestations of …

Power, Passion And Politics: A Grounded Theory Study Of Academic Experiences In Policy Development And Implementation In Higher Education, Marie Brennan

Doctoral

This research study is designed to investigate the lived experiences and perspectives of the academic community on policy development in Irish higher education. A review of the current policy landscape in Ireland and Europe and in particular empirical studies concerning policy implementation provided the focus of the study. The initial study focused on contemporary literature on policy development practices affected by globalisation and subsequently the issues at a national level. Where the gaps in knowledge were identified were in terms of policy implementation at the local level and where the study is aligned. The participants in the study are academics …

Reading Curriculum Policy And (Re)Shaping Practices: The Possibilities And Limits Of Enactment, Dawn Penney, Laura Alfrey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper provides a contribution and opening to the special issue Realising curriculum possibilities: From creative readings to transformative practice. It firstly considers and expands upon issues and concepts that were foregrounded in the special issue call for papers and that variously feature in subsequent contributions within it. Conceptual linkages that were implied or assumed in the text of the call for papers and that we contend, are worthy of continued debate and exploration, are critically examined. Enactment, creative readings, transformative practice and their inter-relationships are addressed. Secondly the paper provides an introduction that offers stimulus and provocation for the …