Digital Commons Network^™

Staff Perceptions Of Standards-Based Grading Prior To Implementation, Steven K. Perkins

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate the perceptions of a group of middle school teachers regarding changing to standards-based grading (SBG). Data were collected from the transcripts of two different focus groups and analyzed. Study results indicated that SBG measures were not well known by all staff, and many clear resistance points were present. Resistance points centered around five key themes: fear of loss of rigor, community pushback, lack of SBG practices knowledge, lack of supporting infrastructure, and extra time and work required. Recommendations that flow from these results are that, prior to implementing SBG, comprehensive data …

An Annotated Bibliography Of Selected Music Theory Resources For The Middle And High School Choral Classroom With Alignment To Mississippi College- And Career-Readiness Standards, Amanda M. Brandon

Master's Theses

Middle and high school choral ensembles often struggle to produce musicians who are proficient in music theory skills; however, music theory and ear training skills provide numerous benefits to the student and ensemble. Promoting and fostering theory and ear training skills develop a student’s overall musicianship – thus, strengthening sight-reading skills– further leading to more accurate sight reading, using less rehearsal time, and the option of learning more, or even more technically challenging, literature. Additionally, developing independent musicianship skills encourages higher order and critical thinking in the choral classroom.

This project will examine and review selected music theory and ear …

Standard Specific Student Achievement Scores And The Impact On Teacher Incorporation Of Standards, Knowledge Of Standards, And Student Achievement, Jeffrey Burgess

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

There has been a steady focus in education on standards, assessment, and accountability. The purpose of this quantitative study was to find if research based PLCs focusing on standard specific student achievement data impacted teacher knowledge of standards, incorporation of standards, and student achievement. The research was guided by two research questions. Within the context of PLCs (data-based teams) utilizing standard specific student achievement data: 1) What impact, if any, was the use of PLCs on the teachers’ knowledge and incorporation of standards into the classroom setting? 2) Did student achievement on standardized tests improve as the result of the …

Journey Of Reform: A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceived Impacts Of Standards-Based Grading On Curriculum, Assessment, And Instruction, Melanie K. Cleveringa

Master of Education Program Theses

This phenomenological study included interviewing a purposeful sampling of eight teacher-leaders in the Sioux Center Community School District in Sioux Center, Iowa, to discover the perceived impact that the district’s professional development reform to standards-based grading (SBG) and personalized competency-based education (PCBE) had on their curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices - as well as on student learning. Analysis of these experiences and perceptions was undertaken with the intention to deepen the understanding of what implications, principles, and elements might be critical to the following leadership goals around such reform: advancing district-wide guidance around next steps and destinations for short- and …

Understanding How Experienced World History Teachers In Minnesota Choose Course Content: A Mixed Methods Study, Kathleen Ferrero

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Education in the United States has consistently utilized tests as well as a relatively standard curriculum to educate the youth. However, the introduction of the No Child Left Behind Act and the subsequent implementation of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, has created an educational environment focused largely on math and literacy skills. This mixed methods study discovered the primary factors experienced world history teachers in Minnesota utilize to balance historical thinking skills and the inclusion of current events against national and statewide curricular standards. Five experienced teachers were interviewed, and their responses coded using qualitative methods. These themes informed …

What Boosts? What Drags? A Study Of Teacher Views About The Halt Certification Process Provided By The Australian Professional Standards For Teachers, John Cole

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has offered certification for teacher career progression to Highly Accomplished and Lead teacher status since 2012. By 2020, about 800 teachers (from an Australian teacher workforce of 300,000) had achieved certification. At the same time, AITSL leadership has advocated for a HALT in every school – which would require 10,000 certified teachers. This research examines the views of teachers from one education sector, in one Australian territory, regarding teacher certification. This research identifies major factors encouraging these teachers to consider certification; drag factors encountered by the teachers during their consideration of …