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Teacher And Administrator Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, And Practices Related To Equity In A Suburban California School District, Arcia Dorosti

Dissertations

This dissertation is a case study of one district’s efforts to reduce the disparities in

educational outcomes among its ethnic groups as well as the disparities in educational

outcomes between its economically disadvantaged students and its students that are not

economically disadvantaged. The literature reviewed began with the larger historical

context around equity issues in education and then discussed in-school and out-of-school

factors affecting educational outcomes. The methods used included interviews with

teachers and administrators, site visits, and classroom observations. The results

summarized the successes and remaining challenges facing the district as it continues its

desired journey towards more equitable …

Critical Praxis Círculos: The Impact Of Culturally Responsive Teacher Development, Raul Silva Lomeli

Dissertations

Building positive relationships with students and employing relevant pedagogy

informed by Community Cultural Wealth will undoubtedly contribute to a more engaged community of learners that are vested in their community and academics. Aronson and Laughter (2015) amongst many others, studied and analyzed over 200 studies on the topic of culturally relevant education (CRE), and found convincing results that speak to the academic outcomes that are consistently reached whenever teachers employ CRE in the classroom (Cammarota, 2014; Covarrubias, 2017; Gay, 2010; Ladson-Billings, 1995; Paris, 2012;

approaches have demonstrated success, they are not being practiced and replicated in many parts of the …

An Evaluation Of Early Childhood Education Programs: The Parents’ Perspective Of Quality Care, Buu Chau Thai

Dissertations

Early childhood education (ECE) programs play a critical role in the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children and help to prepare them for kindergarten. Recognizing the benefits of ECE programs, state and federal governments have made notable efforts to make these programs more accessible. However, with various federal, state, and local governments involved in administering and funding ECE programs, a complex, fragmented, and oftentimes confusing system ensued, making the ECE landscape very difficult for parents to navigate. Parents are often the primary decision-makers when selecting educational programs for their children. Studies often focus on practitioners’ or researchers’ perspectives on …

Induction Programs, Teacher Efficacy, And Inquiry Practices In Novice Teachers, Anisha Munshi

Dissertations

Induction Programs, Teacher Efficacy, and Inquiry Practices in Novice Teachers

This purpose of this study was to identify the influence of Induction Programs on first-year

teachers. Research shows that a large percentage of novice teachers leave the profession within the first five years. Novice teachers often begin the first year of teaching with a limited understanding of challenges that are faced daily by teachers in classrooms. While teacher training programs provide ideas of how teachers can plan effective lessons and manage classroom time effectively, it is often through daily experiences that novice teachers can truly understand the gamut of challenges …

Relational Trust Within An Urban Public Comprehensive High School District In Northern California, Shawn Tennenbaum

Dissertations

The 2013 adoption of the Local Control Funding Formula and Local Control Accountability Plan provides local communities and districts with educational decision-making and provides a roadmap of how to improve outcomes in low-performing districts. One of the eight-priority areas California public school districts are held accountable to make progress on an annual basis is improving school climate. Building strong trust based relationships prepares schools to address a myriad of complex challenges. This dissertation examined the key facets that build relational trust between high school teachers and principals within a hierarchical role relationship in a public comprehensive high school district in …

Bridges And Barriers: The Educational Experience Of Homeless Students And Families In Santa Cruz County, Jennifer Ann

Dissertations

This study explores in depth interviews of parents, teachers, and educators within the confined geographical boundary of Santa Cruz County, California in order to offer to the broader community a more concise look at the challenges families and schools face in addressing the issue of family homelessness. The current state of family homelessness is detailed by viewing the data obtained via various measurement methods. In addition, specific barriers and challenges that homeless students and families face outside of and on the school site are explored. The legal policies that support homeless youth and families are described, as well as the …

Building Teacher Self-Efficacy Through Administrator Feedback, Limary Trujillo Gutierrez

Dissertations

The study explored current site principals’ feedback practices that support or hinder teachers’ implementation of feedback, and identified site principal’s practices that encourage or interfere with teacher’s self-efficacy. Using qualitative interviews with site principals and teachers from two different districts and three different school sites, the study analyzed two major leadership practices: (a) an administrator’s ability to communicate effectively with teachers before, during, and after the feedback process, and (b) an administrator’s use of emotional intelligence when providing feedback. Data were separated into four feedback types (positive feedback, negative feedback, feedback and feedforward) and emotional intelligence traits (self-regulation, self-aware, empathy, …

Principals' Instructional Leadership In Title I Schools: A Closer Look, George Kleidon

Dissertations

The students in Title I schools remain the most vulnerable in our education system. Principals in these schools must be exceptional and well prepared. However, principals have been trained in a universal approach that is not sufficient for those who lead schools with high poverty rates as well as culturally and linguistically diverse learners. The purpose of this mixed-methods descriptive study was to gain insight from principals about instructional leadership in Title I schools. Thirty-two principals described their perceptions about the preparation, supports, and challenges necessary to develop instructional leadership, including cultural proficiency for Title I schools. The findings in …

A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis Of The National Board For Professional Teaching Standards, Melissa Urbain

Dissertations

This research is a feminist discourse analysis of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Five Core Propositions. The goal of this project is to shift the focus of educational discourse away from teachers’ gender and look towards their teachers’ teaching abilities as compared to the professional standards laid out in the NBPTS. It demonstrates that the national expectations placed on teachers are feminist and addresses and discredits current patriarchal discourse and policies in the field of education. This is accomplished through a close reading of the Five Core Propositions, drawing connections between the expectations in the document and the …

Examining The Efficacy Of Inclusive Practices And Its Impact On The Academic Achievement Of High School Students With Mild To Moderate Disabilities, Paulette C. Cobb

Dissertations

There is extensive research in elementary education on effective practices that support academic success for students with mild to moderate disabilities in general education; however there is a dearth of research on high school inclusion practices. A survey examined the current inclusionary practices at a Central Coast High School. California State Standardized Assessment scores of 11th grade English Language Art and Math classes were also analyzed by groups. Overall, findings indicated that inclusionary practices were implemented to different degrees, but none were fully in place i.e., practices building relationships was rated the highest and instructional practices was rated lowest. In …

Digital Literacy In Early Elementary School: Barriers And Support Systems In The Era Of The Common Core, Delnaz Hosseini

Dissertations

This study examines teachers’ perceptions about digital literacy instruction in early elementary school grades (e.g., Kindergarten through grade 2) so as to identify existing obstacles to digital literacy instruction as well as support systems necessary to enhance instruction. Participants (n = 37) included Kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers from both Title I and non-Title I schools. Data was collected through an online survey with primarily closed-ended questions. Correlations and relationships amongst and across survey questions were analyzed. Analysis revealed that early elementary grade students in this school district are provided with more opportunities to practice computer literacy than …

Analyzing Student-Teacher Relationships Of Cariño And Confianza And Their Impact On Academic Engagement By Latino Males, Nereida Robles Vasquez

Dissertations

Latinos attending California’s public schools often feel disconnected, unwelcome, and unsafe. This qualitative interview study uses the grounded theory approach to provide a platform for the voices of Latino male high school students to explain their experiences. This approach allows for understanding of why a large number of them are transferred from their schools to alternative settings which in turn greatly limit and often prevent them from continuing their education. Many describe experiences of rejection and hostility causing them to drop out, or to have no interest in furthering their education. Findings illustrate the impact of their perception of Required …