Education Commons^™

Holistic Analysis Of The Social, Emotional, And Academic Development Of At-Risk Students In A Self-Regulated Learning Instructional Environment, Jennifer K. Macek

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The testing an accountability system that plagues the current educational atmosphere has done little to improve outcomes for the general population, rather, it has increased harm to our nation’s most vulnerable populations. As districts grapple with accountability mandates and pressures to improve test scores the number of students excluded from traditional schools and sent to alternative programs continues to grow. Research shows that the majority of programs for at-risk youth are little more than graduation factories that do not adequately prepare students for active participation in democratic society.

This study used a mixed methods design to explore an alternative program …

Students’ Perspectives Regarding Their Emotional Engagement In Middle School Learning Environments, Brendan Joseph Mccormick

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines emotional engagement as a vital component of creating optimal learning environments for mid-adolescent students. Through a qualitative research design, seventh and eighth grade student volunteers from Cornfield Middle School shared perspectives on their emotional engagement experiences in middle school learning environments. Thirty-four students participated in three rounds of data collection—an open-ended survey about flow experiences, a homogeneous focus group discussion, and a follow-up survey. The results from each data collection procedure were coded and arranged into themes of positive and negative emotions experienced in certain academic contexts.

The results show that the CFMS students experienced a range …

Biliteracy Development In A Second Grade Dual Language Classroom, Erika Harumi Aoki

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This case study examines oral language development during structured guided reading instruction in English and Spanish in a second grade dual language classroom. The participants in this study included four focal second grade students identified as balanced emergent bilinguals. The four case studies offer insights into the development of five oral language components: phonological skills, morpho-syntactic skills, vocabulary, syntax and pragmatics in English and Spanish that students undergo as they develop biliteracy. The key findings showed code-switching as the main linguistic behavior students used to build on language skills as well as the need for modeling and offering structured opportunities …

Understanding Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions About Their Experiences Implementing The Common Core State Standards, Angelyn Kay Dieckman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined four elementary teachers’ decision-making regarding instruction using the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Three research questions guided this study: (1) What are elementary teachers’ perceptions about their experiences implementing CCSS initiated by the district and the PL they received? (2) How do elementary teachers describe their decision-making and changes in instruction based on the PL they received when implementing the CCSS? and (3) What successes and challenges have elementary teachers experienced in using the CCSS in their instructional delivery? Fullan’s Change Theory, as well as Hattie’s Mindframes, provided the theoretical framework. Data were collected through teacher …

Investigation Of An Inquiry-Based Learning Intervention On Undergraduate Saudi Women’S Critical Thinking Skills In An English As A Foreign Language Reading And Writing Class During The Preparatory Year, Rehabe Tikruni

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of an inquiry-based learning (IBL) intervention and its influence on the critical thinking (CT) skills of Saudi women undergraduates enrolled in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading and

writing course during the preparatory year. This study utilized a qualitative case study design from one public university in Saudi Arabia during the second semester of the preparatory year English program in Fall 2018. Thirty-five women participated in the IBL intervention

and the pre- and post-reflective essays. To delve deeper into perceptions about IBL and its potential influence on critical …