Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Guided Notes Intervention On Learning Achievement, Quality Of Notes, And Perception, Bryan Richard Biggers

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Guided notes in the form of teacher-prepared materials that guide students through the lesson with cues and space have been recommended as a possible aid to support student learning. The present study investigated the results of guided notes on the students’ learning achievement, the quality of the students’ notes, and the students’ perceptions of note-taking. Sixty students were enrolled in an eight-week, asynchronous, online, general education course and were divided into nonintervention and intervention groups where the nonintervention groups took notes without support while the students in the intervention group took notes with guided notes during weeks two through seven. …

Classical Growth Grid: A Proposal For Classical Formative Assessment, Kristen Hampton

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

This research endeavor seeks to explore how to assess a classically educated student. A classical Christian education differs from modern education, and the evaluation of the student must differ. This research focuses on determining how a classical student could best be assessed using strategies already proven by educational research. Overall, there needs to be more tools to equip a classical educator to evaluate students, and the existing tools need to be supported by research. This research seeks to give sound evidence to develop a potential method of classical assessment to measure a student’s academic growth that could be utilized by …

More Than Just Checking A Box: Teachers' Experiences Of Transformation In Equity-Focused Professional Learning, Melissa E. Moxley

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Pennsylvania has the largest disparity between student and faculty demographics. In fact, over half of Pennsylvania schools employ zero teachers of color. As student demographics change and teacher demographics remain the same, there is an ever-increasing need to train in-service teachers on diversity, equity, and inclusion tenets. Training teachers to be culturally competent requires them to alter their understandings in a transformational way. Often, cash-strapped districts attempt to produce training sessions in-house, developed by administrators who may have little training in the area themselves. This leads to professional learning that is left in the conference room once teachers leave. Research …

Expanding On A Promise: Influences Of Student Identity And College Mindset On Retention And Success For First-Time Community College Students, John Kirby Hall

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by John Kirby Hall on March 26, 2024.

Overcoming The Achievement Gap: Arkansas' Utilization Of Weighted Student Funding To Support Students Of Poverty, Michael G. Mcfetridge

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

With over 63% of its students living in poverty, the state of Arkansas has a challenge when it comes to equitable funding and opportunities for its students. One funding mechanism that has been in place in Arkansas for over 20 years now is a categorical funding allocation known as Enhanced Student Achievement Funds (ESA). School districts receive these funds based on their percentage of students in poverty. While this weighted student funding model of allocating more funds to identified characteristics has been in place in Arkansas for over two decades, little research exists to gauge whether these allocation mechanisms successfully …

The Role Of Evidence-Based Practice In The Decision-Making Processes Of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists, James Farley

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) encourages speech- language pathologists (SLPs) to implement evidence-based practice (EBP) in clinical decision- making processes. Through the utilization of EBP, SLPs increase their ability to make informed decisions and recommendations for treatment. Despite ASHA’s position that EBP is necessary to ensure the provision of high-quality care, there is conflicting evidence as to how consistently SLPs in public middle schools implement it. The purpose of this study was to explore the degree to which middle school-based SLPs use EBP for determining student eligibility for speech- language services and in their decision-making processes. For this qualitative study, …

First-Generation College Students That Successfully Persist: Perception Of Parental Involvement At An Hbcu, Alvin E. Level

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Alvin E. Level on March 5, 2024.

Assessment Of Method Effects Of Keying And Wording In Instruments: A Mixed-Methods Explanatory Sequential Study, Lin Ma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents an innovative approach to examining the keying method, wording method, and construct validity on psychometric instruments. By employing a mixed methods explanatory sequential design, the effects of keying and wording in two psychometric assessments were examined and validated. Those two self-report psychometric assessments were the Effortful Control assessment (Ellis & Rothbart, 2001) and the Grit assessment (Duckworth & Quinn, 2009). Moreover, the quantitative phase utilized structural equation modeling to analyze 2,104 students’ responses and assess the construct of keying and wording. Various hypothetical models were investigated and evaluated. The reliability of each construct in each method was …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Psychologists: The Influence Of Implicit Bias On The Disproportionate Identification Rates Of African American Students Evaluated For Emotional Disturbance, Sonya Coe-Milo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As advocates, school psychologists remain ethically responsible and uniquely positioned to identify social injustices and promote nondiscriminatory practices in prekindergarten through grade 12 public education institutions. Implicit bias and its influence on African American students is one such practice. In public education, implicit bias contributes to discipline disproportionality, differentiated teacher support, pedagogical practices, and adult perceptions and expectations of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. These factors directly correlate to the disproportionate identification rates of African American students for special education and related services. Therefore, this phenomenological qualitative study examined the personal, lived experiences and perceptions of school psychologists regarding implicit bias …

Coping Strategies And Stress Of The Undergraduate Nursing Student In The Clinical Setting: An Evidence Based Practice Quantitative Study, Ashley Calverley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The assessment of perceived stress and coping behaviors related to first-semester clinical might benefit students in nursing education. The assessment of most common coping behaviors and perceived stress related to the clinical setting is essential due to difference in personalities, learning abilities, and coping behaviors among nursing students today. Previous research has suggested the initial clinical period results in adverse outcomes, such as poor academic performance, elevated burnout levels, and diminished personal well-being. These factors are detrimental to academic success in nursing programs. Evidence supports that helping students develop positive stress/coping abilities will aid in adapting in both the academic …

Exploration Of Sustainable Attitudes And Behaviors And The Role Of Planned Behavior Amongst The Auc Community, Natalie Tamer Khairy

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the use of a new Framework that was developed by combining both the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) theory to study the sustainability behaviors of students, faculty, and staff at the American University in Cairo (AUC). The research aims to provide insights into the factors influencing sustainable behaviors and how these factors differ across the three groups. The study used a combination of questions from the sustainability awareness questionnaire (SAQ) and Sulitest that was customized to the cultural context of the target group. The survey was administered to a sample of …

Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention Of Women In Stem, Kira Carter, Jane Kelley, Jason Vasser-Elong, Rc Patterson

Dissertations

Our co-authored research ‘Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention for Women as STEM Majors’ analyzed factors that contributed to the retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T). Women make up half of the US population, and while careers in (STEM) are an integral part of the US economy, women are underrepresented in these career fields. The purpose of our dissertation is to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM majors. Our methodology included homogeneous sampling to collect qualitative data. More specifically, we consulted with academic advisors and …

Employment Outcomes In Higher Education, Yunxia Wei

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Understanding the relationship between education, jobs, and wages in higher education is critical. It is not just about earning a degree; it is also about what that degree means for your earnings and the economy. Investigating data on jobs and wages challenges what we think we know and helps us see the whole picture. And delving into how much graduates earn based on what they studied and where they went to school by looking at Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) using data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). It's like looking into …

Students' Perceptions Of Non-Native Arabic And Native Arabic Teachers, Mohamed Firgany

Theses and Dissertations

Educators teach Millions of Arabic language learners worldwide, most of whom are not native speakers. Despite their efforts in teaching, developing educational materials, and significant contributions to scientific research, there is a lack of research on them within the context of the Arabic language.

In this project, I explore students' perceptions of teaching practices for native-speaker teachers (NSTs) and non-native-speaker teachers (NNSTs), along with the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. Additionally, I aim to understand the impact of certain variables such as gender, age, nationality, language proficiency, and the purpose of studying on these perceptions.

Through 173 survey responses …

Underserved And Underrecognized: Elevating Teaching Strategies, Special Education Eligibility, And Educational Outcomes For Grade 2-6 Girls On The Autism Spectrum, Jessica T. Ford

Doctorate in Education

This study involved a qualitative exploratory case study research design and employed in-depth online interviews as the primary data collection method. Participants were former or current special education teachers in Minnesota who had worked with Grade 2-6 girls on the autism spectrum and were sourced from professional networks, educational associations, online platforms, chain sampling, and snowball sampling. This study sought to elucidate the reasons behind the underidentification of girls eligible for autism spectrum special education services, streamline their qualification process, reveal practical educational strategies for academic, emotional, and social support, and furnish accessible resources and training alternatives for classroom teachers …

Educación Técnica Industrial En Los Niveles De Educación Básica Secundaria Y Media En Colombia: Propuesta De Elementos Para Una Política Pública Desde La Perspectiva De Los Docentes Y Directivos Docentes, Adrián Andrés Villalobos Velásquez

Doctorado en Educación y Sociedad

En este trabajo de investigación se indagaron las características actuales de funcionamiento de la educación técnica industrial en colegios que presentan este tipo de enseñanza en los niveles de educación básica secundaria y media en Colombia, mediante experiencias de docentes y directivos-docentes, y la praxis educativa. y administrativa en dichas instituciones. Una vez identificadas las características de este tipo de formación técnica industrial, se proponen unas dimensiones y estrategias básicas que pueden ser desarrolladas en el diseño y construcción de una política pública que contempla y fortalece a estas instituciones educativas.

An Exploration Of Teacher Perception And Practices Of Using Assessment Data To Improve Achievement Of Equity Student Groups, Laurie Mazelin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

While utilizing assessment data has been a pervasive practice in educational reform for decades, and teachers are expected to use assessment data to improve instruction, little is known about how the practice of requiring teachers to review test data affects their perception of effectiveness in addressing the learning gaps of student groups. This qualitative phenomenological research study used open-ended, semi-structured interviews to help better understand how the expectations of teachers analyzing and integrating assessment data translates into teacher instructional practice and self-efficacy. This study aimed to explore the shared experience of teachers required to participate in collaborative planning centered on …

Navigating Post-College Career Paths: Perspectives On Career Identity And Self-Efficacy From Autistic Alumni, Maryellen Stephens

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the employment experiences of autistic college graduates, capturing the positive stories of successful alumni in terms of career placement and success. Utilizing qualitative narrative research, the study uncovered the nuanced journey of participants transitioning from completion of their undergraduate degree into the workforce. Drawing upon the frameworks of Self-Determination Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory, the research focused on the motivational mechanisms driving career achievements among autistic individuals. Methodologically, this study involved in-depth interviews with a total of 7 autistic college graduates across a range of ages, genders, and sexual orientations. These interviews allowed …

The Co-Curriculum Of College Student Employment: Perspectives From Supervising Practitioners, Brittany Begley Wildman

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

College student employees are not only serving the overall mission of their institutions, but also developing career readiness skills through daily interactions while at work. In this study, I explore the perceptions of the supervisors of student employees as both managers and student affairs professionals. Through one-on-one interviews with supervisors, discussing their interactions with students, I explore the implicit and explicit curricula they provide to their students using a curriculum analysis framework. I then compare the resulting learning outcomes against those identified in industry standards. The supervisors described supporting student employees' personal development during the student employment experience as well …

Improving School Climate: The Impact Of A Perma-Based Intervention On Educators' Well-Being And Emotional Intelligence, Jennifer Andrews Kenney

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Research has demonstrated that the condition of a school’s climate substantially influences student outcomes. This study investigated the factors influencing a sub-optimal school climate in a rural school. Results indicated that educators’ unmet social and emotional needs and an absence of well-being support influenced the quality of the school climate. To address this problem, this study examined the impact of an eight-week PERMA-based multicomponent positive psychology intervention (MPPI) on rural educators’ well-being, emotional intelligence (EI), and professional practice. The participants consisted of 13 rural educators. Using a convergent mixed methods research design, the researcher merged quantitative data comprising pre-test and …

Empowering Parents As Partners In Learning: Practices For Developing A Robust Home Learning Environment, Jennifer L. Bencivengo

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Parents are often considered a child’s first teacher. However, not all parents are equipped with adequate strategies or have access to equitable resources to provide a rich home learning environment for their children. Bodies of research consistently identify discrepancies in kindergarten readiness from a social, emotional, and academic learning vantage point when discussing foundational literacy skills, the overreliance on technology, and developmentally appropriate executive functioning skills (Bassok & Reardon, 2013a; Jung, 2016; Reardon & Portilla, 2016a; Wolf & McCoy, 2019a). In an attempt to address the inequities in school readiness has more recently been examined with focus on community based …

Redefining The "Good Kids": A Mixed Methods Improvement Science Study In Mitigating Implicit Bias In Behavior Management Practices, Gabrielle Renee Delgado

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) focused on the problem of educator bias as it pertains to behavior management and discipline, specifically for Black and Hispanic/Latine students as well as students with disabilities. A root cause analysis coupled with a review of existing literature situated this problem within Clark High School and justified further intervention. This study used an improvement science framework, action research methodology, and a convergent mixed-methods design to explore the implementation of tier II of school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) at Clark High School and its potential impact on educators’ awareness of implicit biases …

Building Community: Strengthening Student Connectedness And Sense Of Belonging In Our Schools, Shannan D. Perry Carlson

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

All students want to attend a school they feel a sense of belonging to, one with caring adults and shared experiences for our young learners. Research shows that student connectedness and the quality of student–teacher relationships are associated with students’ engagement in school and academic performance (Bosman et al., 2018) and significantly impact student outcomes (Settanni, 2015). This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) investigated the impact intentional professional learning for teachers focused on social and emotional competencies and increased shared experiences for students has on students’ sense of belonging and connectedness in a middle school. With a two-pronged intervention …

An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring The Impact Of Trauma Literacy And Mindfulness On Perceptions Of Educator Work-Related Stress, Carla Ann Roland

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice study aimed to examine a possible solution to reducing the negative effects of trauma and toxic stress on a child’s education through an intervention aimed at advancing educators’ trauma literacy inclusive of educator self-care. Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential research design, the researcher investigated the impact the Trauma Literacy Professional Development and Mindfulness Educational Group had on the educators’ perceptions of educator work-related stress. The researcher utilized a pre- and post-intervention survey measure, group discussion group field notes, and semi-structured interviews with participants to answer the proposed research questions. Quantitative results of this study …

Welcoming All: Closing Racial Gaps In School Connectedness, Ashley T. Sherman

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

This mixed-methods improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP) explores the problem of racial gaps in school connectedness at a small suburban elementary school, where Black students report the lowest rates of connection. School connectedness is a crucial predictor of academic and social-emotional success. An exploration of scholarly and professional practice identified restorative practices coaching as a high-yield strategy to close this gap. Restorative practices is a framework of proactive and responsive practices aimed at building community and repairing harm when it occurs. Six fourth- and fifth-grade teachers participated in bi-weekly coaching sessions and classroom observations of circles, a fundamental element …

An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice: Promoting Teacher Retention And Preventing Burnout Among Elementary And Middle School Educators, Jacki L. Spring

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

This study aims to increase retention by providing teachers with strategies to decrease teacher burnout. Specifically, it sought to provide Tier I trauma-informed and restorative practice classroom management strategies through coaching cycles to reduce classroom disruptions and provide education on better managing challenging student behaviors. Based upon an intervention driven by weekly professional learning communities (PLC) sessions with the SEL coaching team and classroom-based coaching opportunities, this mixed-methods convergent design study utilized the improvement science framework. Quantitative data showed that although there were average decreases, there was no statistically significant difference in occupational exhaustion (EE) depersonalization (DP). Similarly, although there …

Optimizing Partnership Impact: Prioritizing High-Quality Social-Emotional Learning In A Sports Enrichment Out-Of-School Time Program, Julie Thompson Goldstein

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Research demonstrates that out-of school time (OST) programs featuring physical activity positively impact students' social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies, including self-regulation and collaboration skills. However, financial barriers prevent low-income students access to OST and sports opportunities. Grant-funded OST partnerships seeking to improve student well-being, emotional safety, and connection need ways to measure their value. A systems view indicates that OSTs play an interactive role within a school's complex system. Guided by the Improvement Science Framework, this Dissertation-in-Practice aimed to strengthen the SEL quality of 2-4-1 TOP Self Sports, a physical literacy-informed sports enrichment OST program serving primarily elementary school students. Using …

Teacher Retention: Building Self-Efficacy To Keep Educators In The Classroom, Dawn M. White

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice investigated the impact of professional development with coaching support on a novice teacher’s self-efficacy, with the goal of improving novice teacher retention in an urban district. In Phase 1 of this study, the researcher determined that the problem of practice, novice teacher attrition, impacted students’ academic and behavioral outcomes. In Phase 2, the researcher offered a six-module professional development course, in-person and online, that included classroom management strategies for teachers in their first year of employment. The researcher designed the intervention to include coaching from the novice teachers’ assigned district mentors to support implementation. …

Success Beyond Access: Examining Institutional Barriers To Persistence And The Supports Needed By Nontraditional Students Participating In A Tuition-Free Community College Program, Amanda K. Roeher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This research study examined the experiences of nontraditional community college students attending through a tuition-free grant. The intent of the study was to explore the student identified barriers to degree persistence and the student support services nontraditional students recognize as being beneficial towards their academic journey. This qualitative case study was guided by three research questions and utilized Bean and Metzner’s (1985) Nontraditional Student Attrition Model as a guide for study design and analysis. Data collection consisted of student interviews and institutional document collection. Data analysis explored themes related to nontraditional student motivations for attendance, persistence factors, and student support …

Literacy Achievement And The Effectiveness Of Texas’ High-Quality Instructional Materials On Student Outcomes In A Rural Elementary Campus, Katrina Susanne Speer Maccalous

Education Theses and Dissertations

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice evaluated the impact of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) on literacy achievement in a rural East Texas district. Following an initial evaluation, an instructional framework was collaboratively developed with teachers. Using mixed methods, the study analyzed teacher perceptions and student achievement data from NWEA MAP and STAAR assessments. Quantitative results indicated that grade levels with initial, higher rates of achievement compared to their peers, experienced weaker growth over time. Weaker MAP growth was also observed in STAAR tested grade levels, while students in K-1 exhibited statistically significant growth from fall to spring testing periods. Teacher …