Education Commons^™

Examining Teachers' Perceptions Of The United States Social Class System, Tracy M. Stevenson-Olson

Dissertations

As the number of school aged children living in poverty increases, the inherent inequities within the United States class system continue to grow. Teacher perceptions regarding the United States social class system are examined through focus group interviews with four teachers in an urban high school. A critical qualitative methodology was used to explore how the participants make sense of the complex social class system and how they perceive the impact of social class within the school context. The findings include two overarching themes that influenced these teachers’ perceptions and interpretations of social class; their own personal narrative /identity construction …

Reframing Lesson Plans: The Foundation For Improving Instruction, Carletta M. Noland

Dissertations

This dissertation is a policy advocacy document that boldly states that it is our moral imperative to change the current educational landscape for the students attending Milwaukee Public Schools. In advocating for such a change, it is strongly suggested that the way to accomplish this challenging task is to mandate a stronger instructional foundation by leveraging the power of thoughtful lesson planning and design. Through its own merit, public and professional opinions and research findings, a viable argument is crafted to eliminate the current policy that marginalizes the planning process by suggesting through its current language, that the planning process …

A Quantitative Comparison Of The Reading Achievement Of English Learners In Dual Language And Transitional Bilingual Programs, Shajaira P. Lopez

Dissertations

One of the goals of bilingual education research is to identify programs that have shown to be effective in increasing the English proficiency of English learners (ELs). The purpose of this archival comparative study was to conduct a quantitative comparison of the English reading achievement of third grade ELs enrolled in dual language education (DLE) programs to those enrolled in transitional bilingual education (TBE) programs in order to determine which program is more effective in improving the reading proficiency of third grade ELs in the Chicago Public Schools. The data analyzed in this study were the 2010-2014 reading scores on …

A First-Year Implementation Of Mindquest21, A Project-Based Paradigm Shift To Deeper Learning: A Program Evaluation, Deborah R. Esparza

Dissertations

This program evaluation examines MindQuest21, a project-based learning (PBL) model that was implemented in a Chicago, Illinois suburban community. It began with a summer institute experience with a group of approximately seventy teachers in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. These teachers volunteered to attend a four-day MindQuest21 professional development seminar where they actively participated in a facilitated PBL model of instruction and collaborated on the development of PBL units within their district. A pre-post survey was used to compare teacher confidence increases and PBL understanding after the summer institute. This was followed by teacher interviews, follow-up sessions, classroom visits, and …

Changing Behavior With Character Development, Not Discipline, Tamariay Gordon

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

The Pine Rose School Board (pseudonym) made policy changes in discipline procedures that have affected the dynamics of safety at the Pine Rose Secondary School (pseudonym). After accepting a large number of reassigned students, it was incumbent upon the school leadership to adapt their policies and school-wide procedures to accommodate the needs of these students and staff. My project analyzes the results of the new plan and possibilities moving forward.

Increasing Academic Engagement Among Students With Emotionall And Behavioral Disorders, Colby Barrett

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

The achievement gap between general education students and students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders being served in self-contained classrooms at Neighborhood Lakes Elementary (Pseudonym) is staggering. The purpose of this study is to determine if giving students a voice in their educational decisions and applying methodologies of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to promote academic engagement among students with emotional and behavioral disorders will significantly increase the amount of time these students are engaged in academics. The context of this inquiry is an elementary school with a high achieving general education population and a low achieving Exceptional Student Education (ESE) population. …

Increasing The Identification Of Minority Gifted Students And Achievment Levels Of Minority Gifted Students, Diana Simone

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

The appropriate identification and placement of minority gifted students is a topic of concern in the school district under study. Our nation and schools are more culturally diverse than ever before, and we need to make sure all students have equal opportunities to be successful. The purpose of this study is to be proactive, deliberate, and diligent about ensuring the equitable recruitment of minority students into gifted education. My study demonstrates that if the nomination form can correctly identify gifted characteristics among minority students, then teachers can make nominations to further and more appropriately grow gifted education. Using valid tools …

Culturally Responsive Policy In An Urban Headstart Program, Tanya M. Johnson

Dissertations

The purpose of this Culturally Responsive policy is to provide a framework for implementing and enhancing cultural responsiveness in an urban Head Start program. By increasing awareness of culturally responsiveness and providing on-going professional development and resources, the policy will have a significant impact on ensuring that staff are prepared and supported in the implementation of culturally responsive best practices. The policy maintains that culturally responsive pedagogy facilitates and supports the achievement of all students. Teachers must create a culture where all students regardless of their cultural background are welcomed and provided with the best opportunity to learn.

Effects Of Eliminating The Cap On The Number Of Participants In The Statewide Parental Choice Program, Reginald Lawrence Ii

Dissertations

Funding provided for public education is also being utilized for charter, private and /or parochial voucher schools across the state of Wisconsin. Policy was passed that eliminates current enrollment caps in the statewide parental choice program. In 2016-17, enrollment is limited to 1% of the district’s school age population and increases by 1% annually until it reaches 10% then lifts entirely. In advocating against the proposed policy, three critical issues emerged – the cost of funding the additional program, the moral obligation to educate neediest students, and grading school performance. Policy recommendation includes, leave remaining enrollment cap in place, create …

School Readiness Of First Grade Charter School Students: An Evaluation Of An Early Childhood Program, Dr Shandowlyon L. Hendricks-Williams

Dissertations

This program evaluation studied the effectiveness of an early childhood program as it relates to school readiness. The early childhood program of a charter school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had been operating for over thirty without an evaluation of its effectiveness. To examine the effectiveness of the early childhood program, seventy-two students were evaluated using a teacher-developed First Grade Readiness Checklist; the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Test and Success for All (SFA) Assessment. School readiness, as a multifaceted construct, included five domains: academic, behavioral, emotional, social and self-help-skills.

The results of the survey indicate that the early childhood program …

Improving Student Achievement Of Private School Students Receiving Title Services: A Positional And Dispositional Change Plan, Dr Shandowlyon L. Hendricks-Williams

Dissertations

This change plan examined the current competencies, conditions, culture and context of a for-profit education corporation which resulted in low student achievement, “As Is”. As a means of developing strategies and actions for change, the competencies, conditions, culture and context necessary to increase student achievement was explored “To Be”. A change plan was developed and implemented. The change plan addressed my personal immunities to change as well as strategies and actions needed to improve student achievement. Private school students receiving title services were assessed using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test in May of 2014. The results of that …

Exploring The Impact Of The Masstransfer Program: A Look At Latina/ Latino Student Transfer Success At A Two Year Hispanic-Serving Institution Into A Four Year Non-Hispanic University In Massachusetts, Lizette V. Rivera

Dissertations

The majority of Latina/Latino students enrolling into higher education are doing so through community colleges. Latina/Latino students are not transferring at comparable rates to their peers. This study explored the impact of the MassTransfer program on the transfer success of Latina/Latino students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) community college into a 4-year state university in Massachusetts. Twelve students were individually interviewed for this study. Six of the students attend an HSI community college. The remaining six students were enrolled in a Massachusetts state university and had successfully transferred from the HSI in this study. The MassTransfer program encourages degree specific …

Improving Student Behavior Through The Use Of Greater Teacher Accountability Measures, Tequila S. Kurth

Dissertations

This change leadership plan examined the fidelity of implementation of strategies teachers learned during professional development at an elementary school in a large Midwestern urban school district. Emphasis was placed on the quality of teacher-student relationships as well as the strategies teachers used to address undesired behaviors. Also included were actions I took as an administrator with struggling teachers. While it was evident that in order to change student behaviors it would be necessary for teacher behaviors to change, making this change happen through greater teacher accountability measures proved to be challenging. Teacher resistance made it clear that the best …

Raising Expectations: Utilizing Research-Based Methods Linking Teacher Expectations And Student Achievement (Tesa_: A Change Leadership Plan, Jarita Rashe' Steward

Dissertations

This Change Leadership Plan details the progress of a pilot group of Kindergarten, third, fifth, and sixth grade teachers in a K-8, Title 1 School as they observed one another utilizing the expectations strategies from the Teacher Expectations and Student Achievement Program (TESA). In this second year of work, strategies from the previous year were reviewed, and new strategies were added as reinforcement. The pilot group observed their colleagues, discussed their observations, and reported what they noticed during the observations. This research also employed researcher observations. Data from all observations, research, discussions and interviews were charted. One of the most …

A New Group Of Leaders; The Assistant Principal Academy For Instructional Leadership And Development, Katrice M. Cotton

Dissertations

In order to develop the skills needed for the role of today's school leader, providing quality professional development and learning opportunities to administrators is essential. The district created systems of administrative support to provide multiple learning experiences to adequately prepare leaders to serve at the school level. Riverwoods Public Schools invested in professional development that provided instructional leadership support. Professional development sessions provided new assistant principals with opportunities to network and engage in dialogue that provided examples of best practice in instruction.

The Effects Of Behavior Management And Relationship Building On Student Achievement, Antonio J. Alves

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

Effectively managing student behavior is a challenge for most schools. More often than not, students with behavior problems are repeat offenders. This study analyzed the effects of relationship building and positive behavior management on student academic achievement. Discipline referrals were used to measure student behavior. My study also demonstrated how teacher ideology effects student discipline referrals. The data demonstrated a strong connection between at-risk students’ attendance and their academic performance. The data also showed a minimal connection between at-risk students’ behavior and their academic performance.

Improving Instructional Staff Challenges With The, Kimberly Deleo, Stephanie Manna

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

The need for a stronger sense of urgency for classroom teachers to have a higher level of buy-in to the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) has become an issue in American public schools. The purpose of this study is to determine how teacher efficacy and preparedness impacts gains in student achievement and how their level of buy-in impacts the MTSS process. The context of this inquiry is a kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school that incorporates the MTSS process school-wide. My study demonstrates qualitative data that match current research, varied levels of student achievement, and processes put in place to …

The Multi-Tiered System Of Support Framework: Its Impact On Student Achievement, Carla D. Fox

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

The effectiveness of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) can be impacted by teacher buy-in, proper data collection and analysis, meaningful and individualized interventions, consistency, and accountability. The purpose of this study is to improve the MTSS framework at Sunshine Elementary School (pseudonym), and to increase the number of students provided individualized interventions to improve student achievement. Sunshine Elementary School has had issues moving students through the MTSS framework in the past. Teachers are frustrated with the process and the time that it takes. My study demonstrates that creating a flowchart, a handbook, and providing support and professional development on …