Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 31 - 60 of 109

Full-Text Articles in Education

Elementary Teachers' Self-Perceptions Of Teaching Team Effectiveness, Kelly Hank Denny Nov 2022

Elementary Teachers' Self-Perceptions Of Teaching Team Effectiveness, Kelly Hank Denny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational research study is to determine if there is a relationship between individual teachers’ self-perceptions of their grade level teaching team’s effectiveness and their teaching experiences. Research related to the development of effective teaching teams to positively influence academic progress is synthesized. Theoretical frameworks include Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, Senge’s (1990) learning organization model, and Tuckman’s (1965) model of group development. Convenience sampling was utilized to gather data from 77 elementary teachers working in the same southeastern school district. The Tuckman Team Maturity Questionnaire (TTMQ) was the instrument used to determine teachers’ self-perceptions …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Parents As They Choose The Appropriate Classroom For Their Child With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lorie Michele Mick Aug 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Parents As They Choose The Appropriate Classroom For Their Child With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lorie Michele Mick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the experiences and challenges of parents as they choose an appropriate classroom setting for their child with highfunctioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) at an elementary school. Parents of students with HFASD must grapple with this decision each year at their child’s annual IEP review meeting. The theory guiding this study is Knowles’ adult learning theory. Adult learning theory states that adults use both their personal experiences and intrinsic motivation to discover information that they need to make a decision. Ten parents of elementary-aged children diagnosed with HFASD were selected as …


The Importance Of Regional Music To Music Education: The 1927 Bristol Sessions, Valerie E. Pickard Aug 2022

The Importance Of Regional Music To Music Education: The 1927 Bristol Sessions, Valerie E. Pickard

Masters Theses

It is widely accepted that the culture in which one lives is important to his/her understanding of self. Likewise, it has been shown that a working knowledge of cultural music aids in developing one’s musical identity. Although research indicates that there appears to be a gap in cultural music education, there has been little written as to how that gap can be filled, especially with respect to Appalachian cultural music. The Southern Appalachian Mountains are rich in musical diversity. In addition to the already present Native Americans, settlers came from Ireland, Germany, Africa, and other European countries and brought with …


A Comparative Study Of Elementary Teacher Efficacy In Christian Private Schools And Public Schools, Jasmine Floyd Aug 2022

A Comparative Study Of Elementary Teacher Efficacy In Christian Private Schools And Public Schools, Jasmine Floyd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to compare elementary teacher efficacy in Christian private schools and public schools to determine if there was a difference in overall efficacy, instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. Teacher efficacy shapes instructional performance and student academic achievement, so a deeper study of public and Christian school teacher efficacy was significant to recognize factors present in each type of school that could impact instruction and achievement. This study consisted of a convenience sample of 229 teachers of kindergarten through fifth grade at Christian private and public schools in the southeastern United States. …


Exploring Elementary School Teachers' Instructional Decisions On English Language Arts Strategies For English Language Learners: A Case Study, Tameika Marie Hairston-Thomas Aug 2022

Exploring Elementary School Teachers' Instructional Decisions On English Language Arts Strategies For English Language Learners: A Case Study, Tameika Marie Hairston-Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to determine the instructional strategies and decisions that educators chose, implemented, and evaluated while teaching English Language Learners (ELL) during English Language Arts (ELA). The central research question for this study was: How do elementary teachers at Fisherton Elementary School choose, implement, and evaluate instructional strategies during English Language Arts with English Language Learners? This case study consisted of 10 educator participants at Fisherton Elementary School, a predominantly ELL school. The theory guiding this study was Bruner's (1986) constructionist theory. Data were collected for this research through a series of classroom …


Applying Patriotic And National Songs To American Elementary Music Education Curricular Standards, Ashley Virginia Finke Jul 2022

Applying Patriotic And National Songs To American Elementary Music Education Curricular Standards, Ashley Virginia Finke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite existing literature documenting patriotism and nationalism in education and children’s knowledge of patriotic and national songs, the impact of patriotism and nationalism in American elementary music education through patriotic and national songs has not been examined in the context of current national standards. This examination is important as knowledge of patriotism, nationalism, and patriotic and national, specifically state, songs inform individuals’ understanding of culture and national and personal identities. This study identifies educational perspectives of educational scholars, music educators, and policy makers on patriotism, nationalism, and patriotic and national songs. A qualitative design and historical approach were utilized to …


The Effects Of Charter Schools On Early Foreign Language Education In Public Schools, Cassie Kunz Apr 2022

The Effects Of Charter Schools On Early Foreign Language Education In Public Schools, Cassie Kunz

Senior Honors Theses

Education is a notoriously contentious subject in America. Controversy exists and continues to flare up over what content should be taught, how it should be taught, as well as the cost; foreign language is one such subject. The history of foreign language education in the United States (U.S.) reviews current foreign language policies and practices in the U.S. and other countries, as well as the reasons that proponents of foreign language education argue that it must be improved in the U.S. The charter school approach to education was analyzed in the context of market theory to determine if a correlation …


Oral History: A Tool For The Elementary And Middle Classroom, Jessica Keiser Apr 2022

Oral History: A Tool For The Elementary And Middle Classroom, Jessica Keiser

Senior Honors Theses

Modern historical instruction requires educators to cover broad expanses of history and prepare students for standardized testing. In the push to meet state standards and cover the vast curriculum in short periods of time, many educators have begun to teach to the textbook. Much to the detriment of students, this educational practice has favored periodization and content quantity over the development of crucial historical skills. Rather than adhering to popular education trends, teachers can consider implementing oral history projects within their elementary and middle school classrooms. Oral history is a methodology that employs first-hand accounts to teach about key historical …


Music Is The Intervention: The Intersections Of Music As A Therapeutic Activity In At-Risk Youth, Gladys H. Gonzalez Landaverde Apr 2022

Music Is The Intervention: The Intersections Of Music As A Therapeutic Activity In At-Risk Youth, Gladys H. Gonzalez Landaverde

Senior Honors Theses

Across the United States, public schools face many discrepancies in the quality and caliber of education that a student can expect to receive. While schools try to address the vast needs of students, many children and adolescents are unfortunately faced with choosing between prioritizing their education and the circumstances faced outside of the school day. The discrepancies in schooling range from the quality in the commonly accepted core curriculum like English and mathematics to the opportunities offered outside of traditional academia like music. Unfortunately, at-risk students are unlikely to have access to music education in the same ease as their …


Gifted Student Burnout, Lillian Clevenger Apr 2022

Gifted Student Burnout, Lillian Clevenger

Senior Honors Theses

Gifted Student Burnout may be part of the occurrence of fatigue that can affect students of all ages. This can range from elementary to high school. Burnout in gifted education is a relatively new area of research, as burnout research in students and the gifted programs themselves are also new. The potential causes and potential solutions will be used to differentiate classroom instruction for gifted students. As gifted students grow and begin to want more control over their learning, instruction will need to be adjusted to help students stay invested in their academics. There are possible outlying effects that the …


A Case Study Examining How Teachers And Parents Provide Strategies That Nurture The Academic And Social Development Of Young Black Children In Low-Socioeconomic Communities, Naomi Nyambura Karaya Feb 2022

A Case Study Examining How Teachers And Parents Provide Strategies That Nurture The Academic And Social Development Of Young Black Children In Low-Socioeconomic Communities, Naomi Nyambura Karaya

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to describe how teachers and parents provided strategies that nurture the academic and social development of young Black children in schools located in low-socioeconomic communities in the United States. The study explored how teachers and parents balance nature with nurture in their instructional and parenting practices to positively impact students' academic growth and behavior. All participants in this case study were Black and included five teachers, four parents, two school counselors, two psychologists, and two social workers. Both males and females from diverse ethnic backgrounds were selected as participants and identified as co-researchers. …


Using Heidisongs Music As An Instructional Tool In The Elementary School Classroom: A Case Study, Leia Denise Jobe Jan 2022

Using Heidisongs Music As An Instructional Tool In The Elementary School Classroom: A Case Study, Leia Denise Jobe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to understand how teachers use HeidiSongs music as an instructional tool in the elementary school classroom. HeidiSongs uses multisensory structured language education to teach by engaging multiple senses simultaneously to increase retention. The theories guiding this study include Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, which involves kinesthetic intelligences among other types of intelligences, and Krashen’s theory of second language acquisition. HeidiSongs uses both musical and kinesthetic activities to enhance literacy. The central research question focused on how teachers use HeidiSongs music as an instructional tool in the elementary school classroom. The sub-questions …


Exploring The Relationship Between Trauma, Motivation, Current Stress, And Immigrant Elementary Students, Jayme Branagh Landon Dec 2021

Exploring The Relationship Between Trauma, Motivation, Current Stress, And Immigrant Elementary Students, Jayme Branagh Landon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current study explored the relationship between past trauma of immigrant students and motivation in a group of public-school elementary students in Washington state. Additionally, this study explored how stress affects academic motivation. It was hypothesized that past trauma would significantly affect immigrant student motivation and that current stress would moderate motivation in school. Only students with past trauma experience and who qualify as an immigrant, were included in this study. Participants completed The Cameron Complex Trauma Interview (CCTI), Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), and The Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C). While motivation has been studied, the factors …


Difference In Reading Fluency Among Fifth Grade Students Attending Traditional, Stem-Related, Or Dli Programs During Soft School Closures, Patricia Daun Blanton Nov 2021

Difference In Reading Fluency Among Fifth Grade Students Attending Traditional, Stem-Related, Or Dli Programs During Soft School Closures, Patricia Daun Blanton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to raise awareness of the effects of soft school closures on student reading fluency in traditional, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related, or Dual Language Immersion (DLI) schools. There is little research on which type of school, whether traditional, (STEM)-related, or (DLI) program is the most effective at helping students retain or improve upon their reading fluency once those students have been in an extended soft school closure. The study used Acadience reading fluency scores from the students' fourth grade mid-year scores as the covariate and their fifth grade mid-year scores as …


"Read It Again!": Storytelling To Imitate The Great Teacher, Kate Whatley Nov 2021

"Read It Again!": Storytelling To Imitate The Great Teacher, Kate Whatley

Senior Honors Theses

The student’s mind is bent on stories, asking mothers around the world to ‘read it again’. These stories preserve information and emotions for centuries. In the classroom, stories enliven motivation and empathy in ways that result in higher academic achievement and social awareness. Learning to use stories as a key instructional strategy will allow for more equitable opportunities in classrooms, encourage mental health and truth telling for the teacher and the student collectively, and allow the academic community to imitate Christ by contributing to the bigger story taking place across time. In application of using stories as teachers, this thesis …


Solving The Problem Of Limited Parental Involvement For Reserve Component Military Families During Deployment, Jolene Marie Trout Oct 2021

Solving The Problem Of Limited Parental Involvement For Reserve Component Military Families During Deployment, Jolene Marie Trout

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of limited parental involvement for military-connected students of reserve component (RC) military-connected families during periods of deployment at a small elementary school in rural Pennsylvania and to formulate a solution to address the problem. A multimethod design, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was used. Five teachers who had a military-connected student, whose parent deployed while a student in their class participated in semistructured interviews. Five non-deployed parents and five teachers participated in a focus group. Fourteen teachers completed surveys. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the …


A Case Study Of The Academic And Social Needs Of Hispanic Elementary Dual Language Learners, Erika Suzanne Rivera-Castillo Aug 2021

A Case Study Of The Academic And Social Needs Of Hispanic Elementary Dual Language Learners, Erika Suzanne Rivera-Castillo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental case study is to describe the educators’ perspective of the academic and social needs of Hispanic elementary dual language learners (DLL) at a school district in a southern state's northwestern region. The theory guiding this study is the Krashen’s second language acquisition theory, using the five main hypotheses: (1) the acquisition-learning distinction, (2) the natural order hypothesis, (3) the monitor hypothesis, (4) the input hypothesis, and (5) the affective filter hypothesis. Vygotsky’s social development theory will also guide this study as social development and interaction have a vital role in the process of cognitive and …


A Multicase Study On African American Male Students: The Least Identified And Represented In The Gifted And Talented Education Program At The Upper Elementary Level, Nicole Angella Clarke Jun 2021

A Multicase Study On African American Male Students: The Least Identified And Represented In The Gifted And Talented Education Program At The Upper Elementary Level, Nicole Angella Clarke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multicase study was to develop an understanding of educators’ perspectives of African American male students being the least identified and represented in the gifted and talented program at two elementary schools. The theories that guided this study were the expectancy-value theory and the social cognitive theory. Given the purpose of this study, the following central research question framed this study: What are educators’ perspectives on African American male students being the least identified and represented in the gifted and talented program at the elementary level? The participants who took part in this study were 10 teachers …


Language Development In Toddlers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Nursery Rhyme Use By Mothers With Their Toddlers, Wenonah Faye Gildon Jun 2021

Language Development In Toddlers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Nursery Rhyme Use By Mothers With Their Toddlers, Wenonah Faye Gildon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand current mothers’ perceptions of their lived experiences using nursery rhymes to facilitate language development in their toddler enrolled in early childhood facilities in Northwest Louisiana. The theories guiding this study are sociocultural theory, theory of transmission, and theory of cognitive developmental stages. Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory was related to this study through the social nature of language, the cultural aspects inherent in language, and the mother’s scaffolding of the learning experiences to facilitate language transmission. A mother’s understanding of the nature of her child and the development of a bond …


Characteristics Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supporting Increased Eye Contact, Caitlyn Cherry May 2021

Characteristics Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supporting Increased Eye Contact, Caitlyn Cherry

Senior Honors Theses

One of the most beautiful realities is the fact that no two people on this earth are exactly the same. Everyone has their own unique fingerprint, experiences, personality, strengths, and weaknesses. For people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the same concept applies. Each case is different because each child is different. While this is inherently true, research shows that many people with ASD struggle with the same or similar social skills, with lack of eye contact being a prevalent issue. This social deficit will inherently affect individual’s ability to read social cues, regulate real world interactions, make connections, build intimate relationships …


A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Educators Of English Language Learners Who Have Self-Determined To Overcome Obstacles To Implementing Best Practices, Melody Corey Steenbergh May 2021

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Educators Of English Language Learners Who Have Self-Determined To Overcome Obstacles To Implementing Best Practices, Melody Corey Steenbergh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the English language learner (ELL) population continues to grow at a rapid rate in the United States, teachers find themselves ill-equipped to meet the needs of these students. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how teachers experience and overcome challenges in the acquisition and implementation of best practices for meeting the academic needs of English language learners in the general education setting. The central question of this study was: How do classroom teachers experience and overcome challenges in the acquisition and implementation of best practices to meet the needs of English language learners? The theories guiding …


A Description Of The Factors Contributing To Parents Choosing Christian Elementary School For Children With Special Needs: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Andrea L. Cook Apr 2021

A Description Of The Factors Contributing To Parents Choosing Christian Elementary School For Children With Special Needs: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Andrea L. Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Education professionals have expressed concern that parents’ decisions to enroll students with special needs in Christian schools are ill-informed due to lack of data surrounding student outcomes in such environments and lack of teacher qualifications (Cheng et al., 2016; Lane, 2017). There has been very little research on why parents choose Christian elementary school for their students with special needs. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the factors contributing to parents choosing a Christian elementary school for children with special needs. Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory framed this study, as it states that one’s knowledge …


Identifying Teacher And Parental Communication Methods That Could Impact Elementary School Educational Outcomes, Erin Kathleen Hughes Apr 2021

Identifying Teacher And Parental Communication Methods That Could Impact Elementary School Educational Outcomes, Erin Kathleen Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Developing and sustaining positive partnerships between parents and educators is a collaborative process whose primary focus should be directed towards student achievement. Due to ongoing educational reform, more researchers and practitioners are concerned about the quality of communication between parents and teachers. The importance of this issue should be addressed to provide an understanding between schools and parents of the impact that communication can pose on student outcomes. The purpose of this applied study was to identify teacher and parental communication methods that could impact educational outcomes at Bayou Elementary School (pseudonym) in northwest Louisiana. This study implemented a multimethod …


A Case Study Examining The Connections Between Student-Teacher Relationships And Student Motivation In The Upper Elementary Classroom, Amanda Beth King Apr 2021

A Case Study Examining The Connections Between Student-Teacher Relationships And Student Motivation In The Upper Elementary Classroom, Amanda Beth King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to develop an in-depth understanding of how student-teacher relationships are connected to student motivation within the upper elementary, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade, classroom for students at Small Rural Elementary School (SRES; pseudonym) in southeastern Pennsylvania. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of need as it explains the effects human needs have on motivation, confirming the significance of students having their basic needs met in the classroom by their teacher in order to be motivated to achieve greater outcomes in the classroom. The study was guided by a central research …


Elementary Educators' Self-Efficacy, Curiosity, Learning Attainment, Experience, And The Number Of Neuromythic Beliefs: A Correlational Study, Angela Ranae Posey Mar 2021

Elementary Educators' Self-Efficacy, Curiosity, Learning Attainment, Experience, And The Number Of Neuromythic Beliefs: A Correlational Study, Angela Ranae Posey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The advancements in brain research have led to misconceptions in education. These misconceptions, known as neuromyths, can have impacts on the education system. The problem is educators could potentially waste resources on instructional practices or professional development due to neuroscience misconceptions. The purpose of this quantitative correlation study was to determine if there was a relationship between elementary educators’ self-efficacy, curiosity, learning attainment, experience, and the number of neuromythic beliefs. The sample population (N = 67), collected through a convenience sample, included rural in-service elementary educators from one school district in Missouri. Participants took an online questionnaire that included the …


Examining The Relationship Between Academic Achievement And English Language Proficiency, Cynthia Grant Hyacinth Dec 2020

Examining The Relationship Between Academic Achievement And English Language Proficiency, Cynthia Grant Hyacinth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

English language learners continue to be a growing demographic in American schools. Despite this, linguistically diverse students’ academic achievement continues to lag behind their native English-speaking counterparts. Historically, language proficiency measures have measured language proficiency in terms of social English, neglecting the importance of academic language development. Using Cummins’ threshold hypothesis as a framework for distinguishing social English development from academic language development, language proficiency assessments and standardized assessments focused on reading achievement were examined. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine if a relationship exists between 5th grade English language learners scores on a state-mandated standardized …


Online Learning: Educational Motivation Through Facetime, Kaylee Adelsberger Nov 2020

Online Learning: Educational Motivation Through Facetime, Kaylee Adelsberger

Senior Honors Theses

Digital learning presents challenges, one of which is the ability to motivate students. Elementary students can be motivated through intrinsic and extrinsic means, and it is important that teachers and digital learning mediums such as Google Classroom and Zoom work to motivate students in order to help them learn. Individualized attention provided by the teacher motivates students. Students’ are motivated by individualized attention provided to them by the teacher as well as Social Cognitive Theory, noting the importance of watching interactions with other students. The attention can vary from a one-on-one conversation or a personalized comment. Students are also motivated …


Examining Title I Elementary Schools In Tennessee: A Quantitative Study Of Predicted Outcomes, Jessilon Ann Madison Oct 2020

Examining Title I Elementary Schools In Tennessee: A Quantitative Study Of Predicted Outcomes, Jessilon Ann Madison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this predictive, correlational study was to determine how accurately Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) English Language Arts (ELA) achievement scores can be predicted from a linear combination of Lottery for Education Afterschool Programs (LEAPs) participation, geographic location, and Community Eligibility Participation (CEP) at Title I elementary schools in Tennessee: A quantitative research method using a linear multiple regression analysis was used to assess these variables. Data was gathered from publicly available records. For the sample, 100 Title I elementary schools participated in LEAPs and 100 Title I elementary schools did not participate in LEAPs. One hundred and …


The Predictive Relationship Between School Climate And Self-Perceived Stress Levels Among Fourth- And Fifth-Grade Teachers, Andrea Wood Eason Sep 2020

The Predictive Relationship Between School Climate And Self-Perceived Stress Levels Among Fourth- And Fifth-Grade Teachers, Andrea Wood Eason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educational research continues to show that teachers are leaving the field of education in large numbers for a variety of reasons. One documented reason for teacher attrition is job-related stress. This correlational, predictive study examined the relationships between the predictor variables of school climate (collaboration, decision-making, instructional innovation, school resources, and student relations) with the criterion variable of teacher stress among fourth- and fifth-grade public school teachers from across the United States. A convenience sample of 68 teachers participated in the study by completing the Revised School Level Environment Questionnaire (R-SLEQ), which measured school climate, and the Teacher Stress Inventory …


Easycbm And The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program: A Correlational Analysis Of Reading Achievement, Stephanie Ann Stone Jul 2020

Easycbm And The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program: A Correlational Analysis Of Reading Achievement, Stephanie Ann Stone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current trends in education suggest that the best way to help struggling readers is to provide academic intervention before they fall too far behind. Schools that use annual standardized test scores to determine students’ academic deficiencies, and thereby their need for intervention, only receive these score reports once per year, often several weeks or months after the students have been assessed. The purpose of this correlational analysis of reading achievement was to compare students’ performance on the EasyCBM progress monitoring tool to students’ performance on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program for third, fourth, and fifth grade students at a suburban …