Education Commons^™

The Value Of Professional Learning Communities As Perceived By Novice Secondary School Teachers, Brandon J. Cotter

All Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the perceived value that novice secondary school teachers have regarding the professional learning community process at Argo Community High School. The study uses qualitative methods in order to gather information about the novice teachers’ perceptions.

During the study, novice teachers with three or less years of experience were invited and selected to partake in completing a survey and structured interviews that helped provide insight as to their perceptions on the effectiveness of professional learning communities in making novice teachers feel supported through collaborative efforts.

The Effect Of District Provided Training And Paraprofessional Self-Efficacy, Meredith Madden

All Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effect(s) district provided training, or lack thereof, had on paraprofessional self-efficacy. This study was a descriptive action research study using a survey design. The participants of this study were selected from a south suburban, Cook county high school district. All participants, when surveyed, were currently employed paraprofessionals working with students with disabilities in grades 9-12. This study was conducted as part of a Multicategorical Special Education graduate student culminating project at Governors State University in summer 2015.