Education Commons^™

The Utilization Of Recorded Read Alouds By Teachers In Kindergarten Through Sixth Grade, Kira Hart

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

In March of 2020, schools in the United States turned to virtual instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded read alouds flooded the internet during this time (Shedrow & Stoetzel, 2021). Now that school is back in person, the internet remains full of these recorded read alouds. The purpose of this study is to examine the utilization of recorded read alouds as an instructional practice by kindergarten through sixth grade teachers within in-person classrooms. This study also determines whether the use of a recorded read aloud by teachers has changed following COVID-19 and the purposes recorded read alouds serve. Research …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Primary School Suspension And Expulsion, Leen Abochale

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigated the variables that might impact primary school in-school suspension (ISS) and out-of-school suspension (OSS) in a rural state in the southern region of the United States. Data for the present study were collected from the state’s Department of Education’s discipline database. Data was analyzed across three school years using separate multilevel growth modeling approaches: one with ISS rate as the dependent variable and another with OSS rate as the dependent variable. (Raudenbush and Bryk, 2002). Predictors in both models include the percentage of English-language learner students, percentage of low-income students, percentage of students eligible for SPED, the …

Effects Of Environmental Variables And Student Preference On Student Achievement, Elizabeth Francis

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Data show Arkansas’s high school graduates underperform in several national standardized tests. Research shows that positive moods warrant better academic performances. A review of the literature proves that environmental stimuli such as lights, colors, music, etc. can significantly affect a person’s mental state. Research suggests that further research needs to be done. Suggestions for implementing mood-improving stimuli are provided for educators.

Identifying The Racial Implicit Biases Of Pre-Service Teachers And Analyzing Their Impact On Students, Lauren Lagan

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Implicit biases reflect the unconscious beliefs and viewpoints held against populations of people that influence our interactions with others. The adverse impact of educators’ implicit biases on students influences disciplinary actions, setting expectations, and perpetuates the opportunity gap. Due to the implicitness of these biases, people are often unaware they exist, but the impact is apparent in disproportionate disciplinary and graduation rates of diverse populations of students. Pre-service teachers are entering the profession with limited understanding of how implicit biases form, how they are present in schools, and the negative effects of implicit biases on the lives of students. The …

A Literature Review Of Multicultural Education Practices To Support Marginalized Communities, Karleigh Ferrell

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to provide an overview of the current literature surrounding multicultural education practices that effectively support students from marginalized communities. Today’s classrooms are the most diverse and expansive that they have ever been in terms of the student population, but this is not yet reflected in employed public school teachers. So, it is crucial that teachers and public schools are culturally competent and prepared to implement multicultural education practices. Teachers that are culturally competent and that utilize multicultural education strategies have a higher sense of self-efficacy and less risk of burnout, and students of all identities have better …

Developing A Curriculum Model For Differentiating Instruction For All Learners, Emma Riemenschneider

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what types of teaching strategies most engage gifted and talented (GT) students. This study poses the question, "How can classroom teachers engage gifted and talented students while not advancing past the abilities of non-gifted and talented students?" Two surveys were developed and administered to public school teachers and students. The teacher participants of this study were nine classroom teachers at a junior high school in the northwestern part of the state. The student participants of this study were 99 seventh and eighth graders at a junior high school in the northwest part …

A Sociocultural Analysis Of Book-Length Works Mentioned In The English Journal, 2010-2020, Elizabeth Price

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Between 2010 and 2020, the book-length works mentioned in the English Journal were recorded in order to assess societal and professional trends reflected in the uptake of these books in pedagogical articles. The data shows a continued heavy presence of canonical literature, particularly Shakespearean plays, as well as an increase in diverse perspectives, a higher respect for new genres such as Young Adult Literature and the Graphic Novel in the classroom, and a pushback on two popular novels, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Self-Efficacy On Stem Implementation, Caroline Buechel

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

In order to equip students with the 21^st Century skills necessary for today’s society, STEM education must be properly implemented in school curricula (Lamb, Akmal, & Petrie, 2015). To do so, it is important for teachers to possess both proficient knowledge of the subject matter and confidence towards the implementation of STEM. A person’s beliefs about their ability is known as their self-efficacy (Bandura 1997). Related to education, Bandura notes that this self-efficacy affects a teacher’s views on their ability to handle tasks, obligations, and challenges related to a challenge (1997). Additionally, numerous studies indicate that this self-efficacy in …

A Case Study Of Four Districts' Procedures For Identifying And Serving Culturally, Linguistically, And Economically Diverse Gifted And Talented Students In One State, Mackenzie Anderson

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The underrepresentation of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students is a problem historically researched in gifted and talented programs. This problem largely comes from the way districts identify for giftedness as well as the programming for gifted students. Traditional methods of identification often largely exclude students due to racial or ethnic bias and harsh cut-off scores on tests. This study investigated the current identification procedures of four districts in one state. Additionally, the study addressed programming and how these districts specifically targeted underserved populations within their district. Data were collected through interviews with four District Coordinators from school districts with …

Understanding Trauma To Create Effective Trauma Informed Schools, Lauren Murphy

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Exposure to early trauma can negatively affect a child's learning, behavior, and social emotional well being. Trauma in children can change executive functions in the brain and other neurobiological developmental changes can alter their success rate academically and socially. With the changes in the brain, it can have prolonged effects such as diminishing of brain nerve cells, hormone levels, immune systems, and epigenetic changes. Without proper interventions, these changes can lead to a higher risk of developing health conditions and mental illnesses. Through research presented in the article, is it vital for early interventions to prevent the furthering effects of …

Studying And Assessing The Impact Of Peer Mentoring On Students From Working Families: A View From Teachers’ Perspectives, Taylor Reynolds

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study focused on the impact that a specific after school peer-mentoring program had on students from working families based on their teachers’ perspectives. The research surveyed teachers from a local elementary school who had students enrolled in the SOAR after school program. The teachers were interviewed, and data was collected and coded according to trends in responses. Teacher responses were then analyzed in a cross-case analysis to recognize trends among teacher responses in the categories of program participants, resilience, school performance, school motivation, school perception, and self-efficacy among SOAR students. The research lasted one semester. Through the study, the …

An Investigation Of Teachers' Beliefs And Practices Regarding A Quality Preschool Classroom, Nicole Bogusch

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research study surveyed preschool teachers and aids at one public PK-5th grade elementary school. The administered survey included questions informed by both the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). Additional data collected consisted of classroom observations of current preschool teachers at work during a 25-35-minute time period. The research lasted one month and consisted of multiple components including surveys and observations. The data from the study suggests that preschool teachers and aids possessed a mastery of knowledge surrounding factors important for quality early childhood classrooms. Specifically, the teachers and aids excelled in their …

All Eyez On Me: The Socialization Experiences Of African Americans At Predominately White Institutions, Tamara Kuykendall

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The review of literature section is to analyze the socialization experiences of African Americans that attend predominately white institutions (PWIs). African Americans are defined as Americans of African and especially black African descent for this research. The term “African American” and “black” will be used interchangeably. The paper highlights an overview of the social experiences of African American college students, distinguishes external, non-academic factors that contribute to the black college experience, and describes how African Americans experience social collectiveness within a predominately white campus. It also moves to identify how this interaction shapes African Americans’ perception of ‘blackness’ amongst the …

Students' Attitudes Towards Standardized Testing: A Literature Review, Kelly Gard

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Standardized testing is a task that all students must undertake during their educational careers. Standardized tests are large determinants to course placements, exceptionality placements, grades, school sanctions or rewards, and education policy. It is imperative that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed on standardized tests. However, bias, stress, and anxiety in standardized testing often hinders the opportunity for many students to excel on the tests.

The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the research conducted on standardized testing bias which includes the prevalence of testing bias as well as the causes and types of testing bias. …

An Investigation Of Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge Of Diversity And Multicultural Literature At One University, Rebecca Yeager

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The research study surveyed students classified as Juniors at the University of Arkansas currently enrolled in the Children’s Literature course, a required class for both Elementary Education and Childhood Education degree program students attending the University of Arkansas. The survey that was administered is the Cultural Diversity Awareness Inventory (CDAI). Additional data collected consisted of observations and interviews of students enrolled in the course. The research lasted one semester and consisted of multiple components. Through the study, the data suggests students grew in their knowledge of multicultural concepts and multicultural literature, but their growth was better measured through interviews, not …

The Effects Of A Literacy-Based Mentoring Program On Empowering Preadolescent Girls In Their Development Of Confidence, Self-Concept, And Leadership Skillset, Sophia Vincent

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study focuses on empowering preadolescent girls to develop confidence and move from a fixed to growth mindset, take responsibility for their actions, turn failures into learning opportunities, and cultivate a love for self. GIRLS: Leaders on the Rise is a literacy-based mentoring program for preadolescent girls designed to improve confidence, positive self-concept, and develop a leadership skillset through five targeted aspects of leadership: growth mindset, integrity, resilience, love and loyalty, and strengths. Adolescence is a time when students are discovering who they are and shaping their identities. Girls decline in their self-confidence during adolescence due to fear of failure, …

How Do Non-Traditional Students Avail Themselves Of The University Of Arkansas' Resources?, Mary Frances Sulzen

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

In America alone there are 46 million non-traditional students that have some college hours but that have not completed their degree. There are over 1,700 non-traditional students at the University of Arkansas. Colleges and universities provide resources to students to support their academic, social and other needs. Do non-traditional students avail themselves of the University of Arkansas’ resources? Does this impact their GPA? A quantitative and qualitative research study was conducted to explore the connectivity of non-traditional students with their college campus. A survey with a follow up email interview was gathered to examine and research non-traditional students’ interests, problems, …

Elementary Educators' Perceptions Of Conscious Discipline As A Management Strategy, Mary Hill

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study explored elementary educators’ perceptions of Conscious Discipline as it is implemented in the classroom as a management technique. To gather data, the researcher created a survey that asked about the demographics in the schools, how the teachers view Conscious Discipline, and the teachers’ opinions on the Conscious Discipline program as it relates to management in the classroom. The survey was shared via email with a link embedded. The participants consisted of twelve teachers from one Northwest Arkansas school district who taught Preschool through fifth grade in a general education classroom, as well as school counselors and administration such …

Investigating Steam: Integrating Art And Stem To Spark Innovation, Sara L. Hayman

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of STEAM instruction in K-12 classrooms emphasizes the teaching of 21st century learning skills using innovative thinking to solve real-world problems and specifically combines the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (Claymier, 2014; Gjovik and Skophammer, 2013). This study investigated how teaching children to recognize connections among subject areas using STEAM promotes innovation in students by using art to teach flexibility and fluidity in thinking. The goal was to determine if integrating art into a STEM project influences the attitude students have towards themselves and their abilities, their attitudes towards how different skill sets work together, …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Hands On Cooking And Nutritional Education With Low Socioeconomic Children, Elizabeth G. Freeman

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study was conducted at The Yvonne Richardson Community Center in Northwest Arkansas to test the effectiveness of hands on cooking classes and nutritional education with children age’s nine to eleven coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This group was chosen because people included in low socioeconomic status are more likely to a high number of energy dense foods because of their long shelf life and high calorie count in replacement of fruits and vegetables (Proceedings of the Roundtable on Understanding the Paradox of Hunger and Obesity, 2004). Though this is true, not having a balanced diet and eating a majority …

An Investigation Of How Districts In One State Identify And Serve Gifted And Talented English Language Learners, Caitlin S. Allison

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

School administrators are constantly looking for ways to make learning accessible for all students, and gifted education is no different. The process of identifying a gifted student is a difficult one at best, only made more difficult with language barriers. However, inattention to gifted English Language Learners can have detrimental effects as feelings of culture shock and homesickness combine with feeling intellectually different than one’s peers. This study investigates the current procedures for identifying and providing for all gifted learners to determine if eligibility and participation is dependent on linguistic ability. The study consisted of interviewing three District Coordinators of …

The Effects Of An Elementary After-School Enrichment Program On Gifted And Talented Students' Attitudes Toward School, Madison Nicole Cunningham

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The study researches interest-based learning in a controlled setting in order to gain insight into student attitudes toward school, more specifically among identified gifted and talented students. This study poses the research question, “Does an after-school program designed to cater to student needs affect student attitudes toward school?” This was an action research study using pre and post assessments to determine elementary students’ attitudes toward school. The study was conducted at an after-school program, once a week for ten weeks total. There were ten students involved in the study, with three of them being formally identified through the school district …

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching History, Kelsey Helyer

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The study explored elementary teachers’ perceptions of how history is taught in today’s classrooms. To gather the data, the researcher created a survey that asked about the demographics of the schools, how the teachers teach history, and questions to explore teacher’s ideas about the role of history in education. The survey was shared on social media and through email to personal contacts asking contacts to share the link to complete the questionnaire. The participants consisted of fifty-one teachers most of whom are residents of Kansas, Arkansas, or Texas and teach kindergarten through sixth grade in general education classrooms. The participants’ …

An Investigation Of Creativity, Engagement, And Academic Success Using Student-Led Lesson Planning In One Third Grade Classroom, Ericka D. Brockunier

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate creativity, engagement, and student success using student-led lesson planning within a third-grade classroom. It was designed to see the impact of creativity on engagement and understanding through the use of daily student self-assessments and feedback, and daily input from students, concerning the upcoming lessons. The daily student self-assessments included three rating scales for engagement, creativity, and confidence in content. Each day, students were expected to rate themselves on a scale of one to five for each of the categories, regarding their views for that day’s lesson. This measured the effectiveness of each …