Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Diversity On Student Engagement And Academic Success, Latosha C. Thomas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of diversity on student engagement and academic success within a university setting. Understanding the impact of diversity at postsecondary institutions is important because the population of the United States is becoming increasingly diverse, a trend that is also reflected in educational institutions. Previous research has largely focused on diversity among the study body (i.e. admissions) and in the classroom (i.e. curriculum). However, the current study focuses on student experiences with diversity outside of the classroom. Student interactions with peers from diverse backgrounds were measured using the Experiences With Diversity Index …

Global Leadership Competencies In Selected Adult Education Graduate Programs From The United States And Western Europe, Arthur Ray Mccrory

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Researchers in the field of global leadership have reported a growing need for leaders able to perform from a global perspective, and the lack of qualified leadership candidates to fulfill these responsibilities. Adult education graduate programs represent a unique pool of aspirants to help fill this gap. In 2008, the Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE) published Standards for Graduate Programs in Adult Education. Two of these standards addressed the incorporation of globalization and leadership studies into the planning, administration, and evaluation of adult education graduate programs. This study sought to explore the connection between the phenomenon of …

Preschool Teachers’ Language And Literacy Practices With Dual Language Learners, Brook E. Sawyer, Carol S. Hammer, Lauren M. Cycyk, Lisa López, Clancy Blair, Lia Sandilos, Eugene Komaroff

Educational and Psychological Studies Faculty Publications

he purposes of this study were to (a) examine the degree to which teachers used linguistically responsive practices to support the language and literacy development of Spanish-speaking Dual Language Learners (DLL) and (b) to investigate the associations between these practices and select teacher-level factors. The sample consisted of 72 preschool teachers. Observational data were collected on practices. Teachers self-reported on language and culture beliefs, Spanish-speaking ability, and classroom composition. Results indicated that teachers, including those who spoke Spanish, used few linguistically responsive practices to support preschool DLLs. Only Spanish-speaking ability was related to practices. Implications for targeted professional development are …

Unpacking The Discipline Gap: Referral Categories And School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports, Christopher Michael Barclay

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite decades of efforts to racially integrate schools and the recent accountability movement, U.S. students’ access to equitable education remains elusive. Research demonstrates that discipline procedures disproportionately remove racial minority students from the classroom, creating a “discipline gap.” Racial disparities in discrete disciplinary infraction types (e.g., disruption, aggression) have shown nuanced patterns across groups and school levels. Moreover, the relationship between school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) – a framework for promoting positive behavior and preventing conflict – and the discipline gap is unclear. This investigation explored racial/ethnic disparities per infraction type (e.g. disruption, verbal abuse) and the relationship …

Spiral Of Decline Or “Beacon Of Hope:” Stories Of School Choice In A Dual Language School, Timothy Pearson, Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Soria Elizabeth Colomer

Educational and Psychological Studies Faculty Publications

Public schools in some areas of the U.S. are as segregated as they were prior to court-ordered busing, in part due to school choice policies that appear to exacerbate extant segregation. In particular, Latina/o students are increasingly isolated in schools characterized as being in cycles of decline. Our case study of one such school is based on a reanalysis of interview, focus group, and survey data from three research and evaluation projects. We constructed accounts of parents’ decisions to leave and remain at Martinez Elementary, a segregated dual language school experiencing increases in Latina/o and low socio-economic student enrollment and …

On The Tenure Trek To Equanimity: ¡Oh, Cúan Lejos Llegarás!, Vonzell Agosto

Vonzell Agosto

This self-reflective inquiry into the hyphens between work-life, life-work, and life-world describes how I am crystallizing a way of walking in the world that feels good to me ethically, spiritually, and emotionally. I characterize this initial leg of my academic journey as being on the tenure trek to equanimity. My developing ideas about equanimity are framed in part as a culturally diverse discourse of thriving in academia that highlights central concepts in my educational philosophy and research program: culture, justice, and curriculum.

La Lengua Del Oyente: Some Effects Of Listener Language On Spanish-Speaking Preschoolers’ Verbal Behavior, Gerardo Castillo Ii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bilingual children represent a large population of preschool and school-aged children in the United States. Challenges may arise when the verbal community in which a child spends most of his or her time does not reinforce his or her primary language. Previous research has shown that children adjust their language to match the language of their listener (Genesee, Boivin, & Nicoladis, 1996). It is possible that having a native-language communication partner at school would improve child engagement, as measured by child mean length of utterance and quantity of child initiations. The purpose of this study is to examine whether listener …

The Portrayal Of Immigrants In Children's And Young Adults' American Trade Books During Two Peak United States Immigration Eras (1880-1930 And 1980-2010s), Rina Roula Bousalis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Although immigrants are an integral part of the nation's founding and history, it is unclear how they have been historically portrayed in children's and young adults' American trade books, especially at the turn of the 20th century. This study offers a critical and comparative analysis focusing on the historical evolution, depiction of immigrants, and authors' perspectives of selected trade books written during two peak United States immigration eras (1880-1930 and 1980-2010s).

Utilizing a discourse analysis approach, this study examined how first-generation immigrants were portrayed in selected trade books and how various themes and representations may have affected students and …

Using Video In Contemporary Libraries, Claudia J. Dold

Claudia J. Dold

Video is an ideal tool for reaching many of today’s learners, especially when a process needs to be demonstrated and learned. Users can now access video to “see how it’s done”, offering information in visual and well as aural and textual formats. How-to videos have made inroads into everyday life: on airplanes they teach us how to prepare for take-off, in hardware stores, they demonstrate new attachments for electric tools, and DVDs now accompany products that explain the installation process.

Promoting Cultural Heritage Through Video, Claudia J. Dold

Claudia J. Dold

Cultural heritage is an ephemeral commodity: If it is not preserved, it will disappear. Capturing cultural heritage on video uses current technology that offers exciting opportunities for librarians. They may record, document, and preserve cultural heritage, including the local languages, in their archives.

In Our Image: The Attempted Reshaping Of The Cuban Education System By The United States Government, 1898-1912, Mario John Minichino

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

During the fourteen years between 1898 and 1912, the influences imparted upon the School System of Cuba were substantial. In the period immediately following the conflict with Spain, known in the U.S. as the Spanish American War, a concerted effort was underway to annex the island of Cuba. This study was undertaken to discover what courses were introduced into the K-12 curricula following the U.S. intervention, who introduced those changes, and what, if any influence those changes brought to the culture of the island. This investigation and analysis was necessary to reinvigorate the discussion regarding the history of the …

Reflections In The Classroom: Perspectives On Teaching For Social Justice From Secondary Social Studies Educators, Gregory Lee Samuels

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the perspectives of five secondary social studies educators who identified with teaching for social justice. The following research questions guided the study: How do educators who identify with social justice perceive teaching for social justice?; In what ways do educators who identify with social justice facilitate a social justice education?; What experiences prompt educators to teach for social justice in the classroom?; In what ways are educators challenged and rewarded while facilitating a social justice curriculum within the secondary social studies classroom? This qualitative study employed semi-structured interview questions and …

From Limited-English-Proficient To Educator: Perspectives On Three Spanish-English Biliteracy Journeys, Elizabeth Visedo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this multicase study was to describe and explain the perceptions of three Spanish-English culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) high achievers on their biliteracy journeys to become educators in the United States (U.S.), by answering: What elements constitute the perspectives of three L1-Spanish/L2-English CLD high achievers on the relevance of their biliteracy experience in order to become educators in the U.S.?; What factors do these three L1-Spanish/L2-English CLD high achievers perceive as key to describe their biliteracy experience?; What relevance, if any, do these three L1-Spanish/L2-English CLD high achievers perceive their biliteracy experience had for them to become …

Exploring Elaborated Noun Phrase Use Of Middle School English Language Learners Following Writing Strategy Instruction, Stephanie R. Cooper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

English Language Learners (ELLs) are a growing population within the U.S. school system. In the secondary grades, this diverse group requires instruction to improve not only English language proficiency but also utilization of the academic language register, especially in writing tasks. The present study focused on ELLs in middle school. The aim was to explore the effects of enhanced Self–Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) writing instruction on the use of complex language, particularly elaborated noun phrases (ENPs) when SRSD was combined with linguistic instruction on increased sentence complexity.

As a part of a larger study exploring critical literacy and the persuasive …

Negotiating Race-Related Tensions: How White Educational Leaders Recognize, Confront, And Dialogue About Race And Racism, Amy Jo Samuels

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite exposure of educational disparities for students of color, as well as the notion that educational training rarely discusses race and racism, there continues to be a lack of discourse on race, racism, and anti-racism in educational leadership. Subsequently, it is important to challenge deficit thinking and encourage further examination of the deeply-rooted foundation of oppression. The study explored personal narratives of white educational leaders who oppose racial inequity to heighten awareness about conceptualizations of race, racism, and anti-racism. The research involved interviewing educational leaders in three groups: 1) aspiring, 2) currently-practicing, and 3) recently-retired. Eight participants were selected to …

Multi-Cultural Encounter And Exchange Among Spaniards, American Indians And Africans In Colonial Florida And The Caribbean, Kathleen Deagan Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Lesson 6: Mapping The Spanish American War, Mario J. Minichino

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

The proximity of Tampa and Key West, Florida to the island of Cuba, and how their geographic locations played a major part in the Spanish American War. In this lesson, students will transfer/combine historical data from different sources to create a representative map, developing a deeper understanding of the connections between Tampa and Cuba and practicing their mapping skills.

(This lesson plan is designed for two days or can be used for a block schedule)

Conference Program

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Spain-Florida: Perspectives On A Common History. Spanish Culture In The United States, Juan Antonio García Galindo Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Tertulia Flyer And Schedule Current

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Lesson 5: “İhuelga!” (Strike!), Bárbara C. Cruz

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

Labor unions, workers’ rights, strikes, and boycotts all figure prominently Ybor City’s cigar manufacturing history. The strike of 1920-1921 serves as the focus of this lesson, shedding light on this important industry to Florida’s economy.

Lesson 4: Ybor City - The Cuban Club, Samantha Cook

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

The purpose of this unit is to make students aware of the rich history of not only Florida but of our own Ybor City. Ybor city was a multiethnic, multiracial, industrial community unlike any other in Florida at the time. Each lesson will be geared towards a specific topic but will incorporate Ybor City’s unique multi-cultural heritage with a focus on the Cubans.

Lesson 3: Ybor City, “Cigar City Of The World”, Samantha Cook

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

After it was established and continued to thrive, Ybor city was a multiethnic, multiracial, industrial community unlike any other in Florida at the time. This lesson explores the city’s unique history, with special emphasis on the Cuban community that settled there.

Mickey Ricans? The Recent Puerto Rican Diaspora To Florida, Jorge Duany Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

The Old World In The New: Florida Discovers The Arts Of Spain. 1885-1930, Richard Kagan Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Passions, Affections, Dollars: A Sentimental Political Economy Of Cuba And Florida, Damian Fernández Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

How Cubans Transformed Florida Politic And Leveraged Local For National Influence, Susan Eckstein Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Until The Land Was Understood - Spaniards Confront La Florida, 1500-1600, Paul E. Hoffman Phd

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.

Lesson 5: “İhuelga!” (Strike!), Bárbara C. Cruz

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

Labor unions, workers’ rights, strikes, and boycotts all figure prominently Ybor City’s cigar manufacturing history. The strike of 1920-1921 serves as the focus of this lesson, shedding light on this important industry to Florida’s economy.

Community Events Flyer, Islac

Hispanic Heritage of Florida Conference 2012

No abstract provided.