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Full-Text Articles in Education

Principals’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Content-Specific Instructional Feedback, Shernore S. Prince Jan 2021

Principals’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Content-Specific Instructional Feedback, Shernore S. Prince

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem for this basic qualitative study was that principals were not consistently providing content-specific feedback to support teachers’ instructional practices. This problem was important because principals, as instructional leaders, are responsible for giving feedback to teachers to support teachers’ instructional practices. The purpose of this study was to investigate principals’ and teachers’ perceptions of content-specific feedback. Danielson’s framework for teaching was the conceptual framework that linked the concepts and variables in this study. The research questions addressed how principals perceived that they provided content-specific feedback to support teachers’ instructional practice, and how teachers perceived principals as providing content-specific …


Exploring 4-Year Business School Curriculum’S Relation To Graduates’ Hiring And Earnings, Richard A. Gayle Jan 2021

Exploring 4-Year Business School Curriculum’S Relation To Graduates’ Hiring And Earnings, Richard A. Gayle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2013, roughly 7% of college graduates under 25 could not find employment, and about 37% were underemployed. Public university tuition costs increased by 42% between 1999 and 2012, and 71% of college graduates have an average of $29,400 in outstanding student debt. Employers for several decades have complained about how higher educational institutions have failed to deliver graduates with developed nontechnical skills comprising (a) work ethic, (b) communication, (c) organization, (d) problem solving, and (e) teamwork. The purpose of this qualitative archival study was to assess and explore integrating the nontechnical skills that businesses require to hire graduates immediately …


Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Instructional Leadership Practices Supporting Character Education, Dawn Angela Engle Jan 2021

Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Instructional Leadership Practices Supporting Character Education, Dawn Angela Engle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe problem addressed in this project study was that principals at the elementary schools under study had been inconsistent in applying instructional leadership practices (ILP) supporting character education (CE). The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of elementary school principals regarding ILP to support CE. The instructional leadership model was the conceptual framework guiding the study. The research question asked what practices elementary school principals implement to support CE in their schools. A basic qualitative research design with purposive sampling was used to select elementary school principals who were state-certified and administrators for at least 2 years. …


K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Service Learning, Cassandra Aiesha Lewis Jan 2021

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Service Learning, Cassandra Aiesha Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

K-12 teachers in a large metropolitan school district in the Northeast United States experienced difficulties integrating service learning into the curriculum due to state-based curriculum standards. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore K-12 teachers’ perceptions of barriers to, and best practices that support, implementation of service learning into the curriculum while considering state-based curriculum standards. Cooperrider and Srivastva’s theory of appreciative inquiry, which emphasizes assets rather than deficits within organizational structures, was used as the conceptual framework that guided data collection and analysis. Research questions were used to describe the perceived barriers to, and best practices …


Exploring The Strategies English As A Second Language Teachers Use To Teach Students, Unika Lasha Felton Jan 2021

Exploring The Strategies English As A Second Language Teachers Use To Teach Students, Unika Lasha Felton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the local school district under study located in southern United States, English as second language (ESL) students are experiencing lower than expected standardized testing scores according to expectations set forth by the state Department of Education. The purpose of this project study was to explore the strategies ESL teachers use to teach ESL students. The conceptual framework was Gagne’s conditions of learning theory, which is used to assess students’ lack of preparation for future academic and career success. The research question asked what strategies ESL teachers use to teach ESL students. A qualitative exploratory case study with purposive sampling …


Teacher Perceptions About Instructional Delivery For Chinese International Students, Valerie Lorraine Marchione Jan 2021

Teacher Perceptions About Instructional Delivery For Chinese International Students, Valerie Lorraine Marchione

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that prompted this study was that teachers at a local private school werestruggling to identify and implement appropriate instructional strategies to promote international student academic and social engagement. The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions and experiences about instructing international students. The conceptual framework of this study was based on Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism. The research questions explored teachers’ perceptions about their knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of students’ school acculturation and teachers’ instructional processes. A case study design was used to capture the insights of 12 high school teachers of international students through semistructured …


Middle School Teachers’ Use Of Differentiated Instruction Strategies, Felecia G. Prince Jan 2021

Middle School Teachers’ Use Of Differentiated Instruction Strategies, Felecia G. Prince

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMiddle School Teachers’ Use of Differentiated Instruction Strategies by Felecia George Prince MEd, Troy University, 2010 BS, Georgia Southern University, 1988 AA, East Georgia College, 1984 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University June 2020Abstract The administrators at the study site were concerned that teachers struggle with differentiated instruction (DI) in their classrooms, which involves strategies to support students’ levels. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to learn what DI strategies teachers used at the study site. The conceptual framework of Tomlinson on the differentiated strategies …


Perceptions Of Community College Success Seminar Faculty Regarding First-Year Student Persistence, Ikpobari Dumletam Senewo Jan 2021

Perceptions Of Community College Success Seminar Faculty Regarding First-Year Student Persistence, Ikpobari Dumletam Senewo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Persistence of first-year, full-time students toward graduation at U.S. community colleges poses concerns for administrators, faculty, and policymakers. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of faculty members teaching a college success seminar at an urban multicampus community college on what impedes or supports the persistence of these students through the first year. Tinto’s student departure and Astin’s student involvement theories served as the framework. Using a basic qualitative approach, interviews with 10 faculty members at a multicampus community college were analyzed using Creswell’s 6-step data analysis strategy. Findings suggested that sense of belonging, early connection to …


Faculty, Clinical Supervisors, And Teacher Candidate Perceptions And Experiences Of Teacher Candidate Feedback, Timothy John Martin Calver Jan 2021

Faculty, Clinical Supervisors, And Teacher Candidate Perceptions And Experiences Of Teacher Candidate Feedback, Timothy John Martin Calver

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem at a West Coast university was that the university’s teacher education program lead faculty and teacher candidates stated they were concerned about the quality of feedback provided to teacher candidates who are assessed by clinical supervisors during their field-based experiences. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of teacher candidates, clinical supervisors, and teacher education department (TED) faculty regarding the feedback process. The conceptual framework used for this study was Argyris’ theory of single-loop and double-loop learning to support the research question. The research question was focused on perceptions about the feedback …


Perspectives Of Online Cda Recipients Regarding Development Of Expertise Without Apprenticeship, Victoria Lynn Long-Coleman Jan 2021

Perspectives Of Online Cda Recipients Regarding Development Of Expertise Without Apprenticeship, Victoria Lynn Long-Coleman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little was known about how online Child Development Associate (CDA) credential recipients developed practical expertise in early childhood education (ECE) without the benefit of an apprenticeship. Learning the practice of teaching from a qualified more knowledgeable other (MKO) through an apprenticeship is a feature of teacher preparation in public school contexts but is missing in preparation for child care teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how online CDA recipients developed practical expertise in ECE without a supervised apprenticeship. Vygotsky’s social construction of knowledge was the conceptual framework of the study. The research question addressed how …


Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch Jan 2021

Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal inclusion law requires that school administrators provide an equitable and legally compliant inclusive education for all students. Previous research has shown that successful program delivery is not possible without efficacious school leadership. Prior studies have also revealed that principals’ self-efficacy judgments are directly influenced by contextual and personal factors. Limited research-based inquiries have explored which factors contribute to administrator confidence as it relates to successfully implementing inclusive educational programs in particular. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this nonexperimental, survey-based, quantitative study was to assess the extent to which facets of elementary school principals’ educational background, experience, …


Culturally Responsive Curriculum Implementation Of Middle School Principals In Southern Texas, Caroline Wendy Narine Jan 2021

Culturally Responsive Curriculum Implementation Of Middle School Principals In Southern Texas, Caroline Wendy Narine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although culturally responsive curricula are designed to educate students to be both socially and culturally successful, the curriculum implementation leadership practices middle school principals have used to support such curricula have been unclear. This study explored how middle school principals in southern Texas were supporting their teachers with implementing a culturally responsive curriculum in their schools. This basic qualitative study employed the applied critical leadership conceptual framework to explore the culturally responsive curriculum implementation leadership practices of middle school principals in southern Texas. The criteria for the selection of participants were 2 to 5 years’ experience as a principal in …


Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities As Replacements For Traditional Professional Development, Antwonette Woodlon Jan 2021

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities As Replacements For Traditional Professional Development, Antwonette Woodlon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Professional learning communities (PLCs) positively influence students’ and teachers’ success. Yet, traditional professional development, involving passive learning, is still widely used. The problem addressed in this qualitative case study is little is known about administrators’ perceptions about PLCs as replacements for traditional forms of professional development (PD). Administrators’ and teachers’ perceptions of PLCs should be explored to learn more about why PLCs are underutilized in schools, despite their proven effectiveness. The primary conceptual framework used for this study was Knowles’ adult learning theory supported by Contextual learning theory. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit eight participants – four administrators and …


Understanding Principals' Perceptions Of Leadership For Implementation Of Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Programs, Margaret Akinnusi Jan 2021

Understanding Principals' Perceptions Of Leadership For Implementation Of Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Programs, Margaret Akinnusi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School principals' leadership strategies and collaborative efforts contribute immensely to defining and managing goals in response to any educational initiatives, including social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. The problem prompting this study was the disproportionate special education referral and school suspension of minority students. Although the focus school district adopted an SEL curriculum and tasked principals with implementation to reduce disproportionality, these disparities continue to persist. This qualitative descriptive study explored 10 principals' leadership strategies and implementation challenges regarding SEL program implementation to close the disparity of special education identification and the suspension and expulsion of minority students at an urban school …


Principals’ Perspectives Regarding Their Leadership Roles In Smart Board Technology Integration, Donna Faith Nelson Jan 2021

Principals’ Perspectives Regarding Their Leadership Roles In Smart Board Technology Integration, Donna Faith Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSmart Board Technologies (SBTs) are prevalent in K–6 schools and teachers are expected to use them to enhance student learning. The Smart Board (SB) may not be used effectively in the classroom. The effective use of the SB increases student engagement and performance. To ensure the effective use of the SB, the principal’s role is crucial. While the teachers’ perspectives about SBT use in pedagogy have often been researched, the literature concerning principals’ perspectives in SBT integration is scarce. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand principals’ perspectives regarding their leadership roles in SBT integration. Bass’s theory …


Effects Of School Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In An African American All-Boys Urban School, Theresa Thomas Jan 2021

Effects Of School Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In An African American All-Boys Urban School, Theresa Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Teachers and administrators spend a great deal of time addressing minor to moderate school discipline behaviors with punitive actions such as suspensions and expulsions from school. Past research has revealed that such punitive actions do not correct the unwanted behavior, and extensive use of punitive disciplinary actions have been linked to negative outcomes such as repeated suspensions, repeating grades due to time missed from school, increased likelihood of dropping out of school, or potential involvement in the juvenile justice system. This single case study design addressed the following research question: How school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) affected …


Employee Perceptions Of Collaborative Communication Skills Learned In The Informal Workplace, Wendy Marie Lewis Jan 2021

Employee Perceptions Of Collaborative Communication Skills Learned In The Informal Workplace, Wendy Marie Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Collaborative communication skills are underdeveloped through higher education experiences; therefore, employees need to develop these skills while working. Current research has not focused on how employees identify collaborative communication skills developed from informal workplace learning experiences, specifically those presented as coaching, mentoring, and networking. Marsick and Watkins’s informal workplace learning theory was the conceptual framework for this basic qualitative study, which used a researcher-produced interview protocol with eight United States employees who had been in their positions longer than 6 months. Data were analyzed using three rounds of hand coding. Participants described how informal coaching, mentoring, and networking encounters influenced …


Understanding Teachers' Choice For Implementing The Flipped Classroom Model, Daphney Phillip Jan 2021

Understanding Teachers' Choice For Implementing The Flipped Classroom Model, Daphney Phillip

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The flipped classroom model has been proven to impact students' learning positively, but many educators are reluctant to implement the flipped learning model in their classrooms. There are few studies addressing educators' choice to implement the flipped classroom model at the middle school level. This qualitative study aimed to explore teachers’ choices for implementing the flipped learning model, to provide evidence-based practices and recommendations for the creation of a support system, and to help create a support system to assist teachers to use the flipped learning model successfully. The study centered on two questions regarding how teachers described their choices …


The Relationship Between Professional Learning Community Characteristics And Teacher Collective Efficacy In Two Midwestern Schools, Jack C. Gaham Jan 2021

The Relationship Between Professional Learning Community Characteristics And Teacher Collective Efficacy In Two Midwestern Schools, Jack C. Gaham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A suburban school in the central United States failed to close the achievement gap with a neighboring school on state-mandated tests despite both schools’ implementation of a professional learning community (PLC) to improve student performance. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the implementation of a PLC with the mitigating variable of teacher collective efficacy (TCE) so that research-derived recommendations could be made to improve the PLC and student performance. The second school that implemented a PLC at the same time but with better results was included to evaluate the influence of school environment on PLC performance. Bandura’s …


African American Freshman Students’ Perceptions Of Student Persistence At A Historically Black College, Callie Taylor Herd Jan 2021

African American Freshman Students’ Perceptions Of Student Persistence At A Historically Black College, Callie Taylor Herd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the low retention of African American freshmen at a private Historically Black College. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to learn what factors influence an at-risk freshman student’s decision to persist or leave college so that interventions related to positive change can be proposed. Tinto's student integration model and Bean’s causal model of student attrition were the conceptual frameworks that grounded this study. The research question focused on African American freshman students’ experiences that influenced their ability to persist. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 purposely selected participants representing first-year students …


High School Principals' Perceptions And Instructional Leadership Practices Regarding Algebra I State Scores, Tangia Ann Miller Jan 2021

High School Principals' Perceptions And Instructional Leadership Practices Regarding Algebra I State Scores, Tangia Ann Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

States are double scheduling algebra classes; using calculators and virtual manipulative-like algebra tiles; and applying interventions such as Response to Interventions, needs assessments, and various computer graphing technology such as Demos. However, during the school year 2018-2019, 12.9 percent of a state public school students failed to meet passing score requirements on the state algebra test and were at risk of not graduating. The purpose of this research was to examine school principal perceptions and instructional leadership practices supporting mathematics teachers to help students to improve their proficiency in Algebra I. A basic qualitative research design, grounded in instructional leadership …


Emergency Managers’ Perceptions Of Active Threat Preparedness In Higher Education, Shannon Daniel Jan 2021

Emergency Managers’ Perceptions Of Active Threat Preparedness In Higher Education, Shannon Daniel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The shooting on Virginia Tech’s campus that left 32 dead in 2007 and other incidents since then resulted in active threat preparations at institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States. Little is known about how emergency managers understand campus preparedness and what enhanced learning in the implementation, training, and effectiveness of policies. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand how campus emergency managers perceived the effectiveness of the design and implementation of their standard operating procedures to protect against an active threat and what the emergency managers perceived enhanced their learning in the design and …


The Lived Experiences Of Male Educational Leaders, Natisha Myra Murphy Jan 2021

The Lived Experiences Of Male Educational Leaders, Natisha Myra Murphy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School systems have been faced with the attrition of male educational leaders in school districts. In particular, male educational leaders in the Maryland school district are pursuing non-educational leadership career paths instead of educational leadership career paths. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of male educational leaders in the Maryland school district who chose to pursue non-educational leadership career paths instead of educational leadership career paths. The conceptual frameworks that guided this study were Rogers’s concepts of ideal self, self-image, and self-worth and Dawis and Lofquist’s concepts of personality, need, and …


Community College Faculty Experiences With Literacy And Student Engagement In Developmental Courses, Amber L. Duncan Schoolcraft Jan 2021

Community College Faculty Experiences With Literacy And Student Engagement In Developmental Courses, Amber L. Duncan Schoolcraft

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a literacy gap reflected in high school students’ preparation as they enter college. Empirical literature has indicated the importance of faculty connecting with students by using best practices for more engagement to increase literacy, learning, and comprehension. A question remained what the experiences of community college faculty members were as they worked to increase student engagement and improve literacy in reading and writing in developmental freshman community college composition courses. The theory of andragogy and the theory of cultural literacy provided the framework for understanding community college instructors’ approaches of engaging their adult students in developmental courses. Using …


K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Service Learning, Cassandra Aiesha Lewis Jan 2021

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Service Learning, Cassandra Aiesha Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

K-12 teachers in a large metropolitan school district in the Northeast United States experienced difficulties integrating service learning into the curriculum due to state-based curriculum standards. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore K-12 teachers’ perceptions of barriers to, and best practices that support, implementation of service learning into the curriculum while considering state-based curriculum standards. Cooperrider and Srivastva’s theory of appreciative inquiry, which emphasizes assets rather than deficits within organizational structures, was used as the conceptual framework that guided data collection and analysis. Research questions were used to describe the perceived barriers to, and best practices …


Instructional Leadership Practices Of Middle School Principals Regarding Students With Learning Disabilities, Sharon Dixson Jan 2021

Instructional Leadership Practices Of Middle School Principals Regarding Students With Learning Disabilities, Sharon Dixson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA problem existed among middle school principals in that they appeared to inconsistently apply instructional leadership practices while supporting their teachers teaching students with learning disabilities. How the principals perceived these inconsistencies and the possible effects on practice was not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of middle school principals regarding their instructional leadership practices to consistently support teachers who teach students with learning disabilities. The conceptual framework comprised the instructional leadership theory of Murphy, Hallinger, Weil, and Mitman. The research question addressed the perceptions of middle school principals regarding their instructional leadership practices …


Administrators’ Perceptions Of Student Dropout Interventions, Jennifer Alden Holmstrom Jan 2021

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Student Dropout Interventions, Jennifer Alden Holmstrom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educational leaders have implemented a number of programs and practices to reduce the number of students who drop out of U.S. high schools, yet little is known in the research literature and at the practice level about how administrators perceive these interventions. The problem that this study addressed was a lack of knowledge about which implemented school practices and intervention programs are effective for reducing dropout rates from the perspectives of administrators in a Mid-Atlantic state. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore administrators’ perceptions concerning implemented school practices and intervention programs intended to reduce dropout rates. …


Designing Three-Dimensional Implementation Of Ngss To Support Science Education, Melissa M. Delaurentis Jan 2021

Designing Three-Dimensional Implementation Of Ngss To Support Science Education, Melissa M. Delaurentis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Next Generation Science Standards transitions science instruction to a strategic focus on students’ application of science content through sensemaking to deepen their understanding of naturally occurring phenomena. As an innovative educational initiative, NGSS requires a vast shift in how all stakeholders approach scientific learning in public education. New Mexico formally adopted NGSS in 2017 and promptly expected full implementation. The problem explored in this study is the perceptions of principals, instructional coordinators, and science educators on the implementation of NGSS, based on New Mexico’s abridged timeline, inadequate funding, and limited professional learning. The study used a qualitative exploratory case …


Retention And Employability Of Native American And Alaskan Native Undergraduates In Public Universities, Dottie Hines Chicquelo Jan 2021

Retention And Employability Of Native American And Alaskan Native Undergraduates In Public Universities, Dottie Hines Chicquelo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholars have called for generalized academic and social change for the United States Native American and Alaskan Native students (the U.S. NA/AN) and the need for reform continues. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore strategies used at the U.S. public universities to support U.S. NA/AN students and identify strategies to improved students’ employment pathways after graduation. The management problem was the lack of retention strategies used to support the U.S. NA/AN student engagement within communities after graduation. The general management problem looked at how the lack of retention strategies affected the U.S. NA/AN student employability after …


College Readiness: Rural High School Graduates, Brian M. Corey Jan 2021

College Readiness: Rural High School Graduates, Brian M. Corey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

College readiness involves not only academics but emotional preparation, study skills, and time management and can be affected by students’ backgrounds. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate perceptions among rural high school graduates and their college teachers regarding these students’ levels of college readiness. The conceptual framework included Astin’s involvement theory, Bandura’s social learning theory, and Tinto’s student integration model. Research questions focused on perceptions of students who graduated from a rural school district and college teachers’ perceptions of these students’ levels of college readiness. Data for this qualitative case study were collected through qualitative surveys …