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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Benefits Of Parent-Teacher Collaboration On Achievement In The Preschool Classroom, Samantha Frye Oct 2022

The Benefits Of Parent-Teacher Collaboration On Achievement In The Preschool Classroom, Samantha Frye

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This action research project was conducted to identify a correlation between parent-teacher collaboration and student achievement in the preschool classroom. Baseline data was gathered from the preschool student’s using fall Individual Development and Growth Indicators (IDGI) benchmark scores. Opportunities for parent-teacher collaboration began with monthly newsletters sent out on the classroom webpage, parent-teacher conferences, and signed homework assignments. Parent-teacher engagement was tracked through a tally system. A spreadsheet kept track of the number of communications that parents engaged in, as well as the type of communication. All students were progress monitored within each two week session using the IDGI’s progress …


Early Childhood Math Strategies, Nicole Merchant Apr 2022

Early Childhood Math Strategies, Nicole Merchant

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This action research was led by the researcher’s interest in improving early learners’ academic mathematics achievement, specifically in oral counting, number identification, and counting 1:1 correspondence up to twenty, for targeted students. The researcher is in her 14th year of teaching, but 3rd year as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, where her own students participated in a trial group intervention study. The four-week intervention was performed where students engaged in mathematics practice with implementation of five instructional practices and providing interactive engaging math games that specifically focused on skills including oral counting, number identification, and 1:1 correspondence. Throughout the …


Effects Of Differentiated Literacy Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Brenda Nagel Apr 2022

Effects Of Differentiated Literacy Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Brenda Nagel

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research was to determine if using differentiating literacy in kindergarten led to more successful student achievement. This included implementing multi-sensory learning, learning styles, positive relationships, and relevant, specific data. The researcher is a kindergarten teacher in her 6th year of teaching, where her own students participated in the class-wide intervention. The timeline for conducting this action research was eight weeks. This included the quantitative phonics pre-assessment through FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers), implementation of differentiated literacy activities tailored to various learning styles, collection of purposeful and relevant quantitative data, and a post-assessment on literacy …


Using Communication To Improve Parental Involvement In The Sixth-Grade Classroom, Ashley Reese Oct 2021

Using Communication To Improve Parental Involvement In The Sixth-Grade Classroom, Ashley Reese

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project is to determine the impact of communication on parental engagement and student achievement. Various types of communication were sent home to help initiate parental engagement. During the first communication session, parents had access to a class website that was updated daily. During the second communication session, a weekly newsletter was sent home. In the final communication session, parents received a weekly email outlining what was happening in class and what homework students should be working on. Qualitative data was collected at the end of each communication period to determine parental engagement levels and …


Collective Efficacy Across Multiple Elementary Schools, Nicole Farrington Jul 2021

Collective Efficacy Across Multiple Elementary Schools, Nicole Farrington

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This school improvement project explored the effect that shared leadership and collective efficacy have on student achievement. Participants include 47 staff members from six different elementary schools in the Ottumwa Community School District. Participants spent the 2020-2021 school year attending monthly meetings and professional development sessions creating common assessments, rubrics, and curriculum. FAST data was collected to determine if the new committee of staff members influenced student scores in grades 2-5. It was determined that there was no positive or negative impact on student achievement based on the implementation of the Curriculum Council.


Formative Assessment And Technology In The Mathematics Classroom, Albert Humes Jul 2021

Formative Assessment And Technology In The Mathematics Classroom, Albert Humes

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review investigates the use of formative assessment and technology in the classroom. There has been research to show that mathematics proficiency has dropped recently in the United States and researchers are looking to identify new strategies for student growth. Utilizing formative assessments, as well as targeted, immediate feedback for students, can help to improve student learning. As educational technology becomes more prevalent, more studies and research are focused around its effectiveness toward student achievement. The research found that formative assessment strategies, coupled with new technologies, can positively impact student achievement.


Tier Ii Interventions: Utilizing An Interventionist At The Secondary Level, Sarah Ham Apr 2021

Tier Ii Interventions: Utilizing An Interventionist At The Secondary Level, Sarah Ham

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research was to determine the impact of an interventionist conducting Tier II interventions on student achievement. The research setting was a high school English language arts classroom in Iowa where the participants included 58 ninth-grade students. In previous years, interventions were taught by the ELA teacher in the classroom; this action research dictated that an interventionist teach the Tier II intervention lesson to non-proficient students during class. Quantitative data from these participants was collected to assess the impact of an interventionist on student achievement in two reading skills: identifying the main idea and summarizing. Assessment …


The Importance Of Using Manipulatives In Math Class, Jennifer Lange Apr 2021

The Importance Of Using Manipulatives In Math Class, Jennifer Lange

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review synthesizes research on how the use of manipulatives in math class benefit the learner. The problem is that the students are not always given the opportunity to explore and learn through the use of math manipulatives in order to gain a strong foundation and understanding of mathematical concepts. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the benefits of using manipulatives in the classroom and the impact it has on student achievement levels. The literature review is made up of research studies published within the last 10 years and explores the different types of manipulatives, levels …


The Impact Of Self-Assessments Used With Formative Assessments On Student Achievement, Megan Camille Todd Apr 2020

The Impact Of Self-Assessments Used With Formative Assessments On Student Achievement, Megan Camille Todd

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Educators strive to create engaging and impactful strategies that not only improve student achievement but also instill 21st-century career readiness skills. Research has implied that through self-assessments, both student achievement and 21st-century skills are impacted in a positive way. Self-assessments can be used within the classroom as a form of formative assessments or feedback. The objective of self-assessments involves students analyzing their own work, identifying errors, and reflecting on their thinking. Student achievement, grit, and overall learning has been shown to improve through the implementation of self-assessments. For self-assessments to be successful, specific criteria needs to be implemented. The criteria …


The Impact Of Physical Activity Breaks In The Classroom, Ryan Iverson Oct 2019

The Impact Of Physical Activity Breaks In The Classroom, Ryan Iverson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research study was to determine the relationship between physical activity breaks and their impact on student achievement and behavior. The participants included 30, eleven and twelve-year-old students, who attended a public school in the north suburbs of MN. Students participated in 5-10-minute physical active breaks in health class during a 6-week trial period. Data was collected through the use of summative assessments, student surveys, and an observational behavior chart. The study found that implementing physical activity breaks in the classroom can have a positive impact on students’ academic achievement and behavior. The researcher recommends further …


The Effects Of Geogebra On Student Achievements, Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills, And Engagement/Motivation In High School Mathematics, Zachary Schaver Jul 2019

The Effects Of Geogebra On Student Achievements, Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills, And Engagement/Motivation In High School Mathematics, Zachary Schaver

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This research project explores the overall effects that GeoGebra has on students' learning in mathematics. More specifically, this research demonstrates the effects GeoGebra has on student achievement scores, students' critical thinking/problem-solving skills, and students' engagement/motivation. In this research, two groups of high school geometry students from two different years were used to determine students' achievements and understanding. Students in 2018 used traditional teaching practices while students in 2019 used GeoGebra as a means of learning mathematics. The scores were taken from teacher made assessments and reported as averages from both years. In addition, observations and a survey were used to …


Flexible Alternative Seating In The Classroom And On Task Behavior, Brandi Benedict Aug 2018

Flexible Alternative Seating In The Classroom And On Task Behavior, Brandi Benedict

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review explores the impact that alternative flexible seating has on student achievement and on task behavior in the classroom environment. The presented method of classroom arrangement offers options for students to select the best environment for their needs and provides measurable improvement in academic achievement. This literature review contains scholarly based articles, journals, and other information from dependable sources to explore a detailed look and explanation of how flexible alternative seating can impact and change the behavior and achievement of students in a general education setting.


The Effect Of Technology On Student Achievement With English Language Learners In An Early Childhood Classroom Setting, Tiffany Vasquez-Dewein May 2017

The Effect Of Technology On Student Achievement With English Language Learners In An Early Childhood Classroom Setting, Tiffany Vasquez-Dewein

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if there was a correlation between the use of iPads to improve student achievement and traditional methods of teaching with four and five-year-old English language learners (ELLs). Two control groups of four ELLs were taught in math three times a week. Control group A was taught using iPad applications to support math teaching in alongside traditional teachings in math. Control group B were taught with age appropriate early childhood materials such as counting cards and manipulatives to support the traditional teachings in math. Data was collected at the end of …


Authentic Intellectual Work And Student Achievement, Allison Robbins May 2017

Authentic Intellectual Work And Student Achievement, Allison Robbins

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Finding an instructional practice that works for most students in a classroom can be difficult. With so many different styles of learners, outside influences, and students coming in with different background knowledge, it can be hard to know where to start with some units. The purpose of this research was to use the framework of Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW) to test if this would improve student performance. Two kindergarten classrooms were used—a traditional classroom, and a classroom that implemented Authentic Intellectual Work. Both classrooms consisted of 21 students. The students were assessed using state certified screeners in January and again …


Impact Of Student Learning Communities On Student Achievement In The Classroom, Sarah B. Nelson May 2017

Impact Of Student Learning Communities On Student Achievement In The Classroom, Sarah B. Nelson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to show a correlation between student learning communities and success on academic standards. When students understand the process of learning, identify their goal and work to achieve this goal, they are more likely to succeed. Collaboration allows all members to be active participants for their learning and solve problems together. This skill is critical in school as well as in all aspects of life. In this study, students were placed into student learning communities based on their multiplication fact fluency. Students in each group determined their intervention, learned how to interpret data, participated in …


Does Grade Configuration Affect Middle School Students’ Achievement?, Katie Johnston Apr 2017

Does Grade Configuration Affect Middle School Students’ Achievement?, Katie Johnston

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review analyzes current and past research over middle school grade configurations. Many large cities are integrating sixth, seventh, and eighth graders into elementaries because they believe middle schools are ineffective. These schools cite a lack of student achievement as the cause to reconfigure building grade spans. The research to support this idea does not look at what takes place within these schools however. When the middle school concept is implemented with fidelity, research has shown students can succeed. Four characteristics commonly missing are having structures to support relationships and learning, providing services to meet needs of students, including …