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.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy And Students' Behaviors, Loren Williams

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Around 17 million children in the U.S have or have had a behavioral health issue, but most are not treated. Eighty percent of children with anxiety are not receiving treatment, along with 40% of children with diagnosable ADHD/ADD and 60% of children with diagnosable depression. Untreated behavioral health issues have had a severe impact on the nation's economy. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, untreated behavioral health issues cost about $100 billion a year in lost productivity. The United States has a high population of both children and adults with untreated behavioral health issues. Children who have untreated …

Examining Organizational Learning Culture (Olc) In Schools Adopting Trauma-Informed Practices, Constance Grimm-Grason

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Trauma-informed practices represent a departure from the status-quo disciplinary practices originating from zero-tolerance approaches. This departure from the status-quo represents a transformative change in schools. Teachers are often the initial responders to student struggles or misbehaviors, and the teacher’s response is conditioned by their belief system, their self-efficacy, and the norms of the school where they teach. The shift to supportive school discipline approaches, such as trauma-informed practices, may alter the formal discipline norms of the school, but the shift may not transfer to the teacher’s belief systems, their sense of self-efficacy with trauma, or the informal norms of the …

Increasing Self-Efficacy In Providing Inclusive Practices To Students With Diverse Learning Needs, Teresa K. Nagy

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The purpose of this qualitative study was designed to determine if teachers in an elementary school in South Suburban School District in Chicago, Illinois increased their self-efficacy as it relates to serving students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment after receiving professional development. The study began with a historical review of students with disabilities and the current requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Reauthorization Act of 2004. Educational systems within the United States are required to provide services to students with diverse learning needs in the least restrictive environment. These supports are most commonly referred to as inclusive practices. …

International Baccalaureate Mathematics, Advanced Placement Mathematics, And Dual Credit Mathematics Courses – An In Depth Look, Lawrence Benjamin Jaskunas

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Every year in the United States, many students who believe they are fully prepared for college find out that they have to take remedial math courses before they can take any credit bearing math courses toward their degree. A student can avoid this situation by taking an early college program in high school and potentially earning a college math credit. The purpose of this research project was to take an in depth look at three such programs. The names of these programs are the International Baccalaureate program, the Advanced Placement program, and Dual Credit programs. This research project looked into …

Assessing General Education Teacher Training On Idea And Section 504 Law, Yolian Cintron

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The purpose of this study is to assess how much general education teachers actually know about the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in order to identify training needs for general education teachers regarding these two laws. A survey was created to cover several areas within the legal mandates of IDEA law (2004) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Results showed that teachers have a lot to learn about 1) the referral, assessment, and placement process; and 2) requirements of the IEP team meeting and the IEP document; and …

Teacher Awareness Of Social Emotional Learning Standards And Strategies, Mary Reynolds

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This study investigated teacher knowledge and attitudes of both special education and general education teachers towards social emotional learning. A total of twenty-five certified special education teachers and twenty-five certified general education teachers were surveyed regarding their familiarity with the State of Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards. Teachers’ perceptions of the competency of their higher education preparation and professional development to meet their students’ social emotional needs were solicited. The data gathered from this study suggests that universities should prepare teachers more adequately in the areas of social emotional learning. The data also supports that there is a need for …

Student Perceptions Of The Check-In/Check-Out Intervention, Kara Noland

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This study investigated student perceptions of the Check-In/Check-Out intervention. Twelve students, who participated in the Check-In/Check-Out intervention were surveyed regarding their opinions and understanding of procedures. The data gathered from this study suggests that educators should look closer at the implementation of Check-In/Check-Out as well as those students who are unresponsiveness to the intervention. Educational implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Adapted Physical Education: Where Does It Stand?, Danielle M. Wilkins

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Sixty-six teachers were surveyed regarding adapted physical education. The three types of teachers surveyed were physical education, special education, and general education. The teachers' perceptions to the importance and necessity of adapted physical education were analyzed. The findings showed most physical education teachers felt training was inadequate in their preservice program, as well as in professional development to teach students with disabilities. Discussion of the results and implications for further research are provided.

Teacher Attrition, Retention, And Preservice Preparation, Kimberly Y. Wesley

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The purpose of this study was to investigate whether teacher preparation programs are equipping preservice teachers for responsiveness to principal leadership styles and the impact on teacher perceived organizational fit. Determining whether preservice programs prepare teachers for the dynamics of the school environment could be beneficial in improving retention and attrition. A qualitative design was utilized to gather data through interviews with instructors, students, and alumni of a teacher preparation program in the Midwest. Syllabi and coursework were analyzed for incorporation of preparation for responsiveness to diverse leadership styles.

The Effects Of Online Professional Development On Teacher Behavior And Perceptions Of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art And Math Teaching Efficacy, Guray Joseph Taysever

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Background: Research shows that STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) curriculum improves student abilities to create relevant products and services. However, teacher support is critical when implementing a new, school-wide curriculum model and learning tools as teachers need easy access to online resources. Yet, online resources currently used in many schools do not inform the processes or the ideology of STEAM curricula through collaboration among all teachers in a private school setting.

Purpose: The focus of this quasi-experimental quantitative research study was to examine the impact of a 1-week online STEAM professional development course on teacher behavior and their …

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

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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.

A Comparison Of Mathematics Content In The 2002 And 2014 Ged Test, Genice Cox

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As society changes and competition grows, the skilled worker becomes hard to find. For these reasons, secondary education is the starting point for pursuing college, a trade, and a career. For more than 60 years individuals have been given a second chance to complete their high school education by taking the General Education Development (GED) exam. This exam has been updated to correspond to changes in society and the workforce. As of 2014, the GED test was changed dramatically. This research project traced from past to present the intent of the assessment, teaching methods, curriculum, statistics, and overall preparation of …