Education Commons^™

Seeing Reading In First-Year Composition, Matthew Felumlee

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on a study of reading-into-writing strategies employed by students in two sections of first-year-composition (FYC) that were paired with a support course as part of an accelerated learning program (ALP) at a community college. Each FYC course was comprised of 11 students whom the college had deemed college-ready without the ALP course, and 11 students who were deemed at remedial levels in reading and / or writing and who were subsequently required to enroll in the ALP course. The study employs grounded theory methodology to identify and consider the many factors that influenced how reading was portrayed, …

Teachers' Professional Knowledge And Formative Assessment Practices: An Empirical Study From Middle School Earth Science Instruction In The Context Of An Education Improvement Community, Laura Millay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While there is widespread agreement that effective formative assessment supports student learning in science, the knowledge teachers need in order assess learning remains sparsely studied. In 1999, Magnusson, Krajcik, and Borko (MKB) proposed that Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK, Shulman 1986, 1987) is a distinct knowledge domain that synthesizes three base domains that include science subject matter, pedagogy, and context. The MKB model identified Assessment Knowledge as one of five components of PCK. Since 1999, several studies have used the MKB framework, but have left Assessment Knowledge underdefined. In 2012, Avargil, Herscovitz, and Dori proposed a revision based on empirical study, …

Using Theater To Promote The Development Of Literacy And Reading Comprehension, Alexandra B. Harrington

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper explores using theater to develop literacy and deepen the comprehension of literature for elementary aged students. Using Louise Rosenblatt’s (1994) framework for aesthetic reading, it discusses the ways in which theater facilitates the reader’s selection, interpretations, and analysis of plots, settings, and characters. This transactional relationship between the reader and text is explored with particular focus on the multi-sensory experiences in theater which support students’ perspective taking. In particular, it explores the visual and kinesthetic opportunities that theater offers to differentiate instruction for diverse learners. In addition, when children engage with theater as participants, they practice expression, building …

Stroke Clinical Order Pathway Education (Scope) For Apns, Varsha Singh

Seton Hall University DNP Final Projects

More than 795,000 American adults have a stroke annually. About 610,000 are first or new strokes. Almost 140,000 Americans of all ages die of a stroke every year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017). Stroke requires emergent treatment and an exact clinical order pathway to ensure better patient outcomes and compliance with the standards of care defined by regulatory bodies such as the Joint Commission (TJC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). While stroke management teams often include an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), there is a lack of a standardized protocol across New Jersey (NJ) …

Well-Trained Mentors: The Missing Component Of The Comprehensive New Teacher Induction Program In The Silver Oak Area School, Daniel Bosnic

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

“If well-trained, competent, caring teachers were present in every classroom, we would witness a staggering increase in student achievement, motivation, and character improvement along with a marked decrease in discipline problems” (Breaux & Wong, 2003, p.22). If school districts do not take the initiative to design and implement effective induction programs with embedded mentoring, they are essentially setting their teachers and students up for failure. Regardless of educator training programs, new teachers are unprepared to face the diverse and challenging needs of education today (Bartell, 2005). All individuals entering education need assistance in applying their prior knowledge and experience to …

Parent-Teacher Relationships In Cyber Charter Schools: 
Investigating The Quality Of The Parent-Teacher Relationship And Its Impact On Student Achievement, Theresa Henderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

K-12 online and blended learning initiatives have experienced unprecedented growth in the past decade and are fast becoming a mainstream option for today’s generation of learners. In 2016, over five million students were enrolled in K-12 full-time state virtual schools and all 50 states and the District of Columbia offered some form of online learning for K-12 students with even greater growth projections by 2020. While K-12 online learning has grown in popularity and demand, research-based investigations into successful teaching, learning and student support developments are limited.

There is reason to believe that the quality of the parent-teacher relationship in …

Speaking From Places: A Phenomenological Deconstructive Study Of Children’S Places, Child-Centric Methods, And Politics., Sugandh Dixit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation adopts an innovative phenomenological and deconstructive methodology to create a child-centric research process sensitive to facilitating, integrating, and representing children’s voices in designing their school playground. The study developed and employed two novel child-centric methods, an Embedded Walk and a Communal Child-Map Project in order to integrate parents’ and children’s experiences of the school spaces the authorities planned to renovate. Both methods reveal and complicate the socio-political dynamics that structure children’s, parents’, and researchers’ stances towards children’s places and worlds. During the Embedded Walk, children led their parents through their play spaces and they collaboratively documented the childrens’ …

Schooling At The Intersection Of Refugee Identity And (Dis)Ability: Implications From North Korean Students With Refugee Backgrounds, Yosung Song

Dissertations - ALL

Researchers have previously found that school-age refugees and asylum-seekers are frequently characterized as experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological disabilities or disorders in schools because of the adversity that they face and a lack of adequate resources during their refugee journey. In their relocated society, many refugee students are interpreted as having disabilities or receiving special education services. While refugee experiences are often framed as causing deficits in students, the purpose of this study was to better understand the interplay of (dis)ability and refugee identity at a school that publicly proclaimed refugee experience as an asset. Grounded in a qualitative methodology, …

Effectiveness Of Visual Cues During Transitions In A Third Grade Classroom, Tory Gaard

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of using visual cues during transition periods vs. verbal cues. The visual cues are a Google Slide with a list of the required materials and an embedded timer. The investigation employed ongoing monitoring of students during their transitions throughout the school day. The ongoing monitoring was documented using the attached data table. The data table tracked the time it takes students to transition, the # of students in attendance, number of students with all required materials, and the number of students in the correct location. Outcome analysis includes a comparison …

The Effect Of A Weekly Social Presence In Online Classes, Cindy Salfer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study involved looking at the effect that providing a visual presence in online classes had on the students’ success on tests, overall achievement in the class, and retention. The instructor provided a weekly visual video to review weekly outcomes, summarize weekly expectations, and provide clarification on content and assignments. The literature on the importance of including engagement by the instructor and adding a human component to online classes for the most part supports the positive effects it can have on students completing online courses successfully. This research included comparing the results of two exams given in a Methods and …

Lemons Into Lemonade: Black Undergraduate Women's Embodiment Of Strength And Resilience At A Pwi, Jordan Shelby West

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation is a qualitative research project for Black undergraduate women and about Black undergraduate women. The aim of this dissertation is to lift, center, and share the lived experiences of Black undergraduate women as they reflect on the messages and memories of coming into their Blackness, their transition to and experiences while attending a PWI, and the ways in which they continue to make meaning of space. Informed by Black Feminist Theory and Critical Race Theory, the framework and methods used in this project prioritize the care of the participants and allow them to be co-creators of their own …

“Is That Okay With You?”: Examining A Simulated Discussion About Accommodations Between University Students Identified As Having A Disability And A Standardized Faculty Member, Justin E. Freedman

Dissertations - ALL

Postsecondary students identified as having a disability in the United States are commonly expected to discuss the use of disability-related accommodations with faculty members. Researchers have previously used surveys and interviews to examine what students report about discussing accommodations with faculty members. However, little is known about how students advocate in the moment when communicating with faculty members about accommodations. In this study, I designed a clinical simulation to examine how 15 university students identified as having a disability engaged in and reflected upon a meeting with a standardized faculty member – an actor who I trained to communicate questions …

The Effect Of Ipad Instruction On Capital Letter Recognition Of Preschoolers, Jessica Adkins

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of iPad instruction on capital letter recognition in preschool children between the ages of four and five. The study divided participants into two groups. One group received capital letter instruction with an iPad. The second group received capital letter instruction using letter manipulatives. Letter manipulatives were wooden puzzle letters. Baseline data was taken on capital letter recognition of all participants before this study began. At the end of the study, data was taken on capital letter recognition of all participants. Baseline and final data was compared to show growth. …

Teacher Judgment Accuracy In The Domain Of Spelling, April Spencer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated first and second grade teachers’ understanding of their students’ skill in spelling words of varying difficulty. Specifically, teachers judged their students’ item- by-item performance on a twelve-item spelling test adapted from a commercially available developmental spelling inventory. Results showed that teachers’ judgments were accurate 77% of the time, a figure similar to accuracy levels reported in previous teacher judgment research in the area of literacy. The study also included an error analysis task that was designed to assess teachers’ knowledge of developmental spelling. Results revealed a significant relationship (r = .42) between teacher judgment accuracy and performance …

The Effect Of Instruction (Rapid Automatic Naming Versus Repeated Read Aloud) On Vocabulary Building For Preschool Children, Alison Bendickson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

STUDY ABSTRACT

Title

The Effect of Instruction (Rapid Automatic Naming Versus Repeated Read Aloud) on Vocabulary Building for Preschool Children

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research was to determine whether using the strategy of rapid automatic naming or repeated read aloud would increase children’s vocabulary development. The study assessed children in an inclusive classroom. The participants were 3 year old students who required specialized instruction and have Individual Education Programs and students who were typically developing. The students were assessed using Individual Growth and Development Indicators (picture naming) to assess which intervention strategy produced more growth in …

Shaking The Frame: Graduates' Perceptions Of A School Leadership Program With A Social Justice Focus, Cherie H. Goins

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Educational leaders who have an awareness of social justice are those who advocate for and achieve more equitable schools. School leader preparation programs that focus on social justice may help to improve schools, systems, and society (Dentith & Peterlin, 2011; Boske, 2012; Marshall and Oliva, 2006; Shields, 2004, 2010, 2012). For the purpose of this study, social justice is defined as fairness in terms of distribution of wealth, social privileges and opportunities within society. Some school leaders experience transformative processes which increase their critical awareness or consciousness during their formal preparation.

What is not known is the extent to …

Singing Their Stories: A Musical Narrative Of Teaching And Testing, Desi Richter

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This musical, arts-based educational research describes the lived experiences of four K-12 New Orleans educators who believe that end-of-year standardized tests hinder their ability to teach in ways they believe are best. Using songwriting as a form of data elicitation and narrative restorying, this study documents the lived experiences of teachers who have experienced test-related cognitive dissonance. While curricular narrowing and other test-related practices have been studied in many contexts, the perspectives of New Orleans teachers are barely documented. Thus, this study fills a content gap in the testing literature. Musically restorying the data contributes to the accountability literature in …

The Alignment Of Esl Materials To Wida And State Standards, Jenna Marie Quanbeck

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This project analyzed the various 2^nd grade English language (EL) materials that were available in a rural elementary school to determine how those materials aligned to Minnesota (MN) state academic standards and the WIDA English Language Development standards. First, the various bodies of literature available on alignment and current recommendations for determining alignment between course content and state academic standards were reviewed. Then, the researcher developed and implemented a checklist-based process for determining alignment. This paper presents the literature review, the checklists, and the results of the analysis. The materials were found to be aligned to standards. The researcher …

Quantity Versus Quality: Comparing Reading Recovery And Title I Reading As A First Grade Early Literacy Intervention, Jenna Meyers

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study is to promote full implementation of the Reading Recovery program and compare the relationship of Reading Recovery and Title I Reading services among struggling first grade readers. This study will look at first grade students in three classrooms who are reading below grade level and are selected to receive a daily, 30-minute reading intervention that supplements classroom instruction. Two of the classrooms will be placed in Title I reading groups following Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) curriculum. The lowest readers from the third classroom will be tested and selected for 12 to 20 weeks of Reading …

Effect Of Music And Movement On Recognition Of Sight Words Of Kindergarten Students, Joni Jensen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of using music and movement to teach sight words to kindergarten students. The experimental group will learn sight words through movement and singing. This study includes the collection of data by assessing each student's ability to recognize sight words. Students will be assessed by using a district wide sight word inventory. Once data is collected, it will be compared to a different classroom (control group) that has not used music or movement to teach sight words.

This study also includes a parent involvement component. Students will bring home sight word …

Co-Teaching: Is The Co-Teaching Model The Most Effective Strategy For Students?, Michelle Sokoloski

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Co-Teaching: Is the co-teaching model the most effective strategy for students?

Michelle Sokoloski

The purpose of this study is to identify whether co-teaching is the most effective strategy for teaching students. Participants of this study will consist of male and female, 5th grade math students of varying races and socio economic status’ in rural Minnesota. The participants consist of English Language Learners, those that are part of the free and reduced meal program, and other students in 5^thgrade. This study will follow approximately 20% of the grade and track their progress over the course of four months using …

The Relationship Between Parental Involvement And Reading Achievement, Erin M. Schnell

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This five week investigation determined a relationship exists between parental involvement and reading achievement. Students were separated into two groups, Group A and Group B. Group A contained students who received below the average amount of parental involvement points obtained and Group B contained students who received above the average amount of parental involvement points obtained. Students in Group B made a 1.14 text level gain above students in Group A. Group B also made a 6.34 sight word gain over Group A as well as a 5.57 oral reading fluency gain over students in Group A. The study included …

Importance Of Transition Planning, Jennifer L. Mattheis

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Title: Importance of Transition Planning

Purposed Study:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the teacher, parent and student awareness of transition plans in the high school setting through trends. A transition plan can be summarized as a set of goals and guidelines in efforts to set a student up for individualized independence, that reflects their goals and their desired life choices post high school. Specifically, the research will look at Transition Plans from students, grades 10-12, in the general classroom with In-Class Support, students in Resource and students in Life Skills. Each support level has its own Special …

Using Small Group Reading Instruction To Improve Reading Fluency In First Grade, Michaela Kolness

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This paper explores the effect of teaching evidence-based fluency strategies in a small group setting to improve first grade students’ reading fluency. Students for this study were chosen based on an aimswebPlus fluency assessment. Students that scored below grade level in the area of reading fluency were chosen to participate. Four of these students were put into a small reading group. They received targeted fluency instruction twenty minutes a day, four days a week for five weeks. The fluency instruction they receive included practice with reading high frequency words, poetry practice, repeated readings, decoding practice and read alouds. The remaining …

A Single Subject Design Study; Utilizing Visual Schedules To Reduce Behaviors During Hallway Transitions, Nicole Amber Degner

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract This study examined whether a Visual Activity Schedule would aid in reduction of disruptive behaviors during hallway transitions. Subject of this study was a six-year-old, Caucasian male, diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The study used a single-subject experimental design to determine baseline, intervention phase and removal of intervention phase. Specifically, the study revealed intervention strategies of a Visual Schedule was associated with 100% reduction of disruptive behaviors. Relationship development between paraprofessional and Student was found to be a secondary factor.

The Effect Of Feedback Given On Informal Assessments And Its Continued Effect On Formal Assessments, Britta Teeples, Britta Teeples

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This quantitative study investigates the use of immediate and delayed answer corrective feedback provided on informal assessments, with the use of technological tools, and its impact on formal assessments on senior level, high school students from a rural Minnesota high school. Specifically, this study investigated the impact of both immediate and delayed answer corrective feedback to determine if both/either are effective in helping improve students formally. Students participated in an eight-week study in which two smaller sections were provided immediate answer corrective feedback informally, with the use of Kahoot. An additional (one) section was provided delayed answer corrective feedback with …

Impacts Of Repeated Reading On Fluency And Comprehension, Tina Podemski

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

In this study, the effects of repeated read aloud interventions in the preschool setting on reading fluency/oral language and comprehension were investigated. Participants in this study included seven students who were all four years of age. Participants faced a variety of factors such as: foster care, mental health and special education. Student participants were determined following an assessment of early literacy skills using the Preschool Early Literacy Indicators (PELI); this assessment focuses on four main areas of early literacy: alphabet knowledge (naming and sounds), vocabulary/oral language (picture naming fluency), comprehension and phonological awareness. Students were selected to participate in tier …

Exploring The Effect Of Using The Six-Minute Solution: A Reading Fluency Program To Increase Overall Reading Fluency In Second Grade Students, Kelly Cunningham

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this research is to make a determination whether a positive, as well as additive, effect is seen on reading fluency when using the implementation of multiple strategies in the classroom. After reviewing the strategies, the researched-based Six-Minute Solution: A Reading Fluency Program was chosen as the main intervention. The study will specifically target second graders. After determining baseline data, data collection will be collected bi-monthly for a four-week period. As a result of the intervention, the conclusive findings indicate a positive increase in reading fluency scores.

Using Virtual Reality Devices With Autistic Students In High School To Teach Social Communication Skills, Denise Yonke

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Study Abstract

Title: Using Virtual Reality Devices with Autistic Students in High School to Teach Social Communication Skills

Proposed Study:

The purpose of this research is to determine whether using virtual reality to teach social skills will improve the conversation skills of high school students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specifically, the study will look at the conversation skills of ASD students by monitoring their performance on greeting, conversation, and closing skills in conversations prior to, during, and after the instruction. The aim of this study is to determine if the face to face communication skills of the participants will …

Creating An Adult Learner Entry Achievement Program, Gloria Riopelle

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

This proposal is to implement an Adult Learner Entry Achievement Program (ALEAP) within higher education institutions. The purpose of the ALEAP program is to support and serve the needs of adult learners who want to return to or begin college to earn their degree or certificate and pursue their personal or career goals. In turn, their achievements will also increase the higher education attainment rates in the State of Minnesota. This program could exist as a stand-alone program or be housed within support systems, such as, Continuing Education or an Academic Support Center.

Current research indicates that there is …