Education Commons^™

Teacher Agency And The Implementation Of Restorative Justice, Jeffrey Hunt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the implementation of Restorative Justice in an urban central California high school through the lens of administrators, and teacher perceptions of agency, campus climate, and impact of the implementation. The participating school in this study defined their implementation of Restorative Justice as Restorative Practices. The Quality Implementation Framework (Durlak, Meyers, & Wandersman, 2012) guided the development of the literature review and created the framework for the study. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study examined the relationship between teacher perceptions of agency, school climate, and the implementation of Restorative Practices. Teachers at …

Developing And Implementing A Community-Level Para-Swimming Program, Mariett Teixeira Matias, Milena M. Parent

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the basic conditions required to implement a para-swimming program at the community level. This was undertaken using a qualitative benchmarking approach based on documents/literature and semi-structured interviews with representatives from 13 countries as well as from the International Paralympic Committee’s Agitos Foundation. Results indicate that successful community-level para-swimming programs should focus on promoting the inclusion of para-swimmers in swimming clubs, with integration being a step towards inclusion. The basic conditions needed to do so include facilities and logistics, financial, and human resource needs. Findings also highlight the importance of the local context …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Effective Student Support Systems By Availability Of Student Support Facilitators, Marsha Joyce-Tatum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student support systems are designed to improve struggling students’ performance and should be used by general and special education teachers. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of student support system frameworks in a rural school district in a Mid-Atlantic state with a full-time or part-time student support facilitator. This study will provide educational leaders with information on teachers’ perceptions concerning student support systems, in order to support creation of improved staff development efforts that will influence effective teacher use of student support systems. Teachers’ perceptions of their training, special education eligibility, and framework weaknesses in student …

Factors Related To Successful Implementation Of An Aac Device For An Individual With Autism, Michaela Worms

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Communication impairment is a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013); therefore, the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has become an essential part of language intervention for children with autism that experience significant difficulties with communication (Flores et al., 2012). Assessing children’s preferences for AAC options may be important with respect to AAC abandonment, which is a problem in the AAC field (Johnson, Inglebret, Jones, & Ray, 2006). This single-subject study identified factors related to successful implementation, acquisition, and usage of an AAC system. The clinician collected baseline data on the client’s spontaneous production …

Implementation Of Response To Intervention (Rti) And A Multi-Tiered System Of Support (Mtss): A Case Study Examination Of One School District In Minnesota, Jean Duffy

Culminating Projects in Education Administration and Leadership

The study examined implementation of a Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework in a one school district in Minnesota in November and December 2017. The purpose of the study was to examine how policies, procedures, and implementation strategies created the conditions that resulted in implementation of an MTSS and replacement of the IQ-achievement discrepancy with an RTI measure in a comprehensive special education evaluation for specific learning disability (SLD).

Findings revealed the importance of establishing an RTI/MTSS framework at the school district level and the use of implementation science to build a coordinated and aligned …

Examining Steam Implementation Through The Lens Of Organizational Learning, William Louis Grillo

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined STEAM implementation from the qualitative perspective of New Jersey K-12 school leaders and through the quantitative lens of organizational learning. Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, sixteen school leaders were interviewed regarding their process of implementing the integrated learning framework known as STEAM. Simultaneously, an Organizational Learning Mechanism Questionnaire was distributed to the teaching faculty of participating districts. This study found that current K-12 school leaders were implementing STEAM with top down administrative support, emergent processes, standards focused curricula, and innovative means of marketing their programs. Significant differences were also found between K-8 and high school …

Bridging The Research-To-Practice Gap Through Effective Professional Development For Teachers Working With Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Talida State, Brandi Simonsen, Regina G. Hirn, Howard Wills

Department of Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Works

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) experience a variety of externalizing and internalizing behavior problems, gaps in academic achievement, and increased rates of dropping out of school. Thus, it is essential that students with EBD receive evidence-based academic and behavioral supports from skilled and knowledgeable teachers to improve student outcomes. Unfortunately, teachers typically receive limited professional development in classroom management practices and other supports targeting the unique needs of students with EBD. In this manuscript, we describe (a) challenges in the field related to supporting students with EBD, (b) current practices in professional development, (c) a multitiered-system-of-support framework for …

Meeting The Technology Demands Of The 21st Century Student, Angela Bernier

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This mixed-method research study examines the scale of technology initiatives, funding options, and the implementation of technology in the classroom in grades four and five in schools in the state of Maine. In this research study, an overwhelming percentage of the fifty eight schools that responded to a quantitative google survey, offer one-to-one technology to their 4th and 5th grade students. A high percentage of those schools are funding their technology initiatives with district funds. Forty nine teachers of the represented schools responded to a qualitative google survey, and it was found that technology is being used extensively in the …

Competency Based Education: Best Practices And Implementation Strategies For Institutions Of Higher Education, Sara Kellogg

Doctorate in Education

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the landscape of Competency-Based Education in institutions of higher education, and how these institutions have successfully implemented a new model into their existing structures. Interviews were conducted to explore the rationale, implementation strategies, and challenges at institutions involved in Competency-Based Education. Interviews were conducted with ten professionals who held positions in administrative roles, faculty roles, and sometimes both roles simultaneously. A thorough research of the literature was conducted, and there was found to be a lack of consensus of best practices and implementation strategies for institutions. Best practices at the institutions …

Institutional Diffusion And Implementation Of Internationalization In Higher Education: A Case Study Of G University, Yiwei Qiu

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to provide relevant data and insights that could validate the usefulness of a blended theoretical model of internationalization based on a modified model of van Dijk and Meijer’s internationalization cube with Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory with the long term of goal of generating a universally applicable theoretical model to help guide other higher education institutions toward successful internationalization. The blended theoretical framework adapted in this study was used to review G University’s (GU) policy, support, and implementation dimensions regarding internationalization and illustrate how internationalization at GU fits into the blended theoretical framework. It was also used …

From Policy To Practice: Exploring Principals’ Experiences In Facilitating The Implementation Of Cross Curricular Literacy Standards To Early Adolescents, Sherri Betton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that early adolescents continue to need literacy development in middle school. Furthermore, states that adopted the current comprehensive school reform policy must implement literacy instruction across content areas in grades six through twelve. This study will explore principals’ experiences as they facilitate the implementation of cross-curricular literacy standards. Qualitative case study methodology will be used to examine the perceptions of seven middle school principals as they act as change agents in the implementation process.

Percieved Barriers To Developing A Successful School-Based Mental Health Program, Danielle C. Peterson

Doctorate in Education

For students to be successful in school, all their needs must be met. Mental and emotional well-being are core conditions for overall health necessary to lead a happy and productive life, to form healthy relationships, and to successfully adjust to change and overcome difficulties (Burton, Pavord, & Williams, 2014; Minnesota Department of Health, 2002). School-based mental health (SBMH) is one method for schools to make a positive change on the mental health status of children. The prevalence of mental health disorders in youth is increasing at an alarming rate. One in five students in America’s public schools have significant mental …

Fidelity Of Implementation Of An Urban Elementary Montessori Kindergarten Program, Damesia Denise Starling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a Texas school district, administrators did not monitor the fidelity of implementation (FOI) of the Montessori kindergarten program implemented in 2005, which left administrators without empirical data regarding program implementation. The purpose of this qualitative evaluative case study was to explore teachers' and administrators' perceptions and implementation of the Montessori program. Using the implementation of science framework, which involves examining FOI by monitoring interventions, implementation methods, enabling contexts, and intended outcomes, data were collected through interviews, nonparticipatory observations, and a review of archived Montessori documents. A convenience sample of 10 Montessori teachers, who met criteria of over 5 years …

Teacher's Implementation Of Engaging Activities In Online High School Courses, Daniele Ann Massey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Student engagement is critical to student success, graduation rates, and retention in both face-to-face and online learning environments. In an online environment, the teacher is responsible for implementing engaging instructional activities. The problem examined in this qualitative case study was the inconsistent teacher implementation of engaging instructional strategies in online courses at a school serving U.S. military-connected students. The purpose of the study was to investigate the motivation of teachers to support student engagement opportunities. Self-determination theory (SDT), which has autonomy, competence, and relatedness as main constructs, was used as the conceptual framework and the basis for the research questions. …

Teacher Perceptions Of Instruction As An Expeditionary Learning Core Practice, Jamie M. Kociuba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an urban, low-achieving district in the northeastern United States, a small school has adopted the Expeditionary Learning (EL) philosophy and pedagogical approaches to instruction. Between the academic years of 2012-2016 state-assessed student achievement scores were less than proficient and implementation reviews revealed that the school made little to no improvement in the core practice category of instruction over 4 years of EL implementation. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to answer guiding questions by examining 12 teachers' perceptions regarding EL instruction as a core practice and element of the annual implementation review, and the impact of EL …

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions On The Fidelity Of Implementing The Response To Intervention Framework, Denisha Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a problem with fidelity of implementation (FOI) of the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework in an elementary school in the southeastern United States. Both teachers and administrators have observed inconsistent implementation of RTI and teachers' reported lack of motivation to implement RTI as designed. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gather teacher and administrator perceptions of the FOI of RTI model using interviews, surveys, and review of archived documents. The implementation of science framework formed the conceptual foundation of this qualitative project study. The research question focused on the FOI of the RTI model as …

School Counselor Knowledge, Beliefs, And Practices Related To The Implementation Of Standards-Based Comprehensive School Counseling In The United States, Alexandra A. Lauterbach, Karen Harrington, Ayse D. Yakut, Michael Krezmien

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

As school counselors have adapted to changing policy and social structures, their beliefs, knowledge, and practices have evolved. Over the past two decades, a body of survey research has examined school counselors’ beliefs, knowledge, and practices, though no systematic review exists. In this review, we synthesize and evaluate survey research on the knowledge, beliefs, and practices relevant to the implementation of a standards-based comprehensive school counseling model in the United States. We identify the most salient findings, evaluate the research, identify the most rigorous studies, discuss their findings, and provide recommendations for future research. Considering the recent changes to how …

Examining School Building-Level Implementation Of An Mtss Problem-Solving Team, Nicole Carter

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

This cross-case study of building and district administrators was designed to describe and explain the experience of elementary school administrators implementing a Problem-Solving Team (PST), the core feature of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

The Multi-Tiered System of Support Problem-Solving Team (MTSS-PST) organizes the review of student learning data to identify problems, apply solutions, and evaluate progress towards grade level learning outcomes (Cook, Burns, Browning-Wright, & Gresham, 2010; Eagle et al., 2015; Gamm et al., 2012; Tilly, 2008). Outside of the MTSS framework, the PST is recognized as a best practice approach to identifying and implementing academic …

Exploring The Implementation Of Restorative Practices In Bay Area Schools, Vanessa Shea

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Factors associated with successful implementation of school-based restorative justice communities were examined. Restorative practices are alternatives to zero-tolerance, top down approaches that emphasize social engagement over social control (i.e. proactive and reactive responses promote school safety and health). A mixed-methods, survey-based, approach was selected for data collection. Front-line school-based practitioners and administrators from various schools/districts in the Bay Area of California were informed of the study via email and invited to complete an online survey. Analysis of the 37 completed responses suggest that implementation involves various stages that can be identified by practitioners and successful engagement of the wider community …