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Full-Text Articles in Education

Homework Perpetuating Inequalities For Low-Income Families In Education, Eileen Boyd Dec 2023

Homework Perpetuating Inequalities For Low-Income Families In Education, Eileen Boyd

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project delves into the persistent issue of homework perpetuating inequalities among low-income families. Drawing on insights from North American public school teachers who have shared their perspectives and experiences, this research employs a combination of literature reviews, teacher interviews, and anonymous surveys. The collective evidence underscores the unsettling fact that homework drives educational disparities. Consequently, it calls for a broader acknowledgment among educators and schools that homework often hinders rather than enhances a student's academic achievements.


Supporting English Language Learners In California K-12 Classrooms, Emma Borrelli May 2023

Supporting English Language Learners In California K-12 Classrooms, Emma Borrelli

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

English Language Learners face struggles in the classroom that students who only speak English do not encounter. First I will highlight the problems and difficulties English Language students encounter in all aspects of their learning environment, using Ajay Srikanth’s essays on the equity of funding for English Learners. Then, I will propose solutions and strategies to help them based on thorough research and studies by Roselle Chartock in “Strategies and Lessons for Culturally Responsive Teaching : a Primer for k-12.” Chartock also talks about culturally responsive teaching in “Strategies and Lessons for Culturally Responsive Teaching : a Primer for k-12” …


Academy-Based Learning: The High School Education You Wish You Had, Desiree Gomez May 2023

Academy-Based Learning: The High School Education You Wish You Had, Desiree Gomez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on the impact of high school academies on student success. This is important because high school academies provide students with cross-curricular experiences related to a specific pathway or field they are interested. An evidence-based argument is offered that high school academies provide specialized programs catering to students' interests and career aspirations. These academies provide students with a comprehensive and challenging curriculum that enhances their academic performance and prepares them for college and career readiness. By focusing on a particular subject or field, students receive a high-quality education that fosters their skills and knowledge in a specific …


Improving Workers’ Effectiveness When Working With Unhoused Individuals, Danika J. Bralek May 2023

Improving Workers’ Effectiveness When Working With Unhoused Individuals, Danika J. Bralek

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

When volunteering with individuals without housing, volunteers may not know what to expect or how to act when assisting this population. Without proper preparation, these volunteers may end up further marginalizing the population they are working with, putting themselves in danger, or failing to assist these human beings. When volunteers know more about how to assist these individuals in need, they can properly manage each client’s case and assist them in receiving proper aid. In order to address preparedness for volunteers working with these vulnerable populations, I have created an instructional video addressing proper rapport building, understanding needs and correct …


Better Budtender Training, Vincent Mcdonald Castillo May 2023

Better Budtender Training, Vincent Mcdonald Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

A survey conducted by the cannabis education program in the Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) concluded that around 57% of users in the county do not feel educated enough in the subject to form their own educated opinions about cannabis use (Cannabis Education Survey 2022). The MCHD decided to address this concern by collaborating with local dispensaries to provide an educational course in video form for budtenders. This video provides factual information on consumption methods, how differently they may affect people and the recommended time to wait before operating a vehicle. Following this education, consumers of cannabis will have reliable …


Benefits Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy For In-Service Educators, Megan E. Roberts May 2023

Benefits Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy For In-Service Educators, Megan E. Roberts

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There is a plethora of different teaching styles, all grouped under an umbrella term of pedagogy. This capstone focuses on the advantages in specifically incorporating culturally responsive pedagogy into the classroom. This method of pedagogy provides an inclusive environment in which students are able share their culture, as well as personal experiences to add to the overall academic achievement. By straying away from traditional teaching styles, in service educators are able to create a space for students to embrace their unique differences and incorporate inclusivity into learning. This integral approach provides real life experiences that have a qualitative depth that …


Teaching Students With Maladaptive Behaviors In Special Education, Giselle Valdez Tejeda Dec 2022

Teaching Students With Maladaptive Behaviors In Special Education, Giselle Valdez Tejeda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Thousands of students engage in maladaptive behaviors in Special Education classrooms throughout the world every single day. It is very important for parents and others related to the field to know and get an understanding of how teachers teach students effectively according to their functional skills and understanding. This senior capstone examines how teachers teach students with maladaptive behaviors in Special Education. Through the use of literature review and interviews with three specialists in Special Education, the findings reveal that by finding ways to keep their maladaptive behaviors to interfere with their learning is by providing one-to-one support in classroom …


California's Impact Of Attrition Practices On Latinx English Learners, Dulce Ramirez Dec 2022

California's Impact Of Attrition Practices On Latinx English Learners, Dulce Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone examines the impact of attrition practices on Latinx English learners in California. The project explores three recommendations from Guadalupe Valdes' book, Learning and Not Learning English. The three are age-appropriate academic content, revolving door policies involving classification/ reclassification, and the importance of teacher preparation. The discussion covers how the three impact English learners' attrition rate, causing negative self-efficacy, lack of college preparedness, and employment opportunities. Given this, the school districts allocated funding to create programs to prevent attrition problems among English learners, including the Latinx ELs. The literature review and interviews with educators indicated that Latinx English learners' …


The Quest For Equity: Multicultural Education, Corina Lieu May 2022

The Quest For Equity: Multicultural Education, Corina Lieu

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is multiculturalism in education. This is an important issue because students deserve an education that reflects their living experiences inside and outside of the classroom. An argument is made that the lack of multiculturalism in education could foster an environment in which students would not receive an education that is equitable. Considerations of the issue should include the perspectives of the principal of a public school, and three staff members. This group of participants provide deeper insights into multiculturalism within the classrooms. After interviewing an administrator and staff members, three different actions …


Today A Reader, Tomorrow A Leader: How Reading Comprehension Plays A Role In Academics Among Low-Income Students, Marissa Sandra Francisca Torrez Dec 2021

Today A Reader, Tomorrow A Leader: How Reading Comprehension Plays A Role In Academics Among Low-Income Students, Marissa Sandra Francisca Torrez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researcher investigates how teachers and low-income families view the resources needed for students to increase their reading comprehension and what they thought could be done to improve access to those resources. Interviews included a fieldworker who has a child enrolled in a middle school, a middle school Community Liaison who is very familiar and close to low-income families and the issues they face with education. Additionally, three middle school students completed a survey on reading comprehension. Based on an analysis of the interviews, surveys and the relevant research literature, the researcher used what they had …


Equal Education For All?: Equity Issues Impacting Physical Education And Physical Activity During Covid-19 Pandemic, Gianna Pinotti May 2021

Equal Education For All?: Equity Issues Impacting Physical Education And Physical Activity During Covid-19 Pandemic, Gianna Pinotti

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on improving the equity issues affecting students' physical education and physical activity during COVID-19. Existing and newly developed equity issues have impacted students’ ability to connect with their remote physical education (P.E.), leading to decreased levels of physical activity. This is an important issue for students because their health and well-being are being negatively impacted by issues out of their control. An evidence-based argument is offered that students who engage in physical education are more likely to maintain healthier lifestyles that can lead to improved cognitive abilities and academic success. Considerations of the …


Si Se Puede: Continuous Barrier In Latino Education, Juan Daniel Sierra May 2021

Si Se Puede: Continuous Barrier In Latino Education, Juan Daniel Sierra

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on the continuous barriers in Latino Education. This is important because we are still seeing the same issues of inequities, lower academic attainment, and achievement gaps growing. Although these issues have been brought up and discussed, so little has been done to resolve them. By continuing to address these issues, it allows us to keep generating the conversation on what more we can do for Latino students in the United States. It allows us as a community to see the bigger picture and be able to formulate new plans that will close achievement …


Learning About Healthy Relationships And Sexuality For Adults With Disabilities, Vanessa Karjack May 2021

Learning About Healthy Relationships And Sexuality For Adults With Disabilities, Vanessa Karjack

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities receive little to no sex education; as a result, they often struggle to have fulfilling and healthy relationships, experience limitations in physical interactions, and are at risk of being taken advantage of by others. Sommaro et al. (2019) explained that individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and developmental disabilities (DD) are often placed into one of two categories: they are treated as either eternal children or sexual deviants. These ideas are based on old knowledge and are known to be inaccurate. However, current systems of care struggle to move forward from these notions. A …


An In Depth Analysis: Following The Potential Long-Term Effects Of Loss Of Engagement On Students, Stephanie Zavala May 2021

An In Depth Analysis: Following The Potential Long-Term Effects Of Loss Of Engagement On Students, Stephanie Zavala

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone paper examines the various factors influencing student engagement and academic performance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report addresses the following research questions: (1) "What might be the long-term effects of loss of engagement on children after the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) What are the primary factors that affect student engagement? In a review of the literature, this paper examines the research on natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, truancy, and summer vacations to project the impact on interrupted education. In order to fully consider the impact of the year-long Shelter-in-Place order on a local middle school, this …


Science In Early Childhood Education, Olivia Kocina Dec 2020

Science In Early Childhood Education, Olivia Kocina

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Science is often limited or absent in an early education classroom. It is important to give children an outlet to experience science in the classroom or through lesson plans. Having science at an early age can provide children the opportunities to build up their reasoning, to question things about the world, and later in life to feel more confident in other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities or areas. To address this need, I created a 3-day program for 3 to 5 year-olds at Little Learners of Aptos School in Aptos, California.


The History Of Learning Disabilities And The Hidden Stories Of Students, Parents, And Teachers: How Traditional Classrooms Can Improve, Gabriella G. Catania May 2020

The History Of Learning Disabilities And The Hidden Stories Of Students, Parents, And Teachers: How Traditional Classrooms Can Improve, Gabriella G. Catania

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This research will differentiate between the various learning disabilities and their history of when they were first discovered. This research reveals how classrooms have improved and what needs to be changed in order to guarantee every student can receive an equal education despite their learning disability. This paper is constructed through research and interviews with parents, teachers, and students about why the education system needs to move against conformity and standardization. This research demonstrates each learning disability and its effect on students learning. The main focus is on what issues need to be improved in the traditional education system to …


Introducing Science Education In Early Childhood, Marissa M. Arciniega May 2020

Introducing Science Education In Early Childhood, Marissa M. Arciniega

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The increasing focus on literacy development and kindergarten readiness in preschool has created a lack of science education in early childhood education. In recent research, Head Start found that of the four academic readiness domains for preschoolers (i.e., language, literacy, math, and science), science is the lowest-performing area amongst students in their program (Bustamante, White, & Greenfield, 2018). Research is showing that declining performance in science is partly due to the lack of science education in classrooms. Lack of science is not only affecting school performance down the road, but it also limits children in receiving the benefits of early …


Primary Education And The Use Of Technology, Neyfy Fernandez May 2020

Primary Education And The Use Of Technology, Neyfy Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Modern day technology has seeped into homes at an alarming rate in the past decade. Children now have access to computer programs, applications, social media and educational programs all at their reach. The classroom isn’t immune to this scenario. This senior capstone project explored whether technology is beneficial in the classroom for primary children. Literature reviews and teacher questionnaires from four Gonzales Unified School District teachers were used to answer the question. The results found that social and emotional development was the most vital aspect in the preschool level and when technology was used in the classroom strict screen time …


The Power Of Pursuing Lifelong Learning, Natalina Decker May 2020

The Power Of Pursuing Lifelong Learning, Natalina Decker

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study examined student’s access to advanced education and how parents, school personnel, and community members could prepare students for life beyond K-12 education. Due to the CO-VID Pandemic, this study was limited to a literature review of multiple scholarly and peer-reviewed articles. Analyzation of these articles revealed several trends in the opportunity gap, the importance of school-family-community partnerships, and the benefit of resources that assist future high school graduates with the necessary knowledge and tools needed to apply for undergraduate or vocational programs. Findings also indicate that academic preparation and support for young scholars throughout their K-12 education are …


Benefits For Integrating Physical Activity Into The Classroom, Danielle Rodriguez May 2020

Benefits For Integrating Physical Activity Into The Classroom, Danielle Rodriguez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Engaging in physical activity is essential to one’s well-being, especially for a child since their body is still in the developing stages. This senior capstone research project examines the benefits of integrating physical activity in the classroom. Since there is less emphasis on being physically active, the value of physical activity decreases over time. For the time being, since sedentary lifestyles have been promoted, this put many children at a disadvantage. Not only do these lifestyles change in children’s lives, they also affect their academic performance as well. The results indicate that when students are encouraged to be more physically …


Teachers Collaboration With Gear Up Extra College Readiness Resource For Students, Brenda Monroy May 2020

Teachers Collaboration With Gear Up Extra College Readiness Resource For Students, Brenda Monroy

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was implemented for the Gear Up and college preparedness program located at the local Seaside High School. Gear Up serves 10th grade students at seaside high school. Most of the students served come from low-income families, from minority groups and are considered first generation college students. The problem addressed by the capstone is that too many Seaside High students are not applying for Community College, CSUs and UC’s. The project consisted of collaborating with Seaside High staff including teachers, administration and counselors to include college preparedness instruction as part of the existing curriculum to increase the number …


Gnome Waste Warriors: Waste Reduction Through Sustainability, Hayley E.R. Frost Rubino Dec 2019

Gnome Waste Warriors: Waste Reduction Through Sustainability, Hayley E.R. Frost Rubino

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project was on how waste and waste reduction could positively impact a community. Waste reduction is an important issue because the negative impacts of waste affect the whole planet. By educating Monterey Gnome School (MGS) about waste, changes in daily habits are intended to result in lasting change. An evidence-based argument is offered that waste is a global issue that negatively impacts the earth's landmasses, oceans, and human health. Both MGS staff and students were interviewed and surveyed, as their perspectives provide unique aspects of thinking about waste issues. The themes that emerged from an …


No Habla Espanol: Are Monolingual Teachers Getting The Support They Need?, Selena Banuelos Dec 2019

No Habla Espanol: Are Monolingual Teachers Getting The Support They Need?, Selena Banuelos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how monolingual teachers view the support and resources they received to teach English Language Learners (ELL) and what they thought could be done to improve their teaching effectiveness. An evidence based argument is offered that monolingual teachers were not being provided with effective support and resources. More specifically, three themes emerged from an analysis of the data obtained from interviews of monolingual teachers and administrators. Based on the emergent themes, an action was undertaken to help monolingual teachers better address the needs of ELLs. This is an important issue for monolingual teachers because …


Integrating Mindfulness Into School Classrooms, Crystal Chesshire Dec 2019

Integrating Mindfulness Into School Classrooms, Crystal Chesshire

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project examines how mindfulness could be integrated into the school classrooms through the use of literature review, interviews with elementary school teachers in the Monterey Bay area and surveys with several students along with one subject participant at the California State University Monterey Bay. As a result, the findings reveal that most students and teachers thought that mindfulness proved to be successful and useful when integrating it with the younger population to deal with their emotions.


No Habla Español: Are Monolingual Teachers Getting The Support They Need?, Natalie Correa Dec 2019

No Habla Español: Are Monolingual Teachers Getting The Support They Need?, Natalie Correa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how monolingual teachers view the support and resources they received to teach English Language Learners (ELL) and what they thought could be done to improve their teaching effectiveness. An evidence based argument is offered that monolingual teachers were not being provided with effective support and resources. More specifically, three themes emerged from an analysis of the data obtained from interviews of monolingual teachers and administrators. Based on the emergent themes, an action was undertaken to help monolingual teachers better address the needs of ELLs. This is an important issue for monolingual teachers because …


Globalizing Sustainable Education: Environmental Literacy Connecting Cultural Literacy, Sofia Maciel Dec 2019

Globalizing Sustainable Education: Environmental Literacy Connecting Cultural Literacy, Sofia Maciel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone project aims to increase the integration of both a sustainable and globalized education. This is an important issue for students and teachers worldwide because without a more globalized and environmentally aware educational focus in schools, there will be little to no improvement in the suffering and changing climate of the planet. It is argued that after decades of neglect, nations are finally becoming aware that the natural health of the earth is in a delicate state. We are all stakeholders facing the risk of environmental dangers, but for this project the focus is on teachers and students. These …


Educating Children On The Benefits Of Physical Activity, Nancy Recinos May 2019

Educating Children On The Benefits Of Physical Activity, Nancy Recinos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The increased use of technology has lead to a decrease in physical activity engagement by elementary aged children, and children are often unaware of how a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of childhood diseases and illnesses, such as obesity and diabetes. In order to increase understanding about the importance of physical activity, I designed a two-day curriculum on the benefits of physical activity and presented it to a class of third grade students at Natividad Elementary School in Salinas, California.


Teaching 4th Grade Students About Nutrition, Raquel Gaytan May 2019

Teaching 4th Grade Students About Nutrition, Raquel Gaytan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Most children do not know how to make healthy food choices and understand why they have to have a good nutrition. It is important for children to know why having a good nutrition is important for their bodies and health. Without good understanding of nutrition, children are not able to care for their health. To address the children's’ lack of knowledge, I created a 3-day lesson on nutrition and delivered it to a 4th grade classroom in Del Rey Elementary in King City, California.


Casa Youth Resource Guide, Jessica Ramos May 2019

Casa Youth Resource Guide, Jessica Ramos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

C.A.S.A, Court Appointed Special Advocates, of Monterey County is a local nonprofit whose mission is “to train and support community volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children placed in foster care, upholding the children's rights while pursuing a safe and permanent home” (CASA of Monterey County, n.d.). Foster youth in Monterey County do not have enough online resources that provide information on education, employment, and housing. Through this project, CASA added resources to their website to help foster youth succeed, and overtime the success of how useful the resources were for foster youth and CASA team members will be …


Importance Of Implementing Native American History In School Curricula, Kirsten Kite May 2019

Importance Of Implementing Native American History In School Curricula, Kirsten Kite

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Even though there is legislation in place to implement Native American History in schools such as Senate Bill 48, there is room to improve. This senior capstone examines the importance of implementing Native American history in school curricula through the use of literature review, teachers interview and student surveys. The finding revealed that teachers do not have sufficient materials or resources to teach Native American history, and students do not have an adequate understanding of its history as well prior to graduating high school. In addition, teaching Native American history from an unbiased perspective is both beneficial to Native American …