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Full-Text Articles in Education
Teaching The Cultures Of Minnesota Native American Tribes: Reported Comfort Level Of Teachers In Meeting Minnesota English Language Arts Standards, James D. Autio
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The issue of how to teach about Minnesota Native American tribes in elementary school intrigues me because of my personal experiences growing up as an Ojibwe/Finnish person. As an adult, I became an educator and wanted to improve my craft while also helping other teachers to feel better about working with this topic. The Minnesota English Language Arts standards specify a need for second- and fourth-grade teachers to teach about Dakota and Ojibwe people, but teachers report varying levels of comfort. This paper examines similar state-mandated situations in Montana and Alaska, and different ways in which the schools tried to …
Are Characteristics Of A Professional Learning Community Guiding Student Achievement, Staci Faye Souhan
Are Characteristics Of A Professional Learning Community Guiding Student Achievement, Staci Faye Souhan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, are characteristics of a PLC guiding student achievement? The inspiration for this capstone was sparked by an unexplainable anomaly within a school district's MCA performance data between schools within their district and an intense interest in a DuFour’s research addressing professional learning communities. The author of this case-study style research looked to examine if characteristics of a PLC can be present and guide student performance without a fully functioning and formal PLC school-wide structure. This study documents that singular aspects of a PLC can guide student achievement and likens a co-taught classroom …
Grade Retention And English Learners: A Literature Review And Teacher Interviews, Katie Jo Cordes
Grade Retention And English Learners: A Literature Review And Teacher Interviews, Katie Jo Cordes
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study was, what is the effect of retention on English language learners (ELL)? The ELL student population has increased in United States schools and in this dynamic and heterogeneous group includes students that perform lower than grade level. This capstone provides research and teacher interviews regarding the efficacy of holding back struggling English learners. Following discussion of current research and teacher opinions, the author examines the results to form implications for educators considering using grade retention with English language learners.
Case Studies Of Innovative Science Teacher Professional Development Programming At Biological Field Stations, Sarah Rose Johnson
Case Studies Of Innovative Science Teacher Professional Development Programming At Biological Field Stations, Sarah Rose Johnson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone research study was motivated by a desire to find ways to narrow the relationship gap between scientists and educators by creating avenues for cross communication for both professional communities to access each other. The overall purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to look at innovative teacher professional development programs at biological field stations to inform the future development and facilitation of science teacher professional development programming. The study included questionnaires, interviews, and site visits to four field stations across America collecting data based on innovative criteria. New themes for facilitating innovative teacher professional development emerged including: …
What Makes An Effective Bullying Prevention Program In Urban Middle Schools?, Diane Louise Durnick
What Makes An Effective Bullying Prevention Program In Urban Middle Schools?, Diane Louise Durnick
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate anti-bullying curriculums and programs available for middle schools to reduce bullying behaviors among students. Research involved identifying what has been proven to reduce bullying behaviors in schools, as well as, what students say best reduces bully behaviors at school. The curriculums were then evaluated against proven best practices, and a whole-school plan was created to apply at an urban middle school incorporating the best strategies to be most effective in reducing bullying behaviors.
Professionals Reflect On The Under Representation Of Visitors Of Color In Wilderness Areas, Jessica Iris Ostrov
Professionals Reflect On The Under Representation Of Visitors Of Color In Wilderness Areas, Jessica Iris Ostrov
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to capture the perspectives of five wilderness area staff as they reflect on the scarcity of visitors of color to their places of employment. Qualitative interviews were conducted to learn the viewpoints of the participants. Findings suggest that the racialized history of the United States and the framework of inequity in the formation of park systems encouraged the subsequent development of urban identities that have resulted in cultural traits separating many people of color from all peoples' roots in nature. In addition, contemporary barriers due to the opportunity gap for communities of color create …
The Impact Of Collaborative Professional Development Between Classroom Teachers And Reading Recovery Teachers, Tessa Abrahamson
The Impact Of Collaborative Professional Development Between Classroom Teachers And Reading Recovery Teachers, Tessa Abrahamson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone explores the impact that collaborative professional development between classroom teachers and reading recovery teacher can have on the quality of instruction and on student growth. A mixed-methods approach was used in this action research study including a literacy assessment that was administered to students before and after professional development, observations, and surveys. The data were examined and revealed that working collaboratively is beneficial for teachers and students. Professional development is a powerful tool to help improve instruction when used appropriately.
Twelve Best Practices For Mathematics Vocabulary Instruction For K-5 Elementary Students, Shannon Elisa King
Twelve Best Practices For Mathematics Vocabulary Instruction For K-5 Elementary Students, Shannon Elisa King
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, what are the current best practices for mathematics vocabulary instruction for K-5 elementary students? The motivation for this capstone was the struggle with K-5 students to understand the complex language of mathematics vocabulary. This capstone details the challenges students face in learning mathematics vocabulary, twelve best practices for mathematics vocabulary instruction for K-5 elementary students, and the level of awareness teachers have of these twelve best practices and the level of use of these strategies within their classrooms. Key influence for this capstone was the accreditation process for mathematics at the writer’s …
Teacher Training To Identify Students With Dyslexia. Implementation Of Accommodations To Help Students Be Successful, Brita Marie Gibart
Teacher Training To Identify Students With Dyslexia. Implementation Of Accommodations To Help Students Be Successful, Brita Marie Gibart
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This curriculum-based capstone provides educators with an in-depth review of how teachers are being trained to identify students with dyslexia. It can be used as a guide to the implementation of accommodations to help students with dyslexia be successful in the classroom. The research question for this capstone is: What is being done for students with dyslexia in our schools? A review of the literature included the definition dyslexia through misconceptions, diagnosis procedures and brain imaging techniques. Dyslexia is identified in the classroom through a person’s rights, the stigma associated with dyslexia and a teacher’s role in identification. The strategy …
English Language Learners And Learning Disabilities, Erin Elizabeth Logan
English Language Learners And Learning Disabilities, Erin Elizabeth Logan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, How do educators decipher whether a student is experiencing the typical language acquisition process or if they have a learning disability? This capstone provides research from current educators’ knowledge around understanding and identifying potential learning disabilities in English language learners. In order to address the gaps in knowledge that were identified, professional development and scholarly articles were collected and presented to school administration to distribute and make recommendations around professional development opportunities for staff.
The Perceived Impact Of A Short-Term Monolingual Karen Language Learning Experience On The Teaching Practices Of Low-Literacy Adult English Language Instructors, Loretta Dakin
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
A limited amount of research on low-educated low-literate adult English language learners exists. An even smaller body of literature addresses innovation and teacher change of the instructors of this demographic. Adult refugees need basic language competency to participate with dignity in a new culture. This study explores the impact of increasing teacher empathy for the monolingual language learning environment that most first-wave refugees encounter upon arrival in the United States and identifies the instructional innovations and modifications that result. Nine participants, all low-level adult ELL instructors from a number of community-based adult language schools, took part in a Karen language …