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Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Food Literacy And Applying Learnings Towards English Literacy, Andrew Wirtz May 2024

Food Literacy And Applying Learnings Towards English Literacy, Andrew Wirtz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Food Literacy promotes the way people should consciously think about the food we ingest on a day-to-day basis. This paper explores how teachers can positively teach students how to be literate when it comes to food and how students can apply these learnings towards their English subject matter skills. This paper also explores how children from all economic backgrounds seek out highly processed foods (such as fast food) which are filled with various chemicals and additives, which in turn, can affect students' performance within the classroom in an negative manner.


Effects Of Parental Involvement In Elementary Students Acadmics, Jasmen Acosta May 2024

Effects Of Parental Involvement In Elementary Students Acadmics, Jasmen Acosta

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parental involvement, especially in elementary schools, is a good resource for students to achieve academic success. This research paper aims to educate and understand the effects of Parental involvement on elementary students' academic performance. There is a plethora of resources for parents and teachers of parental involvement in their child's academics. This senior capstone will examine the effects of parental involvement on elementary students' academics through literature reviews and parent and teacher surveys about the effects of their involvement in schools and whether they impact their children's educational achievement. The findings reveal that parent involvement is essential to their children's …


The Forgotten Subject: Pe And The Power Of People, Shea Franklin May 2024

The Forgotten Subject: Pe And The Power Of People, Shea Franklin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project focused on student engagement in PE at the middle school level. Student engagement is so meaningful because even though physical education is supposed to educate kids to be physically active while being active in practice, quite the opposite is happening. Middle school is the point at which students begin to lose interest in PE, viewing it as repetitive and pointless, which is why it is so essential to make this forgotten subject fun again. After survey and interviewing students and staff members participating in physical education at a local middle school in Marina, three themes emerged from the …


Benefits Of Speech Language Pathologists On Elementary School Students, Gisel Reynoso May 2024

Benefits Of Speech Language Pathologists On Elementary School Students, Gisel Reynoso

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project outlines a research endeavor aimed at exploring the multifaceted impact of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on elementary school students, with a particular focus on developing educators, enhancing diversity, and fostering subject matter expertise. Motivated by firsthand experiences in service-learning and recognizing the significant challenges students face due to communication disorders, this study seeks to investigate how SLPs can effectively support students while contributing to educators' professional development and promoting inclusivity. Through a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, surveys, and data analysis, this senior capstone research project aims to provide valuable insights into the transformative role of SLPs …


The Good, The Bad, And The In Between: The Effects Of Covid-19 And Remote Learning, Samantha Anastasio May 2024

The Good, The Bad, And The In Between: The Effects Of Covid-19 And Remote Learning, Samantha Anastasio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project delves into the perspectives of Bay High School teachers regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning on students' education. Through a thorough analysis of interviews and relevant research, the study aims to address and mitigate the learning setbacks experienced by students during this challenging period. With a focus on the two-year learning gap caused by remote learning and school closures, the researchers highlight the significance of understanding teachers' firsthand experiences and insights. They argue that the implementation of effective tutoring programs emerges as the most promising approach to bridge the education gap and support …


Benefits Of Dual Immersion Programs On Elementary School Students, Belle Sanchez May 2024

Benefits Of Dual Immersion Programs On Elementary School Students, Belle Sanchez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project aims to share the benefits of dual immersion programs in elementary school years. Understanding what a dual immersion program is and knowing the different models within the program allow parents to select which program is best suited for their students. A key point in clarification is that a dual immersion program does not aim to replace an English, or standard, education program, but adds a target language to enhance the students learning. This study looks at the overall benefits that students can gain in elementary school, from kindergarten through fifth grade, sometimes through eighth grade. …


Family Engagement: Identifying And Meeting Family Needs, Clara Beas May 2024

Family Engagement: Identifying And Meeting Family Needs, Clara Beas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family engagement in early education is insufficient. The Early Learning Program is an agency which serves low income families by providing early childhood education and a variety of different services like health and dental screenings for children and nutrition and parenting workshops for the parents and family to do together. The project is aimed to evaluate the agency's Family Strengths and Needs assessment tool and provide updates to better serve families by focusing on areas that are lacking. As a result, the assessment language was clarified and the method of delivery improved so that future assessments will gather more accurate …


Benefits Of Early Childhood Education On Later Adult Life, Chelsie N. Jones May 2024

Benefits Of Early Childhood Education On Later Adult Life, Chelsie N. Jones

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

It has been proven that the first five years of a child’s life are a critical development period, but there are currently no federal mandates requiring families to enroll their children in an Early Childhood Education program before entering kindergarten. There are many benefits for children attending a head start, preschool, or transitional kindergarten program, such as developing social skills and emotional competence, closing academic achievement gaps, and ensuring children are exposed to proper environmental enrichment that supports a range of early skills such as social, cognitive, and executive function skills. But how does early childhood education impact later adult …


A Menace To Math: When Numbers Attack And Anxiety Strikes Back, Celycia Rogers May 2024

A Menace To Math: When Numbers Attack And Anxiety Strikes Back, Celycia Rogers

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In this Capstone Project, the researcher examined educators' perspectives on math anxiety and investigated their personal experiences with math to identify effective approaches for reducing math anxiety. Addressing math anxiety is essential to reduce the tension and fear individuals experience in math-related situations due to environmental factors and teaching methods. The primary stakeholder perspective obtained for this study was that of educators, as they have the most significant influence on student's math comprehension and emotional associations with the subject. Following interviews with participating educators and a review of relevant literature, three emergent themes were identified: making math fun, phasing out …


Benefits Of Environmental Education For Low-Income Elementary School Students, Victoria Denoyer May 2024

Benefits Of Environmental Education For Low-Income Elementary School Students, Victoria Denoyer

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study analyzes the benefits of environmental education for low-income elementary school students. As the world is seeing a turbulent downfall in the state of the environment, fostering a healthy and eager generation to find solutions to this crisis is essential. Through analysis using a literature review and qualitative interviews and surveys with in-service teachers and outreach educators, the results determine there are benefits to implementing environmental education for low-income elementary school students. These benefits extend beyond environmental agency and profoundly impact the cognitive, mental, and physical development of low-income students.


Effects Of Americanization On The Immigrant Student Population, Jose Lopez May 2024

Effects Of Americanization On The Immigrant Student Population, Jose Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone study aims to investigate the impact of Americanization on immigrant students whose first language is not English and the effects of Proposition 227. This law, which cut all state funding for bilingual programs, prompted significant changes in language education policies. Through surveys, this research seeks to determine whether Proposition 227 has influenced students' cultural identity or academic success. Additionally, this study examines California education standards to understand how they influence language education practices. Interviews with teachers will provide insights into their approaches to teaching immigrant students and fostering cultural inclusivity in the classroom. This capstone aims to …


Food For Thought: Addressing Food Insecurity In Public Schools For Optimal Student Success, Emma Stillwagon May 2024

Food For Thought: Addressing Food Insecurity In Public Schools For Optimal Student Success, Emma Stillwagon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is the presence of food insecurity throughout a county on the coast of California and what can be done to improve it. This issue is important because of the negative impact that food insecurity has on students' health, development, and academics. An evidence-based argument is offered that public education has a responsibility to address food insecurity through its institutions as a means of supporting students' academic and developmental success. The stakeholder perspectives chosen were of 1 individual working as a Community Partnership Coordinator for a local food aid organization, one individual who …


Community Benefits Awareness Presentations, Marlene Ramirez May 2024

Community Benefits Awareness Presentations, Marlene Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Socioeconomic disadvantage significantly impacts educational outcomes, with 81% of Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) Alternative Education program students facing economic hardships. Serving youth in grades 9-12 and adults in Monterey County, including those within the county jail and juvenile facilities, the MCOE Alternative Education program strives to facilitate high school diploma attainment. This project sought to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding the Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs benefit programs through presentations shared within the MCOE community and partner agencies. A partnership between MCOE and the Monterey County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) was established to further this goal. The anticipated …


Sexual Wellness Across Abilities: Reimagining Education For Adults With Disabilities, Damiana Kelsey May 2024

Sexual Wellness Across Abilities: Reimagining Education For Adults With Disabilities, Damiana Kelsey

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) lack sexuality education and opportunities for personal expression. Because of this, a sexuality education curriculum was developed for Gateway’s program, Without Walls. This program is specifically for adults with Intellectual Disabilities. This curriculum was delivered to 15 students ages 25 to 56. The purpose of this project is to bridge information for this population and make it more accessible. Especially with this group, there is a need for further discussion and a space to ask questions about social-emotional and sexual health. Over the course of 11 classes, the students reported having a …


Benefits Of Alternative Assessment For College Students’ Academic Success And Mental Well-Being, Calista Gabriel May 2024

Benefits Of Alternative Assessment For College Students’ Academic Success And Mental Well-Being, Calista Gabriel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Assessments play an imperative role in evaluating a student’s knowledge within the classroom. Traditionally, educators have relied on traditional assessments to measure students’ comprehension of course material. However, in contemporary education, there has been a shift towards alternative assessments for a variety of reasons. This senior capstone research project examines students’ and professors’ perspectives and how alternative assessments could affect them. Through the use of literature review, surveys with professors and students, and interviews, the findings underscore the importance of integrating alternative assessments in educational practices, not only for enhancing students’ academic success, but also for nurturing their mental well-being.


Food And Culture In Challenged Books, Noah Hawkins May 2024

Food And Culture In Challenged Books, Noah Hawkins

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper looks at the way food and culture are intertwined and discussed in literature. I also discuss how many of these books that represent culture in America are being challenged across the country. My research takes a deeper look into why challenging these books is more harmful for students than it does good. My lesson planned is then planned around poetry and how food and culture and be a great opportunity to talk about their culture in their homes. My lesson plan aims to make students better writers as well as be able to give them a voice to …


Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Hope Brightman May 2024

Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Hope Brightman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this capstone project, the researchers investigated how students in the credential program at ‘Small University’ on the coast of California viewed their co- teaching credential experience and what they think could be done to improve it. An evidence based argument is offered that co-teaching be improved to be more equitable for students. Considerations of the issue should include the perspectives of credential program students. Expected benefits included an opportunity for participants to reflect on the co-teaching credential program at “Small University” and provide concrete suggestions for improvement that may be translated into action. Three themes emerged from an analysis …


Music Isn’T Just A Special: Amplifying Music's Power In Fostering Social-Emotional Skills In Students, Angelina Davis May 2024

Music Isn’T Just A Special: Amplifying Music's Power In Fostering Social-Emotional Skills In Students, Angelina Davis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researcher investigated how Dream Academy and Little Foot Elementary educators view music's impacts on social-emotional learning and what they thought could be done to improve it. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, the researcher used what they have learned to formulate an action that responds to the impact of music on social-emotional learning in a way that inspires, informs, or involves a particular audience. This is an important issue for students and teachers because music education allows educators to teach social-emotional skills. It is argued that music fosters social-emotional …


Self-Care Techniques To Decrease Special Education Teacher Burnout, Carrie Frost May 2024

Self-Care Techniques To Decrease Special Education Teacher Burnout, Carrie Frost

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focal topic of my capstone project is special education teacher burnout and how self-care techniques can reduce the likelihood of chronic stress and burnout. The challenges of being a special education teacher include but are not limited to, various disabilities and behaviors, lack of classroom and administration support, and overall management. Research conducted by Emery and Vandenberg (2010) stated that special education teachers often experience burnout, which commonly leads to employee attrition. Burnout and the personal stress that comes with it are the biggest contributors to the shortage of qualified special educators throughout the United States. Their challenges involve …


Stronger Together: Uniting Parents, Educators, And Professionals For Enhanced Social-Emotional, Leslie Montiel May 2024

Stronger Together: Uniting Parents, Educators, And Professionals For Enhanced Social-Emotional, Leslie Montiel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone project addresses the crucial issue of inadequate social-emotional learning in elementary schools, focusing on improving access and quality for students. It is essential to tackle this issue because limited access hinders the development of students' social-emotional skills, potentially affecting their long-term success. It is argued that integrating higher-quality social-emotional learning into education is necessary to foster lifelong skills. Three key stakeholders—two parents and one principal—were interviewed to obtain their suggestions for improving social-emotional skills. Analysis of the data revealed three potential action options: hiring more professionals; providing additional professional development for educators; and enhancing parental involvement. Of these, …


Impact Of Reclassification Of Assessments Tests Of English Language Proficiency Assessments For California (Elpac) On The English Language Learners, Nivardo Martinez Nunez May 2024

Impact Of Reclassification Of Assessments Tests Of English Language Proficiency Assessments For California (Elpac) On The English Language Learners, Nivardo Martinez Nunez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The reclassification process of English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) significantly impacted the English Language Learners (ELLs) in educational settings. This senior capstone examines the multifaceted impacts of reclassification of assessment tests of ELPAC on the ELLs, and discusses its implications for academic achievement, language proficiency development, and socio-emotional well-being on them. Through a comprehensive review of literature, interviews with English language teaches and anonymous survey for middle school and high school students, the findings indicated that there are benefits as well as challenges for the ELL students when they take the ELPAC assessment tests involving a much more …


Increasing Preschool Children’S Scientific Inquiry, Dianna Leon May 2024

Increasing Preschool Children’S Scientific Inquiry, Dianna Leon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focused on increasing scientific inquiry in young children. The problem that exists is that there is not enough focus on scientific learning in preschool settings compared to school settings with older age groups. According to Dejarnette (2018), young children can learn about science and are naturally curious, making them natural scientists. Science curriculum has many benefits for children, such as the development of observation, documentation, investigation, communication, and literacy skills. Science curriculum can create curiosity and enjoyment in young children while they learn about the world around them, creating a lifelong interest in learning (Larimore, 2020). Exciting …


The Vital Role Of School Bus Drivers In Supporting Students With Special Needs, Georgina Solano Zepeda May 2024

The Vital Role Of School Bus Drivers In Supporting Students With Special Needs, Georgina Solano Zepeda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the challenges faced by new and experienced bilingual school bus drivers who transport special education students. According to the California Department of Education, transportation must be provided at no cost to those special education students ages 3-21 who are eligible as part of related services. The training for school bus drivers typically covers safe driving, vehicle operation, and basic student management. However, they often receive minimal or no specialized training to work with students with special needs. California had an estimated 38,000 school bus drivers in 2020, making it one of the states with the highest …


Informing Adolescents About Potential Internet Risks And Tools For Safely Navigating Online Spaces, Rhiannon Jean Elliot May 2024

Informing Adolescents About Potential Internet Risks And Tools For Safely Navigating Online Spaces, Rhiannon Jean Elliot

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on digital safety for adolescents who have already been or are accessing online spaces for the first time. Adolescents today have been growing up in the age of technology and are likely to have had access to digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles, from a much younger age than previous generations. Today, 96% of teens in the U.S. say they use the internet daily, with about 95% of teens reporting having a smartphone (Faverio & Sidoti, 2024). With adolescents accessing the internet more often, they must understand the risks they may encounter …


The Importance Of Nutrition Education In Early Childhood, Alexi Larios May 2024

The Importance Of Nutrition Education In Early Childhood, Alexi Larios

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project aimed to highlight the importance of nutrition education in early childhood. I chose this topic because studies have shown a steady increase over the years in children’s diet-related illnesses (Baker & Bjerregaard, 2023). Many factors have contributed to this increase such as media and marketing. Companies use their marketing strategies to target the interests of children and persuade them to desire their unhealthy products (Taillie et al., 2019). This strategy leads to children purchasing and consuming processed foods, high in sugar and empty calories. Another important component in childhood nutrition is socioeconomic status. People from lower socioeconomic …


Increasing Social-Emotional Development In Early Childhood, Brianna Navarro May 2024

Increasing Social-Emotional Development In Early Childhood, Brianna Navarro

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on increasing social-emotional development of 5- to 7-year-old children. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a methodology that helps students of all ages better comprehend their emotions, feel emotions to the fullest extent, and demonstrate empathy for others. These learned behaviors are then used to help students make positive, responsible decisions, create frameworks to achieve their goals and build positive relationships with others. Researchers indicate that social-emotional learning promotes scholastic achievement, well-being, and positive life outcomes and can be a powerful tool for prevention and resilience when embedded with intentionality in curriculum, instruction, and school climate (Durlak et …


Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Nina Cruz May 2024

Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Nina Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how students in the credential program at ‘Small University’ on the coast of California viewed their co- teaching credential experience and what they think could be done to improve it. An evidence based argument is offered that co-teaching be improved to be more equitable for students. Considerations of the issue should include the perspectives of credential program students. Expected benefits included an opportunity for participants to reflect on the co-teaching credential program at “Small University” and provide concrete suggestions for improvement that may be translated into action. Three themes emerged from an analysis …


Improving Mental Health And Well-Being In Elementary School Students Through Stress Management Activities, Shya Vasquez May 2024

Improving Mental Health And Well-Being In Elementary School Students Through Stress Management Activities, Shya Vasquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The number of students who are experiencing mental health issues is on the rise. There is a variety of reasons that contribute to the increasing numbers which include the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of support from teachers, the kinds of mental health activities that have not been incorporated into classrooms, and much more. Given this, this capstone project examines how to improve mental health and well-being of elementary school students through stress management activities through the use of literature review, interviews with two teachers, two parents, and two prospective teachers, and classroom observations. The results indicated the many benefits and different …


From Form Crisis To Come Back: Reviving Education In The Era Of Covid-19, Ericka Millar May 2024

From Form Crisis To Come Back: Reviving Education In The Era Of Covid-19, Ericka Millar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 had an unprecedented impact on education worldwide. The researcher will use what they have learned to find ways in which we can help students who are falling behind in their education. Learning loss caused by COVID-19 is crucial because it has real, lasting consequences for students, and it's essential to address these issues to ensure their continued success in education. Based on a comprehensive analysis of diverse data sources, including academic literature and interviews, three potential action options emerged to address the ongoing negative repercussions of COVID-19 on upper elementary school students. Based on …


Beyond The Field: Exploring Identity, Spiritual Growth, And Community Through The Fellowship Of Christian Athletes, Kyle Barileau May 2024

Beyond The Field: Exploring Identity, Spiritual Growth, And Community Through The Fellowship Of Christian Athletes, Kyle Barileau

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) representatives’ views on bringing student-athletes to have a relationship with Christ and why they think it is important. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, the researchers used what they have learned to formulate an action that responds to improving FCA in a way that inspires, informs, or involves a particular audience. This is important because student-athletes need a sense of community and safe space to express their relationship with God. It is argued that having a relationship with Christ is important, especially …