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Full-Text Articles in Education
District-Based Supports For Alternatively Licensed Special Education Teachers: An Action Research Study, Hayley Flynn Mullins
District-Based Supports For Alternatively Licensed Special Education Teachers: An Action Research Study, Hayley Flynn Mullins
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Staffing shortages in public schools have reached a crisis level. Although pervasive, this crisis has disproportionally impacted the field of special education. Due to the dual roles of special education teachers, specifically serving as teacher and case manager, and other factors, such as addressing the needs of a highly diverse student population, these teachers are more susceptible to attrition. Alternate pathways to licensure have provided an opportunity to address special education staffing needs; however, these opportunities come with risks, specifically when strategic support is not provided, resulting in the most at-risk teacher and student populations being paired together. Limited research …
"I Just Couldn't Do It Anymore": A Study Of Post-Pandemic Teacher Burnout, Jeremy Riggs
"I Just Couldn't Do It Anymore": A Study Of Post-Pandemic Teacher Burnout, Jeremy Riggs
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Teachers are burning out at an elevated rate following the COVID-19 pandemic and little research has been conducted to understand what is contributing to their burnout. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand what factors in the post-shutdown pandemic environment are contributing to burnout in veteran teachers (teachers with more than 10 years of teaching experience), and why some of these teachers subsequently decided to leave the profession. The central research question was, what factors are contributing to burnout in veteran teachers in the post-shutdown pandemic environment? The theoretical framework used in this study was the Job-Demands Resources …
Engaging Families In The Academic Lives Of Preschool Children: An Action Research Study, Denise Fultz
Engaging Families In The Academic Lives Of Preschool Children: An Action Research Study, Denise Fultz
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The practice of family engagement enables families and school staff to share responsibility for child development in a partnership characterized by mutual respect for the influential role each plays in a child’s academic life. Unsatisfactory outcomes of family engagement practices with families of preschoolers warranted the implementation of a family engagement intervention program central to this action research study. The Engage Every Family: Five Simple Principles framework guided family-school collaborative efforts to increase family efficacy for engaging preschoolers in developmentally appropriate learning activities at home. Engagement activities were provided in the form of virtual workshops and collaboration on social media. …
Elevating Joy In Education Through An Investigation Of How Teachers And School Leaders Make Learning Joyful, Stephanie Lynn Mcguire
Elevating Joy In Education Through An Investigation Of How Teachers And School Leaders Make Learning Joyful, Stephanie Lynn Mcguire
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Joy in education is an underexplored construct that could serve as the key ingredient to cultivate positive learning environments and inspire innovation. The purpose of this study was to determine how joy might flow to students and what teacher efforts, instructional decisions, and administrative supports might influence the level of joy in the classroom. The central research question was, how do schools and teachers foster joy in their students? This research was explored from a strengths-based, positive perspective with theoretical foundations in organizational flourishing and positive psychology. This study used a survey research design with a school district that was …
Mid-Atlantic State Virtual Program Teachers' Instructional Planning Beliefs And Practices, Yanping Mo
Mid-Atlantic State Virtual Program Teachers' Instructional Planning Beliefs And Practices, Yanping Mo
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Technology development is shifting teaching modality and online education has become a normal teaching mode. This shift informed teachers of changes in instructional planning. To help teachers better understand planning for online instruction, this study investigates Mid-Atlantic State Virtual Program K-12 teachers’ online instructional planning beliefs and practices through a sequential explanatory mixed method. A total of 73 teachers participated in the survey, and 15 were interviewed. Through descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis, this study reveals that (1) eight elements are identified as key elements to online instructional planning. Among them, six align with the framework used in this …
Implementing Pbis: High School Principals’ Perceptions Of The Change Process, Jaimie Clougher Brandt
Implementing Pbis: High School Principals’ Perceptions Of The Change Process, Jaimie Clougher Brandt
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of the study was to gain deeper understanding of the PBIS process in high schools and high school principal perceptions of leadership qualities that enable, and challenge, school-wide change to facilitate PBIS successfully. The study provided an opportunity for high school principals to give a voice to PBIS leadership through sharing their personal experiences leading high schools through the PBIS process. A gap exists in the research regarding experience leading PBIS in high schools; it is important to provide high school principals the opportunity to share their experiences with PBIS while leading in a culture of change. Data …
A Program Evaluation Of High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Implementing Tier I Instructional Practices Of A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports, Jay Subhash Samant
A Program Evaluation Of High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Implementing Tier I Instructional Practices Of A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports, Jay Subhash Samant
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine teachers’ perceptions of their current skills in implementing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) interventions at one public charter school in Denver. The problem addressed in this study was the inhibiting conditions to implementing small-group instruction and Khan Academy interventions in the classroom. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature on providing quality professional development training on MTSS programming to staff, offering ongoing instructional coaching and feedback to ensure data-driven instructional strategies, and protecting collaboration time for teachers by creating professional learning communities. This mixed methods study incorporated staff …
An Investigation Of Creative Thinking In Classical Schools, Amelia Louise Wildman
An Investigation Of Creative Thinking In Classical Schools, Amelia Louise Wildman
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
In the last few decades, classical education has greatly expanded across the United States. The philosophical roots of classical education span over 2,000 years of history, yet very little educational research has focused on these ever-expanding schools. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the relationship between implicit beliefs related to creativity and the uses of instructional practices related to creative thinking among classical school teachers. This study used quantitative research methods including exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression analysis, and bivariate correlations to establish a research basis for the importance of facilitating creativity, imagination, and wonder in classical …
Exploring The Role Of Virtual Reality Perspective Taking On Teachers’ Cognitive Empathy: An Action Research Study, Dong Bin Shin
Exploring The Role Of Virtual Reality Perspective Taking On Teachers’ Cognitive Empathy: An Action Research Study, Dong Bin Shin
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Empathy is an important instructor variable that improves learning outcomes by creating a safe learning environment (Herbek & Yammarino, 1990). Advancements in virtual reality technology and 360-degree videography allow individuals to empathize with others through a perceptual illusion called embodiment (Bertrand et al., 2018). The purpose of this mixed-methods action research study was to explore the effect of virtual reality perspective taking (VRPT) on teachers’ cognitive empathy. Additional goals included examining how teachers’ beliefs about cognitive empathy impacted teacher-student interactions and teaching practices. Lastly, the study sought to understand teachers’ perceptions regarding the efficacy of VRPT as a viable, professional …
The Pandemic Pause: Investigating The Impact Of Covid-19-Related School Closures On Student Learning And The Socioeconomic Achievement Gap, Kristin Schweitzer
The Pandemic Pause: Investigating The Impact Of Covid-19-Related School Closures On Student Learning And The Socioeconomic Achievement Gap, Kristin Schweitzer
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the school closures that occurred in the spring of 2020 on student learning. Using reading and mathematics MAP Growth data from four consecutive academic years, this study compared changes in student outcomes to determine if students, especially those who had economic disadvantage, had different academic outcomes than their peers. Research concerning typical student learning trajectories, patterns of summer learning loss, and existing academic achievement gaps was used to develop the hypothesis that fifth-grade students who experienced the pandemic would begin sixth grade significantly behind …
The Impact Of Selected Special Education Co-Teaching Models On Math And Reading Student Achievement And On Student Behavior In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade, Amy Page Hauser
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Providing special education services for students with identified special education needs in the least restrictive environment continues to be a challenge for schools. The co-teaching model of special education service delivery provides an opportunity for students to receive individualized instruction, remediation, and practice in the general education classroom by the general education teacher or the special education teacher. Given the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of co-teaching, there is a need to evaluate the practice based on its effectiveness in the specific setting of a small-town elementary school and based on important criteria of the specific setting. The purpose of this …
Toward Fostering A Sense Of Community Among Online Adjunct Faculty: Strategies Of Selected Higher Education Administrators, Alexandra Catherine Blankinship
Toward Fostering A Sense Of Community Among Online Adjunct Faculty: Strategies Of Selected Higher Education Administrators, Alexandra Catherine Blankinship
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Higher education institutions are increasingly turning to adjunct faculty to teach online courses to accommodate online course enrollment growth. While many adjunct faculty are attracted to the flexibility of online teaching, they also face several challenges, such as feelings of isolation and disengagement, negative stereotypes, and lack of professional development opportunities. These challenges can be detrimental to their instructional performance and, therefore, the student learning experience. Thus, fully integrating online adjunct faculty into an institution’s community and creating an environment in which they feel supported is critical to the success of an institution’s online programs. Research suggests that higher education …
The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross Case Analysis, Yanelys Canales
The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross Case Analysis, Yanelys Canales
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Student engagement is an essential component to student learning. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) has focused on providing schools with a unified approach to delivering quality classroom instruction. Despite the alignment and commonalities present, underlying issues still need further investigation. Discrepancies within student proficiency and learning gains exist across schools throughout the district. The purpose of the study was to investigate what patterns exist among fourth- and fifth-grade teachers across four schools within the district concerning the use of instructional practices and how these practices relate to levels of student engagement. This study investigated the relationship between student engagement, instructional …
The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis, Yesenia M. Aponte
The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis, Yesenia M. Aponte
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Student engagement is an essential component to student learning. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) has focused on providing schools with a unified approach to delivering quality classroom instruction. Despite the alignment and commonalities present, underlying issues still need further investigation. Discrepancies within student proficiency and learning gains exist across schools throughout the district. The purpose of the study was to investigate what patterns exist among fourth- and fifth-grade teachers across four schools within the district concerning the use of instructional practices and how these practices relate to levels of student engagement. This study investigated the relationship between student engagement, instructional …
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Michael Anthony Lewis
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Michael Anthony Lewis
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This dissertation explored a growing concern - the lack of retention of early career teachers (ECTs). We investigated the perceptions of a large sample of ECTs regarding how principal support and job satisfaction affects their decisions to remain in or leave the field of education. We employed an exploratory mixed approach based on a framework derived from DiPaola's (2012) work on principal support. Three surveys collected ECTs' perceptions of principal support, job satisfaction, and their intention to remain in teaching. A series of semi-structured focus group interviews were also used to collect data from ECTs across four school-level configurations in …
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Tracey Daws Crews
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Tracey Daws Crews
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This dissertation explored a growing concern - the lack of retention of early career teachers (ECTs). We investigated the perceptions of a large sample of ECTs regarding how principal support and job satisfaction affects their decisions to remain in or leave the field of education. We employed an exploratory mixed approach based on a framework derived from DiPaola's (2012) work on principal support. Three surveys collected ECTs' perceptions of principal support, job satisfaction, and their intention to remain in teaching. A series of semi-structured focus group interviews were also used to collect data from ECTs across four school-level configurations in …
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Thomas Cornell Fisher
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Thomas Cornell Fisher
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This dissertation explored a growing concern - the lack of retention of early career teachers (ECTs). We investigated the perceptions of a large sample of ECTs regarding how principal support and job satisfaction affects their decisions to remain in or leave the field of education. We employed an exploratory mixed approach based on a framework derived from DiPaola's (2012) work on principal support. Three surveys collected ECTs' perceptions of principal support, job satisfaction, and their intention to remain in teaching. A series of semi-structured focus group interviews were also used to collect data from ECTs across four school-level configurations in …
Teacher Leadership: A District's Human Capital Investment Approach For Elevating Professional Learning, Tricia M. Fernandez
Teacher Leadership: A District's Human Capital Investment Approach For Elevating Professional Learning, Tricia M. Fernandez
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Research shows that providing teacher leadership opportunities has a positive influence on the capacity building of teachers and is an effective strategy to retain effective teacher leaders. Current reform efforts include creating sustainable career pathways that provide teachers the opportunity to grow professionally while leading from the classroom. However, present trends depict low returns on investment from professional learning programs resulting in reduced funding. The purpose of this study was to determine if Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) human capital investment approach in the M-DCPS Teacher LEADership Academy (TLA) strengthens the capacity of teacher leaders to lead professional learning while …
A Program Evaluation Of A Secondary Peer Tutoring Program, Charles Caldwell Watson
A Program Evaluation Of A Secondary Peer Tutoring Program, Charles Caldwell Watson
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Using a combination of the quantitative and qualitative, a peer tutoring program at a secondary governor's school was analyzed between fall of 2015 to spring of 2019 for efficacy with respect to how participation influenced changes in tutees' quarter scores, when the optimal time to offer peer tutoring would be, and what participants identified as the primary benefits and barriers to attending. Peer tutoring was offered both after school and during lunch during this investigation, and yielded many interesting results. First, peer tutoring was found to have no significant influence overall upon change upon participants' quarter scores compared to a …
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, John D. Pace
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, John D. Pace
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This dissertation explored a growing concern - the lack of retention of early career teachers (ECTs). We investigated the perceptions of a large sample of ECTs regarding how principal support and job satisfaction affects their decisions to remain in or leave the field of education. We employed an exploratory mixed approach based on a framework derived from DiPaola's (2012) work on principal support. Three surveys collected ECTs' perceptions of principal support, job satisfaction, and their intention to remain in teaching. A series of semi-structured focus group interviews were also used to collect data from ECTs across four school-level configurations in …
An Exploration Of Gender-Specific Instructional Practices In A Single-Sex High School, John Fredrick Devault
An Exploration Of Gender-Specific Instructional Practices In A Single-Sex High School, John Fredrick Devault
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The achievement gap between school-age boys and girls is creating and adding to multiple contemporary cultural issues where underachieving boys have shown statistical links to decreasing workforce outputs, college enrollment and graduation, violence, and increasing prison populations. Current research suggests that single-sex classrooms contribute to larger gains in both mathematics and reading than co-educational classes for both boys and girls. This exploratory program evaluation used a qualitative design to examine the process of implementation in a single-sex academic high school environment. Teachers with experience in single-sex schools were interviewed to identify perceptions and differentiated teaching methods/strategies. Findings did not fully …
The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis, Mayte Maria Dovale
The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis, Mayte Maria Dovale
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Student engagement is an essential component to student learning. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) has focused on providing schools with a unified approach to delivering quality classroom instruction. Despite the alignment and commonalities present, underlying issues still need further investigation. Discrepancies within student proficiency and learning gains exist across schools throughout the district. The purpose of the study was to investigate what patterns exist among fourth- and fifth-grade teachers across four schools within the district concerning the use of instructional practices and how these practices relate to levels of student engagement. This study investigated the relationship between student engagement, instructional …
The Relationship Between Instrutional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis, Bisleixis Tejeiro
The Relationship Between Instrutional Delivery And Student Engagement In Selected Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis, Bisleixis Tejeiro
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Student engagement is an essential component to student learning. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) has focused on providing schools with a unified approach to delivering quality classroom instruction. Despite the alignment and commonalities present, underlying issues still need further investigation. Discrepancies within student proficiency and learning gains exist across schools throughout the district. The purpose of the study was to investigate what patterns exist among fourth- and fifth-grade teachers across four schools within the district concerning the use of instructional practices and how these practices relate to levels of student engagement. This study investigated the relationship between student engagement, instructional …
Lgbtq Student Experiences On Historically Black College And University Campuses, Kirstin Byrd
Lgbtq Student Experiences On Historically Black College And University Campuses, Kirstin Byrd
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have historically provided a nurturing academic and social environment for African American students. Yet, a pervading homophobic climate exists on these campuses that adversely affects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning (LGBTQ) students attending. The purpose of this study was to document and explore the experiences of LGBTQ students attending an HBCU. It was designed to provide institutional leaders with information on how to improve their campus environments in becoming more inclusive and responsive to their needs. Documenting student voices helps their campus and community understand the issues they face. This qualitative study included …
Teacher Perceptions Of Professional Development Practices And Their Influence On Self-Efficacy: An Action Research Study, Jennifer Mcsweeney
Teacher Perceptions Of Professional Development Practices And Their Influence On Self-Efficacy: An Action Research Study, Jennifer Mcsweeney
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Teachers play a critical role when it comes to impacting student achievement. As a result, quality of teachers is an issue that is being addressed through continuing professional development. Even with this emphasis, current professional development is perceived by teachers as being ineffective and lacking in relevance to student and teacher needs. However, research-based professional development practices do exist, and this study sought to explore which of these features teachers perceive to be effective within the learning experiences of lesson study, book study, and peer observations. Additionally, self-efficacy can affect teacher impact on student achievement. Four sources of efficacy contribute …
Taking A Strengths-Based Approach To School Improvement In A Rural Elementary School, Edward M. Van Dyke
Taking A Strengths-Based Approach To School Improvement In A Rural Elementary School, Edward M. Van Dyke
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Many scholars believe that school improvement and school climate are important aspects in student learning and achievement. This study takes a strengths-based approach to school improvement as well as improving school climate. The Appreciative Inquiry action research method was used to help develop a school improvement plan and attempt to improve school climate at a rural elementary school. The Appreciative Inquiry process uses the 5-D cycle of Define, Discover, Dream, Design and Deploy to help organizations look at how and in what areas the organization is thriving in to help in areas where they are looking for better results. Data …
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Try K. Diggs
Principal Support: Its Impact On Job Satisfaction And Early Career Teachers' Decisions To Remain In Teaching, Try K. Diggs
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This dissertation explored a growing concern - the lack of retention of early career teachers (ECTs). We investigated the perceptions of a large sample of ECTs regarding how principal support and job satisfaction affects their decisions to remain in or leave the field of education. We employed an exploratory mixed approach based on a framework derived from DiPaola's (2012) work on principal support. Three surveys collected ECTs' perceptions of principal support, job satisfaction, and their intention to remain in teaching. A series of semi-structured focus group interviews were also used to collect data from ECTs across four school-level configurations in …
Teacher Perceptions Of The Virginia Evaluation Process: A Program Evaluation Of Northshore High School's Teacher Evaluation Process, Douglas Fulton
Teacher Perceptions Of The Virginia Evaluation Process: A Program Evaluation Of Northshore High School's Teacher Evaluation Process, Douglas Fulton
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Teacher evaluation systems have served to remove ineffective teachers and support teacher professional development. Even with changes in evaluation systems that incorporated student-growth measures, teacher evaluation systems are more likely to serve for teacher development than teacher removal. This qualitative study focused on teacher perceptions of one school's evaluation components in supporting teacher professional growth and student learning. The study broke the teachers into career level experience groups of novice, early career, and experienced. The required district/state evaluation components of goal conferences, classroom observations, and student-growth measures were selected for the study. The study also looked at the school practice …
An Action Research Study: Inclusive Culture Formation In A New High School, David Wayne Parrish
An Action Research Study: Inclusive Culture Formation In A New High School, David Wayne Parrish
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The culture of a school community is critical to every aspect of its existence, including academic expectations, degree of inclusiveness, safety, and overall well-being of students and staff. While culture can be an abstract, elusive concept, it makes itself known upon entering the school. School culture can exist on multiple levels, exerting a cohesive impact on relationships and interactions and opportunities. Adding to its complexity, a school culture can be perceived differently by individuals, depending on their unique experiences. Further, a school culture is inevitable and difficult to change; a culture will form and once formed, is resistant to even …
Engaging Teachers To Improve Administrator Support In An Urban Middle School: An Action Research Study, Barbara R. Kimzey
Engaging Teachers To Improve Administrator Support In An Urban Middle School: An Action Research Study, Barbara R. Kimzey
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Abstract High teacher turnover in urban schools, such as at the school in which this study was conducted, has persistently negatively impacted school reform efforts aimed at closing the achievement gap (Donaldson & Johnson, 2011; Ronfeldt, Loeb, & Wyckoff, 2013). Since effective teachers have the greatest direct impact upon improving student achievement, high teacher turnover rates in low-performing schools that serve large populations of minority and low-income students help perpetuate the low performance of those schools (Ingersoll, 2002; Ronfeldt et al., 2013; Stronge, 2010; Wright, Horn, & Sanders, 1997). Furthermore, research indicates that teachers tend to stay in schools where …