Education Commons^™

Supporting Self-Efficacy Through Mindset: The Impact Of A Growth Mindset Innovation On The Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Students In A Teen Leadership Course, Shannon J. Kojah

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how the disposition of a student interacts with or influences a behavior plays a central role in cognitive theories. Middle school years have been accounted for as being difficult, awkward, and sometimes downright stressful. The overall purpose of this action research was to examine the impact of a growth mindset innovation using a digital portfolio on the self-efficacy of middle school students in a leadership course. The research questions were: (1) How can a growth mindset intervention using a digital portfolio support self-efficacy improvement in middle school students taking a leadership course? (2) What are students’ perceptions on their …

The Effectiveness Of College Readiness College Preparatory Programs For Low-Income Teenagers, Leah Heartfield

Theses and Dissertations

High school students from low-income backgrounds experience academic under-preparedness, financial distress, and socialization challenges when entering college. For these students, challenges may begin in the K-12 setting, where this population is more likely to face limitations in college counseling, lack highly qualified teachers, and have limited access to college programs. First generation college students are less likely to pursue and persist in higher education than their peers with different backgrounds (OECD, 2012). Because of this, low-income students may seek out or be invited to join supplemental programs, including summer bridge and afterschool programs, to help them become college ready. The …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Implementation Of Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Swpbis) In A Rural Southwest Georgia School District, Angela E. Bell

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined teacher perspectives of SWPBIS and how those perceptions impacted school discipline in a rural, Title I middle school located in southwest Georgia. This paper reviewed the history of school discipline policies and discipline practices. The focus was on teacher perceptions of SWPBIS and how those perceptions impacted school discipline in a rural, Title I middle school in a southwest Georgia county. Results were obtained using a quantitative survey and focus groups. Overall, the findings discovered that all respondents believed that SWPBIS had helpful benefits.

A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study Of Middle School Administrators’, Counselors’, And School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports Team Leaders’ Perceptions Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports, Ginette E. Bartlett

Theses and Dissertations

Students' disruptive behavior has become more customary over the last several years. Many school systems have implemented a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) approach to deal with these behaviors proactively. This particular study is focused on behaviorism and operant conditioning. A qualitative exploratory case study design was chosen as the most effective method to understand perceptions of the implementation of the SWPBIS framework in a middle school setting. The three data sources include structured focus groups with school administration, counselors, and SWPBIS team members. Additionally, school climate surveys from 2016-2021 and school discipline referrals from 2016-2021 were evaluated. During …

Why Ask Questions? How Phenomena-Based Inquiry Affects Student Engagement In A Middle School Science Classroom, Laura Nix

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of phenomena-based inquiry on students’ engagement levels in my science classroom. This action research study took place in the fall of 2021 with six student participants. Participants were enrolled in an eighth-grade honors science course in a middle school in South Carolina. The research was predominantly qualitative, and data was collected from participant pre- and poststudy surveys and interviews, anticipation guides, exit tickets, online discussion forums, and teacher field notes. The data revealed that phenomena-based inquiry encouraged students to participate and engage in their own learning, as indicated by post …

The Effects And Impact Of Interdisciplinary Teaming On Teacher Practices And Efficacy, Lisa Depaola

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects and impact of interdisciplinary teaming on teacher practices and efficacy. This study revealed the perspectives of eight 7th and 8th grade teachers, who teach one of the core disciplines (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) and the school principal by interviewing them for this case study in an Essential Elements School-to-Watch in Nassau County, New York. It included perceptions from the other 7th and 8th grade teachers on interdisciplinary teams through focus groups and observations during team meetings. Document analysis was performed on artifacts that were collected during …

The Importance Of Self-Regulatory Learning Skills And Collaboration In 7th - 12th Grade Online Classes, Tonja Detwiler

Theses and Dissertations

Research at the college and graduate levels indicates that the use of self-regulatory learning skills (such as time management, asking for help and setting goals) and collaboration with teachers and peers to be vital components of online learning. Little research in online learning has been done at the 7th - 12th grade levels (Barbour, 2019). Through the theoretical frameworks of Zimmerman & Moylan (2009) and Garrison et al. (2000), this non-experimental study examined the correlation of grade level, gender, and modality of instruction to students’ scores on the Online Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire and their end of year grade point averages. …

A Mixed-Methods Investigation Into The Factors Impacting Middle School Academic Motivation, Paul Ambrose Hammond Iv

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important tasks of schools is to foster and grow the achievement motivation of students. However, middle school is a time period which frequently sees a downturn in students’ levels of engagement. In this action research study, the causes of this downturn in motivation are investigated by drawing out the voices of the students themselves regarding their educational experiences and viewpoints. Using the expectancy-value theory as the primary lens, the researcher employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the causes of declining academic motivation at his school through the perspectives of three students with exceptionally high levels of …

Exploring The Relationship Between Low-Income Parents’ Perceptions Of Their Participation And Students’ Lexile Levels And Attendance, Taricka Russell

Theses and Dissertations

Students who live in poverty are at a disadvantage when entering school, have a higher chance of reading below grade level, and often have high absenteeism rates. Some students who reside in poverty lack ongoing interactions with others where they can express themselves and increase their vocabulary. Many times, students who live in poverty are associated with single parent homes and a lack of resources. Parents are in survival mode; meaning parents must focus on paying the bills and keeping food on the table rather than being actively involved in their students’ education. Previous studies have provided information on how …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports And Its Influence On Effective Implementation, Tiffany J. Baskin-Downs

Theses and Dissertations

The use of a multi-tiered system of supports framework has been of growing interest in addressing issues related to disruptive behaviors and school suspensions. The purpose of this mixed-methods sequential, explanatory study was to examine middle school teachers’ perceptions (behavioral expectations defined, behavioral expectations taught, and an ongoing system for rewarding behavioral expectations) of their efforts toward implementing Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with fidelity in two middle schools within an urban school district located in Georgia. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, homogeneity of variance Levene’s test, t-tests, factorial analysis, a one-way analysis of variance, post-hoc tests, frequencies and …

Evaluating The Use Of Writing Prompts & Graphic Organizers In Middle School Mathematics: Action Research To Improve Mathematical Achievement And Students’ Attitudes With Authentic Assessments, Kyla Candee Steppler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the impact of writing prompts and graphic organizers on Mona school’s 7th and 8th grade students’ mathematical academic achievement and their attitudes towards the authentic application of mathematics. Two research questions guided the study: (1) How and to what extent, do writing prompts and graphic organizers impact 7th and 8th grade students’ mathematical achievement and attitudes towards mathematics? (2) What were the 7th and 8th grade students’ perceptions about the implementation of authentic writing prompts and graphic organizers in a mathematics course at Mona school? This action research followed a convergent …

Building College-Going Self-Efficacy For Rural Middle School Students, Laura Ann O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examines the role of an explicit college-going intervention on the self-reported levels of college-going self-efficacy for rural middle school students. While there are a multitude of variables that influence a student’s decision to pursue formal education beyond high school, this study focused on college-going self-efficacy, which is one of the constructs included in the Social Cognitive Career Theory. Rural seventh grade students answered fourteen questions from a College-Going Self-Efficacy scale pre-intervention and then completed the same questions post-intervention. The intervention consisted of lessons that addressed common barriers students see as prohibiting them from going to college, including …

The Relationship Between School Climate And Student Achievement At The Middle School Level In Georgia, Curtis Brett Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

School leaders from all over our nation are under scrutiny and pressure to raise their students’ academic achievement. Good standards-based classroom teaching, supportive teachers, administrators, and parents, and a motivated student all make for a high achieving student. But what is the relationship of the school’s climate to the achievement level? Does the student’s socioeconomic status affect academic achievement? This study collected data from 431 traditional public middle schools in the state of Georgia serving students in Grade 6 through Grade 8 exclusively during the 2017-18 school year. A stepwise multiple regression was used to examine the relationships in both …

Teacher Perceptions Of Intercultural Sensitivity And Their Classroom Management Practices: An Empirical Study Among Middle And High School Teachers In A Georgia School System, Nigel Lavar Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have reported the existence of an achievement and discipline gap between Black and White students and examined factors that potentially influenced the outcomes. The researcher conducted a causal comparative study to determine if there were differences in teacher perceptions of intercultural sensitivity and classroom management practices based on gender, ethnicity, years of experience, and grade level. The present study was also designed to determine if there were differences in classroom practices based on levels of intercultural sensitivity. The data were collected using a survey instrument comprised of the following three parts: four preliminary questions to gather demographic information, the …

The Effectiveness Of The Keyword Method On Foreign Language Vocabulary For Students With Learning Disabilities, Jessica Anna Consiglio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was: (a) to examine the effectiveness of the keyword mnemonic method to improve the foreign language receptive vocabulary of students with learning disabilities, (b) to examine the effectiveness of the keyword mnemonic method to improve the productive foreign language vocabulary of students with learning disabilities and (c) to evaluate student satisfaction and perceptions of the keyword mnemonic method intervention. Three seventh and eighth grade students, one male and two females, with a learning disability participated in the study. A single subject ABAB design was used. During the baseline phases students received instruction using rote memorization. …

The Impact Of Scaffolding On The Historical Thinking Skills Of Middle School Students, William R. Cox

Theses and Dissertations

This work is dedicated to some incredibly important people in my life. First, to my students everywhere, you have challenged me to become a better curriculum leader and a better historian. Many of you have inspired me beyond anything that you can imagine. Second, to my colleagues, you have helped create a drive inside of me to seek the best in my students and myself. You have also put up with my seemingly unending impromptu lectures about the newest thought I had on pedagogy.

Finally and most importantly, to my family, it is you that I owe an indescribable debt. …

The Impact Of A Media Literacy Curriculum On Middle School Students’ Ability To Recognize Racial Bias In Mass Media, Amy Savage

Theses and Dissertations

This paper outlines an action research study focused on the possible effects of a media literacy curriculum on middle school students’ ability to recognize racial bias in mass media. The research study also evaluated the possible differences in sensitivity to mass media messages based on gender and race. Currently, while numerous forms of media literacy education exist, very few K-12 educational systems in the United States have implemented a formal media literacy curriculum; instead, teachers who are not trained in media literacy education are expected to include the teaching of these skills within their daily lessons. The questions this research …

Perceptions Of Belongingness In Stem Subjects And Career Development For Middle School African American Girls, Anya Woronzoff Verriden

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the hypothesis that African American girls’ early perceptions of support in middle school influences their narrowing or broadening of interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects and careers. As previously researched the belief that boys excel at math and science while girls do well in the humanities is not supported by findings. Therefore the purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction of contextual factors such as teacher, parent, and peer support for African American middle school girls and their interest in STEM subjects utilizing a qualitative research method. Students are making decisions about their …

The Effect Of The Video Game Quizlet On The Acquisition Of Science Vocabulary For Children With Learning Disabilities, Kelsey Claire Donovan

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine if using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom increases science vocabulary acquisition of students with learning disabilities, (b) to determine if using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom increases the student engagement/on-task behavior of students with learning disabilities, and (c) to evaluate student comfort and satisfaction in using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom. Six middle school students, three female and three male participated in the study. A single subject design with ABAB phases was utilized …

Self-Monitoring For Students With Disabilities, Lauren Beth Serebransky

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought out answers to the questions: Are students who are taught self-management skills better able to monitor their own learning then students who are not taught the skill? Does the use of self-monitoring applications improve a student’s chance of becoming a better self-monitor? Do high or low-tech strategies help students manage their learning and behavior the best?

For this study three seventh grade students were observed. Two of the students were observed in a self-contained English Language Arts class while the last was in an inclusive English Language Arts class. Each student had varying disabilities that affected his …

The Preferred Leadership Style Of South Carolina, Title I, Middle School Principals: Is There A Relationship To Student Achievement ?, Valarie Green

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the self-perceived leadership style preferred by Title I middle school principals and its association to student achievement as measured by the South Carolina, Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) tests. Research studying effective schools strongly supports the concept that school principals are the key to a school's success or failure. This study was conducted in South Carolina school district middle schools with grade configuration of sixth to eight grade. Twelve schools were selected based on Title I status, or the school's poverty rate, and included only schools in which the principal had served in the same school …

Longitudinal Effects Of School Climate On Middle-School Students' Academic, Social-Emotional And Behavioral Outcomes, Jennifer Lynn Engelland-Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of youth are at risk for low academic achievement, school dropout, risky behavior, bullying, and mental health concerns, especially those living in rural areas. Protective factors can reduce the likelihood of children and adolescents experiencing these negative outcomes. Research shows that positive school climate is a powerful protective factor for youth. The present study investigated the longitudinal relations between middle school students' school climate perceptions and their academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development over two years. Specifically, 510 students in grades 5-9 from six rural schools rated their support and influence at school as well as their internalizing problems, personal …

Middle School Students' Perceptions Of Fairness And Trust In Assessment Scenarios, Corinne Elaine Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

Fairness in assessment practices is an elusive concept which has been explored in some detail at the university level, but rarely with students in middle school. This study examines students’ perceptions of fairness on nine classroom assessment practices. It also studies if students’ perceptions of fairness, as well as student gender, could predict their levels of trust. Students were able to discern fair practices, as defined by alignment to best assessment practice literature, from unfair practices for most scenarios. They were more inclined to recognize interactional fairness deviations or promotions. The student’s ability to identify a fair or unfair situation …

How School Leadership Develops Parental Involvement Strategies With Social Capital In Four South Carolina Middle Schools, Anthony Neil Boatwright

Theses and Dissertations

Passed in 2001, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandate requires schools to have a comprehensive plan for addressing parental involvement. Identifying successful practices to increase social capital and academic achievement in lower socio-economic schools appears to be the area that is having the most impact. Principals can contribute to higher success rates by generating productive partnerships between the school and parents/guardians. The purpose of this study is to describe the parental involvement strategies that four successful South Carolina (SC) middle school principals used and to identify successful practices being implemented to increase social capital and academic achievement. The researcher …

The Relationship Between Principals' Humor Style And School Climate In Wisconsin's Public Middle Schools, Greg Matthias

Theses and Dissertations

In an era of unsteady political climates, high stakes testing, stressful situations, and expectations of continuous improvement, today's middle school principals are in a precarious position. Middle school principals have to be involved in the community, seen as a leader at their school, seen as a curriculum leader by their staff, and a motivational coach by their students. Middle school principals' personality and interpersonal skills are even more important today. Therefore, a principal that uses humor may help to motivate students and staff and encourage a positive school climate.

Middle school principals can integrate many styles of leadership within their …

Gifted Students' Perceptions Of High School Transition, Beverley R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of gifted middle school students who attended one of two middle school gifted service options as they transitioned into high school. Gifted middle school students from either a center-based gifted service option or a school-based gifted service option from middle schools in a suburban district in Central Virginia participated in the study. Participants who had completed three consecutive years within the gifted service option were purposively selected for the study. Students completed a pre-transition survey at the end of their eighth grade year and a post-transition survey early in their ninth grade year. The survey …

The Middle School Transition In Private Schools: Student Perceptions, Eileen Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS: STUDENT PERCEPTIONS By Eileen Irby Atkinson, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Director: Cheryl Magill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership Students transitioning into the middle school often experience difficulty adjusting to their new environment. During this transition, declines in academic motivation, academic achievement, and connectedness have been noted. Most research on this transition has taken place in public school settings. This research investigated the impact of the middle school transition in …

Voices Of Summer: Interviews With Middle School Students Repeating Academic Courses In Summer School, James Frye

Theses and Dissertations

As the needs of society changed, states faced increasing pressure from the federal government to raise educational standards. States adopted rigorous standards, however many students failed to meet defined proficiency levels, necessitating summer school attendance or grade retention. Factors associated with academic failure have been extensively documented in the academic literature. The factors identified in the research can be organized into six categories, including motivation, age and ability, withdrawal from school, parents and guardians, school practices, and teacher practices. The purpose of the current study was to explore middle school students’ perceptions of factors which contributed to the academic outcomes …

Differentiating Reading Instruction For Special Education Students In An Inclusive Middle School: Comparing Teacher Knowledge And Application, Lauran Ziegler

Theses and Dissertations

DIFFERENTIATING READING INSTRUCTION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN AN INCLUSIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL: COMPARING TEACHER KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION This qualitative case study uses observations and interviews to examine the practice of differentiation by twelve collaborative middle school reading teachers in a school that has shown a decrease in the achievement gap for students with disabilities on end of year tests on state standards. Observations and interviews were analyzed to determine the teachers’ knowledge and application of differentiated instruction. The results showed that four of the six teams possessed a comprehensive knowledge of the practice of differentiation and the data available to …