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Teachers' And Coaches' Perspectives On The Challenges In Implementing A Literacy Coaching Program, Lucia West
Teachers' And Coaches' Perspectives On The Challenges In Implementing A Literacy Coaching Program, Lucia West
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem in a local school district in the Southwest region of the United States was the lack of improvement in reading achievement scores in Grades 3 through 5 despite the implementation of a literacy coaching program during the previous 3 years. This lack of improvement in reading achievement has an impact on students’ subsequent academic performance and outcomes. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of teachers and literacy coaches in the local setting regarding the challenges in implementing the literacy coaching program. The conceptual framework of the study was Vygotsky's third space theory. …
Teachers' And Coaches' Perspectives On The Challenges In Implementing A Literacy Coaching Program, Lucia West
Teachers' And Coaches' Perspectives On The Challenges In Implementing A Literacy Coaching Program, Lucia West
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem in a local school district in the Southwest region of the United States was the lack of improvement in reading achievement scores in Grades 3 through 5 despite the implementation of a literacy coaching program during the previous 3 years. This lack of improvement in reading achievement has an impact on students’ subsequent academic performance and outcomes. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of teachers and literacy coaches in the local setting regarding the challenges in implementing the literacy coaching program. The conceptual framework of the study was Vygotsky's third space theory. …
Educator And Parent Collaborative Literacy Support In A Title I School, Larhonda Young
Educator And Parent Collaborative Literacy Support In A Title I School, Larhonda Young
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In an urban elementary school serving a large percentage of low-socioeconomic status (SES) students in a southern state, the problem was that over 50% of student literacy scores remained below the state standard between 2016 and 2019. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine educators’ perceptions of teacher–parent collaboration to support literacy in the home and how these strategies may improve low-SES students’ literacy skills at the elementary target site. Using Bourdieu’s educational habitus theory, educators’ perceptions of teacher–parent collaboration strategies to enhance literacy and the advantages and barriers of fostering collaboration were examined for low-SES students …
Career And Technical Education Teachers Integrating Literacy And The Support Administrators Provide, Heather Denese Piccott-Bryan
Career And Technical Education Teachers Integrating Literacy And The Support Administrators Provide, Heather Denese Piccott-Bryan
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Education regulations in many U. S. schools require teachers, including career and technical education (CTE) teachers, to integrate literacy skills into the curriculum to support student performance on standardized tests. Changes in teaching strategies and content for literacy integration require administrators to improve the support systems for CTE teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore CTE teachers' experiences in integrating literacy into the curriculum and the support they receive from administrators. Fullan's change model informed the conceptual framework for this study. Individual interviews with 4 teachers and 3 administrators from a state on the east coast …
Elementary Principal And Assistant Principal Instructional Leadership Practices Influencing Student Literacy, Jennifer England Magnusson
Elementary Principal And Assistant Principal Instructional Leadership Practices Influencing Student Literacy, Jennifer England Magnusson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
AbstractThe problem of a rural school district’s declining reading scores for students in Grades 3 through 8 was a significant concern because effective reading skills are of paramount importance to student success in school and life. Evidence suggests that principal instructional leadership practices influence student achievement; therefore, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the district’s elementary principals’ and assistant principals’ instructional leadership practices that influenced student literacy. Murphy’s model of instructional leadership served as the conceptual framework. The research question for this study addressed how these elementary administrators implemented instructional leadership practices at their schools to …
Principals’ Experiences Leading Strategic Planning In High-Performing Primary Schools In Trinidad And Tobago, Adesh Reitoo Ramlal
Principals’ Experiences Leading Strategic Planning In High-Performing Primary Schools In Trinidad And Tobago, Adesh Reitoo Ramlal
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In the education system in Trinidad and Tobago, only 60% of students are achieving mastery in literacy and numeracy as documented by national tests. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore principals’ experiences leading strategic planning designed to increase achievement in literacy and numeracy in 8 high-performing primary schools in Trinidad and Tobago. Fullan’s change process theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from interviews with 8 principals. Data analysis included coding, categorizing, and identifying themes. Findings indicated that principals plan, implement, and monitor the facilitation of change processes through in-depth strategies in teaching …
Elementary Teachers' Experiences Integrating Technology With Literacy Instruction, Valerie Coward-Vaughn
Elementary Teachers' Experiences Integrating Technology With Literacy Instruction, Valerie Coward-Vaughn
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary educators at the urban elementary school in this study struggled with technology-enhanced literacy pedagogy to increase student success. The purpose of this case study was to examine the extent to which educators built relationships between technology and teaching to improve student success. The study was guided by Venkatesh's unified theory of acceptance which was used to examine how educators accept and use technology in literacy instruction. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of how they can build better relationships with technology and teaching to enhance student literacy success and their perceptions of administrative and district support services to enhance …
The Role Of Parents In Literacy Development During Kindergarten, Jason Eugene Harris
The Role Of Parents In Literacy Development During Kindergarten, Jason Eugene Harris
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Parental involvement contributes to the improvement of student achievement. Although children entered kindergarten with varying levels of literacy development, parents might perceive kindergarten literacy instruction as a panacea for any lacking skills, therefore lessening their involvement in their children's literacy development. Thus, there was a need to understand parents' perceptions of the importance of (a) their involvement in the education of their children, (b) their role in their children's literacy development during kindergarten, and (c) their role in their children's early literacy development as influencing their children's overall literacy development. Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development served as a guide …
Strategies And Assessments To Support Special Education Students' Writing The Literacy Test, Angelo Caesar Maniccia
Strategies And Assessments To Support Special Education Students' Writing The Literacy Test, Angelo Caesar Maniccia
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Many special education (SPED) students are failing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) despite writing instruction provided by SPED teachers. The purpose of this study was to understand teachers' perceptions about why students were failing the literacy/writing test and document whether evidence-based assessment and writing practices were implemented. Cognitive-behavioral theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions in this study focused on SPED teachers perceptions regarding students not passing the OSSLT, observations of whether assessment and instruction for writing aligned with best practices, and collecting baseline curriculum-based measurement (CBM) data of SPED students' current writing …
Elementary Literacy Coaching In A Florida School District, Crystal Jacqueline Tessmann
Elementary Literacy Coaching In A Florida School District, Crystal Jacqueline Tessmann
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Literacy coaching is a widely implemented method for increasing teacher effectiveness and student learning. However, literacy coaches, teachers, and administrators from various countries have expressed confusion and concerns regarding this method. In the current research setting, literacy coaching was implemented to improve reading test scores with inconsistent results. Cultural historical activity theory was used as the theoretical framework for this sequential explanatory mixed-methods research that explored literacy coaching relationships in the research site from the teachers' perspectives. Phase 1 research questions examined (a) differences between the amount of time coaches spent with teachers, (b) components of coaching teachers found most/least …
Content Area Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Literacy Strategies, Lynette Smith Smith
Content Area Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Literacy Strategies, Lynette Smith Smith
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The Common Core State Standards recommend that all educators prepare students with the literacy skills needed for college and careers. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine 7th and 8th grade content area teachers' perspectives towards teaching literacy. The research questions addressed teachers' capabilities in the role of literacy instructor as well as the actual application of literacy. The conceptual framework included Bruner's constructivist, Bandura's self-efficacy, and Knowles's andragogy theories. These theories informed the investigation of adult learners' perspectives regarding the way they learn and gain confidence to provide literacy instruction. Eleven English, math, science, and social …
Educators' Perceptions Of Best Practices For Increasing Literacy Among High-Poverty Students, Giuseppe Di Monte
Educators' Perceptions Of Best Practices For Increasing Literacy Among High-Poverty Students, Giuseppe Di Monte
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The local problem addressed in this study was the low reading achievement of high-poverty fourth-grade students in a small rural school in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The purpose of this instrumental case study was to examine the perceptions of the campus principal and teachers at a sampled high-poverty and high achieving elementary school to determine best practices for meeting literacy needs of high-poverty students. This knowledge is important because student success in reading achievement contributes to overall academic success. The neo-sociocultural conceptual paradigm of Wertsch, del Rio, and Alverez, which links cognitive and cultural learning processes, was …
Literacy Training In An Urban High School Professional Learning Community, Vicki Sandra Ross-Norris
Literacy Training In An Urban High School Professional Learning Community, Vicki Sandra Ross-Norris
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The purpose of this study was to explore the essence of professional learning experiences shared by teachers who participated in a professional learning community (PLC) at a New York City high school in the South Bronx. Guided by Hord's PLC characteristics and Bruner's constructivism theories, this phenomenological study addressed the research questions of what PLC practices urban high school teachers employ to support the academic-literacy achievement of their students of low social economic status (SES); the role of administration in the PLC process; and the roles of a shared mission, values, vision, norms, and collaborative knowledge on the functioning of …
Inclusion Teachers' Attitudes And Practices Regarding Literacy Strategies, Lisa Christine Putt
Inclusion Teachers' Attitudes And Practices Regarding Literacy Strategies, Lisa Christine Putt
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Students with disabilities (SWDs) at a combined junior/senior high school in a Midwestern state have opportunities to participate in inclusive education settings. However, they consistently score below proficient on state standardized reading assessments, despite an increased focus on literacy by content area inclusion teachers. Without improved literacy skills, many SWDs will experience a decrease in standardized test scores and graduation rates, which, in turn, will affect access to a college education and better careers and livelihoods. The purpose of this bounded qualitative case study was to explore 7th and 8th grade content area inclusion teachers' attitudes toward and perceptions of …
A Case Study Of Middle School Teachers' Preparations For High-Stakes Assessments, David Lee Yeary
A Case Study Of Middle School Teachers' Preparations For High-Stakes Assessments, David Lee Yeary
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Students, educators, and schools across the country have been presented with challenges as a result of rigorous standards and high-complexity tests. The problem addressed in this case study was that teachers in a rural middle school in a southeastern state were preparing students to take a new high-stakes state-mandated assessment in English language arts with very little information about what should be done to best prepare students to perform well. Danielson's work on instructional leaders, Webb's work on alignment of standards and assessments, and Tankersley's research on alignment of instruction and assessment provided the frameworks for the study. The participants …
The Relationship Between Map Assessment And Pass Results For Eighth Grade, Torri Darrell Barber Barber
The Relationship Between Map Assessment And Pass Results For Eighth Grade, Torri Darrell Barber Barber
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a South Carolina middle school, students were performing poorly on the state assessment in reading. Eighth grade students were not passing the Palmetto Assessment of State Standard (PASS) assessment administered each spring. The purpose of this study was to examine whether student performance on the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) reading test in the fall predicted PASS scores in the spring. The theoretical framework was based on the item response theory (IRT)-the relationship between individual performance on a test item and the test takers' levels of operating along an overall measure of the ability that item was designed to …
Improving Literacy For Diverse Low Socio-Economic Status Middle School Students, Vivian Fowler Means
Improving Literacy For Diverse Low Socio-Economic Status Middle School Students, Vivian Fowler Means
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In an urban district, Surfside School personnel were concerned that student literacy proficiency levels were low during 2011-2014 and teachers had not been able to close the achievement gap despite a focus on literacy practices and literacy professional development (PD) provided by the district. The purpose of this case study was to explore the perceptions of teachers and administrators in relation to the best instructional practices for increasing self-efficacy when teaching literacy skills and related literacy PD for teachers. Knowles' andragogy theory and Vygotsky's social learning theory formed the theoretical foundation of this study, which hold that PD should provide …
Teachers' Perceptions About Addressing Literacy For Students With Vision Impairment, Samantha Washington
Teachers' Perceptions About Addressing Literacy For Students With Vision Impairment, Samantha Washington
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Regular education teachers are sometimes at a disadvantage when required to instruct learners with a visual impairment or other special needs in the classroom. A problem exists with reduced support and training for regular education teachers responsible for meeting literacy needs of students with visual impairment. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive case study was to explore regular education instructors' perceptions of their self-efficacy and ability to modify literature for learners with visual impairment. The research questions targeted this purpose, specifically in the areas of training opportunities and technology use. The social cognitive theory, a model emphasizing learning occurring through …
Effect Of Public And Private Preschool Attendance On Kindergarten Literacy, Matthew Garofolo
Effect Of Public And Private Preschool Attendance On Kindergarten Literacy, Matthew Garofolo
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Students who enter kindergarten lacking readiness skills often struggle to meet literacy benchmarks and to successfully complete school. The problem to be investigated by this study is the low literacy scores on the standardized Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment test at 2 public New Jersey elementary schools. While some students attended public or private preschools, others did not attend any preschool prior to starting kindergarten. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the difference in kindergarten literacy gain scores among students who attended public, private, and no preschool. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory and emergent literacy theory served as the …
Teachers' Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Jolly Phonics Program On Students' Literacy, Lorane Evadney Moodie-Reid
Teachers' Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Jolly Phonics Program On Students' Literacy, Lorane Evadney Moodie-Reid
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
At 2 primary schools in Western Jamaica, students at the Grade 1 level lacked basic literacy skills of comprehension, letter recognition, letter sounds, and oral communication. The purpose of this qualitative evaluation study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of the Jolly Phonics program implemented to improve students' literacy in Grades 1-3. Guided by Engestrom's activity theory, the effectiveness of the Jolly Phonics approach was examined based on the sociocultural learning theories of Vygotsky, Dewey, and Piaget. The research questions focused on teachers' perceptions of the program's impact on students' literacy improvement and of the strategies used in the Jolly Phonics …
High School Science Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching Content-Related Reading Comprehension Instruction, Theresa D. Williams
High School Science Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching Content-Related Reading Comprehension Instruction, Theresa D. Williams
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In order to achieve academic success, students must be able to comprehend written material in content-area textbooks. However, a large number of high school students struggle to comprehend science content. Research findings have demonstrated that students make measurable gains in comprehending content-area textbooks when provided quality reading comprehension instruction. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how high school science teachers perceived their responsibility to provide content-related comprehension instruction and 10 high school science teachers were interviewed for this study. Data analysis consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that 8 out of …
Exploring Literacy Coaching As A Form Of Staff Development, Kate Matthews Welborn
Exploring Literacy Coaching As A Form Of Staff Development, Kate Matthews Welborn
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Following a 2011 audit a school district in the south central United States clarified the role of the literacy coach. However, there were still differences among the literacy coaches as to how they were performing their duties. As a result, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the role of the literacy coach in the participating school district. The theoretical foundation of this study addressed adult learning and was based upon Kegan's constructive development theory and Knowles's theory of androgogy. A case study design was used to explore how 5 literacy coaches implemented literacy staff development …
Successful Strategies Used To Increase The Reading Comprehension Of Second Graders, Patricia Reda Reda
Successful Strategies Used To Increase The Reading Comprehension Of Second Graders, Patricia Reda Reda
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
A southeastern elementary school evidenced many students with a consistent decrease in oral reading fluency (ORF) rates as the 2nd grade year progressed, leading to weakness in reading comprehension in the 3rd grade. Reading comprehension is critical for academic success, as students who merely decode words do not gain knowledge from the text. This qualitative case study explored the successful strategies, both inside and outside of the classroom, used by parents and teachers of this southeastern elementary school to positively impact the reading comprehension rates of 2nd grade students. Constructivism and transactional learning served as the conceptual frameworks for this …
Partial Inclusion Effects On Students With Special Needs In English, Jayna Michelle Jensen
Partial Inclusion Effects On Students With Special Needs In English, Jayna Michelle Jensen
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
A special education population failed to meet the state target in English. This occurrence drove educational leaders to review their program options to address the problem. Their decision to offer a partial inclusion English program setting is important because it supports using data to provide students a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The purpose of this study was to examine if the new setting was supported by an increase in student academic achievement scores. The theoretical framework included the social relationship model by Reindal and Gürgür and Uzuner's successful inclusion practices theory. The guiding …
An Examination Of Teachers' Reading Instructional Challenges In An Alternative School Setting, Leslie Bowen Retchko
An Examination Of Teachers' Reading Instructional Challenges In An Alternative School Setting, Leslie Bowen Retchko
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a suburban alternative school, educators of at-risk students reading below grade level often struggled to provide effective reading instruction. As a result, these students were likely to continue to experience academic difficulties, which could limit their career options and their opportunities to contribute to the betterment of society. This study addressed the gap between reading strategies teachers actually used in the classroom and the reading strategies they learned during professional development. The research questions focused on the instructional challenges teachers experienced while working with struggling readers in an alternative school setting. Mastery learning theory and the adult adragogical theory …