Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 20 of 20
Full-Text Articles in Education
A Mixed-Method Study Of Kindergarten Through Third-Grade Teachers’ Perceptions Of Homework, Tonya Heavin
A Mixed-Method Study Of Kindergarten Through Third-Grade Teachers’ Perceptions Of Homework, Tonya Heavin
Dissertations
This mixed-method research study examined the perceptions of kindergarten through third-grade teachers regarding the use of homework in their classrooms. Electronic surveys were sent to 190 kindergarten through third-grade teachers in seven school districts from five counties in Central Missouri. A total of 47 educators chose to respond to the open- and closed-ended questions. The results of this study showed most of the respondents believed in the benefits of homework for academic achievement. The quality and quantity of assigned homework were important characteristics for educators from both large and small school districts. The lack of parental support was considered one …
A Content Analysis Of Cultural Sensitivity Within K-5 English Language Arts Common Core Fictional Exemplar Texts, Kevin D. Starks
A Content Analysis Of Cultural Sensitivity Within K-5 English Language Arts Common Core Fictional Exemplar Texts, Kevin D. Starks
Dissertations
In this study, the researcher investigated cultural sensitivity within the mandated English Language Arts Common Core exemplar fictional texts that “serve as useful guideposts in helping educators select texts of similar complexity, quality and range” (Common Core State Standards, n.d., p. 2) for kindergarten through fifth grade, for the state of Missouri. The researcher utilized a modified version of Frances Ann Day’s children’s literature evaluation framework, “Evaluating Children’s Books for Bias,” an adaptation of the Council on Interracial Books for Children’s, “Guidelines for Selecting Bias-Free Textbooks and Storybooks,” to test for cultural sensitivity within 50 of the 90 suggested fictional …
Effects Of Early Childhood Education On Reading Preparedness In Third Grade Of Elementary School, Kimberly A. Williams
Effects Of Early Childhood Education On Reading Preparedness In Third Grade Of Elementary School, Kimberly A. Williams
Dissertations
Reading has been found to not only build student motivation but to increase community involvement in education (Hudson & Williams, 2015). Children who grow into lifelong readers were less likely to be incarcerated, became more successful members of society, and created greater futures for themselves and their families (Obama, 2013). With exposure to early childhood education opportunities, children found a greater propensity to attain foundational reading skills; therefore, positive habits for education lead to thriving outcomes in the future (DeHaan & Leuven, 2016). This study analyzed variations in preschool programs in order to detect curricular, facility, and instructor distinctions (DeHaan …
A Comparative Analysis Of Missouri Elementary School Arts Curriculums, Shenicquel Larene Spotts
A Comparative Analysis Of Missouri Elementary School Arts Curriculums, Shenicquel Larene Spotts
Dissertations
Since the beginning of recorded history, artists of distinction have contributed to society’s aesthetic sensibilities through their media of choice. The lives of these artists continue through their visually recorded work. We see their best products featured in history books and films, thus generally contributing to our day-to-day lives. Despite the influence of art on society, this deep and multi-faceted subject is often among the first to be cut during periods of economic instability or budget constraints. While funding may reflect the impact of arts programs on the educational experience, the true value of arts programs emerges when their usefulness …
A Qualitative Study Of Learning Spaces At A Midwest Elementary School And Its Relationship To Student Attitudes About Reading, Stephanie Marie Limpert
A Qualitative Study Of Learning Spaces At A Midwest Elementary School And Its Relationship To Student Attitudes About Reading, Stephanie Marie Limpert
Dissertations
This study investigated the relationship between flexible learning environments and student attitudes about reading. Flexible learning environments are spaces wherein learners can choose from different seating or standing options, locations within the learning space, and the size group with which to work. This allows the learner to find the environment that he or she learns best in. The researcher sought to understand if flexible learning environments and the autonomy to choose from the aforementioned criteria improved student attitudes about reading. To evaluate the relationship between flexible learning environments and student attitudes about reading, the researcher interviewed and surveyed teachers, and …
Effects Of Elementary Teacher Preparation And Support On Retention, Sarah Turpin-Padberg
Effects Of Elementary Teacher Preparation And Support On Retention, Sarah Turpin-Padberg
Dissertations
With the start of every school year, new teachers enter classrooms across our country filled with excitement surrounding the impact they hope to have on students. Some teachers discover that teaching at the elementary level can often times involve more than teaching and loving children. The expectations, demands, and time constraints put on new teachers can become overwhelming and even lead some to leave the field of education early on in their career. In regards to the teacher attrition rate, this study identified reasons why so many aspiring and newly employed elementary teachers leave their chosen profession so early in …
Departmentalized Classroom Environments Versus Traditional Classroom Environments In Second Through Fourth Grades: A Quantitative Analysis, Staci Janelle Ray
Departmentalized Classroom Environments Versus Traditional Classroom Environments In Second Through Fourth Grades: A Quantitative Analysis, Staci Janelle Ray
Dissertations
Since No Child Left Behind was introduced, kindergarten through 12th-grade educators have seen a dramatic increase in accountability, rigor of standards, and responsibilities in the classroom (New America Foundation, 2015). In order to meet the increased demands of federal education regulations in second through fourth grades, many administrators are looking for alternative methods to ensure student success (Gewertz, 2014). Departmentalization is one of the alternative methods being used (Jacobs, 2014). Educators believe departmentalization results in many benefits (Chan & Jarman, 2004); however, historical research has contradicted this view (American Association of School Administrators, 1965). With the demands of today’s standards …
The Implementation Of Systematic Promotion And Retention Procedures And Its Impact On District-Wide Practices In Elementary Schools, Roger Anthony Le Blanc
The Implementation Of Systematic Promotion And Retention Procedures And Its Impact On District-Wide Practices In Elementary Schools, Roger Anthony Le Blanc
Dissertations
Student retention has been consequential to students through an assortment of disparaging labels derived from the retention process. It served to marginalize the academic status of those students considered for retention through such practices as ability tracking, inferior labeling, and other discriminatory measures, as they moved through their respective academic journeys. And while both research current to the time of this writing and past research continued to be overwhelming in its stance that such policies and procedures were filled with negative unintended consequences, there was still little or no effort to abate such practices (Allensworth, 2004). This research explored whether …
The Significance Of Response To Intervention (Rti) To Student Progress In Fourth Grade Students In Missouri, Merlyn W. Johnson
The Significance Of Response To Intervention (Rti) To Student Progress In Fourth Grade Students In Missouri, Merlyn W. Johnson
Dissertations
focus of this research is in the area of Response to Intervention (RTI) and its effect on academic achievement in elementary schools in rural Missouri. In light of the regulations within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and its accountability requirements for schools, this study is important and timely in order to provide valuable examples of effective RTI processes. The research approach adopted in this dissertation was a quantitative approach; therefore, quantitative analysis was utilized during a statistical comparison of elementary schools in Missouri and a review of information from a survey distributed to elementary principals in Missouri. …
A Case Study: Achievement Studies Of Persistent, Transitional, And Transient Populations Within The Blitz Program Model At A Large Midwestern Elementary School, Jackie D. Ramey
Dissertations
The United States’ Public Education system shared concerns regarding declining achievement results across the nation. Numerous research studies suggested significant correlations to various variables, such as, SES (Socio-Economic Status), LEP (Limited English Proficiency), IEP (Individualized Educational Programs), ethnicity, and student mobility. The literature suggested these areas of concern need continued research to address specific issues, such as, how to close the educational gaps between students in these categories and students without these characteristics. The Primary Investigator completed a case study to assist decision makers with transient students at a Midwest near-urban elementary school by specifically focusing on fifth grade students …
A Study Of Best Practices And Student Achievement In Elementary And Middle School Reading, Tracey L. Hankins
A Study Of Best Practices And Student Achievement In Elementary And Middle School Reading, Tracey L. Hankins
Dissertations
Reading and writing proficiency are skills necessary to be successful academically and in today’s workplace. Literacy skills are directly linked to a better quality of life, the ability to read labels, civic documents, to expand knowledge, and to boost self-esteem (SIL International, 2012). Teaching reading and writing is a complicated arena in education and must be addressed in a systematic manner in order for students to excel. In this study, state test scores in Communication Arts for students in grades 3 through 8 in Missouri were examined to determine the top 10% of schools. Once the top 10% of schools …
Investigating Staff Morale In An Elementary School Setting, Bethany Pendino
Investigating Staff Morale In An Elementary School Setting, Bethany Pendino
Dissertations
The way that employees feel about their workplaces and their jobs has implications not only for each individual but for the success of the workplace as well. In a school setting, investigating how teachers and other staff members feel about their jobs and their workplace and then seeking to improve employee morale may benefit schools. This action research investigated staff morale at Sparkling Springs Elementary School. The investigation examined how efforts to improve staff morale influenced staff members, students, and parents. Through staff surveys and focus groups, the researcher obtained information on staff members‟ feelings and attitudes related to the …
The Effects Of School Climate Change On Student Success In A Fifth And Sixth Grade School, Kim M. Harris
The Effects Of School Climate Change On Student Success In A Fifth And Sixth Grade School, Kim M. Harris
Dissertations
The significance of the study was to examine intentional strategies to improve school climate relative to student school success as measured by academic achievement, attendance, and student behavior. It was important to understand how student school success was affected by factors related to school climate improvement such as leadership and change processes, initiatives to improve student sense of safety and connectedness, and factors such as time, relationships, grade span, and alignment in academic focus. Understanding how school climate could promote student school success was significant in this study, as was an understanding of the differences between school culture and climate …
The Relationship Between Caring School Community Program Implementation And Elementary Student Achievement, Michelle R. Wilkerson
The Relationship Between Caring School Community Program Implementation And Elementary Student Achievement, Michelle R. Wilkerson
Dissertations
This program evaluation of Caring School Community was conducted by two educators who studied the implementation of this character education program in an elementary school. In an effort to foster a culture of respect and kindness, where students, staff, and parents are treated as valued, contributing members of the school community, an elementary school implemented a character education program called Caring School Community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of the implementation of Caring School Community and its possible impact on student achievement. The evaluation of this program involved observing classroom instruction to track student engagement, …
The Relationship Between Caring School Community Program Implementation And Elementary School Attendance, Discipline, And Climate, Debra A. Kyle
The Relationship Between Caring School Community Program Implementation And Elementary School Attendance, Discipline, And Climate, Debra A. Kyle
Dissertations
This program evaluation of Caring School Community was conducted by two educators who studied the implementation of this character education program in an elementary school. In an effort to foster a culture of respect and kindness, where students, staff, and parents are treated as valued, contributing members of the school community, the school of study implemented a character education program called Caring School Community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of the implementation of Caring School Community and its possible impact on student attendance, student discipline, and positive behavior referrals. The evaluation of this program involved …
Can Experiential Education Strategies Improve Elementary Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of And Practices In Science Teaching?, Kasey D. Sindel
Can Experiential Education Strategies Improve Elementary Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of And Practices In Science Teaching?, Kasey D. Sindel
Dissertations
This study was prompted by the growing amount of research that is in support of science reform and from this researcher’s personal experience and concern that science instructions is no longer a top priority in elementary schools nor are young scientists given the opportunities to act as scientists in a real world setting. This study uses experiential education strategies in a workshop format to try and affect change in the attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions of elementary science teachers. Experiential education is not new, but the methods of teaching can span a wide range of topics. The main focus of the …
Preschool Connectedness: The Impact Of Attending A School District Affiliated Prekindergarten Program On Student Success In The Initial Elementary Years, Mandy Rose
Dissertations
Schools are seeking ways to address the achievement gap and yield increased performance for students to meet expectations outlined in NCLB. An examination of efficacy of pre-k program delivery models within a given community might assist districts in determining where to focus energy in an attempt to address the existing achievement gap. Many school districts overlook the years preceding kindergarten as a time to concentrate on needs of the student population. To determine if a relationship existed between the type of pre-k program attended and the level of academic success as well as social competency as measured by office discipline …
The Effects Of Motivational Independent Reading Programs On Elementary At-Risk Students’ Reading Skills, Kathleeen J. Trueb
The Effects Of Motivational Independent Reading Programs On Elementary At-Risk Students’ Reading Skills, Kathleeen J. Trueb
Dissertations
Teaching literacy is a challenging process that incorporates the functional and structural aspects of language with the comprehension of its content. Educators are often unable to successfully identify the appropriate strategies that are best-suited to communicate these distinctive components of literacy to students. Students from backgrounds of low socio-economic status are more likely to face challenges in acquiring literacy due to the cultural exceptions attached to their community and to the lack of resources available to them in the home and in schools that have less funding. The research study seeks to investigate these issues through comparing and contrasting the …
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On Elementary And Secondary Sub-Groups, Gregory Matthew Cicotte
Exploring The Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Teacher Selection Tools: The Effects On The Total Group With A Focus On Elementary And Secondary Sub-Groups, Gregory Matthew Cicotte
Dissertations
As schools struggle to meet federal testing requirements, the importance of having highly effective teachers in every classroom has never been greater, and, given the current downward trend in the economy, there are more teaching applicants than ever. School districts would benefit from a streamlined process to interview and select only the most highly-qualified teachers. The researcher’s purpose in this study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of a unique and specific teacher selection process which included three Ventures for Excellence screening tools and one innovative instrument designed for this study, the performance rating scale. A collaborative correlational study …
Teacher Compensation And The Academic Achievement Of Elementary Students, Doug Arnold
Teacher Compensation And The Academic Achievement Of Elementary Students, Doug Arnold
Dissertations
This study examined Missouri Assessment Program achievement scores and teacher salaries to determine if a correlation existed. Student achievement scores and teacher salaries were obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the 2006-2007 school year. Analysis of the data indicated there was a significant correlation between student achievement as measured by the Missouri Assessment Program and teacher salaries. This study is part of a companion project. The researchers collaborated on the research portion of this study. The researchers shared common goals, defined their roles in the review of literature and coordinated efforts to produce this project. …