Education Commons^™

Exploring The Implications: The Impact Of Universal Design For Learning On Student Engagement And Motivation In Diverse Classroom Environments, Hilary Sanguinetti

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP) investigated the influence of universal design for learning (UDL) on student engagement and motivation in middle school classrooms at a K–8 school in Northern California. The plan-do-study-act (PDSA) framework examined the potential of UDL practices in the context of a Diocesan-wide professional development initiative and assessed if teachers’ deliberate integrations of UDL strategies contributed to enhanced student engagement and motivation. The study navigated nuances of transitions to UDL practices, observing teachers as they attempted to implement strategies while students participated in UDL lessons. This process uncovered intrinsic challenges educators face—adherence to traditional teaching …

The Influence Of Peer Feedback On Office Discipline Referrals In Unstructured Settings, Amber Duncan

Doctor of Education (EdD)

In this improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP), a continuous improvement cycle was used to attempt to reduce office discipline referrals on the playground with 4th and 5th grade students. The intervention involved a team of peers who received training to recognize prosocial behaviors in students on the playground. Over the course of 90 days, Peer Influencers went to recess and rewarded positive behavior with Recess Compliments. A networked improvement committee (NIC) was formed to examine the effects on office discipline referrals and consider adaptations that needed to be implemented. Quantitative data was examined in the form of office discipline …

The Relationship Between Number Talks, Multiplicative Fraction Reasoning, And Student Mathematical Self-Efficacy, Amanda Davidson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Experiences involving the multiplication of fractions are common in daily life. For example, when preparing a meal, you may ask yourself questions such as, if 3⁄4 of a cup of flour is needed to make a dessert for 4 people, how much flour will I need to make 1⁄2 of the dessert for 2 people? (Lortie-Forgues et al., 2015). As you determine how much flour is needed, you may think conceptually by visualizing a cup-size measuring cup filled only 3/4 full. Since you need only half of it, you may think of dividing the 3/4 cup in half. The cup …

Improving The Ninth Grade On-Track For Native American Students, Charles Summers

Doctor of Education (EdD)

I conducted this improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP) to determine what strategies could be implemented to improve percentage of the ninth-grade Native American students on-track for graduation. This study provides high schools with information that can be used to positively impact Native American student success in their freshman year of high school. I implemented a strategize, implement, analyze, and reflect (SIAR) cycle with at-risk freshman Native American students to support them at staying on-track with their credits as they moved through their ninth-grade year. A networked improvement community (NIC) met throughout the cycle to collect and analyze data, strategize …

The Impact Of Strategic, Skill-Focused Intervention On First Grade Students Identified As "At Risk" For Dyslexia: An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice, Stephanie Clawson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of this Implementation Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) was to improve student achievement through the use of short, easily implemented, targeted interventions, performed by the classroom teacher. The targeted interventions provided in this study were aligned to specific skill areas, identified by the aimswebPlus Early Literacy Benchmark (ELB), and were evidence-based intervention tools currently in use within the district. The interventions were designed to be delivered by teachers within their literacy instructional blocks, and were 5-15 minutes in length. Teachers were asked to collect data using an aimswebPlus probe every two weeks to track student progress. Teachers then …

Understanding Teacher Perceptions Around Feedback, Cari Ann Sloan

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This narrative research study sought to better understand teachers’ perceptions around feedback, specifically the significant drivers of quality teacher feedback and the effect of the evaluator/teacher relationship. The theoretical frameworks of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, adult learning theory, social learning theory, and self-determination theory were examined to determine what the research reveals about adults’ incentive to improve. Research around accepted best practices in feedback was also reviewed in order to understand current implementation in educational settings, specifically what motivates teachers when given feedback on instruction. Four teachers, chosen for their specific characteristics, gave first-hand accounts of their experiences with the …

Enhancing Staff Satisfaction: Exploring The Efficacy Of Peer Observation As An Improvement Science Approach To Professional Learning For Elementary Educators, Brian Wood

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This research aimed to determine if introducing a peer observation system for professional development within an elementary school improved staff satisfaction with accessing and implementing professional learning. The Implementation Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) utilized a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) throughout a 90-day improvement science cycle. A network improvement committee (NIC) met monthly to establish a shared understanding of the current problem of practice within educational professional learning models, reviewed participant data, and made real-time adjustments to the research.

The study focused on study participants engaging in peer observations to acquire and implement new professional learning. Data collection methods included pre-, mid-, …

Impact Of South Coast To Valley (Sc2v) Regional Educator Network On Educator Personal And Professional Practice: A Program Evaluation Study, Amber Ryerson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Teacher turnover rates are higher than the national average with the Oregon House Majority reporting 36%. In 2017, the Educator Advancement Council (EAC) was tasked with developing and implementing localized regional networks to provide a seamless system of support for educators, which would be critical to retaining teachers in the profession. This program evaluation study aimed to understand the role and impact of the South Coast to Valley (SC2V) Regional Educator Network (REN). A total of 563 licensed and classified educators from the South Coast and Willamette Valley regions served as research subjects. To glean insight into how SC2V REN …

Development Of A Nursing Clinical Evaluation Instrument Using The Cipp Model, Carolyn W. Milburn

Doctor of Education (EdD)

National nursing education organizations are responding to the trends and challenges in healthcare with updated professional guidelines and a call for transformation in nursing education. The purpose of this study was to improve clinical performance evaluation in a baccalaureate prelicensure nursing program by developing a clinical evaluation instrument that is aligned with The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. The Context Input Process Product (CIPP) Evaluation Model was used as a framework to guide decisions and appraise the quality of the end product. During instrument development, I revised an existing instrument to align with the Essentials, assessed the face …

An Intervention For Increasing School Administrators’ Preparedness And Capacity To Supervise Idea And 504 Programs, Dana Christie

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP) was aimed at increasing 17 school- based administrators’ perceptions of their preparedness and capacity for supervising special programs, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, by providing responsive and differentiated professional development (PD). In this study, I evaluated the impact of targeted PD and support on participants’ perceptions over the course of the study in seven categories related to students with disabilities. In addition, I sought to determine what PD and support school-based administrators felt they needed to supervise programs for students with disabilities successfully …

Supporting New Teacher Self-Efficacy In Two-Way Immersion Programs, Jordan Mills

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) aimed to address the persistent challenge of training and supporting five new-to-the-profession Two-Way Immersion (TWI) teachers using instructional coaching to strengthen their teaching skills and self-efficacy. TWI programs require that teachers possess a specific set of instructional and language skills, yet must frequently onboard new teachers who have not been trained to teach in such programs. In this ISDiP, school leadership sought to support five new TWI teachers using a coaching model centered on Spanish language development strategies with the goal of improving teacher self- efficacy. Individuals representing school and district leadership formed …

Teaching Professionalism Skills To Secondary Students: An Improvement Science Dissertation On The Efficacy Of A Professionalism Skills System: An Improvement Science Study, James Weber

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This research provided Salem Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) with much-needed information on how to teach and grade secondary students on professional skills. The research was conducted at The Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) in Salem, Oregon. CTEC employs 35 staff members who serve 780 high school students. This research followed an improvement science dissertation in practice model (ISDiP) by implementing a 64-day Plan-Do- Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. A networked improvement community (NIC) met throughout the PDSA cycle to analyze and implement the research.

The NIC and CTEC staff developed a new system to teach, grade, and provide feedback on students' professional …

Using A Decision-Making Process To Determine Where To Relocate A Newer Dual Language Program, Laura C. Weiss

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This qualitative research study used culturally responsive protocols to provide stakeholders in a small rural community access to a district’s decision-making process. Community stakeholders were tasked with making a recommendation for relocating its dual language program (DLP). The committee identified three themes to guide their decision making: (a) keep the school in one location, (b) maintain the culture, and (c) provide access to resources. Despite intentional protocols used, barriers remained that impacted committee members’ level of engagement and participation. Key factors contributing to a lack of engagement included insufficient time and lack of trust. Additionally, native Spanish speakers (NSS) and …

Culturally Responsive Teaching: High School Teachers Reflecting On Multicultural And Global Education, Giselle Pardo De Rincón

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study explored the challenges and benefits teachers face in implementing culturally responsive teaching, multicultural education, and global education and their impact on student learning, community integration, and sense of belonging. Through qualitative narrative research, I investigated how high school educators could create inclusive classroom environments. Four high school teachers from a suburban high school in Oregon, aged 21 or older, participated in semi-structured interviews focused on culturally responsive teaching, multicultural education, and global education. The research aimed to uncover high school teachers’ experiences across different career stages, offering insights to support educators and inform policy and teacher preparation programs, …

An Analysis Of The Suitability Of Philosophy As A Core K-12 Public School Subject, Mark Christopher Blythe

Doctor of Education (EdD)

In 2005 Michael Katz invited philosophers of education to reinvigorate the inquiry into what is required to provide a proper education for everyone to lead a productive life. In the literature review, I analyze the suitability of philosophy in teaching K-12 students how to think and reason logically—essential abilities for a productive life. I also examine the educational landscape through the philosophy of Nicholas Rescher’s Cognitive-Values Theory and address the value of learning philosophy. I present a Philosophical Dialectic that shows how epistemic diversity (aporetic clusters) justifies making philosophy a K-12 core subject while analyzing philosophers’ reasons for including philosophy …

Alternative Settings For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, Jamie Logan

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study examined the positive and negative impacts of an alternative placement for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities within the public school sector. The research examined special education law, rights, responsibilities, and current and past litigation, focused on one school district’s current practices. The study explored the feelings and thoughts of parents and students involved in the alternative placement practice currently being used nationwide.

Examining Motivation And Self-Efficacy In Reading And Writing In Seventh Grade English: An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice, Jennifer Tuttle

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science study sought to understand and support the motivation and self-efficacy of middle school students for literacy-based tasks using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), Burke Reading Inventory (BRI), and Burke Writing Inventory (BWI) in a pre-and post-format. This study was designed in response to observed course failings and lack of motivation for seventh-grade students in a post-COVID educational situation. The teacher researcher implemented a Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle alongside interested stakeholders to try and support students’ motivation to complete literacy tasks. She also conducted class discussions to clarify and support students’ understandings of motivation and …

The Formation Of A Guide For Licensed Educators Supervising And Supporting Paraeducators In Special Education, Catherine Parry

Doctor of Education (EdD)

According to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Oregon Administrative Rules, the work of paraprofessionals is required to be directed and supervised by a licensed teacher. While the typical licensed special educator is often unprepared for these duties, there are also very few accessible and applicable resources to support growth in this area. Through bracketing and memoing of literature on the topic, this content development dissertation examines what aspects of supervision and support of paraprofessionals should be included in a guide. It then proceeds to offer a succinct guide for licensed special educators on how to supervise and support …

The Impact Of Social-Emotional Team Huddles On Educational Leaders' Wellbeing: An Improvement Science Study, Jennifer Lambie Patterson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Teachers and administrators have been leaving the education industry with nearly half of educators hired living within their first five years in the classroom. Burnout and stress contribute most significantly to the high attrition rates. One research-based strategy that has been deemed impactful is creating a culture of wellness and establishing trusting relationships in the workplace. These relationships may be achieved through engagement structures, inclusive environments, and strong leadership attributes that foster one-to-one connections. The method researched in this improvement science in practice methodology is the implementation of bi- monthly team huddles with a department of education administrators. Included in …

Demystifying Preservice Teacher Reflective Thinking: A Systematic Literature Review, Joan Flora

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This systematic literature review responds to the need for research on clarity of what reflective thinking practice is and in determining the value of that practice for preservice teachers. While much has been written about preservice teacher reflective thinking, few studies have explored empirical research on the processes that inform and shape preservice teachers’ reflective practice. This study examines the existing literature to discern common themes in the diverse definitions of reflective thinking. This study also examines diverse frameworks that help teacher educators guide, analyze, assess, and measure the quality of preservice teacher reflective thinking. This study helps inform education …

Using Online Video Observations And Real Time, Peer Reflective Analysis Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Pedagogy In A University Teacher Preparatory Program For Preservice Teachers, Adrian E. Cortes

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This research aimed to understand the impacts of using online video observations and real-time peer reflection to teach and address culturally responsive teaching in a Pacific Northwest university’s teacher preparatory program. Six active university students enrolled in a university’s new teacher preparatory program (i.e., preservice, new teacher candidates) actively participated in all areas of this study (i.e., nonrandom sampling) and provided both quantitative and qualitative data. Study participants completed self-evaluative pre- and post-surveys in a research group session. Surveys were built using the ready 4 rigor framework (Hammond & Jackson, 2015) and the four areas of culturally responsive teaching as …

A Conceptual Analysis And Variable Identification Study Of First-Language Attrition, Neil Edward Cantrall

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Children who grow up hearing and speaking one language and then begin learning another often experience first-language (L1) attrition. Existing research presents different theories regarding the process and the contributing factors of L1 attrition. However, the theories and factors are often dispersed throughout the literature with little coherent presentation. This makes it difficult for researchers and some practitioners to model L1 attrition with other variables properly. This study merged conceptual and content analysis through literature reviews to identify the relevant and essential variables that play a role in L1 attrition. I reviewed 54 textual sources which presented information or studies …

An Evaluation Of Social Emotional Learning Curricula And Their Effect On 4th Grade Students' Emotional Regulation, Jared Larson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Sanford Harmony and Adventure Based Counseling (ABC) interventions on the emotional regulation of 4th-grade students. Students were not randomly selected in this study, and pre and postassessments were measured using an Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results indicated both interventions had a positive effect on participants’ emotional regulation. Further, the Sanford Harmony and ABC intervention were found to be successful in improving emotional regulation. These improvements helped with regulating oneself, dealing with trauma, helping with relationships, and solving problems. Implications for counselors and educators include recommending both interventions as a means to improve students’ emotional regulation. …

An Implementation Evaluation Of Social And Emotional Skills Curricula In A Cohort Model, Lancelot Falcon

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) evaluates the implementation of social and emotional learning (SEL) lessons to address SEL challenges for 9th grade students attending WC High School (pseudonym). WC High School is one of four comprehensive high schools in Eugene, Oregon. A networked improvement community (NIC) composed of district leadership, school administrators, and teachers used the “collaborative for academic, social, and emotional learning” (CASEL) framework to develop and provide lessons supporting SEL throughout the academic year. The NIC created these lessons to give students opportunities to improve self-management, growth mindset, self-efficacy, and social awareness by implementing periodic tasks …

General Education Teachers And Students With Disabilities: Using Targeted Information And Delivery Methods To Improve Perceptions Of Preparedness In Inclusion Models, Kaitlyn Lemos

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) was designed to gain insight into what areas 21 teachers at one elementary school felt they lacked to effectively work with students with disabilities. The study was also designed to discover which delivery methods teachers felt were most effective in providing useful information that respected their busy schedules and limited time. This study provided school districts with valuable information to pursue similar information across many schools to aid in the development of targeted and worthwhile professional development opportunities for educators.

When provided with targeted information via video and infographic, participants reported a preference …

Enabling Conditions For Safety System Implementation By Leaders In A Southern California School District: An Improvement Science Study, Shelah Feldstein

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of the study was to learn the enabling conditions for implementation of a safety system in a Southern California school district. One high school piloted this safety system while focusing their attention to document, investigate, and reduce the number of fight and prefight incidents involving students. Although the intended outcome was to reduce these safety incidents, the intended learning of this study was to understand how the district could adapt the safety system model.

Pilot participants were interviewed and asked to share successes and challenges with regards to each of the four main model components: (a) reporting safety …

A Phenomenological Study Of Educator Perceptions Of Social-Emotional Learning Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Allison Haulton

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This qualitative phenomenological study serves the purpose of identifying teacher perceptions of social-emotional learning (SEL) through a global pandemic, including implementation, professional learning, student outcomes, and additional challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to add to the body of existing literature, specifically, in veteran teachers (those with ten or more years of experience in an elementary education setting) and their experiences teaching SEL following the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Handbook For Community College Deans: Foundations, Frameworks, And Day-To-Day Resources For Leaders Of Two-Year Institutions Of Higher Education, Thomas James Wilkins-Luton

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study explores the evolving equity-focused purpose and structure of community colleges in the United States in the early 2020’s and examines how the leaders of these culturally critical higher education institutions make sense of their place within complex social and educational contexts. This study describes the function of these equity-essential institutions and identifies key structural barriers and student success interventions; explores how community colleges have worked to realign their missions and visions in light of changing student demographics and emerging student-success research; and reflects on the professional foundations, conceptual frameworks, and resources necessary for community college leaders, particularly deans …

Literary Types: How Literature Helped Inspire Healing And Joy In My Classroom And Beyond, A Narrative, Donald R. Anderson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This manuscript examines the role of bibliotherapy, specifically the utilization of literature in the form of books, to address and treat emotional and psychological distress. The document offers a concise historical overview of bibliotherapy, in addition to 29 chapters presenting contemporary accounts illustrating the successful application of bibliotherapy in the lives of both adolescents and adults. Extensive research supports the notion that bibliotherapy constitutes a rational and practical approach to assisting individuals of all ages, with a particular emphasis on adolescents, in overcoming emotional trauma and initiating the healing process. Specifically, a seminal study conducted in the Netherlands by Tijms, …

An Exploration Of Teacher Attrition Factors In Oregon Christian Schools, Zachary Davidson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study sought to determine factors for attrition rates among Christian school teachers in Oregon by using an adaptation of the 2021-2022 Private School Survey created and distributed by the Department of Education. The quantitative study was distributed to 31 Christian schools in Oregon. Relationships and trends were examined among teachers who expressed a high desire to remain teachers and those who expressed a desire to quit the teaching profession. Results from this study identified three strategies to improve teacher retention. First, an increase in compensation was the primary factor in improving teacher retention. Second, mentorship was significant in decreasing …