Education Commons^™

Examining The Factors That Influence High School Teachers’ Implementation Of Professional Development, Ellen Gianakis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study investigates the aspects of professional development that have the greatest impact on teachers’ perception of and implementation of professional learning. This study explores the extent to which release time and financial compensation influence teachers’ perceptions of the resources available to support their professional growth as well as the extent to which the format and focus of professional development impacts teachers’ perceptions of professional development relevancy. This archival study examines teacher-level data from the 2017-2018 National Teacher and Principal Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education. Data collected from 14,460 teachers across the nation was used for …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of An Alternative Evaluation Model, Karen A. Chase

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The body of research shows the importance of teacher effectiveness on student achievement. To ensure teacher effectiveness, states have enacted legislation that governs the processes for teacher evaluation. However, these systems have not proven to be as effective as once anticipated. One of the flaws pertains to the evaluation system’s inability to differentiate feedback based on teacher ability. For this reason, the New Jersey Department of Education has provided school districts the option to use an alternative evaluation model, The Reflective Practice Protocol. This option is available to teachers who have been rated as highly effective. The purpose of this …

Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions Of Assessment Literacy In A High Performing School District In New Jersey, Marlena Celebre-Baird

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As teachers gain experience, their assessment knowledge base, personal beliefs, and the educational context come together to shape their identity as an assessor. Therefore, assessment literacy is not simply a stagnant knowledge base of skills but rather that takes shape over time, through reflective teaching continues to develop. This study sought to add to the body of research that highlights and describes, through the lens of the teacher, how beliefs and contextual factors influence a teachers’ assessment literacy in practice.

A qualitative case study methodology was selected for this study to explore how elementary K–5 teachers’ personal beliefs play a …

Teachers’ Perspectives On How One-To-One Devices Influence Their English Language Learners’ Academic Experience, Christine Jimenez-Johnson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As the number of English Language Learners (ELLs) continues to grow in classrooms across school districts, educators continue to seek innovative instructional methods to increase ELLs’ learning outcomes. Technological applications and devices are changing the way society communicates and collaborates, and school districts are incorporating different technologies to enhance teaching and learning. More so, technological devices are increasingly being used to enhance the learning experiences of ELLs and are changing the way teachers are teaching English language instruction.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives on how one-to-one devices influence ELLs’ academic experiences. The population included …

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Early Childhood Instructional Coaches: An Explanatory Case Study, Laura Scamardella

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

High expectations for student achievement, the continuous evolution of teacher evaluation protocols, and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 have led schools and districts to find effective, ongoing professional development for teachers. Schools and districts have invested a great deal of time, energy, and money offering teachers the opportunities for ongoing professional development. One specific professional development approach many United States schools and districts have adopted is instructional coaching. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of teachers who have worked with early childhood instructional coaches. This study identified a better understanding of what instructional …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Efficacy Of Literacy Coaching As A Valuable Professional Development Practice, Erin J. Stinson-Dioguardi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived effectiveness of literacy coaching as a valuable professional development practice for teachers in New Jersey provided with literacy coaching support from a school-based literacy coach. This study also explored instructional coaching and the potential impact this support has on teacher practice. The study was designed to identify the successful professional development strategies that instructional coaches in New Jersey utilized to influence teacher practice. This study may be valuable to researchers, school districts, and educators currently or seeking to implement an instructional coaching program as part of high-quality professional development. The …

The Influence Of Professional Development Methods On Student Mathematics Performance In New Jersey Public Elementary Schools, Xanthy Karamanos

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study was developed to determine the influence of professional development methods on student academic performance in elementary mathematics. The study also reviews the relationship between content that was delivered in professional development programs and student performance. Additionally, the research analyzes the difference in student math performance when professional development decisions are made by administrators versus a mixed group of stakeholders. An online survey was conducted to collect data from district- and school-level administrators in New Jersey public school districts that serve elementary students from grades three to six. The study includes representation from 11.4% of public school districts …

Peer Observation As A Job-Embedded Professional Development Tool, Daniel J. Breiman

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Teacher professional development is typically provided outside of the workplace, and is therefore disconnected to daily classroom practices. An alternative model of professional development is peer observation, which is contextualized through coaching and collaboration in the classroom. To date, research and investigation into the practice of peer observation is lacking. To fill that gap, this study examined the influence of peer observation on teacher practice, while identifying factors that were most beneficial and challenging about peer observation and its influence on workplace collegiality.

This study used qualitative methods and action research that allowed teachers to be part of the research …

Administrator Perceptions Of The Teacher Evaluation Process And Professional Development Programming In New Jersey Independent Schools, Marissa C. Muoio

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examines administrator perceptions of the teacher evaluation process and professional development programming in New Jersey independent schools. Despite the contentious topic of teacher evaluation within the national landscape today, there is currently little research available concerning administrator perceptions of teacher evaluation and professional development within independent schools. In this study, I ask a) What teacher evaluation processes or tools are being used in the independent schools in the state of New Jersey? b) What types of professional development programs are provided for teachers in these schools? and c) How do independent school administrators perceive the relationship between the …

A Qualitative Study On Teachers' Perceptions Of Co-Teaching In Inclusion Classrooms, Cheryl M. Banks

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this research study was to examine teachers’ perceptions toward co- teaching in inclusion classrooms and provide valuable information on relevant content, activities and assignments that focus on collaboration between school professionals. A second purpose of this study was to add knowledge to the existing literature describing factors for developing effective co-teaching programs in schools that serve large populations of students with disabilities in urban schools. This included examining their perspectives about the co-teaching model, their relationships formed with their co-teacher, and the support given by administration. The study was a descriptive study that used qualitative research methods …

Developing An Internal Leadership Pipeline In Urban Districts: A Pathway To Capacity Building, Marnie G. Mckoy

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how an urban school district designs and implements leadership development programs for internal candidates. The challenge of continuously developing a cadre of committed and qualified leaders is not new (Darling-Hammond, LaPointe, Meyerson, Orr, & Cohen, 2007). To maintain the high standards of instructional leadership and to continue sound practices in teaching and learning, school districts must think and move strategically to protect their investments in professional development and coaching, and to secure the future growth of its students and staff. The literature is clear and consistent on the elements of effective …

A Case Study Of The Implementation And Impact Of The System For Teacher And Student Achievement (Tap), Tyrone D. Burton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For many years, educators and researchers have debated over which variables influence student achievement. A growing body of evidence suggests that schools can make a great difference in terms of student achievement, and a substantial portion of that difference is attributed to teachers. (International Institute for Educational Planning, 2004). Specifically, differential teacher effectiveness is a strong determinant of differences in student learning, far outweighing the effects of differences in class size and class heterogeneity (Darling-Hammond, 2000). Students who are assigned to one ineffective teacher after another have significantly lower achievement and learning (that is, gains in achievement) than those who …

An Analysis Of Variance In Teacher Self-Efficacy Levels Dependent On Participation Time In Professional Learning Communities, Megan D. Marx

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to determine variance in mean levels of teacher self-efficacy (TSE) and its three factors – efficacy in student engagement (EIS), efficacy in instructional strategies (EIS), and efficacy in classroom management (ECM) – based on participation and time spent in professional learning communities (PLCs). In this cross-sectional study, 123 teachers from two similarly profiled high schools in one, New Jersey urban public school district were surveyed using the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2001). An independent sample t test was used to measure variance in mean levels of TSE, ESE, EIS, and …

A Study On The Relationships Of Professional Development, Teacher Working Conditions And Job Satisfaction While Controlling For Years Of Teaching Experience And Grade Level Taught, Daniel W. Silvia

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

“Over the next ten years, 1.6 million teachers will retire, and 1.6 million new teachers will be needed to take their place. This poses both an enormous challenge and an extraordinary opportunity for our education system: “if we succeed in recruiting, preparing, and retaining great teaching talent, we can transform public education in this country and finally begin to deliver an excellent education for every child” (Duncan, 2011, pg. 1). Indeed, teacher preparation and professional development is an extremely important issue facing our educational system today. There is a great deal of research that supports the idea that the most …

Implementing Connected Math Project 2: Observable Influences Of Professional Development Activities On Reported Staff Attitudes About Implementation, Mary Lee Kappes

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Funding Teacher Education: A Catalyst For Enhancing The Universal Basic Education In Imo State Of Nigeria, Martin Okoro

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Qualitative Case Study Analysis For A Potential Model For K-12 Professional Development Using Virtual Learning Environments, Andrea Santacroce-Tejedor

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Case Study Of The Attributes Of Teacher Efficacy, Joanmarie Baggs Penney

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Case Study Of The Writing Consultant As A Professional Development Model For Elementary School Teachers, Shirley E. Martin

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Professional Development, Christine Scheffert Lowden

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Understanding The Impact Of Follow-Up E-Mail Support On Teacher Adoption Of Technology: A Study Of Teachers In Self-Selected Web-Based Training, Sheila K. Tebbano

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Technology Professional Development Programs And The Level Of Technology Integration Demonstrated By Middle School Teachers In New Jersey, Philip J. Guenther

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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